templegod2 Reviews

Occupants (2015)

Occupants is a single location, dialogue based scifi/ thriller, and rather thought provoking.

[7/10 · 16 December 2020]

Before I start this review a full disclosure; I was given special permission from 'Occupants' director Russ Emanuel to submit this early review. 'Occupants' has several convention screenings throughout the U.S. this year, which I will link at the end of the review text. In addition, I submitted an unpaid testimonial video for the Peterson Research Institute, my dialogue is not used in the completed film, thus I have decided to review based on the distinct merits of the 82 minute production, instead of recusing myself from review as I did in 'Rock Of Ages'.

Intrinsically, 'Occupants' is a study of reality for the erudite. 'Occupants' forces the watcher to be engaged in the story at all times, and assumes the viewer is an intellectual sci-fi and or horror fan. There is no blood and guts, no murder, maiming, killing or fighting. Director Russ Emanuel and writer Julia Camara craft a bare bones tight suspenseful flick, with just enough information to continue to ask more alternative dimension, and reality questions.

'Occupants' opens innocently enough with couple Annie and Neil Curtis Briana White and Michael Pugliese setting up camera's throughout the house to record and document their commitment to clean living. Of course things go askew when another couple shows up in an alternate reality, and that couple turns out to be them. The highlight in 'Occupants' is the thought provoking and careful acting of Briana as Annie. Although both her and Michael Pugliese had to go through the dual character landscape, Annie had to carry the entire film, not only with dialogue, but every emotion possible, from anger, to happiness, to fright. Look for her star to rise in the coming years.

'Occupants' is basically a single location film, shot in a home. The audience are witnessing the lives of these two characters, and their doppelgangers. This aspect perhaps would have been additionally served by fleshing out one additional couple, beyond the minimal PRI videos. Perhaps a bit of nitpicking, I wanted to see a further scope of field explored, but Russ, in deference to pacing, kept the film tight of focus, which is also fine, but a bit of less impact. Again this is a lower budget film, and the ending is left open and asks more questions. One could assume that this was not meant to be it for the Peterson Research Institute and 'Occupants'.

Look for a fantastic, intuitive, extended cameo from talented 'Star Trek: Voyager' alum Robert Picardo as Dr. Alan Peterson. He is trying to wrap his mind around the goings on of the mysterious Curtis couple, and attempts to offer advice. Picardo is a pro, he has an amazing realism in all of his performances, not like acting, more like life. Again would have been cool for them to actually visit with him rather than video, but alas, the budget constraints, I am sure if a second 'Occupants' film, or a series is made this angle will be explored more in depth. There are concepts, not worth spoiling in 'Occupants', so the story will not be further discussed in this early review.

Definitely a no morons allowed film, if one does not like B movies, nor talking based movies, nor sci-fi, films, that raise more questions than answers, 'Occupants' is not for you. Dichotomy balanced in dimensional portals, juxtaposed into semi delusional state, is 'Occupants' in a nutshell. The film is thoughtful, and worth a purchase. Even with minor quips aside, 'Occupants' rates a 7 out of 10.

The Hike (I) (2011)

Zara Phythian takes a creep inducing hike with her girlfriends!

[8/10 · 1 November 2011]

Shot in the woods on the new RED cam The Hike is a wild and shocking horror ride. The story opens innocently enough with a group of young girls going on a hike. The women are a bit scantily clad, but what horror film would not need this haha. Makes them seem innocent and vulnerable. Things are not always what they seem.

The opening is slow, there is a lot of talking, but I feel this sets the mood of the characters, and builds the audience familiarity of them. Zara plays Kate, a soldier returning from Afghanistan, for her first leading role I thought she did a good job of conveying emotion, she has a clear speaking voice. Barbara Nedeljakova and Ben Loyd-Holmes are excellent as well, .

Once the movie gets going there are several shocking scenes, not bloody or exploitative, warning this is not a film for the faint at heart. One of them are captured by hanging upside down from a tree, and the rest must fight for survival. This is meant to The scenery is lush and dark, landscapes are vast,all adding to the creepiness. This is one film you do not want to spoil the ending. Finally, most importantly, this is not, nor does it claim to be an exploitation film!

The Tournament (2009)

Solid, hyper, and violent action flick with several twists and turns

[8/10 · 18 October 2009]

Languishing in development and production hell for what seems to be an eternity, Scott Mann's film THE TOURNAMENT finally gets a proper DVD release Oct 20th. The "combat death game" genre has been inundated with several films throughout the years such as BATTLE ROYAL, BLOODSPORT and THE ULTIMATE GAME. THE TOURNAMENT makes its mark by delivering a knockout punch with over the top action and enough plot twists to keep the viewer interested.

The story opens seven years ago with Ving Rhames character in a final bloodbath in a sordid meat packing company with two other assassins vying for the title of "World's Greatest Assassin". The scene is ultra sadistic, chaotic and bullets are flying like candy from an out of control mechanical Pez dispenser. As soon as Ving wins the battle, the environment rapidly shifts forward to the present day and the next tournament begins.

The present day battle, taking place in England, centers on 30 contestants all vying for a 10 million dollar prize and a chance to be hailed as the "World's Greatest Assassin". Each of the contestants is fitted with a two way tracking device which not only allows them to be seen by the game's ringleader, but also to be tracked by each other, on a blackberry type gadget. There are street cams, sat cams which are logged in with real time feeds to record the action for high stakes gamblers relaxing comfortably in front of jumbo screens surveying this game of death.

Each one of the devices contains a personal explosive as in the movie FORTRESS. The devises are heat sensitive and the tracking lights go out when either removed or the person expires. This is never fully explained, nor is it consistent. This fact is a major incongruity and contradiction, while also rather confusing. The relative ease as to which one of the contestants removes their device is bizarre. Probably the 10 million dollar prize would force people to want to stay in the game? THE TOURNAMENT is a "story on the fly" auctioneer. The audience learns on the go about the characters, their faults, past history, and special skills while the action is occurring. There are several twists as the action unfolds and to divulge more about them would deter from the enjoyment of the fast paced, diversified story, which includes an unwilling participant who happens to be a priest. Revealing anything about him or why he is involved would deter from a plot complication which occurs quite early in the film.

Kelly Hu from "X-Men 2" and Martial Law plays a Chinese assassin named Lai Lai Zen with a strong set of hand to hand combat skills, combined with lightning fast reflexes. She has several interesting fights in the film. The filming style used when she is involved is like the Jason Bourne series, close up in your face action. The edits are sometimes a bit quick. This slightly deters from the action, but keeps the viewer engaged. The stunt martial duties are expertly performed by 3rd degree black belt Tea Kwon Do instructor, stunt woman Kimberly Chiang. Ms Chiang is currently working on KING OF FIGHTERS having more than 50 films to her credit.

Kelly Hu has astonishing on screen presence in THE TOURNAMENT especially as her character is drugged to implant the chip. She has to go through a wide variety of emotions throughout the film and commands the screen with her intensity and fortitude. A lead part such as this might catapult her back into the action realm.

Ving Rhames plays Joshua Harlow the past winner of the contest and a grieving husband. The story unfolds revealing find out his wife was murdered by one of the contestants. Usually relegated to big scary guy in his films, Rhames plays the role with passion and perhaps delivers one of his most dominant performances in his career.

This movie is so unbelievably violent and the pace is astonishingly frantic almost in the style of SHOOT 'EM UP. THE TOURNAMENT also contains a variety of elements to offend everyone. Not for the faint at heart, this movie includes nudity and violence in the same scene, as a strip club becomes a war zone. One of the characters, playing up his crazy cowboy mentality, kills people and dare I say an animal not even in the game just for fun. If these facts are bothersome by all means stay away, the audience has been warned.

The twelve million dollar budget was used to full effect with hand to hand combat, knife fights, gunfights, and a battle on a Double Decker bus! The action is nonstop for 90 straight minutes. Oddly there is a bizarre montage in the middle with the slowest music possible, bullets and bodies are flying. Perhaps this is some sort of an attempt of a dichotomous allegory or maybe simply budget or time constraints.

Even with the incongruities, distractions, rather bad box art, and plot holes this is an unyielding, forceful, and memorable action film. THE TOURNAMENT features several blink and you miss it sequences and is worth repeat watching and should have had a theatrical run. The recommendation is a strong rent even a buy, especially if you liked SHOOT 'EM UP or BATTLE ROYAL.

Succubus: Hell-Bent (2007 Video)

Some funny bits, some tragedy

[6/10 · 10 April 2007]

With two pilots dying during filming this movie seems doomed to fail from the outset, but there is enough here to make for a decent b movie flick, pretty girls one crazy succubus, and downright hilarious cameo by Gary Busey. Not too much nudity, some violence, and a quick cameo by Kelly Hu as the detective, now I wanna commit something and well... In any case the lead actress, the Succubus is attractive and downright evil. Don't let anyone tell you the plot, beyond the description. Rent it and laugh at some of the bad puns and unintentional innuendo, and enjoy the wild, if nearly implausible concept. Peace, and to the filmmakers Kudos for dedicating the film to the pilots in the credits.

Hard As Nails (2001 Video)

Some stylish action with typical Corman camp

[2 April 2002]

It is important to note that this is a very unusual film. Usually Corman films have action sequences that are a bit campy. Hard as nails plays the fight scenes serious. Actress/Stunt artist Chona Jason is a wicked bad girl not to be messed with, and excellent with a sword. The movie has some parts which are way too campy and silly not keeping with the fighting. This detracts from the fact that a real martial artist like Chona is playing her part serious, and trying to do her best in the role. What does this all mean? Watch it with a grain of salt, the low budget didn't allow for good death scenes, but they are headed in the right direction in action sequences. Hopefully a trend to have women like Chona more involved in real fight sequences will continue especially in light of Resident Evil. This movie rates a 6 out of 10.

Pau mui (1998)

Almen Wong turns an average movie into a sexy action flick

[4 November 2001]

With just about any other actress put into this average girls with guns film, full of slow parts and sappy love scenes, the movie would have been lackluster at best. Enter the striking on screen persona of Almen Wong, a talented and beautiful sight to witness. Unlike her more well known HK counterparts, Almen commands this film and for perhaps the first time since Michiko Nishiwaki, actually looks like she could get rough with the guys. Almen Plays noodle addicted master assassin Yang Ying A.K.A. Cat. She is very brutal, not afraid to get kinky either, but has the dichotomy of a tender side. She is killing evil Triad bosses, but a heady gumshoe played by a rather one dimensional Michael Wong wants her brought to justice. Yeah the plot is full of holes, but Almen's blistering performance is worth +3 points turns the film from a 4 to a 7 out of 10.

Shanghai Grand (1996)

Very Good Gangster flick Hong Kong Style

[25 August 2001]

This fairly big budget flick with Andy Lau is a complex gangster story with several sub-plots. Set in the 30s the movie is stylish, violent, and very entertaining. A great "first film" for those new to Hong Kong cinema. Almen Wong shines as the nameless brutally insane assassin, the worlds prettiest hired thug!