V/H/S/85 (2023)

 

 

Streaming Service: Shudder

Movie Name/Year: V/H/S/85 (2023) 

Genre: Horror, Thriller 

Length:  110min 

Rating: TV-MA

Directors: David Bruckner, Scott Derrickson, Natasha Kermani, Mike P. Nelson, Gigi Saul Guerrero 

Writers: C. Robert Cargill, Zoe Cooper, Scott Derrickson, Evan Dickson, Mike P. Nelson, Gigi Saul Guerrero 

Actors: Freddy Rodríguez, Kelli Garner, James Ransone, Jordan Belfi, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Dani Deetté, Mark Sipka, Andrew Ghai, Anna Sundberg, Shelby Steel, Chelsey Grant, Tyler Noble, Gabriela Roel, Chivonne Michelle, Justen Jones, Florencia Ríos, Dashiell Derrickson, Toussaint Morrison, Marcio Moreno, Alex Galick, Ari Gallegos, Eric Pierson, Gerardo Oñate, Forrest Hartl, Dana DeRuyck, Evie Bair, Duffy McManus, Felipe de Lara, Tom Reed, Brent Picha, Renee Werbowski, José María Higareda, Bryan McDonald, Christopher Gasser, Murray Nelson, Anna Hashizume, Nicholas Krekeler 

 

IMDb Blurb: Unveiled through a made-for-TV documentary, five tales of found footage horror emerge to take viewers on a terrifying journey into the grim underbelly of the 1980s. 

 

 

Cat’s Point of View: 

While I haven’t always jived with every segment featured in the anthology franchise, the V/H/S (2012) movies have been a fun experience, over all. It’s like unpacking a “blind box” of film shorts. Sometimes there are things in the box that you don’t necessarily care for, but the rest is an enjoyable surprise. V/H/S/85 was the latest installment in this cinematic series, and I was enthusiastic to open up this mystery bundle.

 

I have mentioned before (and probably will again) that I absolutely love to watch productions set in the 1980s. I’m an 80s baby and so the decade is full of warm fuzzy nostalgia. Of course, we’re talking about a horror anthology here with V/H/S/85 so there really isn’t anything ‘warm and fuzzy’ about it. The little details that placed it within the 80s, however, not only helped me immerse myself within the collected found footage features, but it also gave me a little comfort touchstone – like wrapping up in a blanket while watching the scary movie.

 

 

Speaking of scary, I can’t say that I was chilled to the bone by any of these stories, but they were all interesting and well executed for the most part.

 

Gigi Saul Guerrero’s (Mistress of Bones, Bingo Hell, Satanic Hispanics) "God of Death" segment felt right at home as footage from a TV studio in the 80s and it captured the essence of the real event it was loosely framed around… with a twist. Scott Derrickson’s (Sinister, Doctor Strange, The Black Phone) "Dreamkill" segment was one of my favorites. Not only did this short distill the essence of the 80s well, it was also disturbing beyond the blood and gore. Natasha Kermani (The Samaritan, Imitation Girl, Lucky) "TKNOGD" segment gave all the right early computer graphics feels while incorporating a horror element into performance art. Mike P. Nelson’s (The Domestics, Studio Luma, Wrong Turn) "No Wake" & "Ambrosia" segments probably were the ‘winners’ for me. These 2 segments resonated in a different way than the others and held more subtle horror in addition to the overt elements involved.

 

 

I don’t know that the over-arching story the individual short films were sprinkled throughout connected as well to the segments as in some prior V/H/S offerings. I understood what David Bruckner’s (Southbound, The Night House, Hellraiser) "Total Copy" segment was going for, but couldn’t help have a bit of a disconnect with it. It was perhaps a combination of my own internal question of ‘but why, though?’ in regards to each of these ‘discovered’ home-videos watched within that narrative and some of the visual choices that just didn’t resonate with me. It wasn’t “bad,” per se… it just wasn’t as effective over-all for me.

 

That being said, V/H/S/85 was still absolutely worth the watch. This was, in fact, my second time watching this anthology as I’d tuned in as soon as it had released on Shudder last year. If you like horror anthologies, this franchise still remains a decided go-to. 

 

 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 74% 

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 70% 

Metascore – 53%

Metacritic User Score – 5.8/10 

IMDB Score – 5.6/10 

 

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3.5/5 

 

Movie Trailer:

 

Ominous October - Werewolf by Night (2022)

Streaming Service: Disney+
Movie Name/Year: Marvel Studios’ Special Presentation: Werewolf by Night (2022)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Horror
Length: 52min
Rating: TV-14
Production/Distribution: Marvel Studios, Disney+
Director: Michael Giacchino
Writers: Heather Quinn, Peter Cameron, Gerry Conway, Michael G. Ploog, Roy Thomas, Jean Thomas
Actors: Gael García Bernal, Laura Donnelly, Harriet Sansom Harris, Leondardo Nam, Eugenie Bondurant, Kirk R. Thatcher, Al Hamacher
 
IMDb Blurb: Follows a lycanthrope superhero who fights evil using the abilities given to him by a curse brought on by his bloodline.

 
Cat’s Point of View:
When Disney and Marvel announced that they were releasing a Halloween Special this year, I was rather over the moon. (No pun intended…this time.) As I was growing up, you could count on most shows to have a bonafide “Halloween Special” air separately from their usual storylines. These days you don’t see that as often. Sure, productions will give a nod to the season with set dressing; but more often than not, it feels like an afterthought rather than the drive of the narrative.
 
Werewolf by Night was exciting to me from the get-go because it felt like the equivalent of Marvel Studios and Disney+ teaming up to give us a full-size candy bar in our trick-or-treat bucket, just as the Halloween season is really beginning to ramp up.
 
While not a standard-length movie, the 52-minute runtime of this lycanthropic lark was just the right length to give a satisfying story for this stand-alone special. It was packed solid with mystery, action, shenanigans, and enough horror elements to delight genre fans.

 
While Werewolf by Night has a TV-14 rating, parents should be cautious about letting younger kids partake in this particular monster flick. If the production had been made entirely in color, rather than the throwback black and white, it would have received a TV-MA rating for the bloody action. We’re talking dismembering and worse, here.
 
I loved the monochromatic choice, though. While it might have made some of the violence more palatable for a wider range of audiences, it was all about the ambiance for me. I could just envision this as one of those classic monster movies of yesteryear. There are even quite a few Easter eggs sprinkled throughout that pay homage to those very cinematic forbears.
 
While I love comics, I have to admit that I wasn’t really that familiar with the Marvel characters introduced in Werewolf by Night. Admittedly, I am now significantly more curious about Ted, Elsa, and Jack… but I didn’t need to have knowledge of their respective comic runs to really appreciate this special. That’s really the beauty of these MCU productions – there are so many characters available for them to pick from that you never know what corner of the comic verse they’re going to mine for material.

 
That being said, it reinforces the point that the monumental volume of stories out there, it affords the perfect opportunity for Marvel to cherry-pick the moments to spotlight for specials like this. I would absolutely watch the hell out of as many stand-alone specials as they want to throw at us. Let me just say yes please, in advance, for regular seasonal-specific one-offs, please. I digress…
 
I’m hoping that we’ll see these characters again somewhere else in the MCU moving forward. Just because they decided specifically not to provide a post-credits scene to keep this story self-contained doesn’t mean they couldn’t waltz into another franchise later as supporting characters.
 
There really wasn’t anything I found negative about Werewolf by Night. The cast was amazing; led by Gael García Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle, Old, Maya and the Three), Laura Donnelly (Outlander, Tolkien, The Nevers), and Harriet Sansom Harris (Phantom Thread, Atlantic Crossing, Licorice Pizza). The production quality was on par with any other MCU offering, as well.

 
It was an impressive directorial debut for Michael Giacchino (Monster Challenge, Star Trek: Short Treks). Though, that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. He’s been in the industry a while now, though as a musical composer. He got his start in the mid-90s working with video games before transitioning to cinema. Everyone has heard his work before in productions such as Doctor Strange (2016), Jurassic World (2015), and even TV shows such as Lost (2004-2010). Composing movie scores is a bit like directing in and of itself. Music is so intrinsically tied to the experience of film and people’s emotions. Creating something to evoke the right feeling at the appropriate story moment is a very similar process – at least in my opinion. I’m looking forward to seeing what his creative vision will bring us in the future for MCU projects or elsewhere.
 
Werewolf by Night was an awesome addition to our Ominous October and I would recommend it for classic horror fans looking for a fun, if brief, experience.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 91%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 93%
Metascore – 69%
Metacritic User Score – 6.9/10
IMDB Score – 7.4/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 5/5
 
Movie Trailer:

Cold Skin (2017)

Streaming Service: Prime Video
Movie Name/Year: Cold Skin (2017)
Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 1h 48min
Rating: Unrated
Production/Distribution: Babieka, Kanzaman, Ink Connection, Gran Babieka, Pontas Film & Literary Agency, The Ink Connection, Diamond Films, Happinet, Phars Film, Tiberius Film, Blue Swan Entertainment, Cinépolis Distribución, Condor, Eagle Entertainment, SC Movies, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Sunfilm Entertainment, Superfine Films, Televisión Española
Director: Xavier Gens
Writers: Jesús Olmo, Eron Sheean, Albert Sánchez Piñol
Actors: David Oakes, Ray Stevenson, Aura Garrido, Alejandro Rod, Ben Temple, Damián Montesdeoca, Iván González, John Benfield, Julien Blaschke, Winslow M. Iwaki
 
IMDb Blurb: A young man arrives at a remote island to take a post of weather observer only to find himself defending the watchtower from deadly creatures which live in the island shores.

Selina’s Point of View:
Cold Skin is, at heart, a monster movie.
 
When you go to see a monster flick, you know what to expect. Some decent action, some very basic tropes, an interesting design, and the end showing that humans are just as monstrous as the antagonists (if not more). Although there was a little of that in Cold Skin, it was not typical.
 
When it comes to monster movies, no one is expecting something that makes them think. The exception being Lovecraftian-style stories.
 
Cold Skin subverted expectations by being a very smart, almost poetic, film.
 
I was very surprised by that.

 
It started off with the Nietzsche quote about staring into the abyss and it staring back at you flashing on-screen. I’m not going to lie; I rolled my eyes. Although it’s a good quote, it is ridiculously overused. Then, about 16-minutes in, when the action finally started, I predicted something so closely that I could have held up the cue card for it.
 
I didn’t have high hopes.
 
It was only later, when the movie started to get into the heart of the story, that I took it seriously. If you can get to that point, the beginning is worth it.
 
One of the tropes I was immediately glad I didn’t have to deal with was the one where the protagonist refuses to believe the truth of what they’re seeing. There are no lengthy scenes of anyone explaining to him what the creatures are and trying to get him to believe his own eyes. Even before the rest of the movie had me, I found that impressive.
 
By the end of Cold Skin, I was a fan. It did take a bit, but once it had me – it never let go. 

 
Cat’s Point of View:
When I saw a movie titled “Cold Skin” on our docket for review today, I was hoping that it meant something other than people shivering in a frozen climate. While there was a little temperature-related trembling involved, I report with pleasure that it was not the central theme of the plot.
 
I decided on a whim to view Cold Skin blind. I didn’t watch the trailer or even read the blurb with the on-demand and Prime listings. Before I began writing, I did take a peek at the trailer. I am glad I went in this order. The trailer did give a good deal of the movie away.
 
Without foreknowledge of what was to come, there was more of an air of mystery about the story. To be fair, though, even with the teaser, some aspects wouldn’t be clear until the full movie unfolded.
 
Cold Skin started out as an apparent narrative of man vs. the elements and isolation, yet quickly revealed itself to be a fight for survival on multiple fronts with the monster revelation. Events started a bit on the slow side but once things picked up momentum, there was no ease to the building tensions or level of horror.

 
The creatures were fascinating and the situation was terrifying – considering the remote nature of the island setting. The practical effects really sold the aquatic cryptids in a very organic and believable way, as well as a stellar performance by the cast.
 
Cold Skin wasn’t without some of the typical monster movie tropes, but it didn’t lean too heavily on them. I appreciated the nuance and thought put into the erosion of humanity of learned and well-read men that the constant fight for survival, exhaustion, loss, and general stress caused. There were so many little details that spoke to the broader story. I really appreciated that this was just as much an intelligent horror as a thrilling sort.
 
While I began my viewing of Cold Skin with assorted fidget tools at the ready, anticipating I would begin to zone out at some point; I soon found that it held my attention thoroughly for its duration. I feel that I pieced most of the puzzle together, and yet the ending left me wanting more. That would be a decided earmark of a successful production.
 
While Cold Skin wasn’t a movie I might have gone out of my way to watch before, I definitely enjoyed my experience and it’s even grown on me further since the end credits rolled. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 48%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score –56%
Metascore – None
Metacritic User Score – 6.2/10
IMDB Score – 6.0/10
 
Trust the Dice: Parental Advisory Rating – R

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating –4/5
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5
 
Movie Trailer:

Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)

Streaming Services: HBO Max
Movie Name/Year: Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Length: 113  minutes
Rating: PG-13
Production/Distribution: Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros., HKC Entertainment, Kinomania, Toho Company, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Singapore, HBO Max
Director: Adam Wingard
Writers: Terry Rossio, Michael Dougherty
Actors: Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, Lance Reddick, Kyle Chandler, Demián Bichir, Kaylee Hottle, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Ronny Chieng, John Pirruccello, Chris Chalk, Daniel Nelson, Priscilla Doueihy
 
Blurb from IMDb:  The epic next chapter in the cinematic Monsterverse pits two of the greatest icons in motion picture history against one another - the fearsome Godzilla and the mighty Kong - with humanity caught in the balance.

 
Cat’s Point of View:
When I saw that Godzilla vs. Kong was being released straight to HBO Max, I could have done cartwheels – I was that excited. I have enjoyed all of the installments in Warner Bros. Monsterverse so far, and had high expectations for this 4^th installment.
 
Of course, the big burning question on everyone’s mind asks who the victor would be. Well, I can tell you that you won’t learn that from me. Sorry! (Not sorry, really. No spoilers here!)

This film takes place over 50 years past the events on Kong: Skull Island (2017), and a handful of years beyond Godzilla: King of Monsters (2019). As a result, the Kong in this film is more grown-up and seasoned going into these events. I found the subplots surrounding him interesting – but, honestly, is anyone really watching this movie for the story aspect? Really? If you are, that’s awesome; but let’s be honest that it’s all about watching the ginormous creatures duke it out.
 
I’m glad to say that the substance of the story is actually decent, though. Enough plausibility is given for why we see Kong leaving the protection of his island, triggering the inevitable square-off. There were also many little nods here and there to the Godzilla and Kong movies of yesteryear scattered throughout.

 
The fight sequences were crazy good. The effects were spot-on and the overall result was very satisfying. I appreciated that there was a clear-cut victory involved, and it certainly didn’t go the way I originally expected.
 
I’m curious where the story goes from here, and would certainly be up for watching further explorations into the Monsterverse. I will likely be watching this movie again to see if I can spot any sneaky Easter Eggs that might tease what they have planned in the future.
 
If you love these monster movies, you’ll likely be very happy with this clash of movie titans. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 74%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 92%
Metascore –59%
Metacritic User Score – 7.0/10
IMDB Score – 6.5/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5
 
Movie Trailer:

After Midnight (2021)

Streaming Services: Shudder
Movie Name/Year: After Midnight (2021)
Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 83 minutes
Rating: TV-MA
Production/Distribution: Rustic Films, Kavya Films, Vested Interest, Drop-Out Cinema, Cranked Up Films, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Meteor Film, Umbrella Entertainment
Director: Jeremy Gardner, Christian Stella
Writer: Jeremy Gardner
Actors: Jeremy Gardner, Brea Grant, Henry Zebrowski, Justin Benson, Ashley Song, Nicola Masciotra, Taylor Zaudtke, Keith Arbuthnot
 
Blurb from IMDb: When his girlfriend suddenly disappears, leaving a cryptic note as her only explanation, Hank's comfortable life and his sanity begin to crack. Then, from the woods surrounding his house, something terrible starts trying to break in.
 

Selina’s Point of View:
Something strange happened to me with this film. Let me explain.
 
I thought, from the trailers, that this was going to be a werewolf flick. I LOVE me some werewolf action – but, way too often, the werewolf thing is just a metaphor for abuse instead of being the monster movie I want. That knowledge led me to being skeptical here. That’s the whole reason it didn’t make my Top 20 list.
 
As I watched, I was almost certain that I wasn’t far off. The meaning of the monster started to shift in my mind, but I was annoyed.
 
When the ending came around, I started rolling my eyes a bit. I saw there was 10 minutes left and was sure that nothing was going to change my mind about it.
 
What happened not only changed my mind, it altered the way I felt about the entire thing.
 

By the time the black screen showed up, I was dying of laughter and unable to stop for about 15-minutes. That may not have been what the creators were going for, but I do have a tendency to laugh at inappropriate times – so this one may just be on me.
 
The point is, I wasn’t angry at it anymore. My perception of the film did a full 180 and I am certain I am going to remember it as a glorious experience.
 
Now, this is a screener I didn’t request. I wanted a couple of others, and this just came along with them. I had to reshape the entire February schedule just to fit it in, but I’m glad I did. I’m positive we would not have watched it this month if the screener hadn’t come in, and I might never have known what I’d missed.
 
After Midnight was worth it. It was worth the hour of extra work, and I’m damn sure it would be worth signing up for Shudder to watch.
 
If you want to see it for yourself, After Midnight will premiere February 11, on Shudder.
 

Cat’s Point of View:
I was actually pretty jazzed when I learned that I’d be able to screen After Midnight today. It couldn’t have had better timing, really. I’ve been in real need of a good pick-me-up. My entire household has COVID-19. (Don’t worry, I saw this film on my computer, not at a theater.)
 
We’re exhibiting only mild symptoms so far, thankfully. Our prognosis is good. Considering my compromised immune system, it could have been much worse.
 
Needless to say, we’re not going anywhere to celebrate my birthday this February 10th. That made this movie screening experience extra special for me. It was almost as if it were a gift wrapped up in a cinematic bow.
 
The last couple of films I was lucid enough to review, we saw some slow burners. The productions took their sweet time in getting to the point. After Midnight played its hand slowly, too, but in a way that kept me engaged.
 
The tension was necessary. It’s crucial to the story here for audiences to be guessing. Is the monster real? Is it all in the main character’s head? Is it just a run-of-the-mill wildlife denizen running amok that’s been misconstrued as a fearsome beast? These questions are meant to plague the viewer. I thought I had it pegged for a little bit, and yet I was definitely wrong on my own guesswork.
 
This was really a treat of a film. It’s not often that you can mix romance and horror well. Things get awkward when blood starts spilling, you know? There was a clear love story here, though, and it didn’t detract from the story – it was the very backbone.
 

I really appreciated that After Midnight also took a realistic approach to the relationship here. It wasn’t saccharine sweet and perfect. This wasn’t one of those fairy tales. There were well-nuanced bits sprinkled throughout that highlighted the couple’s journey.
 
Another bonus point I really enjoyed with this movie was the cinematography. The production captured the very essence of the South in summer. I could practically feel the heat relieved by the occasional cool breeze of an oscillating fan. The buzzing of bugs while Spanish moss swayed in the wind reminded me of down here in Louisiana – but I figure this was probably filmed in Florida somewhere.
 
There was a lot of good production value here. I love when a monster movie teases you with the big bad boogie, and I was tickled here that you only get a glimpse. I have to tip my hat to the creative team because this creature was definitely unique and it was well-executed.
 
If I had to pick on something for a negative, I’d really have to be grasping at straws. I wish there was a little more of the monster, to be honest, but I don’t think the movie’s lacking for it.
 
I have no idea why IMDb lists this as a sci-fi film. Unless they know something that hasn’t been explained in the movie, itself, or the promotional material; I just don’t get where that element fits. Horror and romance are where I’d place my bets.
 
Shudder struck gold when they optioned this movie as an exclusive. It’s definitely worth the subscription to check this one out.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 88%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 47%
Metascore – 55/100
Metacritic User Score – 5.9/10
IMDB Score – 5.4/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 4/5
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4.5/5
 
Movie Trailer: 

Monster Hunter (2020)

Streaming Services: N/A
Movie Name/Year: Monster Hunter (2020)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Length: 99 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Production/Distribution: Constantin Film, Impact Pictures, Capcom Company, Tencent Pictures, Toho Company, China Film Group Corporation, Constantin Film Verleih, Constantin-Film, Praesens-Film, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Releasing Argentina, Sony Pictures Releasing, Toho Company, Towa Pictures, United International Pictures (UIP), Universal Pictures International (UPI)
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Writer: Paul W.S. Anderson, Kaname Fujioka
Actors: Milla Jovovich, Tony Jaa, T.I., Meagan Good, Diego Boneta, Josh Helman, Jin Au-Yeung, Ron Perlman, Jannik Schümann, Hirona Yamazaki, Nic Rasenti, Nanda Costa, Aaron Beelner, Schelaine Bennett, Adrián Muñoz
 
Blurb from IMDb: When Lt. Artemis and her loyal soldiers are transported to a new world, they engage in a desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with incredible powers. Feature film based on the video game by Capcom.
 

Selina’s Point of View:
I have blue balls.
 
I don’t have testicles… but yes. That’s what this is. Blue balls.
 
There was no ending to Monster Hunter. It cut off during the climax. Nothing got resolved at all. It looks like something is going to happen, and then it doesn’t. Credits roll and we get a cute, but unnecessary, mid-credits scene.
 
It doesn’t even feel like the movie was leaving things open for a sequel, it feels like a part 1 – at best. Even if it was, that wouldn’t have been the place to cut it.
 
I started at the end with this one, because it’s the part that sticks out the most. It’s the feeling I’m left with. I’m unfulfilled and a little annoyed.
 
It wasn’t all bad, though.
 

The film was gorgeous. In fact, it works better as an hour-and-a-half commercial for the CGI team than an actual story.
 
The monsters felt super real. They were terrifying and designed incredibly well.
 
There were also some really great fight scenes… not enough of them to excuse the fact that I didn’t care about whether or not any of the characters survived.
 
That brings me to the next point: it had no heart. It didn’t go into the relationships enough, and most of what it did go into involved ridiculous trope-y script work. There were plot holes galore and just no reason to care.
 
Then, it winds up taking away the ending. If they had given us some kind of beautifully crafted, action-packed ending, it might have raised my opinion of it some. Instead, it left me feeling nothing. Like I wasted my money.
 
Monster Hunter is the epitome of style over substance. I will be surprised if it is not the biggest disappointment of the year where movies are concerned.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 49%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 70%
Metascore – 44/100
Metacritic User Score – 4.0/10
IMDB Score – 5.3/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 2/5
 
P.S.: Short mid-credit’s scene.
 
Movie Trailer:

Vivarium (2019)

Streaming Services: Amazon Prime Video
Movie Name/Year: Vivarium (2019)
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery
Length: 97 minutes
Rating: R
Production/Distribution: Lovely Productions, Fantastic Films, Frakas Productions, PingPongFilm, XYZ Films, Saban Films, Les Bookmakers, Shaw Organisation, The Jokers, Ukrainian Film Distribution, Vertigo Releasing, A Contracorriente Films, Concorde Home Entertainment, Lumix Media, Umbrella Entertainment
Director: Lorcan Finnegan
Writer: Lorcan Finnegan, Garret Shanley
Actors: Imogen Poots, Danielle Ryan, Molly McCann, Jesse Eisenberg, Jonathan Aris, Côme Thiry, Senan Jennings, Eanna Hardwicke, Olga Wehrly, Michael McGeown
 
Blurb from IMDb: A young couple looking for the perfect home find themselves trapped in a mysterious labyrinth-like neighborhood of identical houses.
 

Selina’s Point of View:
It’s extremely hard for me to write a review of this film. Mainly because I’m having trouble staying awake.
 
I’ve never seen such a heavy sedative dressed up as a cinematic experience.
 
My expectations weren’t to blame, either. I wanted to see it. I figured it would have a slow pace and lean a little more toward the cerebral. I was ready for it. I got the recommended amount of sleep last night, I had a healthy breakfast, even my sugar numbers are well within range. I made sure I was ready for something slower that I would have to THINK about.
 

It wasn’t what I expected. It’s not actually a thinker. It could have been, but the creators took the story in a weird direction and it lost all the lessons it could have held.
 
The only way Vivarium met my expectations was in its pacing – it’s very slow.
 
It’s also not nearly as original as I thought it would be.
 

Way too often, throughout the film, I found myself wishing I was watching Episode 150 of The Twilight Zone (1959-1964).
 
“Stopover in a Quiet Town” is one of my favorite episodes of the series and Vivarium feels like a longer, boring, pointless version of the same story. Yes, the ending is different – but the way “Stopover in a Quiet Town” concluded is much more fulfilling.
 

I don’t think we needed Vivarium. If it had taken a more psychological look at the story, we’d be having a different discussion.
 
If you’re having trouble sleeping, and Tylenol PM doesn’t do the trick, this might be the way to go. If you’re actually interested in something fulfilling, just flip on the aforementioned episode of The Twilight Zone. It’s shorter and a much better watch.
  

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 72%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 38%
Metascore – 64/100
Metacritic User Score – 5.2/10
IMDB Score – 5.8/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 1.5/5
 
Movie Trailer:

Tusk (2014)

Number Rolled: 30

Movie Name/Year: Tusk (2014)

Tagline: A truly transformative tale.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Horror

Length: 101 minutes

Rating: R

Production Companies: SModcast Pictures

Producer: Nate Bolotin, Betsy Danbury, Sam Englebardt, David S. Greathouse, Jenny Hinkey, William D. Johnson, Shannon McIntosh, Jason Mewes, Jordan Monsanto, Chris Parkinson, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, Nick Spicer

Director: Kevin Smith

Writer: Kevin Smith

Actors: Michael Parks, Justin Long, Genesis Rodriguez, Haley Joel Osment, Johnny Depp, Harley Morenstein, Ralph Garman, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, Harley Quinn Smith, Lily-Rose Depp, Ashley Greene, Douglas Banks, Matthew Shively

Blurb from Netflix: When a wise-guy podcaster interviews a disabled seafarer, he decides to embark on a transformational quest to track down a dangerous walrus-monster. (Trust the Dice does not support this Netflix blurb. We’re pretty sure the person who wrote it hasn’t seen the film. It’s WAY off.)

Selina’s Point of View:

Kevin Smith (Zach and Miri Make a Porno, Clerks, Mallrats) is my favorite movie writer of all time.

That said: What the fuck, bro?

I need time to digest what I just watched… but I have an infant and I don’t have the time I need, so I just have to go purely on instinct here. Even doing that I have no idea what to say.

My first impression is that this is what The Human Ceptipede (First Sequence) (2009) could have been if it hadn’t taken itself too seriously. The difference in overall quality of film here is absolutely shocking when you realize just how close the plot is between the two films.

It’s shocking because The Human Centipede is one of those rare movies that got a zero out of five from me. On the other hand, Tusk is getting a much higher: four. With plots so closely related, you generally expect closer ratings. The thing is, The Human Centipede really tried hard to be a full-on serious horror – which did it a disservice. Tusk doesn’t pretend to be what it’s not. It’s a horror movie for those B-movie fans that like to get their friends together and poke fun at a ridiculous story.

Kevin Smith brought out the absolute humor in Tusk. He recognized that the antagonist in this film is completely out of his gourd, and the result is just as insane.

There were definite horror aspects that I’m going to be fighting to bleach out of my brain for a few weeks, but there was so much humor woven in that it made the horror easier to swallow.

I rather enjoyed the Yoga Hosers (2016) tie-ins, too.

I think a lot of reviewers took this film way too seriously. Smith wasn’t trying to make the next Halloween (1978). He was basically bringing to life a fever dream, or some kind of high as fuck conversation he had with a friend.

I’m absolutely going to sit my husband on the couch and make him watch Tusk. He isn’t the biggest fan of horror, so I usually watch those films after he goes to bed, but he’s totally going to see this one.

My one bit of advice is that you don’t go into this movie thinking it’s going to be superior on the horror scale. Its much more of a comedy than that.

If you want a great serious horror film directed/written by the king of dialogue himself, check out Red State (2011). If you’re more a comedy/horror mixed-genre fan, Tusk will be up your alley.

Cat’s Point of View:

I don’t really know where to start.

That’s not a bad thing in this case. It’s simply my moment of bewilderment in the wake of the roll of final credits. This isn’t even the first time I’ve watched this movie – and the end result is still the same. There’s something to be said for that – the consistency of the emotional outcome.

On paper, the premise of the film is absolutely bonkers. Then you have to take a step back and realize that was quite intentional. There’s a lot of good stuff below the surface here. The film is decidedly a tale of karma coming around.

Let’s face it, though; not many are watching this movie looking for life lessons, even though they’re present. I know I watched this film the first time because I’d heard the ‘behind-the-scenes’ story of how the concept came about as a result of podcast shenanigans and a fan’s attempt at getting Kevin Smith’s (Cop Out, Red State, Hollyweed) attention. Let’s not forget the outcry of #WalrusYes at convention and on social media, alike. Critics had reviews on both ends of the spectrum – I just wanted to see what all the hubbub was about.

I certainly wasn’t disappointed.

At the core of why this movie works so well, is the late, incomparable Michael Parks (Planet Terror, Django Unchained, Blood Father). I can certainly see why Smith has stated he wouldn’t have made the film without him. It’s his character’s earnest lunacy that makes the cogs in this machine go ‘round.

There were a lot more head-tilting moments that evoked more of a ‘what the hell‘ sort of reaction than gasps of horror, and much of the comedy aspects paired with groans. All the same, this film provides a firm foundation for Smith’s True North Trilogy, which also features Yoga Hosers (2016) and the forthcoming Moose Jaws.

I can’t wait to see how this insanity ends.

Languages

Speech Available: English

Subtitles Available: English

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 42%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 36%

Metascore - 55/100

Metacritic User Score – 5.9/10

IMDB Score – 5.3/10

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 4/5

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5

P.S. Small scene after the credits

Movie Trailer: