Film Reviews by NP

There are echoes here of the COVID pandemic, even though this prequel to ‘X’ (also from 2022) is set during 1918’s influenza pandemic. Once again this is written and directed by Ti West and stars the magnificent Mia Goth who, for once, is really given a chance to shine. This is far more satisfying than ‘X’ in my view. The focus is more on the small cast and they instigate the story being told; it’s more of a series of vignettes that become more and more twisted as the plot rolls on – although the signs of Pearl’s mindset were there in the opening moments.

The first few scenes are not indicative of what is to come; they go for a David Lynch/Guillermo del Toro level of surreal weirdness and don’t quite cut it. Much better is when Pearl’s predicament and protracted misery are slowly unveiled, and her chance of happiness appears to beckon. Only then do the directorial extravagances gain some depth and complement the story, rather than striking out to engage the viewer on their own.

The cast is very good, and the progression of Pearl’s condition, together with her realisation and embracing of it, is beautifully carried out. Quite the character piece and a lovely way to extol Goth’s talents as an actress. My score is 8 out of 10.

There have been a few one-off sequels to Amando de Ossorio's quartet of Blind Dead films. The four original films, which were released in the early '70s, dealt with very slow-moving animated corpses who invariably made their way after scantily-clad females, on equally slow-moving horses. The films have acquired cult status over the years and inspired more modern-day directors to tell their own stories featuring the bedraggled Knights Templar.

Director Raffaele Pocchio is working with a limited budget, and this has earned his film criticism from some quarters - yet Ossario's productions were always modestly financed; he even created the masks and costumes for the villains himself.

These Knights have an agenda. They are on a mission to kidnap newborn babies for reasons not made clear (unless I missed them) and so therefore, we are treated to several gruelling, enthusiastically played childbirth scenes. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it appears the Knights want to fashion the young to their ways. There are several gut-wrenching scenes, and while the acting is distinctly mixed, there's a definite energy here which propels the murky story.

70’s Italian star Fabio Testi makes a tiny cameo and it's curious that he's used so sparingly. Good to see him though. I enjoyed this broad and bloody tale. It doesn't adhere to many of the rules of the original films (which were always changing their own backstory anyway) and makes its own narrative. My score is 8 gore-soaked points out of 10.

Pascal Laugier directed the hugely unsettling ‘Martyrs’ (2008) which really pushed the definitions of 'entertainment'. Certainly, it was one of the most distressing films I have ever seen. Happily - if that's the right word - 'Incident in a Ghostland' doesn't approach that level of brutal horror, but it's no walk in the park.

Siblings Beth and Vera (Emilia Jones and Taylor Hickson) are adults suffering from the effects of childhood trauma. Both have been damaged, both have been damaged by events that continue to haunt them. Punishing then, that their abuse doesn't end in the past and we're treated to a jaw-dropping twist in the narrative.

The appearance of the character Howard, otherwise known as HP Lovecraft to his friends, lends the story a certain cold comfort, but ultimately 'Incident in a Ghostland' is harrowing viewing. Is it enjoyable to watch? Well, it's extremely well produced, directed and acted, but you'll be watching segments of it between your fingers. My score is 8 out of 10.

There's a tendency these days especially, to release films that are longer than two hours. Often the subject matter doesn't justify this, and ends up being a slightly thin experience. 1989's Mexican psychedelic fairy-tale, 'Santa Sangre' in contrast, is so awash with weirdly compelling imagery and characters, that the passing of time is the last thing on your mind.

It takes a while to get to grips with 'Santa Sangre' ('Holy Blood' in English). It features the story of young Fenix (Adán Jodorowsky) whose traumatic carnival childhood becomes perversely beautiful thanks to director (and co-writer) Alejandro Jodorowsky's extravagant use of colour and mood. As he becomes an adult (Axel Jodorowsky), the mix of the horrific and the erotic (nothing explicit but often there, under the surface) creates an ambience that is increasingly disturbing and compelling.

This is an acquired taste. At times I really questioned what I was watching - but nothing drags, there is no excuse to look away. A surrealist nightmare, but not without its charms. My score is 8 out of 10.

In this curio, Pere Portabella filmed many silent scenes from Jess Franco’s 1970 production, the oft-derided ‘El Conde Dracula’, and pieced them together. His images are deliberately very grainy and clumsy, as if his goal is to create a documentary-style product - Portabella was by this point known as a documentary director after all. Christopher Lee as the main man features here, alongside other stars Soledad Miranda, Herbert Lom and Franco himself.

Any time we are in danger of being treated to moments from the familiar story, there are inserts from behind the scenes featuring false cobwebs being sprayed over coffins, a poor old rubber bat being coerced into action, and general larks from the cast and crew. What results is a curious hybrid of genuinely unsettling scenes, often filmed without dialogue and saturated with unearthly moans and noises, in stark, heavily-grained black and white.

In fact, the only dialogue we're treated to is at the end of the film, with Christopher Lee's very grand reading of a scene from the novel.

The whole experience is an odd one, and certainly not everyone's pint of blood. I'd suggest, however, it's worth a look. I rather enjoyed it.

David Greene's beautifully directed film starring Jenny Agutter as 14-year-old Wynne has been described as a horror, but I would suggest it's really a dark - a very dark - coming-of-age film.

Agutter is as charming as she always is, giving her typically unaffected, honest performance as an adolescent fascinated by, and in love with, her stepbrother. His name is George, he is played by Bryan Marshall, and he is twice her age. Annoyingly, Wynne's friend Corinne (Claire Sutcliffe)may also have designs on the rugged charmer. Simon Ward, who was a prolific film and television actor around this time, is also on hand as the unnamed Conductor.

This is one of those films that could only really exist in the late '60s/early '70s. Naivety is mixed with sexuality, and even when under the influence of excessive alcohol, do the youngsters ramble in perfectly received English. It's a charming story in many ways, despite the dark twists and turns it takes, and there's a genuine sense of jeopardy towards the end.

It's strange: I can go through a phase of watching horror films that actually debilitate because of their lack of originality. They tell the same variations of stories, featuring a gang of deeply unpleasant people being stalked by something horrible, or a house giving up its dark secrets to the latest happily married non-entities to have moved in. It sometimes makes me wonder why I love horror so much when the limitations film-makers impose upon themselves result in such mediocrity.

And then, I can watch a run of utter gems. Often low-budget, these are films with something original to say, or at least an original way of presenting an established idea. 'The Ghoul' is one such refreshing example – at times I fought to follow the narrative because I didn't want to lose the thread of interest being weaved around events.

This is a challenging, thought-provoking story. It's far more than just 'is the horror real, or just in the mind?'

'Horror Hospital' is a cheap and very cheerful slice of sexy, early '70s horror sleaze. It's probably the most polished director Anthony Balch made before his untimely death at the age of 42 in 1980. It was also the final acting job for Vanessa Shaw (Judy) who seems to have retired after this.

The cast is impressive. Robin Askwith - whose roles in often hugely un-PC fare such as 'Bless This House', 'Confessions of a Window Cleaner' and 'Carry On, Girls' haven't stifled a prolific career - plays Jason, a true-to-form randy twit who emerges as a kind of hero toward the end (his first words to Judy are, 'Relax, I'm not gonna rape you'). Skip Martin, fresh from Hammer's 'Vampire Circus', is Frederick. Also starring are Eileen Pollock, Dennis Price and top-billed Michael Gough, who puts far more effort into his role as Dr Storm than he did for Hammer's ground-breaking 'Dracula'. You might wonder what these people are doing in gory nonsense like this among a supporting cast of mostly non-actors, but the fact remains - it's gruesomely good fun.

'November' is based on the novel 'Rehepapp' by Andrus Kivirähk and is awash with elements from pagan Estonian folklore. Presented in stark but rich black and white, extraordinary images and set-pieces whirl and skim past us unsuspecting viewers. Underneath all this, the actual story is pretty thin, but that really isn't a consideration. The cinematography is exceptional and squeezes every last drop out of the dark fairy-tale atmosphere.

The plot concerns Liina (Rea Lest) and her patient attempts to attract handsome Hans (Jörgen Liik). However, this is no mere story of love and longing. Mythical-looking, surreal creatures made from wood, metal and bone - Kratts - are obliging and loyal, unsettling and strangely loveable. You won't exactly want one for Christmas, but they have a strange appeal.

At just shy of two hours, 'November' asks the audience to be enthralled by its weirdness for a long time, but that is never really a problem; you don't want to leave until the story is done.

In the UK's comedy 'The Office', Patrick Baladi excelled at being the company heart-throb and hatchet man, someone who could end your career with a smug smile. As Douglas West at one point, he is rather less sympathetic, only realising the folly of his ways whilst stranded in a creepy windmill with a group of others. He is possibly the best-known actor in a uniformly terrific - and diverse - cast.

Boarding a bus for the guided tour of Holland, the group we are to spend the following 85 minutes with are a motley, flawed bunch - Abe (Bart Klever) the guide's weary manner seems to betray something more about him than is immediately apparent. As for his passengers - all of them have a story to tell. Some of them would rather keep it to themselves, but there are no secrets on the 'Happy Holland Tour'.

Nick Jongerius who writes and directs, has guided us on a terrific journey and even at the film's close, the journey shows no real sign of ending, which is disconcerting for any who board the bus. Happily, storytelling comes first here, and the effects that occasionally embellish it are physical for the most part, rather than CGI. Highly recommended. My score is 9 out of 10.

There was a slew of grim kitchen sink dramas around the '60s and '70s in British cinema, and they were often done extremely well. Such is the case here with Ken Loach and David Mercer's superficially simple story of Janice, played by Sandy Ratcliff. There might be said to be extra poignancy given that Ratcliff had a public battle with her own demons following her successful stint on BBC1's EastEnders years later. As Janice, she conveys heart-breakingly the fragility and difficult journey she faces - as well as the battles with those around her.

Her parents, a suitably gruff Bill Dean and Grace Cave (the characters are not given names, which distances them from the audience further) have moments when they appear genuinely to care for their daughter, but for the most part, they are monstrous in their belittlement and dismissal of her, whilst clinging onto their perceived decency and morals; the ultimate hypocrites. Non-conformist boyfriend Tim (Malcolm Tierney) genuinely wants to look after Jan, but has no concept of seeing beyond his own sense of rebellion. Those in charge of the hospital division interested in offering care for the girl are themselves at the mercy of cut-throat penny pinchers more concerned with ticking boxes and self-promotion than actually listening to what's going on.

Jan is at everyone's mercy, and it is difficult to watch her decline. The film ends midway through a scene, offering us no hope of any answers. We'd like to think she'll be alright. Wouldn't we?

Very powerful. Almost too much so at times. Not based on a true story; this is based on too many true stories. Times have changed since the early '70s of course, but the issues still remain, and so do the outside elements that exacerbate them. My score is 9 out of 10.

Hey.

The characters we meet here are predominantly female, all respectably attractive and all hiding their own troubles. Where every sentence, every greeting, every question, begins with ‘hey.’

Everyone seems to walk on tiptoes around each other, so as not to unleash the deeper emotions that seem to be bubbling under the surface. Pretty young Betsy (Jessica Alexander) seems to have a supernatural experience we’re not privy to, and mum Holly (Sienna Guillory) and sis Isabelle (Ruby Stokes) don’t know how to cope with her behaviour. Lots of close-ups of mouths, eating, regurgitating. Shopping. Sitting in silence. A bit of pouting. Tedium occurs, and not just between the characters.

Hey. This is a world where we’re all a bit stoned, all a bit in touch with our feelings (characters like this used to be called Sloane Rangers). That’s, like, cool, of course, but it makes for pretty dull viewing. There are no real conversations here, just characters talking about themselves whilst those around them try desperately, and earnestly, to ‘understand’. This goes on for 97 long minutes. Lindsay Duncan as June sweeps in and speaks a bit of sense; pity she doesn’t hang around long.

Hey. I probably don’t ‘get’ it: that’s what the problem is. ‘Entitled middle-class white girls’ even get a mention here, before the navel-gazing, wistful piano music slips in.

This simply isn’t my kind of film. It seems strangely self-congratulatory as if everyone concerned is convinced something profound is being created. If it appeals, great, but it’s definitely an acquired taste. My score is 3 out of 10.

In the 1980s, horror films became less about telling stories and more about furthering a franchise. The Freddies, the Jasons and the Michaels were reduced from effective scene-stealers to cartoon figures designed to appeal to as wide a demographic as could bring in money. Refreshing then, to find any genre film from that decade unbleamished by such cynical exploitation.

'Stage Fright' resurrects the Giallo genre, so it might be argued the premise is not original - but the setting and the characters, are all refreshing and surprisingly creepy.

The eagerness for stardom is possibly the greatest monster here, and the cast is seen to suffer for that ambition. The more traditional slasher kills are displayed in a variety of pleasingly outlandish ways. The chunky - and very '80s - incidental music is cheesily effective also.

My score is 8 out of 10.

Paul Hyett's low-budget rail-based lycanthropy thriller focusses on under-appreciated Joe, a train guard who tolerates the vague rudeness of the general public as part of his day-to-day job. We're on his side from the off, so when 'outside influences' appear to cause the train to come to a halt in the middle of nowhere, bad fortune is guaranteed. This is especially true for the train driver, played by Sean Pertwee, after the actor's previous encounter with werewolves in 1994's 'Dog Soldiers.'

Apart from Ed Speleers as Joe, there's a plethora of passengers, all flawed of course, that are too interesting to be dismissed as fodder for the wolves. Whether that is their fate or not, you'll have to watch to find out.

'Howl' doesn't provide much that is new or revolutionary concerning our hirsute antagonists, but what it does, it does very well. My score is 8 out of 10.

This Southern American supernatural horror film appears to have been a labour of love for its writer, director, co-producer and star Steve Pullen writes, directs and co-produces this South American horror film. He also uses family members to further bolster the production crew which may be why there is a certain lack of discipline regarding the set-up of certain scenes, especially in the finale. Some of them simply go on for too long, and the sense of tension, or emotion, ends up losing its impact.

Other than that, though, it's difficult to criticise this independent production. As a horror, it works as a slowly evolving mood piece, very character-based. I always argue that if you can get the audience to care about the characters, then you're on your way to making a successful film. Other much more sophisticated (and expensive) films could take a few lessons from 'The Ballerina', because you're invited to care about the characters to such an extent, your eyes are leaking long before the end. As a melancholy horror tear-jerker, I'd give this 9 out of 10.