Film Reviews: Haxan (a.k.a Witchcraft through the ages).

Release date: September 18th 1922.

Story: This Swedish documentary style horror movie is about the study of witchcraft, devil worship, and how the misunderstanding of mental illness and diseases could have led to the hysteria of witch hunts in medieval Europe.

My thoughts: Dark, creepy, atmospheric, and bizarre. This seven part movie really catches the horror element with images depicting witches, demons, and the devil himself (played by the director himself). This film was banned in the USA and was heavily censored in other countries. In 1968, the movie was re-released in the USA in a re-edited form. Now called Witchcraft through the ages and has an narration by William S Burroughs.

Even though this is a silent era classic, this film is really not for everyone. Some people might get offended and/or horrified at the scenes of devils, witches, creepy scenery, and torture. So I would warn you before watching it.

My score: Four stars.

Film Reviews: The Fog

Release date: February 8th 1980.

Story: The costal town of Antonio bay, California is getting ready to celebrate it's 100th anniversary. But things are not so smoothly as the inhabitants wanted. For on the night of the celebrations, a strange thick fog comes in from the sea and soon ingulfs the town. But it's not the fog that is a threat... it is what's in the fog that is the main threat.

My thoughts: This is one of John Carpenter's most recognisable films. And it is great. The pirate ghosts are cool and some of the effects are impressive. If you haven't seen it yet, I would recommend it.

My score: Three stars.

Youtube Reviews: The Stories of Sodor.

Series creator: Victor Tanzig.

Starting date: 20th February 2017.

Story: The train, for its type, is the most powerful vehicle on land. And the engines of Sodor are the power behind the docks, industries, and pipelines that make up the world renowned North Western Railway. Join Thomas, Edward, Percy, and all of the other Sodor engines in their daily tasks to keep their business going. For these, are the Stories of Sodor.

My thoughts: The great series is based on the popular Thomas the tank engine series. the show itself has three series, many shorts, and a fourth series is currently being made. What I like about this show is that it doesn't follow the books or the tv series at all. It kinda does it's own thing. And it isn't set in one time period. It starts after the first world war and is likely to finish in the present day. And includes many historic events as well. Including the rise in communism, the nationalization of Britains railways, world war two (which was it's own side season called The Stories of War), and even goes into detail on how the railways worked and operated at the time. I was surprised that Edward is the narrator of the show. But then I realised that it might be mainly based on the Railway book series and not the Thomas and friends show (where Thomas is the main character). The show even has characters from a similar show called Tugs.

Any dislikes?: Only a few. One of them being the swearing. I mean I wasn't expecting swear words in something based on Thomas and Friends. But in the third series and the Stories of War side season, there are times that the characters use the F and W words. Also some viewers may not like some strong issues that some episodes are centred on. Such as prejudice, war, bullying, unfairness, and other subjects like them.

Overall: It is a great show and I would recommend it.

My score: Four stars. 

Film Review: Ace Ventura. When Nature Calls.

Release date: November 10th 1995.

Story: Having failed a mission to save a racoon, Ace has left the detective business and has joined a Tibetan Monastery. But then a British correspondent visits him to ask for his help. It seems that a sacred animal of an African tribe has been taken just before a wedding is to be taken place. And if the animal is not returned, the tribe will be at war with an neighbouring tribe. Ace then takes the job and soon is traveling across Africa in order to find the missing animal. But things soon start to turn on the uncertainty side when Ace finds out what the sacred animal actually is... an albino bat

My thoughts: Not as funny as the first one but still a great film. It parodies the movie Cliff-hanger in the first part (where Ace unsuccessfully tries to rescue a racoon from a cliff face). And also some of the movie isn't even filmed in Africa. But one thing that I didn't get is Ace's fear of bats. Even though he is supposed to like all animals, yet is horrified by the near mention of bats. But still it is a good film to put on one evening.

My score: Three stars.

Film Reviews: Ace Ventura. Pet Detective

Release date: February 4th 1994.

Story: Jim Carrey stars as Ace Ventura. An over the top, eccentric, and unorthodox private investigator who specialises in animals. So one day, he gets hired to try and find out who had kidnapped a dolphin who is the living mascot for an American football team. But as he descends deeper into the investigation, he realises that there is more than meets the eye.

My thoughts: I like this film. Jim Carrey is his over the top self and the jokes do get laughs out of everyone. The only thing I didn't get is the fact that an American football team has a living animal that they use as a mascot. I'm sure that brakes a lot of animal care rules. This movie spawned a sequel, a cartoon show, and a straight to dvd sequel. Overall, it is a good movie and I would recommend it.

My score: Four stars.

Film Review: The Nutty Professor

Release date: June 28th 1996.

Story: Eddie Murphy stars as an overweight scientist Sherman Klump. Who has invented a serum that will turn anyone who drinks it into a slim ladies man. So he test it on himself and it turns him into Buddy Love. But soon things start to go wrong as he starts to develop a split personality.

My thoughts: I don't like this movie. I never found the jokes funny and most parts (the dreams especially) I found unsettling. There was a sequel to this but I'm not going to review it. Mainly because it looks worse than this one.

My score: One star.

TV Review: The Simpsons.

Release date: December 17th 1989 - present (30 seasons, 662 episodes).

Story: The many comedic happenings of a suburban family living in the fictional American city of Springfield and the people around them.

My thoughts: This was one of the first animated sitcoms to be created (the first being the Flintstones). And I have mixed feeling about this show. On one hand I like it and on the other hand I don't. There were parts that of the show that I found funny and others that I was like "Seriously why did you do that?".  The characters are ok and there are some good emotional moments and morels that can be found in it. But one of it's many flaws is that it been going on for far too long. It has thirty seasons and it is going to go on for another two. Everyone has said that the show started to go down hill by the 9nth season (with it's second episode 'The Principle and the Pauper' being one of the most hated episodes) and that the show feels like it is on it's last legs. Still this show has spawned games, a comic series, a movie, tons of merchandise, and has even created internet phenomenon's (the many incarnations of Steamed Hams sketch for example).

My score: Three stars.