'Tis the Season - Krampus (2015)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Boston Strangler (2023)

 

 

Streaming Service: Hulu

Movie Name/Year: Boston Strangler (2023)

Genre: History, Drama, Crime

Length:  1h 52min

Rating: R

Production/Distribution: 20th Century Studios, Langley Park Productions, LuckyChap Entertainment, Scott Free Productions, Warner Bros., Hulu

Director: Matt Ruskin

Writer: Matt Ruskin

Actors: Keira Knightley, Carrie Coon, Chris Cooper, David Dastmalchian, Alessandro Nivola, Ivan Martin, Jon Lindstrom, Kris Sidberry, Mellanie Hubert, Morgan Spector, Owen Burke, Robert John Burke, Rory Cochrane

 

IMDb Blurb: Loretta McLaughlin was the reporter who first connected the murders and broke the story of the Boston Strangler. She and Jean Cole challenged the sexism of the early 1960s to report on the city's most notorious serial killer.

 

Selina’s Point of View:

Boston Strangler was an old-fashioned crime film.

 

Any unnecessary convolution, or heart-pounding action, that a modern crime story might have utilized was replaced by intrigue and tension. It reminded me more of the old black-and-white crime films than anything else. I was impressed. Boston Strangler took something that most filmmakers have left in the past and showed that there’s still a place for it in our current cinematic landscape.

 

I thought it was moving slow, but when I checked the runtime, I was actually about halfway through. Boston Strangler simply had a setup that I wasn’t entirely used to anymore.

 

I figured it would be a bit like a 2-hour episode of Criminal Minds (2005 -). Mostly mystery, with some high tension and a touch of police action. Instead, it reminded me more of Murder She Wrote (1984-1996). A slow burn that has more energy in the characterizations and mystery than anything else.

 

 

That kind of thing can be hit or miss for me. If there was even a little less quality to it, I would have lost focus. I never had that issue, though.

 

I think a lot of my interest came from just how well Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean, Colette, Silent Night) portrayed Loretta McLaughlin. She was poised and intense. I followed the story as closely as I did because her curiosity was infectious.

 

My only complaint would have been the ending. I felt like it was a little anti-climactic. But that’s it.

 

I’m surprised by how good Boston Strangler was. I would absolutely recommend it.

 

Cat’s Point of View:

I settled in with a blanket, a good beverage, and some burning curiosity as I began my viewing experience with Boston Strangler. It seemed like a perfect fit for this final gasp of winter cold snap that we’re having. I was just hoping that a low-energy spell wouldn’t send me snoozing before it was done. I’m happy to report that I was engrossed enough in this movie that fatigue could not pull me under. 

When I listed Boston Strangler in March’s Top 20, I mentioned part of my reasoning for placement was due to the fact that this particular piece of history doesn’t come up a lot. I’d only vaguely remembered that the Boston Strangler was even “a thing,” much less any details about the criminal cases. We hear so much about other historical travesties and their masterminds, yet this generally unsolved murder spree has slipped through so many cracks. It’s a deserving story with an important underlying message - don’t let anyone in your home that you haven’t vetted first; especially if you’re alone. 

Beyond that, this was a breakthrough for women in the workplace in journalism and otherwise for that era. 

 

Boston Strangler gave me a lot of crime noir vibes with its approach to the production. We just had a pair of intrepid reporters hot on the trail of this story instead of a smooth-talking gumshoe in a trenchcoat and fedora. There weren’t any flashy chase scenes or overtly grisly imagery, and yet the tale spun was still full of grit and tension. I became invested in the case and concerned for the well-being of these ladies. Everything was to the point, and very well executed. 

The cast really knocked this one out of the park, as well. Powerful performances drove Boston Strangler home and made what otherwise might be a dry procedural drama feel so much more intense. 

True crime tales have become a pop culture touchstone in recent years. Fans of that genre should likely appreciate Boston Strangler, but I believe that it could appeal to wider audiences as well. If you have Hulu, it’s definitely worth giving a chance. 

 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 62%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 76%

Metascore – 60%

Metacritic User Score – 5.6/10

IMDB Score – 6.5/10

 

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 4/5

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5

 

Movie Trailer:

Beast (2022)

Streaming Service: Peacock
Movie Name/Year: Beast (2022)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Length:  1h 33min
Rating: R
Production/Distribution: Universal Pictures, RVK Studios, Will Packer Productions
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Writers: Jaime Primak Sullivan, Ryan Engle
Actors: Idris Elba, Sharlto Copley, Amara Miller, Billy Gallagher, Damon Burtley, Dorian Hedgewood, Hudson Anne-Black, Iyana Halley, Leah Jeffries, Mel Jarnson
 
IMDb Blurb: A father and his two teenage daughters find themselves hunted by a massive rogue lion intent on proving that the Savanna has but one apex predator.

Cat’s Point of View:
This month, we’re running into quite a few movies that I’m re-watching for the second time (or more). Beast is one that I just couldn’t wait until we got to putting it on the schedule. I watched it the moment it was available via Xfinity’s On Demand. I was more than happy to give it another watch-through now that it’s hit Peacock. Beast was, after all, my #3 pick for August 2022’s Top 20.
 
I adore a good creature feature. There’s just something enjoyably thrilling in a story of relentless pursuit by an entity that can’t be reasoned with – in this case, a rogue lion. Beast also skillfully layered in some conflicting emotions regarding the film’s feline antagonist. You can’t help but feel bad for the situation the lion found himself in, and you can’t really blame the big cat for the revenge spree. At the same time. It’s tragic how others get caught in the proverbial crossfire along the way. The subtext here regarding big game poachers in Africa is also quite clear. It remains a huge problem.

 
Beast was really everything I hoped it would be, and gave me more than I asked for with the dramatic personal story of the characters fighting for survival. The setting in South Africa was well utilized and they got some really gorgeous shots while also accomplishing the difficult task of making settings feel almost claustrophobic while still in the vast middle of nowhere. The CGI animators also deserve some big kudos. Realistically, it makes sense that a modern production wouldn’t be mingling real lions with actors. All of the animals in Beast were CGI rendered, and I honestly forgot while I was watching the film.
 
Idris Elba (The Harder They Fall, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Three Thousand Years of Longing)  and Sharlto Copley (The A-Team, Chappie, Free Fire) were also big draws to this production for me, and their performances didn’t disappoint – as usual. The young ladies sharing the screen with them impressively held their own, as well.
 
Beast didn’t break any new ground with its story, but I was firmly perched at the edge of my seat through the whole runtime. I was also surprised to find that the tension director Baltasar Kormákur (Everest, 2 Guns, Adrift) captured with this narrative was no less intense for a second watch-through. If you’re down with this cast or this particular creature concept, Beast is absolutely worth a shot.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 68%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 77%
Metascore – 54%
Metacritic User Score – 4.8/10
IMDB Score –5.6 /10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5
 
Movie Trailer:

Windfall (2022)

 

Streaming Service: Netflix
Movie Name/Year: Windfall (2022)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Length: 92 minutes
Rating: R
Production/Distribution: High Frequency Entertainment, Mutressa Movies, Netflix
Director: Charlie McDowell
Writers: Justin Lader, Charlie McDowell, Jason Segel, Andrew Kevin Walker
Actors: Jason Segel, Jesse Plemons, Lily Collins, Omar Leyva
 
IMDb Blurb: A man breaks into a tech billionaire's empty vacation home, but things go sideways when the arrogant mogul and his wife arrive for a last-minute getaway.

 
Cat’s Point of View:
Windfall was both exactly what I expected; and, at the same time, took a route I didn’t see coming.
 
Fans of pure drama and nail-biting tension would be head over heels for the atmosphere that steeped this production. Windfall was a slow burn, though. If you’re into action and faster-paced thrills, this might not be something that would hold your interest.
 
I was worried that my squirrely attention level would make parts of Windfall hard to watch. Somehow, I managed to remain riveted to the screen and afraid to tear my eyes away lest I miss some sudden burst of plot that might unfold. The whole movie felt like that. It kept you on the edge of your seat, fairly holding your breath because the shit might just hit the fan in the next second.

 
Windfall took great advantage of the property they filmed on. It both illustrated the characters’ lifestyle and the disparity with their perceptions of the ‘antagonist’ intruder. I was immensely relieved that they didn’t keep everything confined to one small set of rooms. I believe this cast could have handled something like that, but it would have made it harder to swallow.
 
As I mentioned in my #18 entry in March’s Top 20 list, this is one of the rare instances that the character who would normally be ‘the antagonist’ – namely, the home invader – was someone I was actually rooting for. I was literally crossing my fingers for the thief. Jason Segel (Despicable Me, This Is the End, Dispatches from Elsewhere) really drove his character home, even within the constrained circumstances available. I appreciated the intelligence and emotion the character was afforded within the story and how Segel evoked every nuance of it.

 
I have a lot to say about the other characters and their respective actors. Unfortunately, every time I begin to write something, I found myself dangerously skirting the line with spoilers.
 
Windfall wasn’t one of those movies that I’d want to revisit at another time. While I thought it was well done, and delivered what it had advertised in the trailer, that much-prolonged tension without action or more levity to break it up is just hard for me to do. Especially once I already know what’s going to happen. The payoff would lose most of its sting on a repeat viewing.
 
All told, however, I don’t regret watching this new Netflix release at all. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 64%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 73%
Metascore – 51%
Metacritic User Score – None
IMDB Score – 5.6/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3.5/5
 
Movie Trailer:

No Exit (2022)

Streaming Service: Hulu
Movie Name/Year: No Exit (2022)
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Length: 95 minutes
Rating: R
Production/Distribution: 20th Century Studios, Flitcraft, Hulu, Disney+
Director: Damien Power
Writer:  Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari, Taylor Adams
Actors: Havana Rose Liu, Danny Ramirez, David Rysdahl, Mila Harris, Dennis Haysbert, Dale Dickey, Benedict Wall
 
Blurb from IMDb: During a blizzard and stranded at an isolated highway rest stop in the mountains, a college student discovers a kidnapped child hidden in a car belonging to one of the people inside.
 

Selina’s Point of View:
I hadn’t heard about the release of No Exit, it just appeared on Hulu one day. It was a random pick when I added it to the schedule. Hulu needs to do better at marketing their original films, because this one isn’t going to be seen by nearly as many people as it should be.
 
Everything about this movie defied expectations.
 
Obviously, I do try to go into everything I watch with an open mind. But, like most people, I’m a victim of my biases. After watching enough films, it becomes easy to see commonalities that almost force expectation. What I saw here was an early movie from a lesser-known director that had a couple of recognizable faces, but no marketing at all. To me, that said Hulu was giving a director a shot, but didn’t have faith in it. I’ll admit, I settled in for a flick I thought would be a trainwreck.
 
I was wrong.
 
Not only was No Exit amazing, but director Damien Power (Killing Ground, Peekaboo, To Be) showed off the kind of talent that has created household names. I’m going to be following his career very closely from here on out.
 

There was nothing to dislike here. If I had to be overly critical, I would say that I didn’t love David Rysdahl’s (Nine Days, The Land of Owls, Dead Pigs) character. I thought he was a bit overdone, but even that turned out to not be an issue. By the end, it made sense for the story.
 
Speaking of the story, the writing was exceptional as well. I hit a point about 20-minutes in where I was resigned to the belief that No Exit was going to be a basic-bitch flick. After all, I’d already predicted everything that was happening. I leaned back in my chair, crossed my arms, and made a snarky note in my book. No one can say that the writer(s) didn’t know the minds of their target audience, though, because about 5-minutes later I realized they’d lured me into thinking that on purpose.
 
I don’t know whether to credit screenwriters Andrew Barrer (Die in a Gunfight, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Haunt) and Gabriel Ferrari (Die in a Gunfight, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Quantum and Woody) with all that, or the novel’s author, Taylor Adams. I haven’t read the book, so I don’t know what parts of the story were altered for the screen. I’m just going to send out a general ‘hell yeah’ to them all.
 
I’m also going to take a trip to the store, because I need to get this book.
 
No Exit destroyed every expectation I could have had and reminded me to keep my biases out of it.
 

Cat’s Point of View:
I was excited to see No Exit.
 
Havana Rose Liu (Mayday, The Chair, The Sky Is Everywhere) played such a relatable character for me. There have definitely been times in my life I was ‘over it’ when faced with working on my own issues. I could feel her desperation to respond to her family crisis. It provided a steady undercurrent of tension below the other events within the movie.
 
No Exit swept me along on this wild ride and didn’t pump the brakes. Just when I thought things were heading in one direction, the story threw in twists that blindsided me.
 

It was also a treat to have Dale Dickey (Winter's Bone, Super 8, Blood Father) and Dennis Haysbert (The Unit, Fist Fight, Lucifer) among the cast. They were excellent choices for their roles and definitely helped elevate this production.
 
No Exit took good advantage of the snowy setting. The remote and decrepit visitor’s center felt sufficiently isolated. I had no trouble suspending disbelief.
 
The credits for No Exit mentioned that this film is a book adaptation. I might just put this one on my ever-expanding to-read list. I really enjoyed the story that was brought to the screen. I’m intrigued as to whether there’s more to the tale that just didn’t fit in the runtime.
 
If you have a subscription to Hulu, No Exit is an excellent choice for a movie night in. Bundle up with a warm beverage and don’t forget to breathe.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 58%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 56%
Metascore – 54%
Metacritic User Score – 6.6
IMDB Score – 6.1/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 4.5/5
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5
 
Movie Trailer: