Horror

The Cabin in the Woods

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Cabin in the Woods
  • IMDB: link

the-cabin-in-the-woods-posterDespite languishing in obscurity for three years (the film was completed back in 2009) Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard collaborative effort is a stunning success. Co-written by the pair, and directed by Goddard, The Cabin in the Woods pokes fun at horror movie convention before providing one of the most memorable final acts you’ll see in theaters this year.

The perspective of the film is broken into two groups. On one hand we have a quintet of college kids (played by Hollywood actors in their late 20’s and early 30’s: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Jesse Williams, Fran Kranz) out for some weekend fun in the mountains. On the other hand we have a group of scientists (Bradley Whitford, Richard Jenkins, Amy Acker) preparing for the most important night of the year.

Without giving two much away, the two stories are linked. Those in the secret compound are controlling the horrors that will unfold on the unsuspecting group of students whose every choice will lead to how they will meet their end.

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The Darkest Hour

/ / Home Video
  • Title: The Darkest Hour
  • IMDB: link

the-darkest-hour-blu-rayAfter traveling to Moscow only to get screwed out of a lucrative business opportunity Sean (Emile Hirsch) and Ben (Max Minghella) run into an attractive American twenty-something (Olivia Thirlby) and her Australian friend (Rachael Taylor) at a swanky Russian bar just hours before the Earth finds itself invaded by aliens seeking to drain all electric conducting minerals from the planet.

The aliens appear as near invisible glowing clouds of light which can instantly burn through and disintegrate matter on contact. The foursome find themselves stuck in the storeroom of the club for days with the Swedish businessman (Joel Kinnaman) who screwed them over. With their rations exhausted finally the five journey out into a world vastly changed from the one they left only a few days before. Can they make it to safety? Will they find a way to fight back? Which ones will die? If only we cared.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #8

/ / Comics

btvs-season-nine-8-coverThe search to discover the truth behind how Buffy was replaced with a Buffybot with all of the Slayer’s memories leads one-armed mechanical Buffy and Spike to the one person they know with experience in this type of thing – Andrew.

It turns out not only is Andrew responsible for downloading Buffy’s brain and sticking it into a robot, but he did it to help the Slayer. Now the group has to retreive Buffy’s real body (which is living out an idyllic life in the suburbs with no knowledge of who she really is) before someone else finds her. However, they may already be too late.

With the first big Season Nine twist writer Andrew Chambliss keeps going for the unexpected. This isn’t some nefarious plot by a big bad to hurt the Slayer, but an ill-thought-out attempt by a friend to keep her safe. Meanwhile, with the Slayer out of action Xander and Dawn help Detective Dowling with his Zompire problem. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #7

/ / Comics

btvs-season-nine-7-coverGiven her current situation Buffy decides to move out of her apartment (not realizing that both Anaheed and Tumble want her to stay) and onto the bug ship with Spike. Because, you know, nothing says normal like living on an alien spaceship with your undead ex-boyfriend.

When Detective Dowling finds himself overmatched with a vampire nest he pulls Spike away from an awkward heart-to-heart with Buffy. It’s the post-fight fallout however that will leave the vampire, and readers, stunned as writer Andrew Chambliss throws a huge curveball into a controversial, but very strong, story arc I’ve really enjoyed. I’m a little pissed at the decision, but I’ve got to admit I didn’t see it coming.

I’m not sure exactly what this means for Buffy’s pregnancy or her relationship with Spike, but from what we see at the end of this issue I’m going to assume things are going to get far more complicated before the season arc decides to answer either of those questions. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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Fatale #3

/ / Comics

fatale-3-coverNicholas Lash continues to search for clues into the mysterious woman and the odd circumstances that left him with a vandalized house, the loss of a limb, and a bizarre manuscript that has more truth in it than he originally realizes.

My problem with issue #2 was it was entirely set in the past. This month’s issue not only returns the Nicholas Lash character, but starts him on an investigation which should bring both storylines together.

In the past we see just how powerful Josephine’s pull over Hank is, and when confronted by a deranged cultist from her past, we see her ability to bend men to her will can have deadly consequences. I’m not quite as sold on the corrupt cop storyline, but I’m willing to wait to see how it all plays out.

A very strong issue that doesn’t give away many of its secrets but doesn’t feel like its necessarily obscuring a reveal for another month either. I can’t wait to see where this supernatural noir goes from here.

[Image, $3.50]

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