Guardians of the Ancient Shadow Crown

"Guardians of the Ancient Shadow Crown" is an Irish fantasy film made in 2014. It was directed by Colin Downey and written by George MacDonald. It stars Lorcan Melia, Natalia Kostrzewa and Emma Eliza Regan. It was made by EMU Productions. 

An otherworldly magical land where shadow people dwell. An evil witch caused the downfall of the shadow people and their only hope is a human king from the green land. He must be the wearer of the sacred shadow crown. A young boy moves into the home of his grandparents. The garden has a secret tunnel with hidden treasure and a portal to another dimension where shadow people live. It seemed that his grandfather was well aware of them. 

The film is based on a story by George MacDonald. Also called "Guardians of the Crown". It's a quiet cosy film set mostly indoors within the house or the back garden. One can't expect too many action packed films with tons of CGI as if that is what you're looking for, this film isn't it. What the film offers is a lot in a traditional sense. Its got a nice story with a mystery, good film shots of scenery and gentle quiet. No loud explosions or shouting obscenities in this one, which is totally refreshing. 

I give this fine fantasy drama a 8/10. Spoiler below read if you dare.

Blood Strawberry

SPOILER: There is a magical genie in a bottle who tells the future.

The Brute Man

This is a 1946 horror film. It was directed by Jean Yarbrough, and the stars includes Rondo Hatton, Tom Neal and Jan Wiley. The writers are George Bricker, M Coates Webster and Dwight V Babcock. The production company is Universal Studios. 

There is a serial killer on the loose and the police have tried to catch him. He's called The Creeper and yet he's nowhere to be seen. The Creeper is facially disfigured who wanders the streets seeking revenge on those who caused him physical harm. Anyone who was unfortunate to meet him, often became his victims. A blind music teacher befriended him and he gave her jewellery. 

This is a well made scary film although the actor playing The Creeper is Rondo Hatton, who was disfigured in real life. The story is quite sad, but more so real life is sadder. Rondo was once voted the Most Handsome Boy of class 1913 in his youth. Later he developed acromegaly, a disease of the pituitary gland that changed his physical appearance. Rondo passed away soon before the film was released.

Are there any complaints about the film? No.

I rate this interesting story a 8/10. Read spoiler below if you dare!

Blood Strawberry

SPOILER: This film explores true friendships, as the blind teacher was kinder to The Creeper than his so-called friends from his past ever were.

Devil's Triangle

This is a 2021 fantasy action film, called "Devil's Triangle" made by The Asylum. It was directed by Brenden Petrizzo, and stars Fred Williamson, Morgan Bradley and Alyson Gorske. The writers of this are Brendan Haley and Joe Roche. This was filmed at a beach in Orange County in California.

People are travelling in a plane when it's mysteriously shot down into the sea over the Bermuda Triangle. The plane falls into shark infested waters and the survivors manages to swim towards the beach. Horrific events force them to seek safety in a long lost city of Atlantis, ruled by a cruel ruthless king who claimed to be a true descendant of Poseidon. The whole city is cut off from the rest of the world, guarded by a monstrous hydra. 

The Atlanteans speak perfect English and this is pointed out by the main characters that are told their other languages includes Phoenician. This was a pretty gruesome film with monsters and heartless Atlantis soldiers. To be honest the film would've been quite interesting if it wasn't so silly.  

Do I have any complaints? Yes.

I rate this beastly flick 4/10. Read my spoiler below if you scroll down!

Blood Strawberry

SPOILER: An admiral from WW2 found living in Atlantis must be immortal. 

Aged

 "Aged" is a 2023 horror thriller that was directed and written by Anubys Lopaz. It stars Carla Kidd, Morgan Boss-Maltais and Dave McClain. It was filmed in Cat Spring, Texas. The production is AWW Entertainment and Harrow House Films. 

A young woman named Veronica applies for a job position, and is interviewed by Henry Bloom whose mother needs care and help. Veronica agrees to stay at the isolated house looking after Mrs Bloom, a wheelchair bound elderly woman with dementia. The gardener shows signs of fear and can't enter the house. This is one of many strange things about to unfold. 

The film itself does manage to capture the audience all the way through, but after it finished I have more questions than ever. All of the family portraits were deliberately scratched out apart from one of a youthful portrait of Mrs Bloom. The house is haunted by a mysterious "Charles" and there's a secret room upstairs. We get to find out where the bruises on Veronica comes from, making it very unsettling. 

Do I have any complaints? Yes.

I rate this eerie drama a nice 3/10. Spoiler below!

Blood Strawberry

SPOILER: The blood bath looked very pretty with flowers. 

The Fearless Vampire Killers

"The Fearless Vampire Killers" is a 1967 horror comedy film. It's original name is "Dance of the Vampires". It was directed by Roman Polanski who also starred in it with Jack MacGowran, Alfie Bass, Sharon Tate and Ferdy Mayne. Polanski wrote it along with Gerard Brach. 

A strange pair investigate vampires in remotest Europe and arrive at a village almost frozen to death. The professor and his clownish apprentice stay at an inn full of garlic protection. When Sarah, the daughter of the innkeeper, is kidnapped by a vampire, both professor and his apprentice go to the rescue. They follow a trail of grimness, until they reach the sinister castle of Count von Krolock.

Eerie and atmospheric, this is a very gothic horror with amazing scenes. It's got some humour but it's silly and most of all the film is rather creepy. There are elements of this film that makes it even quite sad. In the making of the film, dozens of coffins were used as props, scaring people enough that a sign was soon put up notifying everyone that there had been an outbreak of plague! There are some many cool surprises including bizarre looking family portraits in the castle!  

Do I have complaints about this film? No.

My rating for this dark comedy is 7/10. Spoiler below!

Blood Strawberry

SPOILER: The dress worn by Sarah at the vampire ball is beautiful!