Monday Movie Review - THE LAST EXORCISM

Eli Roth, giver of those HOSTEL movies, has brought us his version of the "mockumentary" - more "found film footage", although it's never explained who found the film and where.

The story evolves around a minister who has lost his faith, and has turned to proving that exorcisms are really a money-making scam.  To prove his point, he answers a plea for help from a farmer in Louisiana who claims his daughter is possessed.  The minister does the hokey pokey, "cures" the girl, collects his booty, and is prepared to leave town (along with the two-member film crew following him around) when the girl shows up at his motel room.  She starts showing visible and unexplainable signs of demon possession, and the minister begins to have doubts about the existence of demons.

What follows are bloody and surprising incidents involving a stolen camera, the brutal killing of animals, and a revelation about the young girl.  It isn't until the last ten minutes that Roth pulls out all the stops and gives us a finale that will shake you to the core...if you can swallow it.

Although there isn't a lot of gore or "jump" shocks, the building tension to the payoff kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next.  When you can finally wrap your head around the truth that's revealed at the end, you'll find yourself thinking back on it over and over.  And maybe re-watching those last few minutes again.

Which is why my recommendation is that you:

When You See It - See What?

I've seen several of these floating around the internet for a few years now, and snagged the latest one to drop into my e-box.

WHAT am I supposed to see?

(Psst!  Click on picture to get a larger version.)

Shower Zombies

(You gotta love I Can Has Cheezeburger!)

If It Has Zombies, It'll Sell

 While shopping at Target recently, I came across this game in the games section.  The game is called CUPONK, and it's quite simple.  You get two ping pong balls, and you throw them into the cup, which then makes a noise to let you know you've scored.  There were several of these CUPONK cups, ranging from cartoons to this zombie one.  Oh, and the balls have bloodshot eyes on them - natch.

To be honest, I was tempted. 

(Click on picture for a bigger version.)

Road Kill for the Kids

And finally, for those of you who need something to entertain the kids when you go on those road trips...

Road Kill Bingo!

(What you use to cover the squares is totally up to you.)

Road Kill, Menu Version

Click for a bigger version.

(P.S.  I used to have a t-shirt with something very much like this on the back.  One summer I wore it to Disney World, and the people waiting in line thanked me for giving them something to read while they waited.)

Monday Movie Review - LAKE MUNGO

This movie was an After Dark Horrorfest 4 selection.  It took me a while to get to it for various reasons.  But now that I've seen it, umm...well...I've seen it.

This Austrailian flick is not for those who like their shocks, gore, and splatter.  It's a very subtle, very low key film about parents, family, and friends grieving for a girl who drowned in a nearby dam.  Told in documentary style, the parents discover their daughter had a secret life.  From there they begin to suspect their house is haunted by her restless spirit.

If you're the type who enjoys the slow-paced drama of films like "Paranormal Activity" and "Blair Witch", you might enjoy this one.  But for me it was too slow, too monotoned, and the scares that were supposed to make me feel creepy just didn't affect me at all.  Although I loved the Austrailian background, and the camera work was brilliant, I found myself repeatedly glancing at the clock.

Which is why my recommendation is to