Welcome back boils and ghouls for another try at our bloody streaming roulette wheel. When it comes to our internet movie streaming services, there is a lot of bullshit out there. But then again, there are hidden ‘diamonds in the rough’ as well. Sometimes viewer ratings can lead one astray. You can come across a four star viewer rated film and it leaves much to be desired. On the other end of the spectrum, there can be a two star film that completely surprises you. Last week, we had a winner with the horror musical Stage Fright. What comes next? Will it be bullshit or not?
Spin that shit!
Did I land on a pile of rubbish again this time?
The Lazarus Effect (2015)
The film follows a group of scientists on the precipice of extending life to brain dead coma patients. Re-igniting brain waves to otherwise mental vegetables and providing them with a certain quality of life. All the while they are trying to completely set the medical world ablaze with their idea. They name their experimental treatment the Lazarus Serum. Following a breakthrough experiment in which they resurrect a deceased canine, the team begins to think they are on to something. After a freak electrical explosion trying to recreate the experiment on another canine, the team is forced to decide whether or not to try the serum on a human subject. Will it work and what will be left?
The Lazarus Effect was a Blumhouse Production. If you know anything about Blumhouse, they generally produce very good films. They are responsible for The Purge, Paranormal Activity, Sinister, Insidious and the completely awful piece of horse shit Ouija. Where does our film lie? Surprisingly, somewhere in the middle.
Filled with a very capable cast of Olivia Wilde (Turistas), Mark Duplass (The League, Creep) and Evan Peters (American Horror Story). The acting was superb throughout. To be honest, this film was truly a surprise. What at first felt like a half-assed attempt at being Flatliners, Lazarus went in another direction and turned into an entirely different beast all together. While I am not a huge fan of Wilde’s resume, she completely enamored me with her performance.
For a film rated PG-13, this movie had quite a bit of horror goodness. Tension, paranoia and a completely bleak outlook. During our Horror Syndicate Live podcast this past week, I expressed extreme apprehension towards this film. After watching Lazarus, said apprehension was completely unwarranted. This was a really decent film. It is worth a watch.
Are we a WINNER or a LOSER this week?
Looks like we have ourselves another WINNER!
IMDB: 5.2/10
ZombiSurvivor: 7.2/10
