After seeing the way astral projection is depicted I have but one question, why in the hell would anyone ever astral project!
Four movies this week, that’s right, four,
Children Of The Damned (1964, Anton Leader, United Kingdom) **1/2
Similar to the film that preceded it, 1960s Village Of The Damned, but without the newness or heft of that films themes. Children Of The Damned can no longer look to the atomic age for its themes, so instead it looks to the idea of world unity, and man does that theme fall very flat. There are a few nice visual moments and the set design of the old church was rather nice. But, a few quality elements do not a good film make and that is why Children Of The Damned winds up feeling like old, recycled, and meh hat.
Village Of The Damned (1995, John Carpenter, United States Of America) **1/2
Far too much like the original, but at the same time different in ways that added nothing to the story. There is no theme for this version of Village Of The Damned to hang its hat on. That leaves John Carpenter with the task of creating a creepy horror/science fiction joint. In certain areas he succeeds, such as the look of the kids and the visual effects he employs at various times. However, for the most part Mr. Carpenter’s film is a carbon copy of the 1960 Wolf Rilla version of Village Of The Damned. Except for this version is a little slicker, a little ickier, and has a few new and completely unnecessary characters (I’m looking at you Kirstie Alley). I still enjoyed Mr. Carpenter’s Village Of The Damned, but it’s definitely among his lesser works.
El Delfín: La Historia De Un Soñador (The Dolphin: Story Of A Dreamer, 2009, Eduardo Schuldt, Germany/Italy/Peru) 1/2*
Every once in a while a film comes along in a certain genre that reminds me how bad that genre can be. As far as the genre of children’s/family film goes it’s been a while since I have watched something as terrible as El Delfín: La Historia De Un Soñador. I can only assume that this film changed everything from the best selling young reader’s novel that Eduardo Schuldt’s film is an adaptation of. The reason I have to believe that the film changed everything is because El Delfín: La Historia De Un Soñador is about nothing and in no way touches on any significant Hispanic cultural themes. Beyond the horrid story there is also subpar animation and creepy voice work. Basically, no matter how one chooses to look at El Delfín: La Historia De Un Soñador that person is looking at one of the worst movies ever made.
Insidious (2010, James Wan, Canada/United States Of America) ***
I like the recent trend within the horror genre of moving away from gore and blood and back to traditional haunted tales. Insidious is yet another good horror movie that is good because of how it embraces the idea of suspense and tension creating a palpable atmosphere. There are a few too many obvious jump scares, a pair of bumbling idiot ghost hunters are brought into the story near the end that threaten to kill the believability of the proceedings, and the ultimate reveal does leaving some to be desired. But, on the whole Insidious is a well made haunted house vehicle that works in enough spots to be a welcome addition to the wide world of horror.
Wrap-Up:
Whoa, where the heck did this week come from. I’m actually watching movies again, enough so I can have a variety of films to consider for movie of the week. However, out of the whopping four films I watched this week only one of them reached a level I considered good. For that reason Insidious takes home movie of the week honors. Until next week, watch more movies!
Cheers,
Bill
Bill's Movie Emporium 