The Bay (2012)

After a nice holiday break, GLP is back with a new review for your reading displeasure.

Upon deciding to watch this film, I really had no knowledge of the movie. I thought is was about some sort of alien, maybe some sort of monster. I did , however, go into watching this film with VERY LOW expectations. After I finished watching it I was not terribly disappointed, nor was I completely satisfied. It was not until I did my homework that I became really disappointed.

The Bay is about the small seaside town called Claridge, Maryland that has an "outbreak" on the 4th of July leaving the small town in a panic. The "outbreak is not that of zombies, but a parasitic one caused by major pollution to the town bay. The movie is told through the oh so OVER USED found footage theme, using different people's footage to piece together the events that happened before and during the outbreak.

Standing alone, the film had great potential, and is not a bad watch. That is about as deep as it gets. On the surface its got some good acting, decent CGI, and decent practical effects. The radio/ podcast interview with the town's mayor really stood out to me. I felt that was actually one of the best scenes in the movie, the authenticity of the interview was a very nice touch. 

My disappointment with this film came from behind the cameras. This film was directed by Barry Levinson. For those of you, like me, that don't particularly follow directors or behind the scenes guys in films, Berry & his previous films have been nominated for multiple Oscars, and He himself won "Best Director" for 1988's Rain Man. Berry has directed such films as  Diner (1982), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Rain Man (1988), Bugsy (1991), Toys (1992), Disclosure (1994) Sleepers (1996) Sphere (1998), Liberty Heights (1999), and Bandits (2001) just to name a few. You would think that a guy with connections like that, and a resume like that could make a movie better than it was. Unfortunately he didn't, and because I now know Berry directed this, I feel less excited about it. 

So lets talk about the premise without giving too much away, Basically this town is polluting the bay with something bad, and as a result it is causing a nasty parasite to mutate into an even nastier version. I really enjoyed the overall arch of the story seeing as it was creative, not entirely original, but still good enough. I felt out of all the aspects of this film, The story keep me at attention and as an end result made me like the film.

Found footage films need to be buried in the past. They were cool for a hot minuet but now it's getting to the point were EVERYTHING is being shot in the style. I feel this film could have benefited from solid camera work. Cinematography...not shitty handheld bullshit. This film could have been eerie, and frightening without the found footage effect, however, as a result it become hokey at times and sometimes laughable.

The film is not bad, it mainly suffers from bad decisions behind the camera. I really wish this film would have not used the found footage aspect, I probably would have like it a lot more. The story is good, the acting is decent, and the practical effects are good as well. The movie is just OK with good parts here and there, GLP gives The Bay a 3 out of 5 stabs. If your interested in checking this film out you can do so ONLY on-demand. Check out the trailer below.

GLP RATING

Gory Little Vacation!

GLP is taking a vacation! We will return after Thanksgiving!

thanks for reading, expect some good shit upon return!

Excision (2012)

When you think of coming of age films, horror does not usually stand out as the leading genre for such a subject. We usually think of films like The Breakfast Club, Almost Famous, The Virgin Suicides, and others where the main protagonist is faced with some sort of life altering dilemma that forces them to essentially grow up. These films are all great, but we hardly enter the mind of the characters, most notably one in which the main character is a psychopath. Excision is a great example of that, the mind of teenage nut job.

Excision is a film written and directed by Richard Bates, Jr. in his very first feature length film. I have to say he did a wonderful job. I had been hearing about this film for some time, reading the blog about how its edgy and weird, but at the same time slightly heart wrenching. I have to agree with what people are saying, this film is all of the above and in most cases more.

The story follows Pauline played by AnnaLynne McCord, and 18 year old outcast that dreams (lucidly) of becoming a surgeon. Pauline has a younger sister with cystic fibrosis that requires her to take some sort of breathing treatment wearing a vibrating vest. We follow Pauline in her dealings with her overbearing mother (Traci Lords), a verbally absent father, and ridicule from her peers at school. Pauline however has a dark secret, she dreams of often extremely bloody surgical experiments that leave her rather aroused.

This film is absolutely fantastic. AnnaLynne's performance as Pauline was seriously some of her best work. Her facial expressions, body language, and attitude personified her character. Being a very attractive female the crew had to utilize make up and prosthetic to achieve Pauline frumpy, and quite honestly ugly character, giving her pimples, cold sores, a sickly pale completion, and greasy hair. For that I applaud the make up crew for doing such an amazing job.

Annalynne's performance was not the only one to shine. Traci Lords did a fantastic job as the overbearing mother. Much like Carries mother in Carrie, Traci's words we biting and unemotional. Traci did a great job of playing cold and unsympathetic bitch. Over the period of the film you see a transition in her character. By that point, however, the damage had already been done. You also get some interesting cameo appearances from Malcolm McDowell, and John Waters that are a nice touch.

Pauline's dream sequences are dark and beautiful portrayals of madness. In these sequences, Annalynn looks seductive and hot as hell. Shedding the ugly girl makeup and showing more of the Annalynn most people are accustomed to. These scenes usually entailed tons of blood, and uncomfortable situations involving body parts. These scenes really pay off, if your paying attention to the movie...you gradually see them getting progressively more intense and as a the film runs out. Exceptional...

I really don't have a single complaint with this movie. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I will say I was expecting more of a horror film when I saw the cover, but I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Everyone did a fantastic job in this film, this could be one of the best films of 2012. GLP give Excision 4 out of 5 stabs for an excellent story, top notch acting, and dream sequences that will literally make you squirm. To find out more information about Excision check out their Facebook and Official Webpage. This film is currently available on demand through Vudu. You can also purchase the films on Blu-Ray and DVD. Check out the trailer below.

GLP Rating

The Evil Dead Official Trailer

Just released last week, The OFFICIAL trailer for the upcoming remake of Evil Dead is making waves in the horror community. While horror fans are torn as to whether or not it will be good, One thing is for sure...the trailer is bad ass. I ,for one, am very excited to see this...it looks dark, twisted, and shocking. I think this will be one of the best, if not, THE best remakes of recent years. Dont just take my word for it...View the trailer below and chime in on what you think!