Manos Returns

This movie put me to sleep in a matter of minutes. The plot is bland and the same as the first Manos, the writing is below mediocre and the acting is terrible. The movie cuts are slow and boring and half the characters seem just as clueless as the writers. I will admit however, this one was better than the first which isn't saying much. What the writer's main goal here is beyond me but I will say this: if your value your time do not waste it on this movie.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Not only was it fun to see a few original cast members make an appearance in the film but it really captured the spirit of the original. Those who say it was boring are missing the charm as well as forgetting the original. The film is very much aware of what type of movie it is and plays to its strengths. If you have seen the original, you know Torgo is one of the more memorable characters. The same goes for Steven Shields version of the character. He really captured the essence of the original Torgo and yet gave it his own spin. While some of the scenes and situations may feel similar to the original Manos, I think there is enough new story elements introduced that make Manos Returns its own film. Same could be said about some of the scenes in other horror film sequels feeling the same as the original and people still enjoyed them. Yes this film, like its predecessor was made on a micro budget. Therefore you do run into some of the same aesthetics as a micro budget film. This may put people off to it. But if you enjoyed the original at all then this is a must see sequel. It is not going to be for everyone but it is a sequel I know The Master would approve. If you are wondering, yes he is in it too. :D

This is one of the "self aware" movies that tries to come across as "tongue-in-cheek" as a nod to the source material. Beyond callbacks to the original, this movie does not provide much. Shout out to the late Tom Neyman.

Heading out of town on vacation, a group of friends decides to visit a luxury spa but get lost on the way winding up at a weird resort that they learn is the home to a bizarre cult looking to indoctrinate more members and must find a way to stop their nefarious plans.

This one proved to be quite a fun sequel. One of the better elements here is the manner in which they play off the original which has some rather enjoyable features here. That comes from the group on a vacation stumbling across the secret location of the compound, the creepy members of the cult hanging around in their compound and the bizarre dialog they spout which presents them like they're in their own universe separate from the others, everything here creates a highly unorthodox atmosphere which is highly engaging and hypnotic. This is only enhanced by the wholly off-beat energy here featuring the series of encounters involving the female cult members appearing to the different members of the group and tempting them through visions of their bodies or just plain bizarre antics. That leads incredibly well into the finale where the group's separate and distinct plan finds a purpose as it starts in on the ritual scene where it's all incredibly well-done and has a lot to like. Again playing well with the idea of their unusual indictment ritual and other occult antics that provide some fine gore here as they dismember the body in graphic fashion. While that does lead to a bit of a struggle for this one to get going as the bizarre behavior exhibited is the main thing going on here those who aren't into the kooky scenarios might find it full and uneventful until then. As well, the rushed finale manages to be somewhat confusing with how it all plays out with some conflicting concepts and ideas that don't have time to be spelled out properly, these are the few flaws here.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Language.

Watched this last night finally. They tried way too hard to replicate everything that gave the original its charm. Everything bad felt way too forced, like they were aiming for it to be bad. The original was a guy who wanted to make a movie but ended up bombing in every way. This one is just boring and it feels more like a Sharknado sequel.