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  • Uncut Gems (2019)

    Uncut Gems (2019)

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    The Safdie brothers, Joshua and Benjamin, are New York-based filmmakers who’ve had quite a career in the past decade. Their first film, 2007’s The Pleasure of Getting Robbed, screened at the Cannes Film Festival but received mostly negative reviews. For their second outing, 2009’s Daddy Longlegs, the film received better reviews and won the John Cassavetes Award in 2011. Following this, they were asked by producer Adam Shopkorn to help work on the documentary Lenny Cooke released in 2013. Around 2009, the brothers came up with a concept about a jewel dealer and approached Adam Sandler to star. Unfortunately, Sandler turned them down, so they went off to make 2014’s Heaven Knows What and 2017’s Good Time. Thanks to the attention they got for the past two films, Sandler agreed to star, and the rest was history. After ten years of development, the Safdie’s Uncut Gems was released in 2019.

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    Synopsis

    In 2010, a group of Ethiopian Jewish miners uncovers a rare black opal, which gets purchased two years later. The buyer, jeweler Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), plans on selling the opal at an auction to settle some debts. In addition to owing money from his brother-in-law Arno (Eric Bogosian), he’s divorcing his ex-wife Dinah (Idina Menzel). The day Howard receives the opal, NBA superstar Kevin Garnett (himself) visits his jewelry store, taking an interest in it. Howard reluctantly gives Garnett the opal in exchange for his championship ring, which he pawns off to bet on Garnett. While Howard wins the best, he’s accosted and assaulted by Arno and his goons over the money he owes. Howard has to get the opal back from Garnett while dealing with his ex-wife and girlfriend Julia (Julia Fox). Will he able to pay off the loan sharks, or will his gambling addiction ruin him?

     

    Review

    Just to get this out of the way, I have never been a fan of Adam Sandler and his comedies. With a few exceptions, I’ve found him to be loud, annoying, and abrasive in every single one of his films. However, he has shown that he has the potential to deliver good performances, including Punch Drunk Love and Funny People. With Uncut Gems, he delivers easily his best performance in years, convincingly making him a likable and charismatic sleazeball. By all accounts, this character’s a loser, and the film acknowledges this, but Sandler’s so good, you root for him. Also, the rest of the cast, including Menzel, Fox, Bogosian, and surprisingly even Garnett all deliver fantastic performances. There are also appearances by Lakeith Stanfield, Judd Hirsch, Pom Klementieff, and even The Weekend, all having their moments. Uncut Gems has one of the best casts of the last few years.

    Going into this, I was unfamiliar with the Safdie brothers’ work, but after seeing this, I’m interested in seeing more. Their directing style is very fast-paced and highly energized, but it never feels like it’s going by too fast. The editing helps keep the pace going, even in the slower scenes, and the cinematography adds to the kinetic energy. Admittedly, this style of filmmaking might make it hard for some people to watch, which is perfectly understandable. Despite this, the story and performances keep the film engaging, even if it can be hard to watch. Writing-wise, the dialogue naturally bounces off the actors and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. This is a well-acted and well-made story of greed and addiction, as well as the consequences that come from it. Overall, Uncut Gems is a great film with a great performance from Adam Sandler.

     

    Buy Uncut Gems on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2vJIWbz

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  • King Kong (1933)

    King Kong (1933)

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    In the 1920s, filmmaker Merian C. Cooper, alongside fellow filmmaker Ernest Schoedsack, produced several nature documentaries such as 1925’s Grass. While working on 1929’s The Four Feathers for Paramount, Cooper’s childhood fascination with gorillas was reinvigorated and an idea struck. His concept was to film a movie about a giant gorilla fighting lizards and dinosaurs with a female lead attached. He presented his pitch to Paramount in the early years of the Great Depression but was turned down. Luckily, through a connection with David O. Selznick, Head of Production at RKO, he got to make his dream project. Cooper hired Edgar Wallace to pen the script and hired stop motion animator Willis O’Brien for the special effects. Many of the cast and crew Cooper worked with before would return for what would become his magnum opus. Finally, 1933 saw the release of the eighth wonder of the world, King Kong.

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    Synopsis

    Ambitious filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) is about to set sail on a new project he’s been keeping under wraps. He’s been having trouble finding a female lead until he runs into the beautiful Ann Darrow (Fay Wray). Denham offers her the role and she accepts, despite not being told much about the project or where it’s filming. They finally set sail, Denham finally revealing that they’re headed for Skull Island, an uncharted island near Sumatra. Once there, they meet the natives, the chief offering to trade six women for Ann, but they decline and leave. That night, the natives sneak aboard the ship, kidnap Ann, and offer her up to the monstrous giant gorilla Kong. Kong takes off with Ann, so first mate John Driscoll (Bruce Cabot) leads a team to rescue her. Will they be able to rescue her, and what does Denham ultimately have planned for Kong?

     

    Review

    King Kong is one of the most important films ever made and it deserves all the credit it’s received. The film was revolutionary with its visual effects, using a mixture of stop-motion animation, rear projection, and miniatures. While effects technology has advanced in the decades since its release, the effects here are still impressive given the times. Even if the stop motion models look crude by today’s standards, there’s a charm to them that CGI can’t match. Some of the biggest set pieces are Kong’s fight with the T-Rex, as well as his rampage in New York. Acting-wise, it’s about on par with standard acting seen during the 1930s, with plenty of fast-talking and exaggerated movements. Fay Wray does make for a decent damsel-in-distress, and it’s hard not to get behind Robert Armstrong’s character. Just keep in mind that this was before subtlety in acting was a common thing.

    At its core, King Kong is a very simple adventure story: exotic location, girl to be rescued, fantastical creatures, etc. However, its simplicity is what makes it enjoyable, having the spectacle at the forefront at the sacrifice of narrative complexity. It’s also important to remember that this film inspired some of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century and beyond. People like Peter Jackson, Rick Baker, John Landis, Joe Dante, Frank Darabont, and Ray Harryhausen were just some of them. Following its success, RKO rushed out a sequel, Son of Kong, followed by its spiritual successor, 1949’s Mighty Joe Young. There have been two remakes, one in 1976 and one in 2005, cartoons, books, comics, and various other adaptations. With a legacy like that, it’s no wonder why King Kong is still remembered fondly several generations later. Overall, King Kong is a historically-significant, though somewhat dated, film everyone should watch.

     

    Buy King Kong from Amazon: https://amzn.to/38Uuxqr

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  • Candyman (1992)

    Candyman (1992)

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    “I have seen the future of horror, and his name is Clive Barker.” That was Stephen King’s reaction when Barker’s Books of Blood, a collection of short stories, was released in the US. Barker started as a playwright during the 1960s and 1970s, opening his own theatre company, The Dog Company, in 1978. Eventually, he shifted his focus to writing horror and fantasy stories, which became popular and attracted the attention of Hollywood. He wrote the screenplays for Underworld, aka Transmutations, and Rawhead Rex but was displeased with how they were handled. Because of this, he decided to adapt his novella The Hellbound Heart into 1987’s Hellraiser, which spawned several sequels. While working on Nightbreed, he met fellow filmmaker Bernard Rose, who was interested in adapting Barker’s short story, The Forbidden. Barker agreed to license the rights, and Rose went off to adapt the story into 1992’s Candyman.

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    Synopsis

    Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) and her friend Bernadette Walsh (Kasi Lemmons) are conducting research focused on urban legends. During their research, they learn of one such legend, “Candyman”, an ominous figure with a hook for a hand. According to legend, if you say his name five times while looking at a mirror, he will appear. Helen learns about Candyman’s origin, that he was a well-educated black man who was killed after starting an interracial relationship. She eventually proves that the Candyman is merely a story linked to the hardships the residents of Cabrini-Green go through. That all changes when she’s confronted by Candyman (Tony Todd), who uses her to restore belief in him. This leads to Helen being blamed for several murders committed by Candyman, and her trying to regain her sanity. Will she survive, or will she be seduced by the allure of the Candyman?

     

    Review

    Candyman is by far one of the best and most memorable contemporary horror films to come out of the 1990s. The first notable thing is the acting, especially from leads Virginia Madsen and Tony Todd, both of whom are phenomenal. Madsen gives a very grounded and human performance, and Todd is both imposing and captivating as the titular villain. The supporting cast, including Lemmons, Xander Berkeley, Vanessa Williams, and DeJuan Guy, have their shining moments and give good performances. Bernard Rose, mostly known at the time for directing music videos, manages to mix urban grit with a dreamlike quality. What also adds to the horror is Philip Glass’ haunting score, which helps set the mood right from the start. The makeup effects from Bob Keen are exceptional, and the use of real locations help give the film real authenticity. Plus, there’s a Ted Raimi cameo early on, so that’s cool.

    At its core, Candyman is a film that explores social issues dealing with race, identity, and the effects of fear. Candyman only has power when people fear him, hence why he uses Helen to incite fear by killing innocent people. It also explores how society tends to push to the side things viewed as a problem, such as Helen’s hysteria. While Candyman has plenty of blood and guts to satisfy horror fans, it never feels exploitative or overly grotesque. The film also never relies on cheap jump scares but rather focuses on atmosphere and building tension and suspense. Admittedly, the film does start to lose its meaning in the second half once the blood and guts start happening. Thankfully, it’s never enough to where the film devolves into schlock, and it still retains its good qualities. Overall, Candyman is a fantastic horror film with themes that are still relevant today.

     

    Buy Candyman from Shout! Factory: https://bit.ly/2TSNLIY

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  • Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth (1991)

    Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth (1991)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]While not a massive hit upon release, Trancers managed to gain a strong cult following over the years. Following its release, Charles Band started working on an anthology film called Pulse Pounders comprised of three 30-minute segments. These included The Evil Clergyman, an H.P. Lovecraft adaptation, a sequel to The Dungeonmaster, and a Trancers sequel. Unfortunately, Empire Pictures folded in the late 80s, and the film was shelved for several years until it was rediscovered. The Evil Clergyman was released in 2011, and Trancers 1.5: City of Lost Angels was released in 2013. After Full Moon was formed and found success with Puppet Master, many more franchises were established, including Subspecies. Following Tim Thomerson’s return in Dollman, Band decided to resurrect Trancers, with most of the original cast and crew returning. Released six years after the original, the result was 1991’s Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth.

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    Synopsis

    Six years after taking down Whistler, Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) and Lena (Helen Hunt) have been living the good life. They’ve been living with Hap Ashby (Biff Maynard), who’s cleaned himself up and gotten rich after becoming a commodities broker. Back in the future, Deth’s body has become calcified, so McNulty (Art LaFleur) goes down the line to help him. Now in the body of his 15-year-old ancestor (Alyson Croft), McNulty visits Jack, Lena, and Hap to deliver the news. Meanwhile, Deth’s wife Alice Stillwell (Megan Ward), thought to be dead, is in the present and is onto something big. Turns out Whistler’s brother E.D. Wardo (Richard Lynch) is creating new trancers using an environmental group as a front. Jack, Alice, Lena, Hap, and McNulty must team up to stop Wardo from creating his new trancer army. Will Jack be able to save the world while dealing with two wives?

     

    Review

    Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth is an enjoyably fun film and a decent sequel, even with its flaws. Like the first film, Tim Thomerson’s charisma is dripping all over the screen, delivering plenty of smartass quips effortlessly. He has great chemistry with both Helen Hunt and Megan Ward, who each have their moments to shine. Richard Lynch makes for a great villain, and Martine Beswick and Jeffrey Combs make for good accomplices. Alyson Croft, who also played McNulty’s ancestor in the original, has tons of fun mimicking an older tough-guy cop. There’s plenty of action to keep fans happy, and there are some great oneliners to go along with those scenes. The makeup effects for the trancers look pretty good, Band’s direction is solid, and the music compliments the fun action. Plus, there’s a cameo from Barbara Crampton, which makes everything better.

    As much fun as Trancers II is, there are some things both technical and story-related that hinder its enjoyment. Firstly, it feels significantly cheaper than the first, which was also low-budgeted but felt like it had higher production values. There are several close-up shots of characters talking directly at the camera like they couldn’t get all the actors together. Also, the few futuristic scenes look very slapdashed and thrown together compared to the stylish-looking future scenes of the original. Granted, you don’t need a huge budget to make a great film, but these drops in quality are very noticeable. Plus, this film has a greater emphasis on comedy, which mostly works, but some of the jokes don’t land. Despite these issues, this is still a fun sci-fi action film with some great characters and solid set pieces. Overall, Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth gets the job done well.

     

    Buy Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth 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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  • Onward (2020)

    Onward (2020)

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    After graduating from college in 1998, Dan Scanlon quickly rose through the ranks of Disney animation, eventually working for Pixar. He started off working on the direct-to-video sequels to Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid, 101 Dalmatians, and Tarzan amongst others. After being hired by Pixar in 2001, he was a story artist for Cars and Toy Story 3. Later on, he moved up to being part of the senior creative team on Brave and Inside Out. Then in 2013, he directed his first feature-length animated film, Monsters University, a prequel to 2001’s Monsters Inc. The film went on to be a massive commercial hit, though critical reception was mixed, to say the least. Following its success, Scanlon decided his next project would be more personal, inspired by losing his father as a child. That project soon culminated in his second directing effort, the 2020 animated fantasy film Onward.

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    Synopsis

    Once upon a time, the land was inhabited by mythical creatures who could wield magic and go on exciting adventures. However, as new technological advancements were being made, magic started to fade and all the mythical creatures lived normal lives. We soon meet the Lightfoots, including Ian (Tom Holland), his older brother Barley (Chris Pratt), and mother Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). For Ian’s 16th birthday, their mother gives him a present left behind by their late father: a staff and gem. Turns out he left behind instructions for a spell that would allow him to see them for one day. Unfortunately, the spell goes wrong, and Ian only brings back their dad’s legs, in the process destroying the gem. So, Barley decides to take Ian on a quest to find another gem to hopefully restore their dad before sunrise. It’s an adventure involving pixies, centaurs, and The Manticore (Octavia Spencer).

     

    Review

    Since childhood, I’ve been a huge fan of Pixar, and they’ve delivered high-quality content, for the most part. For every lackluster A Bug’s Life, Cars, and Monsters University, we get animated classics like The Incredibles, Wall-E, and Up. Compared to their other works, Onward lies somewhere in the middle: not one of their best nor worst either. Given that it’s Pixar, the animation is spectacular as always, from the well-designed characters to the imaginative environments. Speaking of characters, the voice work is very well-done, especially from Holland and Pratt, who have great chemistry together. Julia Louie-Dreyfus is fun as the nervous but cool mom, and Octavia Spencer steals the show as The Manticore. Mel Rodriguez is also fun as Officer Colt Bronco, a centaur cop who tries to be a good stepdad. Plus, the story moves at a solid pace and never feels like it’s dragging along.

    While this film marginally better than Scanlon’s last film, Onward is not without its problems, though it’s still enjoyable. Firstly, they talk a lot about how great the father was when he was alive, but we’re never shown it. Also, the fact that the father is mostly just legs makes it hard to feel an emotional connection. Granted, Onward seems more focused on the relationship between the two brothers than necessarily on seeing their dad. Also, most of the film goes through the typical buddy movie tropes with not much of anything exciting happening. Luckily, the film picks up quite a bit in the third act, and you’re still rooting for the brothers. While this is far from being one of Pixar’s best, it’s still a worthwhile watch for kids and adults alike. Overall, Onward is an enjoyable buddy movie about two brothers coming together on an epic quest.

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  • Batman (1989)

    Batman (1989)

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    Following the end of the 60s TV series in 1968, Batman’s popularity started to decline and continued into the 1970s. In 1979, producer Michael E. Ulsan purchased the film rights with the intent to create the definitive Batman film. Unfortunately, because of how the character was represented in the 60s series, several major studios turned him down. Eventually, Warner Bros. agreed to produce following the success of 1978’s Superman, with producers Jon Peters and Peter Guber joining. Many directors were attached to the project before Tim Burton was brought following the success of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. Sam Hamm was hired to write, and the film was finally greenlit after Beetlejuice was a critical and commercial hit. After extensive casting, Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, and Kim Basinger were chosen for the leads despite some controversy over Keaton. Following a decade of development, Batman was finally released in the summer of 1989.

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    Synopsis

    Gotham City has become a den of crime and corruption, the citizens terrorized to walk the streets at night. Despite efforts from district attorney Harvey Dent (Billy Dee Williams) and Commissioner Gordon (Pat Hingle), crime continues to surge. However, rumors have begun spreading of a mysterious creature of the night taking out these criminals known as the “Batman”. Photographer Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) teams up with reporter Alexander Knox (Robert Wuhl) to investigate the validity of these rumors. Soon, Vale becomes romantically involved with billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton), who became Batman following his parents’ murder. Meanwhile, local mob boss Carl Grissom (Jack Palance) sends his right-hand man Jack Napier (Jack Nicholson) to raid Axis Chemicals. During a scuffle with Batman, Napier falls in a vat of acid, becomes the Joker, and takes out Grissom. Will Batman be able to defeat the Joker and save Gotham City?

     

    Review

    Batman is not only one of the most important comic book movies ever, but it’s also one of the best. First off, Michael Keaton is both an excellent Bruce Wayne and Batman, despite controversies about his casting. As Bruce Wayne, he’s very unassuming and weary, but when he’s Batman, he is quiet, stoic, and naturally intimidating. Jack Nicholson steals the show as the Joker, reveling in his insane antics and having a blast doing so. Kim Basinger is good and has good chemistry with Keaton, but she somewhat devolves into a typical damsel in distress. Despite limited screentime, Williams, Hingle, Palance, Wuhl, Michael Gough, Tracey Walter, and William Hootkins have their standout moments. Tim Burton’s direction is on point, the production design is exquisite, and Danny Elfman’s score compliments the film so well. Above all else, this is the purest and most faithful Batman film of its time.

    However, Batman isn’t without its shortcomings, namely in terms of the story and some rather outdated music choices made. Story-wise, they make it so that Jack Napier killed Bruce Wayne’s parents to create a link between Batman and Joker. Not only does this feel contrived, but the point was to inspire Bruce from stopping crimes, which are usually random. Some have complained about Alfred letting Vicki into the Batcave, but I wasn’t nearly as bothered by it. Also, as much as I love Prince’s music, the inclusion of his songs makes the film feel outdated. Granted, those songs are somewhat catchy and their outdatedness adds to its charm, and the Danny Elfman score overrides them. Even with all that said, this is still an impressive comic book movie that showed these could be taken seriously. Overall, Batman is a somewhat flawed but still enjoyable film deserving of its classic status.

     

    Buy Batman from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2uWchyX

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  • Ghoulies (1985)

    Ghoulies (1985)

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    Back in the Charles Band Productions era, future Oscar-winning effects artist Stan Winston worked on 1976’s Mansion of the Doomed. He also worked on makeup effects for 1977’s Dracula’s Dog, which was directed by Albert Band, Charles Band’s father. This started a friendship between Band and Winston that lasted for many years, even after Winston went onto bigger projects. Most notably, Winston worked on the creature effects for Band’s 1982 film Parasite, which starred a then-unknown Demi Moore. Around this time, Winston and Band were discussing ideas for a potential film called Beasties, centering around tiny creatures. Nothing came of the project, but Band revisited it after Joe Dante’s Gremlins was released in 1984 to massive success. He hired Parasite co-star Luca Bercovici to co-write and direct, as well as John Carl Buechler to do the effects. The result was the 1985 creature feature Ghoulies.

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    Synopsis

    Jonathan Graves (Peter Liapis) and his girlfriend Rebecca (Lisa Pelikan) have recently moved into the estate of Jonathan’s late father. They invite several friends over for a party to celebrate, and Jonathan decides to perform a ritual with them downstairs. Though nothing seems to happen initially, the ritual ends up summoning several tiny creatures called Ghoulies, who become Jonathan’s servants. Soon, Jonathan becomes more and more obsessed with the occult and the estate much to the dismay of Rebecca. Eventually, Jonathan ends up performing a ritual that resurrects his late father Malcolm (Michael Des Barres), a satanic cult leader. Turns out Jonathan was supposed to be sacrificed as a baby but was protected by his late mother. Now with Malcolm restored, he takes control of the Ghoulies and plans to steal Jonathan’s youth to remain young forever. Will Jonathan and friends escape, or will Malcolm and his Ghoulies succeed?

     

    Review

    While the film may have been made to capitalize on the success of Gremlins, Ghoulies is still an entertaining watch. One thing that makes this stand out is the gothic scenery and atmosphere, giving off a very eerie presence. For a first-time director, Bercovici shows some promise behind the camera, and the late Mac Ahlberg’s cinematography compliments this. The Ghoulie puppets themselves, though not as intricate as the Gremlins or Critters, are still impressive and uniquely designed. The late great John Carl Buechler was always Band’s go-to guy for makeup and creature effects, and with good reason. No matter how small the budget or how limited the resources, Buechler always delivered some quality work. He’d go on to do effects for other Band films including Re-Animator, Trancers, From Beyond, TerrorVision, and Demonic Toys. Sadly, he passed away in 2019 due to prostate cancer, and he’ll be missed.

    Acting-wise, the cast ranges from decent to not very memorable, aside from a few exceptions, namely Liapis and Des Barres. As the villainous Malcolm, Des Barres is clearly reveling in playing such an over-the-top villain, but still makes it believable. Liapis does a good job going from likable protagonist to obsessed creep then back to hero struggling against evil. Character actor Jack Nance (Eraserhead) pops in as the groundskeeper, but he doesn’t have much to do until the end. However, Ghoulies is also noteworthy for featuring a then-unknown Mariska Hargitay years before becoming famous for Law and Order: SVU. The rest of the cast is mostly there as cannon fodder, but none of them are particularly annoying or hateful. Despite these and other issues, this was still successful enough for Empire Pictures to continue making movies throughout the 80s. Overall, Ghoulies is a fun creature feature with memorable monsters.

     

    Buy Ghoulies from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PudSD6

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  • Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

    Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]In the 1990s, video game companies Nintendo and Sega were competing for dominance with the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. To try and compete with Nintendo’s mascot Mario, Sega created Sonic the Hedgehog and introduced him in 1991. The first game’s success led to a successful franchise that went through many ups and downs over the years. Plans for a film were brewing in the early 90s, but Sega was nervous given the failure of other adaptations. Then in 2013, Sony acquired the rights and was moving forward with a Sonic movie scheduled for release in 2018. However, Paramount ended up buying the rights in 2017, but they retained the same crew, including first-time director Jeff Fowler. Originally scheduled for release in November 2019, it was delayed due to the negative reception of the titular character’s design. After an extensive redesign, Sonic the Hedgehog was released in February 2020.

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    Synopsis

    For the past decade, Sonic the Hedgehog (Ben Schwartz) has been in hiding since escaping from his homeworld. Things change when he accidentally releases an electromagnetic pulse with his supersonic speed that catches the US government’s attention. In response, they send the eccentric but brilliant Doctor Robotnik (Jim Carrey) to investigate and track down the creature. While trying to make his escape, Sonic catches the attention of the local sheriff, Tom Wachowski (James Marsden). The two end up running from Robotnik and his drones as they try to make their way to San Francisco. Turns out Sonic’s rings, which can create portals, ended up getting lost on top of the Transamerica Pyramid. Along the way, the two become the unlikeliest of friends, and Sonic starts to consider staying on Earth. Will Robotnik catch up to our heroes, and will Sonic be able to save the day and his friends?

     

    Review

    Before I get to the elephant in the room, I’ll start by saying Sonic the Hedgehog is a fun time. First off, Sonic looks fantastic, and Ben Schwartz’s performance is pitch-perfect, giving him the appropriate amount of cockiness and heart. James Marsden does a good job as the straight man, and his back and forths with Sonic are a highlight. Of course, Jim Carrey steals the show, giving an over-the-top performance similar to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective or The Mask. The rest of the human cast does a serviceable job, though none of them stand out that much. The action sequences are fun and exciting, though they use slow-motion sequences done better in X-Men: Days of Future Past. While many of the jokes don’t land, there are still plenty of laughs here, as well as heartwarming moments. Also, while there’s some Olive Garden product placement, it’s not all that distracting.

    When the first few trailers came out back in early 2019, many people were pretty critical of the film. I, myself, was also wary about its overall quality, especially the pretty horrifying original design of Sonic. Thankfully, the studio heard the complaints, admitted fault, and gave Sonic a complete do-over, which is a massive improvement. Sadly, the company behind the redesign, Motion Pictures Company Vancouver, ended up going bankrupt, which is a major sore spot. That being said, I hope these animators find jobs because the work they’ve done here is impressive given the circumstances. Had they gone with the original design, Sonic the Hedgehog would have been worse, but it wouldn’t have changed much. While it is an enjoyable watch, there’s not much substance and the plot is pretty predictable and unoriginal. Overall, Sonic the Hedgehog won’t set the world on fire, but it’s still worth a watch.

     

    Buy Sonic the Hedgehog on Amazon: https://amzn.to/409Ot6M.

    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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  • Meridian: Kiss of the Beast (1990)

    Meridian: Kiss of the Beast (1990)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]After the fall of Empire Pictures, Charles Band’s Full Moon Features was formed, releasing Puppet Master in 1989. Years earlier, Band was traveling through Italy and came across the Park of Monsters, or “Parco dei Mostri”. He was instantly captivated by the location, but he didn’t have any projects he felt would suit the location. Once Full Moon was started, Band came up with the concept of a gothic/erotic horror love story. Now that he had the concept, he decided to utilize the Park of Monsters and nearby castle as the backdrop. Many former Empire regulars were brought on board, including Ted Nicolaou, Mac Ahlberg, Dennis Paoli, Greg Cannom, and Pino Donaggio. The resulting film would be the second film released under the Full Moon banner, paving the way for their future. Released in 1990, we have Meridian, or Meridian: Kiss of the Beast.

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    Synopsis

    Catherine (Sherilyn Fenn) has recently moved from America to Italy after inheriting her family’s castle following her father’s death. She reunites with her old friend Gina (Charlie Spradling), who’s working as a fine art restorator for the local church. While reminiscing about old times and getting reacquainted, Gina spots a nearby traveling circus that has stopped by the castle. They decide to check it out and soon meet the ringleader, Lawrence Fauvrey (Malcolm Jamieson) and his World of Wonders. After the show, Catherine invites Lawrence and his circus for dinner, where she and Gina end up being drugged. Gina gets seduced by Lawrence, while Catherine is seduced by his twin brother Oliver, who both transform into large beasts. Trying to figure out what happened, Catherine learns more about the castle and the Fauvrey brothers than she ever imagined. It’s a twisted love triangle in this strange gothic fairy tale!

     

    Review

    Even for Full Moon, Meridian is one of their stranger films, but it’s certainly one of their most unique. While many of their later films were either straight horror or science-fiction, this one is more of a gothic romance. It takes elements from classic fairy tales, particularly Beauty and the Beast, and adds a contemporary twist to it. The use of an authentic Italian castle and the general locations help make the film more expensive than it was. Most of the performances are solid, particularly a then-unknown Sherilyn Fenn and Malcolm Jamieson, though Charlie Spradling has her moments. Though it can be tricky for one actor to play two characters and make them distinctive, Jamieson pulls it off. Greg Cannom’s make-up effects are impressive, particularly the creature design, even incorporating transformations similar to An American Werewolf in London. This shows the potential Full Moon had at the time.

    However, especially in the age of the MeToo movement, Meridian: Kiss of the Beast is a somewhat problematic film. Despite the film being billed as gothic romance, the inciting incident involves rape rather than romance, which makes it awkward. Even though one brother is good and one brother is evil, neither is any better than the other. It doesn’t help that Catherine ends up falling in love with the good brother despite him drugging and raping her. I’m not sure if this was an intentional decision, but it’s more likely that they didn’t realize the implications. Given that it’s Charles Band and Full Moon, it’s is more focused on nudity and strange creatures than anything else. In the end, while it’s not one of their best films, I can appreciate them experimenting in different genres. Overall, Meridian: Kiss of the Beast is a problematic yet interesting watch.

     

    Buy Meridian: Kiss of the Beast 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 Meridian: Kiss of the Beast (1990)

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  • Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)

    Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)

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    Following the success of the two Tim Burton Batman films, an animated series was created, airing between 1992 and 1995. One of the most popular characters first introduced in the show was Dr. Harleen Quinzel, aka Harley Quinn. Serving as the Joker’s accomplice and love interest, Harley Quinn’s character was further expanded upon over the years. After appearing in animated series, comics, and video games, she was brought to life in 2016’s Suicide Squad. Portrayed by Margot Robbie, her portrayal was among that film’s few bright spots, creator Paul Dini saying she “nailed it”. Before that film’s release, Robbie was pitching a spinoff film to Warner Bros as “an R-rated girl gang film”. Robbie served as producer and star, with Cathy Yan hired to direct and Christina Hodson (Bumblebee) hired to write. The result was 2020’s Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).

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    Synopsis

    After splitting from the Joker, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) tries to pick herself up and make a life for herself. Through a series of events, she gets captured by mob boss Roman Sionis aka Black Mask (Ewan McGregor). Turns out he’s lost a valuable diamond, which Harley finds out about and agrees to help him find it. Young pickpocket Cassandra Caine (Ella Jay Basco) has stolen the diamond and swallowed it, so Harley manages to find her. At the same time, police officer Rene Montoya (Rosie Perez) is working on building a case against Sionis. She learns about the diamond and the bounty on Caine through nightclub singer Dinah Lance aka Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell). Also, a crossbow-wielding assassin calling herself Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has been killing mobsters leading up to Sionis. Eventually, all these women come together to form an unlikely team: the Birds of Prey.

     

    Review

    Though I didn’t think it was nearly as bad as others noted, 2016’s Suicide Squad was not a great film. Despite its numerous flaws, I thought Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn was probably the best live-action version we could hope for. Thankfully, Birds of Prey is not only a great vehicle for her character, but it’s a fun movie in itself. Firstly, Robbie is absolutely the star of the show and practically dominates the screen, delivering a fun and energetic performance. That’s not to say the rest of the cast is lacking, but it’s her movie first and foremost. Ewan McGregor steals the show as Black Mask, going full over-the-top and devouring the scenery around him, maybe too much. The rest of the cast, including Basco, Perez, Smollett-Bell, and Winstead also deliver strong performances and have their moments. Plus, the action sequences are well-filmed, exciting to watch, and very creative.

    Visually, Birds of Prey is a treat to the eyes with its use of color and dramatic lighting. While many modern superhero films intentionally desaturate the color, this goes for a Guardians of the Galaxy type vibe. However, I do have some complaints, particularly with the frankly unoriginal story and lack of strong character development and growth. Except for Harley, many of the other characters are given the most basic of setups without further development. We do get backstories for them, but there’s not much in terms of further developing them. The plot is uninspired, being another film where someone has to escort a kid, much like Logan or Deadpool 2. While I’d probably watch Wonder Woman, Aquaman, or Shazam! over this, it’s still better than the lesser DCEU films. Overall, Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is a flawed but entertaining ride.

     

    Buy Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) from Amazon: https://amzn.to/47K7ale.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)

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