(HORROR) The Dyatlov Pass Incident - 2013 **

For anyone actually interested in finding out about the real Dyatlov incident it's pointless to bother with this film. It doesn't explain anything, except *spoiler* that people disappear into a disjointed wormhole where past and present are mixed up in the most ludicrous, deranged fashion (like an drug addled episode of Dr Who). Also, I noticed that one of the actresses from Hollyoaks graced the film with her presence, so obviously her career has gone down the toilet to say the least. She says many memorable things throughout the film, such as how cold it is and how she doesn't want to be there because it's cold, as well as it being hard to film because... it's cold. How she ever got a part in anything is beyond me.
The acting was horrendous and utterly weird. A no-no.

The Libertine - 2004 *

Mournfully depressing movie about the notorious womaniser the 2nd Earl of Rochester. We know it's going to be depressing because one of the first things he says to the audience is how much we are going to dislike him. I suspect this is supposed to be 'quirky', but it's really not. Johnny Depp is a fantastic actor, but even he couldn't do much with this. Most of the movie consists of swearing, depressing conversations about how unpopular he is, screaming matches with various women he has been bedding, and a lot of emphasis on a huge plaster cast of a penis that keeps appearing in a play that has been put on for Rochester's pal Charles II. I must say that Malkovich does a pretty good English accent, well to be honest they both do, but why either of them chose to be in this film is a mystery to me. It wastes two talented actors and doesn't show their acting abilities in a good light at all. 

Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret - 2013 ***

Really creepy movie, about a woman named Jodi who becomes obsessed with a religious man she meets named Travis. Travis isn't after any sort of commitment unless it's with someone from his church (although he's happy to jump into bed with her as much as possible) and this leads to mixed messages, added to which his friends aren't all that keen on her either. Jodi obsessively believes they are meant to be together forever and hopes they will get married, and Travis already has his eye on a new woman he feels he is more suited too. It's just that by the time he gets round to telling Jodi about his true feelings, she is already in too deep and he has no escape. 

Disturbing and I'm not sure how realistic it is. 

Escape from Terror: The Teresa Stamper Story - 1995 **

Teresa Walden is a young and impressionable woman who is swept off her feet by a charming mechanic. Little by little he abuses and mistreats her, even going so far as to shoot and kill her new boyfriend. Making friends with the local kids, they all have the same idea - to kill her husband.
Sad to watch.

Why My Daughter? - 1993 **

Based on the true story of a mother working tirelessly to avenge the death of her daughter Diana who was dragged into the seedy world of prostitution by her boyfriend - turned pimp. Very gritty and painful to watch. The actress playing the mother is pretty irritating however.

She Cried No - 1996 ***

A young freshman is date raped at her first frat party by the most popular 'jock' at school  and vows not to go quietly without letting people know what sort of person the rapist is.
Its quite a powerful film about a topic that is sadly all too common in today's society of overindulgence and sexual freethinking.

Lies of the Heart - 1994 ***

Follows the true story of Laurie Kellogg, a young and naive teen who falls in love with an abusive and controlling man. As the years go by, the abuse continues and increases until Laurie cannot take it anymore.
An interesting and heartbreaking case about a severely traumatised woman, who has become so reliant on a man that she cannot leave him, even when he physically abuses her.

Willing to Kill - The Texas Cheerleader Story 1992 ** 1/2

Based on the true story of obsessive mother Wanda Holloway who, after becoming desperate for her daughter to qualify in the cheerleading trials, hires a hit man to murder the rival girl's mother. Relentless and hard hitting, this shows what lengths some people will go to come out on top and 'live through their children'. The sad part of this film is that the person who suffered the most was always going to be the daughter.

Broken Silence - 1998 ***

Dreadfully raw story that had me gripped, but unfortunately for the acting (especially from Ariana Richards) it left rather a sour taste in my mouth. Ariana's portrayal of Mickey, the running fanatic who becomes the rape victim of her terrifying coach has as much excitement in it as a lump of wood. She shows barely any expression, one way or another on her face, and to be honest, whether something bad or good happens to her you probably wouldn't be able to tell. Story was good, but should've been played by someone who can actually act.

Indecent Seduction (For My Daughter's Honor) - 1996 ****

Another hard-hitting true story, this time about a young and innocent 14 year old student who falls for the popular sports coach leading to a disturbing affair.
Gary Cole plays a horrible part, and plays it well. You can never tell if he is on the brink of obsession or whether he's just a pervert intent of luring a young girl into a torrid relationship behind his wife's back.
Nicholle Tom (whom I remember from 'Beethoven') is excellent in her part. You feel frustration, anger and sympathy for her throughout.
A taboo if not familiar story by now.

The People Next Door - 1996 ***

I think this film must be every parent's nightmare. You trust your children to someone and they betray you.
Nicollette Sheridan plays struggling single mother Anna, who leaves her abusive husband and moves into a rented property with her three young children. Soon after arriving she befriends the next door neighbours Donna and Garrett to the extent that they sometimes babysit her children when she is doing late shifts at the bars she works in.
After a while however, the couple start to become rather personal, and rather pushy, demanding to look after the children even when Anna wants to have them at home with her. On an outing to the park one day Anna turns her back to purchase tickets to one of the rides for the six of them, and when she looks back finds that Garrett, Donna and two of her children have disappeared.

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 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.

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.

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.

The Men Who Stare at Goats - 2009 **1/2

Oh er, what an odd film. Based on a true story? Really? Ewan McGregor plays a reporter who meets oddball George Clooney in a bar and finds out that he is claiming to be a former member of some sort of Illuminati New Earth Army who use paranormal powers to complete their missions whilst hoping to stop war full stop as well. He drops everything and goes along for the ride without having a clue what he is getting himself in to. So weird. I don't get it, and I didn't really like it either.