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Movie Review: Frogman (2023)

04 Tuesday Jun 2024

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Anthony Cousins’ Frogman croaks its way onto Screambox with a premise that delves into the eerie legend of the Loveland Frogman. This found footage horror flick follows three friends on a quest to uncover the truth behind the local amphibious cryptid, only to discover that the legend holds more truth—and terror—than they could have imagined.

Frogman draws heavily from the influential found footage classic The Blair Witch Project. This influence is evident in both the film’s strengths and its weaknesses. On the one hand, the similarities lend Frogman a sense of nostalgic familiarity. The shaky camera work, the realistic portrayals of fear, and the gradual build-up of suspense all harken back to Blair Witch, grounding Frogman in a tried-and-true formula that successfully evokes a creeping sense of dread.

The found footage style effectively immerses the viewer in the trio’s journey. The film’s setting—dense, misty woods—adds to the atmosphere, with the natural sounds of the forest punctuated by unsettling croaks that hint at the lurking presence of the Frogman. The tension builds slowly but steadily, leading to several genuinely chilling moments as the friends inch closer to the truth.

However, the film’s adherence to the Blair Witch template also highlights some of its limitations. Frogman struggles to break new ground, often feeling like a retread of familiar territory rather than a fresh take on the found footage genre. The characters, while likable, sometimes fall into predictable patterns, and the plot occasionally meanders, losing momentum in places where it should be tightening the suspense.

Despite these issues, Frogman manages to carve out its own identity, thanks largely to the intriguing legend at its core. The Loveland Frogman is a fascinating figure, and the film’s exploration of this cryptid adds a layer of originality that helps to distinguish it from its predecessors. The climax, while somewhat conventional, delivers enough thrills to satisfy fans of the genre.

In conclusion, Frogman is a solid entry into the found footage horror canon. It may not fully escape the shadow of The Blair Witch Project, but it leverages its similarities to craft an engaging and eerie experience. For those who enjoy cryptid lore and slow-burn horror, Frogman is worth a watch—just don’t expect it to completely revolutionize the genre.

The Prognosis:

The croaks are no hoax! Frogman hops onto Screambox exclusively on June 7. Don’t miss this ribbiting found footage curio as it explores the chilling local legend of the Loveland Frogman.

  • Saul Muerte

Movie Review: Pensive (2023)

15 Saturday Jul 2023

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Carrying the candle for the first slasher movie to be filmed in Lithuania, director Jonas Trukanas draws inspiration from one of the keystone features from the genre, Friday the 13th and its iconic killer, Jason. Mainly the artistry is built around a group of kids in a remote location and being picked off one by one by a masked assailant. Pensive makes its own mark in its fresh and original approach to the field; a protagonist who is far from likeable and in danger of being lost in a sea of ordinary.

We begin with an introduction to our intended victims; a group of classmates at the height of their graduation with all eyes on the after party. Everyone seems to have an identity, a mark that makes them stand out from the crowd. All that is except Marius (Sarunas Rapolas Meliesius) who has walked through life without anyone really noticing him. Even his own mother and father have lost interest in him. If it wasn’t for his best friend Vytas (Povilas Jatkevicius), he would simply not exist. So, when the proposed location for the party (organised by the budding athlete and alpha male of the group, Rimas (Kipras Masidluskas) falls through, Marius sees an opportunity to to not only rise in his classmates estimations but also win the heart of Brigita (Gabija Bargailate). Marius learns of a cottage through his mother’s estate agency that would be perfect, and so our journey begins. Will it be one of redemption or ruin?
When they arrive, it seems like paradise for the partying to ensue, but there are these strange wooden sculptures, which serve as the instrument of destruction and the resurrection of a killer, lurking in the woods.

The Prognosis:

By thrusting a nobody at the heart of the carnage, questions will be raised about a protagonist’s approach to be somebody at the detriment of those around him. This makes Pensive a noteworthy entry into the slasher genre and one that potentially provides Lithuania with not just its first entry but one that provides a bold new direction.

  • Saul Muerte

Pensive is screening at the A Night of Horror International Film Festival on Saturday, September 30th at 9.30pm. It is screening with short features, Red Wedding, and My Scary Indian Wedding.

Movie review – Living With Chucky (2023)

03 Monday Apr 2023

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Child’s Play along with its iconic killer doll Chucky has been classified as a gateway horror feature. I was 10 years old upon its release and the moment that Maggie (Dinah Manoff) fell out of the apartment window and to her death, was embedded in this impressionable mind. I’ve been hooked on the highs and lows of Chucky’s exploits ever since and immersing in each instant that it traversed from straight horror, to comedy and back again, evolving as Chucky did along the way and willing to be taking along the ride. Why? If anything it’s simply that with any Chucky film, you’re guaranteed to be entertained, whether it’s the one-liners, or the outrageous steps in story arc decisions that Chucky makes to carry out his kills. In many ways, I’m the right kind of audience for this documentary feature, because like the players involved, I too have grown up with Chucky and allowed him into my room so that he can play to his heart’s content and satiate my need for benevolent horror.

Where Living With Chucky fills the void between creativity and audience is that it steps into the Chucky vortex and drifts through the years, engaging in interviews and memories from the team that brought you the seven features from the franchise (with the exception of the one that shall not be named 2019 reboot… ahem.)

It could easily serve up as one of those memory lane doco’s that run the gauntlet of interviews with its key players, but the essential ingredient is one of ‘family’. Something that the creatives identify with or as, throughout the years that they have been devoted to the franchise. Integral to the narrative, is the films’ director, Kyra Elise Gardner who is also the daughter of special effects guru Tony Gardner, the man behind the many puppetry changes that Chucky has embodied over time. This father – daughter relationship is at first only the understory as we (the audience) go through the motions of the intricate details and recollections that went into each feature. By the film’s conclusion it is the heart of the documentary and sings to each tale that is told. Naturally involved in this is the more notable father – daughter team who collaborate on screen, the brilliant Brad Dourif and Fiona Dourif. And of course, Jennifer Tilly who marked the most significant change in the franchise with her role of Tiffany and here her accounts are equally engaging here. To complete the evocative journey we also have Alex Vincent, Christine Elise, Billy Boyd, John Waters, David Kirshner and Chucky creator Don Mancini to guide our nostalgic yearnings and tick all the necessary needs that fans of the franchise could possibly need.

The Prognosis:

This is more than a Chucky fan’s bible to instil the desire to walk through each of the franchise’ features and cast your mind back with the key players of the time. Living With Chucky speaks to the central premise and the reason that we keep going back to pint-sized elaborate kills from out favourite serial-killing doll. The sheer fun and frivolity that is had in the making of these films and the bond that is formed by the creatives in doing so. It’s what has united them and formed a family-like atmosphere with each passing tale. One that is evident when watching these films and here, this doco provides a window into the inventiveness and artistry.

  • Saul Muerte

Living With Chucky is streaming on SCREAMBOX on iOS, Android, Prime Video, Roku, YouTube TV, Samsung, Comcast, Cox, and Screambox.com.

Pennywise: The Story of IT Documentary review

29 Friday Jul 2022

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For some, the year 1990 would prove to be just your average year. Some were still spinning out from the decade before with its acid wash jeans, video rentals, and big hair.
Some though, like me, were having their minds filled with the wild imaginations of Stephen King and this year would prove to be the year that Pennywise entered our homes.

Such was the wildfire of nightmares born out of the miniseries written by Lawrence D. Cohen and Tommy Lee Wallace (the latter also taking on directorial duties), that it spread a combination of love and fear into the school playgrounds, and fuelled the flames deep in the heart of this reviewer.

It’s little wonder that a worthy documentary would surface at some point to please the minds of those that were so shaped by this two-part serial. The bewilderment may be more from the fact that it took so long for someone to actually get it greenlit. Thankfully an Indiegogo project was set up which would see director Chris Griffiths team up with producers John Campopiano and Gary Smart to bring the project to fruition. 

Pennywise: The Story of It is exactly what you would hope from a 2 hour documentary dedicated to the making of the mini-series, with Wallace and Cohen cast their thoughts and views, looking back at the time and the impact that it had on popular culture. He’s not alone to appear of course, as we have the great Tim Curry (Pennywise), along with other cast members Richard Thomas (Bill), Seth Green (Richie), Dennis Christopher (Eddie), Adam Fairazi (young Eddie), Tim Reid (Mike), Brandon Crane (young Ben), and Emily Perkins (Beverly), to nam but a few. Plus special effects makeup artist Bart Mixon among others that were behind the scenes.
There were some notable absences from the Losers club, but none more heartfelt at their loss than Jonathan Brandis (young Bill) and John Ritter (Ben) who both respectfully are acknowledged for their input into the movie from both cast and crew.

The passion is clearly shared by those involved in the making of the miniseries, in the way that they are so animated about it in their interviews. It was incredibly warming to see such dedication to the miniseries being laid out and reviewed retrospectively from a team that were united with the same passion that I share for the miniseries, even to this day. 

  • Saul Muerte

Pennywise: The Story of IT  is currently screening with a 30-day free trial of Screambox, available on iOS, Android, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Comcast, and Screambox.com.

For more thoughts on the original miniseries, you can also listen to the SOH team’s alternate commentary below:

IT Mini Series – Part 1 (Surgeons commentary)

IT Mini Series – Part 2 (Surgeons Commentary)