Focus on Film & Television Reviews and writings about these subjects. As well as Pop Culture at times. With a bit of an edge and some color
Directed By: Breck Eisner
Written By: Scott Kosar & Ray Wright
Based on the original Screenplay by: George Romero
Cinematography By: Maxime Alexandre
Editor: Billy Fox
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Danielle Panabaker, Joe Anderson
As a toxin begins to turn the residents of Ogden Marsh, Iowa into violent psychopaths, sheriff David Dutton tries to make sense of the situation while he, his wife, and two other unaffected townspeople band together in a fight for survival.
Directed By: Rob Savage
Written By: Rob Savage, Gemma Hurley & Jed Shepherd
Editor: Brenna Rangott
Cast: Haley Bishop, Jemma Moore, Emma Louise Webb, Radina Drandova, Caroline Ward, Alan Emrys
Six friends hire a medium to hold a seance via Zoom during the lockdown, but they get far more than they bargained for as things quickly go wrong. When an evil spirit starts invading their homes, they begin to realize they might not survive the night. What it might lack In originality it makes up for In Inventiveness and chills.
It catches you by surprise as you didn’t expect much and the movie knows that takes it and runs with it and Impresses the audience without making it loom like it is barely making a sweat.
This is what filmmaking is supposed to be about a general sense of wonder and fun as well as discipline and being. At least the strings and work put into.
What is interesting is that the making of is just as Exciting as what is happening on the screen, Like an amusement park ride, you are ready for certain. Actions and can’t wait while you see the setup but then As it goes along it actually angers to affect you even though you believe you know what is going to happen and by the end you are fearful yet it feels like fun.
This film actually manages to scare you and not through cheap theatrics ok, Maybe a little bit also through General mood and atmosphere. This is definitely not a film to watch alone in the dark and especially not to watch it on a computer or smartphone.
The film was filmed in quarantine which it references and makes the whole experience much more impressive. As it leaves you just as interested in how it was made As what you are seeing.
As not only do you have to film the movie but have to have to Direct the cast remotely and have them do some of the effects themselves and instruct them on that. Which gives the film a kind of BLAIR WITCH PROJECT vibe. Only this might be preferred as it doesn’t wear out it’s Welcome as fast. This film is just under an hour long.
It might also remind some audience members of the UNFRIENDED films. Only this doesn’t come off as glossy or seem as dependent on technology and the fact it’s being filmed mostly on home computers. As this seems more a result of conditions rather than the original premise. It just happens to work in the film’s favor.
As always the film leaves us with the message to never mess around with spirits and it’s a premise where the character knows better but having just one mistake leads to the downfall of everyone. Out of disrespect really.
The films goes so far In close claustrophobic settings and still manages to feel bigger then it is and a bit glossy. Managing to do a lot with what looks like so little.
That the film comes off a bit like JAWS where some of the best creativity can sometimes come under limited resources. The characters come off as goofy and believable lie real friends rather than just types. We get to know a bit about them And their personalities. –The film definitely makes it’s presence felt.
Grade: B+
Directed By: Matt Bettinello-Olpim & Tyler Gillett
Written By: Guy Busick & R. Christopher Murphy
Cinematography: Brett Juktkiewicz
Editor: Terel Gibson
Cast: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Andie Macdowell, Mark O’Brien, Henry Czerny, Melanie Scrofano, Kristian Brunn, Elyse Levesque
Grace couldn’t be happier after she marries the man of her dreams at his family’s luxurious estate. There’s just one catch-she must now hide from midnight until dawn while her new in-laws hunt her down with guns, crossbows and other weapons. As Grace desperately tries to survive the night, she soon finds a way to turn the tables on her not-so-lovable relatives.
There are just some films you don’t have to worry about. As they end up being exactly what you were expecting in a good way of not exactly In The same rhythm or moods that you were hoping for, for me this was one of those films.
The film is technically a horror thriller but at heart, it is more of a dark comedy with plenty of violence. Though throughout it is played as mostly a game. That has a dark edge yet feels like the movie CLUE without the grand histrionics.
This is more a dark comedy dressed up as a horror film. Had this film been made in the 1970’s it probably would have been much darker. Though as it stands it is a rather fun movie that feels more like a survival adventure.
The film is predictable somewhat but you go along for the ride. While it throws twists and turns yet stays inventive. That is as playful and dangerous as the game it shows.
The film already makes lead actress Samara Weaving standout as she is dressed all In White in her wedding dress with bright blonde hair being hunted by her in-laws all In Dark colors and all brunette except for a white-haired aunt.
The film feeds into the new conspiracies and theories of the rich being Satanists and through a deal with the devil to be rich and successful and most remember what they owe by making sacrifices every once in a while.
The film feels familiar a bit as it has Samara weaving playing a lead in a film that is based around a game inside that sadistic and leads to chaos just as the films she has been in previously MAYHEM and GUNS AKIMBO only here she is more the innocent victim. Though this is as pulse-pounding and intense as those previous films.
Though the film is smaller scaled it might remind you of survival fo the fittest movies such as SURVIVING THE GAME, THE HUNT, THE RUNNING MAN, and HARD TARGET the same Cynical stance with humor only without the action movie edge.
She is beginning to become somewhat of a scream queen. It’s a showcase to her talents that even in similar films. She is always different never repeating herself though the films all endorse the theme of the haves versus the have nots.
The shocks in the movie are heavy but usually meant to be humorous and while most of the cast are more types you kind of wonder what their stories are or how they got involved In the family in the first place. Not to mention what games did they need to play to join the family.
The film So directed by the team of Matt Bettinello-Olpim & Tyler Gillett who are noteworthy short filmmakers and made the extraordinary short in the VHS anthology that really stood out in that movie. Here the film has its style of humor, but not as many stylish tricks though it does have plenty of styles.
It’s hard to take much seriously in this film But you aren’t me at to except for the thrills. This is a film to more experience than anything else
Grade: B
Directed By: Ruben Fleischer
Written By: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick & Dave Callahan
Cinematography: Chung-Hoon Chung Editor: Chris Patterson & Dirk Westervelt
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Rosario Dawson, Luke Wilson, Thomas Middleditch, Zoey Deutch, Avan Jogia, Victoria Hall, Victor Rivera
A decade after their first adventure, the zombie-bashing team of Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland. Here, they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of their own makeshift family.
Just like the first film, this isn’t really a horror film more like an action-comedy that has horrific elements or a more horror background.
This sequel definitely feels less than inspired as the main cast does come back for the sequel but throughout they all look disgruntled or miserable to be here. Even though one would like to think at least they would be back to enjoy each other’s company, but it seems like everyone is more here for only here for a bigger paycheck.
The only time they seem genuinely like they like each other is in a moment towards the end when coming together in what looks like certain doom
Though this film Came about after a failed pilot for a Zombieland television series with a different cast. Which is where Even the parody or actors Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch playing bizarro
Versions of Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg’s character come off as cheap weak humor. Though seem like they would be the replacements of the actors either choose not to come back or the straight to streaming sequel or if they couldn’t have gotten the actors for the first film.
Woody Harrelson seems to be the only one here who seems to give a damn or bother showing any excitement. Maybe as he finally gets a love interest and not as lovey Dovey as Jesse Eisenberg’s romance from the first film.
Even though Abigail Breslin character goes on her own throughout the film And the characters are trying to find her. The film still gives her the least amount of screen time and attention as her character just seems to be going through a teenage rebellion.
The film pretty much continues the adventures of the characters and adds very little so that it would seem more of the same. Except at least in the first film the story seemed at least creative. Here it feels like the movie and script are running on fumes.
Zoey Deutch is a newcomer to the film franchise and provides the only distraction and is the only truly funny thing about the movie. As she brightens up her scenes as a dumb blonde stereotype. As she reminds me of Valeria Andrews character in the Ashton Kutcher movie JUST MARRIED where she was one of the truly bright spots of that movie and she only really had a few scenes.
Zoey Deutch does a lot of heavy lifting on her scenes and makes the film almost entertaining. Even though she supposed fate is telegraphed and predictable. When she is absent it Feels like they are struggling to come up with material as it goes along. Maybe an excuse to expose more of Eisenberg’s Character’s rules and theories. As well as expand them
The ending is pretty fun could have used that ingenuity earlier especially the credits sequence.
While watching this film I kept having thoughts just as I had when watching THE WALKING DEAD. How do they have power? Fireworks attract zombies but not lights? No defense against zombies except gates in this so-called Babylon. There is always a suspension of disbelief but one Shouldn’t be wondering these things as you are watching it, though the film does have it’s moments. Which are mostly stylistic. This seems to be one of the only ways the director seems to want to enliven the sequel and set it apart. As with each new film he makes even outside of the franchise usually has a few visually striking scenes where you can admit you have never seen that before.
Such as the fight within the Elvis HEARTBREAK HOTEL. Which is an action sequence that manages to feel epic in such a small amount fo space that seems to depend on excellent choreography. The other sequence is the ending when forced to fight an overabundance of zombies with no guns.
In the end, the sequel is a majorly disappointing feeling like it was made only because of demand not necessarily well thought out or organic.
Grade: D+
Written, Edited & Directed By: Chris Kentis
Cinematography By: Chris Kentis & Laura Lau
Cast: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein
A couple on a holiday in the Caribbean decide to spend the day on a scuba diving trip. But was it the wrong decision? When a mis-count happens on the boat, Susan and Daniel are left behind in the middle of the ocean, the boat long gone. With all their hopes set on the boat coming back to rescue them, they try to keep themselves safe, especially when sharks start to appear.
This film is a living nightmare that comes to life. It relies more on your imagination for scares but at least gives you hints to help when you should be scared. Then what is happening on the screen whereas on screen? You see and feel the panic of the characters and a glimpse of the terror of the Actual sharks. What they might be doing. It is a film based purely on tension. As you watch you are imagining much worse then what is actually happening. Just like the original TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE though a bit more subtle than that film. It’s also not as gory as you may remember or think it was. The scariest part is that this film feels like a more realistic scenario that could actually happen.
This is a film that is more interesting in theory ad hearing about the making of then it is to watch and in execution. It is suspenseful and smart at least before the horror happens we get to meet and know the characters so we feel something a little more when they are stranded. We even get to see the mistake that leaves then stuck and forgotten. So it covers there bases there.
The film wisely in the opening minutes lets us get to know the characters, not completely but enough to get a general sense of who they are. the problem is that if you re interested in this film you know what they are going to go through. So you may have already made up your mind not to be manipulated and wait for the dilemma to happen to see how the characters deal with it.
It is a short film that has a twenty-minute build up until the horror then barely lets up from there. it’s good it is so short because if it had been longer it would have either had to had gotten more and more tedious or amp up the action and story like maybe the authorities realizing the mistake and coming to try and rescue them and will they get there on time or a cover-up ensue once the workers realize the mistake. or it would have just annoyed the audience had it been longer with its repetitiveness.
Part of the fascination of the film is it’s filming as it uses a handheld camera. Giving you the feeling that you are there, but also the fact that the actors are swimming with actual sharks around them. The filmmakers definitely have a good eye and i can’t wait to see there next feature.
GRADE: B
Cast: Crystal Bernard, Jennifer Rhodes, Atanas Ilitch, Kimberly McArthur, Patrick Lowe, Heidi Kozak, Juliette Cummins
Courtney Bates, the younger sister of Valerie, and her friends go to their condo for a weekend getaway, but Courtney can’t get rid of the haunting feeling that a supernatural rockabilly driller killer is coming to murder them all.
This is a film I definitely have mixed feelings about. As this is obviously a film that isn’t meant to be taken seriously at all. As most from the title, it reeks of exploitation.
Now while one can see what they are going for and should be a fun ridiculous frolic. It just doesn’t do it for me as it is never strong enough in either of the directions it wants to go to. The one thing it has going for it is that it is unpredictable to a degree.
This movie is crazy and all over the place but it fits into it’s Time period of the 1980s. The filM Plays like a teen romp for most of the time. Except for its random violent scenes that come Across as dreams or daydreams. Then once it gets to the third act it starts with the Actual violence and killings.
The film is a low budget this is a movie that is more fun. As long as you don’t think about it. I fact the more impaired you are or the more people you have around watched it. The more you enjoy it, for its ridiculous nature. A b-movie that desires it’s own cult audience. Sort of like the movie THE ROOM. As this is a film that is best to know what you are getting into before watching.
Though if looking for a harder-edged comedy this is not it. As this almost plays like a spoof or parody of the genre, emphasizing it’s
More ridiculous elements. As it might remind one of a TROMA studios film only with better production values.
The movie seems like an intentional comedy in the horror genre though still tries to be a creditable horror film. As each aspect of the movie seems to explore the theme of being afraid of intimacy, Losing one’s Virginity and sex In General. As most of the film doesn’t have the character to be sexual even as every other character does or talks about it.
The film more forces the point as every time she comes close to being intimate even in dreams they result in death. Finally, when in life she does seem ready for sex it’s Like she wills the Killer inadvertently out of her dreams and into physical form. A rock n roll singer With a guitar that has a huge drill at the end (which he uses to penetrate his victims both female and male) and the killer who looks like a younger rockabilly character with a resemblance to Andrew Dice Clay. Who also performs a song during the film.
Though he is in second place as the girls have a rock group themselves and perform two songs. (These music montages help kill the running time) Which only makes more of a case that the killer might be a second personality or a manifestation of her fear and defense against sex. Or did she will him into being. As the final girl might not only be the reason but inadvertent killer herself.
Her violent fantasies help the film have a horror or at least violence to keep the audience interested and hyped in the first two acts.
The film talks about sex and shows some Scenes of nudity and we hear sex but never see it. That is about how far it goes into exploitation other than the over the top fantasies and behavior the violence is more gratuitous.
Each member of the all-girl band has a personality type, but they feel interchangeable. Though the film has a strong female perspective as the leads and most of the characters throughout.
The film seems to combine a bunch of popular horror cliches of the time. The dreams with a Killer element is from A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. The killer’s art in the third act from many a slasher film.
nothing is ever really explained even the ending is never quite clear as to what is actually real and happening. For instance, we are told she is the little sister of the survivor of the first film. How come no one acknowledges her survival from the first film. No one thinks that maybe her little sister is traumatized after his sister survived such a huge tragedy. Did her sister really die as she seems to do In her daydreams, but by the killer? Is her willing of the killer really her in a different personality and showing that mental illness runs in the family? What was with that melted face with a huge zig that explodes. As that has nothing to do with the killer. That seemed more a lost scene from SOCIETY. What does the ending mean which is the true ending? Does he exist? Is this a manifestation. The film doesn’t want to answer that question leaving room for sequels. Though also uses cinematic dream logic for a film whose audience doesn’t seem to want that. Though which only makes the film more of a cult oddity.
Grade: C-
Directed By: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Written By: Roberto Agguire-Sacasa
Based On the Screenplay of the 1976 film Written By: Earl E. Smith
Cinematography By: Michael Goi
Editor: Joe Leonard
Cast: Anthony Anderson, Addison Timlin, Veronica Cartwright, Travis Tope, Ed Lauter, Gary Cole, Joshua Leonard, Edward Herrman, Arabella Field, Spencer Treat Clark, Denis O’Hare
65 years after a masked serial killer terrorized the small town of Texarkana, the so-called ‘moonlight murders’ begin again. Is it a copycat or something even more sinister? A lonely high school girl, with dark secrets of her own, may be the key to catching him. This is a loose remake of the 1976 film by the same name based on “The Moonlight Murders” incident in Texarkana
Continue reading “THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN (REMAKE) (2014)”
Written & Directed By: Rusty Cundief & Darin Scott
Cinematography: Keith L. Smith
Editor: Miriam L. Preissel & John Quinn
Cast: Keith David, Bryan Batt, Lou Beatty Jr, Alexandra Deberry, Kendrick Cross, Bill Martin Williams, Andy Cohen
Horror is back in the hood! The sequel to the ground-breaking original film Tales From the Hood reunites Executive Producer Spike Lee and Writers/Directors/Producers Rusty Cundieff and Darin Scott for an all-new gripping, horrifying and oftentimes devilishly comical anthology. Keith David stars as a contemporary Mr. Simms to tell bloodcurdling stories about lust, greed, pride and politics through tales with demonic dolls, possessed psychics, vengeful vixens and historical ghosts. Mr. Simms’s haunting stories will make you laugh…while you scream.
Written & Directed: Jorge Michel Grau
Cinematography By: Santiago Sanchez
Editor: Rodrigo Rios
Cast: Adrian Aguirre, Carmen Becto, Francisco Barreiro, Miriam Balderas
When the patriarch of the family passes away, the teenage children must take responsibility for the family chores: the preparation of the rituals, the hunting and putting the all-important meat on the table. These newfound responsibilities are even more daunting, however, when you live in the city and happen to be a family of cannibals.
Directed By: Richard Stanley
Written By: Richard Stanley & Scarlett Amaris
Based on the Story By: H.P. lovecraft
Cinematography: Steve Annis
Editor: Brett W. Bachman
Original Score: Colin Stetson
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeline Arthur, Elliot Knight, Tommy Chong, Branden Mayer, Julian Hilliard, Q’Orianka Kilcher
A secluded farm is struck by a strange meteorite which has apocalyptic consequences for the family living there and possibly the world.
Cut To The Chase 