CRUSH (2013)

Directed By Malik Bader

Written By: Sonny Malhi

Cinematography: Scott Kevan 

Editor: Jeff Canavan

Cast: Lucas Till, Sarah Bolger, Crystal Reed, Leigh Whannell, Camille Guaty, Isaiah Mustafa, Holt McCallany, Caitriona Balfe, Reid Ewing, Meredith Salenger

The promising high school soccer player Scott is injured on the knee in a game and two years after, he is still trying to heal his knee. The teenager Jules feels unrequited love for him but Scott is concentrated in recovering his physical condition and considers her as a friend. The also teenage Bess that works in the store owned by David with her mature colleague Andie has a crush on Scott. When Scott is stalked by a mysterious person that threatens Jules, he believes that Bess is responsible for the weird situations. Is his assumption correct?


This film is just  so tedious and badly paced most of the time it keeps building up and then when it does finally offer a release you are so thankful but never truly lives up to It’s potential or premise 

The way the film points at the red herring the more it becomes obvious that it’s not them.

It could have been a bit more fun if it played up it’s Ridiculous aspects or camped it up or actually added thrills. The way it plays it is more limp. Where you find yourself asking questions or creating your own scenarios rather then go with what is on screen. As it is taking way too long at a little over 90 minutes 

Not to mention the main character has looks and seems to be a good moral kid, but he has very little personality for all these ladies to have such crushes on him. Especially the teacher.

Though a teenage boy who is really into classic black and white films. Warmed my heart as I wished I could go to this town’s theater, but feels mroe an invention of a writer. Who wanted to put a piece of themselves and lvoe of film In there. As the film chosen isnMt even an inside joke or a hint of what is to come. 

Though will say she seemed to only be here for eye candy for anyone desiring some skin other then some from the lead actor and even what is shown is more pg-13 quality 

Know it would most likely be straight to home video quality but expected a bit better then what is offered. Espeically with such a recognizable cast, but we all have to start somewhere. 

It feels like a WB channel thriller if you remember what those were more targeted to the youth, a little risqué, but almost every character is picture perfect good looking.

While there’s barely anything objectionable, that is why it feels more like a TV movie or a movie meant for or could’ve easily played on a lifetime channel or MTV or WB

Crystal reed is the only true notable performance throughout. Everyone else does what is expected of them. 

Grade: D+

THE VAGRANT (1992)

Directed By: Chris Walas

Written By: Richard Jefferies 

Cinematography: John J. Connor and Jack Wallner 

Editor: Jay Ignaszewski

Cast: Bill Paxton, Michael Ironside, Marshall Bell, Mitzi Kapture, Colleen Camp, Patrika Darbo, Marc McClure, Stuart Pankin, Teddy Wilson 

The Vagrant tells the story of Graham Krackowski, who moves into his new home only to be terrorized by an unruly vagrant that lives across the street in an abandon lot. What begins as simply an inconvenience to him, escalates into an all out war of head games, wit, and eventually murder.


 The film mixes hard and comedy and the humor though dark is funny and parts, but it never quite land. It always feels like it’s missing a beat. 

The performances are believable and the material you expect a bit more zaniness and can see why this film does have a cult following and it’s fans but personally, it never quite comes alive nor as fun as the premise it presents

It seems to be headed for better and you expect more especially with such a cast. 

The film does seem to treat every female. He comes across as attracted to him, and they are all secondary by nature or props, then actual characters. 

Bill Paxton’s character change of looks later in the film. It also shows the range of Mr. Paxton who is the only reason I saw this movie for.

As I knowingly used to pass the box for this movie and video stores in my youth, all the time always thought it would be more run-of-the-mill and basic one can appreciate that at times it tries to be different and subvert the audience 

The film is a low budget movie that tries and you want to like it. it seems to work against itself never quite finding that right mixture as it feels more comedic when it wants to be horrific, and it feels more horrific when it wants to be comedic finding its groove.

It should be noted that it’s sort of the few times. Michael Ironside has been in an intentional comedy.

The film was directed by Chris Walas, a special effects artist, and whose previous film was THE FLY II. Which was a guilty pleasure in my teens and was hoping this film would end up being a diamond in the rough as this seems to be the last film that Chris Wallace has directed so far it ends up disappointing because the potential had more than anything

Grade: D+

THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH (1971)

Directed By: Sergio Martino 

Written By: Eduardo Manzanos, Ernesto Gastaldi and Vittorio Caronia 

Cinematography: Emilio Foriscot and Floriano Trenker 

Editor: Eugenio Alabiso 

Cast: Edwige French, George Hilton, Cristina Airoldi, Manuel Gill, Alberto De Mendoza, Bruno Corazzari, Carlo Alighiero, Ivan Rassimov 

After arriving in Vienna with her diplomat husband, a woman is stalked by a mysterious, razor-wielding maniac, with people around her getting killed one by one.


 Right now, I am truly immersing myself and the Gallo genre or at least catching up on many that I have never seen and truly never heard of when is thankful for Tubi for actually having a lot of these films to offer finding out about these films from various box sets devoted to lesser known examples of the genre. vinegar syndrome in particularly has a bunch of these in box sets that help me just discover titles to try to find and see for myself

There is a certain grace in Giallo films 

And it fees  like the story telling is on a rhythm almost like liquid as it flows. This film feels more rough around the edges att times. Which adds to it’s Charms. 

Though they started in these films and the women sometimes are treated horribly in them. Though the Film and filmmaker seems devoted to showcasing the actresses as unearthly beautiful but makes their behavior all the more human. That either you root for them in their indiscretions as their partners treat them horribly. So that you feel a certain sympathy for them. It is also the filmmakers putting you on yheornside as the men dominate the women to make them seem all the more human and weak to a certain extent. that way each film seems like a testament to the actress or the lead character and the actress just encases the role.

story wise this film is pretty typical of Giallos. There’s always a murder mystery at hand and the film offers. You many suspects as well as grand death scenes scenes were the lead female character is almost a victim, but it saved last minute or manages to escape. 

it tries to make you believe that anyone could be the killer offering, red herrings, and plenty of motives for different characters who are close to the main character to do it as well as scenes that try to provide alibis or reasons as to why we might suspect cannot be the killer.

While also providing plenty of intrigue, seduction, glamour, international landscapes,  sex scenes, nudity and graphic violence that the directors usually try to make seem brutal, yet artistic in the aftermath.

Even though a little more predictable than usual, this film is truly an undiscovered gem as again it’s imperfections or set it apart from the typical Giallo, which can be original sometimes are so stylistic that it’s too much for their own good.

Edwige French captivtes the screen. As you want to see more of her or for her to do more. One can’t take their eyes off of her. Conchita Airoldi does the same in a more supporting role. Which has her leavi g the film before she can truly make too much of an impression, but while she is there. She works as a distraction at times though one with a great smile. 

By the end the puzzle isn’t too hard to figure out but the end packs a hell of a punch. 

Grade: B

KRAVEN THE HUNTER (2024)

Directed By: J.C. Chandor

Written By: Richard Wenk, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway 

Story By: Richard Wenk

Based on characters created by: Stan Lee & Steve Ditko 

Cinematography: Ben Davis 

Editor: Milos Djakovic and Zach Vandlik 

Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Alessarndro Nivolla, Russell Crowe, Christopher Abbott, Levi Miller 

Kraven’s complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff, starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared.


This film is like a record where at first you are really not liking the songs then every other song you like or you hit a section of the album and it’s quite good or adequate for a few songs that make it listenable/watchable. So it’s not as bad as you expected 

As there are some really good action sequences that save the film but there are so many scenes in between setting up the characters and story. As the film tries to be of a better quality then it is. Trying to enrich it. When tis should have been a more Mindless popcorn action film.

As the early opening scenes or rather the intro is so ridiculous it seems like it’s on the verge of becoming MADAME WEB bad. Though at least that was watchable and not boring. As thst tried to throw everything against the wall and see what stuck. 

Aaron Taylor johnson is good in the lead and believable but ultimately better than the material. Ariana debose really has nothing to do and Russell Crowe is as usual chewing the scenery and having fun.

The foreigner  is really the only interesting part and character in the film. Though not used nearly enough. As he comes across as a celebrity cameo throughout or a special guest star. Not To mention his fashion is a flex. 

The film could have resisted the use of cgi for the scaling scenes which makes kraven look more like a non super human version of Spider-Man. 

Though at least it’s Excessively violent like a 1980’s action films of yesterday. Honestly out of the spin-off spider-man films. This is the one I wouldn’t mind seeing a sequel to this film. Even though there is no reason. As he truly was a minor villain in the comic books, who caused a major storyline. 

Where is he? Where is the world’s greatest Hunter? He saw Spider-Man as the ultimate pray, and went about hunting and ceremoniously killing him with us, also causing his own downfall, and Spider-Man’s resurrection of sorts.

The film’s second half is better than the first half and that’s only because of so much set up in the first half. Even if it is ridiculous and always feels more like fantasy than any kind of reality it tries to portray. 

It has the same problem as the other films in this series. In that it feels disposable. They feel like the superhero films that would have come out in the 1990’s and with the same mindset. So if looking for something brainless yet entertaining. I would say go for it.

Grade: C-

CUCKOO (2024)

Written & Directed By: Tilman Singer 

Cinematography: Paul Feltz 

Editor: Terel Gibson and Philipp Thomas 

Cast: Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Marton Csokas, Jessica Henwick, Greta Fernadez, Jan Bluthardt, Proschart Madani, Astrid Berges-Frisby

Reluctantly, 17-year-old Gretchen leaves her American home to live with her father, who has just moved into a resort in the German Alps with his new family. Arriving at their future residence, they are greeted by Mr. König, her father’s boss, who takes an inexplicable interest in Gretchen’s mute half-sister Alma. Something doesn’t seem right in this tranquil vacation paradise. Gretchen is plagued by strange noises and bloody visions until she discovers a shocking secret that also concerns her own family.


This film matches its title. As even once you price everything together it still comes off as bizarre, Yet idiosyncratic.

This is a film that you should go into knowing as little as you can. Though even if you know some of it. It will still be bizarre and mysterious. 

All of the actors are on top of their games and give memorable performances. One only wishes there was more to remember story wise. That at times feels confusing for its own sake and to keep us as off center as the lead character played by Hunter Schafer.

The film is very stylish and keeps you on your toes trying to guess what is coming next. 

The film puts you Ina strange environment and commit ity and leaves you there. For you

To figure it out as much as the characters. Though they take to it a little more

Quickly and routinely than the audience most Likely will. 

This movie is a drug, Purely. It’s up to you wether the trip it leaves you with is good or bad. It’s definitely cinematic, experimental and theatrical. 

Honestly… This $h*t is bananas in a good way. Far from predictable, but hard to explain A wild stylish ride. Hunter Schafer is quite good, and a Fox but Dan Steven’s once again runs away with the film. It has a strange taste to it, foreign and not Terrible quite tasty but not exactly a favorite 

Grade: B- 

THE WOLFMAN (1941)

Directed By: George Waggner

Written By: Curt Siodmak

Cinematography: Joseph Valentine

Editor: Ted Kent

Cast: Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Bela Lugosi, Ralph Bellamy, Evelyn Ankers, Warren William, Patric Knowles, Maria Ousperskaya, Fay Helm 

Upon his return to his father’s estate, aristocrat Larry Talbot meets a beautiful woman, attends a mystical carnival and uncovers a horrifying curse.

this is one of the first films to have a werewolf at the center of its floor, and you have to give it respect as the film is well made with a legendary cast

Unfortunately, even at only 70 minutes, it gets right to the point and manages to tell a story though it just doesn’t feel that strong

I thought this was the first time I ever seen this film, but checking my files. I realized I had seen this film only a few years before, and it completely slipped my mind.

so for me, this film is memorable. It might be a case of. I was born later and have seen many werewolf movies that use similar premise, but were more memorable. Only here we’re getting what the basics of all those other tales were and simplest form by the time and trying to tell, entertaining an emotional story 

It’s not a bad film and can understand why it has its fans, but is a concert reminder that just because it’s first doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best but it pave the way for the others so you have to give it a certain amount of respect

But if you already know, you’re really not into black-and-white classic horror films. This might be one you wanna skip as it’s never quite a strong as Dracula or Frankenstein or the ultimate bride of Frankenstein.

and the film doesn’t present itself as some kind of the movie that was more made to fit a fad or rushed out with little care the film it’s requirements as far as entertaining the audience, but actually showcasing emotions and characters, owning up to their decisions and choices in certain moments 

WOLF MAN (2025)

Directed By: Leigh Whannell

Written By: Leigh Whannell and Corbett Tuck 

Cinematography: Stefan Duscio and Ruairi O’Brien

Editor: Andy Canny

Cast: Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, Matilda Firth, Sam Jaeger, Benedict Hardie, Ben Prendergast

A family at a remote farmhouse is attacked by an unseen animal, but as the night stretches on, the father begins to transform into something unrecognizable.


Pay atention to the title, because that’s pretty much what this movie seems to be about as it has its own reminiscence of the fly as we watch the lead character slowly transform into this Wolfman.

There are so many ways of looking at this movie. It has the Liriano kind of cold direction, but impressive style at times that at least is some thing you don’t expect.

Though this is more a traumatic thriller, so if you’re looking for a horror film, you’re gonna find yourself sadly disappointed as it does have those types of scenes, but for the most part seems to be more about this man’s slow transformation, and trying to protect his family, and then also slowly morphing into the problem himself

The film at times feels like it should be more hard-hitting, but there just seems to be something missing or just plays off bland. It also obviously is trying to push the female character to be more of the heroic force because she’s trying to be a nurture and at first it seems like she’s more a journalist, but when it comes to survival, she does what she hast to do to protect her daughter, her family even if she hast to face off against the man, she loves her husband.

His transformation can also be seen as him try, actually having to face his trauma from his rough childhood with what seems to be an uncaring father that he has obviously Buried, but still has that anger while trying to be the good guy, decent husband, and good father he doesn’t want his family to have to deal with the same types of things that he did.

So eventually, unfortunately, it becomes like an incredible hulk situation, where he can’t help this other side of him coming out or really transforming him totally. 

As what the film does have going forward, is if the few scenes of style and prosthetic special effects. While the film does have violence, it’s also a secluded thriller where there aren’t that many victims so not so much useless bloodshed almost like Cujoh more of trying to survive the night and the ordeal, which also makes it feel a little bit more like most of the film takes place in real time

The Hulk analogy also works for this phone because it seems like it’s very hard for Hollywood to truly come up with a good or great werewolf movie and they’re either barely passable usually just OK or just bad or disappointing, whereas every other famous creature seems to have more than a few defining films to the repertoire.

The film isn’t bad it just is that you go in, expecting one thing and coming out with another and even the other that it is is pretty plain and bland, feeling more melodramatic with supernatural horror and thriller elements.

Which is a shame, because with the invisible Man, leave, Wagner came up with a film that felt inventive, but then again, he also had more room to work with as THE INVISIBLE MAN, while a memorable character isn’t as popular isn’t ball down by as many rules and lower, so you can kind of create an ad more than you can with well established, vampire, zombies, or where wolves

At least I can say that the film is Earnest in it’s

depictions of werewolves as it tries to create, but it seems like it’s problem was It wants

to dip itself a little in the fantasy, but also be somewhat grounded in reality-based as well as offering some scientific explanations, and while they work well enough off of each other, they don’t create a satisfying formula completely.

No, maybe the focus was too much on the transformation giving it a sort of THE FLY comparisons only not as focused on the Body Horror

Grade: C

THE WILD ROBOT (2024)

Written & Directed By: Chris Sanders

Based on the book by: Peter Brown

Cinematography: Chris Stover 

Editor: Mary Blee

Featuring the voices of: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Stephanie Hsu, Bill Nighy, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, Catherine O’Hara 

After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.


This film shows what can be done by a true independent individual spirit and not doing what you have been trained or necessarily program to do, but interestingly also teaches you that by doing that you might learn not only to be your own person, but humanity and itself as well as to help those around community or culture you might find yourself and that is different from yourself how to assimilate into that culture and find your own friends and family but also if you have to, you can simulate into what you’re supposed to be but still at heartbeat who you need to be and who you are

I can truly say I wasn’t expecting much from this film and figured it would be. You know a typical moralistic tail and it seems like it’s going to be that way, but then it takes so many broad strokes or subverts what you’re used to and a different way that you can’t help but get emotional watching it and especially around the third act, or truly showcases the bond between parent and child and appreciation and the length of love between them where your downright willing to sacrifice yourself for them and vice versa how they sometimes have to take care of you when you’ve given it all you got

That is when the film is at its strongest and most powerful. It’s cute and previous scenes, and can be funny and ferocious. It’s perfect for kids and families like because I believe whoever sees this film will get something out of that,  that is strong and meaningful to them. 

I don’t watch those animated films sometimes, other than the artwork. It feels like more of the same, but I can truly say that this one affected me more than I expected to and it’s truly something special. I can see why it has so many fans, such that seem to come from nowhere.

Grade: A- 

BEAVIS & BUTTHEAD DO THE UNIVERSE (2022)

Directed by: Albert Calleros, Geoffrey Johnson and John Rice 

Written By: Mike Judge, Lew Morton, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Guy Maxtone-Graham and Ruben Martinez 

Story By: Mike Judge, Ian Maxtone-Graham and Guy Maxtone-Graham

Editor: Robert James Ashe, Phil Davis and Mike Mendez 

Cast: (Voices) Mike Judge, Gary Cole, Andrea Savage, Nat Faxon, Chi McBride, Carlos Alazraqui, Toby Huss, Tig Notaro, Jimmy O. Yang, Brian Huskey, Stephen Root

After a “creative” judge sentences them to space camp, a black hole sends our adolescent heroes 24 years into the modern future where the duo misuse iPhones, embark on a quest to score, and become targets of the Deep State.


I wasn’t expecting this film to be such a disappointment, but then again, look at the material.

Growing up, I was like most teenagers. I was a fan of the show Beavis and Butthead and I even thought they’re movie Beavis and Butthead to America who is actually hilarious and strangely the film does still stand up.

This is a welcome return of the characters and their universe of sorts ends up being so disappointing because it feels exactly what it is a sequel and it’s a sequel and every true meaning of the word it’s bigger where we’re talking a story about Space exploration time, travel and different dimensions in worlds it feels very unnecessary

It’s still funny and has some great brilliant moments here and there, but I can’t tell if I grew out of the humor or if the material just isn’t that strong but even at barely 90 minutes it feels too long and it doesn’t feel firm at all and it has a coherent story still feels like there’s a lot of things thrown at the wall to see what will stick

Don’t give me wrong, it’s not bad or horrible. It’s just disappointing considering the miracle that was the first film. No one expected it to be as funny or actually, as good as it was here. This is the movie. I think most people expected the first time around, only you get your hopes up for a sequel that you hope will be at least equal to the first one, and here is where you get the disappointment.

If you’re a fan of Die Hard, you will be happy with the film, if you’re new to this phenomenon, or the characters, this might not be the place to start, and you will find the film maybe more OK. Then again, it might be that we have grown out of that demographic and it still seems to be aiming for that same teenage demographic, even after all these years.

Grade: C

HAVOC (2025)

Written & Directed By Gareth Evans

Cinematography: Matt Flannery 

Editor: Sara Jones and Matt Platts-Mills 

Cast: Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Forest Whitaker, Timothy Olyphant, Luis Guzman, Quelin Sepulveda, Justin Cornwell, Sunny Pang, Yeo Yann Yann, Michelle Waterson

After a drug deal gone wrong, a bruised detective must fight his way through the criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son, unraveling a deep web of corruption and conspiracy that ensnares his entire city.

—————————————————————-

Gareth Evans is truly an Auteur and filmmaker whose work you’re excited to see especially when he has a new project. As unfortunately it seems like it took way too long for this film to come out as it was completed in 2021 and the postproduction took four years to make the film and in certain things you can notice where the reshoot have been done.

No, he is so strong a filmmaker that a new film from him is usually worth the wait. As many tried to copy his style, but none do it quite as well, or as over the top and make it just seem fluid.

Like a modern-day John Woo, so many people try and attempt to copy his style even though as soon as you watch it it’s so distinct if you’ve seen any of his films before you recognize it immediately and it’s always more Hand to hand  in close quarters, with a weapon thrown in time to time and doesn’t shy away from any of the violence, choreography, individuals, or perfectly together Almost to Tango Or a modernfied dance . I was on creation just modify.

If this is what it takes now, we have to wait all this time for films like this it’s more than worth it because each time out of the gate if somethings so regional visual exciting it’s an experience that it feels like most modern action films have a bit of it at times and sometimes come close, but never can quite figure out the formula it’s like having a meal after dealing with so much fast food and restaurants and if each time

out of the gate, produces something that memorable than you, my friend are a master of your class 

while this film certainly won’t win any Oscars, except for maybe in the future for stunt coordination. This movie is an action fans, wet, dream, and fans of cinema. it is something so visually Exciting with a perfectly cast Tom Hardy at the center of y’all

Gareth and Timo Tjhajanto (NIGHT COMES

FOR US) are really the ones at the head of the class For action filmmaking. The difference is that Timo makes more Low budget foreign action films but they come Out more often and at a brisker Pace 

Usually Cold-hearted, so That no one is truly safe. Which does add an excitement to the film, but also a certain sadness.

Not only is it brutal action, but So much overkill

No, I’m not gonna lie and say that this film is perfect. There are plenty of flaws for all the Hand to hand combat. There is plenty of gun use and it seems like every weapon somehow becomes a machine gun even at first pistols so that feels a little ridiculous at times and of course no one seems to ever really need to reload unless the plot calls for it and to make that character victim or use their weapons to defend themselves while trying to reload the weapon and the story Makes sense as much as it needs to, but it is not necessarily the best well plotted.

Even one of the villains played by Timothy Olyphant you just wonder why an actor of his quality is even in the film as of course he’s a representation of evil and crooked cop. Thou and most of the action scenes even as he survives he doesn’t really seem to do much damage or be that dangerous you know obviously he’s a random selves and protect himself, but he doesn’t seem like a scary enough villain to be that powerful or one we have to worry about.

Just as it would be nice to see much more of the Asian gangsters a little bit more maybe a little bit more drama or showing how bad ass their leader is instead of just limiting her to really one scene of showing how dangerous she can be and that’s it really, other then being a leader of a threatening force.

while I truly enjoyed the film, I will admit that it’s probably more of the action that I am a fan of when it comes to this film as if you go into the film and just don’t think too hard about it I think it’s a very enjoyable film, but if you break it down and pay attention to certain aspects of it, that’s where you might have little problems that all combined to kind of put a dent in the hole and never at least for Supv it’s still one of the better films, especially action films that Netflix has produced Or released.

Even Tom Hardy again gives a great performance. He’s doing better with his American accents as this film He doesn’t sound as dopey or stupid as he can whenever he hast to do an American accent here. It at least sounds a little more tough and normal.

No filmed in Wales. The film takes place in a nondescript. What is supposed to be? I’m guessing American city and at times it almost feels like a made up city from a film Wonderland. I love the crow or maybe even dark city it’s not a very important part, but it would’ve been nice if it could’ve been a little bit well defined by its location as it’s not the most important thing, but it does help the film re-ground in a little bit more.

The log cabin scene towards the end will be remembered for years as an action highlight for many.

The film is worth checking out and giving a chance.  it’s going to Divide audiences but it will definitely have a crowd of fans for it. It definitely  should be released and seen on the big screen.

Grade: B