Jenna Ortega – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Diego Hallivis

Written By: Diego Hallivis And Julio Hallivis

Cinematography: Unax Mendia

Editor: Alex Marquez

Cast: Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Jenna Ortega, Allen Moldonado, Eric Dane, Brett Cullen, Yumarie Morales, Jorge Diaz, Bella Ortiz, Catherine McCafferty

After a governor issues an executive order to arrest the children of undocumented immigrants, the newly detained youth are offered an opportunity to have their charges dropped by volunteering to provide care to the elderly. Once inside the eldercare facility, the volunteers discover the governor and the facility’s supervisor have cooked up a horrifyingly depraved conspiracy that endangers the young and the old in this twisted thriller-comedy.

Well this film certainly is never truly surprising as it seems to play by all the cliché rules that one is used to.

There are a few qualities that I can give the film. The young cast is likable particularly the three leads played by Jenna Ortega (One wishes she had more to do with her role) Jorge Lendeborg Jr (who is always cast in these kinds of lower budget straight to streaming kind of films of this type but never quite gets the starring roles he deserves in bigger projects) and Allen Moldonado here as the wise guy comedic role that he has been playing on so many television shows, So far it is his expertise.

Also, the film at least is trying to say something being subversive with its political message and allegory that fits into not only the politics of the time, but unfortunately even current politics. Just putting it under a teen horror window.

The film is entertaining enough as you watch it, but it’s instantly unforgettable after you watch it. It’s a popcorn movie with a message even as it tries to be something bigger and better.

It’s a film that just constantly feels like it falls too short in many categories in violence, Exploitation characters, scares.

It seems better suited for an introduction into horror movie with a bit of satire as it seems to play more for a teen audience, but it’s rating and some material might keep it out of their grasp. Even as it seems perfectly to fit with that audience.

It’s not terrible. It’s just basic that could be a lot tighter and faster but at least it seems to try.

As the film plays like a Hispanic exploitation film. Where all the bad guys are caucasian. I have no problem personally with that as would like to see more films like this. Though one wonders why thebdsrkest skinned character. Who is black and Spanish mixed is the only one of the heroes to murder someone on screen. Even though heroically.

Most likely the audience will come here for Jenna Ortega even as she plays one of the smaller leading roles there’s nothing here that might indicate her future superstar status, but she does. What is required of the role perfect as a follow-up to her Disney show STUCK IN THE MIDDLE and the film THE BABYSITTER 2: KILLER QUEEN

Put out by Blumhouse Productions. This might have worked better as an episode of their horror anthology series INTO THE DARK. In which episodes go from 60 minutes into feature film length.

Grade: C

Directed By: McG
Written by: Dan Laguna, McG, Brad Morris & Jimmy Warden
Based on characters created by: Brian Duffield
Cinematography: Scott Henriksen
Editor: Martin Bernfield

Cast: Judah Lewis, Jenna Ortega, Emily Alyn Lind, Bella Thorne, Andrew Bachelor, Robbie Amell, Hana Mae Lee, Ken Marino, Chris Wylde, Leslie Bibb, Samara Weaving,

Two years after Cole survived a satanic blood cult, he’s living another nightmare: high school. And the demons from his past? Still making his life hell.

I was wasn’t expecting this but there was a part of me that was expecting this movie. Now while I enjoyed the first film in this franchise a lot more than expected. I didn’t know if it really had legs for more sequels.

This film is just as fun as the first film but a lot dumber than the first film. This film seems to know what type of film it is and goes full tilt with its own distractions and humor. No matter how stupid or illogical it could be.

If you are a fan of these types of films and want to have a good time and be entertained then this film is for you. As it seems to continue In Director McG’s wheelhouse of horror and sci-fi films for Netflix that have teenagers or preteens at the center of everything. Though this film and the first babysitter film feel more money he works or inspired by director Joseph Kahn(DETENTION)(BODIED) who has more of visual flair and quicker cuts when it comes to editing.

As this film seems to be missing a certain element. Maybe the dynamic of having Samara weaving on screen more made the film a little more believable and watchable if even just for her charisma in the role.

Here it is almost a repeat of the first film only at a different and bigger location and a twist in the story that seems there to make room for a new character and leading lady for the main character. Though we have the same characters returning from the dead to try to sacrifice the main character for a blood ritual that will make them Immortal.

This is an interesting premise, but as they return they are just as easy to kill as in the first film. So again they are dispatched in a similar manner only here more gruesome and grotesque.

The new main villain is just as close as the babysitter was int he first film and the film tries to also sex her up more in tight and revealing clothes which is the first amongst other clues in the film before the big reveal that they have become evil. What is interesting is that at least they kept the new leading lady Jenna Ortega cute but dressed normally and sarcastic but a hard ass. So she is the opposite of the villain though has the dirtier look.

We see How the original crew was recruited which offers a distraction. Visually but seems like they were recruited in the 1980s more even as the film and the last one was more modern. This just seems out there as a stylistic choice but then also disrupts the continuity of what we know from the original film, but then again this isn’t the type of film to take seriously.

Though most of the cast from the original returns. It is actually nice to see them and their characters. As they remain hilarious and it is nice to catch up with them and learn a little more about them and their pasts.

The film never takes itself seriously and doesn’t expect the audience to either. As the film constantly shows or uses inspiration from the past or other movies to power scenes and the soundtrack.

This movie feels lien CRANK 2 where it takes all that was from the first film And cranks it up as more for a spectacle that while not going to make any cinematic elitist lists is a fun time and a proper guilty pleasure. That you wish was just a bit better though that might take away the charm.

The film tries but doesn’t come close because it seems to kind of pander to what it believes the audience wants more of rather than have more of a clear plan and structure.

So it becomes kind of what it is parodying. Where you can tell when someone is trying to be something or someone that they aren’t to try and impress and while it’s entertaining at first it becomes sad and obvious quickly. Whereas if maybe it was itself from the get-go the audience would come and get to k ow it and appreciate it for it’s sincerity and truths. Though if you are a fan of splatter and gore in your horror. You have come to the right place.

Samara weaving does return for this film in more of an extended cameo. The film needed more of her. As whenever she comes on screen she seems so smooth and takes over her scenes. That when she is gone it only exposes how hard others are trying to just be as good and memorable.

It seems like in most teen horror films I see Bella Thorne always has a death scene. It would be nice to see her survive in a horror film. As here yet again she seems typecast.

The title seems to imply there is a queen when in fact it just seems to have that title as either claiming Samara Weaving’s character is a queen of the kill or tied into the and Queen’s recent popularity or trying to imply that this film is full of campiness. While the film is full of humor, sarcasm, and cynicism. Nothing is truly campy in this film

Grade: C

Tag: Jenna Ortega

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