cedwardson Reviews

Night Wolf (2010)

Decent low budget Brit horror flick

[5/10 · 17 July 2012]

As all true horror fans know you have to plough though the dirge to find the odd horror gem. This movie is neither one, it's fairly standard fare but held my attention well enough and has a good final third. Spoiler alert ......Initially the acting (including Tom Felton) is fairly poor and I was expecting dirge but i persisted and found as soon as his cameo was out of the way it kicks up a notce and the cast and direction find its feet. There are some fairly harsh reviews on IMDb for this movie which I suspect are a calculated backlash to the initially suspicious and overtly high praise received. All i can add as someone whose been activley watching and often suffering at the hands of low budget horror for over 25 yrs is that this movie is worth catching if you come across it on the horror channel or any other broadcaster, if you don't expect too much you might be pleasantly surprised.

Ice from the Sun (1999)

Is this B movie worth your money?

[3/10 · 24 January 2005]

I'm a mainstream horror fan giving the world of B movies a try. I bought this DVD having read the synopsis and believed that this would be more interesting than some of the Hollywood rubbish I've seen lately.

So disappointed, excellent story idea, reams of imagination displayed by the director but in the end it looks and feels a real mess. The seller warned me that this film was 'difficult' and only viewing allows you to understand that simple, yet perfect definition.

It's deep, disturbing, badly acted and full of unnecessary camera effects.

If you're unaware please note threes a whole level of B movie strata out there with zero budget. What your looking for is a team effort of talented individuals to overcome their budget and give you something to remember. Ice from the sun is unforgettable and I'll certainly look out for the director again but don't buy, rent.

One Point O (2004)

Intelligent, gritty sci-fi

[6/10 · 30 August 2004]

Well it's finally been seen in the UK! Others reviewers have gone into vast detail so I'll leave that but stay away from matrix comparisons in terms of overall movie feel. Yes there's a computer programme affecting the lives of human inhabitants or at least so the main character believes but it's gritty and more cerebral. Think 1984 meets dark city on the budget of Pi! (Well OK a bit more cash than that, but not much!) I loved Lance Henrikson and Udo Kier in cameo roles, they introduce some lighter moments in the film and do so to good effect. Overall its not one for the masses but sci-fi and genre fans will appreciate it. Overall I enjoyed it and it was worth braving bank holiday crowds in central London. Finally the comments in regard to frederik Pohl mentioned in another's review are right on the money

Revelation (2001)

Davinci Code Fans stay away!

[30 August 2004]

I bought this film on DVD having never heard of it but I liked what I read on the back, it was only £5 and the alternative in my hand was Freddy V Jason (If I said Amelie would you think better of me!) Not disappointed although reading through some comments I do understand the complaints. It very ambitions and as a British film we need to go all the way with something like this or end up with promise but not fulfillment. Stamp and Kier are great moody figures but clearly they are going through the motions there's not a great deal for them to do within their roles as supporting characters as it's really down to the kids to carry the film and whilst OK they are simply not good enough. It's been mentioned that if you're a 'DaVinci Code' devotee you'll love this well maybe. My girlfriend loves the book and so I persuaded her to watch the film, all the way through she made davinci comparisons and complained! So if you like the book stay away from this!!! (If I see one more person with that book on the tube I'm gonna........ do nothing but I won't be happy about it!)

28 Days Later (2002)

Great Effort

[9/10 · 29 June 2003]

Not a fan of Alex Garland, so so for Danny Boyle too but together they combined to make a great effort in updating the Zombie genre. The idea of 'rage' as an infectious disease was inspired and relavent in todays society. I love the first part of this film, truly I was transfixed to the cinema screen on first viewing. The second half was a bit of a let down though, soldiers breaking down kept together with the promise of sex. I just didn't buy it, there seemed to be holes in the plot that just didnt allow for it. The film was redeemed though as our hero 'Jim' explored his own 'rage' to great effect and a fantastic climax. This film came so close for me to being perfect the main cast where brilliant, lighting, editing, soundtrack etc, its just that middle bit!

Phantasm II (1988)

Phantasm & Mike

[10/10 · 22 June 2003]

Of all the Phantasm films part two is way out in front. Coscarelli has shown us that he can create in a world of horror sterotypes and still bring a fresh experience to the genre. Part one of course has a special place in the heart but its clear that the sequel although taking the same elements forward in the story brought an improved technique to the actual 'skill' of film making. I'm no film student but even I can see the lighting, photography, editing etc is vastly improved. Maybe he had more money who knows but I'd rather believe that his 'art' had developed from the first feature. The main lead played by James Le Gros is a change to the original and subsequent character of 'Mike' played in the first and parts 3 & 4 by Michael Baldwin. Theres a lot of promise in part two, I especially liked Mike's esp link with his later love interest and hoped that this would be an interesting development in later sequels (disappointingly this wasnt to be) at least we had a glimpse in this feature to see Mike as a likeable hero with his trusty but horny sidekick Reggie, rather than the sulky introverted character later portrayed. The 'Tall man' is a fantastic bogey man and his sphere weapons add the required core this is horror as it should be scary slightly cliched with an obligitory sex scene for good messure!