Everything about this movie was on point. The directing from the radio silence guys never fails. The set design. The blood! The cast chemistry was captured in an instant, and never fled. Melissa Barrera did her thing. I actually prefer her in this rather than the Scream franchise. However I have to give it up to the actress that portrays Abigail. Her mannerisms through balet, the macabre nature of the scenes. Truly impeccable. I expected this to be a generic vampire flick, but every 10 minutes my theories were proven wrong. The ending was pungent with twists, and gore. If this movie didn't have the humor ingrained into this script I think the movie would've been rather flat. It's the cast that brings this thing to life.
Reviews
75 Reviews
Late Night with the Devil
(2023)
Great Premise, Weak Pacing
20 April 2024
Interesting premise. The tone was very creepy and always kept you on edge. Wasn't as predictable as I thought it would be. The practical effects were on point. Okay, so the 3rd act fell apart a little. It was a little messy. They wanted to keep the entire film on one set, so that was a weakness in the end. Pacing was a little slow. David Dastmalchian was fantastic as a corrupt late night host. A man who will do whatever it takes for praise. I wish they had explored the implied backstory behind Jack Delroys' success more. Check it out if you like possession films. Overall I think it was a great watch.
Civil War
(2024)
Action Packed. Light Story
14 April 2024
Very light on story. A little too long. Sick up close action. Press pov made the film worth watching. The ending was alright. Core cast had great chemistry. Given the current state of the world this film could be a tough watch for people. Was expecting a little more of the journey to be fleshed out, I felt the 3rd act was rushed. The pacing was great until the end of the 2nd act. Kirsten Dunst's character was a abit one note, and her character didn't really have any resolution, she definitely played the wartorn journalist I just feel like they could've went someone with that a little more. Check it out.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
(2024– )
Heart of the Original. Solid fight sequences
25 February 2024
Captures the spirit of the original series while also sorting through the filler of the cartoon's first season. If you are a die hard fan there is plenty of 1:1 recreation shots you will love! The fighting choreography really stood out. And I was surprised with how much violence they got away with at a TVPG RATING. With that being said this cast skews a bit young, and the dialogue is a reflection of that. The dynamic between the cast really grows as the episodes go on. I hope it gets renewed for season 2 because this series deserves a finished story. You can't judge this series with a bias so please leave that at the door when watching.
Madame Web
(2024)
Overrated. Understated.
16 February 2024
Yall are some haters for sure! Madame Web was better than The Marvel's, Ms. Marvel, She/Hulk, and Morbius! The visuals were pretty solid! I guess if there was terrible looking blue screen in every shot like a Marvel Studios movie yall would be drooling over this movie. This actually told a cohesive story, with tons of heart. While you could argue about all the plot points you didn't like all day, from a production standpoint it's a well made film. The cinematography/ color grade was fantastic. The set design actually blended in so well, I couldn't tell where the blue screen normally is. Also I loved the editing surrounding her premonitions. The quick paced editing actually moves the movie along quite well. Curious to see where Sony takes these characters next.
Echo
(2023–2024)
Has It's Moments
10 January 2024
Can't even lie I only watched this for Kingpin, as I really wasn't feeling the Echo character from the Hawkeye series. By the time I finished this series, I finally ended up understanding who/what this character was all about. Is Maya a hero? Because she seemed like a bad person most of the time! With that being said. Wow. This series was very choppy. Advertised as a 5 Episode mini series, Echo easily could've been a 2 hr movie. The fighting sequences were okay. Overall it was nice to see some grit in the MCU, just wish the story was a little more deeper than what we got. Although I really appreciate the native culture that was presented in this series. It's worth a watch.
Thanksgiving
(I) (2023)
Spoof? Slasher? Both?
27 November 2023
This movie was wild to say the least. Interesting story, and set pieces. Having a Pilgrim Slasher isn't unheard of but was executed well in this movie. I think this movie had too many characters. Some just straight up left the movie, and came back later on with no rhyme or reason. Great kills. Thr practical effects were immaculate. However. This thing was way too long. About 30 minutes too long. Maybe taking one more pass in the editing bay would've helped. The killer reveal was choppy without getting into spoilers. And the obvious set up for a sequel is just laughable. If you like 80s/90s slasher movies check it out.
Blue Beetle
(2023)
Tons of heart with predictable story
18 August 2023
Tons of heart with predictable action/story beats. Interesting set design/locations. The visually effects were on point, and usually you can notice blue screen etc. The family dynamic makes this film worth watching. The superhero tropes are a bonus. Not sure I enjoyed the lore surrounding the scarab. It was very minimal in that regard. Xolo as Jaime Reyes was awesome. He was fantastic. It's too bad this movie will be caught up in this reboot storm that is the current DC Universe. Susan Surandon was hilarious as the villain. I would like to see a follow up of some kind just exploring Jaime, and the scarab.
Misguided Stretched Sequel Bait
4 June 2023
At long last we have our sequel to Into The Spiderverse. One thing I'll point out is the astonishing animation/visual effects. Truly a work of art. The way each Spiderperson had their own unique style continues to be a highlight of this franchise. It was really cool to see all the different variations of Spider-Man all in one movie. With that being said the script was a little misguided, and really failed to tell a solid story in one movie. The focus of this movie is fractured, and we as an audience are along for the ride. Definitely feels like an extended 2nd act. I've aways said a movie should be more than sequel bait, and I feel the writers stretched this story to get one more movie out of it. While it'll be an epic binge in the future, I don't see myself rewatching this one until the Spiderverse trilogy is complete.
The Machine
(I) (2023)
Has It's Moments
30 May 2023
The Machine! Had to support our boy Bert in his first movie ever! His fighting sequences were dope. The camera work was pretty sick when it came to blending in the present day to the flashback sequences. I liked the dynamic between Bert, and Mark Hamill. With that being said the first 15 minutes were pretty rough. The pacing was pretty slow. When the movie kicked into gear it was a fun, entertaining ride. This was R Rated? I couldn't tell. Some jokes were funny, others weren't. To be honest I would've preferred an entire movie based on the flashback sequences alone. Definitely check this out when it hits streaming services.
Fast X
(2023)
Try Hard Empire Strikes Back
19 May 2023
Oh wow. Here we go. I don't think I've ever been so torn about a movie. This thing was super fun, yet super uneven. A try hard Empire Strikes Back. Couldn't help but laugh at all the wrong things during this flick. At a certain point, I just wanted them to cut to Tokyo so bad in the hopes we got some actual racing. The characters were all underwritten, and Jason Momoa as the villain wanted to be The Joker. No wonder Justin Lin quit during production. I'm pretty sure Vin Diesel, and Universal are super happy with creating the next ride at Universal Studios, just wish they had a little more heart, and realism indtead of bombarding the audience with terrible vfx, and implausible stunts.
Wow. Satisfying Finale
5 May 2023
Wow! What a satisfying conclusion. James Gunn did a magnificent job focusing this movie trilogy on the characters, and not the mcu as a whole. The only trilogy in the MCU that truly stands on its own. Every character has an arc. All with full circle moments. On a technical level the color grade was impeccable. The set design was full. The tone is finally balanced. Very serious topics being discussed in this movie, and the stakes were never made fun of. Top Tier marvel movie. Definitely check out this feature if you are a fan. The villain was also menacing with the time he had on screen. His dynamic with Rocket made the movie.
Evil Dead Rise
(2023)
Intense! Top Tier Evil Dead
21 April 2023
Intense! This take on the Evil Dead ramps up all the horror/gore elements to 100. The practical effects, and set design are a masterclass of horror. I was surprised that they went so violent with a cast this young. That's what makes this addition to the franchise special. If you want campy humor like Army of Darkness you won't find that here. We got ourselves a true horror film people. The narrative structure made the story move at a quick pace. With a runtime at 1 hr 30 min, by the time It's over the movie feels like getting out of a haunted house. Bravo to the director for stretching out the tense moments. And the mother that gets possessed did an amazing job. Definitely top Tier Evil Dead.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
(2023)
Everything you want in a Mario Movie
6 April 2023
Absolutely incredible. I'll start by saying I wasn't thrilled to hear that Chris Pratt was voicing Mario. My mind was changed immediately. The creative ways they use the old school nostalgia to influence this modern take was seamless, and straight up jaw dropping at times. They managed to give us a strong cast of characters. And the relationship Mario had with his bro Luigi is the root of the movie. The visual effects were top notch. I couldn't ask for a better Mario movie. Of course they set things up for a sequel. I was surprised just how much lore they set up in this first flick. Definitely check this out if you are a Mario fan.
Air
(I) (2023)
Makes You Care About Shoes for 2 Hours
2 April 2023
Return to form for Mr. Ben Affleck. He managed to get me out to the theater to see a movie about Nike. Not necessarily a shoe guy, however this movie paints the picture as to why people invest in these shoes. The directing was fantastic. Stellar cast. Matt Damon bringing his A Game as always. Chris Tucker just added his magic to this movie. Jason Bateman just being a supporting character was interesting, but his story really added to the stakes of the movie. The pacing was a little off here, and there but the story, and cast really allows this movie to breathe in away you don't worry about the pace like that. Definitely give this flick a chance if you like start up films.
Renaissance Fair: The Movie
1 April 2023
I know absolutely nothing about Dungeons and Dragons, with that being said this movie was about 30 minutes too long. The action sequences were interesting, but towards the end it gets a little redundant. The cast makes this movie worth watching at least once. The narrative structure was a change of pace. I feel like they could've went deeper into the magic aspects, and really go for an R Rated feel. Seemed like The Witcher light. Renaissance Fair: The Movie was pretty good. Nothing groundbreaking. I'm interested to see what the Dungeons and Dragons fans have to say about this movie. I'm sure there was a bunch of references I didn't pick up.
John Wick: Chapter 4
(2023)
Stunning, Action Packed Sequel
25 March 2023
Stunning installment. Beautifully crafted action sequences. The camerawork is impeccable. The fight choreography is fantastic. Keanu continues to own the John Wick role. Donnie Yen bringing all his skills to the table. This sequel just ramps up everything this franchise represents. A Clean, sleek, modern action flick. This film is a masterclass of peak cinema. The set pieces are on another level. Insert more praise. This is the one. Definitely recommend checking this out. The cinematography alone is worth a watch. Real locations. The set design. It's peak. It's everything you want out of a movie.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
(2023)
Fun Sequel
22 March 2023
While the cgi is sketchy at times, this sequel was a welcoming surprise. Especially after all the negative press, I really had fun with this movie. Zachary Levi does play up that kid role a bit too much considering Billy Batson is about to turn 18. With that being said, I might've enjoyed this more than the first one. Freddy stole the movie. The villains were surprisingly entertaining, and somewhat menacing, and the realm they lived in was an interesting setting to explore. I'm sad Black Adam was excluded, thanks a lot Dwayne Johnson. Definitely worth a watch of you are DC fan in the slightest.
Scream VI
(2023)
Ghostface Takes Manhattan!
12 March 2023
Incredible follow up. The NYC setting revamps this franchise. The Carpenter sisters dynamic in this one really shined. The kills were visceral. The lack of Neve Campbell didn't ruin the movie. It actually felt refreshing. Hayden Panettiere coming back as Kirby was a treat. Really happy with this one. The pacing of this sequel is miles ahead of Part 5. Saw it twice. Excited to see where they take the next one. I guarantee it's going to be hard to top. Scream is back with a vengeance! All the parallels, and Easter eggs make this film a treasure for die hard Scream fans. This film to its time fleshing out the core characters.
Big Ideas, Small Story
17 February 2023
Ant-Man's 3rd solo outting. Doubling down on the sci-fi elements of the MCU. Overall the humor was like the rest of the previous movies. The cast was all stellar. Doesn't really dive that deep into Kang's story, but what we did get was sufficient. Johnathan Majors portrayal was excellent, just wish he had more substance to work with. The visual effects were definitely spotty. Blue screen overload, wish they took more time blending in the effects with with actors. This leads into Modok, as a concept. I didn't mind his backstop changing, just wish they went more practical with his design. Overall Quantumania was a pretty fun movie, but for setting the tone of "PHASE 5", Marvel will definitely need to step up their storytelling, and start getting more into detail with these characters, and concepts.
A Christmas Story Christmas
(2022)
As good as it gets
18 November 2022
The perfect sequel to a classic film. Set in 1974, Ralphie returns home as an aspiring writer with his family. The loss of the old man as the center point really elevates the story so it's not another Christmas comedy. The camaraderie with his old friends was on point like nothing has changed since they were kids. Heartfelt. I wish they shot this movie on film or at least attempted to make it feel like a 70s movie. Sure the sets/costumes were of that era but it didnt feel like it was in the 70s. Needed more grit. Definitely a great companion piece to go along with the original movie. Definitely recommended if you like the original.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
(2022)
Naturally Funny! Accurate Biopic!
5 November 2022
Most inventive, naturally funny comedy of the year. Daniel Radcliffe captures the true essence of Weird Al. Bonkers storytelling! Haven't laughed this hard in while! Definitely plays like an oscar bait biopic which is what makes this film so great. Almost a disservice to put it on Roku as I feel not many will watch it because of that. Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna was also perfect. I would've liked things to wrap up a little bit better but that's just me being a Weird Al fan. I could've watched a whole series about this. I loved that they didnt make this like every other biopic, they made it Weird!
Black Adam
(2022)
Fantastic Visuals, Light on Story
22 October 2022
Fantastic visuals. More than a few Zack Snyder type shots. The witty humor doesn't over stay it's welcome. I feel like they rushed some elements of the Justice Society. Or maybe a prequel film is needed. As far as Dwayne Johnson's fish out of water version of Black Adam goes it definitely adds a new element to his character. Some stupid things happen at the end of the 2nd act that's just bad writing, but straightens itself out in the end. The pov of a certain character might throw some people off, but I think they compliment Shazam in that regard without going into spoilers. Definitely a great first step for Black Adam. I need a Shazam crossover in the future.
Halloween Ends
(2022)
Old Ideas, New Face
15 October 2022
Interesting route this film chose to take. Jamie's Laurie reminds me of Laurie from the first Halloween. Allyson was really gullible, but overall I think she's had her full arc. Once again this film takes from previous Halloween movies. They chose to ignore the sequels, yet they harvest so much plot from them it begs the question why were they ignored to begin with? The tone was all over the place. It feels like an A24 Indie Romance at times, and then has hints of a Halloween movie. Very weird. Still had fun with it overall. Definitely wouldn't say it's the worst of the franchise. I can see why you would think that though.
Hellraiser
(2022)
Fresh, Visually Stunning
9 October 2022
Definitely a return to form for this franchise. The cinematography was top notch. The designs of the cenobites were impeccable. The pace was very slow. Could've tightened things up a bit, as the 2nd act dragged on. The new Pinhead was fine. Definitely doesn't have the same energy as Doug Bradley. A little one note yet the best replacement out of the bunch. I really appreciate the time they took to get the lighting right, and the kingdom of Leviathan was beautifully executed. This film explained the mythology the best, and treated the material with respect. I would watch a sequel. Very surprised with this one.
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