Tag: Christopher Donaldson

FEAR STREET: PROM QUEEN (2025)

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Directed By: Matt Palmer

Written By: Matt Palmer and Donald McLeary

Based on the FEAR STREET Books By: R.L. Stine

Cinematography: Mark Gyori

Editor: Christopher Donaldson

Cast: India Fowler, Fina Strazza, Suzanna Son, Katherine Waterston, Ariana Greenblatt, Lili Taylor, Chris Klein, Ella Rubin, David Iancono, Rebecca Ablack 

Welcome back to Shadyside. In this next installment of the blood-soaked Fear Street franchise, prom season at Shadyside High is underway and the school’s wolfpack of It Girls is busy with its usual sweet and vicious campaigns for the crown. But when a gutsy outsider is unexpectedly nominated to the court, and the other girls start mysteriously disappearing, the class of ’88 is suddenly in for one hell of a prom night.

What hurts this film is that when it’s compared to the first FEAR STREET set of movies which were a trilogy they were so richly connected and had so much deaths even for their familiar elements they want you over.

Watching this film is a disappointment as everything is lowered especially in quality now. Don’t know if it’s supposed to somehow be connected to the other three films movie take place in the same town or just be part of that franchise a FEAR STREET, but this is very disappointing.

As this film plays more like a basic Netflix, nostalgic, horror film, it doesn’t even need to really be part of the fear Street franchise.

As it makes the same mistakes that those other Netflix films make where they try to get into the decade that it’s setting in this case, the 80s in the fashion in pop culture that the story soon Almost takes a backseat.

It also doesn’t help that all or most of the female main characters looks similar. so that at times it’s really hard to tell them apart other than maybe sometimes when part of their personality or role, Well help the audience Remember who they’re supposed to be, that would least all of the teenage characters look age-appropriate 

If you’ve ever seen a horror found this film is pretty predictable when it comes to its kill scenes, and as always, the murder scenes at times seem to be the only action, or the only noteworthy parts of the film, even though some kills remain off screens, though this film does love the show or have a lingering shots of people getting their packages, cut off and watching bloodsport from it

The film does have a good soundtrack, but it has one of the worst dance battle scenes I’ve ever seen in a film that is supposed to be kind of heroic in its own way.

While watching this film, it’s obviously inspired by other better and popular horror films of its lineage so that it feels familiar and it would be worth it if there was some kind of value or reason behind it all, but this film just feels so desperately to be on trend that things seem the more happen just because.

Making the film feel less than significant. There’s nothing special about it. It’s rather bland wear other than the violence. This could’ve easily been a PG-13 movie. The film barely has any momentum

Now again, I didn’t read the source material, but the film feels undercooked and predictable and then tries to go gonzo and it’s 30 even though by halfway into this movie, you will figure it out pretty much who’s behind the killings no idea and loves to present tired, red herrings throughout like the grizzled old janitor, who is a drunken likes to stare at all the girls.

Then one of the biggest names or teenage stars in your cast, and you give her such a minor role, and she’s almost one of the first people to be eliminated from the movie Ariana Greenblatt no she seem to have the most interesting character.

Then the movie Try to build its main character up so much that it feels like it’s a portrait or a character story without much death and it doesn’t help that I mean she’s already ridiculed around town but yet she has no negative aspects to her character. Nothing risky so like the film she’s kind of boring the only thing that saves The film is that short.

As even when it comes to the original trilogy any of those film separately as a single film is still better than this one.

This might work as a starter horror, film for some, or an introductory for people who are not used to the horror genre, but other than that this is just basic and bland with no sauce or seasoning.

Grade: D+

CRIMES OF THE FUTURE (2022)

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Written & Directed By: David Cronenberg 
Cinematography: Douglas Koch
Editor: Christopher Donaldson 

Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Lea Seydoux, Don Mckellar, Kristen Stewart, Scott Speedman, Nadia Litz, Lihi Kornowski, Tanaya Beatty, Weller Bungue 

As the human species adapts to a synthetic environment, the body undergoes new transformations and mutations. With his partner, Caprice, Saul Tenser, a celebrity performance artist, publicly showcases the metamorphosis of his organs in avant-garde performances. Timlin, an investigator from the National Organ Registry, obsessively tracks their movements, which is when a mysterious group is revealed… Their mission – is to use Saul’s notoriety to shed light on the next phase of human evolution.

The film feels like director David Cronenberg chooses to begin the movie with a shock in the middle of beauty. As it shows how quickly things can go from simple to shocking. Which is to prepare the audience for what comes after and throughout. Even though the rest of the film is similar in quality though some might turn away because of the more graphic scenes. The film never feels like a horror film.

Not really a horror film. As it does involve what could be considered body horror even though in theory it does explore a society where bodies can create phantom limbs. Extends more into science fiction and in exploring that phenomenon where it is special but a little more commonplace. Thought leans itself towards science fiction or more hardcore fantasy as it does build not only a world only bit in visuals but more in small details that makes it more intimate and more disturbing how close it can be to more of a civilized reality in design. Which is a marvel In itself.

So that while the film might be disturbing to some. It never quite reaches the heights of disgust, but as with most David Cronenberg films, there is a sensational aspect that tries ti be subtle. That for some might be lightly provocative  but feels more there ti be provocative but that factor is more the director every day and for his audience, it might actually feel aggressive 

It tries to go to some extremes and while it might shock some audience members for Cronenberg’s fans or those used to his movies. It comes with the territory. If not expected when it comes to his films. If anything it is more shocking when his films are lighter or shows restraint. This isn’t a man you expect to take the road or provide any out-and-out comedy from.

The film for all of its raciness still strangely feels a bit tame, Never as exciting as it lets on or seems to be headed. Even one of the biggest stars in the movie comes off as more goofy than credible or irritating. 

Lea Seydoux is committed to her role and truly gives her all. One of her most expressive English language roles. She also adds a kind of European oddity to this artistic expenditure. She also adds a memorable nude scene. 

Cronenberg’s expression of ideas and imagination always seems to provoke. Who might believe he is out to shock though here it seems done to build a world.

One can’t say that they understood everything. Though you go with it as it keeps you invested, especially visually. As the effects are simple yet effective. It could be his presence his story and the effects matter of fact or rather than aiming to disgust 

The film does succeed in building a world where all of this is a result of one another.

The film feels experimental in lotus ten Stewart’s performance. As the rest of the film feels assured.

Not as shocking, not sure if that is due to what he has done before and we are used to it, or in this climate, it’s more here to shock us or move us. 

As this film feels more like a presentation than anything else. The film never quite feels full or it feels like a beginning to something but not a thorough ending. 

Grade: B-