Abominable (2020)

Abominable (2020)

Dir- Jamaal Burden

A research team travels to a remote mountain looking for a plant that can offer a cure for most illnesses. The team finds several challenges that include rival parties and a deadly creature that may not let off of the mountain alive. Abominable is a creature feature that does little to distinguish itself except for a memorable kill scene. The creature costume is laughable, and at times you can see visible signs of gloves and sleeves. The one decent note is the practical effects that offer some gory kills and the kill mentioned above, making the movie worth checking out. 

Harpoon (2009)

Harpoon (2009)

Dir- Julius Kemp

Iceland is a nation that is rarely mentioned in movies unless it is a Cold War thriller, so it is unique to find a horror movie set in such a remote area. After a freak accident kills the captain of a whale-watching boat, the international guests are rescued but fall prey to a group of people on an old whaling ship who have turned to hunt humans on their rusting ship of horrors. Harpoon is a 2009 Icelandic slasher movie notable for the appearance of Texas Chainsaw Massacre Leatherface actor Gunnar Hansen in a small role. Harpoon is a bloody movie with a fair amount of dark humor and creative kills that one has to appreciate the casting of Icelandic-born actor Hansen. The movie's plot and isolated setting on the old ship make it a nice homage to TCM, and it could have been called the Icelandic Harpoon Massacre as a result. Harpoon can also be found with the title Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre. 

Sacrilege (2020)

Sacrilege (2020)

Dir- David Creed

In recent years, movies about cults have become a popular trend, following notable films like The Wicker Man and Midsommar. Four lifelong friends decide to reconnect at a rural UK country home with a weekend to reconnect. They indulge in some of the local libations with a nearby festival that results in them confronting their fears. Whether they will survive will depend on their choices, and if they are strong enough to face the dangers they don't know are present. Sacrilege is a 2020 UK horror film that uses the reliable horror trope of outsiders facing troubles from a seemingly peaceful community. As a result, the film is another knockoff of The Wicker Man with a cast of unknown actresses as the victims. However, the film does have some beautiful scenery, and the location is idyllic as it was filmed in Wales. If you haven't watched Wickerman or Midsommar, this movie will scare you the same way, but it certainly isn't in the same arena as those cult horror classics. 

Gothic Harvest (2019)

Gothic Harvest (2019)

Dir- Ashley Hamilton

Mardi Gras horror is a sparse genre, with Hatchet being the only significant movie worth checking out, so it is welcoming to find another movie set in New Orleans. Four women partying meet a handsome gentleman who invites one of the ladies to dine with his family in their Southern Plantation. When her friends notice her absence, they find a local voodoo expert who is happy to help and explains that their friend's life is in danger. Gothic Harvest is a movie that plays off the stardom of horror superstars Bill Moseley and Lin Shaye. Still, it follows in the footsteps of films like Spider Baby and Texas Chainsaw as families avoid having dinner. Gothic Harvest is a confusing movie in that it seems to be a vampire movie without vampires and instead plays off underutilized voodoo tropes. The acting is decent, but the film seems to be a mess of random horror tropes instead of just playing on the voodoo lore and crazy family aspect. 

Altered (2006)

Altered (2006)

Dir- Eduardo Sanchez

Five friends were abducted by aliens 15 years ago; only four were found. Fifteen years later, they have captured one of the creatures, and their greatest fear is now what to do with it. Directed by Eduardo Sanchez, Altered is a tension-filled tale that focuses on the aftermath of a terrifying event and how it has affected the survivors who are lifelong friends. Director Sanchez is best known as one of the men behind The Blair Witch Project, and his direction of Altered shows his skill in using setting and isolation to create a compelling and scary story inspired by the film Fire in the Sky. The alien and gore effects are done well and don't distract too much from the good performances by the small cast.  

Blood of Dracula's Castle (1969)

Blood of Dracula's Castle (1969)

Dir- Al Adamson

A young couple visits a castle and encounters an eccentric couple who plans to imprison them to satisfy their bloodthirst. Directed by legendary B movie director Al Adamson, Blood of Dracula's Castle has the look of a low-budget movie with actor John Carradine receiving top billing despite his role as the family butler. Alexander D'Arcy portrays Count Dracula, but he might have settled for Count Chocula as his part is pretty dull compared to Carradine's role. One of the other problems is the film's poor quality that may result from a degraded master print that is in desperate need of restoration.      

The Haunting of Molly Bannister (2019)

The Haunting of Molly Bannister (2019)

Dir- MJ Dixon

A family at Christmas time is surprised when their youngest daughter opens up a gift containing a doll that neither parent purchased. The daughter names the doll Little Molly after herself and speaks on behalf of the doll. However, her personality changes as the following months bring a series of terrible events that the family believes may be related to the daughter's doll. "The Haunting of Molly Bannister" is an English paranormal movie that mimics deadly doll movies such as Annabelle and Robert and does not stand out. The cast is decent, especially Tiana Rogers as Molly, but there isn't enough to make the film appear anything more than a copycat of other possessed doll movies.