paulclaassen

'The Monkey' was my most anticipated movie of the year so far, and also one of the biggest disappointments (for me). I don't know why; I guess I expected a creepy horror in the vein of the James Wan's 'Dead Silence' (2007), and not a comedy.

I was hoping to be scared, but instead I often shook my head in disbelief at how goofy the movie was at times. (The idiotic, blasphemous priest comes to mind, as well as cheerleaders cheering when a body was removed from a crime scene, and a young Hal ranting in church at his mother's funeral.) Some of the humour was funny, but mostly it was downright silly and out of place. I felt like I could easily have stopped watching at any minute, which by the way happened quite often.

So, what's the movie about? Well, twins Bill and Hal found a musical monkey among their dad's stuff, after he simply left them without saying goodbye. It is a really bad monkey, and even referred to as the Devil himself. You turn the key and the drumsticks go up. They come down again when it chooses who it wants to kill next. It doesn't take requests. It kills who it wants when it feels like it.

When people close to them start dying in freak accidents, Bill and Hal throws it down a well hoping to contain it, since it can't be destroyed. 25 Years later, the monkey resurfaces and people start dying again. The film feels like Final Destination with a twist. Final Destination monkey style! The kill scenes are the best part about the movie. They are unexpected and really well done. Oh, this film would have been so much better as a horror and not a comedy (horror)!!

'The Monkey' is also the story of a father and son connecting - or should that be disconnecting? Hal only sees his son Petey once a year. Petey doesn't understand his dad does this to protect him, and instead feels he is being pushed away. I enjoyed this aspect of the movie, and I also thought Theo James was excellent (in the duel role of Hal and Bill).

For many, I would imagine, 'Slaughterhouse' is a classic 80's horror slasher. I've only just discovered this film and can't help but wonder how I missed it back in the day. This is as 80's a slasher horror as they come.

Lester is about to loose his property and his beloved Slaughterhouse, which he has owned for more than twenty years. Facing foreclosure, Tom Sanford makes an offer to purchase his property, but Lester refuses. After a visit by Tom, his attorney Harold Murdock and Sheriff Borden telling him he has just 30 days to vacate his property, Lester tells his simple-minded son Buddy they need to avenge them.

Teenagers Annie, Liz, Skip and Buzz are scouting for a location for their horror movie, and decide to have a look at the Slaughterhouse. Meanwhile, Sheriff Borden is getting worried about the disappearances of Kevin and Michelle (who were killed by Buddy). Soon, more people start disappearing (getting killed by Buddy) and Borden is starting to suspect foul play.

When the teenagers go to the Slaughterhouse one night as a dare, it becomes a fight for survival with Buddy - wielding a meat clever - hunting them down. Sure, 'Slaughterhouse' might be just another slasher movie, but the setting in the creepy slaughterhouse somehow makes it stand out. Buddy together with Lester makes an evil antagonist duo your bound to hate. The characters are likable and I rooted for Sheriff Borden and Liz, his daughter, as the protagonists.

'Slaughterhouse' is a worthy addition to the 80's slasher genre.

Elderly couple, Henry and Audrey, kidnaps a pregnant woman, Becker. They plan to bring their deceased grandson, Jackson, back through her unborn baby. Henry is a doctor, and through back flashes it is revealed Becker was a patient of his, and that he selected her for their purpose.

Becker is handcuffed to a bed and taken care of by Audrey, who looks like an ordinary elderly, friendly lady. But Audrey and Henry are Satanists, who found an ancient book containing spells. They believe Becker can be used as a vessel for Jackson's return, but they inadvertently conjure up more than they bargain for.

They are eventually assisted by Ian, from their church, who is skilled in demonic spells, but he wants to use the book for his own gain. As much as we want to hate Henry and Audrey for what they're doing, one also can't help but sympathize with them. Still, it was gratifying seeing their plan fall apart.

'Anything for Jackson' is subtle and reserved compared to other genre films. Although it is very effective, it felt the film was holding back on scares. It doesn't feel like a mainstream movie and chances are I'm not going to remember this, even though I enjoyed it. Look out for America's Got Talent contestant contortionist Troy James as a creepy ghost.