FEAR STREET: PROM QUEEN (2025)

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+

READY TO WEAR (PRET-A-PORTER) (1994)

Directed By: Robert Altman 
Written By: Robert Altman & Barbara Shulgasser
Cinematography: Jean Lepine & Pierre Mignot
Editor: Suzy Elmiger & Geraldine Peroni

Cast: Julia Roberts, Tim Robbins, Marcello Mastroianni, Sophia Loren, Lili Taylor, Forest Whitaker, Richard E. Grant, Rupert Everett, Kim Basinger, Sally Kellerman, Tracy Ullman, Lauren Bacall,  Linda Hunt, Stephen Rea, Ute Lemper, Lyle Lovett, Teri Garr, Danny Arielle, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Amouk Aimee, Chiara Mastroianni, Rossy De Palma, Michel Blanc, Jean Rochefort, Francois Cluzet, Sam Robarbs, Georgianna Robertson 

A fashion show in Paris draws the usual bunch of people; designers, reporters, models, magazine editors, photographers. Lots of unconnected stories which all revolve around this show, and an all-star cast.


This was my third official Robert Altman movie to see. Though unfortunately not in a row. I remember the film having a successful music video and soundtrack before it even came out. Unfortunately the movie didn’t match the soundtrack’s success. That included the hit single “HERE COMES THE HOT STEPPER” 

After the success of THE PLAYER it seemed like Robert Altman was having a comeback and he wanted to take on another world/culture. His last film was SHORT CUTS and that was more interlocking stories then taking a look into or try to dismantle another popular subculture from the inside. That was more foreign abs international but also glamorous.

Allowing him to use his dual methods of ensemble casts. Where even though the actors are playing characters here it feels more like an out and out comedy. So they are all over the top. Not as serious, nor are there any serious moments throughout. 

It might be understandable him taking on this movie after the more serious and sad SHORT CUTS, but while this is more lighthearted it also is a challenge. As this would be his most mainstream film in a while. As he was taking on a subject that was very popular and most audiences might not be used to his films and their outlook. 

This film is set in that world of fashion to tell ongoing stories and big inertia where the characters cross paths. All in all, it stays humorous with Kim Basinger playing an on air television reporter. Who comes in and out to explain certain relationships but is clueless about fashion. So that it feels like a replay of the reporter in the film NASHVILLE.

The film ultimately never encapsulates any meaning or why we are so enraptured by the glitz, glamour and celebrity of the fashion world. So that in the end it comes across as misguided and empty as the world he is capturing. As fashion constantly reinvents itself. It proves there are No rules and seemingly no depth. Not to mention watching this film feels dated. It’s very episodic. 

Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren get to reference classic scenes and relationships from their career and previous collaborations and give a scene where you believe they are remaking a classic moment only for it to end with a joke. 

Which is pretty much the mood of the film. As all plots and stories seem to end in that kind of manner. 

The film’s cast as usual is filled with stars. The biggest of whom seem here in an unneeded story but help make it more commercial. As Tim Robbins and Julia Robert’s seem stuck here in a bad afterthought of a romantic comedy plot line.

This film seems to find Robert Altman riding his high horse. This film goes for more populism but leaves viewers puzzled. As it is more artistic and voyeuristic than plotted.

This film is like a bunch of short stories stretched over fashion week. 

The film is flashy and appeals to itself but ultimately is frustrating, especially with all the talent involved. Where you are left to wonder what could have been. 

Everyone is well dressed but we are left as confused as Kim Basinger’s reporter. Where we wonder what this was all about. 

It seems like the director was unfocused but having fun. Filled with recognizable names, good actors, supermodels and models of the time. Where the film feels flirtatious as it always has a wink to give off 

Can’t tell if the film was rushed or cut together fast with a murder mystery in the middle that largely takes a backseat or is forgotten. Ultimately the film comes across as a farce. That feels like it is being made up as it goes along. Though with a stylish hand guiding it. Who leaves to perplex the audience. 

Grade: C+

BLOOD TIES (2013)

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Directed By: Guillaume Canet
Written By: Guillaume Canet & James Gray
Based on the French Film ‘RIVALS’ (Les Liens Du Sang) Written By: Jacques Maillot, Pierre Chossen & Eric Veniard
Based On The Novel Written By: Bruno & Michel Papet
Cinematography By: Christophe Offenstein
Editor: Herve De Luze 


Cast: Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard, Noah Emmerich, Matthias Schoenaerts, Zoe Saldana, Dominick Lombardozzi, John Ventimiglia, Mila Kunis, Lili Taylor, James Caan, Griffen Dunne, Yul Vasquez, Jamie Hector, Eve Hewson, Olek Krupa

Two brothers, on either side of the law, face off over organized crime in Brooklyn during the 1970s.

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TO THE BONE (2017)

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Written & Directed By: Marti Noxon
Cinematography By: Richard Wong
Editor: Elliot Greenberg 


Cast: Lily J. Collins, Alex Sharp, Lili Taylor, Brooke Smith, Keanu Reeves, Retta, Kathryn Prescott, Leslie Bibb, Carrie Preston, Alanna Ubach, Maya Eshet 


Ellen is a 20 year old woman struggling with anorexia nervosa. In the midst of family problems and her own fears, she is accepted into a group home run by an unusual doctor. Through the people she meets and the journey she takes, Ellen follows a path of self discovery and acceptance that will lead her to a surprising place she never would have thought possible

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