DOOM - Let's start at the bottom with this movie based off the genre defining videogame. Coming fully in the category of action-horror it starts off badly with the usual team of cliched characters who are going to be used a monster-fodder. The direction is lively enough and the acting strays from over the top to just plain awful. The Rock and Karl Urban in the leads are likeable enough and their performances are enough to pull you through to the end, which in turn is the highlight of the film.
If you are a fan of the game or action-horror flicks my advise is to borrow this off someone who was stupid enough to purchase it and then skip to the last 15 minutes or so and you may escape being completely disappointed. 3/10.
CREEP - A low budget British film starring Franke Potente (Run Lola Run). Set amongst the labrynith like tunnels of the London Underground she is a girl stalked by an unseen killer. The first half is particularly tense and scary but then you see what has been chasing her and you begin to feel let down. Could have been alot better. 4/10.
WOLF CREEK - Another low budget horror this time Australian and based on true events. It may take almost an hour before the main characters are in any danger but in this films case it is a good thing. It spends time establishing the people we are watching allowing us to fear more for them when they are in danger later. 7/10.
HOSTEL - Released on DVD around the same time as Wolf Creek this is beast of a different sort. In this films case the trailers were misleading and I think it has lot more to offer than I originally thought. First off when the violence does start it is very strong and graphic but Eli Roth doesn't push it too far. It will scare the audience but won't scare them off. Also in a remarkable turn of events the acting is excellent, especially for a horror movie. Jay Hernandez is off particular interest and I will be watching out for him in future movies. 8/10.
SILENT HILL - Finally today I would like to address the best video game to screen movie yet. Christophe Gans has done masterful job in translating a confusing and scary story into something a might more pallatable for mass audiences. He has created a universe deep in nuances and brings horror to almost an art-house level, and as with the games it can be taken in so many different ways. Much like the town itself it effects individuals in unique ways. But it does lose some points for the use of Sean Bean's character who really is just used in advancing the plot. 8/10
