GoreMonger Reviews

Pitch Black (2000)

Stunning visuals aren't enough to help this film

[4/10 · 24 February 2000]

One word can sum up my "Pitch Black" experience at the movies this past weekend. Dreadful. This movie suffers from a severe lack of talented actors/actresses and the script seems to have been written by a 9th grader with a potty mouth. The only thing that saves this film is the visuals. The landscapes, ships, and other planets all look amazing. The biggest treat here is the aliens themselves. Unfortunately they don't get enough screen time. The movie's not a total loss, but USA Films should stick to their tv movies (which still suck, but at least you don't have to pay to see them).

Scream 3 (2000)

I stood in line for this? Where's my bang for my buck?

[5/10 · 4 February 2000]

I am a huge fan of the horror genre. I've seen great horror films and I've seen horrible horror films. I'm going to have to say that this one fits right in the middle. There's no new ground broken here and you'll get that "hey, I've seen this before" feeling many times before the ending credits roll. Skip the lines at the theater and go rent Nightmare on Elm Street to see a movie when Craven still had some creativity going for him.

Resurrection (1999)

Do you ever get the feeling you've seen something before?

[7/10 · 21 December 1999]

If you enjoyed Se7en and you're looking for more graphic serial killer mayhem then look no further. Despite the fact that there's nothing original about this movie, it still holds your attention and the death scenes keep you watching until the end. I give it a 7/10, only because I'm a sucker for creative death sequences in movies.

Dick (1999)

Nothing serious here, just plain old fun

[7/10 · 12 December 1999]

This movie takes a very interesting and often humorous view of the Watergate scandal. Michelle Williams and Kirsten Dunst play their parts as ditzy teens perfectly. The true highlight for me was Will Ferrell as Bob Woodward. Though the part was a bit small, Ferrell made the best of it. Overall this is a fun movie that I would recommend to anyone with a free evening. 7/10

Instinct (1999)

Great film.....could have been wonderful

[7/10 · 12 December 1999]

Overall I would have to say that this is a very emotional and gripping movie with a story that kept me interested until the end. Anthony Hopkins plays the feral Ethan Powell with an intensity only matched by his co-star Cuba Gooding Jr. with his role as Powell's psychiatrist. The one thing the disappointed me greatly was the supporting cast. The patients in the psychiatric ward add a great deal to the depth of the film, but the rest of the cast play very hollow roles and did so with very little enthusiasm. I really enjoyed this movie but it fell short of it's full potential. This could have been an Oscar winning movie if more time had been spent fixing little problems here and there. As a whole this film is great, but the little nuances ate the edge off of it's exterior. I give it 7/10

Arlington Road (1999)

Great film all the way around

[9/10 · 6 December 1999]

This is one gripping movie. It keeps you interested right from the start and doesn't let up until the grand finale. The casting was great all the way around. Robbins and Bridges both put in great performances, not to be overshadowed by the great job done by Joan Cusack. In my opinion a good ending is vital for a movie's lasting effect, and boy this one's got a doozy. I give Arlington Road a 9/10

Toy Story 2 (1999)

This movie breaks the "Stinky Sequel" mold

[9/10 · 6 December 1999]

This film proves that sequels don't have to stink. Those guys down at Pixar are magicians. There are times when you have to actually stop and realize that what you're looking at isn't real. In other words, the visuals are top notch. The story is great and it's filled with humor, not just for the kiddies, but for the rest of us too. This is a film that everyone can enjoy. I give it a 9/10

The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)

Why? That's all I want to know.

[2/10 · 2 December 1999]

Being a big horror fan, I decided to give The Rage: Carrie 2 a chance (though my gut was telling me to run like a scared little school girl). I should have followed my gut. This is quite possibly the worst made sequel ever. It suffers from extensive cheesiness, completely un-original plot, and horrid acting. After you finish watching it you'll be asking yourself two questions. Why would someone ever release a movie this bad, and why did I watch it. I give it a 2/10 only because there are some pretty cool death sequences.

DEFCON-4 (1985)

Worst movie ever? Don't watch it to find out.

[1/10 · 30 November 1999]

Is Def-Con 4 the worst movie ever made? It's very possible. Whenever you decide to venture into the Science Fiction section of your video store, steer clear of this film. It has a deceptive cover aimed at drawing the uninformed video renter into picking it up. But whatever you do, DO NOT BE FOOLED! The sad thing is that 10 people actually gave this movie a 10 right here at the Internet Movie Database. Here's a much more realistic vote: 1 (only because that's as low as it goes here at the IMDB).

End of Days (1999)

Don't believe the hype...this one doesn't deliver

[5/10 · 27 November 1999]

End of Days is one of the weakest Arnold movies I've had the opportunity to see. The acting all the way around was awful. Even a great actor such as Gabriel Byrne put in an uninspired performance. If you want to see a good devil watch The Devil's Advocate and see what Al Pacino does with the role. At the same time, some Schwarzenegger films aren't known for the acting content......it's all about the action. This movie can't even deliver there. There's action, but not half enough to make up for a shoddy plot and awful acting. Skip this one and go rent Terminator or Predator and wish for the Arnold days gone by. I give it 5/10.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Beautifully crafted and gory film

[8/10 · 20 November 1999]

Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow is a well crafted and beautifully designed horror/fantasy film. Depp's performance gives the film a bit of comic relief at just the right moments. Don't take your kids to see this one based on the classic Sleepy Hollow tale. When they said heads will roll, they meant it. This film is one of the goriest I've seen in a while. I give it 8/10 only because the story could have been better. On visuals this one gets a 10/10.

American Beauty (1999)

A movie masterpiece that is nothing less than art

[10/10 · 4 October 1999]

It's very rare that you get a chance to see such a beautifully written and acted out film. Kevin Spacey delivers one of his most unforgettable characters. Don't be surprised to see him nominated for an Oscar. American Beauty is going to be known as one of the best films ever.....mark my words. Don't miss this one. 10/10

Three Kings (1999)

Good but not great

[7/10 · 4 October 1999]

Oscar material? No. Good film? Yes. George Clooney delivers a solid performance, as does Mark Whalberg. Ice Cube's role wasn't a big addition to the film, which I found to be disappointing. Overall it's a very entertaining film that uses some very unique ideas. I gave it 7/10.

The 13th Warrior (1999)

Well made and entertaining film

[15 September 1999]

Despite the bad reviews by critics, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It's a well made film with plenty of action and suspense. The only thing that I found to be lacking was drama. You never really feel yourself being pulled emotionally into the movie, but that's my only complaint. It still manages to be highly entertaining. I loved the way the film was set in the time of the Vikings. This is an era largely ignored by Hollywood so it was interesting to see how they lived and fought. I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Stigmata (1999)

Good film, but could have been more.

[7/10 · 11 September 1999]

Stigmata is a very hard movie to comment on. I won't even attempt to summarize it for you. It had so much potential to be more than just an "okay" film. My biggest complaint is the music. It didn't fit in with the film at all and in my opinion it detracted quite a bit from the mood. Other than that, the movie never quite captured me and pulled me in. Don't get me wrong, it's an entertaining film. It just didn't have what it takes for me to really get into it. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Carnival of Souls (1962)

Better than I thought it would be

[7/10 · 10 August 1999]

When I rented this film I wasn't expecting anything special. I was pleasantly surprised to find it entertaining and even creepy. Most older horror films aren't scary by today's standards, so I was pleased to see that this film had some scary moments. I wouldn't put it into the same category as any of Hitchcock's work, but this film is definitely worth watching.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

All around great movie

[8/10 · 6 August 1999]

This is a finely crafted film. Bruce Willis does a great job as usual, but what is really unique is that he is overshadowed by Haley Joel Osment, whose character sets the mood for the whole movie. Fantastic casting job! Not only is this a great film, but it also has a rewarding ending which has become rare in Hollywood these days.

Village of the Damned (1995)

Are you sure Carpenter made this?

[4/10 · 5 August 1999]

I went into this film with very high expectations. Most of the time, John Carpenter's name on a movie is synonymous with the word "good". Unfortunately I went into this film with the wrong expectations. The casting job was awful and the actors had no feeling at all. An overall bland movie. 4/10

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Instant Classic

[10/10 · 1 August 1999]

Being an avid viewer of horror films I've become a bit bored with the selection of recent horror titles these days. It seemed to me that no one had any original ideas out there in movie land. Well, that's what I thought until I saw The Blair Witch Project. This isn't a movie, it's art. The characters in this film are all normal and believable, which has become a rarity in horror. The fact that this film is so real is what gives it it's greatest impact. The way the movie is shot through hand held cameras makes you feel as if you're there as all the events are unfolding. Will this movie scare you? That depends. If you're a true horror fan then you're going to get the most from this movie. The fear of the unknown is truly going to scare you. But if you're part of this whole "Scream Generation" of horror fans then you may not get everything this film has to offer. Oh, as a final note, you may want to take a few motion sickness pills before going to this movie if you're even the slightest bit prone to motion sickness.

The Haunting (1999)

I was surprised......it was really scary

[7/10 · 24 July 1999]

I went into this film very skeptical. I figured that it was going to be a cheap Hollywood horror film designed to deliver profits and not much else. I was wrong. Though it starts just a little bit slow, once the action gets going it doesn't let up. The special effects used in the curtains and the stone creatures is fantastic. As far as spirits and ghosts go, it's no Exorcist, but it is a decent horror film with scares guaranteed to make you jump in your seat.

Appointment with Fear (1985)

I feel cheated

[1/10 · 24 July 1999]

I was looking through the "Videos For Sale" bin at a local Blockbuster and came across this title. I saw that it was produced by Moustapha Akkad and it sparked my interest. I'm a huge fan of the Halloween series, to which Akkad has contributed greatly. On that basis I decided to buy it. The most exciting part of this movie is the ending credits. Only then do you know that the torture session is over. That's also when the true horror of the film set in for me..........I actually paid money for this garbage. Avoid this title at ALL cost. Moustapha Akkad should be ashamed to have his name associated with this title.

Shocking Africa (1982)

It still makes me sick

[4/10 · 24 July 1999]

This film acts as a documentary following a cannibalistic tribe in Africa. Though you can tell that it's not an actual documentary, the acts of the cannibals seem very, very real. I'm not going to describe the acts performed in this movie for the sake of any children who may stumble onto this page, but be warned, this is some sick stuff. It still makes me sick to think about some of it. If you want to see some less graphic depictions of death you might want to try out the Faces of Death series.

Criminally Insane (1975)

Nothing interesting here

[1/10 · 24 July 1999]

Being a huge fan of horror films, I systematically go through a video store's horror selections checking out all of the films. This is an occasion when I should have left the movie on the shelf. The gore in this movie is extremely fake, and the blood doesn't look even close to being real. The acting, well, there is no acting. The film looks like the cast got together the night before to briefly look over their scripts. The only horror movie that I've seen that parallels this one is Appointment with Fear. Both are equally horrible movies that should have never been released.

The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (1993 TV Movie)

Even Andy Richter can't save this film

[2/10 · 22 July 1999]

Could you make a worse tv movie? You could, but it wouldn't get on your nerves like this one. Holly Hunter plays possibly the most annoying character I've ever had the opportunity see. The only thing that makes this movie watchable is the very small appearance by Andy Richter from the Conan O'Brien show. Who cares if this is a true story, I feel cheated for the 2 hours I spent watching this film.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

One of Kubrick's finest

[9/10 · 21 July 1999]

Anytime that you walk into the theater to see a Stanley Kubrick film you know to expect something unusual and exciting. Eyes Wide Shut is no exception. The storyline is gripping to the end, and leaves you thinking well after the movie is over. Excellent use of lighting and music add so much texture to the already strong story. Bizarre twists and compelling acting by Tom Cruise will keep you entertained until the credits roll. Fantastic movie!