Ginger Snaps

Well that was fucked.

I'm kinda floundering here guys, I really had no idea what to expect and more from word of mouth did this movie hit my radar, which I suppose is keeping in the style since this movie came out in 2000. All I will say is, just give it time. Cause when this movie kicked off all I could say was what in the fuck, but as it progressed and I got to know these character it didn't take long to get invested. For a story as simple as two outcast sisters Brigitte and Ginger who inexplicably are attacked by a werewolf and the drama and tragedy that unfolds after that, I can understand why it is held fairly high by the horror community. It's a small scale story on a small scale budget, it has charm in it's production and the kinda time capsule look, the chemistry and arc of these sisters is anything but boring, and it almost seemed destined to become a cult hit and be regularly rented on video for years to come. So much of the story is settled on the backbone of Brigitte and Ginger so let's talk cast. Emily Perkins for my money was a bit spellbinding to be honest, I just could not keep my eyes off her everytime she was on screen and to see her transition from a rather shy, meek, only sociable person around her sister to this no horseshit, get things done, trying her best survivor is a trip. She ain't no final girl, because she doesn't have to be. Whereas with Katherine Isabelle her metamorphosis only doubles down on her personality from a brash, no fucks given, do what I want type of gal into a wild, untameable, increasingly bloodthirsty force that slowly but surely wants no solution to this dilemma. It's fascinating to watch man, cause it really and truly does not follow the paces of other horror movies and sets out to do it's own thing. Yes it's a werewolf movie but couldn't be more displaced from the well known lore presented in The Wolf Man in every facet. It's mixing of transformation with not only acknowledgement of menstruation but also the social stigmas towards women is original to say the least, and some people can bitch and moan all they want but the movie is not wrong! Good fair points are made at periods (no pun intended I swear) and it sets these characters up nicely. I feel the movie has this undercurrent of dark comedy at points but doesn't lean into it too hard, even still it got a good laugh or two out of me amongst many other emotional reactions so obviously it worked for me. You got to have a shred of curiosity to even watch this movie but I feel you will be rewarded for giving it a chance. Shit I didn't suspect it actually took place in October so the fallen leaves, gray skies, and steadily building Halloween decorations lended solid atmosphere and a nice garnish to the grisly proceedings. I feel I should watch it again in the future, I have this gut feeling the more you watch it the more you enjoy it, so I give it 3.5 stars, 8/10, but that score could easily rise! I was intrigued, disgusted, sometimes baffled, but ultimately thrilled I got to watch this at last. New movie incoming next time!

In The Mouth Of Madness

Reality is not what it used to be.

Believe it or not this movie has been on the list for several Halloween seasons and I'll be damned if I didn't hear quite a bit of good praise since before even this show began for it. It pretty much had me from John Carpenter and Sam Neill in a semi-Lovecraft story regarding an insurance fraud investigator hired to track down a missing author of a world famous horror series, and as the movie progresses it just gets weirder and strongly metaphysical in a perfect case of life is stranger than fiction. And yeah it takes it's time over the course of 90 minutes to unfold this story but does more than enough to grab your attention and make you almost begrudgingly watch it till the end even when you know it's not exactly gonna be a happy ending. Sam Neill goddamn it man I miss you, upon hearing of his extremely untimely passing this year I knew in my heart of hearts I'd finally have to talk about this movie and true to his professional form turns in a very strong performance, starting off as a logical and highly skeptical investigator named John Trent that gets broken down more and more until the wild ending. I certainly wish I could say all but this is one of those movies where the more blind you are going in the better the experience is. Julie Carmen as a publicist named Styles (Very twee.) who joins the investigation kinda was throwing me off at points but as we near the end the puzzle pieces start snapping into place, and she does have this subdued ethereal beauty to her at points I must say. I'm almost positive this is my first Jurgen Prochnow movie and wow what a first time, he's not seen all that much as the illusive author Suttor Cane but whatever screentime he does have is memorable and effectively off putting. And I gotta shoutout David Warner, Charlton Heston, and John Glover in the cast who all have bit parts but I'd be a lying sack of shit if I ever said I wasn't happy to see them here! Production wise it's more a lowkey Carpenter affair, shot very nicely with appropriate mood and atmosphere, has a wee bit of special effects, but the horror aspect all comes from the psychological side of things as would be typical for a lovecraftian style story that might not dig under your skin but certainly would make you question reality even for a second. Are you the dreamer or the dream? That's always been the type of horror that has the most prolonged and heavy impact on me, it's not the blood soaked monsters or haunting scenery, it's the simplest question of what is real and what's not? I mean I'm sitting in my chair cross legged writing this waiting for my dinner to be done, but I could in actuality be in a bathtub in a white room raving about chocolate syrup and beavers for all I really know. And that's the kind of existential dread and mental terror the movie puts front, so to me this is one of the most effective horror films I've ever seen when I start thinking about it, but I can absolutely see other people walking away just liking it and considering it a minor gem in John Carpenter's career. I give it 3 stars, 7.5/10, and the strangeness will continue for a cult beloved werewolf film next time.

The Phantom Carriage

Possible first swedish horror film I've ever seen?

I can't exactly recall where I heard about this movie from but the title alone was all I needed and the story that unfolds wasn't really what I expected. It at first seemed about a woman with consumption waiting for death but then we get an inverse of A Christmas Carol where the spectral driver of the eponymous carriage comes to collect a dead drunk and shows him the life he threw away and the mistakes he made that has links with the dying lady but he's already dead so he can't change it, before it naturally resolves to a happy ending. The movie is close to two hours long so you get familiar with these characters and their histories, seeing them go from loving and caring almost idyllic lifestyles to such depressing depths. It is a horror movie but not quite in the typical way you would think, true the phantom carriage is a proper spooky visual but it's almost more an existential horror. I mean imagine you die or are near death and you have to confront a life's worth of regret, seeing what your actions have wrought that have hurt other people's lives, to be helpless and succumbing to a sickness whether it be something as banal as liquor or something as serious as pneumonia with no real chance to heal, that's pretty fucking horrific to my eyes. And you are stuck with this bastard of a character, played by the director Victor Sjöström himself no less, through the majority of the film as he just becomes this loathsome man who has to own up for his choices and it's a pretty decent performance. Astrid Holm as the Salvation Army nurse Edit is the real victim here and played to tragic beauty, just someone trying to help where they can who is almost cursed with sickness makes it eerily clear that people have lives out of your orbit, she really is the light in such a dark film. The driver of the carriage also played by Victor due to the lore presented that if someone should die at midnight on New Year's Eve they must take the reins of the carriage is an interesting presence, keeping the hooded robe and scythe from the Grim Reaper yet somewhat personable as he lays someone's life out before them. He feels appropriately intangible and someone you could never fight, it's a more lowkey potrayal of Death but a good one nevertheless. The production is also pretty simple too with minimal sets that are reused thoroughly throughout, with a contemporary time period instead of a period piece set centuries ago which I think is awesome cause that means you get to see just a teeny bit of 1920s Sweden, the dark shadows and warmly lit interiors are very nice and the telling of a ghost story around a fire is as classic as classic can get. I can see the film being very life affirming to some with a message imploring others that it's never too late for love or forgiveness until your dying day, but it does leave you with more awareness of your own presence in the world. I quite liked it, it's not a great film or a shining example of silent cinema but a well told story with a strong message, and hey it's not everyday I can talk about a foreign silent film so I can dig it. I give it 2.5 stars, 7/10, and next week we got a little grab bag of movies so stay tuned.

The Man Who Laughs

Not a total horror movie by most's estimations but when the hell am I gonna be able to talk about this again?

The Man Who Laughs is a wonderful movie and can definitively be put in the Universal classics collection in my mind. Centering on a performer who was horrifically disfigured as a boy who garners a healthy reputation in 17th century England as a sideshow, while royal machinations interfere with his quite beautiful romance and the best of both worlds he cannot achieve. The first thing I really gotta point out is these performances...holy shit balls! Even as someone who champions silent cinema, who has seen my fair share, I'm kinda stunned how everything fit so well. Conrad Veidt is a marvel in this film as Gwynplaine (or as I affectionately called him, Gwyn) which says a lot considering he had to wear dentures with metal hooks in him to achieve the ghastly grin, but his eyes and his mannerisms convey so much you almost kinda forget it's a silent film! He shows heartbroken sadness, joyous love, nervous apprehension, and even prideful dismissal all with a smile on his face. Good God he deserves every shred of praise and recognition for this role. Do I even have to say I love Mary Philbin as Dea in this? She's only one of the most gorgeous women I have ever seen and the sheer just brightness and love she brings to this made it impossible for me not to be heavily invested in this character, and hey this might be the beginning of the trope where a blind girl falls in love with a slightly monstrous figure so how could I hate it? On the opposite end of the spectrum Olga Baclanova as the Duchess Josiana kinda gives me Maria vibes from Metropolis just not on as grand as scale, as this life loving, wild, slightly seductive woman who drifts into Gwynplaine's orbit is fascinating to watch. Literally from the first time she sees him you can read like this mix of morbid fascination and budding attraction on her face, and I didn't really know where her story was gonna go. Cesare Gravina as self proclaimed philosopher and sideshow manager Ursus while a minor role is prominent throughout and is a stalwart supporter of Gwyn and Dae's romance, has some standout moments too near the end that actually feels quite real in the desperation and heartache so bravo to him! We even get Brandon Hurst back as Barkilphedro and wow it is night and day between Hunchback and this, in Hunchback it was a very dry performance with enough to make you dislike Jehan but here he is eating this role up as this confidant servant to the royal family, and my God he is such a slimy son of a bitch in this movie and it is glorious to see cause you can tell he's relishing every second he gets to play this conniving swine. Like rarely have I seen a main cast of a silent film this spectacular across the board, you can read so much emotion through their faces alone and it perfectly encapsulates why silent acting has to be respected and appreciated. Production wise it's not as expansive and flashy with it's sets as Hunchback yet I'll be damned if I said they weren't good either. What more caught my eyes beyond the period costuming was the camera does some interesting stuff, it's not your typical early cinema shots, they do exteme close ups and place the camera at interesting angles and even does some crossdissolves that you really just don't see in movies even 20 years after the fact. And I'll admit to you straight up this movie had a loooot of pull on me, damn near cried not once but twice, was smiling like a fool, I even had a moment where I covered my dropped jaw in both shock and joy. I can't even recall the last movie to have those kinds of reactions from me but hey I'm older than the hills, I can't remember what I did three days ago. And on that distressing bombshell it is time to end, I give this 4 stars, 8/10, and next time we get foreigny.

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1923)

Maybe not exactly a horror film as we define it today but a good movie to spotlight nevertheless.

As someone who grew up loving the animated Hunchback from a young age even I'm kinda surprised it took me this long to see the original film adaptation. This could very well be considered the first Universal Monster movie almost a decade before Dracula, and it's not often you get to talk about a film that's now 103 years old so let's talk about it! Set in 15th century Paris the film more or less consists of a love square between the eponymous hunchback Quasimodo, a gypsy Esmerelda, a captain of the king's guard Phoebus, and brother of the arch-deacon of Notre Dame Jehman as revolution broils under the surface, it's not a very involved plot which could be said about several silent films but you can get into it. What the film may lack in story the production well makes up for, with a true to scale facade of the Notre Dame cathedral on the Universal backlot that stood untouched until unfortunately a fire devastated the backlot in 1967 and it really does feel like we are seeing the church in the fifteenth century. All the sets are massive and decorated to the max, the costuming is garish and while I'm no expert on french clothing in the 1400s feels authentic, the staggering amount of extras for crowd shots, and there always seems to be a crowd shot, around every corner gives it such weight and scale that most movies could never even dream of achieving. In terms of acting, while this is not my personal favorite performance of Lon Chaney the dedication he always brought to the makeup and the sheer disdain Quaismodo has for humanity mixed with a tragic love for Esmerelda makes it still a fine acting part that is still talked about to this day. Patsy Ruth Miller brings such light to a sometimes grim movie as Esmerelda, showing great compassion and innocence which really makes me feel bad she's gotta deal with some real pieces of work at times and while I feel her backstory is woefully presented with a true out of left field element I'm also aware about fifteen minutes of this film is lost but we have a mostly intact copy. Norman Kerry who you might remember as Raoul from Chaney's Phantom plays Phoebus and I know this is modern sensibilities coming from me, but he's a bit of a fucking whore in this! I'm serious man he's already engaged to one woman and is known to get around as they say before zeroing in on Esmerelda, and I'm just like bro move on my God. Solid performance but an irksome character. And boy does that compound hard and fast with Brandon Hurst as Jehan who is our Claude Frollo equivalent in this film, you can just tell from Brandon's face he's a real devil of a swine and he just cannot leave this poor girl alone, tries to abduct her, literally stabs Phoebus to get to her, and pretty much orchestrates a failed coup just to run off with her, like Christ alive he's not as interestingly evil as the Disney version but he's still a bastard! It's easy to get invested because you do want the best for Esmerelda and can sympathize with Quasimodo even if he isn't a baby face voiced by angel sent from above Tom Hulce, and for a almost two hour film takes it's time but doesn't drag it's feet either. I would say it's more a minor classic of both the silent film era and the horror genre, but I still liked it just fine. I certainly can appreciate the art all made by hand no less, and this was a megabucks hit for Universal gaining over 3 million dollars and I need you to think about that for a sec considering movie tickets were dimes back then, and I'm happy to say I ginally have seen it. I give it 2.5 stars, 7/10, and we have a semi-horror title up next.

The Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile

I'm actually quite happy this was brought to my attention.

Speaking as someone who has zero knowledge of Raggedy Ann in any capacity or format other than she's a doll, it surprises me how much I enjoyed this little special. There's not much to the plot besides a young boy who yearns to celebrate the holiday is stopped by his crumudgeon of an aunt, as both Ann and Andy seek out a pumpkin to lift the boy's spirits and we're introduced to the eponymous pumpkin as they race to save the Halloween spirit before the night is done. It is bare bones as all get out, but it holds a different kind of power. The word more than any other I would describe this special as is mellow. It is a mellow, laid back, cute short. Whatever lack of exquisite fall atmosphere that was missing from the last two specials is brought tenfold here, this short bleeds autumn. The sunset sky, the rich trees, the old town architecture, it is unbelievable what Chuck Jones and the production team brought to this just in terms of visuals. I like the story and can give my two bits on two aspects, one being the pumpkin who is honestly a good stand in for depression and how that makes one feel even around holidays but the simple fact that someone out there is happy that pumpkin exists changes a great deal on their outlook, and can also perhaps lighten a person's feelings as well watching this knowing there's at least one person who is excited you're around. Second is and maybe this also due to Chuck Jones having a hand in this, but the grumpy aunt practically has the Halloween equivalent of the Grinch going from not liking the holiday at all to revelling in it. The voice cast may be small but are solid throughout, June Foray has a voice as sweet as honey, Daws Butler is a bit more rough around the edges but ultimately nice and wanting to help, Les Tremayne's perfomance as the pumpkin is perfect for animation and it is quite sweet to see the arc he goes through. And if Garfield is the special you watch right before you charge out into the night, this is the special you watch as you come back home and start winding down, trading candy with friends and lounging on the couch in the glow of the TV eating your favorite treats, before finally going to bed. And hey, Halloween is on a Saturday this year so it doesn't get much better than that. As for this incredibly short and sweet special I give it 3 stars, 7/10, and next week we go back to the silent era.

Garfield's Halloween Adventure

I know, shocking it took this long right?

Yet another seminal classic that I just never watched or knew of until into my adult years, which is funny because I was a Garfield fan in my youth to the point where my Nan would mail me the comic strips she cut out of the paper every few months. So yeah I feel like a major ass not reviewing or seeing this sooner. But I can safely say despite my lateness this is a real fun special, essentially amounting to Garfield picking out a costume and going trick or treating with Odie when it gets spooooky after an old ghost story is told to them. I mean if you had a checklist of Halloween goodness it damn near checks every box. Costume picking, tricks or treats, pumpkin carving, ghost stories, seeing other people's costumes out on the dark streetlight filled neighborhoods, it literally is just missing that exquisite autumn atmosphere we love so dearly on this show. I don't really think I need to tell you about the greatness that is Lorenzo Music as Garfield, the man is a legend for this alone perfectly encapsulating not just Garfield but I feel all cats in my opinion, as his greed for candy and dry humor makes this endlessly entertaining. However I will spotlight C. Lindsay Workman as the scary storyteller who has this unbelievable voice almost akin to James Earl Jones who just makes this small story about pirate treasure memorable, and I feel to a certain generation namely mine and the one before us I think if not all of us most of us have heard of or encountered a scary neighbor, not a bad neighbor or even a harmful neighbor, just someone who lived near you that kinda scared you. Again, capturing that childlike innocence with such ease that we may have forgotten about or took for granted as we grew up. This is the quintessential short but sweet special, not even 25 minutes with credits, and despite my lack of intelligence to summarize why Garfield is so entertaining there's a reason this is looked back on fondly and I have less than zero problem fully recommending it. Hell I could even see this is as the perfect special to watch before you dash out the door, adorned in costume, ready to take on the town for tricks or treats under the moonlit night. And that's pretty fucking awesome. 3.5 stars from me, 8/10, and we got just one more that I don't hear a great many talk about so I'll catch you next time.

The Halloween That Almost Wasn't

I knew we were gonna get to this eventually, and what a cracking way to get into the season!

I'm not really sure if I can call this a cult classic since though I have indeed heard some people bring it up it fits more a minor oddity of the season's past. Clocking it at less than half an hour this very simple yet lovingly produced special involves all the famous monsters of filmland trying to preserve this most treasured and literally hallowed holiday by trying to convince a witch to commence her annual fly through the moonlit sky while she is ready to call it quits. And for a television special from 1979 I have to admit they did a good job with everything, the sets are very nicely done and show some scale, the costuming is the epitome of classic, the writing genuinely got some chuckles out of me, and I got to give credit where credit is sorely due to the simple fact that they lore drop some of the original traditions of Halloween and what they are today 4 years before Season Of The Witch and that gets them at least half a star! The cast are clearly having fun with this especillay in the case of Judd Hirsch and Mariette Hartley who do have the most time to shine. Judd does a pretty damn great Bela Lugosi impression and got the most laughs out of me, in fact if I may be so bold I think this specific iteration of the character is the basis for Hotel Transylvania. Watch it and prove me wrong! Mariette has a lot of sass and self-worth, and I was fully on her side when she said she was tired of being a witch, not getting that much recognition when she literally heralds the most special of days, and hey a woman who wants to disco dance every Friday has my heart. Henry Gibson as Igor was a treat too, with a very eloquent british accent to break up the monotony of other hunchback assistants and his sycophantic attitude towards the Count combined with his cunning plans were nice character touches. I can totally see why this was broadcasted on the Disney Channel for 13 years ending in 1996, it's a perfect Halloween special for young kids who want some light entertainment. But neither does it ham up or treat the audience stupidly, it truly does just do it's own thing and invites you to have fun with it. I truly enjoyed it and got a good couple of chuckles and exclaimated "Ha's" throughout, it takes you back to a much more innocent time and with the right kind of eyes you might even get a little emotionally invested near the end. You know what it's like? It's like a school play that's well made and you can tell the actor's are trying, and despite whatever small shortcomings it has and yes it's no masterpiece you can value and appreciate it a good deal. I probably won't watch it every year but I also got something to add to my ever growing list of Halloween goodness to watch, and how could that ever be a bad thing? I give it 3 stars, 7.5/10, and we got a classic animated special next time.

Forgotten Island

Alright Dreamworks you're not out of the game yet.

I admittedly didn't quite know what to expect from Forgotten Island even with seeing the trailer once or twice, it just looked like an entertaining very beautiful animated film and I was down to see it. What I got instead was a pretty damn good family film with kind of a monumental message for young kids and while the emotional tale laid before me didn't sucker punch me in the feels I not only respected it but admired it. The story follows two young girls who grow up together brought up on tales of a magical land when on their last night before the upheaval of college, they're thrown into this wild world and essentially it almost turns into a kid version of The Hangover as they desperately try to piece together what exactly happened so they can get back home. The film is centered entirely on this friendship between Jo and Raissa which could mean that the film is either made or break based on that, but I think they handled it great! You see a progression with them not just from spaz kids to young adults but how they see each other, how they affect each other's lives, how they are human and make mistakes that hurt one another, and that's a pretty big thing for an animated film. Gabriella Wilson better known as artist HER plays Jo who frankly could have my whole heart and I'd never ask for it back, she's so full of energy and kind of a unapologetic dork that is the more rebellious and outspoken of the group. While Liza Soberano as Raissa starts out more as the introspective nerd who is the voice of reason aa Jo gradually gets her to come out of her shell and be herself, so they got an opposites attract thing going on and it really works. Both performances are about as sturdy as durasteel, you get these characters, you like seeing them hang out, you feel for them when they speak from the heart, and I think it's wonderful. But! And oh my is this the biggest but! What pushes it so above and beyond at least in terms of the writing is the messages woven throughout regarding memory, friendship, life, and how nothing lasts forever is kinda jaw dropping. To be maybe depressingly real with you guys, I don't have a very good memory. I'm bad with names, I can't remember what I did three days ago, there's entire years of my life I just can't recall. So when the prospect of our main characters potentially losing treasured moments, the importance the film projects on not only holding onto memories but making more, the most basest of fact that memories shape your life...it was difficult not to appreciate it. I mean to a old bastard like me that's huge but to a kid, you know a single digit child watching this that could be astronomical, something that could stay with them for decades. It kinda steals your breath away. And yeah, sometimes the movie kinda ping pongs with tone and mood, not to a damaging status but certainly noticeable, but even then it doesn't diminish what the film is conveying. The animation is un-friggin'-believable, it made me just think holy fuckaroli we have come a long ass way since Toy Story. The colors, the motion, the heavily anime inspired reactions and art style at times, like goddamn this movie is gorgeous! Might even be the best animated film I've seen in a good while from here in the West to be fair, like sweet babeh jeezus! It's pretty damn funny too, it probably speaks to my early 2000s humor and soul but most of the jokes got a good laugh out of me! It can have a moment but it's not afraid to get wild and offbeat either. So the story is rock solid, the performances are great, the production is reaching the heavens, and whatever grumbles I might have with it can be looked past. I can see this being a influential and timeless story decades in the future for this generation and I can indeed recommend it. I give it 3 stars, 8/10, and ohhhh next week is where the fun truly begins on this show!

Primetime

You only have me for so much longer A24 so savor it while it lasts.

I will come clean 110%, I heard about this movie in passing and didn't really think it was for me until about 3 weeks ago, when I saw the trailer before Onslaught and that trailer alone made me want to see this movie. Now...did the trailer perfectly encapsulate the film? Nnnnno, it looked like a mix of psychological thriller and a police procedural, just mental as shit. The movie is kinda half and half between a slightly fictionalized look at the To Catch A Predator series and then we go to Denton, and it becomes an A24 movie. Granted the focus is on Chris Hansen and a decoy by the name of Dan Plum as they navigate quite possibly the most difficult show to ever film, as we build up to the suicide stinger that got the show canned back in the day. Robert you absolute madman I love you to bits, and it is fascinating watching this performance cause like I said it goes by the numbers and then as we near closer to the end it gets out there, and it without a doubt is an exaggeration of Chris but I'm so invested in the plot and was really having fun with Pattinson's acting to where I didn't really care. Skyler I feel has the most dramatic of roles to play as this regular actor who doesn't even know what show he's auditioning for as he has to condition himself to confront these horrific people and how Chris slightly guides/utilizes him for these arrests. Merritt Wever as the producer Andie took me awhile to grasp what she was laying down as this aloof, deadpan voiced, pretty much head honcho of the show but I got it by the end. And this is gonna sound weird as shit, I know it's probably just me but this movie kinda got some laughs out of me. It's not super on the nose comedy but it has these almost for lack of a better term, self-aware moments where if you really take a step back and look at the situation it's fairly ridiculous and it got some chuckles outta me. Go figure! Now this takes place in 2006, I was 11 at the time, I didn't have an opinion on whether the series was sensationalist television or anything like that cause it was so far off my radar it practically didn't exist. Now, yeah it's a fair bit obvious that the show did not have to exist for these operations to go into effect, and whether or not it made a dent in pedophilia or forced them to be more subtle and crafty I couldn't say and will leave that to more intelligent minds. I'm just here to tell you what I think about the movie and I really liked it! It certainly has no problem showcasing the zeitgeist of that era which I get a kick out of, every goddamn movie is 80s this or 70s that, it is going to be a fucking trip when we start getting early 2000s nostalgia in our movies man. But the production was sharp from the damn good cinematography, the more artsy lighting, the rock solid direction, the acting, it all worked and worked very well. It's an interesting movie to say the least and it likely won't work for everybody but I can give it an odd recommendation. Just see it cause this is one of those movies where you can only judge it for yourself. For me I give it 3.5 stars, 8/10, and we are shifting gears hard fucking core tomorrow.

BONUS: Onslaught

Okay yeah Adria wielding a chainsaw can get anyone in a theater.

This felt like a tremendous throwback movie from the 80s and as I recount the plot you'll see what I mean. So basically three supersoldiers crafted by a bootlicking natzi scientist escape containment and start wreaking havoc and death in a small New Mexico town putting them in the crosshairs of a military veteran who wouldn't you know it has custody of her daughter right before the shit royally hits the fan. It sounds almost Cannon-esque and yeah man it's pretty exploitative, with bloody gruesome deaths, a random scene of fairly strong nudity, a pretty no frills and no questions asked plot, it reeks of an old school action script just made with modern techniques. Of course Adria has my whole heart and it's been a minute since I've rooted for a movie character this hard, she's got trauma from being a soldier, she's a mom trying her best, and when mama bear goes off I can't help but love it. She pretty much carries the film but there's some solid supporting cast in tow. The man and legend Reginald VelJohnson who I haven't seen in the longest time plays a veteran neighbor of hers and my God do I love that man to bits, such a joy to see him in this even if it's just a small role! Blake Kennedy ho mah gawd is the cutest sweetest girl I swear, yeah I'd knife a motherfucker in the face to keep her safe without question, she did a great job and this mother/daughter duo was wonderful. Drew Starkey is a bit of a wild card in the mix playing a government operator who is on the hunt for the supersoldiers as well, and I do feel there was supposed to be more to this character that most likely ended up on the cutting room floor but he plays it very well regardless. The supersoldiers themselves lead by a man only known as The Butcher played by Alex Pereira are effectively brutal and have this almost Barrow-Wight soldier look to them, and man oh man is it cathartic to see them get ded. Adam Wingard our guy who helmed the Godzilla and Kong films brings such a style from minute one, and holy shit might have brought the most scathing anti-authoritative opening credits scene to a film I have ever seen so the man has my respect for that, with great use of angles and as typical with his movies a varied soundtrack. Also have to give a shoutout to Matt Pusti who really fucking brought it with the score, I had no idea synthesizers could be that goddamn heavy and when the metal music kicks in you're half expecting the Doom Slayer to round the corner and start annihilating, so big thumbs up for you sir! The pacing is short and sweet, this movie is less than 90 minutes not counting credits but does a damn good job setting everything up while still injecting it's own type of character and style in the filmmaking. And it works! You feel the unquiet and shock seeing people just get gunned down like a dog in the streets, you get invested with this woman, you fucking seethe at these government types likes the asswipes they are, so it's a highly effective and good movie. No means a genre defying masterpiece, but a rock solid film nonetheless. I give it 3 stars, 7.5/10, and now the work truly begins in earnest after this. I'll catch y'all near the tail end of the month!

Legend

This is the one that hurts the most personally.

I think it's no secret Tim was a treasure to behold and has been an almost lifelong favorite actor of mine, and I've never seen this movie and really only heard little bits and pieces through the years so it was a unique experience. Dear sweet Satan below though, can there ever just be a Ridley Scott movie with one damn cut? It was a journey in and of itself researching the 3 versions, hell I pretty much watched two of them for this review! I saw the U.S. cut and the european cut and goddammit both are a little bit of a mixed bag so I can't even say there's a definitive version, and I didn't even touch the near two and half hour version for the sake of brevity. But before we get wrapped up in the details let's talk plot. It is undoubtedly and positively high fantasy through and through, concerning a young princess embroiled in the machinations of his most infernal majesty who wishes to plunge the world in unending darkness as an unlikely hero rises to save his love and the idyllic world as well. Doesn't sound that far off from the most quintessential of fairy tales and that was without a doubt the goal for Ridley Scott and how the film is presented only pounds that truth to almost the center of the earth. Now production wise it is a visual feast of the most epic proportions, the sets are absurdly big and very involved with so much set dressing and props it would make the most die hard theater kids drool, the costuming is rich but not super flashy, the music in my personal opinion is better with the Tangerine Dreams soundtrack instead of the Jerry Goldsmith score though zero offense to Jerry, and I'll say this up front the editing is way WAY better in the european cut than the american cut which seems choppy and disjointed at times. You wouldn't think four minutes would make a tremendous difference between versions but it gives a better pace and rhythm for the scenes. I will fully admit Tim is the highlight of the film and is the biggest drawing factor, which is funny because he's really not that prevalent in the story I'd be surprised if we even get 25 minutes of him on screen but it's all in the presence and the un-fucking-believable prosthetics by Rob Bottin a king of 80s special effects. Like I'm sorry but if my choices were long haired pretty boy Tom Cruise or 7 foot tall, deep voiced, smitten Tim Curry...I guess I'm just gonna be the devil's lapdog and don't save me. I double dare you not to be enthralled by his performance and magnetism! Tim is glorious but we all know that already! Mia Sara as the princess Lily is very lovely, a true pure soul who tries to put things right and she does very very well even if it isn't exactly the deepest role and my God did she get a glow up when she's all evil queen which was wonderful. Tom Cruise, oh boy where do I start? Now do I think he did a terrible job? No. Do I think he was the right fit for the role? Also no! And apparently he was less than thrilled himself with the film and vowed never to do something like this again and stayed true to his word to this day, but hey man it was veryyyy early in his career and the fact he got Top Gun after this cemented his career. It's a decent film and considering fantasy was pretty much box office arsenic in the 80s, and yeah the film is bursting with style and beauty yet kinda lax on plot, but it no doubt has grown a cult following in the four decades since. I was happy to see it, even if it was twice just so I could compare notes and yeah let's just wrap that little tangent up. I would say go european, but man if I was actually smart and knew how to edit I would make my own fan edit with the longer runtime and the Tangerine Dreams soundtrack incorporated with some particular shots and lines kept in from the american cut. I mean I'm sure it might exist somewhere and hey if you find it drop me a line cause I'd be down for it. It's a little bit of a mess but we'll live anyway. I give it 3 stars, 7.5/10, last week was fucking bullshit and we need a win more than possibly ever. In fact this might be the last review until the tail end of the month mainly because I got so so much to bring to you next month in the most wonderful time of the year and well I'll need the time to make it all happen. So be good to yourselves, stay safe, and embrace the night.

Transformers The Movie

Til' all are One.

Needless to say that scene hits a hell of a lot harder now. I can't even begin to tell you how much I have heard about this movie and the impact it left, I want to say since around 2007 or 2008 I have heard people talk about this movie from reviews of it, people who collected the action figures, and just the general zeitgeist of the 1980s for those who remember and for those who will never forget so I kinda knew everything about it already and yet...I felt like I knew nothing. Oh sure the big stuff I was very familiar with! The war between Autobots and Decepticons, the arrival of planet killer Unicron, the death of Optimus Prime, the rebirth of Galvatron, The Matrix Of Leadership, yet how all those pieces come together in a story is a different tale entirely. This movie kicks your ass till you spit out your balls from minute one in a non-stop action rampage fuelled by anime style animation and kick fucking ass 80s rock until end credits, it is brutal in so many ways and not just the onslaught of character deaths. Now I am not an encyclopedia of the G1 Transformers though I have watched the original show yet even I know the body count is absurd in this movie! It is NOT one of those movies where we get introduced to a lot of new characters while keeping up with the originals, if anything they scrap the originals to make room for the new ones which I know would be considered sacriligeous to the point of heresy today, but it does make me wonder how people felt about it back in 1986. What people failed to mention was the fact that Optimus gets dead before I almost want to say the 25 minute mark, in fact the pacing is break neck speed and slightly scattered throughout in terms of where characters are, what they're doing, what the next scene is, it makes Rise Of Skywalker look like an Andy Warhol film taking it's sweet ass time. I thought the big final confrontation with Megatron was more going to be the halfway low point of the film and then our new heroes would gather to fight Unicron. Yet I can't help but feel that seeing Optimus fight so bravely and inspire others to wield their might for right even after his death is a worthy tribute to Peter Cullen, who literally inspired entire generations (Plural!) of people to be better individuals, who fullheartedly believe that freedom is the right of all sentient beings, and that's pretty incredible. Dare I even say awe inspiring! And while we miss such a powerful voice, I can safely say the rest of the voice cast are far from chumps. Judd Nelson does good work playing a more young and brash protagonist as Hot Rod who I know people either love or despise this character but I didn't hold any serious qualms, Frank Welker is still the king and brings his A-game, fucking Leonard Nimoy as Galvatron is a real treat and feels not like a successor to Megatron but just is a reincarnated Megatron, we somehow I still don't know how got Orson Welles as Unicron in his final role no less and boy is that an intimidating voice for a horrific entity and I almost want to say is more destructive than the Death Star. Speaking of which, yeahhh the Star Wars influence is felt here a good bit showing how monumental and influencing that movie was. I do really love the animation, it has that suped up Robotech look with so much color and motion, and it will stun me rigid everytime knowing it was drawn all by hand. The music...holy fuck balls! Both the score by Vince DiCola who was on some high plane wizardy and the soundtrack with Stan Bush and Kick Axe is the stuff you should be buying with your money. I'm serious man this is the most 80s shit I have ever seen in my entire life and I'm speechless. Now can I see the faults? Yes! Do I still very much like the movie and can say it's one of the best Transformers movies even 40 years later? Also yes! It's certainly never dull and even I'm a bit shocked I've never truly written a review of this until now, but hey I ain't mad. I give it 3 stars, 7/10, and tomorrow we hit another milestone and say just one more goodbye.

The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas

Cheers to you Dolly.

It's funny how long this movie has been on my radar, we're talking waaay back to my pre-teen days yet I never knew a damn thing about it. Had no idea it had Dolly and Burt, had no idea it was a musical, and had no idea about the plot of a well over century old brothel in Texas that's targeted by a sensationalist television star against not only the town's wishes but the sherrif's as well who has personal ties to the owner as they fight to keep it's doors open for business. The best way I can describe it is it's a fun and fancy free movie, you may gather that from the term musical but it truly is just some entertaining fluff that has a very good sense of humor and a fair bit of heart to it. We get fourth wall breaks, dance numbers, about as much southern cussing as you can get, and less than reasonable consequences for legitimate offenses. I know everyone talks about 9 To 5 when it comes to Dolly Parton in cinema but I wanted to showcase this and I'll be dadgumed I don't know if you could get closer to the woman herself than here, her wonderful wit, her philanthropic nature, her singing, her massive heart that she wears proudly on her sleeve, I will be goddamned to Hell itself if I truly do not say this woman was perfect. I mean that wholeheartedly. And just the sheer chemistry she has with Burt in this makes it worthwhile to watch, they have genuine moments together, they have a nice relationship, you can tell they will go the distance for each other and it's wonderful. I know Burt pretty much just plays Burt in almost all his roles but that's why you watch his movies, his humor and laugh, his swagger, his outstanding ability to verbally throw down, he's endless fun to watch in this and I do miss the man a great deal too. Dom DeLuis is a solid antagonist pretty much prophesizing the evangelist nightmare that would spring up later in the decade, and the best part is I really can't tell if he does have this high morality bitchiness about him or if he's capitalizing on this story for fame and fortune but either way he's a right little shit that you love to boo and hiss at. I gotta also shoutout Theresa Merritt as the housekeeper Jewel, I just really loved her in this and I know for a fact that woman would kick my ass if I didn't bring my manners. This turned out to be Colin Higgin's last directorial effort and at first glance it doesn't seem all that special but then you get these wide shots with that big ol' Texas sky and these unreal shots of the sun rising or setting, it has a good look to it throughout. I heard some people bashed the movie for changing it up from the stage play and altering some of the history but I certainly didn't hold much of a grudge for any of it. Hell the fact this might be the most pro-sex worker movie I've ever seen gets nothing but my respect, and just for the record my favorite song from the film is Hard Candy Christmas which is a real bittersweet song for the girl's near the end of the movie. And it's surprisingly quotable, I swear half of the quotes I saw attributed to Dolly when the news came on Twitter were from this movie, the ballerina line, if you see someone unhappy give them your smile, it really is an admirably written script. I really didn't know what to expect but it all makes total sense now why my Nan had this in her VHS collection once upon another time. It's a charming funny little movie that I never hear anybody talk about but I can say it is worth seeing at least just once. I had a cracking good time, got swept up in the story, laughed to beat the band, quite enjoyed the romance aspect to it, and I got to see two wonderful stars orbit each other for just a moment. 3 stars, 7.5/10, and we stick to the 80s for a movie you may be surprised I haven't actually reviewed yet.

Ghost: 2 Big To Rig

A bit early for a satanized Sunday but no matter!

My lord if Black Sabbath ever got a film that would complete my holy trinity of bands, Ghost and Violent Vira of course being the other two. I was happy as a clam going to the cinemas to see the Skeletour, and as any good reviewer would I did my research keeping up with the Ghoulbanger's Ball on Youtube and hearing all the buzz from fans on the Twitter when the tour was ongoing so I was pretty stoked! Not disappointed at all, got to see the new Papa, a new era, and met some very nice fans one of which gifted me a ribbon with a pendant which I'm wearing with pride as I write. I was smiling like a huge dork the whole time and I very much appreciated the behind the scenes tidbits we got sprinkled in between the live set in Mexico City. Speaking of which I knew Mexico City was THE place to shoot the film cause they fucking bring it and it was actually very touching seeing a little tribute to not just the city but the multitude of fans in attendance. True I may have been a broke bitch and couldn't see the band live but it still was wonderful to see everyone who did. Needless to say the performances themselves were grand and any interaction with Papa was a highlight, the man just hits my funny bone constantly (hey hey) and the ghouls particularly our hunky Storm and our breathtaking ghoulettes Cirrus, Aurora, and Azura are my personal favorites. I did expect more songs from Skeletà but we get a healthy variety from all the albums with the standout songs being Satanized, Mummy Dust, and Dance Macabre for my money's worth. Massive love to the stage set up with digital backdrops, pyro, and a 7-ton grucifix light emplacement hovering above, they clearly went apeshit and it makes for a visually dazzling display to say the least! The only thing I didn't like is it was over too quickly, and indeed it is shorter than Rite Here Rite Now but that had plot to it and while we don't get anything here it won't deduct points. There's a lot of love and appreciation found within and I can safely say I'm happy with it and am waiting for a physical release. I loved it, I had a wonderful time, and fingers double crossed I can experience it firsthand in the future. 4 stars, 9/10, and that does it for this month but next week we have some tributes to give. If you have ghosts, you have everything...

Coyote Vs. Acme

Finally.

I'd like to thank everybody who made this theatrical release possible, as someone who was keeping tabs on this production and can firmly say go fuck yourself on your tax write offs WB, I'm happy to report this was indeed a good movie! It pretty much is as the tin says, the Coyote after decades of fruitlessly chasing the Roadrunner with faulty tech sues the Acme corporation as the film follows down and out attorney Kevin Avery who literally rises to the bar to expose the corporation. And it has my heart till the end of time for a ruthless and scathing view of companies, corporations, politicians, and all around scumbags who can eat shit and die while still crafting a highly enjoyable and indeed funny film. I have always loved the Coyote and the love has only grown since walking out of the cinema, they got this character down pitch perfect in every way, maintaining the silent comedy even in the midst of all this other story. Will Forte is a solid lead and given the fact he has to act opposite a character that isn't there does a decent job, and has quite good comedic timing to add to the plethora of Looney Tunes characters. Lana Condor was kinda my shining star throughout bringing a lot of energy and even positivity to the mix as the true supporter for Kevin and sure knows her stuff when it comes to law. And in terms of the toons if you're any kind of hardcore fan you'll be seeing actually more of the obscure and less popular characters than the big main stars. Sure you get Bugs, Daffy, Taz, Foghorn Leghorn, and Porky but the side characters get more frequent screentime that adds to the world. Though I do find it hilarious all these famous cartoon characters are found around Albuquerque, New Mexico. For a film a notch over 90 minutes it kinda surprised me how quick we got to the first court scene, it really doesn't waste your time but it's not a 12 Angry Men situation where you're stuck in the court. There's plenty of breaks and investigations with that classic Looney Tunes comedy which again they handled super well. It's a very funny film and got a few big laughs out of me and it seemed the theater I was at was digging it too. The pacing was solid, I was kinda shocked near the end how they handled the verdict but a film of this caliber ain't gonna end on a sour note and as a fledgling anarchist seeing the Coyote explosively respond to the Acme higher ups brought such joy to me. I very much enjoyed this movie and hope it endures great success and praise, may not be one of the greatest movies of all time but damn good nevertheless. I give it 3 stars, 8/10, now if only we could get that Batgirl movie out into the world then I could feel that justice for all isn't just words.

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.

In Retrospect: Evil Dead Rise

Alright, from the top!

Yeah it has been about three years since I've watched this and regardless of if the new movie is any kind of follow up, it's nice to watch this again. Still pretty fucking horrifying just on a conceptual level I can tell you that, and I am going to be rather bold here for a hot second and just say Alyssa Sutherland...best horror performance of 2023. Now I know David was really really good in Late Night With The Devil that year, but Alyssa knocked it out of the park. And indeed while the characters aren't super intelligent, the writing is solid enough which is something I feel is grossly needed in the horror scene. That indicates several things to me, they don't half-ass a script, they want you to be invested and engage with these characters, and it just makes for a better story overall. Sure there's some fodder to up the kill count, but our main family unit is pretty damn good. I don't need airtight plots and ingenious characters, and to see a even more modern lens implemented to an Evil Dead film after 2013 works great! It all feels like a necessary evolution to the series, I don't think it's trying to match or top the original trilogy but rather just stand on it's own merits which it does admirably. Alllll the makeup, gore, and effects still are effective and the cinematography is anything but dull or unoriginal lending to a very good modern horror film. And considering the fact I haven't seen shit in terms of promotion for Evil Dead Burn, hell I can barely describe the poster, and yet I'm still very interested to walk into that theater Friday goes to show what a total underdog series this is. I mean really think about the trajectory of this franchise and the standing it has in the horror community, and it's kinda unbelievable we're at this point! Even I'm not that die hard a fan of the series despite reviewing every film, but I respect the living hell out of it and as long as we keep getting gnarly and good stories I'm totally game to see a new one. The score still stands at 3 stars, 7/10, and fingers crossed for even better this weekend.

Jackass Best And Last

If it truly is the end, I'm happy.

As a final hurrah to a rather fascinating phenomena that has lasted a quarter of a century, Best And Last surprisingly doesn't go for the biggest, loudest, and most outrageous finale but more stays consistent with the previous four films adding a fair bit of looking back and reflection on the last production we may see. I could potentially see this might upset some people, you know if you're going out go out with the biggest bang you could do but the new antics they get into while also showcasing a few of the old favorites was really good. It still got a few strong laughs out of me and while it wasn't nearly as packed a crowd as last movie the audience seemed to be having fun with it too. It's funny to see the stark difference between early Jackass and right here right now Jackass, that show looked like it had zero budget and yet look at the legacy it produced. Something that truly shocked me is we got Bam back for a little bit, that's a bit of a big deal and how appropriate that his first segment back has him scared shitless with snakes. We also got a few bits of unreleased footage from the veeeeery early days, so it feels like a well rounded sendoff. Despite not knowing about this series until really my mid to late teens catching the movies on cable, I'd be pretty down to own all five of the movies. It seems almost an impossible task to review a Jackass movie so this probably was more rambling than usual, but I dig it! It's a good movie, fans will be pleased I think, I give it 3 stars and a 7/10! We'll have a bit of a gap between the next new releases so I'll see you at the movies, and be good people.

Supergirl (2026)

Once again Rotten Tomatoes can suck my assssss!

I knew Supergirl was going to be different in a lot of ways from Superman, and I can appreciate the story it tells even if everything didn't hit the bullseye. They absolutely had me from the premise of some assholes shoot and poison Krypto and Kara has to go intergalactic John Wick on fools, but what I got instead was a story that yes has a good amount of ass whooping to be found but touches on subjects like grief with Kara being very detached and a drunk because of her own origin story and it makes sense, and how revenge continues to be the most worthless of causes as Kara constantly averts a young girl named Ruthye from killing the man who destroyed her family which I unabashedly love that it's not as simple as most tales would go in this direction! I like the character development for them both and as much as bitches are gonna bitch, both Milly and Eve work with this story. The visuals have gotten totally out there and me being the Star Wars kid I am how the hell could I not enjoy a film with so many alien heads and practical costuming for said aliens? I love my sci-fi, I love spaceships, I love alien lifeforms of all shapes and sizes, so I was quite happy with that. The action is a godsend and granted my wishes for a more literally grounded camera, they play a lot with long takes and involved choreography, it's shot more standard and yet works miles better in my very humble opinion, and yeah man Supergirl can wreck some shit. For a movie just a bit under 2 hours it flows at a brisk pace but never so quick to where we can't take in a moment and let a scene breathe, it totally benefits from a basic plot so you can let the emotions and action carry you through. Milly is a solid Supergirl that can juggle comedy, emotion, and has got a mean uppercut to boot so I'm game for what might come next for her in this series. Eve Ripley (great fucking name by the by) I already can tell people are gonna whine about "WelL sHe dIDn't Do aNyTHing" and well yeah, she's an emotional support character not an action heroess and this is the big important part: She doesn't have to be a blood soaked crusader to have an interesting story. Matthias Schoenaerts is a basic bad guy, definitely a bastard but I do wish he had more material to work with to be more memorable but that's more a criticism of script than actor, despite a decent design. Flippin' Jason Momoa as Lobo, now I'm not a hardcore Superman fan so my experience with the main man is limited but I really digged him in this movie! This is just an aside but I would kinda find it fun and funny if they recast most of the previous DC actors as new characters. Like get Henry to play like The Question or some shit. Have fun with it. Although Lobo pops up sporadically you can tell Jason is having fun with the part and by God he looks like he just erupted from the comics. I'm also quite happy David shows up a good bit and isn't just a blink and you miss him cameo, effortlessly still having that boy scout energy and making me really looking forward to Man Of Tomorrow. The effects were really good, the cinematography though not in your face has some standout moments, music choice was a little hit and miss but I'm a heavy metal girlie so what can you do? It's not the most jaw dropping next level comic book movie but I got news for you dear ones, I don't want them to be. I just want good and entertaining superhero movies and that is what I got. I respect it, I admire it, and I like it. I really don't know what more I could genuinely ask. So I give it 3 stars, 7.5/10! But oh, we got a curtain call tomorrow so stay tuned.

In Retrospect: Superman (2025)

So about a year later, how does it stack up?

I hate to say this with every iota of my being and every drop of blood in my body, but the hope has waned since seeing this in the cinemas. I remember everyone loving the new Superman, it gave them such an optimistic positive outlook in a world that was very dark and very grim. And I am blaming this solely on me, that while yes it showcases such hope and niceness that absolutely works in the film, I am not happy with the way practically anything is being run by government bodies and so-called "elite" individuals and nothing will satiate or asuage me other than retribution the likes of which even God or Satan could conjure. But I'll save my most vile of hexing for later. It still kinda amazes me just how much they really did shove into a 2 hour movie and YET it somehow works. You think on rewatch the flaws would become abundantly clear of having such a involved plot, more side characters than you can shake a stick at, taking a pretty bold stance on making Superman's parents kinda fucking bastards, absolutely using real world genocide as a basis for in universe conflict, and against all the odds and logic saying this should fail it comes out on top. That's a ballsy ass maneuver to literally kick off the new DC movie universe with so much stuff, but with tight writing, solid ass acting that still kept me invested and entertained, I'd say pretty good effects even if for the fucking life of them they couldn't direct a fight scene where the camera just stays still and yes ooh, ahhh, magical but I don't think it's too much to ask for the camera not to get topsy turvy at the drop of a hat. Minor quibble if I've ever made one and it isn't even terrible but guys, can you maybe not give the camera to a ADHD kid who just got into a 10 pound bag of sugar? I know what that's like because I'm ADHD as shit! But the weaving of the story works just fine, David is still goddamn Superman and while I'm frankly fucking over this comparison bullshit between the Snyderverse and the Gunnverse (comparison is the thief of joy), I still love Henry with his version of Superman, just like I love Brandon and Christopher, and I can safely say the future is in good hands for this character. I mellowed out on Rachel as Lois thank God, I thought she was a hardass and she kinda irked me but on rewatch girl's got a job to do and I ain't gonna slam her for that. Really great to see Edi as Mr. Terrific again, a true standout that I'm kinda proud the writers didn't just go for Guy Gardner even though that would have been the easy way out. Nicholas flip-flapping Hoult man, what a performance to make the most just pure asshole Lex Luthor in visual media and still be a credible antagonist despite being a bietch. Of course I got plenty of love for my boy Skyler as Jimmy, and Isabela ooh honey we need that kind of dictator dropping energy hardcore in this foul year of our lord two thousand and twenty-six, even Nathan who yeah Guy Gardner is a dick but he's an enjoyable dick (never thought I'd say those words but there you go). I'm totally game for Supergirl's antics even though she's a little shit sometimes, very happy I get to see that Friday! Music I still felt was kinda iffy on volume but the score by Jove still rocks, the effects are outlandish but fits perfectly with the tone, I'd be a damn fool to say this wasn't still a rock solid comic book movie in all it's lavishly ludicrous ways. Superman is a citizen of the globe so it's gonna be interesting to see the style difference and character difference between Kal and Kara. So I'll see you at the movies, and I'll boost up this score just a notch to 3 stars, 8/10!

Supergirl (1984)

I'm just thankful Supergirl got more love after this.

To be perfectly honest it seemed like a rough decade for the character in general especially considering after this movie Crisis On Infinite Earths happened and Supergirl got axed literally out of existence. But let's turn the clock back to 1984, Superman III is already out and through several scripts Supergirl is released to...less than favorable reception. Pretty much bombed at the box office, not a good word toward it from critics, and is now viewed as a secular oddity in comic book movie history. I mean the plot isn't god awful with Kara venturing to Earth to retrieve a magical MacGuffin and has to combat a sorceress named Selena, that has potential and indeed the Super family battles magic users all the time so it's not too out there. But the execution is really what kills it. I mean the cast is decent, Helen Slater just looks like Supergirl and has that wide eyed curiosity and joy that we never really got to see from her famous cousin. Faye Dunaway is our villain and is appropriately over the top, practically eye banging the camera throughout and while her schemes never really get off the ground till near the end the use of magic is inventive. Somehow, I don't know how, they got fucking Peter O'Toole in this movie and he really was my favorite character essentially the architect of Kara's city, and being the hardcore professional he is he brought a lot of charm and dare I almost say gravitas with his delivery no matter how outlandish the film is around him. Hart Bochner is Kara's semi-love interest and despite being introduced pretty early on doesn't have much to do which is a shame cause I feel like there's an okay romance on the cutting room floor. Speaking of which! The post production was a bit of a fiasco to say the least, strained relationship between the production company and Warner Bros., the film didn't even get released here in the States, the film was cut from two odd hours down to about 90 minutes, it really does just look like the world was against Supergirl from the word go. And while indeed the movie is fluff to an extreme, it's very Silver Age in it's plot and characters, the plot is loose and slipstream, it's very kiddy, and while the Christopher Reeve Superman movies were on a downward spiral you always had at least moments of character and drama, it's a far cry from what people would think a comic book movie is nowadays. But it's not unwatchable, I feel like this is a screaming instance where a good movie exists but it just had too many cooks in the kitchen spoiling the soup. It got me to smile, it got a chuckle out of me, I dig Helen as Supergirl, I really loved Peter O'Toole, it even captures just a little bit of that magic seeing Superman fly from the first movie when Kara arrives on Earth which is not an easy feat, it has moments to it! I watched the 2 hour version and while I didn't love it, I'm happy I got to see this little corner of history and when the hell would I have ever gotten around to reviewing this if not for the new movie? Far from great, definitely not for most, but it still has an impact all these years since. They literally cast Helen as the adoptive mother of then current Supergirl Melissa Benoist on the TV show, someone was clearly a fan. I give it 1.5 stars, 5/10, but we got one more stop before hitting the theater on Friday so look up for the next one.

Disclosure Day

Alright Steven, I can dig it.

Probably not a modern masterpiece of his films but a solid if bonkers movie. But hey, it's aliens I'd be disappointed if it wasn't bonkers! And the film kinda throws you in the deep end from minute one but it raises enough questions for you to want to know more and where it goes. It follows an archivist for a black ops team and a newscaster who for reasons unbeknowst to them have access to higher intelligence and they're willing to blow the whole lid on the you are not alone truth. It's interesting to see so many modern camera techniques utilized by Spielberg and it does make for a visually interesting film so props to you! Emily Blunt in my personal opinion is the standout role because she acts how any normal person would when confronted with such strange goings on, she has no idea what is happening to her and she voices it but still follows through knowing she has to do something. She feels unbelievably grounded in an earth shattering situation. Josh O'Connor is a good partnering lead with Emily, and I like how consequences be damned he is about unearthing the truth that yes extraterrestrial life has been on this planet for decades, but also the dyad they form into at a certain point I thought worked quite well. I think this is the first antagonist role I've seen Colin Firth in and while he's no Hugh Grant (sorry Colin please don't shoot) I kinda like the fact he's not this murderous, by any means necessary, above the law type villain, he just is doing what he feels right with such a massive truth. Colman Domingo is kinda the wild card in this deck because he seems to be the one who knows the most and has his own game to play, aiding our protagonists throughout yet it's not fully explained why and how. Far from the performance being bad, it's just a different element. The effects are minimal but are used effectively, they love shooting eyes I can tell you that and while the CG is not quite realistic who cares, it works just fine. Some people might bitch about the religious undercurrents but I found the filmmakers handled it right, with one character claiming this would be disastrous beyond recall and would damage religion worldwide because we need a god and a book to be good people while another claims and in my estimation too who the hell says alien life outside of Earth wasn't also created by a deity, and that faith is faith and not fact. They don't make a big deal out of it, it doesn't feel hamfisted, I rather appreciated that real world discussion. And yeah that reveal is about as real as you can get, though I do find it hilarious our own government has confirmed aliens are on this planet at least three times and we're just like, alright cool but could we maybe not fuck this planet and it's inhabitants even more on a daily basis. We know man, now could you please increase the minimum wage to a liveable status? I had not a great many expectations and walked away fairly happy, I think people will like it just fine and I'm happy to see Steven still doing what he loves. I give it 3 stars, 7.5/10!

E.T.

Hand over my heart, this is my first viewing of E.T. despite being a part of pop culture for decades.

Which I have to admit is pretty funny because I'm damn certain I had the 20th anniversary DVD when I was like 7, I knew about the Atari game and that whole reputation, and I knew the basic plot through cultural osmosis. Alien gets abandoned on earth, befriends a young boy, and they have to keep him safe from government bodies so he can GTFO this planet. How I wish I could join him. But it's such an endearing film, it's so easy to connect with E.T. and Elliot and despite the two hour runtime it really doesn't waste anytime pairing these two together. It's a surprisingly funny film and I was having a blast with it, it truly doesn't surprise me why it was such a success both in theaters and on video with audiences. The simple fact alone of this alien design being fully realized as a costume with prothetics built in is a marvel, effortlessly believable in my opinion and with a lot of personality to boot. Hell everyone has so much personality, Elliot is a good kid and I'll be goddamned if I didn't say Henry Thomas wasn't acting his fucking heart out I mean my God man, the movie had me on the verge of tears not once but twice! Robert MacNaughton as Elliot's brother Michael starts off as a punk older brother but quickly becomes a real one, Drew Barrymore just a wee baybah is so fffffffuggin' cute I'd burn planets for her and again for such a young actress she's damn good, Dee Wallace our horror queen barely feels like she's acting at all and despite having the peripheral vision of a mole is lovely to have here. Though dear sweet God this movie is so 80s man, kids playing D&D, some real hilarious insults, E.T. pounding Coors like a blue collar dad, the very fucking questionable scenario of having 8 year olds chloroform and dissect frogs, the buffet of Star Wars references that you bet your ass I was nerding the hell out over, it's crazy. But that's the way I like it even if I do have to say, what the FUCK 1980s?? All in all, a very very good movie that I'm quite happy to have finally seen. I give it 3.5 stars, 8/10, and Mr. Spielberg I'm curious to know what you got cooking up for us so I'll catch you tomorrow.

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

It's probably still top 5 Spielberg.

It should be frankly studied how Close Encounters does two things, keep the audience's attention in a stranglehold and almost mindbendingly mix wonder and terror of extraterrestrial life. You are hooked by scene one and you are left guessing honestly even as end credits role, as several sightings and experiences of UFO's radically change people's lives and has the government trying to piece together what it all could mean. I dare not divulge too much more because this is a movie that truly must be experienced start to finish, I simply cannot no matter how many words I write or feelings I have sum up Close Encounters. It is a marvel of storytelling and is one of those very rare movies where you're constantly wondering what the fuck is going onnnn and YET you are seated and wanting to know more. And it's not like sci-fi exmaples of earlier movies where the alien or spacecraft is more a mystery for most of the film, they show us the ships roughly 20 minutes in, and even then you can't truly describe them. Oh you see them for sure, but its such a finely crafted effect that you can't discern too much other than outlines because of the bright lights but that adds so much mystique and maybe even charm. It really captures that moment of time when space was still cool as shit and a large collective of people still wanted to know what was out there beyond the sky. We still have that now but nowhere near the level as back from say early 50s to late 70s. It is a movie that takes it's time pushing past 2 hours and the story it crafts, really only focusing on about three different characters that all are converging on one point while still showcasing a much wider berth of the effect such a monumental event would have on the world, is very finely done. Richard Dreyfuss has probably one of the most intricate and involved performances I've ever seen, after experiencing firsthand a UFO it shows how much that would change a person and how it kinda destroys his family when he starts pursuing things even he can't properly explain. He does a great job conveying confusion, determination, and a almost neurotic excitement sometimes all at once! Melinda Dillon has big time stakes when the aliens take an interest in her young son and it really is a horrifying situation to be in, you just get what she's going through. Last but not least we follow François Truffaut as a UFO specialist brought in by the american government who after finding several missing craft throughout decades of history has his own theory to everything. Back to my original point involving the aliens, it's effectively eerie when they show up mainly because you really don't know what the intentions are and it's this odd mix of awe and horror that constantly flip flops, not to the film's detriment but down to the simple fact that we fear the unknown. And the movie almost paves the way for modern sci-fi horror like Fire In The Sky, it's shot like a fucking horror movie at times and any singular point where there was a night scene my eyes were glued to the sky than anything else echoing one of the most chilling outro lines in movie history, "Watch the skies everywhere. Keep looking. Keep watching the skies.". Everybody on that crew was on their A-Game, writing, designs, visual effects, music, acting, cinematography, in a very unflashy almost subdued matter of fact way. It feels real, undeniably real for that time and corner of the world. It is a high high recommendation from me, 4 stars, 8.5/10! And tomorrow we fast forward to the mid-80s for another Spielberg alien movie.

The Mandalorian & Grogu

We have never been more back!

To the uninitiated it has been a fat minute since new Star Wars has hit cinema screens, but to me it's just another Tuesday. But what did I think about the slightly basic titled The Mandalorian & Grogu? Now this might shock you but, I really loved it! Is it the most insanely awesome Star Wars movie I've ever seen? No, but the stakes feel appropriate for the jump from series to film even though it actually feels more in tune with season 1 Mandalorian while still keeping all the additions of the other seasons and even beyond the show in terms of time and lore. The plot while very centered on Din and Grogu going through links to capture imperial warlords gets a bit sidetracked with the gangster siblings of Jabba but it forms a coherent and even emotional tale that may not be the most dazzling pulse pounding grandiose story of say the main 9 saga films, but it works in it's own way. The main draw to the film really is the relationship and dynamic of Din and Grogu, no matter how many references and extended characters that us mega fans know by heart. And I hate to say it with every fibre of my being but I think they're setting up the eventual demise of Din, slowly and ever so slightly but it could happen sooner than later. Papa Pedro is committed as always and still really good but I can understand his possible thinking that he can't do this forever and it toys with that in the movie. Of course Grogu is still our sweet baby but shows remarkable capability and not only did he comprise my favorite scene of the entire movie but got me on the absolute cusp of shedding tears. A Star Wars movie has never quite hit me like this and it must be noted. Kind of an inverted duet with Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White, I thought we would see Rotta barely at all after a certain point and get more Colonel Ward but we stick with Rotta for a good bit and I gotta tell you man, never have I ever been so keen and down with a Hutt in my existence! He was rad as hell and not to mention the mind trip of seeing that little slug baby all grown up after the 2008 Clone Wars movie. Of course I'm a mark for Anzellans, Embo, dragon snakes, and Dejarik creatures so I was having a field day and every little nod and reference I caught was a treat. I think people kinda forget how deeply self referrential Star Wars truly is, I dare say it's at least half of the backbone of the entire franchise and the other half being combining so much culture and classic tales of fantasy and fiction to create something new. It's a very enjoyable fun movie that screams escapsim, with appropriately excellent special effects, a fantastic score by Ludwig Göransson that in my opinion eclipses the series soundtrack and stands toe to toe with the memorability of the John Williams score, a good bit of humor but never afraid to take it slow or serious, and makes me incredibly interested what could come of season four of the series. Just check your expectations at the door and have fun, it's a damn good time to be a Star Wars fan like every other day of the year and I'll be extremely happy to add this to the DVD shelf when that special day comes. This is indeed the way. 3.5 stars, 8.5/10, I'm a happy camper.