Category: 5/10

One of my most paranoid ideas about an antagonist has always been a malicious and endlessly replicating growth which never stops until physically confined; and the danger it would face to humanity if allowed to spread in the open. 

No more waiting: Living Hell is a nice little number from the old Sci-Fi channel days when a terrible organism spreads uncontrolled into the human landscape, assimilating and killing relentlessly. With no ado, the story rails immediately into action, with a powerless military and a doubtful future for life on earth. 

The general plot is uninspired, with an uninspired and thin story development, a bunch of two-dimensional characters, their predictable survivals (and demises), but its aggressive pace and well-executed antagonist make for worthwhile mayhem. And if you’ve ever played Soma – you might be interested seeing the last 15 minutes to see something you might consider familiar! 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479201/

Rating: 5/10

This interesting horror follows the group of four friends who decide to take a trip out into the forest, become hopelessly lost, and slowly fall prey to an ancient evil. Spells, witchcraft, demonic entities, that kind of thing. 

Nothing really new, but Ritual stands out with its sleek cinematography and attentive directing. Performances are gritty and robust, and a menacing sense of depressive gloom pervades the atmosphere, which is more than supported by a very silky and dark minimalist soundtrack. 

The film also juggles with some good comic moments in its early minutes. But ironically, as it abandons the humor in the later half, it slowly becomes comedy, turning into absurd nonsense, losing its charm and all its hard work sadly unravels.

Rating: 5/10

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5638642/

I’m kicking off this project with the lovable Drainiac made somewhere in America around 2000 on a shoestring budget. Drainiac tells the story of a house possessed by an evil demon, or something along those lines, and a bunch of teens that happen to come across it.

Although pretty much everything in the film is poor quality, from props to story, and especially the awful special effects, Drainiac isn’t a complete failure. Characters aren’t handled too badly, the small-town american setting has a little charm, and the soundtrack also does a decent job, supporting the general mood and keeping the movie afloat. Given how hilarious some of the effects are, it’s great how the movie freely admits that it doesn’t take itself seriously. 

I’ve always thought this is a great example of a good bad film – no money, questionable talent (at best), and an atrocious storyline, but with the spirit and determination behind to simply be made. Drainiac! may have been forgotten by time but not by me.

Rating: 5/10