Ash

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Tennyson

Vampire Owl: They say that vampires become ash after death.

Vampire Bat: Everyone becomes ash after death, that is the point.

Vampire Owl: You are referring to returning to dust.

Vampire Bat: Yes, we are all dust and shall return to the same.

Vampire Owl: I am talking about ash in particular, like being burned in the sun.

Vampire Bat: Vampires burning in the sun will have no remains, not even ash.

Vampire Owl: Dr. Frankenstein has come up with a method to prevent vampire sunburns.

Vampire Bat: Last time Mr. Frankenstein tried that, the Vampire Penguin had moonburns.

Vampire Owl: As far as I remember it, that was Jupiterburn.

Vampire Bat: You should remember that pseudo-science based on science fiction has been banned for a long time now.

[Gets a thattu dosa and three cups of Yercaud tea].

What is the movie about? :: Riya Ortiz (Eiza Gonzalez) wakes up aboard a scientific research station located on a strange planet with no real recollection of what happened to her or the area – she does not even remember her name. As she explored the station, she has some nightmarish flashbacks with violence and deaths all around and finds some dead bodies. She also finds out that she is injured on the head, which might have led to the memory loss. She comes across a man named Brion Cargyle (Aaron Paul) who claims to have come to the research station from the space docking centre after receiving a distress signal. They come to the conclusion that one of the crew members whose dead body is not found in the research station, Catherine Clarke (Kate Elliott) might have lost her mind, or was affected by some parasite, leading her to go berserk and kill people, leaving the research station in a bloody mess. They also feel that she might not have traveled that far, and could be around somewhere in the barren planet with a strange climate.

So, what happens with the events here as we just keep looking? :: It is revealed that her crew were part of several expeditions all around the galaxy to discover new habitable planets after Earth’s environment became almost uninhabitable. They were the only crew got this far successfully, and the planet they are currently on, designated as K.O.I-442 with the nickname ASH, happens to be Earth’s last hope for survival of human race against all odds. As the crew were working at the research station, Brion had stayed on a second station in planet’s orbit to maintain contact with Earth along with passing the instructions and monitor the crew’s progress with their objectives. Riya and Brion make preparations to leave the planet, while Riya hopes that she could find Catherine during the same time, and even ventures outside the research station to look for her, with no result. At the same time, Riya begins to experience more flashbacks of murdering the crew, and wonders what part she had to play in the process, with her seemingly attacking people in the new nightmares full of blood and gore.

And what more can happen here in a distant planet of chaos and destruction? :: Riya has herself healed by a medical bot, and gets ready for the unexpected as a a meteor storm comes through, with the strange weather of the planet hurting the research station. The systems register a hull breach as the storm comes in unpredictable waves. While working hard to seal the breach, Riya finds signs of someone recently having gone through the maintenance shafts. As the station’s oxygen supply keeps on rapidly depleting, Riya and Brion find the emergency need to leave too. At the same time, in one of the drones’ recordings, Riya finds recordings of an external vehicle investigation made by the crew after some strange emissions came from different parts of the planet. The investigation had discovered some atmospheric converters of alien origin which had been terraforming the planet to its present status. Brion tells her that something strange happened after that, and a series of events followed, with the crew being exposed to the planet after the atmospheric converters started making noises.

The defence of Ash :: The movie scores nicely with its atmosphere, as the new world found on a new world with scary as much as beautiful visuals to deal with, comes in addition to that world inside research station that looks more or less like a spaceship itself. The world has so much of mystery in there, which makes us wonder if these could be revealed with a sequel – like in those video games, there is so much to explore on this planet; there is parasitic as much as modern technology for a species that seems to be something beyond the usual understanding. The blood and gore keep on being there and adds to the overall horror of the movie, in a world that has the creature which would be more lethal than Alien and Predator, because in its own dominion, not much is yet to be known, and there is no easy action-adventure way out of it. The twists work on its way, and there is certainly more than what meets eye for the same. The tension has always been nicely built throughout the movie. The suspense has us on the edge of the seat and keeps us thinking with the main character will searching for answers.

Positives and negatives :: The movie does have a few moments when nothing much seems to happen, with struggles there to get on track after the early exposition of the terrifying things which had happened around there as part of what seemed to be other-worldly terror. There were also the chances to have its heroine at a different level. Then, Eiza Gonzalez comes up with a fantastic work, looking stunningly beautiful on one side, but always suitable as the astronaut on another planet with memory loss and in a seemingly complex state of mind and her world itself. We had known her in another form Alita: Battle Angel, further noted in Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw and as a stunning beauty in Bloodshot, not to forget Godzilla vs Kong in between. In this particular movie, she establishes her with a performance which might be the best by an astronaut on another planet facing her own hallucinations as much as alien life-form – surely not an easy thing to do, but done with such charm and grace. It is all about her, as others just have to play through. We would love to see her in a full action movie as the main character. Until then, we enjoy one of the best depictions of an alien planet and with all its mystery and terror beyond human understanding.

How it finishes :: Ash is surely that surprise quality alien movie which has kept us so much engaged even when there is less happenings around, and reminds us that Alien and Predator movies are not the final sayings, as there is always scope to further develop this kind of an idea – Life was a movie that tried, but did not that much reach there despite giving similar feelings. Then there was the Russian movie named Sputnik which came even closer to doing the same, but back on Earth. There were always the signs to bring the parasitic creature from outer space coming into the picture with humans trying to be the over-reachers. Here, we have the world built in a classic manner, and not really going trying to apply to the audience looking for mindless action. There is smartness in this movie, and the class here will make sure that we have something to remember for long, with twists and a world which we will remember for the technology and the beautiful details. It is surprising that we did not know about the existence of such a movie if not for an Amazon Prime Video recommendation, but the best movies are often the less hyped – this one gets it right, and we would love to have its sequel.

Release date: 21st March 2025
Running time: 95 minutes
Directed by: Flying Lotus
Starring: Eiza Gonzalez, Aaron Paul, Iko Uwais, Kate Elliott, Beulah Koale, Flying Lotus

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@ Cemetery Watch
✠ The Vampire Bat.

Killer of Killers

Posted on November 10, 2025 by Tennyson

Vampire Owl: So, we are going to have more of predators now.

Vampire Bat: We have always wanted many more of predators.

Vampire Owl: You mean to say that we are not predators enough?

Vampire Bat: We stopped hunting quite some time ago.

Vampire Owl: The hunters do not change the basic nature.

Vampire Bat: Yes, but the hunters can surely evolve.

Vampire Owl: Vampires are not a scientific species, right?

Vampire Bat: Yes, according to science we are just humans who are not alive.

Vampire Owl: So, you still think that we evolve.

Vampire Bat: Well, this is not really evolution in the scientific viewpoint.

[Gets a chilli paneer dosa and three cups of Yercaud tea].

What is the movie about? :: Ursa (Lindsay LaVanchy) is a nineth century Scandinavian Viking huntress who seeks vengeance on a warlord Zoran (Andrew Morgado) who killed her father, and her son Anders (Damien Haas) is also with her on this quest which would be one which could have her mind to finally rest. After years of search and a final discovery of the wretched people, she manages to slaughter Zoran’s clan, and find him in his heavily guarded fortress which they successfully breach without much difficulty. Unable to recognize Ursa from a long-lost past, Zoran mocks her for her father’s death and her incapability to defend her father or avenge him for this long a time period, before an angry Anders beheads him and ends that speech forever. But right after the battle, a Predator ambushes the group, killing Ursa’s experienced fighters one by one and also seriously injures Anders. Ursa manages to kill the Predator by using the floating ice and almost frozen water underneath after a fight underwater, but finds Anders dying in her arms. Soon, she is taken to a space ship by the predators.

So, what happens with the events here as we just keep looking? :: Later in the seventeenth century Japan, Kenji Kawakami (Louis Ozawa Changchien) had to fight with his brother to become the next samurai warlord, and his hesitation to battle his brother leads to him being quickly defeated with a scar on his face. He leaves the castle, only to come back many years later, and after fighting his brother’s guards and defeating him, thus getting back to him, only to be attacked by a Predator who is looking for the strongest warrior to defeat and collect as trophy. Predator gets through the remaining guards of the castle and faces Kenji, who manages to defeat the creature with the help of his brother who dies of his wounds, while he himself is also injured. Kenji is then immediately transported to a space ship of the predators, and is imprisoned there with Ursa who continues to grieve for his son and hopes for a death in battlefield so that she can go to Valhalla where others will not be accepted.

And what more is to follow here as the predators keep hunting in different worlds during various time periods? :: In 1942, John J Torres who has always wished to a fighter pilot is finally drafted into the United States Navy under the command of Captain Vandenburg (Michael Biehn). Their squadron tries to investigate a mysterious aircraft that destroyed another unit, which they suspect to be a special advanced airplane built by the Germans whose military technology has always fascinated the rest of the world. Understanding that the object they managed to find in the plane is not German or of this world, John tries to warn others, taking charge of an old airplane which, he was trying to get ready to be part of the squadron. The Predator annihilates his squadron with relative ease until only John and the captain remained. Vandenburg sacrifices himself using the heat of the engine to buy more time for John, as the Predator destroys his plane with his weapons. John manages to outsmart the Predator in a well-planned movement with the flight, as the creature ends up destroying his own space ship. But John finds himself taken away later, and it is to be seen what the Predators intend to do with him and other captives.

The defence of Predator: Killer of Killers :: This movie gets into the Predator franchise incredibly well, as the animation is too good, producing some of the finest visuals on the screen. The historical worlds of different time periods at different locations keep us interested, as the essence of those situations is nicely taken. The expansion of the lore is to be appreciated. The idea of becoming the grand killer of killers do get our attention and has us interested. The movie is not that long, and as it is divided into fragments, the whole situation only keeps getting more interesting. The animated power is shown here like Justice League, Justice Society, Batman and others had shown already, but the quality of animation that we see here is even ahead. There is a lot of style around here, and the violence is also very much stylized. There are some fine additions which could be here due to the animated existence, and a base could be established in this way better than the usual methods. The final battle is indeed a joy to watch as things come together, and the world of Predators is nothing less than a classic alien planet.

The claws of flaw :: The movie does not get to elevate Predator as a creature, and never does it focus on the characterization of the most valuable alien that we will ever know that has a humanoid form. We remember that the usual movies of the franchise have some classic hunters who are remembered for long, but not this time. As there is some anthology method followed here, one might feel that the connection is sometimes lost. The extreme violence might not be accepted by everyone, as this kind of movie is also supposed to cater to a much younger audience. Many fans of the franchise might have wanted to have a live-action universe which captures the essence of the hunting with real people. This world might have looked so well if it was in live-action, and that feeling also keeps coming back to us. The linking together of the character might not appeal that well, and the reason for choosing fighters and all these endless fights – all need to serve some better purpose. Some part of the movie just seems to be forced.

How it finishes :: This is one franchise that might never get old, as it has been a classic from that first Arnold movie to now, as we do have one of our favourite aliens of all-time, still living on, sand continuing to do well against all odds, as much as Alien series which had Prometheus, Romulus and Covenant bringing that universe back in power. The time, the aliens are part of different timelines, and connected to the history of the world. The worlds of Vikings, Samurais and World War Pilots get introduced to us beautifully, and this elevates the movie really well, as there is action, thrills and more than the usual in store. With some good animation, there is no stopping the movie, and this is really well-placed in the world of hunters. We can be sure that there can be a lot more to come in this particular franchise which impressed me even more than the Terminator series which has always been the more talked-about one. Nowadays, this type of movies releases less around here, but let us hope for the hunt to get more screens here when the next one comes.

Release date: 6th June 2025
Running time: 90 minutes
Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg
Starring: Lindsay LaVanchy Louis Ozawa, Rick Gonzalez, Michael Biehn, Doug Cockle, Damien Haas, Lauren Holt, Jeff Leach, Piotr Michael, Andrew Morgado, Alessa Luz Martinez, Felix Solis, Britton Watkins

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@ Cemetery Watch
✠ The Vampire Bat.

Deep Blue Sea 3

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Tennyson

Vampire Owl: I remember watching this particular movie’s first part some time ago.

Vampire Bat: It has been quite some time since that one released.

Vampire Owl: Yet, sharks have been things of interest.

Vampire Bat: They have been present since the Jaws franchise.

Vampire Owl: Jaws was the source of such early shark stuff.

Vampire Bat: Well, the sources were so limited then.

Vampire Owl: Things began to change with the vampire shark.

Vampire Bat: We don’t accept vampire sharks here.

Vampire Owl: But there is one living near the corner.

Vampire Bat: It is actually the vampire dolphin in disguise.

[Gets a chocolate cake and three cups of white tea].

What is the movie about? :: Dr. Emma Collins (Tania Raymonde) works for the protection of Great White Sharks whose population has declined steadily in the last few years, as she stays on an artificial island near South Africa. There are lots of sharks around, whom Emma takes care of, herself. She is supported by Eugene Shaw (Emerson Brooks), Spinnaker (Alex Bhat) and Miya (Reina Aoi). Nandi (Ayumile Qongqo) and Bahari (Siya Mayola) makes the final couple who live there are part of the floating village, ready to go under the ocean soon enough. Nandi wishes to leave the island before it is completely submerged in water, but Bahari’s attachment to home keeps them there, and they also provide help for Emma and her team, while going through the usual fishing jobs. It is then that Dr. Richard Lowell (Nathaniel Buzolic) tries to find the offsprings of the bull shark from the earlier movie, Bella – these sharks have been threatening humans for some time now, and his team tries to put an end to the terror.

So, what happens with the events here? :: But it is not that easy as it seems. There is something more about these sharks than what meets the eye, as these weaker sharks take on the apex predators Great White Sharks, and kills them with ease – most of the other aquatic creatures keep away from these, and there is trouble in the waters for sure, and it is no natural. With the sharks seemingly more intelligent than ever, it might be the humans in the trouble. The mercenaries led by Lucas (Bren Foster) would take control and have what he is sent there for, in one way or the other. The story goes back to the first movie, when the sharks were being experimented, and made to develop better brains, in order to cure diseases in humans, especially those related to brain. Now, the question remains about what the sharks can do, and the mercenaries might end up doing. Either way, survival won’t be that easy this time for anyone.

The defence of Deep Blue Sea 3 :: We always need our daily dose of terrifying creatures, whether it is about sharks, crocodiles or alligators – they mostly work the best, when they are in water. Ocean always has had more possibilities of horror from the early periods of classical antiquity itself. The sea monsters have only managed to get better. There are some nice shocking moments around here too, as there are quick attacks by sharks, along with some nice blood and gore everywhere to be found, as we know what the shark attack can do from the previous movies. The setting is also really good, and it helps the cause, as the terror here is something which can work out better in this place in the middle of the ocean, with nowhere to go, as the sharks are good enough to come and attack with all the intelligence they have received from the genetic engineering programmes.

The claws of flaw :: It seems that there can be no sequel that can match the original Deep Blue Sea, which became the new Jaws in no time. But this one does give a try, especially with the leading female lead coming up with such an interesting performance – a better quality in graphics would have helped the scenes of her fighting the sharks more. The sharks should have looked at least close to how well the world around them looked. The tale could have also followed a different pattern than what was expected too. There could have been better planning here, and the scope could have left for a sequel too. The predictability factor should have been decreased with better attention. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie never seemed to have got going as it would have otherwise, as there is always chance for a little more of shark attacks in this part of the world where such attacks are not something people have experienced.

Performers of the soul :: Tania Raymonde leads the team here, and she does that with a smart and realistic performance. She looks perfect in this role, and even though one can have some doubts in the beginning, she is so solid that one wouldn’t doubt her as the character that she plays, a strong female lead who keeps the whole movie on her shoulders is quite rare when we look around. There is the connection with the sharks, and she can also give a fight on the land, as it is seen in the final moments of the movie. Emerson Brooks supports her well, and that includes the performance as well as in the form of the character. Reina Aoi makes the cute character who tries to survive even as she is not made for the same, and even though that feels like a stock character, she does well – the same can be said about Alex Bhat playing the typical nerdy character once again trying to survive. Bren Foster makes a pretty good villain while Nathaniel Buzolic is limited despite the good start.

How it finishes :: Deep Blue Sea always has your attention, even when they are not working as good as they are supposed to be. This movie might not be your favourite shark movie, but it might be one among your interesting titles, even with its troubles. During the time of COVID-19, a shark might still be the least of your worries. After all, you don’t really get them on the Indian shores. Still, the climate is changing, and you can be sure that this is not the final word on the same. Until then, we can hope that the Corona Virus pandemic is going to really disappear at some point. After all, we need to go back to our usual ways – there is no hope in being hopeless forever. One virus, and we are all down without a clear path ahead – this certainly shouldn’t be forever. Going deeper into the year 2021, maybe, we will know it better. Until then, we can still hope.

Release date: 28th July 2020
Running time: 99 minutes
Directed by: John Pogue
Starring: Tania Raymonde, Nathaniel Buzolic, Emerson Brooks, Bren Foster, Alex Bhat, Reina Aoi, Siya Mayola, Ayumile Qongqo, Brashaad Mayweather, Ernest St Clair, DeVille Vannik