Hydra (2009)

Directed by: Andrew Prendergast
Starring: George Stults, Dawn Olivieri, Michael Shamus Wiles

MPAA Rating: Unrated (TV Movie)
Running Time: 94 Minutes

The Movie:
Former Marine Tim Nolan has been kidnapped - along with three ex-convicts - and forced to participate in a deadly game. Wealthy men have paid a fortune for the opportunity to hunt down men like him in the perfect place: a deserted island. However, this is no ordinary island - it is home to Hydra the Beast. As the hunters track down their prey, Hydra quickly turns hunter into hunted. With the island crumbling beneath him, Nolan finds himself in a race against time to stop the beast and get off the island alive.


Review:
This made-for-Syfy-channel movie will never earn an Emmy award, but it wasn't all that bad. I usually stay away from these cheesy made-for-TV science fiction movies, because I'm not a big science fiction fan and I usually walk away thinking 'What the hell did I just watch? Man I want the last 90 minutes of my life back!' This one was no different, it didn't contain a single recognizable face, and was overused in the CGI department but those are to be expected. On the other hand, this was a pleasantly surprising and very entertained creature flick. If you're a fan of low budget B-movies, this one is for you. A great movie to catch on the SyFy channel, that doesn't scream multiple viewing.

My Rating: 4.5/10

You're Next (2013)

Directed by: Adam Wingard
Starring: Sharni Vinson, Joe Swanberg, AJ Bowen

Running Time: 94 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexuality/nudity

Synopsis (Provided by IMDb.com):
When the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back. 

Watch the Trailer (compliments of YouTube)

Summary:
A family get-together turns deadly when three masked men attack a house in the middle of nowhere. While everyone inside the house is panicking and being picked off one by one,  there's one house guest that to all their surprise has self defense training and fights back. First ones to go are the parents, then the offspring until there's only one-or-two left standing to collect the inheritance check.

Review: 
Similar to "The Strangers," and "The Last House on the Left" this movie doesn't hold back. I wasn't sure what to expect from it personally, but I did enjoy it to an extent. Some of the acting, especially that of the masked intruders were poorly done and the story line isn't authentic by any means, it's quite obvious this movie won't be for everyone but it was a lot better than the recently released The Purge. If you're looking for a straight up filled-with-gore, slasher horror flick, this one is for you. The idea of a strong female protagonist is always pleasing to the audience, although what looks like a low budget film it took three years to come to the big screen, at least here in America.
My Rating: 7.5/10
IMDb Average User Rating:  6.9/10

Session 9 (2001)

Directed by: Brad Anderson
Starring: David Caruso, Stephen Gevedon, Paul Guilfoyle

Running Time: 97 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R

Synopsis (provided by IMDb):
Tensions rise within an asbestos cleaning crew as they work in an abandoned mental hospital with a horrific past that seems to be coming back.

Spoilers ahead, you have been warned!
Summary:
When a hazmat construction company gets a job removing the asbestos from an abandoned mental hospital, the horrific stories told about the place becomes a reality with personal life events of the crew. The job is supposed to be quick and easy, but as the relation among each of them takes a turn for the worse. Things get even more complicated as would-be lawyer Mike ( Stephen Gevedon ) plays the tapes from a former patient with multiple personalities, including the mysterious Simon who does not appear until Session 9.

Review:
The storyline was predictable, slowly reaching the climax without a cheap scare in the process. On the other hand, the actors did a fantastic job at portraying regular everyday people but aren't killed off in order of credits. I have to be honest, I only bought this movie because the the artwork looked creepy as hell, I knew nothing about the story line and didn't even read the synopsis on the back which is something I normally do before I blind buy something. The movie, to me, had that creepy feeling a little over the first 40 minutes or so, when Hank ( Josh Lucas ) mysteriously disappears when he goes into the asylum alone to retrieve the old coins. If you have a single bit of interest in horror, I can't recommend this title enough! Rating: 8/10.

Watch Trailer:

The Messengers (2007)

Directed by: Oxide Pang Chun, Danny Pang
Starring: Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller, Kristen Stewart

Running Time: 90 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, disturbing violence and terror

Synopsis [provided by IMDb.com]:
An ominous darkness invades a seemingly serene sunflower farm in North Dakota, and the Solomon family is torn apart by suspicion, mayhem and murder.


Summary:
It's been a long, troubling year for the Solomon family residing in Chicago. They decide it's time for a change when their life savings is gone in less than two years followed by a car accident driven by Jess (Kristen Stewart) that put her younger brother Ben (Evan and Theodore Turner) in the hospital. The change just happens to be a move to a farming town in North Dakota, where the father, Roy (Dylan McDermott) decides to become a sunflower farmer. One thing they didn't realize about the house they purchased was the fact that the family who lived there beforehand just disappeared one day, or did they? As they were settling in, strange things started happening. That is the big question, what happened to the family? Did they really leave? Are they dead? And most of all, is the killer still alive?

Review:
This movie wasn't perfect, but then again there aren't many movies one could classify as perfect. It was definitely not unwatchable. If you're looking for an original and scary horror movie, this one isn't it. However if you are just looking for some campy thrill-filled fun, this one shouldn't be avoided. Rating: 7/10

If I Die Before I Wake (1998)

Directed by: Brian Katkin
Starring: Stephanie Jones, Muse Watson, Michael McCleery

Running Time: 87 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R for strong, brutal violence including rape, unrelenting terror and strong language

Synopsis:
A suburban family is held hostage and terrorized by three intruders while their sixteen year-old daughter first hides, then exacts her own brand of terror on the assailants.



Summary:
Three burglars break into a suburban home while they are sleeping one night. The problem is, they're not there to rob them but to terrorize them. The only thing they didn't account for was the teenage daughter, Lori-Beth (Stephanie Jones), whom first hides before getting the courage to confront them. Armed with a baseball bat, a piece of broken glass, a kitchen knife, and a fireplace poker she starts defending herself against these three assailants while in the end keeping a promise to her younger sister that she wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Review:
Another movie based on a home invasion? What has Hollywood come to, to find it necessary to make these type of movies. While watching this movie, I kept thinking this movie was a made for TV special, but no place on the Internet provided proof to back that up, not that it matters anyway, right?
Stephanie Jones portrayed a very brave teenage girl, who wanted nothing more than to have her normal suburban family life back. While the head assailant seemed outright angry that people in the world had more than he did growing up, a loving family and a nice house.
The story was well directed and as a result I give this movie a 6 out of 10 star rating.

The Strangers (2007)

Directed by: Brian Bertino
Starring: Scott Speedman, Liv Tyler

MPAA Rating: R for violence/terror and language
Running Time: 86 Min.

Synopsis: 
A young couple staying in an isolated vacation home are terrorized by three unknown assailants. 


Summary:
On the way home from a wedding reception, a recently separated couple decides to stay at an isolated family vacation home. Soon after arriving, there's a sudden knock on the door. Which entails a violent invasion by three strangers, all three hidden behind masks. There's no real reason behind why these three masked invaders chose this house. It's like a game to them, first thing they do is haunt their victims before killing them. Surely the couple have to struggle beyond what they are capable of to survive.

Review:
This movie isn't for any horror fan, it is a violent, bloody game of cat and mouse. It is said to be a true story, fictionalized for the sake of entertainment. The Strangers isn't a movie I would recommend to just anyone, if you are interested in slasher thrillers based on real life events then pay this one a rent otherwise don't waste your time or money. The acting was well done by Liv Tyler, but I think Scott Speedman's character left plenty of room for improvement.
My Rating: 6/10