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.

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.

(HORROR) The Chernobyl Diaries - 2012 ***

After feeling that I maybe hadn't given this film the time it deserved by shutting it off half way through the first time, I decided to brave it again the other evening.
Much of my feelings were the same however. The only thing I found interesting was the actual background to the disaster and the information regarding the city or Pripyat that the tour guide gives the characters at the beginning of the film.
A group of friends are travelling around Europe and decide to stop off in Ukraine to see a relation. The relation in turn suggests that they meet his friend Uri who organises extreme tours around Pripyat.
The next day they meet Uri, who drives them to the entrance of the 'zone of alienation' where they are met by guards, informing them that they will not be allowed any further. Uri doesn't take any notice however and drives the group another, secret way which only he knows so that they cane take photos and soak up the atmosphere alone. But then of course, the car stops working...
Well it's what you might expect, and it's quite a predictable film so it shouldn't in all honesty get a high mark. However I'm giving it three stars because I find this horrific and devastating disaster a lot more terrifying than any horror/slasher film I know of, and know that this will be something that keeps me awake at night for a long time coming.