'Tis the Season - Krampus (2015)

Streaming Service: Peacock
Movie Name/Year: Krampus (2015)
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
Length: 1h 38min
Rating: PG-13
Director: Michael Dougherty
Writer: Todd Casey, Michael Dougherty, Zach Shields
Actors: Emjay Anthony, Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Stefania LaVie Owen, Krista Stadler, Conchata Ferrell, Allison Tolman, David Koechner, Maverick Flack, Queenie Samuel, Lolo Owen, Sage Hunefeld, Luke Hawker, Seth Green, Thor
 
Blurb from IMDb: A boy who has a bad Christmas accidentally summons a festive demon to his family home.
 

Selina’s Point of View:
Since we’re having some trouble getting into Christmas rom-coms this year, I’ve filled the ‘Tis the Season calendar with mostly other kinds of holiday films. Starting here with a comedy horror, Krampus.
 
This wasn’t my first watch-through of Krampus. I love campy horror comedies. Especially when they have a bit of warped Christmas magic in them. This particular Christmas flick reminds me most of Gremlins (1984). Admittedly the 80s film is a bit better, but Krampus has that same kind of campy, over-the-top, childhood nightmare feel.
 

Krampus takes a cue from the better low-budget horror films out there and lets the majority of the scares exist in the viewers imagination. I’m not saying it is low-budget, it’s not, but it’s still a trick that elevates a horror film even when the money is there to spend. There are still a few scenes with hokey CGI, and full-on views of the titular character, but it’s really only the last 20-minutes of the film (approximately). It still manages to be an exceptionally tense movie, without skimping on the comedy.

 
I was impressed. Nothing took me out of the film at all. The settings were spooky, the actors played their parts well – all at roughly the same level, and the ending took a bit of a left turn.
 
Altogether, Krampus was a solid holiday horror flick. I have every intention of watching it again.
 

Cat’s Point of View:
Every year there are so many bright and shiny Christmas movies, sometimes it can just be a bit much. For that reason, I do enjoy mixing it up and watching a few Christmas horror movies or thrillers. Good ones are hard to come by, but most are at least entertaining. I also really enjoy movies that are based on bits of folklore that come to life. Krampus peeked into German and Austrian folklore entwined with the holiday season and delivered a dark, yet relatable, fairytale.
 
When Krampus first released, I remember that I was excited to watch and enjoyed the experience as soon as it was available On-Demand or via one of my streaming services. Watching in preparation for today’s review was my second viewing. While Krampus no longer held the element of surprise for how the movie’s story played out, I still found myself invested in the experience all over again.
 
It’s really a terrifying idea – that there’s a dark being out there to balance out Santa’s light; just waiting to come for the ultra-naughty people that coal would be too good for.
 

I think Krampus delivered this concept fairly well. The opening credits scene of commercialized holiday chaos as a backdrop to the warm vocals of a Bing Crosby Christmas song set the tone for what was to follow. I connected and empathized with the main character, Max, as he had to deal with bullying and his dysfunctional family.
 
Krampus also had help from an outstanding cast. David Koechner (Vicious Fun, National Champions, American Dad!) is skilled at embodying nutty doofus characters that drive you crazy. His character reminded me a lot of Randy Quaid’s (Independence Day, The Ice Harvest, Real Time) Cousin Eddie character in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989). Krampus felt like the horror version of that movie – whether the parallel was intended or not.
 
There were flashes of levity laced into the shock and cringeworthy moments that kept Krampus from feeling too bleak or heavy.
 
I still enjoyed watching Krampus for the 2nd time. It had just the right blend of naughty and nice to lift my spirits while I’ve been working on getting better from the seasonal ‘creeping crud.’ If you’re looking for a little thrill this Holiday Season to enjoy with a nice mug of hot chocolate, Krampus wouldn’t be a bad choice.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 66%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 52%
Metascore – 49%
Metacritic User Score – 7.6
IMDB Score –6.2/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 4/5
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3/5
 
Movie Trailer:

Turbo Kid (2015) - Shudder Spree

 

Streaming Services: Shudder, Prime Video, Tubi, Crackle
Movie Name/Year: Turbo Kid (2015)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Length:  95 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Production/Distribution: EMA Films, Epic Pictures Group, Timpson Films, Epic Pictures Group, Atlantic Film, Filmoption International, Nippon Shuppan Hanbai, A Contracorriente Films, Amplify, Eagle Films, Epic Pictures Releasing, Film1, Filmfreak Distributie, Ledick Filmhandel, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Raven Banner Entertainment, Remain In Light, Transmission Films
Director: François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell
Writer: François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell
Actors: Munro Chambers, Laurence Leboeuf, Michael Ironside, Edwin Wright, Aaron Jeffery, Romano Orzari, Orphée Ladouceur-Nguyen, Steeve Léonard, Yves Corbeil, Evan Manoukian, Anouk Whissell, François Simard, Tyler Hall, Pierre-André Sigouin
 
Blurb from IMDb: In a post-apocalyptic wasteland in 1997, a comic book fan adopts the persona of his favourite hero to save his enthusiastic friend and fight a tyrannical overlord.

Cat’s Point of View:

This latest movie in our month-long Shudder Spree isn’t exactly a traditional horror movie, as most of the films we’re watching this month are. There isn’t anything supernatural about it, in fact. It’s got a grindhouse level of blood-fountain gore – but only because of the ultra-violent post-apocalyptic setting.
 
When I say blood-fountain, I’m telling you that they gave a new definition to ‘making it rain.’
 
That being said, Turbo Kid is definitely packed with some crazy nostalgic fun. One of the quotes seen on some posters and the DVD covers likens this movie to “Mad Max on a BMX.” I think that sums things up rather well – if a bit understated.

 
It feels like the world, today, is going insane already. All these post-apocalyptic movies get more believable by the day. I’m not sure that I 100% buy into this particular vision… but I really don’t think we’re supposed to. Take into consideration the fact that a movie released in 2015 is calling 1997 “the future.” (Though, I do believe that bicycles are a more feasible mode of transportation in an apocalyptic situation, considering the finite supply of gasoline. I digress…)

This film was heavily weighted to 80’s retro. I have a great love for that decade, and so my inner-kid was having a happy-dance with each new ‘artifact’ that made its appearance on the screen. This love-letter to the 80’s post-apocalyptic sub-genre is even reflected in Turbo Kid’s synth score. It was well-done and was a good fit for the action on-screen. I could ramble on about all of the references, but I think you get the point.

The cherry on top for me, and frankly one of the deciding factors to watch this movie in the first place, was Michael Ironside’s (Extraterrestrial, Patient 7, The Harrowing) involvement with the production. I can’t think of a single movie I’ve seen him in that I haven’t enjoyed. He does tend to get involved with some off-the-wall projects and crazy B-movies; but he’s also held key roles in hits such as Starship Troopers (1997), Top Gun (1986), and Total Recall (1990). He was a perfect choice for the ‘big bad’ of this movie.

Turbo Kid definitely has some camp and cheese involved with it, but it is also very aware of such, and I was loving it. It hits just the right tone so that it’s not an eye-rolling situation and I definitely wasn’t bored as this film pedaled its way into my heart.

I realize this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. If, however, you’re not a fan of the ultra-spooky or other nightmare-fuel driven horror movies; or even if you just need a break for a few laughs in between heavier films Turbo Kid might just be for you. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 91%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 77%
Metascore – 60/100
Metacritic User Score – 8.0/10
IMDB Score – 6.7/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3.5/5
 
Trust the Dice: Parental Advisory Rating – R

 
Movie Trailer:

Awaiting (2015)

Streaming Service: Hulu

Movie Name/Year: Awaiting (2015)

Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller

Length: 95 minutes

Rating: Unrated

Production/Distribution: Green Screen Productions, Media Pro Five Limited, Solar Productions, Amazon Prime Video, Bulldog Film Distribution, GSP Studios International, Hulu, Kew Media Group, Stealth Media Group, Studio Hamburg Enterprises, Umbrella Entertainment

Director: Mark Murphy

Writer: Mark Murphy

Actors: Tony Curran, Diana Vickers, Rupert Hill, Peter Woodward, Adrian Bouchet, Charley McDougall, Sophie Lovell Anderson

Blurb from IMDb: Deep in the English moors, a sociopath preys on innocent people, until one day his secrets are finally revealed and an inevitable confrontation is at hand.

Selina’s Point of View:

I really don’t have much to say about this one.

The plot had promise. According to Hulu, it should have been about a girl finding out that her father is a serial killer after she saves one of his victims. IMDb’s explanation was much closer to the truth. You don’t really see things from the girl’s perspective. I wish the movie matched the Hulu description more.

I didn’t see much merit in it otherwise. It was such a recipe film that the pieces strung together didn’t even feel like they should be there. It was like someone had a list of movie ingredients and shoved them all together randomly with no actual harmony involved.

I liked a piece here and a bit there… but everything felt so forced that I never wound up liking anything for more than a couple of minutes.

They could have done a lot better with this idea. Hopefully someone will in the future.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – None

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 38%

Metascore – None

Metacritic User Score – None

IMDB Score – 4.8/10

CinemaScore – None

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 2/5

Trust-the-Dice’s Parental Advisory Rating: R

Movie Trailer:

Descendants (2015)

Streaming Service: Disney+

Movie Name/Year: Descendants (2015)

Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Comedy

Length: 112 minutes

Rating:  TV-G

Production/Distribution: Disney Channel, A 5678 Production, Bad Angels Productions, Blu Shine, Disney Cinemagic, Disney-ABC Domestic Television, Galapagos Films, Galapagos Films, The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Television

Director: Kenny Ortega

Writers: Josann McGibbon, Sara Parriott

Actors: Dove Cameron, Booboo Stewart, Cameron Boyce, Sofia Carson, Mitchell Hope, Melanie Paxson, Keegan Connor Tracy, Kathy Najimy, Kristin Chenoweth, Sarah Jeffery, Stephanie Bennett, Dan Payne

Blurb from IMDb:  The teenage son of the king and queen of Auradon offers the trouble-making children of villains a chance to attend prep school in the kingdom.

Cat’s Point of View:

We have always been Disney fans in my family. It was a no-brainer when Disney+ was announced that we would sign up ASAP. For this movie, however, we didn’t have to wait for the streaming platform launch to watch. My daughter had corralled us (at least me) to watch this film (and its sequels) as they aired on the Disney Channel for the first time.

That being said, I didn’t mind watching again.

I love how Descendants sprinkles little nods to the fairytale movies represented by the teen characters in the movie, or their families. I always enjoy that little ‘ooh!’ feeling each time I spot something new. These go beyond Easter eggs because they enrich and offer a foundation to the stories unfolding within the frame of the film.

I have enjoyed the take on each hero and villain’s offspring. The overall plot might be a smidge on the predictable side – because let’s face it, it’s a Disney fairytale movie – but it’s still interesting enough to keep attention on the way towards the finale.

Aside from that, the story is ultimately about redemption, second chances, and children not being bound by the sins of their parents. It’s a study of nurture vs. nature wrapped in candy coating. It’s that long sung of spoonful of sugar to let the medicinal lesson go down. Of course, there are other lessons laced within – and more to be explored with the sequels.

The music and dance numbers are fun and catchy – but that’s to be expected from director Kenny Ortega (High School Musical, Legally Mad, A Change of Heart). Some of his first IMDb credits are music videos of iconic songs from the mid-'80s. He hit the ground running and really hasn’t looked back.

The overall film isn’t too corny, and it’s phenomenally cast with beloved Disney staple actors such as Dove Cameron (Barely Lethal, Liv and Maddie, Marvel Rising: Initiation) and Cameron Boyce (Grown Ups 2, Bunk'd, Paradise City), as well as those with more mainstream recognition like Booboo Stewart (He Never Died, Bad Company, #Roxy).

This re-watching was rather poignant to me, considering the untimely death of Boyce in 2019. I have to admit I got seriously misty during his scenes.

I would have no qualms in giving this film a recommendation for anyone who enjoys the fairytale (especially Disney) genre, and those that have tween or younger children. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 90%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 67%

Metascore – 63%

Metacritic User Score –  None

IMDB Score – 6.4/10

CinemaScore – None

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5

   

Movie Trailer:

Mike Epps: Don’t Take it Personal (2015)

Movie Name/Year: Mike Epps: Don’t Take it Personal (2015)

Genre: Comedy

Length: 59 minutes

Rating: TV-MA

Production/Distribution: Netflix

Director: L. Frazier

Writer: Mike Epps

Actors: Mike Epps

Blurb from IMDb: Mike Epps tears up the stage at L.A.'s historic Orpheum Theatre in a special packed with blistering impressions and unapologetically raunchy swagger.

Selina’s Point of View:

I didn’t enjoy this special. That said, I have to take into account that I’m as far from Mike Epps’ (Uncle Drew, Acts of Violence, The Hangover) target demographic as is humanly possible.

No, scratch that. I did grow up poor. Some of those jokes were relatable to me, but I still didn’t find them funny.

There was a lot comedy people would find offensive – which I don’t mind. I don’t get offended easily and none of his stuff really pressed that button for me either. So, when the special was over it wasn’t like I ended up angry. I was just… bored.

There was a part at the end that I really enjoyed, but it was the only part.

All his jokes felt like stuff people would say to each other over a bowl of Cheetos and a blunt. After sobering up, the same people would likely wonder what the fuck was so funny about what they’d been laughing at.

Maybe if I’d watched it after my buddy’s wedding on Sunday (when I was drunk), it would have been better. Unfortunately, I didn’t think of watching it early.

I wanted to like this. I enjoy Epps as an actor. He’s got some decent comedic timing when there’s a script involved.

For now, I’m just going to skip his stand-up and stick to watching his films.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – None

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – None

Metascore – None

Metacritic User Score – None

IMDB Score – 4.2/10

CinemaScore – None

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 1/5

Movie Trailer:

The Lobster (2015)

Movie Name/Year: The Lobster (2015)

Tagline: None

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Length: 118 minutes

Rating: R

Production Companies: Film4, Screen Ireland, Eurimages, Nederlands Fonds voor de Film, Greek Film Centre, British Film Institute (BFI), Protagonist Pictures, Element Pictures, Scarlet Films, Faliro House Productions, Haut et Court, Lemming Film, Limp Films, Canal+, Ciné+, L'Aide aux Cinémas du Monde, Centre National du Cinéma et de L'image Animée (CNC), Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Développement International, Institut Français, MEDIA Programme of the European Union

Producer: Simon Arnal, Caroline Benjo, Julie Billy, Cait Collins, Joost de Vries, Ceci Dempsey, Rory Gilmartin, Ed Guiney, Christos V. Konstantakopoulos, Yorgos Lanthimos, Sam Lavender, Andrew Lowe, Lee Magiday, Leontine Petit, Tessa Ross, Carole Scotta, Milan Ueffing, Derk-Jan Warrink

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Writer: Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthymis Filippou

Actors: Jessica Barden, Olivia Colman, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Colin Farrell, Roland Ferrandi, Jaro, Ryac, Ashley Jensen, Ariane Labed, Garry Mountaine, Imelda Nagle Ryan, EmmaEdel O’Shea, Angeliki Papoulia, John C. Reilly, Léa Seydoux, Michael Smiley, Rachel Weisz, Ben Whishaw

Blurb from Netflix: In a near-future world, single people are hunted and forced to find mates within 45 days, or be turned into animals and banished to the wilderness.

Selina’s Point of View:

I really love the concept of this film, that said – the execution was rough.

People who hate indie films on principle, are thinking of this kind of film. There was some very pretentious direction, script-writing, camera work, and editing. Even the music choices made the whole thing seem like even more of a chore. When you add in the fact that it’s a 2-hour movie, I can honestly say it’s just not worth it.

The actors move and speak like they were directed to be the most awkward and unrelatable kind of people you can possibly imagine.

The only reason I have for the fact that The Lobster was highly rated is due to the sheer originality of the story. The world, the story, and the concept were amazing. I have been looking forward to seeing this film for a long time because of it.

This movie just isn’t for me. I think it’s geared more toward film students and hipsters.

Cat’s Point of View:

This movie is one of the strangest things I have ever watched.  Even so, it sucked me in and I couldn’t look away.

I had moments that my jaw just dropped because of the extreme outlandishness of some moments which underscored the ludicrous fractured nature of this movie’s dystopian reality. The movie is billed as a dark romantic comedy. Let me tell you, dark is an understatement.

I’ve wanted to watch this film for a while now. It didn’t make it onto my personal Top 20 list for its month of release in 2015, but it was only by a very narrow margin.  I have to give kudos to the trailer because it does give a good tease for the movie and at the same time doesn’t set up any false expectations. The bizarre is right out there in the open from the beginning.

Of course, considering the last time I’d really watched the trailer was in 2015, I was a little fuzzy on the details of this movie as I began. That might have added to my level of bafflement as events unfolded.

The casting was spot on; with Colin Farrell (Epic, Solace, The Beguiled) and Rachel Weisz (Dream House, The Light Between Oceans, My Cousin Rachel) at the forefront, supported by the likes of Léa Seydoux (Blue is the Warmest Color, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Spectre), and John C. Reilly (The Dictator, Wreck-it Ralph, Tale of Tales). The characters were awkward as products of their crazy authoritarian world, but the actors certainly didn’t fumble in bringing them to life.

I have to say, though, that the film shines an uncomfortable light on society and relationships, among other topics. At the heart of any good dystopian tale, after all, is some nugget of truth about the world we really do live in. This is not the movie for anyone who triggers easily, or is easily offended. There are moments of things that are just not OK – but are purposefully woven into the tale to underscore the twisted nature of the film’s reality.

For a comedy, I didn’t spend a lot of time laughing. I can’t say I wasn’t amused – but the shock value and darkness of the tale overall took the levity out of it for me. I do appreciate the nature of the ending, however. While frustrating, it does provoke discussion and speculation at the very least.

Would I watch this one again or recommend it? I can’t say that I would unless I just had a burning desire to rehash bits of the movie with someone without spoilers. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 87%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 64%

Metascore – 82/100

Metacritic User Score – 7.0/10

IMDB Score – 7.1/10

CinemaScore – None

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 3/5

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3/5

Movie Trailer:

Anjelah Johnson: Not Fancy (2015)

Number Rolled: 63

Movie Name/Year: Anjelah Johnson: Not Fancy (2015)

Tagline: None

Genre: Comedy

Length: 63 minutes

Rating: TV-14

Production Companies: Comedy Dynamics, Netflix

Producer: Deborah Adamson, Kieran Dotti, Cisco Henson, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Dave Rath, Adam P. Segal, Jack Vaughn, Brian Volk-Weiss, Kristen Zolner

Director: Jay Kara

Writer: Anjelah Johnson-Reyes

Actors: Anjelah Johnson-Reyes

Blurb from Netflix: The actress, comedian, and YouTube sensation riffs on everything from nail salons and Gypsies to Mexican moms and super-sleuthing Liam Neeson.

Selina’s Point of View:

I was looking forward to having some stand-up comedy on our schedule. The baby and I have both been sick and life has been a little chaotic in general. Some basic stand-up comedy is exactly what I needed.

I’m familiar with Anjelah Johnson (Our Family Wedding, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone, The Box). Sometimes I like her stuff, sometimes I don’t. I don’t think I’d really ever put her among my favorites, but I wouldn’t turn down watching any of her specials.

Johnson is the kind of comedian you can watch with your family. She’s not going to have anything for younger kids, but I would have enjoyed her as an early teen. She doesn’t seem to go into anything all that lewd and her language is appropriate for family time.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the R-rated stuff too, but sometimes a little light comedy really works for me.

In this case, I enjoyed myself. The special was funny – if not terribly memorable.

Cat’s Point of View:

I was both excited for and dreading watching this comedy special when it landed on our schedule.

Let me explain that dread part – because it’s not really anything to do with the star of this special at all. I like stand-up comedy quite a bit. I just want to have a connection to the comic and enjoy their material.

There are just some topics that, while still relevant, I’m just a bit burned out of hearing about. We all have our deal-breaking lines where, if crossed, it could ruin an entire performance, right? 

So, as I really haven’t seen much about or from Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Marmaduke, Enough Said, The Book of Life) from a stand-up comic perspective; I just had to hope that she would actually be funny, have original material, and not cross into any dangerous territory that would turn me off of the show entirely.

This evening has been filled with a good deal of laughter in my household already. My daughter and I were laughing for a good stretch after a friend showed us a funny meme. I was certainly hoping that the good times could keep rolling.

I’m happy to report that I enjoyed this special.

There were a few moments where I scratched my head a bit, feeling like I might have seen it before – because the material was a little similar to other acts we’ve reviewed before – but it is probably just a generational thing. When I say things like that, I feel older every time. I need to go park a chair on my porch and wave my cane at the squirrels that stole all my pecans this year – ‘get off my lawn.’ I digress.

Once I got past Johnson’s nasal-quality to her vocal tone, and she got into her performance, I was able to let go and just enjoy the experience.

IMDb indicates in the blurb for this special that Johnson’s show is “family friendly.” Generally speaking, that is decently spot on. There are a few more mature topics and moments of colorful language – but nothing egregious.

All told, while I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to watch this comedy special again, I did laugh and have fun watching it.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – None

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – None

Metascore - None

Metacritic User Score – None

IMDB Score – 5.8/10

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 3.5/5

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3.5/5

Movie Trailer: