February 2024 Review: The Best Movies I Saw Last Month
Gradually getting back into the swing of things, I feel like I am getting ahold of my backlog of reviews. Thankfully, this month has also brought forth a solid number of enjoyable movies amongst the usual duds. With 21 First Time Watches and 2 Re-watches, February 2024 helps continue the year’s good streak.
Re-Watch Highlight: Valentine (2001); Director: Jamie Blanks; Canada/United States
Years after they collectively bullied a boy at a school dance, five women find themselves receiving threatening letters near Valentine’s Day. The odd messages turn into real terror when one of the women is found dead. Racking their brains on who this mysterious man could be, they eventually settle on the classmate that they tormented. Problem is, they have no idea who or where he is now. Stalked by a man donning a cupid mask, the women face the danger head-on at a disastrous Valentine’s Day party. Initially, I was skeptical to rewatch Valentine as I couldn’t recall much from the film. After some encouragement from various social media posts of others revisiting it, I decided to take the plunge. Valentine is a flawed yet fun V-Day horror film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It lacks the mystery and tension of the various late 90s/early 2000s post Scream slashers, but it manages to be fun all the same. Truly the most refreshing is its take on “nice guy” revenge, making Valentine surprisingly watchable even 20 years later. Do yourself a favor and ignore the middling reviews, Valentine is a cute little slasher that earns a place in your collection.
Previous Rating: 5/10
New Rating: 6/10
BEST #6) Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992); Director: Anthony Hickox; United States/United Kingdom
An up-and-coming investigative reporter struggles to catch a break to bolster her stagnant career. A hot scoop comes in the form of a terrible accident outside a popular nightclub which draws her to the location where a young man met his brutal end, and her only lead is a wayward young woman. After ingratiating herself to the woman, she gets her to reluctantly get her into the club. Once inside, she learns that something sinister is afoot. Unbeknownst to her, notorious supernatural entity Pinhead has become unchained from his bondage once again to unleash the forces of Hell on all who cross his path. Truthfully, the Hellraiser series isn’t my favorite despite it checking a lot of boxes for me. Somehow each entry just feels fine, or good enough. Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth fits the bill as well. While not as consistent as the original nor as bold as the sequel, this third entry crafts a solid story in the mythology of the Hellraiser universe. Pinhead and company are decidedly creepy, yet seriously impotent at attacking the protagonist. Plot armor abounds and its runtime stretches the concept beyond its thin setup. Otherwise, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth follows a familiar yet satisfying path. Fans of the franchise will be sure to enjoy it while outsiders will see more of the same.
Overall Score? 6/10
BEST #5) Lisa Frankenstein (2024); Director: Zelda Williams; United States
Please check out the full review here.
Overall Score? 6/10
BEST #4) Megalomaniac (2023); Director: Karim Ouelhaj; Belgium
Please check out the full review here.
Overall Score? 7/10
BEST #3) Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015); Director: Christopher Landon; United States
Ben and Carter plan on breaking it to Augie that they no longer want to continue with Scouts. They decide to wait after Augie’s pinning ceremony. They also plan on fitting in the annual senior’s party after Augie and their Scoutmaster fall asleep. Unfortunately for them, their rebellious plans align with an outbreak of zombies overrunning their town. Armed with only the knowledge they’ve gained through Scouts and an alliance with a kickass stripper, the kids hatch a plan to save as many of the town as they can before getting out alive. Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse is a fun and accessible teen horror comedy that hits all the right notes. The young cast delivers endearing performances, the comedy hits more than it misses, and the zombies provide sufficient danger to the rag-tag team. It very much is a product of its time, but it manages to be as fun as its premise promises. For those who love coming-of-age horror films that appeals to both teens and adults, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse is an solid choice guaranteeing enough popcorn frights and laughs for a night with friends.
Overall Score? 7/10
BEST #2) Cemetery Man (1994); Director: Michael Soavi; Italy/France/Germany
Francesco Dellamorte lives a quiet life as a cemetery man in a quaint Italian village. His life consists of caring for the plots of the sprawling complex, guiding his assistant Gnaghi in the more rote tasks, and killing the recently deceased when the reanimate prior to burial. A beautiful woman disrupts his routine leading Dellamorte down a path of romance, terror, and self-discovery. A wonderfully cooky Italian horror comedy, Cemetery Man crafts a wickedly funny and endearing story through its strong performances and memorable characters. Its surreal story pairs well with its ironic approach to comedy, satirizing many of the trappings of small-town life like political corruption, sham marriages, and the mundanity of death. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this 90s gem is its meticulous set design and excellent practical effects. This Italian horror has been notoriously difficult to track down in the last few years and has thankfully been resurrected in a 4K release, so definitely seek it out if you have the chance to watch it.
Overall Score? 8/10
BEST #1) Stopmotion (2024); Director: Robert Morgan; United Kingdom
