The Purge

Director - James DeMonaco (The Purge: Anarchy, The Purge: Election Year)

Starring - Ethan Hawke (Daybreakers, Sinister), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones, Dredd), and Max Burkholder (Babysitter, Children of the Corn)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Survive the night"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     You wouldn't know it but I review almost every horror movie I watch unless it's a movie I've reviewed before.  The revisit reviews are for movies I reviewed before and they recently received a remastered re-release.  I have the urge to review a movie I've watched even if I watch a horror movie just for fun.  Several years back I watched The Purge as I approached Halloween.  For some reason I did not review it then when first saw.  Which, if I would have then, it would have received a higher score.  A few days back I was sent over the Blumhouse Horror blu set to review and the first film in the set is the 2013 flick that started it all, The Purge.  

     The film takes place during a time when America has an annual purge which is 12 hours where crime is legal including murder.  Many families have paid a large sum to have their home retrofitted with a system that will protect them during the purge.  One of the salesmen has made a fortune from selling these systems to their neighbors which has caused some jealously among them.  When the purge commences he finds his children becoming rebellious and not listening to his warnings.  This opens them up to a night of havoc as their neighbors, a group of spoiled youths, and a blood-thirsty teenager turns their quiet evening into a night of mayhem.  

     The first Purge film did great things.  It kickstarted a modern horror franchise that inspired several sequels, a prequel, and even a television series.  Also, it questionably made genre fans start taking Blumhouse seriously.  I was really impressed with The Purge upon my first viewing but after giving it a revisit I found myself enjoying it but not as much as I once did.  The movie does bring about an interesting concept but it also brings about some rather goofy moments that doesn't fit the overall tone of the film.  The acting in this one is uneven but some of the cast delivers some rather impressive moments.  Hawke and Headey was a bit unimpressive believe it or not.  Their characters were rather weak and they did not deliver a memorable performance.  With that being said, several of the supporting cast delivered some rock solid performances and the characters they portrayed made the film.  The story for this one is an interesting one but it does offer up way too many "what if" scenarios than it could answer.  With that being said, it's enjoyable for a bigger budget pop corn horror flick.  Those looking for a bit of mindless fun will really enjoy it but if you are the kind of person that overthinks everything you will find yourself being disappointed.  Finally, the film has some blood.  The kills are mostly gunshots and the like but the blood looks great and the gags are damn near flawless.  Overall, The Purge is a solid flick but is far from perfect.  If you are looking for something with a moderate budget and a nice polish you will enjoy this one.  

The Mothman Legacy

Director - Seth Breedlove (On the Trail of UFOs, The Flatwoods Monster: A Legacy of Fear)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Documentary

Tagline - "The forests of Appalachia hide an ancient secret"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Here it is!  We are now entering the first full week of October and the Halloween season is strong.  The air is now cooler, the leaves are changing color, companies are rushing out horror movies for store shelves.  It's my favorite time of year and it has nothing to do with October being my birth month.  With Halloween approaching I'm digging deep into my favorite genre to see as many horror movies as I can this month.  As I broke open the Blumhouse Horror blu set that was sent over to me review I was asked to check out The Mothman Legacy from filmmaker Seth Breedlove of Small Town Monsters.  As an avid crypto fan and West Virginian I couldn't say no.  Thanks Seth for allowing myself and Horror Society an early look at your new film!

     The Mothman Legacy takes a look at Point Pleasant and cryptozoology in general and how it changed after the string of Mothman sightings in the 60s continuing to this day.  The film discusses what people suspect the Mothman of being, witness descriptions, impact it has had on the local community, and how it has changed the lives of so many people.

     Though this is not a traditionally horror film it does help get the viewer into the Halloween spirit.  There is just something about cryptids and the unexplained that can make your skin crawl and give you goosebumps better than any horror movie can.  The Mothman Legacy was a welcomed addition to my October viewing and another damn fine doc from Small Town Monsters.  I really enjoyed it but I may be a little biased.  The interviews in this one are very informative and give us different looks at various aspects of the Mothman phenomena.  We get a great look at how Mothman has changed Point Pleasant while discussing myths, rumors, and urban legends of the area before and after the appearance of Mothman.  We also get a glimpse into how it forever changed John Keel and his life.  The look at Keel is probably the most fascinating aspect of the film and I could see an entire film dedicate to Keel and his work with Point Pleasant and the Mothman.  The topics discussed in this one fit well with the legacy theme the documentary was going for.  It wasn't so much focused on the sightings themselves but the impact the creature has had on pop culture and other aspects.  Aside from the Keel portion, I found it to be very interesting but some of the people interviewed tell their sightings in such an unenthused manner that it almost makes them boring.  Finally, the film is edited together smoothly.  STM has been at this for sometime now and their films are always well polished and put together.  They really have built up a legacy in the cryptid and documentary fields and I can't wait to see what they accomplish next.  Overall, The Mothman Legacy is another fantastic look at the weird world of our favorite cryptid and how it forever changed Point Pleasant, West Virginia and those involved.  It may not be horror but it deserves a look this spooky season so check it out!

The Owners

Director - Julius Berg (The Crimson Rivers, Falco)

Starring - Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones, The New Mutants), Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who, The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey), and Rita Tushingham (In the Flesh, Resurrected)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     We are just a few days into October and I'm enjoying myself.  I can't stop watching horror movies and writing reviews for them.  Bring on the spoopy!  Anyway, a few days ago I was sent over the new horror flick The Owners from RLJE.  The movie looked interesting and I was even more curious about it once I saw that Sylvester McCoy was in it.  The movie, from my understanding, is an adaptation of a French graphic novel.  I want to thank RLJE for sending this one over.  It was predictable but a fun one to watching during this spooky season!

     The film follows a group of petty thieves that think they have an easy score when they are told that a doctor and his wife have a safe in their home full of cash.  They wait for the two to leave and break into the home but soon find the owners returning unexpectedly.  They panic and tie them down but soon begin fighting among themselves which gives the owners a chance to get the upper hand.

     The Owners is one of the many films I get in that I know nothing about.  I'm all about binging as many horror movies and I can this month and with this one just about to hit store shelves I decided I would work it into my schedule.  I enjoyed it but I don't see myself throwing this one in again.  The acting in this one is nothing special but it works for the film.  I'm unfamiliar with Maisie Williams but I wasn't impressed with her performance here.  Her character is very bland and her performance matches that.  The supporting cast is the same.  The characters don't stand out and they just blend into the scene.  McCoy does deliver a few fun moments but for the most part his character just rides the pine for most of the film.  The story for this one is pretty generic and the twist is seen from a mile away.  This is Walmart horror at it's finest.  What we get for a story is not bad but it's unoriginal and very predictable.  The film has smooth pacing and no unnecessary scenes but does lack originality.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood and a few unexpected kills.  The practical effects are actually very realistic and they look great.  Sadly, there is one two or so instances of this.  Overall, The Owners is a fun watch for once but has no replay value.  Fans of home invasion flicks will find nothing new here but it still works.  Toss it in to your movie watch list for this year if you are looking for something new.  

Hooker with a Hacksaw

Director(s) - Donald Farmer (Cannibal Hookers, Shark Exorcist) and Caroline Kopko (Cannibal Hookers)

Starring - Kasper Meltedhair (Grindsploitation 666, Cannibal Cop), Jason Crowe (The Bad Man, Harvest Lake), and Colleen Herkert (Grindsploitation 666)

Release Date - 2017

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "She'll love you...to pieces"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     I recently found myself hunting down the films of Donald Farmer.  I had reviewed a few of his films previously but after getting his remake of Cannibal Hookers in I needed more.  I turned to Amazon and started grabbing any movie of his I didn't have.  Then I came across his imdb page and noticed that I couldn't find his 2017 horror film Hooker with a Hacksaw anywhere.  I reached out to Farmer on Facebook and he confirmed an upcoming release of the film.  I waited a few months and sure enough a DVD was announced from the newly formed Skullheart Video.  As soon as I saw that orders were up for the film I jumped on it and it arrived just a few days later.  I couldn't wait to dig into it!

     The film follows phone sex operator Kirsten (Meltedhair) who receives a call to meet up with a man who offers her just the right amount to do it.  She agrees and meets him.  A few days later Raymond calls her and tells her that she was recommended by a friend to meet up.  She declines at first but he soon convinces her to do it.  However, she soon realizes that she shouldn't have accepted his offer.  Left beaten and broken but a group of masked men, she sets out for revenge with her trusty hacksaw. 

     I really can't express how excited I was for this one.  I really enjoyed Cannibal Hookers and I'm a fan of Jason Crowe so this movie was one of my most anticipated horror films of the Halloween season.  Sadly, it would be my biggest let down of the month.  The movie struggled to hold my attention and the story was just all over the place.  I wanted to love it but at the end of the day it was one I doubt I will ever watch again.  The acting in this one is very uneven with most of the cast falling flat.  Most of the cast is awkwardly saying their dialogue with no real attempt at creating a character.  Most are just going through the motion which makes most of the scenes a struggle to sit through.  The story for this one could have been a sleazy classic but the editing and organization of the scenes makes the story flow at a weird rate and some of the scenes are just tossed in to extend the running time with little or nothing to do with the actual story.  Finally, this one doesn't shy away from the red stuff.  We get some blood and gore.  The kills are done quickly or off screen but Farmer doesn't take all the fun away from the viewer.  We watch Kirsten really cut loose on the bodies with some solid practical effects.  Overall, Hooker with a Hacksaw could have been something so much more but fails to pull itself together.  It's a messy one and I'm not referring to the blood.  This is one indie flick I would skip on.  

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation

Director - Kim Henkel 

Starring - Renee Zellweger (Cold Mountain, Dazed and Confused), Matthew McConaughey (My Boyfriend's Back, Reign of Fire), and Robert Jacks (Scary Movie, Slacker)

Release Date - 1995

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "If looks could kill, he wouldn't need a chainsaw"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the years I've been fortunate enough to review several of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre releases.  Some were re-releases while a few were newer installments that went direct to video.  Regardless, I'm always shocked when I get a TCM flick in for review.  I grew up with the movies and many of you that know me on a personal level know my views on the series is very controversial.  I love the installments that people love to hate while the more popular entries are among my least favorite.  Regardless, the series has left it's mark on horror history and I love the sequels that I do.  Sometime back Scream Factory sent over the blu release for the 1995 sequel/reimaging Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation which just happens to be one of my favorite TCM films.  With October here I figured it was time to finally dig into it.

     The film follows a group of high school students on prom night when they find themselves lost on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.  They find themselves in a car accident and forced to walk to the nearest home but soon find themselves hunted down by Vilmer (McConaughey) and his demented family.

     I know many of you dislike this one and I honestly see why it gets the hate it does but I genuinely love it.  I love the atmosphere, the characters, the story (for the most part), and the throw back to the original film.  I'm fully prepared to catch hell over this review but I love what I love and I refuse to change that just to fit in.  This movie really is fun if you just give it a chance.  The acting in this one is uneven but has it's moments.  Renee Zellweger is the low point of the film.  I hate to say that but her performance is very lackluster and several of her scenes lacked conviction.  She is lazily saying her dialogue with no emotion behind it.  With that being said, McConaughey absolutely kills it.  His performance is absolutely insane and his character is one of the most iconic in TCM history.  Honestly, I hold his performance up there with Moseley's as Choptop.  I fucking loved it and every time I watch the film I take away something else from his performance.  The story for this one is extremely confusing and far out there but it you just roll with it you can really enjoy the weirdness that it brings to the series.  Having the family work for a sinister organization is a touch of genius if you ask me and really explains why they have evaded capture for so long.  With that being said, nothing is explained about the new host of characters or why Leatherface suddenly dresses drag.  I loved that was the way they took his character but it just happens with no explanation as to why.  The movie works as a TCM but leaves more questions than answers.  Finally, the film has several kills but just doesn't bring the carnage like some of the other entries.  The on screen deaths we do get are weak while others that take place off screen relies heavily on the viewer's imagination.  These do work but the lack of blood and gore really takes the fun out of them.  Overall, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation is one people love to hate and I completely understand their frustrations with the film.  However, as a movie it's pretty fucking fun.  The gritty look, the insane characters, and the off the wall story really works for me.  The blu release does have some grainy scenes but I honestly liked it.  Most of the movie is clear and great but those grainy scenes from damaged negatives really adds charm to the film.  I really recommend checking this one out this Halloween season and giving it a chance.  

Broil

Director - Edward Drake (Animals, Rain Hail Shine)

Starring - Jonathan Lipnicki (The Little Vampire, Roomies), Avery Konrad (Sacred Lies, Unspeakable), and Timothy V. Murphy (Charmed, The Last Man on Earth)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Family is served"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     October is the perfect season for horror fans.  With Halloween approaching there is so many companies trying to make a few extra dollars by releasing horror flicks.  I spend more money in the month of October on movies than I do in the last six months combined.  Anyway, Covid has fucked up most of the year but October seems to be picking up with new horror releases hitting store shelves.  A few days ago I got in the 2020 horror flick Broil for review from Well Go USA.  The movie looked very interesting and I've found myself in the Halloween spirit already so I reached out for a review copy.  I want to thank them for sending this one my way to check out.  

     The film follows Sinclair family.  The Sinclairs are a wealthy family that has a dark secret they keep from the outside world and other members of the family.  The head of the family, August (Murphy), brings in his granddaughter to raise because her parents were struggling with keeping her under control.  Her parents also hate having August call the shots and want to take him out of the picture.

     The artwork and tagline for the film really caught my curiosity.  I knew the film would be centered around cannibalism in some form but the movie was more than that.  There was so many different angles going on that it was almost overwhelming to follow them all.  Broil was fun but it was a little chaotic.  The acting in this one is absolutely fantastic.  Lipnicki and Murphy are the real stars of the film.  Both deliver amazing performances and the characters are still running through my head even when the movie is over.  The supporting cast is just as entertaining but these two are scene stealers and do a fantastic job.  The story for this one has a lot going on which is, also, a lot to soak in.  We have the family that is demons or something along the lines.  This was an interesting storyline that had so much history and depth.  Sadly, it's not explored as much as I would have liked.  There is also a demon hunter angle that was a little confusing at times but did come full circle and make it all worthwhile.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from the blood but relies way too much on visual effects over practical.  The visuals were a little on the goofy side but not enough to distract the viewer from the scene.  Overall, Broil will not be making anyone's top ten lists for the year but it was still an entertaining watch.  I really liked what they tried to do with the story but the chaos of it all does make it confusing at times.  If you are looking for something new this Halloween season let Broil be it!

Eli Roth's History of Horror: Season 1

Starring - Eli Roth (Green Inferno, Death Wish), Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead, Creepshow), and Rob Zombie (House of 1000 Corpses, Halloween)

Release Date - 2018

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "What screams are made of"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I discovered horror when I was in the fourth grade when I got my first set of Goosebumps books.  Soon I was diving head first into the works of Stephen King and Loren Coleman.  Horror and cryptids have been a huge part of my life for over 20 years.  Considering I'm only 34 I would say horror has shaped my life.  Over the years I've watched so many amazing documentaries on some of my favorite horror flicks, as well as, iconic horror films.  I was curious to check out Eli Roth's History of Horror when I received the press release for the DVD release of season 1.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The first season consists of seven episodes that discusses the topics of vampires, zombies, slashers, creatures, possession, and ghosts.  Each episode takes the topic discussing the history and the impact it had on certain horror legends with that legend discussing how it influenced them.

     Over the years I've collected several horror documentaries and reviewed several of them here at Horror Society.  Most focus on one particular film while others discuss horror in general.  I recently reviewed season one of Cursed Films for Shudder.  My biggest complaint about that series was that it didn't deliver new information to horror fans.  Instead, it was a series that focused on information and stories that most horror fans already know.  Eli Roth's History of Horror does the same.  We get information that was common knowledge among horror fans but it is mixed with the filmmakers, authors, and personalities with how it inspired them with their work.  Honestly, the series should have been more of interviewing filmmakers and the like about how these movies influenced them more so the history of it.  We know movies like Psycho, Black Christmas and so on inspired the slasher sub-genre before Friday the 13th exploded.  We know Romero's Night of the Living Dead forever changed the zombie.  We didn't need 7 episodes ranging 5 hours to tell us this.  The interviews are somewhat informative.  Sure, the common knowledge stuff is discussed but I was really pulled in by hearing people like Stephen King and Rob Zombie talk about the films that inspired them.  The topics discussed are nicely broke up over each episode.  This really does help keep everything in order and nice and neat for the viewer.  Not interested in vampires then you can skip that episode.  I really liked how they were approached.  Finally, I liked how the series was edited and transitions between interviews.  It was extremely smooth and made each topic a lot easier to follow.  Overall, Eli Roth's History of Horror: Season 1 is a fun watch but avid horror fans will find it to be repetitive.  The series spends most of the time discussing common knowledge but hearing these legends discuss their inspiration and love for certain films was very entertaining.  I would highly suggest throwing this one on during this Halloween season.  

The Pale Door

Director - Aaron B. Koontz (Scare Package, Camera Obscura)

Starring - Melora Walters (The Butterfly Effect, Ed Wood), Noah Segan (Knives Out, Tales of Halloween), Zachary Knighton (The Hitcher, Cherry Falls)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror/Western

Tagline - "It was the perfect score, but Hell was their reward"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's finally October and, though I watch horror movies every day throughout the year, I can finally watch movies centered around Halloween.  Hell, they don't even have to be horror movies.  I'll watch anything that has something to do with Halloween.  Sadly, it will be a few days before I get to dig into a Halloween flick.  I have a few movies I need to watch first for review.  After watching Nail in the Coffin: Fall and Rise of Vampiro I wanted something a little more horror to stay with the spirit.  I decided it was time to toss in a western horror flick with witches.  I want to thank RLJE and Shudder for sending over Aaron Koontz's The Pale Door for review.  I was really surprised by this one.

     The film follows an outlaw gang who plan on robbing a train but when one of them is shot during a duel the little brother of their leader steps in to help so he can get enough money to buy back their old farm.  However, they don't find any gold on the train but do find a woman chained in an old trunk.  She begs them to take her home where they would be rewarded.  They take her to her home and soon uncovers an abandoned town inhabited by burnt witches.

     Honestly, I didn't know what to suspect when I was sent this one for review.  I had seen Koontz short The El Chupugcabra from a few years ago so I was familiar in his work.  However, I was not expecting to see this man grow as a filmmaker to this degree in just seven short years.  He has really impressed me with The Pale Door and I'm now looking forward to anything else he has his hand in.  The acting in this one is very well done and the characters are very well written.  It would be so easy for a filmmaker and crew to craft some cliched and generic cowboys that just push the story along.  The cast does not do that.  Instead, we get some great performances and the characters are very enjoyable.  Even the witches have a sense of humanity about them and you almost hate to see them fail.  The film is perfectly cast.  The story for this one does start out a little on the slow side.  It doesn't waste time and fills these scenes with character and story development but the horror aspect doesn't rear it's ugly head until later in the film.  It's not a struggle to follow and the flow is rather smooth but it a slower pace.  However, once the story picks up it really does hit the spot.  Finally, the kills in this one work for the film but are not that memorable.  The effects are solid and, once again, works for the film but does not deliver unique kills that most of the gorehounds are looking for.  The make-up effects looks great as well.  I really enjoyed the look of the witches.  It's different and really sets itself apart from other witch flicks.  Overall, The Pale Door is not for everyone but fans of horror and westerns will really enjoy this bloody blend.  I really enjoyed the story and the characters are very enjoyable.  Check this one out now because you will not be disappointed.    

Nail in the Coffin: The Fall and Rise of Vampiro

Director - Michael Paszt (Battle Chess)

Starring - Ian Hodgkinson (WCW Monday Nitro, WCW Thunder), Kevin Arturo Geist (WWDE NXT, Before the Dark), and Chavo Guerrero Jr. (Grimm, GLOW)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Documentary

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm a product of the 90s.  I was born in the mid-80s and grew up in the 90s.  Like most kids of the 90s I was obsessed with Pogs, Goosebumps, Sega Genesis, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and wrestling.  Like many kids of the time I was forced to pick between WWF (now WWE) and WCW.  I went with WCW.  What wasn't to like?  WCW had Sting, Ric Flair, NOW, M.I.A. with Major Gunns, Eddie Guerrero, the band The Misfits for a short time, and my favorite painted wrestler Vampiro.  No, I'm not just saying this because I was asked to review the documentary Nail in the Coffin: The Fall and Rise of Vampiro.  I was honestly a fan of Vampiro and you better believe that when I was asked to review the documentary I jumped on it.

     This documentary follows a semi-retired Vampiro who discusses the ups and downs of being a professional wrestler, how be got started in the business, the toll it has taken on his body, and the strained relationship it has put on him and his daughter.  

     I was obsessed with WCW when I was in elementary school.  I had shirt for NWO, Sting, Goldberg, and several generic WCW shirts.  I had action figures for most but I never saw merch out and about for Vampiro and a few others that I really loved.  I really loved the persona of Vampiro and how he handled the few interviews he was given in front of the camera.  I don't follow wrestling anymore but I often wonder what happened to the wrestlers I grew up watching so this little look into his life was very entertaining.  The interviews in the film are informative but they are sometimes a little goofy which comes with the territory.  The people the film interviews really gets into Vampiro and his current life but we don't get a lot of insight into his passed history.  Don't get me wrong, there is moments where certain situations are spoke about or mentioned briefly but never fully explored.  With that being said, Hodgkinson's interviews are very angsty.  I don't know if he's trying to stay in character or what but he just genuinely seems like a miserable person.  A documentary about him has him as the worst part.  The topics in the interview do jump around a bit but the film does a great job holding everything together as to not create a confusing documentary.  It is focused more on his recent life instead of past feats but some of the topics do jump around.  Finally, the editing in this one is not as smooth as I've seen in other documentaries but it works for the film.  The transitioning between topics, as I stated earlier, is a little choppy but it gets the point across and works.  Overall, Nail in the Coffin: The Fall and Rise of Vampiro is not what I was expecting.  I was really looking forward to getting a look into legacy and life after wrestling of Vampiro.  Instead, it's a look into the current life of Hodgkinson and his dedication to his craft.  It's still a fun watch but if you are looking for something that dives deep into his past accomplishments you will be disappointed.  Check it out.  

Let It Snow

Director - Stanislav Kapralov (I Am Illusion, Sui Caedere)

Starring - Ivanna Sakhno (Pacific Rim: Uprising, Chernobyl: Aftermath), Alex Hafner (Extinction, Maniac Tales), and Tinatin Dalakishvili (Hostages, Fairy)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "They were warned"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Here we are!  The very first day in October.  Halloween is quickly approaching so it's time to dive deep into some Halloween themed movies.  However, before I do that I have to knock out a few reviews that I need to get done in a timely manner.  A few days ago I got the snowy slasher Let it Snow in for review.  The artwork was nothing special but I went into it with an open mind.  It had some moments but the overall film was rather dull.  

     The film follows a snowboarding couple who head to the secluded Black Ridge mountain range for some out of bounds snowboarding.  They were warned of a recent death in the area but play it off to inexperience on the slopes and head out anyway.  Their trip looking for danger soon lands them in front of an axe wielding man with a snowmobile and a knowledge of the landscape. 

     The artwork didn't excite me but I went into this one looking forward to a wintery horror film.  It's getting colder outside and, honestly, I'm a fan of the winter months.  Halloween will always be special to me but I'm a Christmas/winter kind of guy so a snow covered horror flick really had me interested.  Sadly, the movie was a bit of a dull one to sit through.  The acting in this one is decent.  The characters are very lackluster but the cast does a solid enough job with their portrayal.  The characters are not that memorable and they bring very little to the scene they are in.  The story for this one is simple enough and really reminds me of the 1993 horror film The Chill Factor.  The satanic cult aspect is removed but the story following people trying to survive in the snow while someone on a snowmobile terrorizes them is still the same.  However, the story's pacing is all wrong.  The scenes are extremely long and boring which results in the viewer struggling to finish it.  The more action oriented scenes are predictable and not that well done.  Finally, the film has some blood but those of you looking for a bloody mess will be very disappointed.  The film focuses more on the atmosphere and snowy settings than it does for kills and effects.