Sleeping Beauty (2014)

This Asylum fantasy horror film "Sleeping Beauty" made in 2014, was directed by Casper Van Dien. The stars include Finn Jones, Olivia D'abo and Catherine Oxenberg. 

A baby princess Dawn is put under a curse by Tambria, an evil witch, so the king has spinning wheels burned. Years later Dawn grows up to be a pretty princess but she's tricked into pricking her finger on a rogue spindle, and falls into a deep sleep. The entire kingdom then sleeps, and it falls under the power of Tambria. Far away, a century later, a man called Barrow discovers the story of the sleeping princess Dawn, and finds a map to her kingdom. The prince finds it and sets off on a dangerous journey. This is a really different take on the traditional fairy tale and is so much darker than the Disney version. 

Fun facts: Barrow is played by Finn Jones who was Loras Tyrell "knight of the flowers" in Game of Thrones. Tambria resembles Aurora of the Disney animation and is played by Olivia D'abo who was the princess in Conan the Destroyer. The film was released in the same year as Maleficent.  

Warning: It's even got zombies in it!

Rating: A good  9/10.

Review by Blood Strawberry. 🌹

Warlord of Crete (1960)

 

The 1960 Italian fantasy film "Warlord of Crete" is also named "Minotaur the Wild Beast of Crete." Directed by Silvio Amadio, and stars include Bob Mathias, Alberto Lupo and Rosanna Schiaffino. 

Based on the story of hero Theseus and the Minotaur. Young virgin women are sacrificed to the Minotaur who lives in a labyrinth in the palace of King Minos. It's revealed that there was a secret daughter of Minos, named Ariadne, who was given up by her mother to save her life. Years later, Ariadne is an adult but her home is raided and her foster parents murdered, She's rescued by the hero Theseus. Meanwhile, her sister, princess Phaedra feels threatened by the existence of her sister Ariadne and plots to kill her. 

Overall the film is visually stunning and the costumes are pretty awesome, especially the beautiful Minoan style dresses. Much effort pays off to a gorgeous film. 

Fun facts: Bob Mathias who played Theseus is an Olympian gold medallist. Actress Rosanna Schiaffino plays both characters Phaedra and Ariadne. The Minotaur is played by Milo Malagoli a heavyweight boxer.

Warning: Don't get a heart attack seeing the Minotaur!

Rating: A nice 5/10.

Review by Blood Strawberry! Howls ^^

  

From Beyond the Grave

From Beyond the Grave is a 1974 horror film by Amicus, an anthology of tales directed by Kevin Connor. The stars include Peter Cushing, David Warner, Donald Pleasence and Diana Dors.

A corner shop selling a variety of antiques is the main attraction. Each item is cursed, and anyone that steals from the shop is in for a nasty surprise. It includes weird stories about a strange mirror, a snuff box, military medals and an elaborate door. This is quite a lovely looking horror but with that aside, it's creepy in places. It has a very paranormal feel about it.

Fun facts: Peter Cushing also appeared in another film by Amicus called "Dr Terror's House of Horrors." That is also an anthology of horror stories. This is actually the last anthology film by Amicus. 

Warning: Plenty of blood

Rating: A modest 7/10

Howls ^^ Blood Strawberry!    

Firestarter (1984)

 

This horror film is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. It was made in 1984, directed by Mark L. Lester and stars includes Drew Barrymore, David Keith and Martin Sheen.

A girl named Charlie has pyrokinesis, a form of psyhic gift that controls and creates fire. However, Charlie and her dad are both living in fear of a sinister group called The Shop, who experimented on people years before. Charlie's parents were once subjects of the scientific experiments, resulting in psychic abilities. This is an adventure sci-fi more than horror.

Fun Facts: The character of Charlie was inspired by Stephen King's own daughter. Before the film was ever made, the mother of actress Drew Barrymore has said the illustration on the front cover of the book, featuring Charlie, looked like her daughter. Instead of special effects, there were real fires used.  

Info: There is going to be a remake of "Firestarter".

Warning: People who love horses will panic.

Rating by Blood Strawberry: 8/10

Howls^^    

Witch Hunt (2021)

This is a 2021 film directed by Elle Callahan and starring Elizabeth Mitchell, Christian Camargo and Abigail Cohen. It's a gothic urban- fantasy set in a parallel modern era when witchcraft is illegal. Witches are hunted then executed. Two sisters remember their mother getting burned alive at the stake for witchcraft. Society itself is based on targeting witches, by examining women for the so-called witch's marks. Girls are tested with ducking stools. Two young sisters are living in fear, but given sanctuary in a house owned by single mother and her three children. There are nosy neighbours lurking around, and the infamous witch finder that uses a magical compass to hunt witches. This is a political and feminist film that overdoes it a bit too much. Cringe in places. OMG moments.   

Rating: 5/10

Warning: Red heads be warned.      

Howls ^^