When I first watched Event Horizon, I thought it was one of the creepiest things I'd ever seen.  I can remember going home, and having to walk down the long, dark hallway to my bedroom. The gruesome -- and at times disturbing -- images the film burned into my brain made that walk one of the longest of my life. Flash forward 23 years (yup, it's been that long already) and director Paul W.S. Anderson's flick has been diminished by time, and many, many messed up horror movies since. But it's still a strong entry in the sci-fi/horror genre, which is one of my faves. For one, the set design remains striking, and contributes to the imposing nature of the film. Ditto Adrian Biddle's cinematography. This movie just looks creepy, and Anderson and editor Martin Hunter cut and pace it in such a way the viewer isn't given time to breathe. There are moments when it feels like they're hitting us over the head with sticks, as opposed to scaring us, but it works. The acting...

I felt like unwinding this past weekend, so I threw in the crass classic South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut (1999).  It held up surprisingly well and is, in some ways, even more relevant now than when it came out. Its commentary on censorship still rings true, although outrage culture is now on steroids compared to the 90s. This movie is also a fairly competent musical as well. The songs are well written, catchy and hilarious. They put way more effort into the music than I first realized watching the film back in the day. South Park walks the line between satire and genuine musical quite a bit. What I enjoy most is the comedy still holds up despite some dated elements. There are so many great off-hand jokes that catch you off guard. The film also uses referential humour, but doesn't rely on it. I can't say the same about most current comedy films. All in all, this is a great time, and I recommend checking it out if you haven't already. This one is a Good.

I think one of the best ways to see how much you've changed is to rewatch a classic movie. I wasn't sure how From Dusk Till Dawn would play this time around, but I got somewhat surprised. From what I could remember, this movie was going to be a fun splatter-fest that I'd enjoy having splash across my screen. Sure, the first half didn't really elude to that, but I remembered it being a good lead up. What surprised me this time around is that I enjoyed the first half way more than the second. While still a bit over-the-top, the first half is an intense crime thriller that's got grit and darkness to it. George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino do a great job of making you care about these volatile and twisted brothers (Quentin being the most twisted). Seeing their dynamic, and they dynamic with Harvey Keitel's family, made me curious to see how their story would play out. Now I knew it wouldn't play out in the long run, because I already knew what was waiti...

There was a time when I considered Sam Raimi's Darkman the greatest movie ever made. Yup, the greatest movie ever made! Obviously, I got over it... But having recently rewatched the movie, I maintain it's probably the best comic-book movie ever made, especially considering it's not based on a pre-existing comic. But Raimi and company got the mood, tone and pacing right. The movie is serious, but not too serious. Dark, but not too dark. It's violent, but so over-the-top that it captures the action found in comic books. When first released, some complained Liam Neeson's performance was too overwrought. But, given the context of the character -- who feels emotions unchecked -- it makes sense. And he's a total badass here, being one part Phantom of the Opera and one part Dark Avenger a la Batman. And I believed his relationship with Francis McDormand, in a rare "Babe" roll. I rooted for them, and found them likeable. As for the villains? Colin Friels and L...

I know it might be sacrilegious to say this, but Jason Goes to Hell is one of my favourite Friday the 13th films. Yes, yes. Calm down. I know Jason as a physical presence is barely in it, the whole body swapping thing comes from out of nowhere, and it's all just really, really silly... but that's why I like it so much. Co-writer/director Adam Marcus, and screenwriter Jay Huguely, basically said "f--k it," and decided to make a fun, stylish, balls-to-the-wall Friday the 13th movie, with more than a slight nod to one of my favourite 80s flicks, The Hidden. The fact this Friday found a home at New Line Cinema, which made The Hidden, should come as no surprise. All the things we love about the Friday movies are here though: the great kills, the summer-camp setting, the teenage sex and drinking, and yes, the boobies. But now there's the added fun of a body swapping serial killer, and more than a little gunplay. Add in a genre-friendly cast, including Erin Gra...

So I have a very long list of movies I should have seen by now. The Crow (1994) was on there, and I definitely now see why it's recommended. This is an "edgy" and fun action flick that's pure 90s. It's dripping with moody atmosphere, and has that fun, juvenile edge that makes it the perfect goth-teen movie. This, of course, is helped by the pretty sweet soundtrack. It's also bordering on cheesy, but never quite gets there. This is probably from its comic-book roots, with many characters having catchphrases, strange quirks, etc. Now, there's no way to watch this without knowing about Brandon Lee's death during filming. However, the film is actually a fairly respectful tribute to him. While you can tell where they had to use doubles for him, the movie doesn't feel incomplete. To sum it up, this is a fun rewind to the 90s that pairs well with drinks and weed. Watch it again, as it's a Good.

I didn't appreciate Congo when it first came out, finding it a weak attempt to cash in on Michael Crichton's success with Jurassic Park. But a friend recently caught up with the movie, and suggested I give it another try, saying it held up quite well. So I bit the bullet and did, and my friend is more or less right. Congo does hold up well, and certainly plays better on the small screen then it did on the big back in 1995. It's still nothing more than B-movie fodder, but it's fun on that level. You have to be in the mood for scenery chewing acting, killer monkeys and a talking ape but, if you are, you'll be entertained. Part of the enjoyment comes from seeing so many veteran character actors in their prime. Ernie Hudson, Tim Curry, Joe Don Baker and Joe Pantoliano ham it up with the best of them, and are clearly having a blast. This was Laura Linney's first crack at stardom, and she gives it her all as an action hero. And yes, Bruce Campbell has a small ...

Horror had a hard time in the early 90s. The slasher genre had died out by then, and the meta craze didn't kick off until 1996. The years in between had horror struggling to find its footing again, and we got a hodgepodge of offerings like Jaccob's Ladder, The People Under the Stairs and In the Mouth of Madness. And The First Power, which is an odd blend of a possession movie and an unstoppable killer flick. Think The Exorcist meets The Terminator and you kinda get the idea.  Lou Diamond Phillips is a maverick cop on the trail of a serial killer. The problem is, the killer is possessed by an evil spirit -- perhaps even The Devil himself -- and continues to murder people after being successfully sent to the gas chamber. The killer is well played by Jeff Kober, who manages to be creepy AND intimidating at the same time. And Phillips does his best tough-cop impression. One forgets he was a big star back in the day.  Because this is a 90s movie, Phillips needs a h...

I have a soft spot in my heart for shark movies. For one, I'm fascinated by sharks. Wouldn't want to be on the business end of one seeking a hot meal, but I think they're cool. And they make for great aquatic villains. Jaws is the king of shark movies, a horror subgenre that became pretty laughable until The Meg made big money during the summer of 2018. But before movies like Sharnado and Two-Headed Shark Attack came along, we had Renny Harlin's Deep Blue Sea in 1999. It was probably the last time Hollywood took the beast seriously for almost 20 years. Sure, genetically enhanced sharks terrorizing an ocean-based research facility is more The Asylum territory than a serious flick like Jaws, but Deep Blue takes itself more seriously than the idea suggests. Well, serious enough anyway. It's still a B-movie, but made with an A-level budget and solid cast that includes a pre-Punisher Thomas Jane, Samuel L. Jackson and Saffron Burrows. Although it's not so ser...

When you think of Christmas movies, The Long Kiss Goodnight isn't the first to pop into your head. It might not be the fifth or tenth. But it should be. Hold on, you say? How can a violent action film be a Christmas movie? Shouldn't Christmas movies be confined to A Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street and crap like that? If it takes place at Christmas, it's a Christmas movie. That's why people call Die Hard the best Christmas movie ever made, which it is. Lethal Weapon, Black Christmas, Hardware; they're all Christmas movies. And so is The Long Kiss Goodnight. The Long Kiss Goodnight isn't Shane Black's most well-known work, but the screenwriter's trademark banter, black comedy and skilled action writing are all on display. This is a fun, funny, and violent action picture about a woman with amnesia who finds out she's a former spy/assassin. And damn, it works so well. Geena Davis owns the role, even if she isn...

I've always wanted to revisit Tremors (1990), as it gave me vivid nightmares as a kid. Watching it now, I had a completely different reaction. Tremors is a good 'ole fashioned monster romp with some fun characters and fun monsters. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward's performances are a bit goofy at times, but still relatable. That relatability really helps us adjust to the creatures, with the two of them learning about the worms as we do. Those worms are some excellent monsters, brought to life with stellar practical effects. I also love how the threat of the worms keeps getting ramped up. Just when our characters think it's safe, the warms learn and a new challenge arises. All in all, this was a blast to revisit, and it's a solid flick. Definitely check it out, because it's a Good.

With many mainstream films coming off bland or mediocre these days, watching Sam Raimi's cheesy -- but fun -- Western is a welcome change of pace. The Quick and the Dead is quite an entertaining and unique gunslinging film. It goes for larger-than-life, comic-book style with its characters, camera work, and story. Each person involved has their own quirk, and each actor is clearly having a blast playing it up. However, what grabs my attention most is how this movie seemed to pick the wrong protagonist. Sharon Stone isn't a bad actress, but she didn't seem right playing the subtle, female version of the Man with No Name. No, the real star, or stars, are Russell Crowe and Gene Hackman. Despite them not getting much focus, Crowe and Hackman steal the show. You can see the history the two have between each other, their performances sell it long before the movie tells you. Because of this, you're far more interested in their story, than the story of our main girl Sha...

"Admit it: that was cool as fuck." Star Marc Natoli says that line about half way through the action short The Proposal, and there's no better way to sum the film up. Although just 10 or so minutes long, The Proposal is everything an action fan could ask for. In fact, the only complaint I've got is I wanted more!

Taking a break from our Halloween Day By Day to share with you Basement Dwellers this first clip from the upcoming ode to 80s and 90s action flicks, The Proposal. Why now, you ask? Because it's Thanksgiving, and we're feeling thankful for your support these last eight years, and the support The Proposal's writer, John Fallon, and star, Marc Natoli, have shown us.