"Underworld: Blood Wars" Review by Tim Hellman

'UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

The fifth installment in the popular 'vampires vs. werewolves' horror franchise. It once again stars Kate Beckinsale, as the badass action heroine Selene. In this chapter she's trying to prevent the vampire army, and the lycans, from getting ahold of her daughter; and using both their blood to make themselves a more powerful hybrid. The film also costars Theo James, Lara Pulver, Tobias Menzies and Charles Dance. It was directed by first time feature filmmaker Anna Foerster; and it was scripted by Cory Goodman (who also co-wrote the action/horror flicks 'THE LAST WITCH HUNTER' and'PRIEST') and Kyle Ward (who also co-wrote 'MACHETTE KILLS'). The movie disappointed at the Box Office, and it got mostly negative reviews from critics (but fans seem to mostly like it). I also was disappointed with the film.

Both the vampires, and the lycans, are hunting Selene (Beckinsale). They both want Selene to lead her to her daughter; so they can use both the mother and daughter's blood to make themselves much more powerful. Selene doesn't know where her daughter is though; as she promised her she'd leave her alone. She reteams with the vampire David (James) to fight both armies.

I was a fan of the original 'UNDERWORLD' movie (and it's first couple of sequels), and I especially like Beckinsale in the lead, but this installment did not interest me at all. The action scenes are all still good in it though, and the gore is cool (and Beckinsale is as awesome as ever). I don't find the mythology involving at all anymore though (and I don't really remember the other films that well). Fans of the series will probably still enjoy it though; and Pulver is absolutely awesome (and breathtakingly gorgeous) as the main villain in it. She almost made the movie for me!

"Don't Breathe" Review by Tim Hellman

'DON'T BREATHE': Five Stars (Out of Five)

The new hit horror flick, from Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez (who also helmed the hit 2013 horror remake/reboot 'EVIL DEAD'). Alvarez directed, co-produced and co-wrote the movie (with Rodo Sayagues). Horror master Sam Raimi (who of course directed the original 'EVIL DEAD' franchise) also co-produced the flick; which stars Jane Levy, Stephen Lang, Dylan Minnette and Daniel Zovatto. Alvarez, Sayagues, Raimi and Levy all performed the same duties on the 2013 'EVIL DEAD' reboot. The film was made on a budget of just $9.9 million; and it's already made almost three times that, in it's opening weekend. It's gotten almost unanimously rave reviews from critics, and it was another entry in this year's 'Fantasia International Film Festival'. I think it's a masterpiece.

Rocky (Levy), Alex (Minnette) and Money (Zovatto) are three young crooks; that rob wealthy customers of Alex's dad's security company. Rocky is trying to make enough money to move her, and her little sister (Emma Bercovici), away from their abusive mom (Katia Bokor). She wants to start a new (happy) life for them, in California. Alex has strong feelings for Rocky, but she's currently dating Money (who's of course an asshole). When the three friends learn of an old Army veteran (Lang), with a $300,000 cash settlement (or more) sitting in his home, the job seems too tempting to pass up. When Alex learns that the man is blind though, and that his young daughter was recently killed in a car accident, he doesn't want to go through with the heist. His feelings for Rocky (of course) motivate him into it. It's a crime that the three criminals desperately soon regret, when the blind vet starts hunting them down, and killing them, in his own (locked-up) home.

The movie is about as good as horror films get; it's a soon to be classic (on a Hitchcock level standard)! I'm a big fan of the 2013 'EVIL DEAD' (and of course the original franchise), but this film is even better. The concept of a blind old Army vet, hunting down intruders in his home, is brilliant. Usually only heroes, in films, are handicapped; making it much more inspiring, when they overcome their weaknesses (through hard work and passion, of course). So to make the villain the handicapped one, who's still just as relentless (and terrifying) as any other movie 'bad guy', is really fun to watch. Especially when the protagonists are severely morally flawed, as well. I had so much fun watching this movie, and I can't wait to see it again! Lang is also amazing in it, and I think a sequel could be a lot of fun as well.

First Stills and Teaser Poster for Fede Alvarez's Upcoming Thriller "Don't Breathe"

Screen Gems Pictures recently released the first stills for the upcoming thriller "Don't Breathe". The film is directed by Fede Alvarez (Evil Dead (2013))and produced by Alvarez, Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert. "Don't Breathe" stars Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto and Stephen Lang.

"Don't Breathe" hits theaters on August 26th.  

Plot Synopsis:

A group of friends break into the house of a wealthy blind man, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect heist. They’re wrong.