Killer Countdown - 1BR (2019)

Streaming Service: Amazon Prime
Movie Name/Year: 1BR (2019)
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Length: 1h 30min
Rating: TV-MA
Director: David Marmor
Writer: David Marmor
Actors: Nicole Brydon Bloom, Giles Matthey, Taylor Nichols
 
Blurb from IMDb: After moving to Los Angeles, a young woman discovers her seemingly friendly apartment complex is actually home to a dangerous cult.
 

Selina’s Point of View:
The biggest reaction I had to 1BR was falling asleep.
 
I don’t dislike films with a cult at the center of them. Some of them are quite good. Midsommar (2019) comes to mind – a movie I though was fine but got better the longer I sat with it. That’s what a good cult flick should do. It should make you question everything. It should be subtle until it’s not. Oddly enough, Hot Fuzz (2007) also does the cult subject justice.
 

1BR didn’t have the same kind of subtle storytelling. I never questioned myself. I never even questioned her. Everything was so overt and yet exceptionally slow.
 
The ending wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t enough to save the hour and a half of drooping eyelids.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 89%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 52%
Metascore – 56%
Metacritic User Score – 6.3
IMDB Score – 5.8/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 2/5
 
Movie Trailer:

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:

Killer Countdown - 4/20 Massacre (2018)

 

 

Streaming Service: Amazon Prime Video

Movie Name/Year: 4/20 Massacre (2018)

Genre: Action, Horror

Length: 1h 24min

Rating: PG-13

Director: Dylan Reynolds

Writer: Dylan Reynolds

Actors: Jamie Bernadette, Vanessa Reynolds, Stacey Danger, Justine Wachsberger, Marissa Pistone, Mark Schroeder, Drew Talbert, Jim Round, James Gregory, Jim Storm

 

IMDb Blurb: Five women go camping in the woods to celebrate a friend's birthday over 4/20 weekend, but when they cross the turf of an illegal marijuana grow-operation, they must fight to survive the living nightmare.

 

 

Cat’s Point of View:

In comparison with the last couple movies in our Killer Countdown, 4/20 Massacre was a breath of fresh air – ironic for a film involving smoking weed.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to say that it was a great movie, but I didn't hate it. Sure, it fell out of the trope tree and hit all the branches on the way down to the point that I predicted the twist and outcome, but at the same time I wasn't mad about it.

 

 

4/20 Massacre definitely wasn't perfect by any means. It's squarely a B-movie, and won't be for everyone. There were bits here and there that could have been improved on – but in general it was okay. Unfortunately, in this day and age that doesn't make for a memorable movie experience.

 

What did I enjoy about a silly weed-centric movie, you ask? I thought the friend-group was done well. They played off of each other believably and I enjoyed a good bit of their back and forth banter. It reminded me about talking smack with my own friends at times. That's a sign of successful dialogue. There were some off moments here and there, however, it didn't feel forced or stilted.

 

 

Part of my favorable reaction to 4/20 Massacre could potentially be due to the familiarity of recognition for some of the cast. Jamie Bernadette (American Satan, Midnight Texas, Cold Blows the Wind), Justine Wachsberger (Now You See Me 2, The Spy Who Dumped Me, Breaking & Exiting), Stacey Danger (The Way You Look Tonight, 9-1-1, Wrong Place), and Jim Storm (Dark Shadows, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Monster Project) have all been in TV Series or movies that I've seen before. I try my best to keep each individual film compartmentalized so that prior work of the cast doesn't filter in to bias my reaction – but that never stops the inevitable “hey I've seen them before in something.”

 

 

I would have to say that 4/20 Massacre was definitely helped by their involvement in the production, as their performances were solid, for the most part and made everything work on the whole.

 

The IMDb trivia page for this movie makes it clear that this project was a love letter to the slasher genre. While it won't be topping any of the charts, so to speak, it wouldn't be a horrible choice to watch on the ganja-related holiday for those that partake. Even so, there are decidedly better picks out there within the stoner culture sub-genre. Alas, that leaves 4/20 Massacre in the limbo of not-quite spooky enough for the Halloween season and not quite baked enough for its namesake holiday.

 

Maybe give it a watch and see for yourself.

 

 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 50%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score –32%

Metascore – None

Metacritic User Score – None

IMDB Score – 3.8/10

 

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 2.5/5

 

Movie Trailer:

Killer Countdown - 5ive Girls (2006)

Streaming Service: Amazon Prime Video
Movie Name/Year: 5ive Girls (2006)
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 1h 35min
Rating: Unrated
Director: Warren P. Sonoda
Writer: Warren P. Sonoda
Actors: Ron Perlman, Jennifer Miller, Jordan Madley, Terra Vnesa, Barbara Mamabolo, Tasha May Currie, Amy Lalonde, Krysta Carter, James Kidnie
 
Blurb from IMDb: Five wayward teenage girls are sent to a reformatory and discover they possess unique powers to battle the ancient demon, Legion, which holds thrall over the sinister institution.
 

Selina's Point of View:
To say 5ive Girls was a disappointment would be an understatement.
 
If I'm honest, I wasn't expecting a masterpiece. I went into it as blind as possible, but looking for the right movies for our Killer Countdown, I definitely saw more about the films than I would have liked, including ratings and a few reviews.
 
One of the bad things about reviewing movies this old is that we're likely to hear other opinions before we write ours. I don't love that, and I worry it will influence what we think.
 
Still, I went into 5ive Girls as open-minded as possible. After all, Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Sons of Anarchy) is in it. It couldn't be that bad… right?
 

I'm sorry to say it's rough. None of the acting was great – even Perlman's. There just wasn't enough material to work with. It was formulaic at best and an excuse to see women pretending to be naked teens at worst. There were plot holes everywhere – sometimes just unfinished ideas. For instance, the film insinuated that Perlman's character was a predator, but the story never really did anything with it, and the movie tried to redeem him instead.
 
It didn't work. It just felt like an unnecessary addition. Edginess, for edginess sake.
 
I added an extra point to my rating because I didn't entirely hate the ending. It wasn't great, but it had potential. A better writer and some better acting could have made that part decent.
 
Unfortunately, I don't think there was enough to the rest of the story for it to have been salvageable.
 

Cat's Point of View:
Okay, so I'm a sucker for anything with Ron Perlman in it. He's occupied an odd warm fuzzy place in my heart since I was little and watched Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990).
 
Not all his projects are slam-dunks, though. 5ive Girls fits squarely into that category.
 
If I were asked to describe this movie to someone, I'd call it an over-sexualized teen melodrama that tried hard to riff off The Craft (1996) but fell far short.
 

The story felt cobbled together, and bits of it were absolutely atrocious. There were a few interesting bits here and there but nothing of any significant substance. I had to attempt to watch 5ive Girls multiple times to get through it a single time without nodding off. I can't blame the movie for all of that, however. Chronic fatigue is always a factor for me, and I'm also still recovering from being sick. However, a good movie that invests in my attention would make it easier to fight against my narcoleptic tendencies. I had no hope here. There were too many loose ends and far too much cringe.
 
I also felt a bit of a disconnect with this entire premise as a former attendee of a parochial school – or, rather, a school run by the church. I didn't attend an all-girls school, mind you – but uniforms, weekly mandatory mass attendance, and catechism classes were all par for the course. I just had a hard time suspending disbelief in general.
 
If you don't put too much thought into it, I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's the worst thing I've ever seen. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that quite enjoy 5ive Girls. I just wasn't one of them and would generally recommend a different selection if you want real chills and thrills for your spooky season.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – None
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 39%
Metascore – None
Metacritic User Score – None
IMDB Score – 4.4/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina's Rating – 2/5
Trust the Dice: Cat's Rating – 2/5
 
Movie Trailer: 

Killer Countdown - 6-Headed Shark Attack (2018)

 

 

Streaming Service: Amazon Prime Video

Movie Name/Year: 6-Headed Shark Attack (2018)

Genre: Action, Horror, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Length: 1h 26min

Rating: TV-14

Director: Mark Atkins

Writers: Koichi Petetsky, Mark Atkins

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 6^th 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.

 

The premise of this star-shaped monstrosity with fins and teeth was just bonkers. There was very little character development, yet they were each well enough within their cliché archetypes that it wasn't entirely necessary for the purposes of this movie. The setting was well-used and generally added to the production value. They found an interesting location for this one, landscape-wise. The special effects were a mixed bag of surprisingly decent and laughably bad. The comedic elements were groan-worthy, and the plot was generally predictable.

 

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.)

 

 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – None

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score –30%

Metascore – None

Metacritic User Score – None

IMDB Score – 2.8/10

 

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 2.5/5

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 2.5/5

 

Movie Trailer:

Killer Countdown - Vanishing on 7th Street (2010)

Streaming Service: Hoopla
Movie Name/Year: Vanishing on 7th Street (2010)
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Length: 1h 32min
Rating: R
Director: Brad Anderson
Writer: Anthony Jaswinski
Actors: Hayden Christensen, John Leguizamo, Thandiwe Newton, Jacob Latimore, Taylor Groothuis, Jordan Trovillion, Larry Fessenden

IMDb Blurb: The population of Detroit has almost completely disappeared, but a few remain. As daylight disappears they realize that the Dark is coming for them.

Cat’s Point of View:
I don't remember anything about Vanishing on 7^th Street from the time-period it was released. On paper, the premise and cast would promise an amazing and thrilling experience. I am not sure that what I watched lived up to those expectations entirely, but it was interesting.

There were definitely moments that got me, though. Vanishing on 7^th Street had an eerie vibe and kept me on the edge of my seat for the most part as the shadows closed in. We're hard-wired to have this primordial unease about the dark. It's instinctive, and this movie definitely plays on that. I read something recently that I found profound in its simplicity – we're not actually afraid of the dark, but what might be IN the dark. When you add people just going poof to that, it's unnerving.

The characters in this film are clearly going through some serious trauma. Thankfully, the production team put a cast together that really sold it well. The combination of Hayden Christensen (Takers, First Kill, Ahsoka), John Leguizamo (Encanto, The Menu, Violent Night), and Thandiwe Newton (Gringo, All the Old Knives, Westworld) really sold this movie when we were looking for a #7 for our Killer Countdown. I adore all of them, and they did the best they could here with what they had to work with. I could feel their despair, fear, and desperation. This was also the film debut for Jacob Latimore (Detroit, House Party, The Chi) and he has gone on to do some really great stuff. I was really impressed with him at his age when this was filmed.

In retrospect, Larry Fessenden (The Dead Don't Die, What Doesn't Float, MaXXXine) was wasted in the bit part he had here that I don't even think had lines. But this was over a decade ago, afterall, and before he made a name for himself – especially in the horror genre. 

Brad Anderson (The Call, Stonehearst Asylum, The Silent Hour) has some really solid films under his proverbial directorial belt. I did appreciate the storytelling here, though there were some kinks that just didn't quite get worked out before the final production was released. The character development was a little lopsided, but I can't tell if that was entirely intentional. We got a lot of subtle cues about Christensen's character and even a bit of a story arc of growth for him. We have very little regarding the other primary characters besides their occupations and what they were doing immediately before the “vanishing” happened. There are so many unanswered questions – but sometimes things are just like that in life. We don't get all the answers we want, and crazy unhinged stuff happens in the world every day that defies explanation. Perhaps the point was to leave the film even more unnerving because we don't get to learn exactly what the hell was going on. It's just a bleak story.

I did have a giggle regarding Leguizamo's character's job as a projectionist at an AMC theater. That was a wonderful little nugget of nostalgia for me, hearing the film reels whir. My first real job when I was in high school and college was at my local AMC theater. I digress...

Vanishing on 7^th Street isn't going to be for everyone. If you are the type that needs some clear resolution with your stories, this movie isn't going to be satisfying for you. The ending is even more perplexing than everything else that came before it and laden with heavy symbolism. Though, if you're open to just riding along for the experience, this film does provide the prerequisite mood, ambiance, and general creepy atmosphere for a few thrills.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 48%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 21%
Metascore – 50%
Metacritic User Score – 4.8/10
IMDB Score – 4.9/10

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3/5

Movie Trailer:

Killer Countdown: Super 8 (2011)

 

 

Streaming Service: Hulu

Movie Name/Year: Super 8 (2011)

Genre: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Length: 1h 52min

Rating: PG-13

Director: J.J. Abrams

Writer: J.J. Abrams

 

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.

 

 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 81%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 75%

Metascore – 72%

Metacritic User Score – 7.3/10

IMDB Score – 7.0/10

 

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5

 

P.S – There is a mid-credits scene.

 

Movie Trailer: