The End Of Oak Street

No matter how old I get, dinosaurs are still cool.

Okay, not bad! Admittedly when I saw the trailer for this movie I didn't really know what to expect besides basic plot, through mysterious occurences a neighborhood is thrust into a prehistoric world where a family must survive in a time when dinosaurs ruled the earth, and that's an original plot enough to grab my attention. Credit where credit is due they treat the subject material as real and as serious as a heart attack, like I don't think a lot of the reactions and reasoning are far off from natural and it digs into the drama of the family unit just a little bit with enough to get you invested. Anne Hathaway is put through the wringer with this whole ass ordeal even before the strange lights in the sky herald a new age, but she's a committed parent and not a half bad shot with a rifle so she had my support with a rock solid performance. Ewan my man my handsome devil of a man had my heart, as a dad who may not be one for confrontation but has undeniable love for his kids and despite some rocky terrain with his missus pulls through in a very unexpected way. Maisy Stella is very much the emotional crux of the film for me with little moments spread throughout where she's just grappling with the situation and seeing her help people where she can made her a shining light in a somewhat grim movie. Christian Convery despite some elements of his story that I feel was left on the cutting room floor is a tremendously convincing teen without being a wiseass, and of course he has a dog in this for emotional weight so what fun. In terms of the dinosaurs I do believe this is the first film I've seen where they are more scientifically accurate at least in terms of appearance, they still look great and I'm never one to deny scientific fact but it's hard to shed 30 years of being told this is what a dinosaur looks like. Regardless they still have an imposing almost non-stop dominion over the film, it did kinda make me laugh just how many carnivores they encounter with like maybe three herbivores, like man the odds are so stacked against them! And this might aggravate the piss fire out of some people and maybe I'm wiggling my toes a little deep in the spoiler pool, but I actually loved the fact they never explain why the shit any of this is happening. Not a hint, not a statement. Is it aliens? Maybe. Is it some futuristic science experiment? Beats me! Either way someone is seriously screwing with the space-time continuum. I will also say if you're going in this to see people get munched on and torn to shreds you will be somewhat disappointed, it's pretty much a drama film but a very good drama film that just so happens to have feathered beasts in tow. It could have very easily been this mad rush adventure or survival action movie but it did something completely different and for that it has my immense respect. I give it 3 stars, 7/10, and we really do not have much left for the month to be real so I shall return in time, and God help me when September rolls around.

The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms

It just so happened we have another Harryhausen flick so soon, and a pretty good one at that!

It's been closer to 20 years that The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms or as it is identified in the movie a Rhedosaurus has been on my radar, and is one of the shining stars of Harryhausen's creations. And I gotta say even in the tried and true fashion of a monster movie where the monster isn't in it all that much, I was kinda surprised how invested I got in the human story. We start off kinda atmospheric and uneasy in the arctic as a hydrogen bomb is being tested, and maybe it was the pretty solid sets or the kinda doomy narrator voice but it really pulled me in! And of course in 50s B-Movie style atomic weapon equals giant monster, not of a mutated variety but a thawed out dinosaur from the Mesozoic era who slowly but surely makes his way from the Arctic Circle to New Yark Citah! But like I said the human story is interesting enough to keep you engaged with one of the arctic scientists who witnessed the monster deemed crazy and has to sway a paleontologist to prove it's existence and moreso how to stop the rampaging beast. Speaking of which, everytime this creature is on screen is instantly memorable even if you haven't seen the movie you know the lighthouse scene, the city rampage scene, and maybe even the ending. A very simple yet excellent design that is beautifully animated, seeing this thing smash buildings and munch on a cop is just so damn cool! Shit, seeing the walls cave in and crumble along with a literal ton of bricks crushing a group of people really makes me wonder how they did it with that good ol' movie making magic cause we don't have behind the scenes and in depth looks at this movie and I think that's one of the biggest charms of the horror/sci-fi genre from this older era, you don't know how they did it down to the nuts and bolts and it's intriguing! Sure we know some of the elements but me being the nerd I am I love learning about how any aspect of a movie is made. Nowadays movies are mostly fucking boring in terms of effects cause you don't even have to look and say oh it was done on a computer. I always champion practical effects but I really really champion movies where creative originality and new techniques had to be forged to make it happen. I was very happy to watch this at long last and while it's no masterpiece I'd be a fool if I said it wasn't a classic. I give it 3 stars, 7.5/10!

Lover Of A Ghost

Madness, and beauty have struck.

Yes we have gotten even more niche than Ghost (the band not the specter) as I chose to highlight a short film made by my best friend which just premiered today in New York City. Violent Vira, rising metalcore band and sweetest lady I have ever had the joy of knowing has released a companion piece to her excellent debut album also titled Lover Of A Ghost, directed by Dylan Cole who has had more than a hand in crafting the visual style of her music videos, really took me by surprise in a multitude of ways. Short film it is, we haven't had something this short since Tim Burton's Vincent, clocking in at 12 minutes with credits and it took less than sixty seconds for me to become completely engrossed as a tragic story unveils concerning a young woman who after an argument with her lover is lost in grief and imagination after his death as she believes he is anything but gone. The movie takes on an almost silent film lens, with subtitles present but not a voice is heard which I loved to bits to the point where I'm positive this could be shot in black & white and look even better. Speaking of visuals this is actually difficult for me to articulate and it may sound terribly strange, but the settings showcased just screamed cozy to me, almost like it has just a tinge of that exquisite autumn atmosphere that I adore so dearly. It was giving me flashbacks to the visual style of A Ghost Story, another film that I love to eternity and back which has a little tie to her music history from the past. The atmosphere is outstanding, having this almost dreamscape look to it where even the pitch black nights have this beauty to them, both the cinematography and lighting was really well done and must be appreciated. Biased as I am with an unyielding love and pride for my dearest Vira, her performance told through sheer body language made me feel a swell of emotions. Hell I even got a fair bit choked up at the last scene of the film to be perfectly honest! The mix of music is practically the third star of the picture, using two instrumentals and a single from her album along with little flourishes never before heard that give it an emotional punch and as a fan of her music since before even the beginning, did all the more to enhance my enjoyment. Yes I am a diehard fan for this band, I would even go so far as to say they are my favorite band, I am biased and this film truly is for the Tarantula Army through and through so I'd be hardpressed not to love it. I have never seen a film quite like this before and I'm a big enough nerd to buy the movie, I think it would be a fascinating double feature with A Ghost Story! Just the presentation, the visuals, the emotion of the story which if you know the life struggles of Vira herself is only increased tenfold, not only struck me but gripped me. I think it's a very fine film and while not for everyone's tastes I feel the art can be appreciated even if you're not familiar with the artist. This feels like a capstone to the Lover Era and come what may I'll stand by her and gladly continue to support, waiting with baited breath to see what she makes next. I couldn't be more proud of her if I tried. Biased as I can be, but it's my show so I just don't care, I give it 4 stars and 10/10! 

The Odyssey

The one time I read the damn book and I have to say the movie was better!

I mean as an adaptation for one of the oldest written stories in human history it's actually pretty solid! They didn't change too much and trimmed quite a bit of fat found in the tale, and as Christopher Nolan is wont to do the movie does a lot of flashback storytelling as we follow the king of Ithaca after the sacking of Troy desperately trying to get back home as he encounters mythical beings and even when he returns home his fight is not over. I don't really have to tell you if it's a good movie, even with examples such as Tenet from Nolan you can surely expect quality and good if not great plots and yeah the movie may be 3 hours long but it just feels appropriate and you do get invested. Hell I was getting pumped up, tense, and even reflective while watching the film! The big main story beats they stick to are all memorable and engaging, from a suspenseful encounter with a cylcops, to a surprisingly grotesque example of body horror, to just the terrible nature of war it all landed expertly. The only real detachment I had with the movie is the cast, now that is not at all damning the performances themselves if anything they actually do really friggin' good. HOWEVER I did see more the actor and not the character which is odd because this isn't exactly the first star studded cast I've seen in cinema history but I just saw Anne Hathaway I didn't see Queen Penelope, I didn't see Calypso I saw Charlize Theron, I didn't see Telemachus I saw Tom Holland, and the only person who rised above was Matt Damon for reasons I can't even quantify. But like I said all the performances are rock solid and the drama of the story was so good it really didn't take much for me to be immersed in the film. The sets, costuming, all those wonderful practical details which I love so much are on top form as I suspected them to be! The music truly hammers home the suspense and unease, it gets the heart pumping and your nerves on edge, so well done Ludwig Göransson! Damn good cinematography (in other breaking news the sun will rise and the sun will set), the scope of crowds and the sea was just right, and even if you're not familiar with the book you can grasp the events unfolding. I say see it just to witness the fall of Troy, that was the highlight of the film in every respect and it truly felt momentous because that is a piece of history countless people have heard about but I have never seen it visualized. Ever! It just feels suitably epic for an epic tale and while I won't say it's the best film of the whole year I'd be a lying sack of shit if I said I didn't greatly appreciate and enjoy it. Even if this was the first and last time I ever watched this film I can safely say I was very happy to see it. 4 stars, 8.5/10, and this may be the last review of the month unless madness strikes hard and fast but this entire show is a literal odyssey, a long and eventful journey and it isn't quite over yet.

Clash Of The Titans

Can you believe this shit?

11 damn years and we're just NOW talking Clash Of The Titans! It's probably been almost 20 years since I last saw this movie and very much like Jason And The Argonauts the legacy of the film is still prevalent in my mind. This was Ray Harryhausen's final bow in the film industry but what a fantastic finale to a lifetime of incredible work, and the fact you can actually see a lot of the models and figures from this movie even today is a gift from the heavens. Hell I almost want to say this was the last bow of true mythical fantasy epics in the year of our lord 1981, and it does tell a sprawling big story that no doubt takes maaaaany elements of greek mythology into account. Following Perseus demigod son of Zeus who wishes to take the hand of the princess Andromeda, is tasked with several trials not only to win her love but save her from a terrible fate. That is the bare bones plot when you get right down to it, but the movie takes a good bit of time setting up this world and fleshes it out constantly with mythological creatures and battles, from a prince cursed and deformed by the gods, to the fabled Kraken, to the still quite horrifying Medusa, and still more to see. I heard Ray was not thrilled with his work and wanted to fine tune the film stock to make it look better but didn't have the time, yet I still wholeheartedly say the stop motion effects are great! In any capacity it's a marvel to look at and I have zero issue saying everything to the buildup of Medusa is so eerie and dreadfilled, from the surprisingly creepy appearance of Charon the ferryman to the dilapidated temple to the actual appearance of Medusa is a gold mine of suspense and horror. Undoubtedly the highlight of the entire film for my money. But even beyond that seeing Pegasus, giant scorpions, the deformed monster Calibos who by the by looks spectacular to the point where I honestly don't even see an actor under the prosthesis, even the robotic owl Bubo which some people deride but I find charming only adds to the magic of the film. I feel the gods themselves were much better handled here than in The Argonauts, in no small part due to the cast I mean flippin' Sir Laurence Olivier as Zeus is pitch goddamn perfect in this movie, Maggie Smith as spurned goddess Thetis works great with the plot, Ursula Andress as Aphrodite is stellar casting in my opinion, and how they interact with the story feels more engaging. Of course love goes to our mortal cast as well, Harry Hamlin though not as compelling as Todd Armstrong has a solid look and still does a good job throughout being an archetypal hero, Judi Bowker while not having a great deal of material to work with is still a welcome presence and I think you can tell she was enjoying her time on set, again I'd like to shoutout Neil McCarthy as Calibos and even though he's really only the antagonist for the first act is such a trooper for going through such extensive makeup and prosthetics plus being a good villain gets him brownie points in the end, and I'll be damned if I still don't treasure seeing Burgess Meredith in any role and even as a supporting character he still not only commits but is wonderful to watch. It's a classic in it's own right and deserves the love, not perfect but damn good enough to where you don't mind. It is a shame that such a technical marvel was the last of it's kind, I am a big advocate for practical effects and always been a fan of stop motion and while the craft hasn't become obsolete it breaks my heart knowing we'll never reach such heights again. It does make me curious how much real, well...anything will be showcased in The Odyssey, knowing Christopher Nolan is a true hands on director who loves to do stuff without much computer wizardy gives me hope that the sword wielding epics aren't truly dead and gone. If you are any kind of fan of monsters, old school effects, mythological stories, or just imaginative adventures this is a movie you must see. I give it 3.5 stars, 8/10, and boy do we have an event to attend on Friday my friends.

Jason & The Argonauts

I almost want to say this is the first time I've seen this.

Oh I absolutely knew of it growing up and the stop motion effects by Ray Harryhausen, but I truly believe this is my first watch through. So how was it? Pretty solid I gotta say, this is one of the earliest greek epics that I'm aware of concerning a young man with a quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a tyrant who is given a near impossible task from the gods to obtain a golden fleece to aid his revenge. What's interesting is this is a tale that literally predates The Odyssey so it made since to showcase it this week, and it honestly bears some similarities with the hero making a long journey with several courageous men, the gods on Olympus treating the heroes just like pawns in chess to see who wins, and encountering fabled mythical creatures. Now obviously when most people refer to this movie it is indeed for the stop motion effects, but it is a very good movie on it's own that should be watched. That being said the effects by Harryhausen are still great and show good variety ranging from giant metal statue Talos, to a hydra, to flying harpy's, and of course sword wielding skeletons which is still just as rad as it was in 1963. I was a bit surprised to learn this was not a great financial success for Columbia when it was first released despite good reviews, and only through the passage of time has it gotten reappraised and considered a classic of the fantasy genre. I think Todd Armstrong is a damn good lead as Jason, a stalwart hero with conviction and wisdom that carries the film just as well as the stopmotion effects. Honor Blackman as Hera was a treat to see and really it doesn't seem that much of a stretch to see her as a goddess, as she aids Jason on his quest while in somewhat friendly competition with Zeus. Though not on the crew for long I gotta say Nigel Green as Hercules was a major highlight, I can't fully explain why but his physicality and warm demeanor made me wish he stuck around to end credits and I'll be damned to think of a better live action Hercules in anything! For a movie roughly an hour and forty-five minutes long it certainly doesn't feel like it, keeping a good brisk pace that's easy to follow and has a charm to it that not many newer movies could have. And I think that's the reason why it's a classic of the genre. It has this old Hollywood charm to it, from the way it's shot, to the actors in it, how the special effects are showcased, it fits the ancient tale because it feels like someone is retelling it at that point in time. So all in all I give it 3 stars, 7/10, and next time we get to a movie that I honestly can't believe I haven't talked about yet.

Evil Dead Burn

Title is giving me Halloween Kills vibes but that's okay.

Uh wow, holy shit what a movie! My God what a horror film. It is fascinating how I didn't see a shred of promotion for this film, I can barely describe the poster, and yet this is a hell of a picture on just about every front. It takes the family drama element of Rise and bumps that shit up to 12, it is a onslaught of a film before the demons start running rampant. Following the widow of an abusive asshole stuck with a family that not only grieves differently but cracks differently is soon set upon by Deadites and mayhem fuelled survival starts anew. The first and most important thing I gotta get out of the way is the visuals, Lee Cronin did not return instead Sébastien Vanicek takes over and I can already tell people are gonna either dig his visual style or be so over it like it's not even funny. There's a lot of long takes with involved choreography, there's a lot of almost Edgar Wright style editing to an even further extent, the camera gets weird in how it moves, the man clearly took a cinema class and got free reign to just go. I didn't hate it by any stretch nor did I love it to bits, I appreciate the variety and it is never boring to look at I'll say that. Performances wise because it's such a small cast and there's so much drama and bloodshed, they get to sink their teeth into some good material. Souheila Yacoub is undoubtedly our star and my oh my does she shine bright, harboring a lot of repressed rage and put into a family dynamic that is anything but welcome she just nails it, kills it in more ways than one, in a strange definitely fucked up way this movie is kinda cathartic if you got family issues. Hunter Doohan you could almost see being the main protagonist as he finds family secrets linked to the Deadites and seems like a very nice well rounded kid who has to survive the meat grinder, very akin to Ash in the first movie and he does very well. Our main star on the titular dead is Erroll Shand, fucking hell this guy commits 150% and is a powerhouse of opposition for our heroes, doing the prosthetics, effectively creepy and brutal, and no doubt will be one of the greatest performances in a solid lineup of possessed characters from this series. In fact this movie stays to the tried and true adage of anybody can die at anytime, it's shocking cause it happens so quick and gives you no time to brace or even get bored which I commend heavily. The gore is excellent, even though the movie does a lot of finger pointing set up, it still pays off well enough and it pushes the envelope for what we haven't seen from this series yet. It is a fucked up movie in the way that you want a horror movie to be, it is horrifying, it can be shocking, it's visceral and in your face when it wants to be. Even after writing all this I'm still kinda at a loss for words, and it undoubtedly will stay in my mind for a bit. If you're not squeamish and are even a casual fan of Evil Dead I say check it out. 3 stars, 8/10, and we got a proper set of reviews next week so I hope to see you there.