It's the end of the year here on the blog, and it's time for an important look at our genre fares that have popped up on the boob-tube throughout the year. Now, the general consensus is the SyFy Channel contains the vast majority of made-for-TV fare throughout the year, and that may be true as usual but we're going to take a look at the other TV horror films broadcast.
Now, simply for completions' sake here, I'm only going to count films that were released on regular broadcast TV. I'm not counting films for streaming sites or apps (which I could be tempted to do in the future as the blog continues to grow), it's got to be a regular broadcast channel found on a TV service. AMC, TBS, TNT or even channels like ABC, CBS, etc. Likewise, this has to be films specifically premiered on the channel, not films that were simply broadcast there first.
Now, with that out of the way, lets get into this.
SyFy Channel-
So, one of the expected issues that's to be expected with the made-for-TV type of post is to cover one of the last remaining sources of genre fare in that format, whether it's to laugh at the films or to be genuinely entertained by them. Now, as we, unfortunately, have to end the big Sharknado series, we'll cover the films aired for that special premier first and then we'll move onto the rest of the channel's efforts.
Sharknado Week-
Deep Blue Sea 2-
Overall, this a somewhat disappointing if still enjoyable sequel. Much of the problems stem from the feeling of this one being pretty much a remake of the original, not only from the general plotline involving a research team at a remote ocean facility tampering with sharks to make them smarter who get loose in the trapped facility to begin eating the stranded crew, but we also get duplications of scenes recreated out of the original wholesale. That can render a lot of the actions predictable, and with the low-budget nature of the whole affair, this really does have some big flaws which hold it back somewhat. It does have some good elements, mainly in the high-energy action in the final half which has plenty of great attacks spread throughout which manage to not only provide this with some fine gore but also some tension in the suspenseful stalking in the facility. The pacing in this section is where the film really picks up enough to feature some solid attacks as well, and along with the standout practical effects when they're featured, these here are more than enough to hold this up even with those flaws. (6.75/10)
Megalodon (2018)-
On the whole, this one is fun if somewhat flawed. What works here is the first half which manages to not only introduce the clever idea of having the shark swallow the sub and them still being able but the action of the ship trying to get them free which generates plenty of truly fun moments here. There's some creative fun during this section of the film and has some solid moments here during a wholly intriguing part of the film, which is essential shot out the window in the second half where it changes course for no real reason. Dropping the creature attacks for a politically charged action film involving the captured sub-crew sneaking around the ship isn't nearly as interesting nor allows the shark to have as much screen time as it really should by dropping it for long stretches of the film. While it finishes with some decent action overall, the cheapness of the film does have enough to really hold this one down for those issues. (6.5/10)
Santa Jaws-
This was an exceptionally enjoyable and fun effort. One of the best elements present here is the rather fun Christmas atmosphere of the film, which not only gives this quite a true feeling of the holiday season but is also worked into the rest of the film in a fun way. Adorning the shark with decorations of the season and working out plenty of strong connections to the holiday in terms of how to attract the shark or how to stop it is a lot of fun, and when mixed with the fantastic cheesy action in its attacks the film has plenty to really like here. The strong pace, high-energy action and plenty of cheese give this a strong atmosphere, while the main problem here is the unnecessary section of the film where everybody keeps running around town looking for everybody else and missing each other. It has a repetitive feeling that doesn't serve the film at all and eats up time, which along with the CGI is what really holds this back. (9.25/10)
Frenzy (2018)-
There was a lot to really like with this one. One of the better features here is the fact that there's an incredibly fun setup to be had with how they get the sharks involved with the attacks. The concept of the plane-crash which puts the survivors in the water with the sharks hunting down the last ones in some rather chilling and thrilling stalking moments is what really sets this one up. The connection throughout here with the flashbacks helping to force along her sense of duty to continually fight to survive helps to add an extra dimension to the film, and with that more serious tone of the action all provide this with a lot to really like. The main issue here is the way its disjointed plotline takes a while to work itself out, as the idea of the flashbacks eventually become noticeable once you realize the point here as it initially seems like interruptions to the main storyline before they get finished which is a bit jarring. Coupled with the use of real sharks alongside the CGI versions that are obvious in their usage, there's not much else to dislike in this one. (9/10)
Nightmare Sharks-
Overall, this was an enjoyable and intriguing effort. One of the best elements about the film is the highly creative method here for bringing the shark to life which is given plenty of fine range here with the highly effective attack scenes. The ability of the shark to work in the control of the environments to be even more chilling with the series of dream-sequence attacks throughout here which are effective, creepy and inventive for a shark movie. This, in fact, does tend to lower the amount of shark action throughout here since the storyline here involving the quest for dream research which just piles on plenty of bland investigation scenes into this instead of really letting the wild shark action take center-stage leading into the third act. Still, the inventive storyline overwhelms this problem for a lot to really like. (9.25/10)
6-Headed Shark Attack-
This was a rather enjoyable effort. One of the better aspects here is the fact that this one is the far-end action usually featured in such efforts, as the creature is thankfully free from the beginning which makes for some fun times here. The scenes of the large creature running wild around the island taking out the various participants and creating the panic that's found here give the film a wholly enjoyable atmosphere, especially with the idea of bringing the shark onto dry land with a lot more regularity than expected. While there are some engaging aspects to be had here due to these wild elements, the film does have a few minor issues in the way this one brings up so many plotlines. The marriage retreat could've been fun had it done more with them by giving us a little more info about who they are or why they're there, the race to get away from the storm makes no sense as it's dropped immediately afterward and the discovery of the experiments ultimately means nothing overall here. As well, the shark being out so early does have an issue with the number of times we spot it's wonky CGI, leaving this one with some decent enough moments to like it overall. (8/10)
The Last Sharknado: It's About Time-
Overall, this was a fine if somewhat lower-entry franchise entry. When this one works, it's due to the same elements that had been employed before, which is the number of action scenes featuring creative methods of dispatching sharks while showcasing numerous celebrity cameos. This is done in conjunction with the newly-incorporated method of time-travel to allow for the interactions to take place in various points throughout history gives this a lot to like. As well as the fun explanation for its character traits and one of the most genuine closure tones of any franchise possible, these hold it up over its minor flaw. The last half here, the time in the future, veers into such heavy sci-fi that it's such an oddly disproportionate feel to the rest of the series that it's incredibly distracting and disappointing. Not only that, but it drops the sharks completely for some robots and lasers which makes this just feel off from what came before. Some might find the CGI a little obvious but there's still some fun here. (8.25/10)
Other Releases-
As well, let's also take a look at the other films that premiered on the channel throughout the year:
This one was quite an enjoyable enough if flawed effort. One of the few bright spots is the creature action as that provides some really enjoyable scenes here with the first attack on the water and some of the stalking in the underground tunnels giving this a solid framework for the finale. Getting the creatures into the complex offers some great fun with them stalking the group in some exciting action-packed scenes as well as providing some nice bloody kills with the gators shown ripping them to pieces. The other fun part here is the solid suspense in the first half building the threat of the unknown being on the island as it really makes this feel like something is there with them, although that highlights the first set of flaws. That is the utter stupidity they display here in that this so effectively builds up the idea of something where the group is shown to be the biggest morons alive for not recognizing this. It's quite distracting, much like the tired ploy of genetic research by the government to be the cause of the killing machines. Alongside the usually atrocious CGI that's always found on the SyFy Channel, these here end up holding this one back. (7.25/10)
No Escape Room-
Frankly, the movie turned out better than expected. As is the case with most of these games, the central concept of the game itself is so much fun that's realistic in how it would be played out in real life. The fact that it's played out in a rather fun fashion trying to figure out the intentions behind a former owner of the house who used it for grisly experiments which is what sets the game in motion which allows this to move along with the fun problem-solving and puzzle-work. As well, the film also scores with some rather creepy moments involved with the game itself, and once it dawns on them that something's going on within the game this one gets quite enjoyable. Alongside the other fun confrontations here, all of which provide this with a stellar atmosphere in order to lead this one into a stellar finale that gives this plenty to like. The main element that holds it back is the fact that this one makes no sense at all, really opting for a rather convoluted finale that never offers up the hint of an explanation and only complicates matters. There's nothing throughout the film that offers up what the house really is, whether it's all a setup for the game or if it's truly haunted which could've been a lot of fun to see play out had it given a rightful answer. As such, it feels underdeveloped and really confusing as to what's going on, especially once it goes into the revelation of the finale where it drops a twist that gives this a completely different set of confusion issues which are quite striking. This is what really ends up holding it back for the most part. (7/10)
This one wasn't all that bad of an effort. One of it's stronger points is that it plays incredibly well with the concept of the culturally-specific boogeyman that makes this somewhat more engaging than just a regular boogeyman-on-the-loose effort. This one utilizes that setup to launch into a strong series of confrontations that provides this one with plenty to like about, and the finale is incredibly strong and enjoyable that allows for some creepy work to be had within the confines of a creepy location. As well as the strong and truly worthwhile practical effects-work, these here are what hold this one up over it's few minor negative aspects. The main detriment working against the film is the setup involving her house-arrest, as this doesn't make any sense in the slightest as to how she got involved. As well, the continuous rounds of cliches present do pop out as being rather detrimental to this one. The last flaw here is the rather low amount of stalking scenes present here due to the middle of the film staying on the investigation of the incidents and getting everyone onto her side in order to fight the creature. Despite not limping along with a dull investigation since it's focus is on the neighbor who's actually on their side unknowingly, this stays interesting but it doesn't provide the continuous creature attacks that are usually found here. Otherwise, there isn't much else really wrong here. (8.25/10)
This was an enjoyable enough effort. When this one does work is due to the series of supernatural actions that are undertaken due to the creatures' curse coming into fruition. This tends to favor the style of supernatural actions that could be a coincidence to psychologically torment the one who's been afflicted by the curse rather than killing them, starting off with the idea of just bad days to non-threatening events. The fact that it's designed to break him down gives this a nice buffer to provide a variety of tactics here to generate some rather solid suspense throughout here which hold this one up over its flaws. The biggest problem is the manner in which the curse is brought forth. The entire matter is an official affair that's taken up with different authorities on levels higher than his, so to have him be the target is entirely too convenient and simple especially for such a nonsense reason that's entirely well within his authority to perform. To then put the entire resources of the curse onto him because of that is rather simplistic and unnecessary by the fact that it never reveals anything about what it's supposed to be doing this for, rendering much of the scares here quite confusing. As well, the idea of the curse designed to break him down psychologically means that nothing here really puts him in danger as it's more about those around him. The last issue is a weak finale that has no bearings on the curse, plays out in an entirely confusing manner and just ends without any kind of real resolution with how it plays out. These here are what hold this one down overall. (6.5/10)
Killer High-
This one had a lot to really like about it. One of the biggest selling points here is the incredibly enjoyable atmosphere created throughout here. The abandoned school where it all takes place is a perfectly creepy setting, offering all the gloom of a darkened, left-behind location which comes together into a fun overall setting. There's also the fact that this one features the gloriously practical creature that runs wild which gives this one a great feel. It's imposing and quite creepy, managing to score rather nicely not only with its design but also the ferocity of the creatures' actions as it leads into some rather fun attack scenes here. Due to the unexpected nature of it's appearance at the school, these scenes of the creature running loose offer up a lot to like in a full-on frenzy of severed limbs, blood-spray and total chaos that turns it into a fantastic action scene and setting the stage for the final half where it turns into some highly enjoyable tactics to outwit the creature. Combined with the fine blood and gore, this one offers enough to like to hold out over it's few minor flaws. The main problem here is the series of cliches in the storyline which make it quite obvious what's going on. The idea of keeping it hidden from the party guests is completely nonsensical as that's criminally negligent keeping them in harms' way against the creature. The other flaw is including the slow-motion captures of the attack scenes showing the layout of the scene with the creature interacting with the bodies and seeing their reactions, a rather irritating tactic when it's constantly repeated. Alongside the rather curious nature of bringing up the asthma condition of the creatures' human host that never gets utilized, there's not a whole lot really wrong here. (8.25/10)
Dead in the Water-
This was a rather bland and utterly uninteresting thriller. The majority of the film consists of nothing more than endless bickering about being out on the water or trying to get the boat fixed that it never once gets any kind of hint as to what this one is really about. None of their exploits really bring about any kind of intensity or suspense especially once you realize it's a shot-for-shot ripoff of several other genre films in the latter half which comes out of nowhere in the story. The dwindling crew becomes interchangeable once the creature gets introduced, and with no real discernable logic or info about it the entire thing doesn't make any sense or generate any kind of scares. With the last half filled more by infighting than anything related to a creature that's there to kill them, this one is a mess and has very little of any real impact before the rather fine design for its appearance. (2.25/10)
Beyond the SyFy Channel, let's take a look at the other station that unleashed new adaptations.
Lifetime-
House of Darkness: New Blood-
This one wasn't as bad as it could've been. The main plus here is the solid haunted house setup, which has a few rather enjoyable offerings here which manage to include the scenes in the house where she witnesses the mother standing over the son or several of the concepts showing something might be in the house with them which is enough to keep this enjoyable as it turns into a nice twist in the second half. With a little bit of fun energy added in at that point, the film attempts to get much darker with that new revelation that has a lot it could've done with, but is undone by the film's channel-set origins where it's not allowed to go as deep with its setup as it could've. There's a hint that it could've explored that concept in greater detail, but by staying in the channels' settings it drops that in order to focus on the melodrama necessary for these kinds of films. These tend to undo it quite a bit, although it still has some likable elements. (6/10)
The Bad Seed (2018)-
This one wasn’t all that bad of a thriller but still a rather dull remake. The main setup getting the girls’ deviant behavior and cold mannerisms are quite fun here, getting this one to the point of setting up her style that needs to be utilized effectively for this later series of scenes that feature her in action. This is mainly built up with a series of nice scenes that showcase this with the incidents against the friends around her which adds quite a lot to this one to help overcome the major problems here. The film’s focus on the thriller aspect of building up her diabolical nature means that it won’t really develop any kind of outright terror or suspense because it can’t really develop anything under these situations. The lame, underwhelming finale that keeps this one still on the same track it's been headed towards all along and TV-movie restrictions also hurt this one, leaving it a rather bland and utterly worthless remake. (3.5/10)
Killer Under the Bed-
For the most part, this was a rather solid Lifetime-style drama. The fact that as a horror film, there's not much to really get into this one in terms of enhancing these elements to the forefront. The central concept in play with the voodoo doll becoming much more devious in terms of how its wishes are being granted is not only quite a cliche but also with the focus on appealing to the channel's demographic through the frequent use of melodrama rather than conventional genre themes. The different wishes granted here, from the physical interactions in the leg cramps or facial deformities to the teacher's crush and then the dealings with the mother's coworker on top of the drama involving her being at school offer more to the logistics of the channel than anything else. There's not much in the way of an actual threat here against the others since none of these offer legit threats to people which is the real point of the genre efforts as this one is way too busy with these melodramatic storylines that immediately drop the horror it could've developed that it squandered at every opportunity in order to go for suspense. The effects on the doll look good and the scenes of it running around the house are quite fun, but that's about it for the film. (4.5/10)
And there we go. Check back next year when we accomplish the same feat for this year's made-for-TV genre efforts.
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