Horror Movie Reviews - Cloverfield And More

Cloverfield

Does this J.J. Abrams produced monster-flick live up to the hype? Almost. An alien monster terrorizes New York - and it's all caught on camera by a group of friends trying to survive. The movie is shot "Blair Witch"-style with a VERY shaky camera, it's annoying - but it gives a scary documentary feel. The monster doesn't have much screen time, but it looks cool. There are definitely some suspenseful scenes. I felt the pulse racing. Intense. Grade: 4 out of 5

Ouija Board

Disappointing Asian ghost horror (original title "Bunshinsaba.") Via an Ouija board a girl gets possessed by a ghost that was killed by the villagers 30 years ago. Soon gruesome deaths start happening. The movie has a couple of frights, so at least it's not a total waste of time. Grade: 2 out of 5

Boogeyman 2

The first "Boogeyman" was lame, the only scary scene was the opening scene. This sequel is better and has a darker vibe. A girl goes to a mental clinic to try and confront her fear of the boogeyman. Soon patients start dying. In "Boogeyman 2" they've almost completely dropped the supernatural angle, and instead focused on a traditional slasher. Works for me. The unrated version is surprisingly bloody. I'll never underestimate a direct-to-DVD movie again. Grade: 4 out of 5

999-9999

Over-the-top, fun, teen horror from Thailand in the style of "Final Destination." If you call the phone number 999-9999 you get one wish granted. But be careful what you wish for. This movie has some creative deaths - including a beheading in a no gravity space simulator. Get ready for blood, gruesome killings, and quirky MTV-style editing. Grade: 3 out of 5

Venom

Supernatural slasher where a redneck comes back from the dead, possessed by evil spirits. Now he chases a gang of teens through the swamps of Louisiana. A couple of cool scenes: the killer grows eyes in his back, yes, really. And a girl hanging between two cars approaching a fork in the road. Tough luck. Unfortunately there are not many suspenseful scenes in this mediocre voodoo-slasher. Grade: 2 out of 5

Reincarnation

Genuinely creepy Japanese ghost horror (original title "Rinne") from director Takashi Shimizu (Ju-on: The Grudge.) An actress gets strange visions in an hotel where real murders took place long time ago. The movie is subtle and spooky, and good at almost every level. A scene in the library sent chills down my spine. If you're a fan of Asian horror you don't want to miss this. Grade: 4 out of 5