Tag: Horror

THE INVITATION (2022)

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Directed By: Jessica M. Thompson 
Written By: Blair Butler 
Cinematography: Autumn Eakin 
Editor: Tom Elkins 

Cast: Nathalie Emmanuel, Thomas Doherty, Sean Pertwee, Hugh Skinner, Carol Ann Crawford, Alana Boden, Stephanie Corneliussen, Courtney Taylor 

After the death of her mother and having no other known relatives, Evie takes a DNA test…and discovers a long-lost cousin she never knew she had. Invited by her newfound family to a lavish wedding in the English countryside, she’s at first seduced by the sexy aristocrat host but is soon thrust into a nightmare of survival as she uncovers twisted secrets in her family’s history and the unsettling intentions behind their sinful generosity.

This film was spoiled a bit by its own studio with a trailer that pretty much told you all you needed to know. A lot of the major story points. 

This film is giving an early 2000’s vibe. Especially the soundtrack. It is essentially a popcorn film and never truly tries to sell it as anything more.

The only reason I had any major interest in the film is its star Nathalie Emmanuel and this film is one of the first and only times I have seen her playing a lead role.

She looks great in every scene. Even if the film leaves her with not too much to work with, that could be seen as challenging. 

As the film tries to have some meaning and ends up having no depth or reason. As it seems to know its place and is nothing more or less.

You know it will be playing on cable, television, and streaming repeatedly as filler.

The film looks good, Shining, polished, and expensive. As it feels at times almost like a harlequin English romance. Like the epitome of class even if simple and stereotypical. As it tries to be about race but seems to be more about class 

Though loved the character of her best friend played by Courtney Taylor, needed more of her. Luckily the filmmakers knew that and rightfully brought her back.

The film offers African Americans in major roles in a horror film and offers a person of color in the lead.

Watching this movie it’s obviously made for younger audiences. Like it works It’s way around more mature subject matter for teens. As we never quite see too much, only the aftermath and hints or glimpses. Even if as a PG-13 movie there is only one use of the F-Word. At least it goes with a good line. 

The action could be a bit more exciting. Though it tries to stay as a thriller more.

The film is fashionable but never quite stands out. As it tries to be modern Victorian at times. 

The film offers characters reading into other people, particularly beautiful ones. How you want or expect them to be. 

The film at times seems more race-based. As the film slightly treats her like she is a slave or an escaped one. Even with a lack of characters of color other than two actresses.

Though it does leave the audience to cheer more for her as a person of color. Many seeing representation on screen take it a little more personally.

Grade: C

MARGAUX (2022)

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Directed By: Steven C. Miller 
Written By: Chris Bayrooty, Chris Siverston and Nick Waters
Cinematography: Neil Cervin 
Editor: Greg MacLennan

Cast: Madison Pettis, Vanessa Morgan, Jedidiah Goodacre, Phoebe Miu, Jordan Buhat, Richard Harmon, Susan Bennett, Lochlyn Munro 

A group of college friends rents a smart house for a weekend of partying. Later, they start to realize that Margaux, the house’s super-advanced AI system, has sinister designs for them.

This feels like in the old days a horror film that almost feels like a quickie. It seems easily thrown together and then find photogenic good looking people that are usually teen stars or on a popular teen show at the time and cast them.

As here the cast is quite good looking and most of the female characters are never nude but half-dressed through the second half of the film in clothing that offers ample cleavage since it is mostly filmed in one location it comes across that most of the budget was spent on special effects.

It also feels like what I call a level one or introductory horror film for those scared or nervous when watching horror films. As it has a light touch there are only two truly gory scenes throughout that would disturb a younger audience. Though plenty of things that would keep this a little out of reach for a younger audience.

Though the ultimate plan seems to make no sense. 

The one character they build up to be the one you might really want to see perish. Try to make them likable so much so that she. She goes it is really out of nowhere and the easiest death, but knowing her character is a crowd pleaser they manage to bring her back for bigger and better.

The movie does offer a diverse cast and most Fit into a recognizable stereotype. While the film offers some Dark humor and hilarious one-liners. As actress Vanessa Morgan in her performance and character is by far the scene stealer. 

It does offer a heartbreaker of an ending 

Grade: D

DEADSTREAM (2022)

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Written, Directed & Edited By: Joseph Winter & Vanessa Winter 
Cinematography: Jared Cook

Cast: Joseph Winter, Melanie Stone, Jason K. Wixom, Pat Bennett, Marty Collins 

A disgraced internet personality attempts to win back his followers by live-streaming one night alone in a haunted house. But when he accidentally pisses off a vengeful spirit, his big comeback event becomes a real-time fight for his life.

This film was an unexpected joy. At first thought, it was going to be a straight-out horror film and it ended up being more of a horror-comedy. Though truthfully more of a comedy set in a horrific setting.

The film mixes media into the story well. Not really satirizing but putting an influencer into the typical haunted house-type film. Which allows for a P.O.V./Found footage. 

At first, the jump scares are set up by the influencer but as the film goes along the film provides its own.

The film shows the characters’ vapid true colors as the movie goes along. As he makes all the classic mistakes one shouldn’t in a horror film. Yet inevitably do. Here it is more explained to provoke the action. Hence content that is creepy mixed in with a sense of unnerving and gets freakier as it goes along. 

Being informed by his audience along the way for discoveries. So that it is not the one-man show that it seems like it will be at first. As the film at times, the film might remind the audience of EVIL DEAD 2. Only not as big or accomplished but a good try in their own right 

The film’s star is also the director who does a good job and is believable. Because of the design of the film, it allows him to direct and film while still being in the film and In control. 

The film is especially impressive for its low budget and what it does with it. As it stays inventive throughout. Keeps it interesting even when it seems like it is going to end at times earlier than it should. 

It offers laughs, scares, and at times general creepiness.

It follows a three-act structure that seems to be ALONE, COMPANY, and then ALONE again. 

A great come out of nowhere film that needs to find a bigger audience. 

Grade: B

SWEETIE, YOU WON’T BELIEVE IT (2020)

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Directed & Edited By: Yernar Nurgailyev
Written By: Yernar Nurgailyev, Zhandos Ai Bassov, Daniyar Sostanbayev, Il’Yas Toleu, Anuar Turizhigitov & Alosher Utev 
Cinematography: Azamat Dulatov 

Cast: Daniyar Alshinov, Abel Kalyeva, Azamat Makienov, Yerlan Primbetov, Dulyga Almolda, Ahmet Sakatov, Rustem Zahnyamanov

Dastan can no longer stand the constant nagging of his highly pregnant wife and decides to run away for at least one day with his friends. The men go fishing, which would have gone smoothly, if not for a series of unforeseen events.

Like the Russian film, WHY DON’T YOU JUST DIE this film is violent out of nowhere but also usually in the middle of a highly ridiculous comedic scene. This is definitely a fun film that will have you laughing or at least giggling throughout.

As both films just are so over the top and pack so much in such a little concept that they go miles with it and it never feels like it is getting stretched too far 

So that the film feels almost like a live-action cartoon only with real-life consequences. Though the film has so much zany energy and out-of-nowhere moments. That it is hard to dislike the film. It feeds off the fear of what’s the worst that could happen and what is out there in the unknown of nature.

As it never seems to let you rest. As soon as the road trip starts it gets worse and worse. As well as funnier and funnier. 

Some jokes come across as long or expected but there is plenty all through that is unexpected. Though as fast and furious as this film is, it allows the jokes to land and spread before moving on to another one. 

None of this is meant to be taken seriously and might remind the audience of the whatever can go wrong will go wrong movies of the 1980s only with a more well-known veteran comedic cast.

Here this is a foreign gun production that screams for an American remake. Which I doubt will do the justice that this film does. As part of the humor might be that it takes place on foreign soil which is foreign to the audience. Especially when it comes to actions and reactions.

Though the film is violent it’s not so much gratuitous to an unbearable degree, but one would categorize it as a splatter comedy. 

The film does live up to it’s title and serves as a final line and a summation of the film. 

Grade: B

FINAL DESTINATION 2 (2003)

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Directed By: David R. Ellis 
Written & Screen story By: J. Mackye Gruber & Eric Bress
Based On the Original Story & Characters Created by: Jeffrey Reddick
Cinematography: Gary Capo
Editor: Eric Sears

Cast: A.J. Cook, Ali Larter, Michael Landes, David Paetkau, James Kirk, Lynda Boyd, Keegan Connor Tracy, T.C. Carson, Justina Machado, Tony Todd, Sarah Carter, Jonathan Cherry, Shaun Sipos, Noel Fisher 

Kimberly has a premonition of an accident killing multiple people including her and her friends. She blocks the cars behind her on the ramp and as a police trooper arrives, the accident happens. Death is stalking this group of survivors.

This film is faster, but not necessarily better. This sequel is a bit more ridiculous with a bit more humor about itself. It also feels more expensive than the previous film. Losing that kind of intimacy of a lower budget and fewer characters.

As it follows the same formula as the first film but moves faster. Leaves more survivors/victims and feels more like a product off the assembly line than an individual film. It feels like an individual entry only because here it feels a little more experimental as the stud and filmmakers are trying to set the right tone and rules for the future of this franchise. 

The film has a real moment that gives the film some kind of heart. Then it quickly grows uncomfortable with that and goes back to being cynical.

Though it manages to be shockingly sad and dramatic in moments. As well as building up plenty of suspense.

Especially after an older female character loses her teenage son. Then has a cruel death afterward. While she is still emotionally raw and in mourning. It’s the film’s one strong dramatic moment. It Shows this film won’t play favorites and feels like it might be picking on her checker just a little more. 

The film brings back the one survivor of the original film to pass on the information and try to stop what is happening to them once and for all, but she is quickly dispatched. At least she lets us know what happened to the original protagonist who for all the inventive deaths the film has to offer seems rather simple and weak.

It feels more cynical as it stays within the formula but seems to know its audience as the kills here seem not only aggressive but more energetic and full Of adrenaline. Like an action sequence but more for the audience to cheer for. Though at least it plays with it more. Not always instant gratification, but making it more thrilling so we think we know when death will come but then escaping the last minute to end up dying in a way we never quite saw coming but was set up. 

Obviously was more driven by the shock deaths of the original. Though here it ends up being a bit more playful 

The highway scene is an amazing stunt extravaganza.

This is the film where you notice or the producers notice more the audience and come for the creativity of the kills. Not to mention the shock cuts they try to instill while giving you clues as to who’s next. 

The little push at the end then shows the film’s Sense Of cruel humor. As these films continuously want you to care and try to play up the sorrows of the characters. While wanting you To root for their deaths or root to see the way in which they will die. 

The film lacks a slasher so there is no face to the villain. It is more circumstance as we mostly see what they are cooking up to lead to the next death. Though at times try to pull a last-minute surprise on the audience.

So they feel engaged and like the film is actively playing with them.

The film does offer other brilliant scenes in which one of the survivors keeps trying to escape and survive an apartment fire that seems like a booby-trapped with each attempt. That humor comes with the over-the-top nature of ridiculous overkill attempts and ends.

Strangely for all the thrills this film gives off. The leads are some of the most forgettable parts of the movie. In fact, that has become the franchise’s major weakness. Even though the supporting characters are usually memorable. Maybe that is why they become the victims and the leads seem to make it to the end. The blander the safer, as they have a hero complex. 

Grade: B-

SLASH/BACK

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Directed by: Nyla Innuksuk
Written By: Nyla Innuksuk & Ryan Cavan 
Cinematography: Guy Godfree
Editor: Simone Smith 

Cast: Tasiana Shirley, Nalajoss Ellsworth, Chelsea Proske, Shaun Benson, Kristian Bruun, Alexis Wolfe, Rory Anawak, Frankie Vincent Wolfe, Jackie Maniapik 

When Maika and her ragtag friends discover an alien invasion in their tiny arctic hamlet, it’s up to them to save the day. Utilizing their makeshift weapons and horror movie knowledge, the aliens realize you don’t mess with girls from Pang.

This science fiction adventure film is more of a film for young teens. That has hints of horror yet never goes fully in that direction. It feels like the movie THE THING mixed with ATTACK THE BLOCK only nowhere near as violent or nihilistic as either. 

Other than some violence the film barely has too much that would be objectionable. As most of all, it offers younger girls of color representation on the big screen in positive and relatable ways. 

This is good for Its audience as adults will most likely find it cuter than anything. As there is nothing really revelatory or scary. It’s cuter throughout though at times a bit grizzly for young kids.

Though with the children being in constant peril. You do worry for their safety and dates a bunch of times and hope the film won’t go that far. 

You might feel like you are waiting for something bigger to Happen or more to the story, but it stays clean-cut. As there is peril though not too much violence or gore. It has good practical effects for the most part 

This film makes a good starting science fiction horror movie on certain terms. That it is engaging with its energy. Definitely, a fun movie that never overstays It’s Welcome. All of the horrors happen during the day which is rare in a horror film. 

It almost feels like a movie made by impressive teenagers for kids. 

Grade: C

COCAINE BEAR (2023()

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Directed by: Elizabeth Banks
Written By: Jimmy Warden
Cinematography: John Guleserian
Editor: Joel Negron 

Cast: Keri Russell, Margo Martindale, Ray Liotta, Alden Ehrenreich, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Isiah Whitlock Jr., Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ayoola Smart, Brooklynn Prince, Matthew Rhys 

An oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens converge on a Georgia forest where a huge black bear goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine.

This isn’t Another SNAKES ON A PLANE.  where the title not only says it all but is more built on hype than story. As this is partially based on a true story. What It revels in are shocks and more shocking humor.

A dark comedy that some might consider a bit macabre. 

As going along with the title the film seeks to have a need to push things as far as they can with characters who represent a different part of the audience. Though In the end a lot of them come across more as caricatures set up for impending doom.

The film is more built on sensationalism. As that is what you feel as you watch it as it is more, check your brain at the door. 

The bear is a beast that seems to be like jaws as it shows up from time to time with no rhyme or reason except the script needs it to on its hint for more drugs that seem to drive it to be more aggressive than in the final act throws a curveball as to why it should be spared 

More of an ensemble than expected. As we see the reasons why some of them are there to either survive. We root for or see their demise in inventive ways. Either way, before long l we get to know them To some capacity excellent and bad 

The film Calls itself a horror comedy and while it has violent gore and jump scares it comes across as a  Violent comedy with surprises and thrills. That is meant to be fun more than anything. 

It thoroughly Exploits its Set time period of the 1980s overly but overtly 

For what it does offer there always seems to be the feeling that something is missing. It should be a bigger film or story. Though that might be personal for this reviewer. As it certainly provides enough for a cinematic experience and audience expectations.

As it goes the places you expect, there seems to be so much more that could have been done but too grandiose as this works better as more of a contained story. 

While you are still on the edge of your seat you never truly consider most of this believable. Like Jurassic park, it’s an animal world of nature. They know it as they live it. The characters just inhabit it and struggle to survive. As they were the ones to disturb it and throw it off-center.

Its strength stays in the attack sequences that are more like set pieces. The ranger’s cabin, The Ambulance sequence, and The Tree Climb, they are both massacres but also memorable comedic sequences that go over the top.

Cocaine bear is an example of a movie that promises to go balls to the wall but only

Goes so far. It’s when a film tries too hard to be campy and misses what makes most films campy in the first place. Just believing it knows. It’s more mainstream reaching to be more out there but not knowing exactly how

Grade: C+

SISSY (2022)

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Written & Directed By: Hannah Barlow & Kane Senes
Cinematography: Steve Arnold
Editor: Margi Hoy

Cast: Aisha Dee, Hannah Barlow, Emily De Margheriti, Daniel Monks, Yerin Ha, Lucy Barrett

Teen best friends Cecilia and Emma, run into each other after a decade. Cecilia is invited to Emma’s bachelorette weekend where she gets stuck in a remote cabin with her high school bully and a taste for revenge.

The film reminds me a bit Of BODIES, BODIES, BODIES. Only that movie was more experimental and subversive. That had good ideas, but ultimately never quite came together.  This film tries that at first before becoming more what you might expect. Just  as it might remind some of a more  gruesome version of the recent comedy thriller MY FRIENDS HATE ME 

At first, it seems like a film that will be a battle of wills between two characters still vying for the same friend. 

The film Could have played that way of having the main character constantly being at odds with her nemesis throughout one against the other but along the way goes more for a witty throwback slasher film.

The character seems to take out revenge early on. So that was the first strike. All these years later, she got what she wanted and now feels threatened by her reappearance and just as when she got herself together and felt better about herself. She is dragged back in and hopes everyone will be civilized as adults. Her adversary playing the victim goes back to her old ways villanizing her to their new friends. When really she stays the bully only now through victimhood and microaggressions. That slowly triggers the protagonist into a mental breakdown.

The film shows how overly positive self-therapy can backfire if you never truly face the trauma of your past and still hold onto issues and anger. As it isn’t always proper care and if not fully healed old winds can fester and infect.

The film indulges in macabre humor. Where it seems to take particular glee in showcasing the more gruesome death scenes. Which have a nostalgic flavor like the main character by using practical special effects. 

A revenge tale. The film has the audience at times switch loyalties as we are usually with the main character and while might not condone her acts. We see what pushed her to it and at times feels like some characters get what is coming to them and others are collateral damage. 

As they can be cruel and treat her like crap. They do deserve a comeuppance but not necessarily death. Especially when they judge her and don’t reply know her. Though by making them more modern hipster types instead of characters. We do feel not too much sympathy except for the gruesome nature of their deaths and the more decent ones seem to get the cruelest death scenes. After a while, the film becomes more about that set-up 

Would say it seems cruel but goes with the attitude of the film. Pokes fun at influencer culture and social media to validate and can easily drive you crazy. After the first kill it pretty much feels like a comedy.

The film focuses a little too long on dead carcasses. Gore and violence though constantly provoking behind her back with group think. 

It’s obvious who the villain is from the beginning but seems to want to play with the audience’s emotions. Even as it seems each is the other’s trigger. So the writing was pretty much on the wall. So the setup is there 

Doesn’t use the opportunity to the best of its abilities. Don’t know why she would really invite her, especially knowing how her two friends feel about one another, and worst of all the bully is proven right. Even if she is mroe pushed into it and mentally broken. 

An explosive situation brings an unstable element. Is it predictable for a fan of the genre or at least a little spoof or poking humor at a horrific situation

The audience can predict the order of deaths at first. Especially if an aficionado of the genre. Kind of like the guest Star system of Star Trek.

The main character is overboard in her actions even from the beginning. As she is obsessive and finally pushed over the edge. As is her first kill. She and her bully are alike, her bully Might be evil but stops short of being a physical psychopath she is more mental. So the bully is more of a sociopath.

The film could have easily gone into a more racial direction but obviously not wanting to showcase or have much to say about it. While the main tormentors and central figure are caucasian. The other characters including the lead are made up of a diverse cast. In fact another African American character, a disabled character, and a character of Asian descent 

The ending is not quite predictable. There is a set-up for a sequel. 

In all, I would call this a film of a murderous mental breakdown 

Grade: B-

WENDELL & WILD (2022)

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Directed By: Henry Selick 
Written By: Henry Selick and Jordan Peele
Based on A Book By: Clay McLeod Chapman and Henry Selick 
Cinematography: Peter Sorg
Editor: Robert Anich, Jason Hopper, Mandy Hutchings and Sarah K. Reimas 

Featuring the voices of: Lyric Ross, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Angela Bassett, James Hong, Ving Rhames, Natalie Martinez, Sam Zelaya, Tamara Smart, Seema Virdi, Ramona Young 

Two scheming demon brothers, Wendell and Wild, enlist the aid of 13-year-old Kat Elliot to summon them to the Land of the Living.

Henry Selick is a master of his craft it is unfortunate that we rarely get to see or experience his projects, but when we do, you are certainly in for a good time. His projects should be looked forward to, as most audiences do for a new Pixar film. 

This film feels fresh and is full of diversity which Is rare in animation, especially in films of this kind. Where here the lead character is female and celebrated for her gumption and tenacity. 

The one weakness the film has overall is that while it seems deemed to be short and simple. It could have used more enrichment when it came to the characters’ stories. Especially for a film supposedly based on Selick’s unpublished children’s book.

Now of course some parents might not agree with the film being so dark and having a more supernatural and underworld motif. Though really it is advertised on the poster.

As a person with a weakness for song and dance, it might have been more full overall go there was a musical number or music somewhere. 

It also offers a reunion of Keegan Michael Key and his comedy partner Jordan Peele (who co-wrote and produced the film) in animated form and with the same Chemistry and hijinks. In Fact, the title is the character’s names 

The film has subtle satire about capitalism

And prison industrial complex. As well as a family message for those with and without. How you are not your parents and to be open to your children’s ideas. Especially if at heart they are trying to update something for you.

It makes sense why this came out around Halloween. As it makes a perfect film for the season and a good film to watch with the family. 

I was expecting a different marvel than this but also better than expected. 

Grade: B

RUN SWEETHEART RUN (2022)

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Directed By: Shana Feste
Written By: Shana Feste, Kellee Terrell and Keith Josef Adkins 
Cinematography: Bartosz Nalazeek
Editor: Dominic Laperriere 

Cast: Ella Balinska, Pilou Asbaek, Clark Gregg, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Dayo Okeniyi, Betsy Brandt, Amar Sotomayor, Amanda Jaros, Amy Doyle, Ava Grey 

After what seems to be an innocent date, Cherie now faces a night of terror when her date hunts her down and tries to kill her. She now must run for her life throughout the city and escape his grasp.

This is another blumhouse thriller production and like most production companies the film can go either way.

I really had some hopes for this film as it stars Ella Balinska who I remember from CHARLIES ANGELS and was impressed with her in that film. So I was looking forward to her playing the lead in this film.

Now coming from Blumhouse, I already expected a thriller or slasher or horror of some kind. This film went way over the top and instead of it being all the more impressive for it. It went the other direction and was more ridiculous.

It has a message and plenty of ideas and tries to show a woman overcoming oppression and the male gaze shown in examples but basically personified in one character. Who instead of being just one man who seems impossible to kill. Is not only the personification of misogyny but also supernatural. 

So In other words it’s impossible to kill no matter how hard she tries and he seems to be aided and abetted by various males around him. As he allows them to always stay ahead and keep their power over females. 

Though truthfully once she meets him And her being on her period she is dripping blood and he bends over to put his fingers in the drops on the floor. That should have been all she needed to know to avoid him.

The film is lower budgeted so there are some effects but a lot of telling and reacting but not exactly showing. Like when he takes on a gang of her friends we hear the fight but are only privy to the aftermath.

The film also has scenes where characters who would seem to be important to her and the story are killed pretty quickly and senselessly for shock value. Which seems to want to give the message that no one is sacred and that this film is willing to break rules and expectations. Unfortunately not in a good way.

The film overall just feels like a waste of time. A nice premise but definitely needed to be filled out a bit more or at least added some subtlety or even humor.

Grade: D