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Actors:
Kathryn Newton, Liza Soberano, Cole Sprouse, Carla Gugino, Joe
Chrest, Jenna Davis, Trina LaFargue, Paola Andino, Joshua Montes,
Chris Greening, Joey Harris, Henry Eikenberry, Jennifer Pierce
Mathus, Jailyn Rae, Bryce Romero, Charlie Talbert, Ray Gaspard,
Geraldine Singer, Destinie Jones, Johnny Ballance, Donna Duplantier,
Sylvia Grace Crim, Walker Babington, Ritchie Montgomery
IMDb
Blurb:
A coming of RAGE love story about a teenager and her crush, who
happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring
him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness
- and a few missing body parts.
Cat’s
Point of View:
I was really sad that I didn't get a
chance to go see Lisa Frankenstein on the big screen. I have
been seriously excited to watch this movie ever since I saw the
trailer for the first time. This film was absolutely up my alley –
the '80s, the music of The Cure, and a variation on the
Frankenstein's monster tale? Sold. Shut up and take my money –
except, I just didn't have extra money, so alas.
You can imagine that I was doing mental
cartwheels when Lisa Frankenstein became available to stream.
It was, after all, my personal #4 pick as well as Selina's #3 pick
within her February 2024 Top 20 article.
I sat down with my daughter, whom has
long been a fan of Cole Sprouse (Five Feet Apart, Moonshot,
Riverdale) dating back to his The Suite Life of Zack &
Cody (2005-2008) days when she was little, and we had a blast
watching Lisa Frankenstein together. She enjoyed it about as
much as I did, even without catching all the little Easter eggs that
had me giggling.
Though, there was one or more that had
me getting a little misty-eyed as I prepped to write this article, as
there were nods to the great Robin Williams (Patch Adams, Aladdin,
Mrs. Doubtfire) hidden in plain sight. I hadn't immediately
realized that this film's director Zelda Williams (Shrimp,
Dark/Web, Kappa Kappa Die) is the daughter of one of the world's
most beloved comedic actors. This is also her full-length feature
directorial debut. She had such a deft touch in bringing this darkly funny romance to life.
I was also surprised to learn via some
random trivia that writer Diablo Cody (United States of Tara,
Ricki and the Flash, Tully) confirmed in Lisa Frankenstein
premier interview with Deadlinethat this movie takes place within the same universe as her earlier
work, Jennifer's Body (2009). I digress...
Sprouse wasn't the only notable cast
member, of course. Joe Chrest (Oldboy, Stranger Things, Killers of
the Flower Moon) and Carla Gugino (The Haunting of Hill House,
Gunpowder Milkshake, The Fall of the House of Usher) were great
choices for the parents of the titular Lisa and her sister Taffy,
played by Liza Soberano (Everyday I Love You, Make it with You,
Alone/Together). She also embodied her role very well and I had
flashbacks to some of the more popular girls I knew during the
timeframe of this movie.
Lisa's Kathryn Newton (Pokemon:
Detective Pikachu, Big Little Lies, Freaky) was no one to sneeze
at, either. I was riveted to her performance and felt for her in her
unhinged story. In spite of everything that happened as the movie
barreled along, I was still rooting for her to find some sort of
happy outcome. I had to pause and question my own moral compass for a
moment, all things considered, but am at peace with the fact that
this was fantastical make-believe, after all.
The humor within Lisa Frankenstein
was spot on and not too over-the-top. There were layers of topical
points that would resonate with today while still remaining firmly
rooted in the late 1980s setting. It certainly took me back to the
era of big hair, Precious Moments figures, and house phones shaped
like anything other than an actual phone. Kudos to the wardrobe and
makeup departments here, too. I was really transported to that era
between the performances and those extra little touches.
Lisa Frankenstein is billed as a
horror movie, generally, before the rom-com elements; and I think
that was probably not the best way to view this story. Sure, there
are many horror elements here – the undead, bugs and creepy
crawlies where they shouldn't be, gross bodily fluids, and oh the
occasional axe-murder. Nothing was overtly graphic, however. There
was blood splatter but never anything gory enough to compare to most
single genre horror movies – much less other horror-comedies. The
horror is more of a side-product of the story rather than its focus.
I think critics that are disappointed with Lisa Frankenstein
seem to not quite be able to get over that particular notion.
Lisa Frankenstein with its
nostalgia and epic throwback soundtrack was meant to be a quirky
comedic romance where the horror was something that had to be
overcome, rather than the actual personal drive of the story.
I would gladly watch this film many
times over and would recommend anyone even remotely interested in any
of the genres touched on with Lisa Frankenstein should really
just give it a chance.
Actors:Amandla
Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha'la, Rachel Sennott, Chase Sui Wonders,
Pete Davidson, Lee Pace, Conner O'Malley
IMDb
Blurb:When
a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote
family mansion, a party game turns deadly in this fresh and funny
look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very
wrong.
Cat’s
Point of View:
Bodies Bodies Bodies had an
intriguing trailer. I was pulled in right away and it promised to
give a decidedly Gen-Zish spin on horror-comedy. Selina was also
thinking along the same lines, as she said the following within her
#8 listing of Bodies Bodies Bodies on August
2022's Top 20 article:
“The whole flick feels very
elder-gen-Z, and I do not hate that idea. The trailer looks funny, of
our time, and brutal. It’s exactly what I would want from a
horror-comedy.”
As an aside, it was my own #13 pick,
and I couldn't wait to watch.
We were both also interested in this
movie based on casting, as well. While Selina is more of a Pete
Davidson (The King of Staten Island, Good Mourning, Transformers:
Rise of the Beasts) fan than I am, I was intrigued as to how Lee
Pace's (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Guardians of the
Galaxy, Halt and Catch Fire) character fit in with this younger
crowd.
Amandla Stenberg (The Darkest Minds,
Dear Evan Hansen, Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse) and Maria
Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, The Bubble, Guardians of the
Galaxy Vol.3) were also relatively known variables going into
this film and didn't disappoint. Even though I wasn't as familiar
with Myha'la (Industry, Black Mirror, Leave the World Behind),
Rachel Sennott (Call Your Mother, Bottoms, I Used to be Funny),
and Chase Sui Wonders (Wake, Out of the Blue, City on Fire) at
the time, it didn't matter for this production. They caught my
attention with Bodies Bodies Bodies as they inhabited these
roles of privileged youth within this story so well. Saying that out
loud doesn't exactly seem to translate as a compliment, given the
personalities of some of these characters on-screen, but it is what
it is – and, indeed, meant as a compliment. I digress...
If you were to ask me what Bodies
Bodies Bodies was really about, I'd have to say it was something
along the lines of a live-action version of “Among Us,” which is
a who-done-it murder mystery multi-player video game that Selina and
I very much enjoy. Of course, this game was played out with drugged
up and intoxicated college-age young adults rather than a space crew
fending off alien impostors through social deduction.
This all takes place during a hurricane party. For those
that haven't heard of those before... it's a real thing that
typically takes place in Florida or along the Gulf Coast when the
incoming tropical weather isn't expected to be too strong – on the
scale of massive tropical storms, that is. Category 1 you say? Batten
down the hatches to minimize property damage but then pull out the
booze. At least, that's generally how it goes. My immediate area
within Louisiana is generally too land-locked to get storms of that
intensity, and if we do it's generally after it's already decimated a
huge swath of one or more states on the way to us, and we're busy
with sand bags and hiding from twisters. Needless to say, I haven't
personally partaken in such shenanigans, but I know some friends who
have.
Storms have a way of amping up anxiety
in already tense situations. When you add recreational drug use and
alcohol to that mix and then layer on a game where everyone becomes
the murder suspect – and wait, there's more – and THEN there's
real death involved on top of that? It's a dangerous cocktail with
side effects of paranoia, hasty decisions, and poor reasoning. What
could go wrong, right?
I recently watched an interview with
the director, Holland native Halina Reijn (Instinct, Red Light,
For the Birds), and a good number of the cast where they revealed
that while shooting this movie that takes place during a powerful
storm, they had to take shelter in the basement due to a storm
warning. I believe that it enhanced how the cast were able to respond
to and vibe with that aspect of the setting very well.
Bodies Bodies Bodies had tension, comedy, and carnage that had me on the edge of my seat, even though most of the characters weren't very likable. There was so much face-palming on my part, too.
The ending left me speechless for a few
moments. Everything I thought I'd figured out went completely out the
window. This wasn't my first watch-through of Bodies Bodies
Bodies, either. This second time around I watched with my
daughter, who is only a few years off of the character's ages. It was
fun to see her reaction to the twist, since I knew what was coming
this time.
All told, Bodies Bodies Bodies
was a solid comedy-horror offering that had many layers to it deeper
than the surface mayhem surrounding young adults behaving badly while
not mature enough to be left unsupervised. I wouldn't mind watching
it again, if the mood struck and am not shy about giving it a
recommendation.
Streaming Service: Peacock Movie Name/Year: Bray Wyatt: Becoming
Immortal (2024) Genre: Documentary Length: 2h 3min Rating: TV-14 Director: Steve Conoscenti Writer: Matt Braine, Steve Conoscenti, Ben Houser Blurb from IMDb: The story behind one of the
most revered and mysterious characters in WWE history and the man himself,
Windham Rotunda, has never been documented, until now. Selina’s Point of View: Trust the dice doesn’t
often cover documentaries. Both Cat and I have ADHD and most documentaries will
put us to sleep. Even quicker if it’s on a random subject that neither of us
have any interest in or emotional connection to. We’ve been able to do some,
mostly on subjects we’re very close to. So, that begs the
question: why this one? When I was young,
I followed the WWE religiously. As a child, my uncle used to take me to the
shows – even to a convention once. As a teen, I had weekly gatherings with my
friends and pizza in order to watch RAW. I fell off of it for reasons I don’t
think I’ll go into here. For a long time, it was just something that stayed on
my periphery. It was interesting, but not something I could bring myself to
watch again. I still listened to our friends at he Basement Bookers Podcast, of
course. One of them was a regular at my pizza RAWs, after all, but that was
where my interaction with professional wrestling ceased. The dulcet tones of banter
between Basement Jer and Rich the Riz. Until recently. After a Royal
Rumble party, I started to get interested again. The last time I watched,
female wrestling was relegated to bra & panty, wet & wild, and the
occasional evening gown matches. It felt less like wrestling and more like a
page from a porn magazine. What I saw at the Royal Rumble this year was
anything but that. It reignited my interest. Naturally, I’ve
been looking to the Basement Bookers to get my feet wet on the new WWE. I learned all
about the new storylines and factions. Triple H’s new role in the company. Who
the heels and faces are and why I should care. Most of it I was able to pick up
from watching the shows and the occasional one liner from Rich or Jer. The subject of
Bray Wyatt proved to be a bit more complex. During a visit
with Rich the Riz, he suggested watching Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal.
I was skeptical. Although interested in the subject, it was still a documentary.
I decided I’d give it a chance. The documentary is
solid. There’s none of that monotone, Ben Stein style narration that makes my
eyelids heavy. Each guest has a unique perspective of Bray Wyatt and is
undeniably a large part of his story. Either they were family, a boss, a
friend, a mentor, or someone he mentored. There were no fluff interviews
conducted with people that had barely a tertiary connection with him – as can
sometimes occur. What sold me on
it, however, was not the content. It was the reactions I saw in my viewing
buddy. I’m an outsider.
I wasn’t around for any of Bray Wyatt’s time in the WWE. I didn’t get to see
his fireflies as the phenomena occurred, I didn’t follow the Fiend. If I had
been watching at the time, I would have adored him, but that doesn’t make me
the target demographic for Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal. People like
Rich the Riz are the target demographic. And the effect
this documentary had on him was beyond anything I expected. In fact, I asked
him to write a few words and, instead, he took over Cat’s portion of today’s
review. (Don’t worry, she’s happy for a break.) Basement Bookers’ very own Rich the Riz’s Point of View: Bray
Wyatt: Becoming Immortal
was a documentary that I was greatly looking forward to watching but was
equally anxious about. Anyone that saw his work in WWE, whether you loved it or
hated it, knew that the man behind the character was of a different breed. His
was one of the most truly unique minds ever to perform in pro wrestling, having
created four distinctly unique characters - five if you include the Uncle Howdy
character that he created for his brother to use alongside him. Bray Wyatt’s
relatively short but legendary career was highlighted by interactions and
matches with other well-respected greats in the industry, including Randy
Orton, John Cena, and the Undertaker. This documentary covers his pre-WWE life
growing up as the son of a former WWE performer, his college football
aspirations, his WWE career, his untimely passing, and the legacy he left
behind. We even get a glimpse into what the future would’ve held for the late,
great superstar. Like many
WWE-produced video projects, I found Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal to be
quite thorough, particularly with respect to how in-depth it dives into the
personal life of Windham Rotunda (the man who portrayed Bray Wyatt). I also
felt it was very tastefully done, featuring interviews with his family and
peers, and narrated by an icon in the wrestling industry, the Undertaker. Whether he was
loved, feared, or misunderstood, the Bray Wyatt character will always live on
in the hearts and minds of WWE fans worldwide, and this documentary is a
fitting tribute to his legacy. Follow the
buzzards… Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – None Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 100% Metascore – None Metacritic User Score – None IMDB Score – 8.7/10 Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 5/5 Trust the Dice: Rich’s Rating – 5/5 Movie Trailer:
Movie Name/Year: Ghostbusters: Frozen
Empire(2024)
Genre:Adventure, Comedy,
Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Length: 1h 55min
Rating: PG-13
Director: Gil Kenan
Writers: Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman,
Ivan Reitman, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis
Actors: Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson,
Bill Murray, Annie Potts, William Atherton, Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn
Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Celeste O'Connor,
Logan Kim, Emily Alyn Lind, James Acaster, Chris Tummings, Kevin Mangold, Ian
Whyte, Natalie Cousteau, Allison McKay
IMDb Blurb: When the discovery of an
ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join
forces to protect their home and save the world from a second ice age.
Cat’s Point of View:
There was really no question that I wanted to watch Ghostbusters:
Frozen Empire as soon as physically and fiscally possible. I mean, it was
my #1 pick for myMarch
2024 Top 20article, after all. When a friend offered me a chance with
an invite to an early matinee this past Tuesday afternoon, my response included
“I’ll get the popcorn.”
I loved every second of this new sequel.
My friend had a slightly different take on it, but they seem
to have taken one of the trailersa little too literally and were hoping for a spin leaning further into horror
than comedy. This made for an interesting debate as we exited the theater. I
countered with the fact that while the trailer teased that “every ghost they’ve
ever caught will be unleashed” that it didn’t promise that they’d be fighting
all or even the majority of them. That wouldn’t have even been feasible within
the time constraints. That might be a great plot for a spin-off series – but it
would have pulled away from concentrating on the big bad that earned this
sequel’s frosty title.
Further, that the goofy comedy was a key aspect of this
franchise going back to the very beginning. It’s meant to be family fun, if a
little on the spicy side. Thus, of course, the PG-13 rating for Ghostbusters:
Afterlife (2021) as well as this new installment. The original 1984 Ghostbusters
came in under the wire within a month or so from when they even began to split
the PG rating into a more advanced category. (I think the first sequel dodged
the bullet with fewer sexual overtones and a more fantastical plot involving
the pink goo taking away some of the intensity.)
I also had great appreciation for the fact that Ghostbusters:
Frozen Empire provided such a seamless, if a little time-advanced –
continuance from where Afterlife and its mid-credits scene left off. There
didn’t need to be a lot of exposition into what was going on or how things got
to where they were. Everything just worked – including the connections between
original cast and new.
I was also very relieved that they didn’t try to bring
ghostly Egan back again. There was one scene where I was worried, but it was a
proving point that they wanted to honor him in a different way and moved
forward to something else advancing the new plot.
I have realized that I generally agree with a fan theory
that believes that Egan’s “spirit” – figuratively, rather than literally this
time – within the team lives on with Winston’s head tech guy Lars, played by James
Acaster (Cinderella, Springleaf, Seize Them!). He has the whole vibe of
Egan’s character within The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991) animated
series, both on an aesthetic and team contribution level. It is clear that they
were by no means trying to replace him or say that this new guy was some sort
of stand-in, however. I took it as a natural progression out of necessity to
fill the tech development void left with his passing, and a nod to other
aspects of the Ghostbusters universe that just don’t often get
acknowledgement. I loved that animated series and watched it religiously. I
even have the #1 of the comic that was a spin-off from the cartoon. There were
actually several elements within Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire that
referenced (if sometimes loosely) plot and equipment details from the series.
There’s nothing that officially solidifies that particular concept, as far as I
know – but for now, it’s my own head-canon.
There were several other new characters that made a big
impact within Frozen Empire. Kumail Nanjiani (Stuber, Welcome to
Chippendales, Destroy All Neighbors), Emily Alyn Lind (Replicas, Doctor
Sleep, The Babysitter: Killer Queen), and Patton Oswalt (Mystery Science
Theater 3000, Heroes of the Golden Masks, Manhunt) are welcome additions to
the franchise, and I really appreciated how each of their characters
contributed to this story – whether on a plot or emotional level.
Gil Kenan (Monster House, Scream: The TV Series,
Ghostbusters: Afterlife) has done a phenomenal job with these last 2
movies, and I can only hope that he continues to bring us stories from this
beloved franchise. I also appreciate that he has maintained a dedication to
continuing the vision that the creative minds that have come before him brought
to us – as well as keeping up with a usage of practical effects wherever
possible. There’s a really informative interview he did with Colliderthat goes into
so much more, as well. (He has gone on record, as well, stating that he did want
to incorporate elements from other corners of the Ghostbusters universe –
such as the animated series within these new stories. The article is a good
read.)
As you can tell, I’m extremely passionate about my
Ghostbusters fandom. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire ticked all the required boxes
on my personal approval checklist. If you’ve been a fan of the old-school cast
or even the animated series, chances are you’re going to adore this new
installment, too.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic
Score – 44%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience
Score – 84%
Metascore – 46%
Metacritic User Score – 5.7/10
IMDB Score – 6.5/10
Trust the Dice: Cat’s
Rating – 5/5
P.S. – There is a mid-credit
scene following this movie, but no further scenes after the credits end.
20 – Someone Like
You (4/2) Director: Tyler
Russell Writer: Karen
Kingsbury, Tyler Russell Actors: Sarah
Fisher, Jake Allyn, Lynn Collins, Robyn Lively, Bart Johnson Genre: Romance Rated: PG Length: 1h 58min IMDb Blurb: Based on the novel by #1 NYTimes bestselling author
Karen Kingsbury, "Someone Like You" is an achingly beautiful love
story. After the tragic loss of his best friend, a grieving young architect
launches a search for her secret twin sister. Romantic dramas aren’t usually what draw me. I prefer my
romance with some comedy or action – even a bit of horror (dark fantasy readers
know what I’m talking about). That said, the story utilized in Someone Like
You does feel devastating and intriguing. It almost feels more like a drama
with a hint of romance. Yes, there is a difference. At least, to me. My issue with Someone Like You, the reason I can’t
put it any higher than #20, is the one trope they look to be leaning toward
that I just cannot get behind. I hate romance stories that replace the original love
interest with someone who looks like them. There’s always a bit of disbelief suspension with any film,
but I simply cannot suspend enough disbelief to get behind the idea that true
love is that easily replaceable. There’s a large part of me that’s a hopeless romantic. Someone’s
face has never been the reason I’ve fallen in love with them. It may be
something about them I love, but it’s not the reason behind the emotion. Love
simply isn’t that superficial or shallow. When you love someone it’s about the parts of them that speak
directly to your soul (or heart, depending on how spiritual you are). You love
them because they are your safe space, your home. They both light you on fire
and calm you in a way that no one else can. When they upset you, they fix it,
because they hate to see you upset. They make sure you know your triggers don’t
define you, and you seek to do the same. They keep you together, or help you
find the pieces of yourself that have gone missing over the years – then give
you the strength to start putting it all back where it belongs. They make you
want to do the same for them. You want to be their safe space, their home. You
want to make them feel more like themselves, to calm them and still set them
ablaze. A good love story can show all of that. Regardless of what
the characters look like or what they’ve been through. Their traumas or their
past. A good love story looks deeper and speaks to that part of people that
understand the connection that occurs when they need someone else – someone
specific. I don’t use the term ‘need’ here lightly, either. It’s a need more
than a want. Humans need connections, and the various forms of love are the
greatest of those connections. It guides someone to their people. The people
that make them feel whole. Someone completely different who shares the same face does
not fulfill those requirements, and I will never be able to suspend enough
disbelief to believe they could. Now, there’s always the possibility that they’ll go for a
more realistic ending. Where the main character learns all that and he and the
secret twin wind up as friends, but I’m concerned they’re going to try and make
me buy the replacement trope, and I simply can’t. 19 – Model House
(4/5) Director: Derek
Pike Writer: Derek
Pike Actors: Scout
Taylor-Compton, Kyra Santoro, Lexi Atkins, Hailee Keanna Lautenbach, Priscilla
Huggins Ortiz, Cory Anne Roberts Genre: Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 25min IMDb Blurb: Models staying in a secluded house for the night
are terrorized by intruders. On the one hand, Model House looks like it could be
one of those campy, ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ flicks. Models trapped in a terrifying
situation and acting in this cringy, somewhat gross, way? That lends itself to
a good thriller/comedy. In that case, it would have been higher on my list. The problem is, once the thrills start the humor seems to
stop. That makes me worry that Model House could wind up taking itself
way too seriously. The concept lends itself more toward the comedy co-genre,
which means that seriousness could wind up being a flaw. Of course, we’ve seen
trailers mislead us before. I’m hoping this trailer was poorly made. Time will tell. 18 – Don’t Tell
Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (4/12) Director: Wade
Allain-Marcus Writer: Chuck
Hayward, Tara Ison, Neil Landau Actors: Jermaine
Fowler, June Squibb, Iantha Richardson, Tyriq Withers, Nicole Richie, Miles
Fowler, Gus Kenworthy, Simone Joy Jones, Donielle T. Hansley Jr., Patricia
Williams, Ayaamii Sledge, Carter Young, Lizet Upia Genre: Comedy Rated: R Length: 1h 39min IMDb Blurb: Tanya finds her summer plans canceled when her mom
jets off for a last-minute retreat and the elderly babysitter who arrives at
her door unexpectedly passes away. Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (1991) was a
staple of my childhood. I think it was for most women my age. I haven’t seen it
in a while, so I don’t know if it holds up, but I remember it with great
fondness. Naturally, I was curious when I heard about this new version. This new version looks cute. It’s a bit wilder and it’s
definitely updated, but it seems to be very much in the spirit of the 1991
version. On a different month, it likely would have been much higher on my
list. It is still a remake, and there are much better flicks
coming out in April. 17 – Civil War
(4/12) Director: Alex
Garland Writer: Alex
Garland Actors: Nick
Offerman, Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Jefferson White, Nelson lee, Evan Lai,
Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson Genre: Action Rated: R Length: 1h 49min IMDb Blurb: A journey across a dystopian future America,
following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to
reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House. Not even a quarter of the way into the trailer for Civil
War you can tell it’s going to be divisive. If nothing else, it reminds me
of the in-your-fact political nature of the marketing behind The Hunt (2020).
It seems to be straight-up pitting left and right against each other. Where it
differs is that The Hunt did it in a much more ridiculous way. Civil
War seems to be concentrating on that divide and exaggerating it to a
natural conclusion. Which is terrifying. That innate terror is what makes me think Civil War can
work. It brings the dystopian nature of this kind of story into the real world.
It won’t be for everyone, but I’m looking forward to it. 16 – The Moon and
Back (4/23) Director: Leah
Bleich Writer: Leah
Bleich Actors: Isabel
May, Missi Pyle, Nat Faxon, P.J. Byrne, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Molly Jackson,
Riley Madison Fuller Genre: Comedy Rated: PG-13 Length: 1h 14min IMDb Blurb: A year after her father's death, Lydia Gilbert
feels completely lost - until she discovers something unexpected: a space opera
script in need of a blockbuster budget, written by her father. Although this film does look adorable and heartwarming, I must
acknowledge that my interest in it has more to do with my personal journey than
the quality of the trailer. My biological father was a twat, but my mentor had my back
from the moment I met him until the day he died. He gave me every opportunity
he was allowed to (and some he could have gotten in trouble for). Yet, I wound
up going into a different field than the one he trained me for. It’s been a
source of guilt for me for a long time, even though he always fully supported
it. The way I’ve opted to honor him is through my writing. I’ve
taken on the project of telling the story of him and his wife. You learn a lot
about a person when you opt to take up a creative project in their name, and
I’d love to see how the main character in The Moon and Back comes to
know her father through his screenwriting. I think it’s going to be a story
that’s worth seeing. 15 – The First
Omen (4/5) Director: Arkasha
Stevenson Writer: Arkasha
Stevenson, Keith Thomas, David Seltzer, Ben Jacoby, Tim Smith Actors: Nell
Tiger Free, Ralph Ineson, Sonia Braga, Tawfeek Barhom, Maria Caballero, Charles
Dance Genre: Horror Rated: R Length: 2h IMDb Blurb: A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a
life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to
question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring
about the birth of evil incarnate. The First Omen is a prequel to the 1976 version. As a
fan of most of the Omen films, I’m here for it. You can see plenty of references to the original in the
trailer, to the point where it even speaks to people who might not necessarily
love horror films. I had a friend watch the trailer to give me some extra
perspective and he’s not generally a fan of horror films. He even said he would
watch it. The only reason it’s this low on my list is because there’s
more creative films coming out, things I think are going to be much better. On
other months that might be a bit of an insult, but this month is going to be
crazy. 14 – The Absence
of Eden (4/12) Director: Marco
Perego Writer: Marco
Perego, Rick Rapoza Actors: Zoe
Saldana, Adria Arjona, Garrett Hedlund, Tom Waits, Chris Coy, Sarah Minnich Genre: Drama Rated: R Length: 1h 37min IMDb Blurb: An ICE Agent struggling with the moral dilemmas of
border security and an undocumented woman fighting to escape a ruthless cartel
cross paths and work together to save the life of an innocent girl. Is there anything that Zoe Saldana (Avatar, Guardians of
the Galaxy, Colombiana) can’t do? There’s a reason she’s in two of the
highest grossing films of all time. A heavy drama like The Absence of Eden
gives her a chance to stretch her acting chops to the limit and really sell the
horrifying tale. The plot of The Absence of Eden is going to be
divisive at best. I recommend leaving all politics at home when going to see
it. Otherwise, there might be some difficulty really absorbing what’s happening
throughout. 13 – Villains
Inc. (4/19) Director: Jeremy
Warner Writer: Jason
Gray, Matt Moen, Jeremy Warner Actors: Mallory
Everton, Colin Mochrie, Jason Gray, Billy Mann, Jeff Bryan Davis Genre: Comedy Rated: PG-13 Length: 1h 42min IMDb Blurb: After the death of their boss, Beatrix, Cain and
Harold are left destitute living in an abandoned grocery store. Beatrix is
determined that they will fight on their own and take over the world by any
means necessary. Villains Inc. looks hilarious. It seems to have been
inspired by the Despicable Me (2010) series. At some points in the
trailer the henchmen are even wearing yellow suits that feel very minion-y to
me. I’m not surprised that it succeeded on Kickstarter – though maybe a bit
surprised at how well it did. Of its $15k goal, it made over $107k. I’m not saying it’s because of Colin Mochrie’s (Who’s
Line is it Anyway?, Murdoch Mysteries, This Hour Has 22 Minutes)
involvement, but I am saying that would have gotten me to invest if I’d known
about it before now. I’d say they didn’t need my help, though, since they
raised over 700% of what they needed. 12 – Scoop (4/5) Director: Philip
Martin Writer: Geoff
Bussetil, Peter Moffat Actors: Gillian
Anderson, Rufus Sewell, Billie Piper, Keeley Hawes, Romola Garai, Aoife Hinds Genre: Biography,
Drama Rated: TV-14 Length: 1h 42min IMDb Blurb: How the BBC obtained the bombshell interview with
Prince Andrew about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Who doesn’t remember this interview during the Epstein
scandal? The fact that an interview even made it through that royal wall was
news on its own. A movie about how that occurred is a brilliant idea. Though I doubt the royals will love it. That said, there’s a decent cast involved. As a Doctor
Who (2005-) fan, the one I’m really interested in is Billie Piper (Secret
Diary of a Call Girl, I Hate Suzie, Mansfield Park). She’s been in plenty
since her role as Rose Tyler, but nothing that I’ve gotten to see. I can’t wait
to see what she does with her role here. 11 – Rebel Moon
Part 2: The Scargiver (4/19) Director: Zack
Snyder Writer: Shay
Hatten, Kurt Johnstad, Zack Snyder Actors: Ed
Skrein, Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, Jena Malone, Anthony Hopkins, Cary
Elwes, Djimon Hounsou, Michiel Huisman Genre: Action,
Adventure, Drama Rated: PG-13 Length: 2h 2min IMDb Blurb: Kora and surviving warriors prepare to defend
Veldt, their new home, alongside its people against the Realm. The warriors
face their pasts, revealing their motivations before the Realm's forces arrive
to crush the growing rebellion. The trailer for both Rebel Moon movies looks great,
but I must admit that I haven’t seen the first one yet. I want to say I have
utmost faith in it, especially with Zack Snyder (Army of the Dead, Sucker
Punch, Justice League) at the helm, but I can’t ignore the low scores from
both critics and audiences for the first Rebel Moon. As a result, I put
it a little lower on my list – until I can see the first one and decide for
myself.
