"We're not critics. We're professional fan-girls." --- This blog is dedicated to movies and the entertainment industry. We use random selection to bring into light the best and worst of streaming films and entertainment news.
Actors:
Joel Courtney, Jessica Tuck,
Joel McKinnon Miller, Ryan Lee, Zach Mills, Riley Griffiths, Gabriel
Basso, Kyle Chandler, Ron Eldard, AJ Michalka, Andrew Miller, Jakob
Miller, Jade Griffiths, Britt Flatmo, Elle Fanning, Glynn Turman,
Noah Emmerich, Richard T. Jones, David Gallagher, Brett Rice, Michael
Giacchino, Beau Knapp, Bruce Greenwood, Dale Dickey, Jack Axelrod,
Dan Castellaneta, Thomas F. Duffy, Teri Clark, Tom Quinn, Caitríona
Balfe, Bingo O'Malley, Tony Guma, Marco Sanchez, Katie Lowes
Metacritic
Blurb: In the summer of 1979, a
group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train
crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not
an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable
events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to
uncover the truth – something more terrifying than any of them
could have imagined.
Cat’s
Point of View:
This year for our spooky month series,
we decided to bring you something a little different – a countdown
of horror or thriller movies that have a number in the title. These
aren't in a bad/good arrangement or even in order of desire to watch,
as our Top 20 Lists usually are. We're set to have 8 reviews for you,
including this one, between now and the end of October, thus counting
down from 8 to 1. Some of these movies are a little off the beaten
path, so to speak, but they sparked our curiosity.
That being said, we're kicking things
off with Super 8. This wasn't my first watch of this film, but
I remember it fondly. It was a fun retrospective as well as a
nostalgia fix given the time-period of the setting. I was happy to
give Super 8 a fresh look to bring you this review with a new
experience, rather than memories from years ago.
Super 8 has a very
'kids-with-bikes' adventure quality, and while this is a Sci-fi/
Horror blend, it is definitely watchable for the age range of the
kids depicted on the screen. There might be some content that might
be too disturbing for the younger set, but the PG-13 rating is very
appropriate. There's little to no “real” blood, tame language for
the most part, and a good deal of the violent shenanigans are just
off-screen or obscured in a way that you don't always see it
directly. I think it's a brilliant touch that helps build the
suspense throughout the movie. Our imaginations are very crafty with
filling in the horrible blanks. Not only does the anticipation ramp
up for the “big reveal,” but it's also a little cost-conscious
for the production due to savings on the effects – putting the big
bucks into the payoff scenes at the climax. I was relieved that there
was an amazing reveal here that was worth the wait.
I would, honestly, expect no less from
a production helmed by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Star Trek Into Darkness,
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens) and with Steven
Spielberg (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Ready Player One, West Side
Story) as a producer greatly hands-on with the project. He is one
of, if not my top favorite creative cinematic voices. I have adored
his movies ever since I was literally a baby.
This movie offers a full range of
emotions on this wild ride of a story. It opens with some deep
dramatic notes that helps the audience invest in the characters. Then
you get into some relatable coming-of-age stuff right as all hell
breaks loose. The fewer details I discuss here, the better – trust
me.
If you haven't already seen Super 8,
this season of chills and thrills would be a great time to cue it up.
If you have already watched this film in the past, then why not give
it another spin? It was definitely a pleasant re-watch for me.
Director: Drew
Garcia, Nathan Garcia Writer: Harris
Kauffman, David Altman, Edward Nakfoor, Howard Weinberger Actors: Cooper
Tomlinson, Julie Oliver-Touchstone, Kim Sandwich, Amelia Salazar, Patrick G.
Keenan, Jim Johnson, Leora Berry Genre: Adventure,
Family Rated: PG Length: Unknown IMDb Blurb: A trio of misfit middle schoolers band together to
investigate their small town’s mythic treasure, only to uncover a Halloween
curse. Treasure Trackersimmediately reminded me of The Goonies (1985). I love the idea of kids today growing up with some version of that same kind of story. It’s fun and nostalgic, and although it could never take the place of The Goonies for my generation, perhaps it could bring the same feelings to the next generation. Let’s hope.
19 – Piece
by Piece (10/11)
Director: Morgan
Neville Writer: Morgan
Neville, Oscar Vazquez, Aaron Wickenden, Jason Zeldes Actors: Pharrell
Williams, Morgan Neville, Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani, Timbaland, Snoop Dogg,
Justin Timberlake, ItzKiff, Jay-Z, N.O.R.E., Daft Punk, Busta Rhymes, Pusha T,
Taaes2008, Aaron Wickenden Genre: Animation,
Musical, Biography Rated: PG Length: 1h
33min IMDb Blurb: A vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon
Pharrell Williams, told through the lens of LEGO animation. They made this documentary a
Lego movie. A LEGO MOVIE.
I’m not a huge fan of
documentaries. I’d rather watch my fantasies and read my facts. That said, you don’t have to be into documentaries to be interested in Piece
by Piece. I’m not even interested in Pharrell Williams, the person this
documentary is about, and it’s on my list.
There’s great music and Legos
involved. You really can’t go wrong.
18 – Salem’s
Lot (10/3)
Director: Gary
Dauberman Writer: Gary
Dauberman, Stephen King Actors: Lewis
Pullman, Spencer Treat Clark, Pilou Asbæk Genre: Horror,
Thriller Rated: R Length: 1h
53min IMDb Blurb: Author Ben Mears returns to his childhood home of
Jerusalem’s Lot in search of inspiration for his next book only to discover his
hometown is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire. I’ve never seen the original Salem’s
Lot (1979), nor have I read the book. So, I have no idea what’s going on in
the trailer, but it’s Stephen King (Pet Sematary, Carrie, Firestarter),
so I have a decent amount of faith. In most of the film, if not the ending.
17 – Conclave
(10/25)
Director: Edward
Berger Writer: Peter
Straughan, Robert Harris Actors: Ralph
Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow Genre: Thriller Rated: PG Length: 2h IMDb Blurb: When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of
the world’s most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds
himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of
The Church. There’s an insane cast at
work here in a storyline I never thought I’d see. I imagine it will be more of a slow burn, but there are enough thrills to keep me completely absorbed, even in just the trailer. I can only imagine the direction of the full-length film.
16 – Smile 2
(10/18)
Director: Parker
Finn Writer: Parker
Finn Actors: Kyle
Gallner, Naomi Scott, Drew Barrymore, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo Genre: Horror,
Mystery, Thriller Rated: R Length: 2h 12min IMDb Blurb: About to embark on a world tour, global pop
sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and
inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of
fame, Skye is forced to face her past. The first Smile (2022) was all right. I liked it fine, but Cat loved it. Admittedly, it stuck with me
more than I expected it to. Enough that a sequel makes sense to me
– depending on what they do with it.
It would be very simple for
the studio to release a cash grab that is exactly what the first one was and
still have an audience for it. I’m worried that’s what’s happening here. However, I can’t fully explain why without spoiling the first one. I will say that parts of the trailer seem to point the story in a direction that
the first one also went in, with little difference.
I hope that’s not what it is. I hope the trailer is just a creative way to make audiences think there’s little difference between the two movies.
15 – Memoir
of a Snail (10/25)
Director: Adam
Elliot Writer: Adam
Elliot Actors: Eric
Bana, Sarah Snook, Kodi Smit-McPhee Genre: Animation,
Drama Rated: R Length: 1h
34min IMDb Blurb: A bittersweet memoir of a melancholic woman called
Grace Pudel - a hoarder of snails, romance novels, and guinea-pigs. Stop-motion animation is not my favorite; it takes a lot to get me interested in it. In this
case, there’s a heartwarming story and a look at life through the eyes of
nostalgia. I’m in a season of my life where that hits home almost a little too
hard.
I love the quote that we can
only understand life backward but are forced to live it forward. That
makes sense to me on every level. Hearing it in the context of this trailer gave
me chills.
14 – White
Bird: A Wonder Story (10/4)
Director: Marc
Forster Writer: Mark
Bomback, R.J. Palacio Actors: Bryce
Gheisar, Priya Ghotane, Teagan Booth, Kevan Van Thompson, Helen Mirran, Laura
Hudeckova, Gillian Anderson, Ariella Glaser, Orlando Schwerdt Genre: Drama,
Family, War Rated: PG-13 Length: 2h IMDb Blurb: Struggling to fit in at his new school after being
expelled for his treatment of Auggie Pullman, Julian is visited by his
grandmother and is transformed by the story of her attempts to escape
Nazi-occupied France during World War II. There’s hopefulness in White Bird: A Wonder Story. It tugs at the heartstrings, not just because of the grandmother’s story but also because of the possibility of the boy being redeemed.
As much as I love a revenge
story, I am also a sucker for a good redemption. In this case, that redemption
comes from a story of how much hate there is in the world, which speaks to me on a cultural level as much as it does on a human level.
I’d have tissues ready for
this one.
13 – Terrifier
3 (10/11)
Director: Damien
Leone Writer: Damien
Leone Actors: Lauren
LaVera, David Howard Thornton, Jason Patric, Daniel Roebuck, Samantha Scaffidi,
Bryce Johnson, Bradley Stryker Genre: Holiday,
Horror Rated: Unrated Length: 2h
5min IMDb Blurb: Art the Clown is set to unleash chaos on the
unsuspecting residents of Miles County as they peacefully drift off to sleep on
Christmas Eve. Terrifier (2016) became an instant cult classic when it first
came out, which has spawned these sickening sequels. Sure, it features your
basic unkillable slasher type, but there’s more to Art the Clown than most of
the evil antagonists in slashers these days – and his kills are insane. For Halloween, there’s no excuse
to miss Terrifier 3.
12 – We Live
in Time (10/11)
Director: John
Crowley Writer: Nick
Payne Actors: Andrew
Garfield, Florence Pugh, Grace Delaney, Lee Braithwaite, Aoife Hinds, Adam
James, Douglas Hodge Genre: Drama,
Romance Rated: R Length: 1h
47min IMDb Blurb: An up-and-coming chef and a recent divorcée find
their lives forever changed when a chance encounter brings them together, in a
decade-spanning, deeply moving romance. It really wouldn’t have
mattered what this movie was. If you’re going to pair Florence Pugh (Marcella,
Dune: Part Two, Oppenheimer) and Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge, The
Amazing Spider-Man, Breathe) in a film, I’m going to have to go see it. The
two of them have excellent comedic timing and drama chops. I simply HAVE to see
what their chemistry is like. I have extremely high hopes for this romance.
11 – The
Silent Hour (10/11)
Director: Brad
Anderson Writer: Dan
Hall Actors: Mark
Strong, Joel Kinnaman, Mekhi Phifer, Michael Eklund, Sandra Mae Frank, Jonathan
Koensgen, Sean James Sutton Genre: Crime,
Thriller Rated: R Length: 1h
39min IMDb Blurb: A detective with hearing loss and a deaf witness to
a murder must lean on each other to outsmart killers they can’t hear coming
when cornered in an abandoned apartment block. I’m addicted to stories like
this one. The cop shows with action and mystery and semi-likable, but extremely
flawed, characters. In this case, the twist of deafness adds a whole lot to the
story. Communicating with the witness through sign language gives it another realm to work in.
I’m looking forward to seeing
what they do with it.
10 – Die
Alone (10/18)
Director: Lowell
Dean Writer: Lowell
Dean Actors: Frank
Grillo, Carrie-Anne Moss, Douglas Smith, Kimberly-Sue Murray, Steven Roy,
Jonathan Cherry, Amy Matysio Genre: Horror,
Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 1h
31min IMDb Blurb: Tells the story of a young man who has amnesia. He
bands together with a rugged survivalist in a zombie-like outbreak to find his
girlfriend. Zombies are some of my
favorite horror creatures, and Die Alone looks like a solid
zombie flick. It even has the ever-ethereal Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix,
Memento, Wisting) in it. That’s not why I found myself interested in Die
Alone, though.
The design of the zombies
caught me.
There’s one moment in the
trailer where we get a shot of a zombie with plants growing out of his face. It’s
done very simply but so well that it looks brilliant. Like a
high-budget version of a movie I saw a few years back at a film festival, Brain
Freeze (2021). I loved Brain Freeze, so it’s a compliment coming
from me.
I’m very much looking forward
to this one.
9 – Venom:
The Last Dance (10/25)
Director: Kelly
Marcel Writer: Kelly
Marcel, Tom Hardy Actors: Tom Hardy,
Juno Temple, Alanna Ubach, Stephen Graham, Rhys Ifans, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Peggy
Lu Genre: Adventure,
Sci-Fi, Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 1h
50min IMDb Blurb: Eddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of
their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating
decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie’s last dance. Here’s the obligatory hero
(even if he is an anti-hero) movie of the month.
Venom is not my favorite of the hero movies that have
taken over, but it’s certainly not the worst. I find them enjoyable enough. Tom
Hardy (Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, Mad Max: Fury Road) also does a great job as the titular character. It won’t be a
thinker, but Venom: The Last Dance will undoubtedly be fun. I don’t know
about you, but I like fun.
8 – Woman of
the Hour (10/11)
Director: Anna
Kendrick Writer: Ian
McDonald Actors: Anna
Kendrick, Daniel Zovatto, Tony Hale, Nicolette Robinson, Pete Holmes, Autumn
Best, Kathryn Gallagher, Kelley Jakle Genre: Crime,
Drama, Mystery Rated: Unrated Length: 1h
35min IMDb Blurb: Cheryl Bradshaw, a single woman looking for a suitor
on a hit 1970s TV show, chooses charming bachelor Rodney Alcala, unaware that,
behind the man’s gentle facade, he hides a deadly secret. I’m unfamiliar with the true
story Woman of the Hour is based on, but I’m not surprised it is based
on one. I don’t think a woman on earth has been in the dating scene and hasn’t had some off experiences. Creepy moments that have made their
breathing speed up and their mind race. If they’re lucky, that’s all they’ve
had.
Match that with these dating
shows we keep getting, and you have to wonder how many women deal with both
combined.
A movie based off that one
terrifying bad date, and the dating show that led to it, is a great idea.
I’m also looking forward to
seeing how Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air, Noelle) does as
a director. She one of those actors I would follow to any film, so I can’t wait
to see if that translates to her directing.
7 – Scarygirl
(10/4)
Director: Ricard
Cussó, Tania Vincent Writer: Craig
Behenna, Matt Everitt, Nathan Jurevicius, Cristin O’Carroll, Les Turner, Polly
Watkins Actors: Anna
Torv, Sam Neill, Liv Hewson, Remy Hii, Tim Minchin Genre: Animation,
Mystery, Sci-Fi Rated: PG Length: 1h
30min IMDb Blurb: As her world is shrouded in darkness, a young girl
must overcome her fears and travel to a mysterious city of light, save her
father from a dangerous scientist and prevent the destruction of her planet. This strange
animation style really speaks to me. I don’t get that awful uncanny valley
feeling, and it doesn’t go far enough that I’m sending gagging gifs back and
forth with Cat. It’s cute but still gives enough oddity for that sci-fi/horror
feel. It hits that sweet middle spot that’s just perfect, along the same lines
as Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).
The story is cute,
reminiscent of Jordan Peele’s (Nope, Get Out, Us) Wendell & Wild (2022).
I’m looking forward to seeing if it can live up to the movies it brings to
mind.
6 – V/H/S/Beyond
(10/4)
Director: Jay
Cheel, Jordan Downey, Christian Long, Justin Long, Justin Martinez, Virat Pal,
Kate Siegel Writer: Evan
Dickson, Jordan Downey, Mike Flanagan, Christian Long, Justin Long, Justin
Martinez, Virat Pal, Kevin Stewart, Benjamin A. Turner Actors: Various Genre: Horror Rated: Unrated Length: 1h
54min IMDb Blurb: Six bloodcurdling tapes unleash horror in a sci-fi
inspired hell landscape, pushing the boundaries of fear and suspense. The V/H/S (2012) movie
series has a hold on my heart that I cannot fully explain. The past couple have
exceeded my expectations, too. I remain cautiously optimistic about what’s to
come. It seems like aliens are the theme for this turn in the anthology.
With people like Justin Long
(Lady of the Manor, The Real Stephen Blatt, Live Free or Die Hard) and
Mike Flanagan (Hush, Doctor Sleep, The Haunting of Hill House) involved
this time, it’s going to be out-of-this-world (terrible pun, terrible).
5 – Saturday
Night (10/11)
Director: Jason
Reitman Writer: Gil
Kenan, Jason Reitman Actors: Gabriel
LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily
Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard Genre: Comedy,
Drama, History Rated: R Length: 1h
49min IMDb Blurb: At 11:30pm on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe
of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what
happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast
of Saturday Night Live. Saturday Night Live is one of those TV shows that everyone knows about and has seen—at least once. Its influence on pop culture is undeniable, so it was just a matter of time before someone made a movie explaining
how it came to be. I’m excited to see how that
first show went down and curious about how a newer generation of actors will represent the people I grew up laughing at. I’m a little confused
about Dylan O’Brien (The Maze Runner, Teen Wolf, The Outfit) as Dan
Aykroyd (Ghostbusters, Workin’ Moms, 50 First Dates), but open-minded.
He’s a good actor. He could pull it off. I think Ella Hunt (Anna and the
Apocalypse, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Dickinson) will be a fantastic Gilda
Radner (The Last Detail, Haunted Honeymoon, The Woman in Red).
I hope writer/director Jason
Reitman (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Demolition, Tully) does right by
the show.
4 – Brothers
(10/1)
Director: Max
Barbakow Writer: Macon
Blair, Etan Cohen Actors: Marisa
Tomei, Brendan Fraser, Josh Brolin, Peter Dinklage, Glenn Close, Devyn Dalton Genre: Action,
Comedy Rated: R Length: Unknown IMDb Blurb: Two criminal twin brothers, one trying to reform,
embark on a dangerous heist road trip. Facing legal troubles, gunfights, and
family drama, they must reconcile their differences before their mission leads
to self-destruction. How about this cast?
Marisa Tomei (My Cousin
Vinny, High Tide, Spider-Man: No Way Home), Brendan Fraser (The Mummy,
Doom Patrol, The Whale), Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men, Avengers:
Endgame, Dune: Part Two), Glenn Close (The Wife, Guardians of the Galaxy,
Tehran) and Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games: The
Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, She Came to Me). Every name on that list
is a person I’d happily follow from project to project without caring what they’re
about. In this case, there’s a funny premise and an interesting concept.
Brothers is going to be hilarious. 3 – The
Platform 2 (10/4)
Director: Galder
Gaztelu-Urrutia Writer: Galder
Gaztelu-Urrutia, David Desola, Egoitz Moreno, Pedro Rivero Actors: Ken
Appledorn, Tadashi Ito, Óscar Jaenada, Hovik Keuchkerian, Antonia San Juan,
Milena Smit, Natalia Tena, Bastien Ughetto Genre: Horror,
Sci-Fi, Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 1h
39min IMDb Blurb: A thrilling physical journey that allows an approach
to the darkness, where it is scary to look. It appeals to the viewer’s civil
responsibility and forces them to face the limits of their own solidarity. The first Platform (2019)
was incredible. I thought the concept was brilliant from the start, but the full
version of the movie was so much better than I could have expected.
I was a bit confused by some
of the faces I saw in the trailer for The Platform 2 just because of
the outcome of the first one, but I’m assuming that will all be explained in
the film. I can’t wait to see where they go with the story.
2 – A
Different Man (10/4)
Director: Aaron
Schimberg Writer: Aaron
Schimberg Actors: Sebastian
Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson, Miles G. Jackson, Patrick Wang, Neal
Davidson Genre: Comedy,
Thriller Rated: R Length: 1h
52min IMDb Blurb: After undergoing facial-reconstructive surgery,
Edward becomes fixated on an actor in a stage production based on his former
life. A Different Man looked amazing immediately. Based on the trailer, it
felt fresh. There was something so undeniably interesting about watching
Sebastian Stan (Avengers: Endgame, Sharper, Pam & Tommy) try to come
to terms with the loss of this strange identity through the minute and thirty
seconds it was on screen. I’m more than willing to sit through a nearly 2-hour version. 1 – Joker:
Folie à Deux (10/4)
Director: Todd
Phillips Writer: Scott
Silver, Todd Phillips Actors: Joaquin
Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Lady Gaga, Ken Leung, Catherine Keener, Brendan Gleeson,
Harry Lawtey, Steve Coogan Genre: Crime,
Drama, Musical, Thriller Rated: R Length: 2h
18min IMDb Blurb: Arthur Fleck is institutionalized at Arkham,
awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual
identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music
that’s always been inside him. I have been foaming at the
mouth, waiting for Joker’s (2019) sequel.
Joaquin Phoenix (Her, You
Were Never Really Here, C’mon C’mon) brought the Joker to life so realistically that thinking of arcs such as TheKilling Joke becomes terrifying. He made the Joker a real man, and that made him so much creepier. I
wondered how they would bring Harley Quinn to life with him.
Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born,
American Horror Story, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For) was a fantastic choice
for the part. She can bring in that insane, yet somewhat
child-like, personality that Harley is known for.
The fact that it’s a musical just
feels right to me.
Movie
Name/Year: Azrael(2024) Genre:
Action, Horror Length:
1h 26min Rating:
R Director:
E.L. Katz Writer:
Simon Barrett Actors:
Samara Weaving, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Vic Carmen Sonne, Katariina
Unt, Sebastian Bull Sarning
Blurb:
In a world in which no one speaks, a mysterious, devout community
hunts down a young woman named Azrael (Samara Weaving) who has
escaped their imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, she
is to be sacrificed to pacify an evil which resides deep within the
surrounding wilderness – but Azrael will stop at nothing to ensure
her own freedom and survival. From the seeds of this gritty,
relentless parable of sacrifice and salvation, comes an immersive,
real-time, action horror tale from the visionary minds of Simon
Barrett and E.L. Katz.
Samara Weaving in E.L. Katz’s AZRAEL.
Courtesy of Gabriela Urm. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.
Cat’s
Point of View: I'm of two minds about Azrael,
now that the credits have rolled.
Let's take it from the beginning before
we delve a little deeper into that, though.
Azrael did have a place on
September's Top 20 List, and
I have been eagerly anticipating watching to find the answers to my
questions the trailer left me with. I noted that I adore Samara
Weaving (Mayhem, Ready or Not, Guns Akimbo) and I'd be giving
this movie a chance even if I wasn't already fascinated with the
story behind the teased events from the film.
I'm happy to say that Weaving knocked
this out of the park, as usual. She conveyed every emotion and nuance
I could have asked for within Azrael – and all without a
single word. Her expressiveness and physicality were on another level
bringing this role to life. I maintain that she is one of the best
scream queens of this age.
Samara Weaving in E.L. Katz’s AZRAEL.
Courtesy of Gabriela Urm. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.
I actually giggle, looking back at what
I wrote in my article blurb for Azrael that “...the
writer/director production team for this film have the potential to
really sink their teeth into this story...” If you watch this
movie, you'll definitely see where I made an unintentional funny,
there. I digress...
Getting
back to the nuts and bolts of it all, however, I am not sure where I
land overall with Azrael.
On one hand, this production team set out to challenge themselves
with this concept. They intended to create some cinematic art within
the action-horror-thriller landscape. I think they were generally
successful.
I
was on the edge of my seat for a good bit of Azrael.
Given the utter lack of dialogue from the majority of the cast (yes,
you read that right) that was an absolute feat. This was by no means
a “silent picture,” however there just wasn't any speaking –
because that was part of the story of post-Rapture civilization.
There was plenty of action, quite a bit of violence, enough blood to
make the gore-hounds happy, and an excellent tale of justified rage
and quest for vengeance.
E.L. Katz’s AZRAEL. Courtesy of
Gabriela Urm. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.
What
Azrael
doesn't have is a lot of exposition. There were a few title cards in
between segments of the movie, but there's not any cast-driven
explanation of what's going on. Nor is there any sort of voice-over
narration. We're, as an audience, thrown into the middle of events
and given just a basic premise of why no one is talking. Then
everything takes off into the violent cat and mouse game that ensues.
I
was hoping for answers to the questions that the trailer sparked as
it piqued my interest – but I'll have to live without some of them.
I'm satisfied with how everything played out, all the same. I was
thrilled, I was horrified, I felt an emotional connection to
Weaving's character, and this story even begrudgingly drug a little
bit of empathy out of me for one of the antagonists.
The
writer and director, Simon Barrett (You're
Next, The Guest, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire)
and E.L. Katz (ABCs
of Death 2: A is for Amateur, Channel Zero, The Haunting of Bly
Manor)
respectively, really did a pretty great job with this one – and
intentionally wanted their audiences to make some conclusions on
their own rather than have the information spoon-fed to them.
Samara Weaving in E.L. Katz’s AZRAEL.
Courtesy of Gabriela Urm. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.
It's
a little frustrating for my level of burning curiosity, but it didn't
really impact my enjoyment. I will say that it was a little harder to
watch than some films given that there was no dialogue to keep me
pulled in to what was going on – but that's on my ADHD. When
subtitles or a quiet film are involved, I have to stay laser focused
on the screen and can't dither about with various fidgets to help me
take the edge off, if needed. I watched late at night for the
ambiance factor of darkness and a quiet household, and it just had my
nerves slightly frazzled by the end with the combination of the 'what
the fuck' sensation that the story, itself brought about.
Azrael
isn't going to be for everyone, but it is definitely worth giving a
chance for action-horror fans, especially with the dearth of original
concepts out there. There have been very few mainstream movies that
have even touched on this topic, so there's that.
While
Shudder is one of the production/distribution companies listed for
Azrael,
it is getting a theater run before it will become eligible for
streaming. You can catch Azrael
in participating theaters beginning today, Friday September 27th,
2024.
E.L. Katz’s AZRAEL. Courtesy of Gabriela Urm. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.
Movie
Name/Year: Clawfoot(2024) Genre:
Thriller Length:
1h
27min Rating:
MA15+ Director:
Michael Day Writer:
April Wolfe Actors:
Francesca Eastwood, Milo Gibson, Olivia Culpo, Oliver Cooper, Nestor
Carbonell Blurb:
An upper-class housewife is
tormented by a manipulative contractor, hired to remodel her
bathroom.
Selina’s
Point of View:
Clawfoot
is marketed as a thriller, but the comedy MAKES this film.
The
first half hour of Clawfoot I wondered if the bits of comedy
were intentional or not. If intentional, it was a nice mix of subtle
and overt. If unintentional – it would have felt a bit more on the
cringe side. It took a while before it made enough sense for me to
realize just how intentional it was.
Once
I got to that point, there was no looking back. I was invested.
Somewhere between thoroughly thrilled and laughing my ass off. The
characters were ridiculous but in a fun way, and the story took a
left turn I honestly didn't expect.
Francesca
Eastwood (Old, Attention Attention, M.F.A.) and Olivia Culpo
(Paradise City, I Feel Pretty, The Other Woman) were
outstanding as the clueless duo, and Milo Gibson (The Outpost,
Hacksaw Ridge, Breaking & Exiting) was just disturbing enough
to keep the creepy aura flowing. Whereas Oliver Cooper
(Californication, Mindhunter, The Ultimate Playlist of Noise)
did a great job as the only character I ever truly felt bad for. The
four of them had to have been the dream cast for director Michael Day
(Sisters, The News Tank, Amber). If not initially, then
definitely by the time editing was done.
Clawfoot
is a trip.
Clawfoot
will be available for digital download on September 23.
Cat’s
Point of View:
It took me a few to stop simply staring
at my screen with a “what the fuck” expression painted across my
face once the credits for Clawfoot rolled.
I did not get what I expected from this
movie. Rather than an edge-of-the-seat thriller, it was more of a
dark comedy thrill ride. There was a lot of tension and the
production team really played with the slow burn of suspense at the
start, but the pops of unexpected disturbing comedic moments made all
the second-guessing at the beginning well worth it.
Clawfoot's trailer intrigued me.
I wanted to know more about this invasive brute of a contractor and
why events were unfolding how they did. There were moments that I
thought for sure that I knew what was about to happen, only for the
story to flip the script on me. Once the initial surprise happened, I
thought I had it all figured out again, and then the twist took
Clawfoot on a hard left turn and I was left siting here with
my jaw dropped for a minute.
I had gotten a good feel for how the
chemistry on screen would play out between Francesca Eastwood and
Milo Gibson as the opposing sides of this narrative, and I'm thrilled
to report that it's actually even better than the snippets in the
teaser allude to. Gibson gives off the squirmy edge of malevolence
under the veneer of jaunty conversation and 'oh gosh' helpful
contractor guy. Olivia Culpo exceeded my expectations, as well.
I'm going to date myself again, but the
friendship between Culpo and Eastwood's characters reminded me a lot
of a morally bankrupt modern version of Romy and Michelle from
Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion (1997).
This might not be one you'll watch over
and over again, but Clawfoot is definitely worth the initial
experience. As the feature directorial debut for Michael Day. I'd say
that he has a great start in the driver's seat and I can't wait to
see what he cooks up next. I am glad that I had Clawfoot on
our Top 20 articlefor this
month.
You can check Clawfoot out for
yourself when it becomes available for DigitalDownload beginning September 23rd.
Actors:Frank
Grillo, Josh Hutcherson, Mekhi Phifer, Eden Brolin, Melissa Leo, Andy
Garcia, Beau Knapp, Juan Pablo Raba
Lionsgate
Blurb: Gunner, a special forces
soldier who has witnessed the darkest side of country and combat, is
forced back into the field of battle to save his niece, who is being
held in South America. As the fight intensifies, Gunner and his team
discover that her disappearance is part of a corrupt private
operation that hits way too close to home. Acclaimed actors Andy
Garcia, Melissa Leo, Josh Hutcherson, and Frank Grillo star in a
nonstop action-thriller that will leave you breathless.
Frank Grillo as “Gunner” in the action drama LONG GONE HEROES, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
Cat’s
Point of View:
I've been looking forward to watching
Long Gone Heroes. While it hadn't really been on my radar
prior to putting September's Top 20
article together, after watching the trailer I knew had to place this
movie on the list.
So the big questions here are simple to
get out of the way first. Did I enjoy it? Yes, I really did. Was Long
Gone Heroes everything I expected it to be following the teaser
clips in the trailer? Not exactly, but not in a way that made me mad
about it. I'll elaborate.
In my article entry for Long Gone
Heroes, I explained (and you probably have seen me say this
before) that I am quite fond of the adrenaline rush from action
movies. I had connected to this film's trailer a bit more than the
other Frank Grillo (What If...?, Lights Out, Hounds of War)
movie coming out this month, and was anticipating a compelling story
layered into some special-forces style infiltrate and extraction
action.
[L-R] Juan Pablo Raba as “Guapo,” Frank Grillo as “Gunner,” and Josh Hutcherson as “David” in the action drama LONG GONE HEROES, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
I did get that to a degree, but perhaps
just not with the same combat quotient that I expected. That's not
saying that it was wrong, or bad, though. Long Gone Heroes was
more of a long burn of intensity with sporadic explosive action.
There was some solid close-quarters combat combined with stealth,
sniping, and a lot of gunfire exchange. Underlying that was family
drama on multiple fronts and humanitarian gravitas. The plight of the
Venezuelan people and the level of crime and chaos might have seemed
a little over-the-top to some, but that country's real-world
conditions have been spiraling downward consistently in recent years
with political unrest, shortages of basic and necessary resources,
and steady economic deterioration. The events within Long Gone
Heroes were actually solidly believable.
The trailer seemed to allude to a more
fast-paced scenario, so anyone going in expecting that might be a
little frustrated if they're the impatient type. As audiences, we've
been spoiled by this genre type delving into a quick-time and
hard-hitting level of nonstop edge-of-the-seat action such as
Extraction (2020) and its sequel. Long Gone Heroes does
have intensity – it's just different and not quite at the same
level.
I will also say that the story
transitioned into the rescue mission to an epic soundtrack with
Pantera's “Cowboy from
Hell.” I was rather giddy about that.
While I'm talking about content within
this film, however, I feel I need to address the R rating to parents
out there. This is not going to be one of the action movies you'd
want to show your kids. The rating isn't solely based on violence and
language. There are some rather graphic scenes of nudity and sexual
content. These come in small flashes as part of settings, rather than
any sort of drawn out part of the story. It's an ambiance thing, but
it's still present to the point that you wouldn't want young kids to
be watching this on their own. These scenes would be easy to do a
quick 'cover the eyes' maneuver for, however.
Andy Garcia as “Roman” in the action drama LONG GONE HEROES, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
Let's talk cast.
Grillo was everything I'd anticipated
from the trailer, and as an action veteran. I also love that he's not
all surly expressions, waving guns, throwing military hand signs as
well as punches. I continue to be appreciative to the nuanced
performances he can bring to the table. There's one scene where his
eye ticks in reaction to something told to him and it was glorious
that he got that that level of immersion to his character. I'm no
Hollywood professional, but I know very few people who can achieve an
eye-tick on command and make it look natural. I continue to also be
impressed with Josh Hutcherson's (57 Seconds, Five Nights at
Freddy's, The Beekeeper) range and enjoyed his character's
contribution to this story, as well.
Andy Garcia (Mamma Mia! Here We Go
Again, The Expendables 4, Pain Hustlers) and Mekhi Phifer (8
Mile, Frequency, The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat) were
great as adversaries here – especially with their business-like and
heartless drive to accomplish their goals. I was really impressed
with Eden Brolin (Emerald City, Beyond, The Cleaner) and Beau
Knapp (Ida Red, The Bikeriders, Road House) also. I definitely
want to see more of their work, and will likely seek out some of
their existing projects to catch up on their performances, too.
[L-R] Eden Brolin as “Julia” and Juan Pablo Raba as “Guapo” in the action drama LONG GONE HEROES, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
Juan Pablo Raba (Agents of
S.H.I.E.L.D., Narcos, The Marksman) was able to round out this
cast of battle brothers with some serious authenticity for his role.
His South American heritage really paid off in making things flow
smoothly. Though, I am aware that his country of origin, Argentina,
is on the opposite end of the continent from Venezuela. To my
layman's eyes, it really gave him an edge here. Finally, I always
seem to grin when I see Melissa Leo (The Equalizer, Novitiate,
King Ivory) on the screen, because her role as Sally from
Oblivion (2013) pops into my head with that sweet as sugar
southern drawl. This role was nothing like that, and shouldn't be
compared … but that's what my brain does sometimes. I could feel
the desperation of her character even if I wasn't 100% immersed in
her performance.
All told, I enjoyed my experience
watching Long Gone Heroes and I wouldn't be upset if I ended
up watching it again. If you're a fan of the genre, it's definitely
worth giving a shot.
Long Gone Heroes will hit
theater screens as well as releasing to Digital and On Demand Friday,
September 20th, 2024.
Melissa Leo as “Olivia” in the action drama LONG GONE HEROES, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
