You know, it's a movie like Upgrade that disappoints me most. It's a movie that has great potential, but doesn't fully realize it. It's got an interesting concept and bitchin' fight choreography, but ultimately feels lacking. It could be that Upgrade doesn't have the most amazing characters. The acting might be decent, but the characters still lack depth, and could easily be boiled down to stereotypes. You could make an exception of the main villain, but I'd still give most of that to the actor playing him. As well as the characters, the plot wasn't that substantial. There was mystery and intrigue at the beginning, but that petered out as the story wandered along. It almost felt like the plot was there just to get us from action to scene to action scene. While watching this movie, I kept thinking of Black Mirror, and now I know why. This movie is basically an episode of that show stretched out to feature length. It's basic characters and hollow plot ...

If there's an upside to this pandemic, it's studios are finally seeing the reality of modern-movie viewing, and are releasing films to the home market faster. Sure, they maintain there's more money to be made in a theatrical release, but I for one prefer my film de cinema to be consumed at home. So I was stoked to finally catch up with Leigh Whannell's update on H.G. Well's classic, The Invisible Man. I'm a big fan of Whannell's work, and heard good things on this one. For the most part, I was not disappointed. The core of this movie is Elisabeth Moss's performance as the abused girlfriend of a crazed -- but brilliant -- scientist. He's so brilliant he's created a means to fake his own death and turn invisible, which is all the better to stalk and terrify her. Moss is so good, and her plight so psychologically terrifying, that it propels the movie forward. This happens to women all the time, and Whannell has found a way to explore abuse a...

After three weeks of straight reviews, The Basement Boys return with a brand-new interview to entertain your ear holes, and you'll hear it when From The Basement storms the Radio NL 610 AM airwaves at 6:05 tonight! Jason interviewed director Andy Palmer, who made the new horror movie Camp Cold Brook. He talks about working with genre veterans Joe Dante and Danielle Harris, how the movie was made, and the importance of character. It's a great conversation listeners will enjoy. On the subject of horror; there's one new release in theatres this weekend, and it's a scary one. The Invisible Man. Does this new spin on the classic story embrace the #MeToo movement, and create a very real villain? Stick with us! And stick around for a new review from Mike S, the rest of the weekend rundown, and more. It's radio that's so awesome... well, you know the drill. Tune in via the 610 AM dial, or the player to your right, and enjoy.

Despite the quick and painful death of the cinematic Dark Universe, Universal Studios is determined to revitalize its classic monsters for modern cinema, and they're bringing Elizabeth Banks in to help. Yes, she's the one who blamed men for the bomb that is Charlie's Angels. And she's putting the whole men-won't-watch-a-movie-with-a-strong-female-lead thing to the test once again by directing and starring in Invisible Woman. This is, of course, a new take on the 1940's film of the same name. That movie was about an attractive model, with an ulterior motive, who volunteers to be a guinea pig for a science experiment. I'd like to point out Leigh Whannell's The Invisible man, which we highlighted right here , looks to feature a strong female lead in the form (not a sexual reference) of Elisabeth Moss. This new Invisible Woman is penned by Erin Cressida Wilson. No word yet on when we'll see it. In the meantime, Whannell's The Inv...

If you're going to update a classic Universal monster, this is the way to do it. The trailer for Leigh Whannell's The Invisible Man dropped earlier today, and the film is going to be one that hits close to home for many people. It's certainly feels ripped from the headlines, as Elisabeth Moss plays an abused wife who suspects her husband faked his death, and now torments her in a way no one else can see. To say this plays into the #MeToo movement would be stating the obvious, but it looks like Whannell has crafted a legitimately intense and brutal film filled with visceral and psychological horror. Check it out for yourselves: I dig how grounded the whole thing looks and feels. Universal attempted to craft a Dark Universe using its classic monsters a couple of years ago, but misfired horribly with The Mummy. Whannell wanted to do something a little more realistic, and it looks like he pulled it off. The Invisible Man also stars The Haunting of Hill House's O...

Who doesn't like a good sci-fi actioner? I'm willing to bet most people do. So I went into Leigh Whannell's Upgrade hoping for a good time at the movies. And, given the amount of beer I had on this Friday night, I was also hoping for some mindless, and often bloody, entertainment. With a wink and a nod as well.

One failed attempt later and this pretentious non-film critic finally gets to see the latest instalment of one of his favourite modern horror franchises. Sure, the Insidious movies aren't for everyone, but enough people grooved on these flicks to produce a trilogy. Is the third time the charm or not? Stick with me! I've never understood the hate some horror fans have toward James Wan and Leigh Whannell's horror series. I've likened the Insidious movies to the Poltergeist films of our modern age. Likeable family + spooky spirits = good time. Granted, shit is very different this time around. But, if you didn't dig the first two chapters in the Insidious series, than you probably won't like the third.

A horror movie involving murderous children can be a precarious idea. I mean, come on. You don't mess with kids in our modern society. Or at all. Period. They are sacred. As I parent, I get that. Add in some black humour and the whole idea of a horror/comedy about murderous children should be sacrilege. Right? I said right? Stick with me!

The Insidious franchise leaves horror fans hot or cold. I enjoyed the first two films a lot, so it's a no-brainer that I'm down with a third flick, even if it takes things in a slightly new direction. That direction, according to the trailer below, is back to the beginning. But clearly not the first film. Before that.

It's no secret  James Wan won't be back to direct the third film in the Insidious franchise. Let's face it, the man is balls deep in the new Fast and Furious movie . He's a bit preoccupied. Yet, given the financial success of the Insidious flicks, a third film was inevitable. In fact, it comes out next April.

There's a whole year to go before Insidious : Chapter 3 hits theatres, but a few details about the script have already surfaced online. Seems screenwriter Leigh Whannell is taking the third flick in a bit of a different direction, which is fine by me.

Funnily enough, Matt Bellamy and I were talking about Elijah Wood 's new horror/comedy Cooties around the beer and wing table just the other night. Now we hear director Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion's flick, which is getting rave reviews at Sundance , is being eyed for North American distribution by Lionsgate .

The first Insidious was a surprise hit that delighted mainstream audiences and polarized horror fans. Some in The Basement dug it, others were left with mixed emotions. I'm one of the ones who dug it. How does Insidious Chapter 2 stand up? Stick with me! The haunted Lambert family seeks to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.  Whatever you felt about James Wan and Leigh Whannell 's Insidious will likely stand with this second film. If you dug the scares, quirky humour and dark journey into The Further, then you'll feel the same about Insidious Chapter 2. If you didn't like what they were slinging then, you probably won't now. As far as I'm concerned, this is a solid sequel that does everything right, improving on the first by fleshing out the back story and continuing the tale of the Lambert family in much the same way that Poltergeist II : The Other Side did with Poltergeist. But I...

Given that Insidious : Chapter 2 has earned about $150 million worldwide on a $5-million investment, it should come as no surprise that a third movie has been greenlit . Sure, one can argue that not every successful movie deserves or needs a sequel, but this is Hollywood we're talking about. Success = franchise, whether we like it or not. The good news, or bad if you're not a fan of these movies , is screenwriter Leigh Whannell is back behind the keyboard, so we'll get some continuity. What's unknown is whether or not director James Wan will return for a third go-around. Wan is hip deep directing the latest Fast and the Furious flick and has suggested he's had enough of horror. Too bad as the man is a pro, but you can't fault him for wanting to branch out. Insidious: Chapter 3 hits theatres April 3, 2015. Stick with us as the film develops. Source: Coming Soon Related articles 'Insidious: Chapter 3′ Gets Spring 2015 Release From Focus Fea...

We've talked at length in The Basement about how not every movie needs a sequel. But, if done right, they can be the cat's ass. Finally, we get a preview for James Wan 's follow up to the creepily effective Insidious. It looks like Insidious Chapter 2 does what all good sequels do -- expand on the material of the first movie. And, in this case, still be scary. The haunted Lambert family seeks to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world. Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne return, as does Barbara Hershey and screenwriter Leigh Whannell . With The Conjuring out in July and Insidious Chapter 2 in the fall, this will be the year of James Wan. I'm down with that. Insidious Chapter 2 opens on Friday, Sept. 13. Source: Arrow in the Head Related articles Insidious: Chapter 2 - Trailer Hot Trailer: 'Insidious: Chapter 2′ Video: First trailer for Insidious: Chapter 2 proves it's not the hou...

Cameras are already rolling on James Wan and Leigh Whannell 's Insidious Chapter 2, but the film continues to add members to its cast. Joining first-film veterans Patrick Wilson , Rose Byrne , Lin Shaye , and Ty Simpkins is actress Danielle Bisutti, who is perhaps best known for her roles on Parks & Rec , Last Man Standing, CSI: Miami , Raising The Bar and Without A Trace . Yup, she's a TV chick. No word yet on who the lovely Bisutti is playing, but given how much I enjoyed the first film, I'm not overly concerned. As long as there's ample scares, The Basement is down with Insidious Chapter 2. Film District will release the flick Aug. 30. Source: Variety Related articles First Behind-the-Scenes Image from Insidious Chapter 2 Another Pretty Face to be Torn Off in Insidious Chapter 2 INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 2 Finds Barbara Hershey's Younger Self!! Get Hypnotized with New Behind-the-Scenes Photo From Insidious Chapter 2 First Look at James Wan's...

Pre-production on Insidious Chapter 2 keeps on trucking, and Bloody Disgusting got word today that yet another original cast member will be back. Barbara Hershey reprises her role as Lorraine Lambert, the mother of Patrick Wilson's Josh Lambert and grandmother to the possessed boy, Dalton. Wilson also returns, along with his on-screen wife, Rose Byrne. Le rrowwrr. No word yet on what director James Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell have in store for us. We'll find out when Insidious Chapter 2 hits theatres Aug. 30, 2013.

I haven't revisited James Wan and Leigh Whannell's follow up to their smash hit Saw since its initial release in 2007. At the time, it didn't do a lot for me. Now, having distanced myself from the franchise they made uber popular, I found myself enjoying this scare story a lot more. This isn't torture porn, it's an old-school horror film about a cursed town facing a supernatural evil. It's heavy on atmosphere and light on gore, which likely explains why it didn't do well at all. But, if you like creep corridors and moody old buildings, you'll dig Dead Silence. And dolls . . . if you're scared of dolls, this will chill you to the bone. This isn't a classic, but it doesn't deserve to be ignored. A Good from me.

In a move that will likely come as no surprise to anyone, Insidious scribe Leigh Whannell let drop to the folks at Dread Central that at least two characters from the 2011 horror hit will back for the eventual follow up. Whannell said paranormal specialists Specs and Tucker, played by Whannell and Angus Sampson, return in the sequel. Whannell explains it best himself below: " I can say that yes, my character will be seen in Insidious 2, " said Whannell to Dread. " It may probably bum a lot of people out, though, to hear this news. It's part of the reason I don't even read the internet message boards anymore; there was this hatred that spewed out from fans saying 'I hated those guys! They sucked! They ruined the movie!' so there will probably be a lot of people out there who will be disappointed to hear that the Specs and Tucker characters will be coming back. (laughs) " Some didn't like the humour the characters brought to an otherwi...

OK, if Shawn and I weren't so damn dedicated to our fine radio show we'd probably be sitting in a movie theatre tomorrow night giving James Wan's Insidious a whirl.Why, you ask? Just check out the TV spot below and gain some understanding. "The scariest movie in decades" critics say. Wow! And boy does it look it. I like me my ghost stories and this looks to deliver the good. Hopefully we won't be as sucker punched by the trailers for Insidious as the wife and I were sucker punched by the trailer for Sucker Punch! The film, which was written by Wan's Saw collaborator Leigh Whannell, hits theatres tomorrow. It stars Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne in a story about a mother and father fighting to protect their child from a supernatural force.