Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998) - Horror Film Review

It is day two of my binge watch of the entire Phantasm series and it was time for the film that had left such a sour taste in my mouth for so long. When I first watched Phantasm IV: Oblivion it was as far as anyone was concerned the very last film in the series. This wouldn't have been so bad if it had not finished on such a huge frustrating cliffhanger, thankfully there was a fifth film released in 2016 which I have not seen yet, but hope it resolves the series this time around. Apparently a very ambitious fifth film had been intended to be made soon after Oblivion, and that this was created as a precursor to that.

As always this picks up exactly where the previous film had ended (Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead). Mike (A. Michael Baldwin) has headed off on his own after discovering he may not be human, his brother Jody (Bill Thornbury) follows after him (the brother now being a floating sphere...it's a long story). Concerned for Mike his best friend Reggie (Reggie Bannister) gives chase. Events lead Mike, Jody, and Reggie, as well as the ominous Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) to Death Valley where the Tall Man's origin is discovered, and a final confrontation is attempted.

This follows the pattern of each sequel not quite being as good as the last, Oblivion is really one for the fans as it assumes a lot of knowledge and gets deep into the lore of the series. When Phantasm was first made there was a load of footage that just never got used, one thing that Oblivion excels at is using this footage as flashback and dream sequences in a way that feels natural. Having the exact same actors in both the 70's scenes and the 90's just feels special. Director and writer Don Coscarelli even feels confident enough to finish this movie with an unused scene from Phantasm. With this movie more than any other exploring time travel it is fitting.

Banjo-Kazooie (1998, 2008) - Adventure Videogame Review (XBLA)

Yeah, I realise Banjo-Kazooie is not a 100% horror game per se, but I am going to try something different, just talk about the horror elements of the game. Bare with me... Banjo-Kazooie was first released on the ugly N64. It is a 3D platformer, the same style as Mario 64. Unlike Mario 64 though I really enjoyed Banjo-Kazooie. It is funny, has great music, and interesting levels. The X-Box Live Arcade version of Banjo-Kazooie has been tarted up somewhat, the graphics while still really angular are much sharper and cleaner than before, so it looks fantastic for a port of a N64 game.

You play as a bear called Banjo, and a bird called Kazooie. Kazooie rides around in Banjo's backpack and is only directly controlled when special moves are being used. The game starts with a evil witch named Gruntilda kidnapping Banjo's kid sister Tooty. She takes the bear away to her mountain lair where she plans to transfer Tooty's beauty to herself. Banjo and Kazooie head off in pursuit. The game takes place in Gruntilda's mountain base.

The levels are accessed by a main hub area. Within Grunty's lair there are many locked doors that require musical notes to open. These are gained within levels that are locked. To unlock levels you need to collect jigsaw pieces from within levels. There are around 10 levels in all. The levels are large arena style areas. In each level there are hidden 100 musical notes, and 10 jigsaw pieces.

Levels are varied, among them there are around three or four horror themed ones, though only one is directly 100% horror influenced. The desert level 'Gobi's Valley' is set to a Egyptian motif. Pyramids in the level lead to battles with mummies, while quick sand hides giant mummified hands.

'Clanker's Cavern' is a underground level based around a giant cave in which a gigantic metal fish named Clanker lives (the lairs garbage disposal unit). Part of the level actually takes place inside Clanker, while crabs mutated by chemical waste are the main enemy type outside of him.

'Rusty Bucket Bay' is a real life inspired horror level, concerning for the most part pollution. The main part of the level is a giant oil tanker that sits in a oil polluted bay.

Popular horror is covered in 'Mad Monster Mansion'. This level takes place in, and around a haunted mansion. There are hedge mazes, possessed gravestones, bats, and gremlins outside, while inside the mansion sees you battle a Ouija board, as well as help out a church organ playing ghost, and a talking toilet.

Lastly the main hub area itself is horror based, being a witch's lair. The end battle takes place at night on the ramparts of her lair, with lightning flashing in the background, and Gruntilda riding around on a flying broomstick.

Throughout the game there are many characters who both help and hinder you. Mumbo Jumbo is a witch doctor with a skull for a head. By collecting silver skulls for him he can transform you in various levels into different creatures such as a crocodile, a fat bumble bee, and giant ant among other things.  In the hub level there is Gruntilda's sister who resembles a fairy Godmother. She gives you hints to use in the board game finale (a highlight of the game) Also hidden in the hub area is a floating spell book that provides you with cheats.

The game is fun to play, but at times the camera does get stuck behind objects leading to frustration.  Also one of the enemies; a evil snowman is hyper annoying as he is near impossible to kill and lobs snowballs at you with un nerving accuracy while laughing at you. The game is very big, I have completed about 98% of the game and am on 13 hours. Finishing the game, and owning Banjo-Tooie, and Banjo: Nuts & Bolts opens up more secrets hidden within the levels. The music is of a highly hummable standard, the hub area in particular has a version of 'Teddy Bear's Picnic' that mutates depending on what area of the lair you are in (eg; the tune takes on a Egyptian flair when in that area of the lair)

The game is about 800 Microsoft points.  If you can look past the dated graphics then defiantly give Banjo-Kazooie a try. There are no zombies though (sad face!).

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