By Christopher K House

Insidious Chapter 3 marks the directorial debut of series veteran Leigh Whanell. The film is a prequel to the insidious franchise, offering a look at Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) and her decision to use her gift, long dormant to help people in need. We get a brief history of Elise's past, her husband, her gift, what brought her to become a recluse in her home. It's all explained and told very well. Elise gets a visit from Quinn Brenner (Stefanie Scott) who recently lost her mother due to a fatal illness. Reluctantly, Elise agrees to help Quinn contact her mother. During her trance, Elise is confronted by the female specter that has been haunting her and, haunts her into the rest of the Insidious series. Shaken and scared, Elise swears off her power, leaving Quinn with more questions than answers. Elise warns Quinn not to try to contact her mother because, all the dead can hear her when she is trying to make contact.

Indeed, Quinn attempted contact on her own and has become the target of an unknown demon known as the breathing man. Quinn's father Sean (Dermot Mulroney) tries to help Quinn deal with the loss of her mother but, it is becoming clear, Quinn is being pursued by a demon who can't be stopped.

Sean contacts a group of television "paranormal Investigators" Specks (Whanell in his returning role) and Tucker (Angus Sampson, also returning). The duo set up cameras and other equipment in hope of capturing the demon on footage. They do so but, it is clear they are in over their head. The film has a lot of very good jump scares. PG-13 rated horror films often worry me. Somehow, the film works very well and, really pushes the rating and can be really scary.

With a production dream team that includes James Wan, Oren Peli and Jason Blum, the talent is there and, really delivers.

Unable to help, Elise is coaxed back into active duty and agrees to help the possessed Quinn break free of the grips of the demon. Still pursued by her own personal demon, Elise battles the other side to find Quinn and rescue her from the breathing man who hold total control over Quinn and numerous other young women. One problem I had was the demon was fascinating but, never fleshed out as a character. I would have loved to learn his back story, instead he was an unknown demon and, for unknown reasons collected the souls of women.


The film works very well, the characters are so well written, the film is a joy to watch. The end makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and hope to see more of Elise, Specks and Tucker. I know I look forward to their next romp in the paranormal.

Insidious Chapter 3 rated PG-13
Directed by Leigh Whannell
Written by  Leigh Whannell
Rating B+

Director Gil Kenan and producer Sam Raimi try hard to recapture the magic that the original Poltergeist manifested way back in 1982. Sadly, it fails to deliver anything close. The film centers on the Bowen family, a cash strapped struggling clan looking to set up roots in a new home. After purchasing a foreclosed home for a bargain price, they move in and the fun begins right away. Eric Bowen (Sam Rockwell) is the father and center of the family. His performance is the clear winner for the film, his quirkiness kept the film from being a complete bore. The youngest daughter, Madison (Kennedi Clements) is the Carol Anne of the film. She begins to talk to her "imaginary" friends, sadly Clements just doesn't have the charm that Heather O'Rourke had in the original. Of course the iconic TV scene is there, the line "They're here" is there but, we just don't feel the emotional kick that was in the original. That's one of the problems with remakes, they copy verbatim classic lines that just can't be reproduced with any positive results.

After settling in, the Bowen parents are invited to a dinner party and leave oldest daughter Kendra (Saxon Sharbino) in charge babysitting. Brother, Griffin (Kyle Calett) Goes through his battle with the infamous clown doll and, is attacked by the tree, as in the original. Again, it isn't new or original, it just makes you roll your eyes. Madison is then abducted by the specters, in the closet that is apparently a gateway to purgatory. Things move along quickly as the family contacts a paranormal investigation group at a local college. No where near as cool as Ghostbusters but, it's the same idea.

The team investigate the house and, decide to bring in a rock star caliber investigator Carrigan Burke (Jared Harris) who, is a very pale comparison to the late Zelda Rubenstein's Tangina. Burke is a television celebrity whose appearance is just so generic and corny. The climactic battle scene at the end is original and does differ from the original and, really isn't horrible. If only the film as a whole had more original ideas it would have favored better. Remakes don't have to copy scenes, there is room to tell the same story with originality.  Writer David Lindsay-Abaire tried to take Steven Spielberg's story and tell it with his own flair. Sadly, his flair for writing is geared towards animated features for DreamWorks Animation. Poltergeist isn't original, it isn't fun, it isn't scary, it just isn't any good. Stick with the original, it tells it's story the right way. This remake just wasn't needed.


Rating D

In honor of the 40th Anniversary of Jaws here is a video review from Chris

By Christopher K. House

Rednecks and zombies aren't new to cinema. They actually have quite a history together. Dead Kansas, from writer and director Aaron K. Carter offers something new and fresh for horror fans.  Emma (Erin Miracle and Alexandria Lightford) and her father, Glenn (Aaron Guerrero) are surviving together after a zombie apocalypse ravishes the world. "Rottens" as they are referred to here are loose and hungry for the living. Suppplies are scarce, food, water, fuel are all in great need. A gang of miscreants led by Jebediah (Michael Camp) devise a plan to kidnap Emma from her father and use her to trade for supplies.

The plot is unique enough to grab your attention and, the acting may be a bit stiff at first but, it will captivate you. The film is set up in "acts', giving it a chapter story feel. After a tornado, Glenn is injured and needs medical attention. The duo go to a camp of carnival misfits holed up surviving the chaos. This is where the film shines, led by Squeak (Ben Woolf, American Horror Story) in a way to big top hat that fits his character to a tee, the father daughter duo seek a doctor.  Advised by Giant (Irwin Keyes) there isn't a doctor there but, there is one nearby. Emma sets out with Skinny (Joe McQueen, Confessions Of A Superhero) wielding a trusty pitchfork to find the doctor to save her dad's life.

At the doctor's house, they find Rusty (Kevin C. Beardsley) the caretaker who is a mash up of Colonel Sanders and Ogre from Revenge Of The Nerds. Rusty introduces them to Doctor Emerson (Darryl Dick). Of course, nothing goes as planned and the raiders crash the party.  The film doesn't take itself seriously, this is what really works in it's favor. The humor is witty and, the actors nail the dry delivery. We never really do get to see one of the "rottens" instead, they are seen through a POV from their perspective. A unique approach for a zombie film, for sure.

The film's casting was surprisingly stunning, For an independent film, the eclectic variety of actors worked remarkably well for the film. I would have loved to have seen more of the "shambles" camp of circus misfits, they were by far the most fascinating group in the film. Hopefully , if there is a sequel they can be expanded upon. Sadly, Ben Woolf (Squeak) passed away recently, I would have loved to see him return, he was a greatly untapped talent in the film industry.  Dead Kansas is a fun romp in the backwoods of horror, it is streaming now for rent on Amazon instant Video for  $1.99 and, it is by far worth the price of admission.

Watch it HERE on Amazon Instant Video

Rating B+

By Christopher K House

Jurassic World is the eagerly anticipated next installment to the "Jurassic Park" franchise which started in 1993. Isla Nublar is now a fully functional park, just as John Hammond envisioned, with no expense spared. The beginning of the film echoes the original with two young children, Gray (Ty Simpkins) and Zach (Nick Robinson) preparing for a trip to the park and, to visit their aunt, park director Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard). We are introduced to Owen (Chris Pratt) one of the animal handlers who has a connection to a pack of Raptors. Training them but, not quite to the point of being tame. The film starts out with spectacular vision as we see the various dinosaurs with stunning CGI. Some purists will dismiss the CGI but, I assure you it is VERY well implemented here. The park is facing financial difficulty and, needs a new attraction. Dr. Henry Wu (B.D. Wong) from the original Jurassic Park is in charge of the research department who has developed a hybrid dinosaur in hopes to rejuvenate attendance.

The hybrid dinosaur of course, merits unexpected results. Vincent D'Onifrio is Hoskins, one of INGEN's military minds who wants to use the predatory dinosaurs in place of soldiers on the field of war. When the hybrid breaks free of her pen (honestly, we expected that right?) utter chaos ensues in the park. The children, like the original film are lost and, it is up to Owen and Claire to find them. That was my one problem with the plot, it was too similar to the original. The children were very much clones of Tim and Lex from the original film. Owen was almost a clone of Sam Neil's Dr. Grant. The character originality was slim. Even the park's new owner Simon Masrani (Irffan Kahn) reminds us of the late John Hammond.

The film almost feels like a Spielberg tome, with the action and suspense ripped straight from Spielberg's portfolio. The music by Michael Giacchino is a fine replacement for the legendary John Williams, who is busy with another huge film (Star Wars Episode VII). I did not see the film it it's 3D version but, it is supposed to be very well implemented. Alas, I can not comment on that.

Some would argue the trailers gave much of the film away, fret not. This is not the case by a long shot. There are plenty of twists and surprises in the film the trailers don't even hint at. Especially the "hero" at the end of the film. Director Colin Trevorrow' s first big budget film is a rip roaring crowd pleaser that is sure to have you on your feet. If you are unsure about this film, don't be. This is a pure summer popcorn movie that is fun from start to end.

Rating A-

If you were young in the 80’s then you probably have watched The Goonies.  It is a classic movie about kids going on an adventure, and as a kid I always wanted to go on an adventure like that.   I wanted to see if it still held the same magic on me as an adult.  I have seen parts of the movie on TV over the years but have not sat down to watch the whole thing in a long time.  So I popped the DVD in and relived my childhood.

For those not familiar with the story I will give a quick recap. The Goonies is a group of kids Mikey, Mouth, Data, and Chunk living in Astoria, Oregon.  This is their last weekend in town because their houses are being torn down to build a country club. While looking through stuff in Mikey’s attic they come across a treasure map. Mikey remembers an old story his dad once told him about a pirate One Eyed Willy.  The story said that his treasure was supposedly hidden somewhere in town.  They decide to follow the map to see if they can find the treasure and save their houses.  The end up being joined by Mikey's older brother Brand and his two friends Stef and Andy.  They also run across a criminal family the Fratelli's.  They end up navigating a maze of caves and booby traps while trying to stay one step ahead of the Fratelli’s. 

I have to say the movie still holds up.  Maybe it is just because it is such a part of my childhood but I think it is more than that.  The movie is just really well done.  I think it starts with the screenplay by Chris Columbus and Richard Donner’s direction. 


The first thing they do perfectly is introduce us to the characters.  I have been wanting to write a screenplay and I started studying the beginnings of movies. The beginning of this movie is a lesson on how to introduce a cast of characters with very little dialogue.  As the Fratelli’s are being chased through town by the cops we get to see each character in their element.  We learn that the Fratelli's bumbling criminals, Chunk is a klutz, Data is a crazy inventor, Andy is the cheerleader, and Stef is the tomboy (although I have never figured out what she is doing with her head in the barrel of water).   After the credits we meet the leader Mikey and his brother Brand and when everyone comes over to his house we learn a little bit more about each character. 

Now maybe I am giving Columbus too much credit here since the characters play into stereotypes and we don’t really need any big introduction just some reinforcing of what we already assume.  Does it matter that the klutz is fat or the brainiac is Asian?  For me the story works the way it is.  Everyone in the audience can easily identify with one of the characters or knows someone like that.  It automatically gets you invested in the story.  Every character is allowed to shine at one point or another and they even develop a little love story.  

The movie was also perfectly cast.  Each actor did an amazing job.  It is one of those movies where it feels like the parts were written specifically for those actors.  You really feel like you know them and you care for them.  Some of them even went on to have good careers. Two of them went on to star in a movie that would eventually win Best Picture. Sean Astin was in  Lord of the Rings and Josh Brolin was in No Country for Old Men.  Joe Pantoliano was in two other of my favorite movies Memento and The Matrix.  Corey Feldman  seemed to star in every movie in the 80’s, and Martha Plimpton is now the star of the sitcom Raising Hope.  

The story and plot are very formulaic but once their adventure begins it is a lot of fun.    There are so many memorable scenes and funny stuff that I still find myself laughing at.  Especially the scene when the Fratelli’s are interviewing Chunk.  The wishing well scene is the most emotional and the heart of the movie. It is beautifully shot and Mikey's speech is still inspiring.  And how can you not love the water slide scene.  I always thought they should build a slide like that at a water park.  

You pretty much know how the movie will end. It is a kids movie after all and the kids are going to save the day.  But even for the simplicity of the plot and stereotypical characters the movie works. You feel like you go on the adventure with them and are always rooting for them.  

Overall: This is still one of my favorite movies and this viewing proved to me that it holds up over time.  It is a must see for everyone who had a sense of adventure as a child.