Killer Countdown - 2:22 (2017)

 

 

Streaming Service: Hulu

Movie Name/Year: 2:22 (2017)

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Length: 1h 38min

Rating: PG-13

Director: Paul Currie

Writers: Todd Stein, Nathan Parker

Actors: Michiel Huisman, Teresa Palmer, Sam Reid, John Waters, Kerry Armstrong, Richard Davies, Maeve Dermody, Remy Hii, Simone Kessell, Mitchell Butel, Barry Quin, Zara Michales, Nancy Denis, Duncan Ragg, Jessica Clarke, Jack Ellis

 

IMDb Blurb: A man's life is derailed when an ominous pattern of events repeats itself in exactly the same manner every day, ending at precisely 2:22 p.m.

 

 

Cat’s Point of View:

I've actually been dying to watch 2:22 ever since it released. Circumstances and timing just haven't fallen into place with attention span to make it happen before right now. I was excited that needing a thriller to fill a spot in our Killer Countdown opened up an opportunity for me to finally watch.

 

 

On paper, 2:22 is an ambitious story blending romance with some thrilling sci-fi, a dash of mystery, a puzzle, and a question regarding fate and the nature of the universe. Those might have been deeper concepts than anyone hoping for an action-thriller would want, unfortunately. 2:22 doesn't play out on the edge of your seat like that, though. It's more romance and drama than the more action-oriented genres.

 

All the same, I actually really enjoyed it. I like it when a movie makes me think, and I had a lot of fun putting this puzzle together along with the characters. I appreciated as each layer to the story settled in to create the bigger picture revealed by the end. I was drawn in like a moth to flame.

 

 

Of course, it helped a lot that the leads playing the couple in question are 2 actors who I really enjoy – Teresa Palmer (Berlin Syndrome, A Discovery of Witches, The Fall Guy) and Michiel Huisman (The Ottoman Lieutenant, The Red Sea Diving Resort, Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire). They had good chemistry in these roles and really sold their connection. 2:22 was so much more than that, though. The cinematography was fabulous – there were several moments that were actually rather breathtaking.

 

 

I imagine that this wasn't exactly what audiences had in mind, however, when attending a summer thriller. The pacing and the general ambiance of the movie, while great in this context, wouldn't likely appeal to anyone seeking a summer blockbuster popcorn flick.

 

If you enjoy this cast, a story laced with an ethereal soundtrack, contemplation upon fate, and a light time-centric concept then 2:22 might be up your alley. Just don't expect fight choreography or anything like that. It's just not that kind of movie. After a long day, this was a refreshing watch for me. While 2:22 wasn't full of blood and gore, I felt it was, in fact, killer.

 

 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 20%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 38%

Metascore – None

Metacritic User Score – 6.0/10

IMDB Score – 5.7/10

 

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5

 

Movie Trailer:

Killer Countdown - 3 From Hell (2019)

Streaming Service: Amazon Prime Video
Movie Name/Year: 3 from Hell (2019)
Genre: Action, Horror
Length: 1h 55min
Rating: R
Director: Rob Zombie
Writer: Rob Zombie
Actors: Sheri Moon Zombie, Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Richard Brake, Emilio Rivera, Dee Wallace, Clint Howard, Daniel Roebuck, Wade Williams, Sean Whalen, Danny Trejo, Barry Bostwick, Pancho Moler, Chaz Bono

IMDb Blurb: After barely surviving prison, the demented Firefly clan go on the run, unleashing a whole new wave of murder, madness and mayhem.

Cat’s Point of View:
3 From Hell is a little more “mainstream” than most of the other movies in our Killer Countdown, but it can't be denied that its writer and director Rob Zombie (Halloween II, 31, The Munsters) is known for work that is bonkers, chilling, provocative, and darkly comedic. What more could you want for the spooky season, right?

This movie is the final chapter in a trilogy that also includes House of 1000 Corpses (2003) and The Devil's Rejects (2005). Both films and their events are heavily referenced throughout 3 from Hell. If you haven't seen those other films first, I'm afraid you'll get quite a lot of spoilers as well as likely not quite get all the...dare I say, nuance, of these psychotic family members.

I will have to admit that I fall somewhat in the latter category, as I am afraid I have been procrastinating on watching The Devil's Rejects. I have seen the initial movie in this trilogy, however, so I wasn't entirely lost. I will say, however, that there's enough mocumentary-type build-up in the beginning of the film that it did generally fill in some of the blanks.

3 From Hell doesn't hit as many hardcore horror notes as House of 1000 Corpses did. It plays out more like an action thriller with horror elements of the occasional spattering of blood and gore. I wasn't necessarily disappointed with this, though it was not exactly what I was expecting. I had been hoping for something a little more chilling than this bonkers cross between trippy, gritty, and brutal dark comedy and mocumentary. I liked it all the same.

Aside from the core cast members of Zombie's wife and muse Sheri Moon Zombie (Toolbox Murders, Halloween, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto), Bill Moseley (Prisoners of the Ghostland, Hayride to Hell, Stream), Jeff Daniel Phillips (The Gifted,. The Munsters, Christmas Bloody Christmas), and the late Sid Haig (Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Halloween, Bone Tomahawk), there were quite a few that I was excited to see here.

Though, before I get into those familiar faces, I must note that I feel that this film was a little lacking for the absence of more plot involving Haig's Captain Spaulding. Unfortunately, Haig's declining health required a bit of re-tooling of the script, and I feel that even though something felt missing that they gave him a proper cinematic send-off. It was the right call, however, as he, in a sad twist of fate, passed away within a week or so of the film's release.

Zombie was able to work in Richard Brake (Game of Thrones, Bingo Hell, Barbarian) to round out the titular trio, without Spaulding available, and I think his energy was a great addition to this ensemble. Brake's most memorable roles tend to be his unhinged villains. He fit right in here with this completely unhinged family dynamic. Dee Wallace (The Lords of Salem, 9-1-1, Stream) can actually be found in quite a few of Zombie's movies – quite the juxtaposition to her earlier work in the genre and even as the wholesome mom in E.T. The Extraterrestrial (1982). I was rather amused that none other than the O.G. Brad Majors, Barry Bostwick (American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules, Love by Drowning, Daruma), was offering narration. Clint Howard's (The Funhouse Massacre, Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Old Way) character both made me giggle and feel the pangs of remorse for my amusement at his character's tragedy. My daughter and I both practically pointed to the screen and called out “MACHETE!” when we saw Danny Trejo (American Underdog, Big City Greens, Seven Cemeteries). Last, but certainly not least, we really enjoyed seeing Emilio Rivera (Sons of Anarchy, Mayans M.C., Dante's Hotel) as well.

While 3 From Hell wasn't exactly what I was expecting, it was crazy fun that especially highlighted the extreme level of batshit of Sheri Moon Zombie's character, Baby Firefly. The actual insane gleeful abandon of that character drives the plot and actually offers a few genuinely touching moments.

I can't say that 3 From Hell is a movie that I would want to return to in the future, it did make me want to go back and watch the film in the middle of the events, The Devil's Rejects. If you're a fan of Zombie's work and the other movies in this trilogy, I would definitely recommend giving this one a shot to round out your experience, if you haven't already. If you're new to Zombie's work, then maybe start at the beginning first. Either way, you're in for a wild ride.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 57%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 55%
Metascore – 50%
Metacritic User Score – 4.6/10
IMDB Score – 5.4/10

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3/5

Movie Trailer: