"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.
Streaming Service: Netflix Movie Name/Year: KPop Demon Hunters (2025) Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy Length: 1h 35min Rating: PG Director: Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang Writer: Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang, Chris
Appelhans, Bo Yeon Kim, Erika Lippldt Actors: Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Ahn Hyoo-seop, Yunjin
Kim, Ken Jeong, Lee Byung-hun, Daniel Dae Kim, Rumi Oak Blurb from IMDb: A world-renowned K-Pop girl
group balance their lives in the spotlight with their secret identities as
demon hunters.
Selina’s Point of View: The trailer for KPop
Demon Hunters was insane. I was looking forward to seeing it, but I just
couldn’t find the time. Then my daughter saw it while she was visiting with
some cousins, and her reaction made it essential that I see this film. My daughter
doesn’t like movies. She’ll occasionally watch one for my sake, but if she genuinely
likes a flick, that speaks wonders for it. She LOVED KPop Demon Hunters.
Honestly? I loved
it too.
The animation
style was gorgeous. The few times it wasn’t, was on purpose. Either because it
was exaggerating excitement or because it was pointing out a flaw we were meant
to see. Not unlike most anime. The soundtrack was also exceptional, and I
recommend having captions on so that you can catch as much meaning in the
lyrics as possible your first time around.
The best part about
KPop Demon Hunters, though, is how easily I was able to relate to the
characters. Anyone who’s ever had to deal with a brain that attacks them will.
When that happens
with me, I call it “Mean Brain.” That means my brain is saying awful things to
me, and I can’t seem to shut it up or block it out. The influence of Gwi-ma
sounds exactly like mean brain to me. It was interesting, and maybe even a
little triggering, to hear it on screen.
KPop
Demon Hunters
is so much more than I thought it would be, and I went into it with HIGH expectations.
I can’t recommend it enough.
Streaming Service: Shudder Movie Name/Year: Bloody Axe Wound(2024) Genre: Comedy, Horror Length: 1h 23min Rating: R Director: Matthew John Lawrence Writers: Matthew John Lawrence Actors: Jeffrey Dean Morgan,
Billy Burke, Sari Arambulo, Matt Hopkins, Jeff Riddle, Eddie Leavy, Jaden
Slater, Sage Spielman, Lizzy Cenicola, Jahdey Wright, Molly Brown, Angel
Theory, Margot Anderson-Song, Taylor Watson Seupel, Chet Siegel, David
Littleton
IMDb Blurb: Abbie Bladecut's family
business, a video store, has thrived by disposing of teenagers to mimic horror
movies. As the first female slasher, she battles gender bias while realizing
the harsh realities behind the mass murders.
Cat’s Point of View: I’ve been intrigued by the trailers for Bloody Axe Wound.
I got the vibe that it would be a nostalgic ode to the slasher genre with a
splash of family dynamic and a little coming-of-age on the side.
I wouldn’t say that Bloody Axe Wound didn’t deliver
those elements. It was successful in its own odd way in ticking off all of
those check boxes. It was just… missing something.
Nevermind the plot holes big enough to drive a bus through,
the production was just lacking something I can’t quite put my finger on.
All of the acting was pretty spot on, though. I wish there was
more screen time for Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Rampage, Supernatural, The Walking
Dead), but I did get a kick out of his trademark sadistic glee in the brief
time he was there. Billy Burke (Revolution, Batman: The Long Halloween, Fire
Country) was a great choice for the slasher dad. I also loved seeing Angel
Theory (Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, Kinderfanger, The Walking Dead) playing
another signing character here, and she had some sick dance moves.
I also think that this had the potential to be real break
out roles for Sari Arambulo (Abby Normal, A.P. Bio, The L Word: Generation Q)
and Molly Brown (Senior Year, Evil, Dexter: Original Sin). I just don’t
know if the overall production did them justice.
Overall, I was entertained by Bloody Axe Wound. I
appreciated the scattered references to 80s movies – whether it be slashers or
coming-of-age classics.
While I wouldn’t generally watch this movie again, I wouldn’t
steer anyone away from it that is interested in watching. Just take this B-movie
with a grain of salt.
Streaming Service: Netflix Movie Name/Year: The Electric State (2025) Genre: Action, Adventure,
Comedy, Sci-Fi Length: 2h 5min Rating: PG-13 Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo Writers: Christopher Markus,
Stephen McFeely, Simon Stålenhag Actors: Woody Norman, Millie
Bobby Brown, Ann Russo, Greg Cromer, Camrus Johnson, Kurt Loder, Alan Tudyk,
Roshni Edwards, Holly Hunter, Stanley Tucci, Will Lyman, Aubrey Brockwell,
Woody Harrelson, Chris Pratt, Giancarlo Esposito, Jason Alexander, Lia Mariella
Russo, Ke Huy Quan, Colman Domingo, Anthony Mackie, Hank Azaria, Joe Russo, Rob
Gronkowski, Jenny Slate, Brian Cox
IMDb Blurb: An orphaned teen hits the
road with a mysterious robot to find her long-lost brother, teaming up with a
smuggler and his wisecracking sidekick.
Cat’s Point of View: I had been intrigued by The Electric State ever since
I watched the first trailer, and couldn’t wait to see it.
This was right up my alley, after all. A dystopian world
full of sentient robots set in an alternate 1990s era felt like the perfect
setting for a little sci-fi shenanigans. When you threw the cast into
consideration, it was a foregone conclusion that I would be watching this ASAP.
I do love some nostalgia.
But seriously, I counted minimum 16 well-known cast members involved
with this project; among them: Chris Pratt (The Tomorrow War, The Terminal
List, The Super Mario Bros. Movie), Millie Bobby Brown (Enola Holmes,
Stranger Things, Damsel), Woody Harrelson (Zombieland, Triangle of
Sadness, Last Breath), Ke Huy Quan (Loki, Kung Fu Panda 4, Love Hurts),
Alan Tudyk (Resident Alien, Creature Commandos, Harley Quinn), Anthony
Mackie (We Have A Ghost, Twisted Metal, Elevation), Giancarlo Esposito (Better
Call Saul, The Mandalorian, Abigail), and Hank Azaria (The Smurfs 2, Ray
Donovan, The Simpsons). I really could keep going. That partial list,
alone, is enough to make me giddy about a production.
When you add the fact that the movie was directed by The
Russo Brothers (Avengers: Endgame, Cherry, The Gray Man), it made me
wonder why this was a Netflix joint instead of hitting theaters. I’m grateful,
however, because streaming this film meant that my family could watch together
without dropping almost a whole Benjamin between tickets and concessions. We needed
the distraction this week, too. The world is going nuts, medical issues are
issues, and my vehicle is in the shop. (We’re all OK, though.)
My favorite movies transport you to another place for a
while and let you forget about everything else for just a little bit. The
Electric State was successful in accomplishing that.
The concept wasn’t all that far-fetched, either. It also felt
like it could be an alternate universe somewhere parallel to Ready Player
One (2018). That’s just my head canon, at least.
I enjoyed the story within The Electric State and
felt the emotional rollercoaster as I connected with the characters on their journey.
There were laughs, touching moments, a need for justice, and ultimately, I was
satisfied with how everything played out.
I don’t understand why The Electric State is getting
so much hate from critics – aside from the fact that most of them seem to enjoy
being thieves of joy. My family and I had a good time with this film, and I
didn’t even nod off while we watched it! (That is a serious feat these days.)
If the concept or cast for The Electric State intrigues
you and you like the movies that The Russos tend to make, I’d highly recommend
giving this film a chance.
Movie Name/Year: American Dreamer (2022) Genre: Comedy Length: 1h 38min Rating: R Director: Paul Dektor Writer: Theodore Melfi, Christopher Wehner Actors: Peter Dinklage, Shirley MacLaine, Matt Dillon, Kimberly
Quinn, Danny Pudi, Danny Glover, Michelle Mylett Blurb: American Dreamer is the story of Phil Loder, a professor of
economics whose dream of owning a home is tragically out of reach until a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes his way when a widow offers Phil her
sprawling estate for pennies.
Selina's Point of View: When I saw I
could get access to American Dreamer, I was all over it. I am a Peter
Dinklage (I Care A Lot, Game of Thrones, Brothers) fanatic. Dinklage is
a master of his craft, and he elevates every actor who opts to work with him.
Of course, the rest of the cast didn't need elevating. Not with names like
Shirley MacLaine (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Steel Magnolias, Noelle),
Danny Glover (The Dead Don't Die, Jumanji: The Next Level, Press Play),
Matt Dillan (Going In Style, Asteroid City, The House That Jack Built),
and Danny Pudi (Community, DuckTales, Somebody I Used to Know). As a
long-time fan of Letterkenny (2016-2023), I also gave a little squee when
I saw Michelle Mylett (Bad Blood, Heritage Minutes, Ascension).
I had high hopes
for American Dreamer based on cast alone. Add to that the inclusion of Hidden Figures (2016) writer/director Theodore Melfi (St. Vincent, The Starling, Winding Roads), and I was sure I was looking at a smash hit.
In the end, it wasn't bad. Dinklage's sad sack Phil was somewhat endearing—if a
bit cringy at times. I didn't have an issue with his character, but the
connections with the other characters felt forced and a bit weird. The ties
that were built between Phil and Astrid felt undeserved and strange.
The pacing also felt a
bit off. From one circumstance to the next, it felt like nothing really
flowed. It was as if the film was giving us insight into short stories that made up a
much larger one without giving us insight into why certain strides were made.
I felt like I was missing entire scenes. I don't know what filming or
post-production looked like, so that could have been a writing issue, but it could also have happened in post-production.
I wasn't bored; I was just a bit confused. A lot happened, but nothing happened.
If you want to decide for yourself, American Dreamer is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime or, for free, on Tubi.
Cat's Point of View: You've probably
seen Selina and I mention that we'd watch just about any production that Peter
Dinklage was involved with. Imagine my excitement that our first review after
this last brief break would be a Dinklage movie. The icing on the proverbial
cake was that American Dreamer certainly didn't lack for substantial
talent, featuring Shirley MacLaine, Danny Glover, and Matt Dillon, among
others.
When I
first watched the trailer for American Dreamer, I was a little on the
fence about whether this particular dramedy would be my cup of tea. If I'm
honest, I still am – at least a little.
Despite my
adoration for the actor, Dinklage's character was a little hard to like, but he grew on me a little. I feel like some plot holes and pacing
issues could have been polished up a little, but American Dreamer
was, at the very least, a solid offering. Considering this was the director's
debut, however, this was an excellent first project.
I wasn't mad at
the movie, even if I couldn't say this was my favorite.
Dillon always
excels at portraying a royal ass, and he was in fine form here. The legendary
Shirley MacLaine was one of the bright spots of this film. I enjoyed the subtle
and wry nature of the humor that her role brought to the movie. Glover was also
excellent.
I just wasn't
knocked out of my seat. I was, unfortunately, aware of the passage of time
while watching American Dreamer. For whatever reason, I didn't get
immersed in this movie as much as I would have liked. That's not to say that I
didn't like American Dreamer. If this sort of dramedy is in your
wheelhouse, I encourage you to watch it. I don't think this one is
going into my re-watch rotation.
Actors:
Josh Brolin, Peter Dinklage, Taylour Paige, M. Emmet Walsh, Jen
Landon, Brendan Fraser, Glenn Close, Gralen Bryant Banks, Andrew
Joseph Brodeur, Margo Moorer, Brooks Indergard, Jonathan Aidan
Cockrell, Joshua Mikel, Marisa Tomei
IMDb
Blurb: Two criminal twin
brothers, one who is 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.
Selina’s
Point of View:
Our
first movie back and we are faced with Brothers,
starring Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage.
From
the moment I saw the trailer for Brothers, I was all in. Both
Brolin and Dinklage are fantastic actors, and the latter is one of my
favorites. Both of them have huge range and can pull off anything
from a gentle good guy to a bad-ass bad guy. I figured, if there was
any issue, it would be in the chemistry between them.
However,
the chemistry was fantastic. The way they were at each other’s
throat felt familial. It made the family connection much easier to
believe. When paired up across from Brendan Fraser, it was a match
made in heaven.
I’ll
admit that the comedy was on the 13-year-old side of humor. It isn’t
trying to make people think – it’s definitely more of a
turn-your-brain-off kind of film. After two months of holidays,
however, isn’t that all what we need? A little light laughter and
dirty fun? Let the stress of the season fade into the background...
Brothers
is not going to be for everyone, but I
laughed. There were some good aspects to the script, fun pop-culture
references, and decent callbacks. It’s a fun film. Best watched
with friends.
Cat’s
Point of View:
When you tell me that the cast for a
movie includes Brendan Fraser (No Sudden Move, Killers of the
Flower Moon, Doom Patrol), Peter Dinklage (American Dreamer,
The Thicket, Wicked), Josh Brolin (Deadpool 2, Dune: Part One,
Outer Range), Glenn Close (3Below: Tales of Arcadia, Swan
Song, The Deliverance), & Marisa Tomei (Spider-Man: No Way
Home, Upgraded, High Tide) you really don't have to say anything
else. I'm already going to be chomping at the bit to see that film.
It's even better when a powerhouse cast such as this takes part in a
production within a genre I enjoy.
Crime caper movies that bring in
elements of comedy to go with the action tend to be a lot of fun.
The trailer had me chuckling and I
wanted to see how everything played out with this pair of mismatched
twins and their dysfunctional situation. Brothers took a
similar aesthetic concept such as Twins (1988) and turned it
on its head a bit with the comedy-heist theme.
I enjoyed the chemistry between
Dinklage and Brolin. They had me 100% sold that they were siblings at
odds.
Whenever I see Brendan Fraser on a
screen, I generally just want to give him a hug. His character in
Brothers was definitely not what I was expecting, but I'm not
mad about it at all.
Honestly, I wish I liked it more than I
do. I can't even put my finger on why Brothers just wasn't
firing on all cylinders for me. Don't get me wrong, though. The
performances were solid, it was an entertaining experience, and even
kept my attention in spite of the gloomy rainy and wintry weather.
That, in itself, is a bit of a feat while I'm still recovering energy
reserves following a hectic holiday season.
What I would say, however, to anyone
that is amused by the trailer but is on the fence regarding watching
Brothers is this: give it a shot.
Genre:
Holiday, Action, Adventure, Comedy Length:
2h 3min Rating:
PG-13 Director:
Jake Kasdan Writers:
Chris Morgan, Hiram Garcia Actors:
Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons, Bonnie Hunt,
Kristofer Hivju, Kiernan Shipka, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Wesley Kimmel,
Nick Kroll, Wyatt Hunt, Clayton Cooper, Lanz Duffy, Marc Evan
Jackson, Samantha Benson, Ashleigh Domangue, Jon Rudnitsky, Regina
Ting Chen, Reinaldo Faberlle, Philip Fornah, Kenny Waymack Jr.,
Gissette Valentin, Matthew Cornwell, Jeff Chase, Morla
IMDb
Blurb: After Santa Claus (code
name: Red One) is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security
(Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world's most infamous bounty
hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to
save Christmas.
Cat’s
Point of View: November is a special month for my
family outside of the beginning of the “official” Holiday Season
with Thanksgiving. My wedding anniversary is at the beginning of the
month, and this year my husband and I hit a pretty significant
milestone with #25. We pretty much celebrated the whole week-of, and
that included a family outing to partake of the single-showing
special preview of Red One at our local Cinemark theater. We
were all looking forward to watching this movie, as the trailers had
us in stitches. (Our annual festivities weren't even taken into consideration when I listed this as #3 on my Top 20 article this month.)
We had a blast – even in spite of my
husband having to sit next to a very noisy youngling that did not
belong to us. (Not everyone participates in the whole “Silence is
Golden” mantra, but hey – maybe they thought it was cool because
that's a catchphrase either copyrighted or trademarked by AMC
theaters. I digress...)
I was actually fairly shocked as I was
putting the information for this article together and noticed some of
the review scores on the usual sources. I realize that the paid
critics are not easy customers to please when it comes to scoring
movies like these, and they do tend to lean in a more harsh
direction. Seriously, though, to quote Chris Evans' (Knives Out,
The Gray Man, Deadpool & Wolverine) cameo one-liner from Free
Guy (2021), “What the shit?!” Did they really watch the same
movie we did?
In any case, when it comes to those
scores, take it or leave it. I don't, personally, agree to their
opinions. Red One was a zesty confection
that blended action-comedy with modern day cynicism to take a jaded
career protection service agent and a naughty anti-hero on a
redemption journey with heart and laughs.
Sure, the trailer did give away some of
the funny bits, but not all. On the whole, it was still a fun
experience – especially if you are a fan of anyone involved in the
production. I liked the story hook behind the actual antagonist,
too. It's fun when films delve a little deeper into the lore of a
holiday, as well. There are two lesser-known Christmas-adjacent
“mythical beings” involved in this tale that serve to both drive
the story and also offer redemption for more than just the usual
suspects.
We got to see Evans' absolute joy in
bringing the snarky banter of his character to the screen, and Dwayne
Johnson's (Moana, Jumanji: the Next Level, Young Rock)
delivered the smack-down to his role as well. (In some cases, quite
literally.) J K Simmons (The Tomorrow War, You Can't Run Forever,
Saturday Night) was a better Santa than I expected (and I was
already optimistic), and Bonnie Hunt (Cars 3, Zootopia, Monsters
at Work) gave me all “the feels” as Mrs. Claus.
We're not talking Oscar-contention
here, but it wasn't supposed to be! Red One was a very solid popcorn-movie offering to kick off the Holiday
Season. I'd also have to say that it has now become one of my family's favorite Christmas
movies. This will likely become one of our holiday movie traditions
to enjoy together.
If the trailer made you laugh or feel
in any sort of way that you might enjoy Red One, my suggestion
is to go and see for yourself. It will eventually hit a streaming
service, but the release date for such has not yet been confirmed.
For that reason, there's no guarantee it will be available for
subscribers in time for Christmas. If you want to see it with your
family before then, I'm afraid the theaters are the only guaranteed
way to go.
Actors:
Brandon Auret, Thandi Sebe, Cord Newman, Naima Sebe, Tapiwa Musvosvi,
Chris Fisher, Meghan Oberholzer, Jonathan Pienaar, Nikita Faber,
Caitlin Harty, Charlie Keegan, Jessica Cloete, Marie Cavanna, Paul
Gardyne, Wilco Wilkens
IMDb
Blurb: Attendees of a marriage
boot camp on a remote island have to fight a 6-headed shark that
attacks the beach.
Selina’s
Point of View:
First of all, Amazon Prime Video made me watch SEVEN ads before starting 6-Headed Shark Attack. SEVEN. That is excessive. Also, the movie is definitely not worth that many. I wouldn’t even watch that many in a row for most of my favorite films.
That’s all besides the point, and more my review of Amazon Prime Video. Now, on to 6-Headed Shark Attack.
Honestly, I didn’t hate the start of it. At least the start of the part with the main cast. We see the couples starting a marriage-strengthening activity and some tension building. In that moment it seemed like the acting might not be all that rough. It wasn’t the most amazing story start, but it was certainly better than I expected from the many-headed shark attack series. I even wrote in my notes: “ok acting?”
That feeling didn’t last long, though. Soon enough, it devolved into exactly what I thought I’d be getting.
The story took a couple of minor interesting turns, but most of it was about as formulaic as it could get, and everyone involved took the whole movie so seriously.
Movies that get the “so bad, it’s good” label get it because the people involved know exactly what they’re part of and have fun with it. The people involved in 6-Headed Shark Attack seemed to think they were making the next Jaws (1975).
All that said, it wasn’t the worst of the series. I wouldn’t immediately run to shut it off if someone threw it on during Shark Week or Halloween, it just wouldn’t be me throwing it on.
Cat’s
Point of View:
I will admit that when we landed on
6-Headed Shark Attack as our #6 in this month's Killer
Countdown, I groaned a bit... okay, a lot. I might have grumbled,
even. I instantly had a reasonable expectation for this movie that I
wasn't entirely thrilled about. I knew right away that this was going
to either be a golden “so bad, it's good” moment for B-movies or
it was going to be a cringeworthy shipwreck of sharksploitation.
We've seen the multi-headed shark flicks before, but this one has
more than the others. I don't remember being all that impressed with
this film's predecessors.
Another major factor on my internal
balance sheet for my anticipation of 6-Headed Shark Attack was that The Asylum made this movie. We have a bit of a
love/loathe relationship with that particular production company. On
the one hand, they've delivered B-movie golden classics like the
Sharknado (2013) franchise. They've also produced well-received series' such as Black Summer (2019-2021).
Unfortunately, they're most well-known for offerings such as Mega
Shark vs. Mecha Shark (2014) and Attack of the Meth Gator
(2023).
The Sharknado movies captured a
bit of that proverbial lightning in a bottle, though. Anything that
crazy and cobbled together doesn't work without the iconic
nostalgia-driven cast and epic cameos. Unfortunately, for 6-Headed
Shark Attack, lightning didn't strike twice... for the 6th
time.
I promise that I really did try to give
this movie a fair chance. I always go in with my optimism on high and
as blank a slate as I can when I watch a film for review. Many people worked really hard to put each production
together, after all. It feels disrespectful to instantly write something off or outright trash it, even if it falls short
of basic expectations.
What's the verdict on the movie with the slogan “Don't Mix with the Six!” on its poster? It was better
than I originally feared.
What surprised me was that the cast
actually... well, for the most part... pulled this off without adding
the acting to the list of things that needed to be corrected. Honestly,
6-Headed Shark Attack struck gold when they brought Brandon
Auret (Tremors 5: Bloodlines, Rogue, Rebel Moon - Part One: A
Child of Fire) on board. He's been in supporting roles and
background characters in enough reasonably known movies that he's got
a subtle recognizable factor – but Auret also sold his character. I
went on a little emotional journey with him.
I didn't hate it.
6-Headed Shark Attack was a TV movie made for the Syfy Channel, and it plays out exactly how their schlocky B-movies generally do. This isn't one to take seriously at
all – however, if you're looking for something fun in the
background to turn into a drinking game or something like that (take a shot for every Sharksploitation film trope), this might be a great candidate. (Just maybe set yourself some limits so you
don't end up with alcohol poisoning, and please have a designated
driver on hand.)
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.
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.
