Film Mini-Reviews February 2018 – Ants to Predator: The Quietus

So, I warned you that there’d be fewer movies in February…

14 films — and only one seen in the theater.  That’s by far the fewest I’ve watched in any month since I started keeping track in January 2017.  Sure, it’s still one movie every 2 days, but — as we’ve seen from previous months — that’s nothing for me.  I could almost watch more in my sleep.

Of course, if you cut the 18-ish days of the Olympics out of the month (we watched no movies during the Olympics, save sneaking off to see Black Panther), then I’m over 1 a day for the remaining days.

Which is much more “respectable.”  Ha ha.  🙂

Ratings are out of 5 stars.

Ants (Sven) *** A good TV flick with a fine cast. The ant SFX are a bit cheesy, but the story is well shot & sincere. Great poster.
Blood of Dracula’s Castle ** Like most Al Adamson films, this has things to recommend it, but the story (esp. “Dracula”) falls flat in the end.
Doctor Who: The Face of Evil (movie version) *** Leela joins Tom Baker’s Doctor and they unravel the mystery of the evil “god” with the Doctor’s face. Good start.
Zodiac Killer, The ** Made-at-the-time-of-the-crime cheapie is heavy on exploitation & red herrings. Interesting document of the time.
Slaughter of the Vampires *** When his bride is slain by angry villagers, Vampire sets about getting new bride & revenge. Good Euro-Vamp.
Darkness, The *** Kevin Bacon’s family is plagued by ancient Amerind spirits when autistic son finds sacred stones. Some chills.
Bayou ** Peter Graves is city slicker architect falling for swamp damsel coveted by bully. Could have used more sleaze.
Pandemonium * A killer stalks the campus of a cheerleader school & a Mounty tries to save them in this unfunny comedy.
Black Panther, The ***** One of the best superhero movies. Smart with a heart, ideas, & subtext. Great cast & visuals, too. Thanks, Don!
Sound of Horror, The *** Euro treasure hunters find mummy, release invisible dinosaur, which then proceeds to stalk & kill them. Good fun.
Mysterious Island of Beautiful Women (Sven) ** Crash strands girls who grow into savages who cop with stranded modern men & headhunters. Silly TV film.
Legacy of Blood ** Carradine’s heirs vie for fortune in this fairly predictable, despite twist at and, “Last One Standing” tale of murder.
Terror Out of the Sky (Sven) ** Savage Bees sequel minus Gretchen Corbet, plus Efram Zimbalist Jr. & Dan Haggerty. TV movie with crazy end.
Predator: The Quietus ** Reporter investigates strange beastly killings on UK moors. Could it be a werewolf?! Needs a better title, at least.

*

March should be more than February, for sure.  But we still can’t be sure what the “new normal” will be for 2018.

Is it 50 movies a month?  30?  More?  Fewer?  Time will tell.

And I’m still considering publishing the full 2017 list, maybe as a special perk for my Patreon patrons.

Remember, you can support this and all my other writing work, like Dr. Cushing’s Chamber of Horrors, by joining my Patreon for a buck or two a month.  Thanks!

About Steve Sullivan 415 Articles
Stephen D. Sullivan is an award-winning author, artist, and editor. Since 1980, he has worked on a wide variety of properties, including well-known licenses and original work. Some of his best know projects include Dungeons & Dragons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dragonlance, Iron Man, Legend of the Five Rings, Speed Racer, the Tolkien RPG, Disney Afternoons, Star Wars, The Twilight Empire (Robinson's War), Uncanny Radio, Martian Knights, Tournament of Death, and The Blue Kingdoms (with his friend Jean Rabe).