The Damned--8 out of 10 stars

We watched a marathon of horror movies on Thanksgiving Day. What? What do you mean that's not normal? Well, I'm not a huge football fan, and my husband was still too sick to argue. It's not like he actually stayed awake through most of them anyway...

Which brings us to The Damned. It was the first in the line up and luckily, was available on Netflix streaming. I love me some free movies. I'd read about it on someone some where's list of the year's best horror. And they weren't far off.

Synopsis: After a family is involved in an accident, they take refuge in a secluded inn where they free a girl locked in a basement without knowing she's an ancient evil spirit.

Some of it is spoken in Spanish so there are a few subtitles, but not enough to really bother you. And in one instance the characters were hollering, "hola," when they were supposed to be shouting, "ayuda." ("Hello" versus "Help") I'm not sure why they messed that up, but if you don't speak even rudimentary spanish you wouldn't notice anyway.

The plot is actually decent, with no visible holes or missing pieces. It makes sense (which I find very important) and plays by the rules. The acting isn't bad either. The father/daughter combo is convincing, as is the tension between the future stepmother and daughter. The characters don't do ridiculous things that make you go, "what?" And the ambiance is spooky enough.

There aren't any big name actors or actresses, but the lead characters are at least recognizable from other films. And they do a good job, which is the most important thing.

I definitely recommend the film. It can be found on Netflix for free, or Amazon Prime for $3.99.


Happy Viewing,
♥Spot

Horns 9 out of 10

One of the best things about streaming TV is the availability of all movies, even some before actual release date. This was the case with Horns. I could rent it on Amazon Prime for $9.99 even before it's theatrical release. I'd been waiting for this movie for so long, and yet I waited just a little longer. Why? I knew the special effects were good. I'd seen a picture of Joe Hill (Stephen King's son who wrote the book the movie was based from) wearing the horns. How you ask? Well I happen to know a fantastic special effects artist, Mike McCarty, who did the work on Horns. And was thoughtful enough (because he knows what a huge Joe Hill fan I am) to send me some pics during production. (Thanks, Mike!!) I guess I waited out of fear. I loved the book, but I was unsure how it would translate to film. And well, I just wasn't sold on Daniel Radcliffe as Ig.

But Thanksgiving night was the night. I rented it for $6.99, but I would have gladly spent more. Now, as much as I liked the book, it has been awhile since I read it. So there may be a few things I missed. But to me, the movie definitely did the book justice. There were differences, most notably, the grandmother was missing from the family. The book has a funny scene where Ig pushes her wheelchair (with her in it) down a hill. And the ending is quite different. But all in all, the movie works.

It's not scary, by any means, but it does make you think. What if people suddenly started telling you  their deepest darkest secrets? And why as a culture do we always want to blame those closest to the victim? Why do we leap to the conclusion their loved ones are guilty?

The movie also has it's funny moments as Ig embraces the power of the horns and encourages some people's dark side. I think Daniel's performance really shines in those moments. And in the end, the movie is about love, loss, and redemption.

I highly recommend this movie to both those who have read the book and those who haven't. My husband doesn't read horror and he really enjoyed the movie. Don't look for scares or jumps though. This movie is not about cheap thrills.

Happy viewing,

♥Spot

Otis...9 out of 10

So most of you are probably going Otis? The hell? Has Spot strayed off the deep end?? No. Well, not yet anyway. Otis is a charming little black comedy that I'm pretty sure most people overlooked! I know we did at first. Luckily, we found our way back to it and got to enjoy some big laughs.

Sean and I first saw a trailer for Otis while watching one of the 8 films to die for. I don't remember which one or even what year it was from. Most of those movies are totally forgettable. But Otis stuck in my mind. Last week, before my stunning and public breakup with Blockbuster, we found the movie in the horror aisle. It probably should have been in comedy.

Anyone who loves a good laugh, laced with a little blood, gore, and violence will enjoy this movie. The concept is that Otis, played by Bostin Christopher, a local pizza delivery guy, has been kidnapping teenage girls. He keeps the girls locked up and tries to force them to answer to the name "Kim" and help him live out some deranged high school fantasy. The girls keep winding up dead. Whether through Otis' brutality or their own doing, it's hard to say.

When Otis delivers a pizza to Riley Lawson's (played by Ashley Johnson) home, you know she will be the next victim. But Riley's not like the other girls. She plays along until her chance to escape comes. She gets away and phones home. Her family, played by Illeana Douglas, Douglas Stern and Jared Kusnitz, decide to take matters into their own hands. They set out for Otis' house to mete out some payback. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned.

It's an hour and a half of giggles and some very quotable lines "What is wrong with you?". We were happily suprised and you will be too. Give it a chance. What do you have to lose?!

♥Spot

To see a trailer, click here.