Cast: Jessica Belkin, Taylor Kowalski, Joji Otani-Hansen, Jeremy Sisto, Christopher M. Lopes, Glen Gould, Michael Giannone, Tara Raani
A small-town killing spree lands on the doorstep of a rural diner, where a young waitress must fight for her life throughout one long night.
The film is short and sweet and seems simple at first, then explains how we got to a certain point after the reveal and then continues the story.
Manages to stay throughout where it’s all around revenge where each of the film’s protagonists takes up their own vigilante Justice in any way.
Even though they are sympathetic, none of the characters is particularly likable. It might be that they all seem kind of hopeless in their own way, or at least somewhat stuck.
By making the characters unlikable damaged yet sympathetic, ask the audience to find some sympathy for the characters they never would have normally even if just as victims.
The film is pretty cut and dry though add some spice to the mix that keeps it tasty throughout. In the first half we get to learn about the characters and seems almost to be your typical siege or slasher tail. Once it gets more into the second half of the explanation, it becomes a little more dramatic but also that much more interesting.
As it seems to battle against itself to be labeled more than basic.
However, it does have a scene with the most realistic yet coldest reaction to a character suddenly facing hard out of nowhere.
The end of the film is not necessarily spectacular, but at least it’s interesting and mildly noteworthy and definitely not a bad debut by Director Alex Scott Neal. Interested to see the filmmakers’ next works
Cast: Brandy Norwood, Kathryn Hunter, Neal Huff, Andrew Burnap, Mary Testa, Kerry Flanagan
It tells the story of a newly pregnant couple who are forced to take in an ailing, estranged stepmother.
I don’t know exactly the plan behind this film as the only thing it truly does successfully is make itself look like it’s going to be something more of a horror film or a supernatural film. However, it ends up becoming more psychological than expected.
The problem is that there seems to be no plan by the villain as to what this is all for or if it is even worth it. Though Kathryn Hunter playing the old woman Solange is the only truly noteworthy part of the film. Not to mention the only truly wonderful performance. One only wishes the movie matched her performance.
For the most part, the movie is dull where the characters are stuck between a rock and a hard place and wonder why they burden themselves. Even though it’s more Brandy versus the old lady as her husband who knows how much trouble the old lady can be is at work and mainly absent.
So the move is a battle of wills between two women trying to become head of the household even though one is almost off to the pastures already. So while it may remind you of the movie HUSH with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Lange or MOTHER’S BOYS with Jamie Lee Curtis only with an added hacksploitation angle.
At first thought this film would be a good guilty pleasure that you can have fun with like the movie MA with Octavia Spencer, but while there are shades at times of that type of film. This one takes itself more seriously and instead of violence. Seems to disgust the audience with feces and other body fluids.
You also wonder don’t these people have friends or other family who could help them in any way, shape, or form?
One understands the subversive turn in the story though it still remains with the audience asking why any of this happens. What is it all about? By the end, you might be wondering why did you just sit through all of this? Was it supposed to be a starring comeback for star Brandy even though it gives her no scenes to shine?
Cast: Jamie Bell, Camilla Belle, Justin Chatwin, Lou Taylor Pucci, Rory Culkin, Glenn Close, Carrie Anne Moss, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Lauren Holly, Caroline Goodall, William Fichtner, John Heard, Allison Janney, Rita Wilson
a dark comedy about the lives of people who live in upper-class suburbia. It all begins when Dean Stiffle finds the body of his friend, Troy. He doesn’t bother telling any of the adults because he knows they won’t care. Everyone in town is too self-consumed to worry about anything else than themselves. And everybody is on some form of drug just to get themselves through the day. After Troy’s death, local drug dealers at the school run out of their stash. They convince Dean to get Troy’s stash or they are going to kill his brother that they kidnapped, but they grabbed the wrong kid.
This show is an intriguing failure that seems to be some sort of statement or satire on disaffected teens coming apart at the seams in suburbia after tranquilizing themselves on recreational drugs for so long that they seem to be scared of their own emotions. I wish the film played and explored more of what I just described.
Instead, the film seems more interested in the adult characters, who are not as deep and as types. This only makes their stories seem melodramatic or the product of a soap opera. Which makes one wonder how the film got such a powerful cast for a film that feels more like a desperate Housewives spin-off
The film seems to shy away from too much depth to focus more on the quirks and offbeat comedy.
The film is all surface but tries too hard at times to seem deep almost like a pretty girl reading an intellectual book and you notice over weeks each time you see her she is on the same page as she only does it for the attention or seems smarter than she might actually be
The ending feels too. The end feels too clean cut which one could see if this was based on pre-existing material but as it is an original production, it could’ve been worked on a bit more. It feels too self-serving, trying to please an audience instead of going for emotional truth.
It ends up playing more like a studio version of an independent coming-of-age film. With the parents so busy with themselves, they never pay attention to their own kids, even after one commits suicide, which might be blatant science for attention and help or even subconscious ones.. though the adults seem to anodize themselves with Work and each other as a form of hiding.
The film tries to tighten it like video games and not feeling real trying to achieve a numbness or doing things so that they can feel something. Not fall into the same traps and behavior as their parents, though it seems they easily follow suit.
Has a good score which other than the cast seems to be the most accomplished thing about it.
Cast: Shannon Presby, Lori Loughlin, James Spader, Eric Stoltz, Eddie Jones, John Philbin, Tom Atkins, Brad Sullivan
Newly orphaned siblings Abby and Loren McWilliams arrive in a small Florida town to help their Aunt Fay and Uncle Charlie run a family-owned amusement park, and they find that the town is terrorized by a local street gang.
This is definitely a film of its time. A film that is mostly a thriller towards the end turns into an action film in a small town.
It has James Spader as a southern redneck, a gang leader in Florida, who is a Sharp dresser and has died beach, blonde, hair and eyebrows that almost make him look like an albino. You wonder why his character would hang out with them whom his gang seems to be made up of as they come off more southern redneck stereotypes than he does.
The title gives it away that this story is about a brother and sister, whose parents passed away and who move in with an uncle who may or may not be using them for labor and money to open up his own amusement park. They try to fit in the school, but the local gang takes a liking to the sister and begins to harass her, and when her brother tries to defend her, he becomes their other.
Throughout the film, each of them gets back at one another and ups the ante until the inevitable finale when the gang takes it too far and the brother and sister have to defend themselves against them and any hope of the police getting involved seems absent as there is a sheriff, but he seems to be the only cop we see throughout the film And the teachers seem to turn a blind eye to everything.
The film isn’t bad it it sometimes feels a little ridiculous, but it stays entertaining and seems perfect for its teen audience as long as no one asks too many questions. The film could be easily forgettable and typical of its time, though it has some ridiculous curveballs that keep the audience interested. It is not truly a time capsule of time and genre.
It stays away from being exploited though at times it seems like it’s going that way, and part of the fun is seeing well-known actors playing supporting roles in this film.
It’s definitely a film that has a certain audience, though you can enjoy some more absurd elements that make it a perfect popcorn movie to look back upon.
Through it all this is more a film to watch for James Spader‘s strange performance amongst the other absurdities. as it is so random yet so captivating a hint of things to come in a showcase a bit of his range. Though also for a villain, he seems to be filmed like a heartthrob more than even the heroic character of the film
Cast: Desiree Nosbusch, Bodo Staiger, Simone Brahmann, Jonas Vischer, Helga Tolle, Klaus Munster, Ian Moorse, Wilfried Blasberg
The hero-worship that Simone has for a pop singer is built to a crescendo until she passes out when she finally sees him up-close in a crowd of fans pushing him for autographs. She is later shocked when he lets her know that he does not love her. In an instant, she is caught “in a trance” and feels a murderous urge that is bigger than the both of them.
This review is spoiler-heavy. it’s advisable to watch the film first as this is more a discussion than a review.
This is a film one has waited quite some time to find and finally watch. It’s a film that it heard about over the years and looked forward to then saw a very, simply not as some cinematic lost Grail.
It’s a nice switch from the usual fan films where it’s usually a male stalking a female or stalking another male making it more homoerotic for the ladder, but in the former and obsession that they try to turn erotic or romantic.
A story that works like a mixtape has a different cut or see as time goes by. It’s also set at a time place and culture around a music scene that was modern at the time and very specific.
This film deals with the same only from a female fan stalking a male rockstar. The girl is a teenager, and by far is the more gruesome of any star obsession film, as this is more a psychological drama rather than an action thriller.
It can also be seen at first as a coming of age story that Can be seen as a rite of passage a crush on a superstar that gets to be an obsession as a fan for a teenage girl.
It also dives more into the psychology of the obsession as since it’s an underage girl it is mostly thought that it’s puberty and emotions taking over but soon realizes that it’s nothing more than a crush and that it should be rather harmless this film and the character takes it more to an extreme.
The film shows the depth of fandom, but also obsession. Believing that she is the only one who knows and understands him and that all the others are just there more for the money and Fame.
The film is more psychological than physical love it or hate it. It’s a conversation starter.
The main character doesn’t speak much, except in her letters to the star and in monologues. Desiree Nosbusch Gives an unforgettable performance as Simone.
The audience witnesses how unstable she is to a degree in her day-to-day life as her obsession takes over all of her thoughts and actions and she cares little about anything else.
The audience suspects where it will mostly go or what will happen as the film takes its time with the situation, especially once she finally gets to meet him.
We watch as she runs away into Wonderland and finds a monster of sorts and sheep’s clothing that she believes to be her prince.
We watch as she somehow Wills her fantasy to come true with interest, and then practically the unraveling of what she sees as a romance, and what he sees as a hook-up.
Which is like an artistic love scene presenting themselves to one another before it seems to take a turn, and after he gets what he wants and is ready to throw her away or dispose of her. It is in close-up as we are now in her fantasy or viewing it through that lens once the camera pulls back after we are brought into reality just as she is.
We know something will happen, but can’t predict how severe, especially without the innocent and clean or at least non-exploit of the movie has been up to this point. It’s had its rough edges, but it’s practically been more passive, which makes it all the more upsetting.
This is not the type of film where you are waiting for a demise or where the film gets you excited or expecting any sort of violence. The film seems a bit off at first, then gets disturbing and gruesome.
The film even early on makes a point of presenting Hand-holding as a sign of who cares and who doesn’t.
Nothing that happens seems to be premeditated. Some could argue. The actions are to happen in the heat of the moment or being so young and emotionally out of control.
It seems to go way too far though we might understand her initial act, becomes a mix of saving herself, but also still having a sick obsession and sickness with this rockstar.
The film is not as violent or as expected, though it might be the cut I viewed.
There is only one part that is not that believable as it is too clean and too fast, which is devouring him a bit cannibalizing him or at least pieces of him or at least the essence of him as a goodbye or farewell. That’s where it goes overboard but smart and getting away with fashion. Even though that is probably one of the more memorable parts of the film.
She doesn’t seem to learn her lesson as she is still delusional by the end and blocking out her act and now might be delivering his child who she believes will be reborn.
The film also has long drawn shots, but little dialogue, a synth-pop score that gets into your head. that goes well with the action and ending as once you step away from this film it is certainly one that you won’t forget easily.
Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace, Elle Young
Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man.
This is a film. One wishes they could’ve made it as at first it seems so simple, but as it goes along, you realize how twisted everything is and that it also exists on a delicate balance
The script is intricately written and can go a million ways at any moment. Luckily it stays on a certain path makes it all the more intriguing.
There will be many who will be In Tune with its debates and theories. At least in the first half of the film.
It’s a tight thriller that sues its Location inventively and makes it claustrophobic. As with the design of the location the Film, characters, and story offer up their mazes to try and solve. The camerawork by Chung-Hoon Chung makes the spaces seem sumptuous and a world unto themselves.
Hugh Grant finally gets a role where he doesn’t have to play off either his public persona or what audiences know him for he gets to play a role with the recent villain role, which gives him some really good meat on which to chew and show off his skills and remind you that he is a good actor.
As he shows the human equivalent of mansplaining. That most women will identify with if ever had a date, friend, or family.
A member who wants to show off his smarts and theories and is truly trying to impress about a subject you are not necessarily interested in but must show superiority in.
It’s not perfect in the third act. That is where the film gets a little wobbly and brings the film back down to earth and reality. It is impossible to keep up the momentum Of the first half completely without having to offer some Explanations. as well as offer the audience the release that they desire. To make it mroenofna crowd pleaser.
I won’t call it a fun ride but one that keeps your interest throughout and will want to have conversations about after. Even if not as shocking as you might expect.
The writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods have truly made a film worth investing your time and attention. Much better than their previous films, A QUIET PLACE which they wrote and 65 Which they wrote and directed and this film Is leaps and bounds above the special effects-laden 65 starring Adam Driver.
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Olsen Fouere, Oliver Finnegan, Alister Brammer, John Lynch, Siobhan Hewlett
A young artist gets stranded in an extensive, immaculate forest in western Ireland, where, after finding shelter, she becomes trapped alongside three strangers, stalked by mysterious creatures each night.
This film is disappointing now much will be sad because this film is from the daughter of M. Night Shyamalan, Ishana Shyamalan. There have already been calls of nepotism or Nepo baby feeling that she only got a big studio release because of who her father is and the fact that he also produced the film.
Now the film is in a similar style of being something supernatural and mysterious, and having a twist. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make good on its prints as the trailer for this film intrigued me as you didn’t exactly know what was happening. She also follows him and his more recent footsteps of adapting, a little-known or well-hidden novel for the big screen that if not for some research you would think would be an original script. That would work for her father, as his name comes with a certain pedigree and is bigger than any source material.
Once you watch the film and the story is fully explained there would be less mystery, but the problem isn’t that there is less mystery. It’s that it just doesn’t seem the greatest thought out as the script is barely subtle, and along the way becomes a bit predictable or if not predictable it’s nothing you haven’t seen before and other films so that here it just feels like a hodgepodge of ideas combine together to try and make the story work.
It feels more like a first draft than a fully thought-through and finished story. There seems so much potential in the setup, never quite comes together in a meaningful or sensible way, Which is especially shocking considering it’s based on a novel.
The direction is quite inspired and the cinematography is tight, but the rest of the film feels so empty. It’s one of these films that by the end. You don’t really care. You’re just happy that it’s coming to an end.
Rarely offers surprises or suspense you watch as it goes along and hope it will get better along the way with its twist and it rarely does.
There is a glimmer of hope and promise here, though tighter scripting and a better follow-through will be needed. Especially to follow either in her father’s footsteps or even the car out an original artistic voice of her own.
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Simona Tobasco, Benedetta Porcaroli, Alavaro Morte, Giorgio Colangeli, Dora Romano, Giulia Heathfield Di Renzi, Giampiero Judica
Cecilia, a woman of devout faith, is warmly welcomed to the picture-perfect Italian countryside where she is offered a new role at an illustrious convent. But it becomes clear to Cecilia that her new home harbors dark and horrifying secrets.
This film came out at an interesting time. It seemed to be on the heels of the similarly themed THE FIRST OMEN. Though at least this can be considered more an original than a prequel.
This one despite having a rising star in the main role and own in a supporting role. Comes across as more heartfelt ultimately. However, what truly makes it memorable is the surprising and somewhat brutal third act
Though the film offers violence here and there in act two. It seems like there is a lot of build-up going Along the way keeping scenes just intriguing enough. To keep you interested until it finally becomes more than what you expected.
Though the third act is very dark which might disturb some viewers and the reasoning behind some decisions and plans. Seems either silly or like it would only exist in a movie.
Sydney Sweeney is convincing in her leading role. She stretches her acting muscles and is not really dependent on her looks or body as much.
As the film is directed by Michael Mohan who has collaborated on the film THE VOYEURS from a few years ago and the show EVERYTHING SUCKS. Which is where this reviewer first saw her. So this offers her a big screen leading role and a director she trusts.
This makes sense as this film comes off as a starring role. Made to appeal to the audiences’ fandom of an actor or actress and seemingly written for them or someone of that magnitude. Rather than truly a character role.
The film offers exactly what you might expect and gives enough scares and violence to keep the horror audience happy. Other than a good ending it doesn’t offer anything that rises above basic.
Though a smaller production, it does feel a little more like a breath of fresh air as this film doesn’t go for campier or trashier aspects of similar material and more recent films.
A crew of environmental activists plot a daring plan to disrupt an oil pipeline.
This is an interesting little thriller. As it starts off so anonymously. Then turns into an ecological heist movie. It lives up to its title but the strength is in the storytelling
We see how the plan is all coming together and what everyone’s duties and responsibilities are.
Meanwhile, we get glimpses into the characters’ reasons origins, and what brought them here.
Only in pivotal moments of the storyline. This also shows how the group all came together in the first place. As characters sometimes overlap in these moments.
The film provides plenty of drama, but also plenty of twists, turns, and double-crosses. Even when you think you know what’s going to happen, the film throws either a monkey wrench or what you think will happen but in a different way that you weren’t expecting.
The film is loosely based on the book of the same name which talks about the dilemma and the history of the problem. it is more dramatized and focused on this group of characters and their individual reasons as to why they came together to do this.
The ensemble works as each one is definitely passionate and works well with one another and you are on the edge of your seat plenty of times as this plan goes into effect. Even the aftermath is fascinating. As there is more to tell even during the credits as to the character’s fates. There is still the question was it all worth it?
This film is definitely worth watching even if you’re not necessarily into the politics of the character it works as a heist, film, and as a thriller and a film that examines the issues they are protesting against. Wow, the film provides plenty of suspense.
The film does feel like you are a fly on the wall, including your access to the information as a lot of times the film feels shot on the fly and feels as organic do it yourself and homemade the characters in their plan are.
Oh, the MVP of the film is Ariela Barer as she is the producer, writer, and one of the stars of the film. The film is an ensemble actor and character gets their moments to shine.
Written & Directed: Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy
Cinematography: Eric Lin
Editor: Marcus Vives
Cast: Ariana DeBose, Barbie Ferreira, Arian Moayed, Martin Csokas, Mikel Brett Silset, Amara Karen
It tells the story of a chef who opens her first restaurant where she battles kitchen chaos, a dubious investor, and self-doubt, but the pressure heats up thanks to the spirit of the estate’s previous owner who threatens to sabotage her.
This is a film that never seems to get started. As it builds up to a certain degree of what’s the worst that could happen. Which adds a certain comedic paranoia. Though it feels like it drops the ball.
As it seems to take It’s Time to get the audience excited and ready, by the end it gets to its conclusion it feels like much ado about nothing. Making. It feels like most of the movie was a tease with an unsatisfying ending.
It might have been better as a short or an episode of an anthology. So it could get to the point. At least have a stronger ending.
As for the need, it feels more like a film that tries to tie in feminism and witchcraft. Where recipes seem to be the spells and an offering.
It never feels like a thriller or horror. Though it has elements of each. In the end, it feels more like a drama. That tries to have some mood of THE BEAR mixed in with what might be some supernatural elements.
The one strong thing about this film is the lead role played by Oscar Winner Ariana DeBose. One only wishes the film and script could be as strong as she is throughout.
Cut To The Chase 