(HORROR) Grave Encounters - 2011 **

Well here's another original story. A reality television show that seeks to discover paranormal phenomenon decides to film an episode in an old psychiatric hospital. Of course it's shot with a handheld camera, and things happen that you would expect in any horror film. Lots of jumps, bangs, and very predictable moments. 

(HORROR) Messages Deleted - 2009 **

I had avoided this movie for quite a while as I had got it into my head that it was an American remake of a Japanese horror movie (a bit like 'Phone'). It's not a remake, but it's as bad as one. I wish I could delete it from my brain. And that main lead whose always in films like Scooby-Doo and American Pie style rip-offs is infuriating. The ending was so predictable; it was even mentioned a couple of times throughout the film before it was revealed. No suspense, nothing original and nothing in the least bit exciting. There were no defining features that would make this film worthy of seeing at all let alone again.

(NOIR) The Gangster - 1949 *

Oh dear. This is one of the very weakest noirs I have seen and I'm pretty sure the acting was some of the worst as well. I have never heard of Barry Sullivan which is probably a good thing given that he has as much star quality as a damp tea cloth. 'Belita' (who is apparently so wonderful that she doesn't need a surname) was equally as bad and did a lot of moaning and crying and long drawn out looks at Sullivan. (All her years as an ice skater obviously didn't help her acting skills). The story is predictable (a man controlling an underground racket) and the ending is also predictable. In fact, most of the film is predictable. I wasn't predicting how bad literally EVERY actor would be in their part however. That did come as a surprise. It was as if each actor had only been given 10 minutes to rehearse before being filmed. 

(HORROR) The Last Victim - 2011 **

First off, this is nothing to do with John Wayne Gacy's life story. It's a film based around a student who becomes obsessed with Gacy after deciding to research him for a project. He makes the decision to contact him to find out about his reasons for committing murder and gets some terrifying results. Nothing new here, just entertaining. But doesn't follow a specific 'serial killer' story.