Jon Watts – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein

Written By: Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor

Story By: Jon Watts, Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor

Cinematography: Christian Sebeldt

Editor: Sabrina Pitre

Cast: Brec Bassinger, Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Ryan Kihlstedt, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Anna Lore, Alex Zahara, April Amber Jack, Teo Briones, Tony Todd

Plagued by a recurring violent nightmare, a college student returns home to find the one person who can break the cycle and save her family from the horrific fate that inevitably awaits them.

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This film franchise makes a welcome return in a rebooted film that tries to add to the lore, as well as give fans what they have come to expect an unexpected gory death

As this film, obviously knows it’s audience and was made by people who grew up, loving the films, and you can tell and how much energy, passion and power they put into the film that while following the basic necessities of the franchise manages to stand out and feels a little bit, not only better made but also The quality comes across as better

One of the problems some might have with these films is that their generally made for audiences to cheer for the death, which feels kind of a, but the films usually try to keep the audience on their toes by not always going with the most obvious way of death, but try to spring either a surprise or try to make it a little bit comedic and bad taste by having us focus one way when really the violence is coming from another place, we weren’t even looking

Another reason this film is more memorable is that it is the last role in appearance for the late Tony Todd, who has always in someway been a part of this franchise as well as being an all-around character actor with over 100 credits. This is his final appearance and you can tell Watching this film by the looks of him that he was definitely sick when making this film and the film is dedicated to and it is a good role to go out on even despite the material.

The film gives the audience what it wants, and while doing that, it tries to fit in an original story, whereas instead of a randomly seeming to kill off survivors of a big accident, this film has death going after the bloodlines of characters who avoided death, even though we still get to see the goriness of what was originally supposed to happen or the massacre is more The word definition

Throughout this film, we see the decimation of one particular family, even as they try to escape death as luckily one member of the family gets the premonitions or visions of death or clues to a death before they happen. So that the film is still staying true to the rules of the earlier canon final destination movies, but allowing itself a little originality and a side step from them.

This film is more for the fans of the series, though it’s not a bad place to start if you haven’t seen any of the previous films, but will warn you. It’s more for the go fanatics who are looking for inventive death scenes, and a lot of jump scares. Which seems to be this film is Brad and butter.

Although the film makers also manage to create a lot of tension even when you know what is going to happen so that you anticipated and you want the characters to survive as they are likable, but you know that’s not possible but you want it also at times to get it over with as it’s just growing and growing But the other half of you is kind of hoping that they survive either way you just want that tension to be released and when it finally is, they managed to make it in the most splatter way that shocks but then also can’t amaze at times.

Sure, one could easily get into the characters and story more of this film, but let’s face it. That’s not why most people are going to watch this film as truly the film could offer anything. People are here more for what they know about the film. as we are barely introduced to the characters before they start to perish. Sonthat we only know little details about them to really define their character or at least their traits.

The only disappointing aspect of this franchise is that knowing that all of the characters are doomed, and there’s a somewhat cynical air that floats above the film that will ultimately always end in tragedy. Though once you get past that. Especially as this film is on its sixth film. You just get used to the pattern if you’re going to continue to watch these films.

it offers more than the usual though it has fun playing with the confines of itself

Grade: B –

SPIDER-MAN: ™ FAR FROM HOME

Directed By: Jon Watts
Written By: Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers
Based On Characters Created By: Stan Lee & Steve Ditko
Cinematography: Matthew J. Lloyd
Editor: Leigh Folsom Boyd & Dan Lebental

Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gylenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson, Jon Favreau, Cobie Smulders, Marisa Tomei, Jacob Batalan, Tony Revolori, Martin Starr, J.B. Smoove, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Peter Billingsly, Angourie Rice

Our friendly neighborhood Super Hero decides to join his best friends Ned, MJ, and the rest of the gang on a European vacation. However, Peter’s plan to leave super heroics behind for a few weeks are quickly scrapped when he begrudgingly agrees to help Nick Fury uncover the mystery of several elemental creature attacks, creating havoc across the continent.

This is a review of the first version not the extended cut.

This is immensely better than the previous spider-man movies. As far as the THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN movies go. As these feel less interferes with. Yet manage to stay just as marketable and enjoyable. They also stay true to the character origins.

The film works as as a teen comedy on its own and packs an emotional sincerity about loss. It fits in with the franchise as well as you don’t have to see the previous films but helps. And is also generally funny.

Here the film also becomes more about the romance especially with being overseas in Europe in these classic cities where love is happening all around them. So much so that while trying to be a superhero and defeat villains. He also has to go against a romantic rival. So here he has to face more parallel responsibilities.

This feels more like a film. Not so much a calculated product or stepping stone in a franchise that leads to an even bigger piece of an overall universe necessarily.

What I enjoy about these series of films is that with each series of films in this franchise not only has a different vision that is allowed as far as the directors go. Which also reminds me of the comic book series where you had The comic book series THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN and actually SPIDER-MAN. Which is almost the same of these franchises having all these continuing adventures and different universes.

As also each spider-man series of films has allowed the director’s vision to be complete with the character. They shaped those universes as no one replaced them And had to renew or copy the previous directors. It also gives every generation their own set of spider-man movies.

This feels like the most fun as it gives the fans more of what they want and can still appeal to teenagers and also offering minor or overlooked villains giving them More their due and giving them A rich back story and motivation.

They also have great action sequences that do have you on the edge of your seat.

Here what could easily have been a by the numbers superhero film offers quite a few twists and from what could have been a weak villain though one of my favorites from the comic book. Not the strongest of origins but allowable in this universe that it could be easily believable for the characters to believe the multiple universe theory especially with the spider verse movie coming out last year And even with that films excellent quality this is still a good runner up.

What we have here is a longer cinematic version of peter dealing with the death of a mentor. Usually we see this side with the death of uncle Ben. Here we are dealing with the aftermath of the death of Tony Stark.

Wondering if this life is worth it when it might be easier to take less responsibility and pass the work onto someone else. So that he can leave and enjoy his own life. Only here he learns his merit and worth more. A kind of rebirth of confidence. Where as soon as he becomes comfortable his works is rocked yet again.

Tom Holland is charming with a certain innocence and physicality making him a constantly entertaining lead and presence. As his character is so strong yet fragile emotionally and still shy when it comes to his feelings.

Zendaya is a star and here she is so good. As the sarcastic love interest who shows some vulnerability this time. As well as similar romantic feelings.

Have to give credit to director Jon Watts who has really helped to resurrect the franchise by design and content and so far has not made a bad movie on his resume.

This film even let’s the minor and supporting characters have their moments. Which only adds to the fun of the movie.

This film actually supplies a shocking ending. Which might make up for the obvious twist the film offers in the middle of the film that anyone who follows or has read in the comic saw coming ever since the preview for this film.

Grade: A-

Tag: Jon Watts

FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES (2025)

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME (2019)