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Category: New Releases

  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

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    On a $200 million budget, Black Panther broke tons of box office records, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide. Not only was it the second-highest-grossing film of the year, but it was also the ninth-highest-grossing film of all time. Naturally, Marvel Studios immediately wanted a sequel and announced it mid-2019, with Ryan Coogler agreeing to return as director. Sadly, plans were put on hold when actor Chadwick Boseman passed away on August 28, 2020, due to colon cancer. Marvel and Disney agreed not to recast the actor or create a CGI double to avoid fan backlash. The filmmakers chose Namor the Sub-Mariner for its central villain, who debuted in Marvel Comics #1 in 1939. Filming commenced in June 2021 at Trilith Studios and, due to various factors, wrapped around March 2022. While initially scheduled for a mid-2022 release, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premiered in October before releasing nationwide in November 2022.

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    Synopsis

    Following the death of King T’Challa, the world is turning its attention to Wakanda to share its resources. Despite pressure from foreign governments, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) refuses since she knows what these people can do. Meanwhile, Shuri (Letitia Wright) is still mourning her brother’s death, believing she couldn’t save him despite all her technology. Ramonda tries to help her heal when they’re visited by Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía), king of the underwater city Talokon. He comes with a request – Wakanda will be destroyed unless they find an American scientist who designed a vibranium-detecting machine. The scientist in question is MIT student Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), who gets kidnapped with Shuri by Namor’s soldiers. Ramonda recruits Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) to rescue them, leading to Talokon going to war with Wakanda. With the threat of their home’s destruction, only one thing can stop Namor: the Black Panther!

     

    Review

    It could not have been easy for the filmmakers to make this movie, given Chadwick Boseman’s untimely death. That said, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a great sequel that honors the original while doing its own thing. First, the performances all across the board are phenomenal, with every actor having their moment to shine. Angela Bassett, in particular, delivers some heartfelt monologues about what her family has lost, and she sells it. I also have to commend Letitia Wright, who’s in an unenviable position of going from supporting player to lead actor. She carries the movie through and through, and her growth as a character is well done. While most MCU villains have been forgettable, Tenoch Huerta Mejía’s Namor is one of the better villains recently. He’s the kind of villain where you disagree with his methods, but you understand his motivation. He’s a very complex character.

    Returning actors Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, and Winston Duke do exceptionally well, with Duke delivering most of the humor. Martin Freeman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus do a good job, but they’re not given much to do. On the flip side, Dominique Thorne is an excellent addition to the MCU, and I’m excited to see her grow. There are fantastic action sequences between the more dramatic moments involving car chases, sea battles, and desert fights. Ryan Coogler does a great job setting up these sequences, making them thrilling and easy to see. If I have any complaints, the biggest would be the runtime, which clocks in at two hours and 40 minutes. Usually, I don’t mind a longer movie, but some padding could’ve been trimmed to make this a good two hours. Overall, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is another fantastic MCU film that pays tribute to a fallen icon.

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Buy Your Tickets on Sale to watch “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” playing in theaters starting November 11th![/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Llamageddon (2015)

    Llamageddon (2015)

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    While attending the University of Miami, Robert Horn shot a student film about a killer llama run amok. After graduation, Horn felt he could expand the short film into a full-length feature, so he worked to acquire funds. Thanks to a university grant, he earned a budget of $3,000 to make his killer llama movie a reality. To keep costs down and help some aspiring filmmakers, Horn hired around 25-30 college students for the cast and crew. Horn specifically wanted to use llamas simply because he had access to one that he could use. Horn wanted his movie to be an intentionally campy B-movie, and almost everyone used pseudonyms as part of the joke. For example, Robert Horn became Howie Dewin, and the cinematographer became Chet Steadman. After a limited theatrical run in April 2015, Llamageddon made its way onto streaming services later that year.

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    Synopsis

    On a far-off planet full of killer llamas, one of them takes a rocket to invade Earth. During the journey, the ship gets damaged and crash-lands near a small farm, and the llama kills the farmers. Meanwhile, siblings Floyd (James Earl Cox III) and Mel (Pinki Brainweis) are coming back from their grandparents’ funeral. While their mother has to take care of the will, Floyd and Mel must watch over their grandparents’ house. Mel takes this opportunity to invite several friends, including her boyfriend Trent (Gooch Jesco III), over for a party. While everyone is either getting drunk or stoned, they’re unaware of the killer llama stalking outside looking for prey. Soon enough, the llama starts killing off the partygoers in ridiculous ways, including electrocution, heart removal, and toxic spit. Who will make it out alive, and will this killer llama be stopped?

     

    Review

    In my review of The VelociPastor, I mentioned how I’m generally not a fan of intentionally bad movies. To me, films that’re supposed to be terrible feel hollow and artificial, like the filmmakers use it as an excuse. I gave VelociPastor some credit because, even though it’s meant to be ridiculous, it felt like the filmmakers tried. With Llamageddon, it feels like the filmmakers put little to no effort into making this movie. Granted, they had a $30,000 budget to work with, but I’ve seen several low-budget films that look better than this. The directing is flat, the acting is bad all across the board, and the effects are laughably terrible. The only legitimately good thing is the animated segments, which are amateurish but are easily the best parts. However, I can criticize this movie all I want, but doing so is a pointless venture.

    Everything in this movie is supposed to be terrible: the story, the characters, the effects, the script, etc. You’re not supposed to go into a film about a llama with laser eyes that kills people expecting high art. This is meant to be a horror-comedy, and I could get behind that if it were funny, which it isn’t. Aside from the absurd premise, most of the jokes fall flat and have been done better in other movies. None of the characters are likable, which I’m sure was the point, but it’s a lazy writing trope. Even at 69 minutes in length (Get it?), there is so much filler that it feels like it drags on. However, if anything I’ve described sounds appealing to you, you’ll have more fun than I did. Overall, Llamageddon is precisely what you think it is, but don’t expect anything more.

     

    Watch Llamageddon on Amazon Prime: https://amzn.to/3U9wiIj.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Llamageddon (2015)

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  • Killjoy Goes to Hell (2012)

    Killjoy Goes to Hell (2012)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]While the first two movies came and went, Killjoy 3 was more successful than Full Moon expected. Despite the profits, the studio wasn’t pushing for another entry, primarily because of how outside their wheelhouse it was. According to writer/director John Lechago, they built sets in Full Moon’s offices since they had no studio access. Filming lasted seven days, but Lechago insisted on one additional filming day, which consisted of 10 hours of shooting. While most Full Moon movies aren’t necessarily connected, Lechago wanted this to be a direct sequel to the last one. Several of the previous film’s cast – Trent Haaga, Victoria De Mare, Al Burke, Tai Chan Ngo, and Jessica Whitaker – returned. With a reported budget of $85,000, Lechago went all out on this film and let his creativity run wild. On October 2012, Killjoy Goes to Hell made its way onto DVD shelves for a rabid audience.
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    Synopsis

    The demon clown Killjoy (Trent Haaga) is taken to Hell’s courtroom to stand trial with Beezlebub (Stephen F. Cardwell) overseeing. Jezabeth, the Devil’s Advocate (Aqueela Zoll), accuses Killjoy of going soft, especially after letting one of his victims go. The said victim is Sandie (Jessica Whitaker), who’s been committed to a psych ward after witnessing her friends’ murders. While in prison, Killjoy meets Skid Mark (John Karyus), an aspiring clown demon who wants to be Killjoy’s attorney. Using Skid’s human blood, Killjoy summons Punchy (Al Burke), Freakshow (Tai Chan Ngo), and Batty Boop (Victoria De Mare). He has them act as his witnesses, but unfortunately, the trial goes south, and Killjoy’s existence is in jeopardy. In a last-ditch effort, Batty and Freakshow use a magic mirror to bring Sandie to Hell as a witness. Little do they know that Skid Mark, Killjoy’s attorney, has his own agenda.

     

    Review

    Killjoy Goes to Hell is more of the same as Killjoy 3, for better or for worse. Lechago injects the same manic energy, irreverent humor, and cost-effective filmmaking that made the last Killjoy movie work. Admittedly, the script isn’t the greatest, with most of the dialogue either being exposition dumps or overuse of expletives. Some moody lighting, decent makeup effects, and exciting production design make it stand out. While this movie had a low budget, Lechago managed to make effective use of that small budget. But the film’s biggest highlight is Trent Haaga’s performance in the title role as the demon clown. Like in the last movie, he has the time of his life in the part, making Killjoy demented and funny. It helps that Burke, Ngo, and De Mare work great opposite Haaga, each having their moments to shine.

    Sadly, much of the human cast isn’t the greatest, but they’re not the movie’s focus. When Jessica Whittaker tries to act crazy by laughing constantly, it comes off as restrained and flat-sounding. When she’s dragged to Hell to confront Killjoy, her performance picks up, and she has some great lines. John Karyus is OK as the comic relief, but he can get annoying, though it feels intentional. Even though she wasn’t hired for her acting talent, Aqueela Zoll is stunning as Jezabeth, and she has some moments. While the practical effects are decent, there is some questionable CGI that looks straight from a Sega CD game. Also, this is the most extended entry so far at an hour and thirty-three minutes, but it’s not too padded. Overall, Killjoy Goes to Hell is a mostly entertaining, somewhat messy entry in Full Moon’s catalog.

     

    Buy Killjoy Goes to Hell from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • The VelociPastor (2018)

    The VelociPastor (2018)

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    While attending the School of Visual Arts in 2010, aspiring filmmaker Brendan Steere got an idea from an unlikely source. At some point, his phone autocorrected “velociraptor” to “veloci pastor,” which gave him the inspiration for a short film. Steere made a short film consisting of fake grindhouse trailers, one of which was for a movie called The VelociPastor. The video got tons of attention on YouTube, which inspired Steere to adapt the trailer into a full-length feature film. Between 2011 to 2016, he tried to raise funds for the movie through Kickstarter and Seed&Spark, but neither proved successful. Luckily, a private investor who was friends with his mother provided $35,000 to get the film going. The movie premiered in Portland in 2017, and eventually, Wild Eye Releasing picked up the distribution rights in 2018. In 2019, The VelociPastor hit DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming services across the country.

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    Synopsis

    While traveling through China on a spiritual journey, pastor Doug Jones (Gregory James Cohan) stumbles across an ancient artifact. Jones accidentally gets infected by the relic, which allegedly turns people into the “Dragon Warrior.” After having a series of nightmares, Jones wanders into a forest, turns into a dinosaur, and attacks some thugs. He wakes up in the bed of local prostitute Carol (Alyssa Kempinski), who explains what happened the previous night. She suggests Doug can use his powers to eliminate crime, but Doug doesn’t want to be responsible for killing people. That changes when Carol’s pimp Frankie Mermaid (Fernando Pacheco de Castro) confesses to Doug he killed his parents. After eviscerating Mermaid, Doug decides to kill evildoers despite objections from Father Stewart (Daniel Steere). Soon, a group of ninjas led by Wei Chan (Yang Jiechang) kidnaps Carol, forcing Doug into velociraptor action.

     

    Review

    Depending on your reaction to the title and premise, The VelociPastor will be either fantastic or stupid. This film is nothing more than a cheesy B-movie, and it mostly succeeds at being an entertaining one. Much like the original fake trailer, Brendan Steere filmed this in an old 1970s grindhouse movie style. There are film scratches, the occasional cigarette burn, and title cards in place of missing footage. Something tells me the filmmakers didn’t shoot this movie on film, but these touches help make it stand out. Also, while the movie is meant to be more tongue-in-cheek, every actor plays their parts completely straight. Greg Cohan makes for a great leading man, his performance reminiscent of Lon Chaney Jr. from The Wolf Man. Alyssa Kempinski also stands out as the hooker with a heart of gold and has excellent chemistry with Cohan.

    The movie looks pretty good for a $30,000 budget, with some moody lighting and decent practical effects. While not the greatest, the gore effects are decent, with plenty of throat-slashing and blood sprays. As for the dinosaur itself, it helps that the filmmakers took the Jaws approach and didn’t show the suit much. When you get a complete look at the costume, it doesn’t look good, but it adds to the charm. Thankfully, you don’t see the dinosaur until the last 10 minutes, and you’re so engrossed that you don’t mind. Usually, I’m not a fan of intentionally bad movies because they typically feel hollow and artificial. In this case, it feels like the people behind the film cared and wanted to make a fun, dumb movie. Overall, The VelociPastor isn’t going to set the world on fire, but it’s enjoyable if you like cheesy movies.

     

    Buy The VelociPastor from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3f6W4y5.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Black Adam (2022)

    Black Adam (2022)

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    Originally debuting in The Marvel Family #1 in 1945, Black Adam has gone from villain to corrupted anti-hero. While he first appeared in Fawcett comics as Captain Marvel/Shazam’s rival, DC resurrected the character in the early 1970s. In the early 2000s, New Line Cinema began developing a Shazam movie with Peter Segal slated to direct in 2006. The studio approached Dwayne Johnson to star, but he was also interested in playing Black Adam around 2007. Production stalled until 2014 when Warner Bros resurrected the project as part of their new shared DC universe. After the success of Shazam! in 2019, New Line Cinema prioritized Black Adam, with Jaume Collet-Serra as director. Principal photography began in April 2021 and wrapped in August, with a surprise cameo filmed in September 2022. After extensive post-production work, Black Adam premiered in Mexico City in October 2022 before reaching the US later that month.

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    Synopsis

    In 2600 BCE, the tyrannical king of Kahndaq had forged a powerful item called the Crown of Sabbac. Cut to the present day, where archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi) searches for the crown to keep it hidden. Unfortunately, the Intergang crime syndicate, who’ve taken control of Kahndaq, ambush Adrianna and her colleagues searching for the artifact. During the attack, Adrianna recites a chant that awakens Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson), Kahndaq’s champion, who slaughters the Intergang troops. His presence catches the attention of Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), who dispatches the JSA (Justice Society of America) to intercept. Consisting of Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), they confront Adam. However, they soon discover that Adrianna’s cousin Ishmael (Marwan Kenzari) is Intergang’s leader and wants the crown’s power. Our heroes must put aside their differences to stop Ishmael from obtaining the powers of Sabbac.

     

    Review

    Black Adam is a bit of a mess, but it’s an entertaining mess, largely thanks to its lead actors. Dwayne Johnson carries this movie, delivering a commanding and charismatic performance that makes the viewing experience more enjoyable. The film’s best moments are when Johnson uses his godlike powers to wipe out mercenaries in surprisingly gruesome ways. For a PG-13-rated movie, the filmmakers pushed how far they could go with the violence while barely avoiding an R-rating. The supporting cast also does a good job, with Pierce Brosnan and Aldis Hodge almost stealing the show from Johnson. When the JSA shows up, the action ramps up as they battle with Teth-Adam across the city streets. It is also entertaining to watch them argue about how the JSA doesn’t kill while Adam has no qualms. Plus, at just slightly over two hours, it gets the job done relatively quickly.

    Unfortunately, for all its spectacle and action, the movie’s story is weak, and the villain is unremarkable. The film doesn’t do much to introduce audiences to characters like Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Cyclone, and Atom Smasher. There is so much exposition dumped on you that it’s hard to track just what is happening. Unless you’re a DC expert, you will feel lost on who these characters are and what their backstories are. The movie tries to throw in a few twists into the story, but many of them are easily predictable. In terms of its place in the DCEU, the film introduces a lot that later movies can expand upon. While the story isn’t all that original or compelling, the action and performances make it worth a watch. Overall, Black Adam may not be the most excellent superhero movie, but it provides some decent entertainment.

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Buy Your Tickets on Sale to watch “Black Adam” playing in theaters starting October 21![/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Halloween Ends (2022)

    Halloween Ends (2022)

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    On a $20 million budget, Halloween Kills grossed over $130 million worldwide, significantly less than Halloween in 2018. Critically, the movie wasn’t as well received, earning a 39% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though audiences were more favorable. Despite this, the studio decided to move ahead with a third installment, which would be the last in the series. While the studio expected filming to start in the summer of 2021, production didn’t begin until January 2022. Jamie Lee Curtis filmed her scenes between January 25 and February 22, and principal photography wrapped in March. In addition to Curtis, Andi Matichak, Kyle Richards, James Jude Courtney, and Will Patton returning, Rohan Campbell joined early on. Before the film’s release, Curtis said in interviews that the movie would be “shocking” and “make people very angry.” After premiering at Beyond Fest, Halloween Ends slashed theater screens in October 2022.

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    Synopsis

    It’s been four years since Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney) last stalked and slashed the streets of Haddonfield. Since then, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has bought a new house and lives with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak). One day, Laurie meets Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell), a young man who accidentally got a child killed years ago. Seeing the goodness in him, Laurie introduces Corey to Allyson, and the two start forming a relationship. Unfortunately, the rest of the town views Corey as the town pariah and bullies constantly attack him. One night, Corey is dragged into a drain pipe by a mysterious figure, who turns out to be a burned Michael Myers. Under Michael’s influence, Corey kills anyone who wronged him, and Allyson wants to leave town with him despite Laurie’s objections. It all culminates in an ultimate showdown between Michael Myers and Laurie Strode.

     

    Review

    It’s a shame that the 2018 sequel/reboot was so good, and then both follow-ups were huge disappointments. As much as I didn’t care for Kills, that film was at least a Halloween movie, albeit a bad one. With Ends, it feels like the filmmakers took a preexisting script and threw in some Halloween elements. Halloween III: Season of the Witch wasn’t a Michael Myers movie, but at least it wasn’t advertised as one. With this movie, the marketing sells you on the last act without even hinting at what else happens. Like Kills, this movie tries to say something about the nature of evil, but it barely explores those themes. Admittedly, the idea of following a central character accused of something terrible and seeing his struggles has potential. The issue is that this idea isn’t fleshed out enough to make us care.

    While the story is weak, the acting is solid from all players involved, especially Jamie Lee Curtis and Andi Matichak. Also, Rohan Campbell does a pretty good job playing a sympathetic yet flawed character, but his performance feels wasted. Kyle Richards returns, but she hardly has anything to do, and Will Patton is utterly forgettable. James Jude Courtney shines in his few scenes as Michael Myers, and the ending fight with Curtis is well done. Unlike the ridiculously over-the-top kills from the last movie, the kills here are more subdued and restrained. Also worth mentioning is that Nick “The Shape” Castle and Diana “Darcy the Mail Girl” Prince have small cameos. As a standalone slasher, this movie is dull and preachy, and as a “conclusion” to a long-running series, it’s disappointing. Overall, Halloween Ends is a case of missed opportunities and failure to deliver.

     

    Buy Halloween Ends from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3X1r1Gj.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Halloween Ends (2022)

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  • Eating Miss Campbell (2022)

    Eating Miss Campbell (2022)

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    From an early age, South Yorkshire native Liam Regan took influence in 1980s horror films, particularly Troma movies. After buying a copy of The Toxic Avenger Part II from his local Blockbuster, Liam decided filmmaking was his passion. He got to live out his dream by working with Lloyd Kaufman on Return to Nuke ‘Em High Volume 1. After working on Return to Return to Nuke ‘Em High Aka Vol. 2, Regan went off to found Refuse Films. He made the short film Confessions of Peltzer, which premiered at TromaDance 2012. Regan expanded the short into a feature film, My Bloody Banjo, winning Best Horror Comedy at the Weekend of Horrors. He returned to Troma to help write Lloyd’s latest film, #Shakespeare’s Shitstorm, before moving on to his next feature. In September 2022, Eating Miss Campbell premiered in the US at the GenreBlast Film Festival.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”80″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    Beth Connor (Lyndsey Craine) is a 17-year-old goth vegan attending Henelotter High who’s perpetually stuck in a horror film. She can only escape if she kills herself, but she wants to do it in a memorably gruesome way. Meanwhile, Tusk Everbone (Justin A. Martell) and Nancy Applegate (Annabella Rich) hire Mr. Sawyer (Vito Trigo) as the new headmaster. At an assembly, Sawyer announces the “All You Can Eat Massacre,” an eating competition where the winner gets a handgun. Whoever wins the gun can kill themselves or shoot up the school, so Beth enters, hoping to end it all. However, things go awry when she develops a craving for human flesh and a crush on Miss Campbell (Lala Barlow). To make matters worse, Campbell is a psychopathic killer picking off the students and staff. Will Beth’s suicide be successful, or will her appetites consume her?

     

    Review

    The opening minutes of Eating Miss Campbell, where Beth talks directly to the camera, tell you what to expect. This film will be a self-aware horror-comedy that pokes fun at the tropes and conventions of the genre. But rather than just being a horror comedy, this movie also tackles some issues of gun violence and gender equality. Specifically, the theme of almost glamorizing school shootings is an excellent satire of news stations constantly publicizing such tragic stories. This film should come with a warning as there isn’t a single thing some people won’t find offensive. It takes dark subject matter like teacher/student relations, gun violence, and misogyny and twists them on their heads. Writer/director Liam Regan adds references to everything from Heathers and Mean Girls to Child’s Play 3 and Scream. Even the Rugrats-inspired opening credits add to its live-action cartoon vibe.

    Tone-wise, this movie is like a combination of 90s Nickelodeon and the splatter films of Peter Jackson. With so much blood and viscera spewed everywhere, this will no doubt satisfy any gorehound’s lust for carnage. To help offset the chaos, Lyndsey Craine gives an outstanding performance as the straight person reacting to all the insanity. Her snarky attitude and dry wit help make her endearing when this character could’ve been annoying in someone else’s hands. Lala Barlow also shines as the outwardly bubbly yet internally vicious Miss Campbell, and her scenes with Craine are gold. This movie doesn’t look cheap for a low-budget horror comedy, with its moody lighting and solid practical effects. Admittedly, the occasional CGI blood splatter hurts it, and some of the gags don’t land, but it’s still wicked fun. Overall, Eating Miss Campbell won’t appeal to everyone, but genre fans will love it.

     

    Special thanks to Liam Regan for providing a screener link to the movie: https://twitter.com/refuseliam.

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  • Smile (2022)

    Smile (2022)

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    In 2020, Parker Finn’s short film Laura Hasn’t Slept gained much attention after winning the Special Jury Award at SXSW. Paramount Pictures hired Finn to adapt the short film into a feature-length movie in June of that year. In September 2021, the studio announced the film titled Something’s Wrong with Rose, with Sosie Bacon in the lead. After the studio announced the rest of the main cast, principal photography lasted from October to November 2021. An extensive round of editing and post-production followed, lasting from December 2021 to May 2022. Initially, Paramount wanted to release the film to their streaming service but chose a theatrical release after positive test screenings. The film premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 22, 2022, followed by screenings at Beyond Fest on September 27. Now retitled Smile, the film hit theaters worldwide on September 30, 2022.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”80″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Synopsis

    Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) is a psychiatrist working at a psych ward in New Jersey with a traumatic childhood. One day, she meets Laura Weaver (Caitlin Stasey), a Ph.D. student claiming to see an entity appearing as people smiling. Despite Rose’s best efforts, Laura ends up convulsing before standing up, smiling, and taking her own life. After witnessing Laura’s suicide, Rose starts seeing people smiling and shouting she will die, making people question her mental stability. Things don’t get much better after her boss, Dr. Morgan Desai (Kal Penn), orders her to take a week-long break. As her mental state continues crumbling, Rose’s fiance Trevor (Jessie T. Usher) and sister Holly (Gillian Zinser) start fearing her. Rose is determined to figure out what’s causing all this and stop the entity, even as her life falls apart. Will she break the curse, or will she succumb to the Smile?

     

    Review

    When I first saw the trailer for Smile, I thought it looked ridiculous and would be laughed off the screen. Thankfully, I’m happy to report that this is not the case with this movie, although it has some flaws. Firstly, I have to give props to Sosie Bacon in the lead role, who carries the entire film. She has to sell her character’s mental anguish in almost every scene, pulling it off incredibly well. The rest of the cast does a fantastic job, notably Kal Penn and Kyle Gallner, who genuinely care for her. Admittedly, Gillian Zinser comes off a bit cartoonishly passive-aggressive as the older sister, coming off as unrealistically hateful. The movie tries to explore themes of childhood trauma and mental issues, and it mostly succeeds, but it occasionally stumbles. Still, the way they tackle these issues is impressive and strangely relatable.

    Parker Finn shows a lot of promise, with this being his first feature-length film, utilizing some impressive camerawork. Tons of overhead views, upside shots, and sweeping camera movements help make the movie feel much more dynamic. While Finn does establish some suspense and tension, the film has a few too many jumpscares, especially false ones. Still, there are plenty of moments when something creepy pops up in the background without an intrusive music sting. The movie takes full advantage of its R-rating, spewing gallons of blood and going for the jugular. Admittedly, the film does borrow elements from other, much better horror movies like The Ring and It Follows. Still, considering initial expectations, this movie is surprisingly effective and a perfect way to start the Halloween season. Overall, Smile has problems, but its strong performances, terrifying scares, and impressive direction elevate the material.

     

    Buy Smile from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4i2ZFcn.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Smile (2022)

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  • Five Star (2014)

    Five Star (2014)

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    Born and raised in Brooklyn, Keith Miller is a writer, director, artist, and curator known for tackling racial issues. After making some short films in the early 2000s, his first feature was The Visit in 2006. He followed this with two more short films, The Fire & The Wood in 2008 and Prince/William in 2010. In 2012, Miller got his first massive exposure with Welcome to Pine Hills, which won numerous festival awards. The film won Best Narrative Feature at Slamdance and the Grand Jury Prix at SIFF, to name a few. Sometime later, Miller met a local man named James “Primo” Grant, a longtime member of the Bloods. Miller was so captivated by his stories that he cast Primo and some other locals for his next project. That project was the 2014 pseudo-documentary/drama film Five Star, which similarly earned critical acclaim.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”80″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    After being released from prison, Bloods gang member Primo (James ‘Primo’ Grant) wants to return to everyday life. He regrets being away from his wife and children and wants to compensate for the lost time. Meanwhile, a young man named John (John Diaz) wants to be a member of the Bloods with Primo’s help. It turns out John’s late father was the one who got Primo involved in the gang in the first place. While this happens, John develops a relationship with a local girl named Jasmin (Jasmin Burgos), and they hit it off. Despite objections from his mother (Wanda Nobles Colon), John agrees to do a run for Primo to prove his worth. Primo warns John of how dangerous this route is, but John is insistent on proving himself. It’s a tough life on the streets of Brooklyn, whether you’re a wannabe gangster or a Five Star.

     

    Review

    To get this out of the way, Five Star is slow and not what you would call “exciting.” This movie is a “slice of life” film rather than a dramatic thriller or a pulse-pounding action film. It’s about the daily lives of people struggling to survive in an environment that doesn’t offer many chances. It also shows how living the gang lifestyle isn’t as glamorous as some people make it out to be. On the one hand, you have Primo, a longtime gang member who wants to get out of the business. But on the other hand, you have John, who wants to prove that he’s cool despite the risks involved. Seeing two different perspectives on a similar issue and how experience can shape things is an interesting dynamic. It’s a great take on issues that aren’t often discussed in movies anymore.

    Considering the cast consisted primarily of non-actors, everyone did a solid job, especially since they add to the realism. James ‘Primo’ Grant nails the part of an aging gangster wanting to get out of the life he once knew. John Diaz works as a young wannabe gang member who’s naive to the world’s ways and aims to be significant. He has decent chemistry with Jasmin Burgos, and you hope they make it as a couple. Wanda Nobles Colon also works as the voice of reason for John, who tries to warn him about what happened with his father. Keith Miller does a good job capturing the urban feel and making everything feel lived in. At slightly under 90 minutes, the movie feels padded and slow-moving, but it’s still a fascinating look at urban life. Overall, Five Star isn’t for everyone, but a particular audience will appreciate it.

     

    Rent Five Star on Amazon Prime: https://amzn.to/3SIagMh.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Five Star (2014)

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  • Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

    Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

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    Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, also known as “The Daniels,” are a filmmaking duo who met while attending Emerson College. After making some short films, the two worked on music videos for Foster The People, Tenacious D, and The Shins. In 2016, their feature film debut, Swiss Army Man starring Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano, hit theaters to critical acclaim. The film earned numerous nominations, and The Daniels won the Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival. For their next project, The Daniels decided to work on a concept they began researching in 2010. After being introduced to modal realism in the 1986 documentary Sherman’s March, they explored the multiverse theory. Initially, Jackie Chan was considered for the lead before the duo cast Michelle Yeoh in the role. After a three-month filming period in early 2020, Everything Everywhere All at Once hit theaters in early 2022.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”90″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    Evelyn Quan Wang (Michelle Yeoh) runs a laundromat with her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan), but things aren’t going well. The laundromat is getting audited, Waymond is serving Evelyn divorce papers, and her father, Gong Gong (James Hong), is visiting. While meeting with IRS inspector Deirdre Beaubeirdre (Jamie Lee Curtis), an alternate universe version of Waymond takes over his body. This “Alphaverse” version of Waymond explains to Evelyn that the multiverse is in trouble, and she has to save it. Using “verse-jumping” technology made by her “Alpha” version, Evelyn hops through the multiverse, learning about her different lives. As she explores more bizarre universes, Evelyn learns the threat she has to stop is her daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu). Using the name Jobu Tupaki, she’s created a black hole-like “everything bagel,” which can destroy the multiverse. Will Evelyn save the multiverse, and what life lessons will she learn along the way?

     

    Review

    For people who complain there’s no originality left in Hollywood, Everything Everywhere All at Once is here to challenge that. Sure, we’ve seen movies about the multiverse before, but never one quite as absurd and heartfelt as this. The film mixes science-fiction, action, comedy, and drama in a way that works on many levels. Given the concept, the filmmakers opted to go as out there and wild as possible, and the result is dazzling. There is so much trippy and bizarre imagery that it almost works if you put it on mute. Admittedly, it can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when the characters explain how the multiverse and each universe work. Still, this wildly imaginative film asks you to expand your mind to many possibilities, complimented by a compelling story. It’s a viewing experience that you won’t soon forget long after the movie’s over.

    Michelle Yeoh is front and center in this film and gives one of the best performances in her career. Not only does she get to showcase her martial arts skills, but she’s able to show her more comedic and dramatic sides. She helps to keep everything grounded and works as an audience avatar as she tries to navigate the multiverse. Ke Huy Quan, who’s most well-known for The Goonies and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, is another highlight. While he initially comes off as meek and timid, he gets his moments to shine amongst the chaos. Jamie Lee Curtis and James Hong also deliver great performances, and Stephanie Hsu is someone to look out for. For as chaotic as the film is, it explores plenty of themes most anyone can relate to. Overall, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a dazzling spectacle with plenty of heart.

     

    Buy Everything Everywhere All at Once from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3C9T90g.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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