Behind Green Lights - 1946 ** 1/2

I was so surprised by this film, mostly because Carole Landis's acting is awful! There is no describing that she was a beautiful woman and her death was tragic, but she performed like a piece of wood.
William Gargan plays a cop in charge of investigating the murder of a well known blackmailer, who's body is found full of bullets on the sidewalk next to the station.
After seeing the name of a would be mayor's daughter in his address book, she is brought in for questioning, as well as the estranged wife of the blackmailer and her new beau.
It was quite a slow story, and not one of my favourites.

Stalking Laura - 1993 ****

I only found out after I had finished watching this that it was based on a true event from the 80s. That's always going to freak me out a lot more than normal, especially with my current circumstances.
Laura Black lands a lucrative job in a company that she adores. On her first day she meets a friendly but strange man named Richard. Laura sees them as just work colleagues, but Richard is convinced they are not only going out, but are meant to be together forever.
Brooke Shields does a good job here with a decent script, and Richard Thomas is terrifying as the unhinged stalker.
After the true case occurred, there was a new anti-stalking law passed. That at least, is something.

The Small Back Room - 1949 ** 1/2

I was a bit peeved to discover at the end that this was a Powell and Pressburger movie. Generally the quality of their films is outstanding, but this didn't do much for me after the first 20 minutes or so. Getting deeper into the film seemed a bit like watching 'The Lost Weekend' and I came out of the experience feeling depressed and miserable.
The lead character Sammy is full of woe and self-pity, in a way that renders him utterly unlikeable, and none of the other characters have anything that I could convey as emphatic personalities. He spends his time working as a scientist doing research in a hidden 'Back Room' in London and drinking the evenings away.
In particular the girlfriend of Sammy was awful. Wimpish, with no self respect or anything about her, she clings on to him like a sack of potatoes, regardless of how badly he treats her.
Not one of the ones I would recommend from the otherwise great duo.

(HORROR) Hell Baby - 2013 ***

Very silly but quite amusing anyway. 'Hell Baby' comes across a bit like a 'Scary Movie' or 'A Haunted House' in the spoof galleries of film. A young couple move in to what they think is a nice house but before long start hearing stories of murders that have been committed in the house. Added to which, the wife is pregnant with what seems to be an unusually large baby, or is it something more sinister?
I couldn't say that there are actually any 'scary' parts, but there are a few jumps here and there, interspersed with typical American humour.
I thought it was quite good, and didn't feel like my time had been completely wasted which is always a bonus.

(HORROR) 100 Bloody Acres - 2012 ***

This reminds me a bit of 'Tucker and Dale Vs Evil' except that the other was actually funny. Gruesome and gory horror shouldn't be funny. Those two genres don't go together unless you are a very clever director. They don't really work at all here, and half the time I don't know if they are trying to be humorous or just seem to be sadistic. A couple of country 'businessmen' are making a mint in dealing fertiliser using a special recipe (namely, the blood and bones of murdered travellers). At the same time, three unwitting adults are on their way to a festival when their car breaks down, just next to the van of one of these men.
Just not a very good story.
Give it a miss.

Burke and Hare - 2010 ** 1/2

Why Isla Fisher is in a film about Scottish body snatching I have no idea, she has one of the worst accents I have ever heard. This film isn't meant to be too much of a 'homage' to the two men, more a general romp around with a few laughs chucked in. Despite being labeled 'outrageously funny' by the Daily Star (hardy a reputable newspaper at that) it really isn't, and although I raised a smile a few times, most of the film was just too silly to be taken seriously.

(HORROR) Evidence - 2012 ***

Starts off quite well for a 'found footage' movie, but then descends into a complete chaotic mess. At the end it's really just absurd and I don't really get it. Saying that I don't get many horror movies but I still continue to watch them. To be fair there are a few jumpy moments which is more than can be said for many horror movies.

The Fab Five - The Texas Cheerleading Scandal - 2008 ***

Have become rather obsessed with the real life case of these girls, despite it happening at least four years ago. It's half strange and ridiculous, and half infuriating that teachers allow students to run amok in their school simply because one of the culprits is their daughter.
A group of cheerleaders - known as the 'Fab Five' dominate their school in Texas by abusing, bullying and dominating their fellow students and teachers. They also post provocative film online and send indecent texts to their cheerleading coach's colleague.
Once they are 'outed' they barely get a smack on the wrist, and so the strong willed coach decides to go to the school board, and then to the press with the exploits.
Fascinating stuff. Look up the real case for more information.

Eye of the Stalker - 1995 ****

'Eye of the Stalker' is a suitably creepy film from the nineties. It is estimated that 5% of the female population in America will be stalked at some point during their lifetime, and this is one of the stories.
A young art student named Beth becomes the obsession of a disturbed individual named Stephen who catches sight of her at the University he teaches (the same one she attends). Once he has her in his sights he becomes fixated on her every move and begins to intrude on her life and try to split up her relationship with her boyfriend. With many stalkers, 'no' is not in their vocabulary, so when he is told to stay away from her by her mother (a prominent judge in the area) it only serves to ignite his intense feelings for her.
It's a scary film, and I think stalking is a very real and very terrifying problem that needs to be stamped out as soon as possible.

Fatal Vows - 1994 ** 1/2

'Fatal Vows' is a really awful film. Not in it's acting but because of the sheer audacity of a man who thinks he can abuse and betray his devoted wife and that she will stand by his side throughout everything (even when he turns out to be a serial killer). It's based on a true story as well, so that makes it all the more heart-breaking to watch, especially when the wife's son is hurt.
There are some hideous people in the world, and it's even more of a shock when you think that you know everything about a person and find that they have a deranged double life.

Rio - 2011 ***

'Rio' is quite a risqué film in that it shows off Rio De Janeiro in a slightly different way to how it actually is. It's also a bit of a strange topic in that it showcases a macaw bird as it's lead star (although I suppose 'Finding Nemo' was based around a fish). The bird, affirmably named Blu, cannot fly, and ends up being kidnapped from his human owner and taken to Rio. There, he meets a cast of eccentric characters including a female macaw named Jewel who he takes a shine to when they are both confined to the same cage.
It's quite a sweet film, with a couple of funky songs, but it's probably not one that I would see again.

(HORROR) Hold Your Breath - 2013 *

'Hold Your Breath' is ridiculous. It consists of stupid, half naked teens, one of the worst sex scenes ever, and a supposedly 'terrifying' graveyard that you are supposed to hold your breath in otherwise you will be possessed by an evil spirit.
A load of annoying characters end up stuck in an abandoned prison when their car breaks down. They spend a lot of time wandering around areas of the prison and having sex and generally being annoying. The area they spend the most time in was the scene of an execution 50 years ago of a serial murderer, and what a surprise, his evil spirit begins to take over the group.
Awful shambles.

A Friend's Betrayal - 1996 **

On contrast to many other lifetime films I have seen recently this doesn't really come up to scratch.
Brian Austin Green becomes infatuated with the recently divorced best friend of his mother and they start an affair.
It's quite poorly acted, and in some scenes almost embarrassing. Nothing much happens really except for this drawn out romp that doesn't even last that long.
Give it a miss.

Social Nightmare aka Mother - 2013 ****

'Social Nightmare' is an exceedingly good film. I didn't even realise it was Daryl Hannah until I looked up the synopsis afterwards.
Hannah and her young daughter Kat have a close relationship and share everything together. But out of no where her daughter becomes the victim of a social profile hacker who puts up inappropriate photos and comments up on her private account. Kat and her best friend Emily's friendship hangs in the balance when Emily suspects (understandably) that her friend is trying to betray her after viewing horrible comments about herself that have been posted from Kat's account.
Kat's mother is understandably devastated on behalf of her daughter, and vows to stand by her. But is she as supportive as she seems?
Watch it.

Hotel Reserve - 1944 ****

'Hotel Reserve' is a bit of a hidden gem. It's got a lot of espionage and spying in it and James Mason at his peak. (I am becoming a huge fan of films involving spies)
Mason is a medical student and amateur photographer on holiday in France and staying at the Hotel Reserve. Along with him are many other characters, some normal, and some strange. After taking photographs of wildlife he is suddenly hustled down to the local police station and accused of spying. Unable to understand what is going on, he is asked to show the photographs on his camera. At the end of the roll are photographs of naval bases that he didn't take. But who did?!
Mason begins to suspect everyone at the hotel, and some surprising secrets come out the woodwork. It was obvious who the culprit was but still very enjoyable.
Very well acted, especially Mason and a suitable sleazy Herbert Lom (always a highlight in every film.)

She's Too Young - 2004 ***

This is a surprisingly well acted movie about the dangers of being young and promiscuous. Hannah is a shy and naïve 14 year old girl from a religious family. Her friends spend their time sleeping with as many men as possible and it is only when Hannah is approached by the 'hottest' guy in school, that she falls pray to his charming yet manipulative ways. When it turns out that she has given in to his affections, other secrets surface from her friends, leading to heart-breaking results.
A good moral film.

The Babysitter's Seduction - 1994 ***

This was rather a good movie, and Keri Russell was at her most beautiful and bubbly. She stars as an 18 year old babysitter who becomes attracted and infatuated by her boss after his wife is mysteriously murdered. It's quite a gripping story, but quite obvious who the culprit is almost immediately.

Fatal Love - 1992 **

'Fatal Love' was a film that I started watching on the assumption that it was actually another film. When it got to the nitty gritty of the topic of AIDS I realised that I had made a mistake. I'm not usually a big fan of giving up on films half way through so I stuck it out, and although Molly Ringwald does a very good job of portraying AIDS sufferer Alison Gertz it's still an incredibly depressing topic it's not something I would've actively chosen to watch a film about.

Obsessed - 1992 *** 1/2

I must admit I have a certain fondness for movies regarding obsessive people/relationships. I have been on the receiving end of an obsessed ex partner and it's very scary, but it doesn't stop me enjoying films of the same topic, safe in the knowledge that it never got this far.
Shannen Doherty is pretty good in this actually, before she shot to fame in the 'Charmed' series.
She plays a young lady who becomes infatuated with an older man, and when he decides to call time on the relationship, she turns nasty.
I suppose as the cover says, it is a bit like 'Fatal Attraction' although of course that takes the number 1 title of most obsessive movie.

A Friend to Die For (Death of a Cheerleader) 1994 ****

I remember watching this movie a few years ago and it really got to me. Since then I've read in detail the background of the real life case and felt I wanted to watch it again to see if it was still as powerful. It was.
Tori Spelling plays the unpleasant but utterly popular high school cheerleader who becomes the object of newcomer Kellie Martin's affection, leading to tragic consequences.
It's quite a relatable film in some way, especially the overwhelming desire to 'fit in' at school that makes us do crazy things. Obviously the events in this film are rare, but the pressure nowadays to not be perfect or look a certain way can have a very negative effect on some people.

An Unfinished Affair - 1996 *** 1/2

Not a bad film at all, especially considering all the actors are practically unknown. Explores the lengths of obsession that one woman will go to when the married man she is seeing breaks off their affair. She will do anything to have her revenge, even seducing his younger son.
Good performances. Jennie Garth should be more famous.

Predator - 1987 ****

Okay, yes, I admit it, I'm now a Predator convert. I have spent the last decade or so putting myself off watching this, and it was only when my boyfriend put it on and practically chained me to the bed to watch it did I realise that it was actually pretty good. Granted, Schwarzenegger is a hilarious actor (unintentionally of course) but the story is really gripping, and when we had also seen a behind the scenes look at how the 'Predator' costume was designed it made it a lot more interesting to me. This movie is quite ahead of it's time when you look at how some of the scenes are filmed (including the heat detector).
Now I have seen it, I realise how exciting it is that two worldwide blockbusters decided to come together and incorporate their stories (Alien vs. Predator). I can't wait to see it.

(HORROR) No Tell Motel - 2012 *

Although the title of the film is a sneak preview of how bad the movie actually is, the premise looks quite good. It's not. It's one of those awful films that you realise 20 minutes in is going to get worse and worse. I'm not one to give up on films half way through and usually try and stick them out if I can. I sort of wished I had done that here. I like movies based around haunted buildings, but only if when you finally see the ghost or entity, it's actually worthwhile. This was sort of a joke, and there was no way it was going to induce any sort of fear in me.
Loads more horror films with greater ratings. This was a waste of time.

Despicable Me 2 - 2013 ****

'Despicable Me' manages to boast a high scale of wit and graphics whilst also appealing to younger audiences. Not all animated films can do this. And the sequel to the first film can only be described as an improvement all round. Added to which, I have now become utterly obsessed by anything Minion-related (let's face it, they are the best thing about the film) and was overjoyed that the new film had triple the amount of minions that the first did. The music is great as well. And let's face it, we have all warmed to Gru a great deal by the second round.

Disconnect - 2012 *****

This is one of the best movies I have seen in the last few months. Utterly powerful and wonderfully acted by all main characters. Cleverly based around what happens when using the internet goes wrong and the various events that happen as a result of this. Definitely worth a watch.

(HORROR) Funhouse - 1981 *

Absolutely awful film. One I had waited so long to see and then when I got to see it I realised how bad and tasteless it was. Not so much scary as thoroughly stupid and incredibly boring. A waste of time. When you think of how genuinely scary other films such as 'Halloween' were in the next few years it's such a let down. Offended on Tobe Hooper's behalf.