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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.

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    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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  • Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

    Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

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    While the original Halloween was a critical and commercial success, Halloween II wasn’t as successful. Despite grossing over $25 million, reviews weren’t as kind, with Roger Ebert calling it “a fall from greatness.” Still, the producers thought the film earned enough money to warrant another sequel despite John Carpenter and Debra Hill’s reluctance. They only agreed to return if they could make a standalone film without Michael Myers returning as the focus. With a $2.5 million budget, Carpenter hired Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass series, to write the script. Unfortunately, producer Dino De Laurentiis wanted more gore added, so Carpenter and director Tommy Lee Wallace rewrote the script. The hope was that if this film were successful, it would spawn a new anthology series of Halloween-themed movies. On October 22, 1982, Halloween III: Season of the Witch was released to an unsuspecting audience.

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    Synopsis

    Dr. Daniel Challis (Tom Atkins), an alcoholic, divorced doctor, is called into the hospital when a delirious patient arrives. The patient, shop owner Harry Grimbridge (Al Berry), clutches a Jack-O-Lantern mask claiming that “they’re going to kill us all.” That night, a mysterious stranger (Dick Warlock) goes to the hospital, kills Harry, and immolates himself. The next day, Challis meets Harry’s daughter Ellie (Stacey Nelkin), who reveals she found some strange information regarding his death. Their investigation takes them to the Santa Mira headquarters of Silver Shamrock Novelties, a company known for its Halloween masks. Posing as potential buyers, Dan and Ellie tour the factory and meet the owner, Conal Cochran (Dan O’Herlihy). Things go south when Ellie gets kidnapped and Dan gets captured while breaking into the factory. What Dan soon learns about Silver Shamrock and their masks will shock him to his very core.

     

    Review

    Halloween III: Season of the Witch is criminally underrated, even if it’s the furthest apart from the other entries. Since its release 40 years ago, there are still fans who’ve dismissed this entry simply for not having Michael Myers. Even though the marketing clarified that Michael Myers wouldn’t return, this fact still annoyed fans. Thankfully, the film has recently gained a reevaluation from critics and audiences, which it rightfully deserves. As a standalone film, it works as a supernatural thriller with some clever satire toward the commercialization of Halloween. As a sequel, the movie is removed from the first two as much as possible, which is its biggest flaw. If it were called anything other than Halloween III, the film probably wouldn’t have been as hated by audiences. Still, it’s the only way the movie would’ve gotten the green light, so its downfall was inevitable.

    As always, Tom Atkins delivers a charismatic and commanding performance playing an unconventional leading man as an alcoholic divorcee. On top of looking adorable, Stacey Nelkin makes for a great leading lady and has excellent chemistry with Atkins. Dan O’Herlihy makes for a compelling villain, coming off as charming and sinister, best exemplified by his speech about Samhein. While there are some gruesome kills, the movie manages to make them disturbing without being needlessly graphic. Not to mention, this movie does something you rarely see either back then or nowadays: they kill a child. Admittedly, the plot doesn’t make much sense, and there are plenty of plotholes, but they don’t hurt the overall experience. If you view this as a standalone movie, you’ll get one of the best supernatural horror films of the decade. Overall, Halloween III: Season of the Witch deserves its status as a cult classic.

     

    Buy Halloween III: Season of the Witch from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fW5JI1.

    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 Best of Sex and Violence (1982)

    The Best of Sex and Violence (1982)

    [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=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Despite founding one of the earliest independent home video companies, Charles Band wasn’t a part of it for long. After starting Meda Home Entertainment, he started taking on more and more partners, including producer Irwin Yablans. Eventually, Yablans and his associates owned more of the company, so Band forcibly sold off his shares. The company was rebranded to Media Home Entertainment and continued for the next decade until 1993. Meanwhile, Band still wanted in on the home video market, so he formed a new label called Wizard Video. Charles started acquiring the rights to all kinds of crazy exploitation films to release under his new brand. After getting the licenses for so many bizarre movies, Band created a compilation tape of the trailers. He hired Ken Dixon to put together the first Wizard Video release titled The Best of Sex and Violence.

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    Synopsis

    Veteran actor John Carradine hosts this cavalcade of cinematic oddities, delivering snide comments with a dry wit. The compilation begins with two violent exploitation films, Bury Me an Angel and The Doberman Gang. Things get steamy with trailers for The Sin of Adam and Eve and the adult version of Alice in Wonderland. Charles Band also sneaks in trailers for his movies, like Cinderella, Fairy Tales, and Tourist Trap. For more extreme thrills, we get trailers for video nasties like I Spit on Your Grave, The Boogeyman, and Zombie. There’s a bevy of buxom beauties, either being sacrificed to Satan or shooting their way out of prison. We end with some blaxploitation, including Ebony, Ivory, & Jade, Dr. Black & Mr. Hyde, and some Rudy Ray Moore. Also, look for an appearance by John’s sons, David “Bill” Carradine and Keith “Tom Frank” Carradine.

     

    Review

    The Best of Sex and Violence is a hard movie to review since it barely counts as one. In terms of being a movie, this has very little production value, essentially just one actor sitting in a room. That said, John Carradine does his best to deliver his comebacks, even if he looks confused about why he’s there. It’s funny hearing him talk about working on the classic Universal horror films and working with Cecil B. Demille. It’s also nice seeing him with his sons making family jokes about borrowing the car or asking for money. Ken Dixon, who later directed Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity, put a lot of care into making this compilation. He makes the trailers flow together, dividing them into segments depending on genre and selecting the best trailers. They even sneak in clips from Last Foxtrot in Burbank and End of the World.

    Of course, the main reason to see this movie is the collection of trailers for all these obscure exploitation flicks. You get tons of action, horror, nudity, harmful stereotypes, dated humor, and exaggerated acting to make any B-movie fan happy. With many of these older movies, the trailers are far better than the movies, though there are some exceptions. For instance, Tourist Trap, I Spit on Your Grave, Zombie, and any of Rudy Ray Moore’s films are worth watching. It also gives you a glimpse of the kinds of movies coming out around that time. This movie would be great for putting on in the background during a party, especially for cult movie fans. Admittedly, some of the trailers go a little too long, and they’re poor quality, but it’s still a fun watch. Overall, The Best of Sex and Violence is a treat for fans of obscure exploitation movies.

     

    Buy The Best of Sex and Violence from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3F5BXNG.

    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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  • Manborg (2011)

    Manborg (2011)

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    In my review of Father’s Day, I talked about the low-budget Canadian filmmaking group, Astron-6. The group included Adam Brooks, Jeremy Gillespie, Matt Kennedy, Conor Sweeney, and Steven Kostanski, all of whom had various skills. Steven Kostanski had loved movies since he was a kid, having seen Terminator 2: Judgement Day when he was six. After making a series of short films, the group decided to put together their first feature-length movie. Much of the filming took place on a shoestring budget in Kostanski’s parent’s garage, making costumes out of trash. Kostanski co-wrote the script with Jeremy Gillespie, while the other members acted, worked on visual effects, and choreographed fights. Production began in 2008, but due to extensive post-production work, the film’s release wasn’t until 2011. At Fantastic Fest that year in September, Manborg premiered to a ravenous audience.

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    Synopsis

    The forces of Hell, led by Count Draculon (Adam Brooks), are invading and laying waste on the Earth. During the invasion, a lone soldier (Matthew Kennedy) tries confronting Draculon but is killed by the firing squad. Draculon’s forces have conquered Earth years into the future, and the lone soldier has been brought back as Manborg. Part man and part machine, Manborg sets out on a revenge quest as he wanders the streets of Mega-Death City. Along the way, he meets resistance members Justice (Conor Sweeney), Mina (Meredith Sweeney), and #1 Man (Ludwig Lee). Unfortunately, they are captured and brought before The Baron (Jeremy Gillespie), who sentences them to death by combat. Thankfully, our heroes survive and join together to take on the forces of Hell and save Earth. Will Manborg get his revenge, or will Count Draculon stop him and his friends in their tracks?

     

    Review

    Considering the circumstances behind its making, it’s impressive that Manborg came together, especially on a minuscule budget. Say what you will about the movie, but you can’t deny that the Astron-6 team put in tons of creativity. Everything looks incredibly cheap, but it has a certain charm to it, like watching a movie made by friends. You can tell the filmmakers had a lot of fun making this, even if it was challenging to put together. The low-tech feel reminds me of how the effects artists for Star Wars cobbled together whatever random junk they found. There is some crude stop-motion animation, costumes made with wires and pieces of plastic, and copious amounts of fake blood. It shows how much imagination was put into this and how Astron-6 had great potential to do more. Despite everything else I will say in this review, I admire what the filmmakers tried.

    Unfortunately, despite the team’s creativity and passion put into this, the movie isn’t very good. Everyone in the cast plays their parts knowing that they’re in a cheesy movie, but not in an endearing way. It feels like a group of hipsters decided to make an intentionally bad movie that takes jabs at genre cinema. If they wanted to make a parody, that’s fine, but being self-aware doesn’t always work. For example, the cast of Blazing Saddles acted as if they were in an actual Western, making it funnier. Not only that, but even at 70 minutes in length, the film feels padded to reach feature length. A better showcase of what Astron-6 could do with a low budget was Father’s Day, which I highly recommend. Otherwise, Manborg has its moments, but it feels like one of several intentionally bad movies that end up being just bad.

     

    Buy Manborg from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3y9AxLm.

    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 Taint (2011)

    The Taint (2011)

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    Since 1978, Park City, Utah, has hosted the Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the US. However, in 1999, Troma founder/president Lloyd Kaufman saw how mainstream Sundance became and decided to do something about it. So, he founded TromaDance, “the first and only film festival of the people, for the people, and by the people.” Unlike Sundance, filmmakers don’t have to pay submission fees, and screenings are open to the general public. In its 20+ year history, TromaDance has showcased numerous low-budget, independent movies from aspiring filmmakers across the country. Two such filmmakers were Drew Bolduc and Dan Nelson, who met while attending VCU to study moviemaking. Since some audiences have complained about horror films being misogynistic, Bolduc and Nelson decided to base their movie around that. So, at TromaDance 2011, their debut feature film, The Taint, was screened to a packed house.

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    Synopsis

    In a small, remote town, the water supply gets contaminated with toxic chemicals that affect the men who drink it. Any man who drinks the infected water becomes a savage brute who targets women to rape and kill. Thankfully, Phil O’Ginny (Drew Bolduc) hasn’t been affected, but he must bear witness to the horrors around him. While stumbling through the woods, he meets Misandra (Colleen Walsh), who killed her husband after he tried killing her. As they travel across town, they must contend with the mutated men, who sport massive, pulsating erections. Eventually, Phil and Misandra meet Ludas (Kenneth Hall), a loner with a strange mask who explains what caused the contamination. They learn that scientists were working to create a chemical to give men larger penises, but the experiments backfired. With society crumbling around them, it’s up to Phil and Misandra to put things right.

     

    Review

    On the surface, The Taint is a gross-out horror comedy with crass humor, cheap effects, and bad acting. However, if you look closely, you’ll find a reasonably intelligent film that pokes fun at misogyny. Often, people label horror as a genre about exploiting women, so Buldoc and Nelson decided to satirize this. The men are cartoonishly savage and brutal; even Phil isn’t exactly a squeaky clean hero. Misandra is the only halfway decent character in the movie, playing a role fit for Sigourney Weaver. Still, the film works because it never beats you with social commentary but instead wants to entertain. There are so many exploding penises in this movie you’d swear that Anita Sarkeesian had a hand in making this. Not only that, but in true Troma fashion, numerous bodily fluids spew out by the gallons. It’s hands down one of Troma’s grossest movies.

    Drew Buldoc plays Phil as a goofy, snarky prick that doesn’t seem to care about much, and he’s excellent. He comes off like a stereotypical hipster, and seeing his nonreactions to the carnage around him is hilarious. Colleen Walsh plays the part of Misandra completely straight, which contrasts wonderfully with the insanity around her. The movie injects some 80s nostalgia but also lovingly mocks it, adding in silly romances and homoerotic workout montages. Admittedly, the plot can be disjointed since there are times when the action stops for a flashback, seemingly at random. Still, at just an hour and 15 minutes, the movie gets in and out fairly quickly and doesn’t feel padded. Most audiences will hate this, but if you’re a fan of gross-out B-movies, this is for you. Overall, The Taint is a message movie disguised as an entertainingly cheesy splatter film.

     

    Buy The Taint from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fIWL0z.

    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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  • 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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  • Shadowzone (1990)

    Shadowzone (1990)

    [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=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Aspiring filmmaker J.S. Cardone got a lot of attention for his controversial 1982 slasher film, The Slayer. One of the production managers was a young Peter Manoogian, who later worked with Charles Band on The Dungeonmaster. Cardone met with Band through this connection to discuss ideas and was signed to a two-picture deal. At the time, Charles Band had just made his deal with Paramount to distribute, and they demanded content. Cardone presented Band with a script he worked on after The Slayer, and Charles offered him $1 million to produce. As part of the deal, Cardone got to bring his producer wife Carol Kottenbrook and FX artist Mark Shostrom. With a twenty-four-day shooting schedule, Cardone had complete creative control to make the film he wanted to make. After a New York City premiere in January 1990, Shadowzone hit video store shelves that February.

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    Synopsis

    NASA Captain Hickock (David Beecroft) is sent to the Jackass Flats Proving Ground to investigate a recent death. At the proving grounds, a group of scientists is working on “Project Shadowzone,” an experiment to tap into people’s dreams. Dr. Erhardt (Louise Fletcher) and Dr. Van Fleet (James Hong) are heading the research team alongside Dr. Kidwell (Shawn Weatherly). The team believes that sleeping in a deep EDS state can allow a person to access a parallel dimension. Hickock wants them to recreate the experiments to ensure they’re not life-threatening, but something goes wrong. During the test, computer engineer Wiley (Miguel A. Núñez Jr.) notices a mysterious figure, known only as “John Doe,” lurking. According to Dr. Erhardt, “John Doe” is a creature from the parallel dimension who’s slipped into our world. Now trapped with no rescue coming, it’s up to the team to survive against this interdimensional terror.

     

    Review

    Like many early Full Moon movies, Shadowzone is incredibly ambitious, even if hampered by a low budget. The film borrows elements from movies like Alien, The Thing, and Galaxy of Terror, but not in the wrong way. Cardone takes some familiar features and crafts them into a uniquely terrifying sci-fi/horror film. For one, it’s established that the creature can take on the physical manifestation of one’s thoughts and dreams. This concept opens up many opportunities for some decent scares and creative kills, which they take advantage of. Everyone in the cast does a solid job, such as David Beecroft, who makes for a decent leading man. The biggest stand-out is Louise Fletcher, who plays the well-intentioned scientist driven to the breaking point. James Hong also stands out as a scientist driven to ensure his experiments work despite what’s happening around him.

    Everything is here to satisfy any gorehound’s thirst for blood, from the creature designs to the gruesome deaths. With credits including From Beyond, Evil Dead II, and The Beastmaster, Mark Shostrom continues to do excellent work here. The production design is also terrific, with the sets having a rustic, lived-in feel, adding to the sense of isolation. You feel like you’re with the characters stuck in this abandoned facility, separate from the rest of the world. Cardone’s direction is on-point, using minimal lighting, dynamic shadows, and plenty of darkness to create a suspenseful mood. Admittedly, there are a lot of slow scenes, and it takes a while for the plot to kick in. Among Full Moon’s non-franchise movies, this is one of the more underrated entries and is worth checking out. Overall, Shadowzone has its issues, but give it a watch if you’re a fan of claustrophobic sci-fi/horror films.

     

    Buy Shadowzone 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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    Where to watch Shadowzone (1990)

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    [/et_pb_code][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_blurb title=”Louise Fletcher, 1934 – 2022″ image=”https://staging.film-nerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/994975886.webp” alt=”Louise Fletcher” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ header_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    This review is dedicated to the memory of legendary actress Louise Fletcher, who passed away on September 23, 2022, at the age of 88.

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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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