Movie Review- Hellraiser

Hellraiser is one of the few horror movies I have ever seen that actually managed to give me the creeps. It's a very suspenseful flick that relies on character and story development over the body count, and that makes it stand out against the numerous mindless horror movies I've seen. The lighting is really dark in places, in a good way, and that just adds to the general creepiness. The storyline is very inventive and well-executed, and the dialog is decent, too. The acting, while somewhat poor, is much better than most horror movies. The cinematography is fairly decent too, which is always a bonus in my opinion. The tone is really creepy, what with the themes of sadism and torture, and it works great in this setting. The makeup effects are really top-notch and gruesome, especially the early scenes with Frank, and the Cenobites. It's definitely not a movie for the faint of heart. Overall, a very creepy and suspenseful movie; it can be a bit campy at times, but it's much better than most horror movie fare. Highly recommended, and a must-see for horror movie fans. 4.5/5

IMDB Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093177/

Movie Review- Yellow Submarine

Saying this movie is strange would be an understatement. It's absolutely bizarre. It doesn't even seem like a movie at times, more like a series of loosely connected music videos. The animation is spectacular for the 60's, and it seems a bit reminiscent of Terry Gilliam's animated segments from Monty Python's Flying Circus. It's a very aesthetically pleasing film, for sure. The script is rather loopy and nonsensical, which I normally don't like in movies, but it somehow works here. The dialog is strangely non-sequitur and witty, and sprinkled with allusions to various Beatles songs. I don't know why, but it works wonderfully. It's worth noting that the Blue Meanies are really inventive characters. They look like a cross between the Joker, Mickey Mouse, and a blue cotton ball. And somehow they come across as quite unsettling and very menacing for cartoon characters. And the soundtrack is great. The songs chosen for the film work perfectly with the narrative, and it's quite the treat to watch. Overall, a very fun and psychedelic movie, and a must-see for Beatles fans. 5/5

IMDB Page- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063823/

Movie Review- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

I really like musicals, and I really like slasher movies. Sweeney Todd is a darkly humorous and surprisingly effective hybrid of the two. Tim Burton is a generally good director, and this is one of my favorite films he's done. As usual, the art direction is rather gloomy, but it works perfectly given the tone and setting. All of the actors look rather ghoulish in this movie, which really helps sell the menacing tone. The cinematography is really nice, which is always a plus. The script is great, too. Sweeney is a really believable character, and the method to his madness is well established, and makes his character all the more enjoyable. Although Johnny Depp did seem to be channeling an evil Jack Sparrow at times, which kinda got on my nerves. The entire cast did all their own singing, which is quite impressive on its own. Speaking of which, all the songs are excellent, both lyrically and musically. The ending seemed almost a bit rushed, though, but it was a creepy and fitting ending nonetheless. Overall, a very dark and enjoyable film. Really well-made, and highly recommended. 5/5

IMDB Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/