Full Moon Reviews - Horror, Sci-Fi, Action, B-Movies 
Invasion USA (1985) w/ The DTV Connoisseur
In this episode, I joined Matt Poirier (the DTV Connoisseur) as we look at the 1985 Cannon classic, INVASION USA. Before that, we discuss Marvel Studios' THUNDERBOLTS* (recorded prior to its release), and where things are going for the MCU. Then with the film, we get into Chuck Norris as the hero, and then instead of doing a full walkthrough, we go over the many highlights.
(I recorded this awhile ago with a cool panel of people and forgot to share it. So here it is. Enjoy!)MISERY (1990) d. Rob Reiner (USA)Rob Reiner's 1990 psychological thriller Misery, based on Stephen King's bestselling novel, remains a masterclass in tension and suspense. Tonight, our panel of horror enthusiasts celebrates the unforgettable performances (James Caan, Kathy Bates, Lauren Bacall, Frances Sternhagen, and Richard Farnsworth), the film's themes of obsession and captivity, and screenwriter William Goldman’s breathtaking adaptation which retains the spirit of the source material while also changing key elements for the screen.Foremost, however, we'll examine the dynamic between Paul and Annie, and how their complex relationship evolves under the oppressive circumstances, with Bates' Oscar-winning portrayal of Annie Wilkes balanced against Caan’s nuanced and atypical sensitivity. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Jess Ader, Dodd Alley, Jordy Sirken, and yours truly) as we tap into the heart of Misery’s unsettling atmosphere and cultural significance. What makes Misery more than just a horror film? How does it tap into deep-seated fears and anxieties about fame, vulnerability, and fan culture? Be sure to bring your sledgehammers!
Horror 101 w/ Dr. AC: THE BEST (AND WORST) SLASHERS OF 1980!! | HORROR HISTORY
(I recorded this awhile ago with a cool panel of people and forgot to share it. So here it is. Enjoy!)WHO WANTS TO TALK SLASHER MOVIES??? TITLES DISCUSSED: Friday the 13th, To All a Good Night, Terror on Tour, Don't Answer the Phone, Don't Go in the House, Prom Night, Terror Train, He Knows You're Alone, Mother's Day, Funeral Home, Christmas Evil, New Year's EvilThe 1980s were a pivotal year for horror films, and the decade kicked off with some of the most influential entries in the genre! Join our panel of horror experts as we discuss the origins, lasting impact, and evolution of the slasher, covering everything from the technical aspects to their cultural significance, changing the landscape of cinema forever. Key films such as Friday the 13th introduced the world to Jason Voorhees (and became a cultural phenomenon in the process), while Canadian offerings like Prom Night, Terror Train, and Funeral Home added their own unique twists to the formula, setting the stage for a wave of imitators.We’ll explore the masked killer tropes, the rise of Final Girls, and how these films captivated audiences with their ground-breaking gore FX, suspenseful stalk and slash sequences, and unforgettable characters.Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the genre, our conversation about the blood-soaked slasher movies of 1980 has something for everyone!
The Monkey (2025)
THE MONKEY (2025)Directed By: Osgood PerkinsStarring: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Adam Scott, Elijah Wood, Rohan Campbell, Sarah Levy, Osgood PerkinsGenre - Horror/Comedy/SupernaturalRunning Time - 98 MinutesPlot:When twin brothers find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.Review:Building upon the success he had with last year’s horror hit LONGLEGS, Osgood Perkins joins James Wan and Stephen King with adapting King’s short story, THE MONKEY. While LONGLEGS was meant to unsettle its audience with a supernatural true crime vibe [as well as an out-there performance by Nicolas Cage], THE MONKEY takes the opposite approach by making a dark joke out of its premise for laughs. The film’s dark humor approach towards the film’s death scenes and overall look on the idea of grief and moving on from trauma will most likely divide moviegoers expecting something more serious in its commentary. Personally, I had a lot of fun with THE MONKEY. While not as clever or sophisticated, the film reminded me of the FINAL DESTINATION series with its bizarre set ups to the demises of the movie’s characters. The use of a cursed toy monkey causing all this unpredictable chaos is a neat idea, although I would have liked to know more about its origins and why it was so intent on hurting people while growing attached to others. Maybe that’s in the short story, I don’t know.The humor comes from the characters, who are extremely quirky and pretty much say whatever is on their minds without holding much back. Death is almost treated as a matter-of-fact joke that’s so messed up, you have to laugh about it. No one really takes any of the characters dying all that seriously. Hell, even a church pastor gives a sermon that feels more like a stand up routine than an actual eulogy. Even a montage of people dying within a week to unbelievable deaths is treated as something that normally occurs in this universe. While I’m sure many will not connect with any of this, I felt it made THE MONKEY an entertaining viewing experience. Considering how dark the world has been in 2025 so far, it was refreshing to smile and chuckle over the ridiculous ways people died and how others approached them. For a thin plot - it’s really just a toy monkey terrorizing twins over 25 years - it carries some important themes pretty well.Osgood Perkins’ direction continues to impress. Great pacing and editing, the quirky tone maintains throughout, and the death sequences hit. THE MONKEY is a lot gorier than I was expecting it to be, considering Stephen King adaptations aren’t known for being gory horror movies. The use of both practical and CGI effects are used very well. And I liked that the film looked kind of grungy, yet popping with vivid colors [mainly red] for a lot of the film’s short runtime. His direction for LONGLEGS is probably stronger overall, but Perkins shows that he can be visually playful in terms of sound design and striking edits. It feels like a long episode of Tales From the Crypt and I enjoy that vibe.The cast is also very good. Theo James has a great voice for narration, while also giving two different performances as twin brothers [one nerdy and the other more of a bully]. I thought he played both the introvert and insecure brother, as well as the more evil and deranged brother very well. Christian Convery plays his younger versions believably well also. I also felt that James shared nice big brother/father chemistry with the more grounded Colin O’Brien.Always nice to see some familiar faces as well. This includes a wonderful performance from Tatiana Maslany as James’ quirky mother, as well from an almost unrecognizable Rohan Campbell as a young man who takes drastic measures to get his hands on the toy monkey. Also enjoyed the cameos by Adam Scott, Elijah Wood and Oz Perkins himself. Everyone seemed to be playing against type and having fun with it.It’s bananas how my two favorite films so far in 2025 involve apes [I see you, Robbie Williams and BETTER MAN]. Looking forward to what Perkins brings us with KEEPER later this year.SCORE3 Howls Outta 4(8 out of 10)
Def By Temptation (1990) w/ The DTV Connoisseur
In this episode, I joined Matt Poirier as we look at the Troma cult classic, DEF BY TEMPTATION. Before that, we look at CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD [which has now been released in theaters] and what 2025 could look like for Marvel Studios. Then with the film, we get into how we each found this gem, what about it works so well, and then look at highlights.
Heart Eyes (2025)
DIRECTED BYJosh RubenSTARRINGOlivia Holt - Ally Mason Gooding - Jay Simmons Gigi Zumbado - MonicaDevon Sawa - Detective HobbsJordana Brewster - Detective Jeanette ShawMichaela Watkins - Crystal Genre - Horror/Slasher/Comedy/RomanceRunning Time - 97 Minutes PLOTWhen the “Heart Eyes Killer” strikes Seattle, a pair of co-workers pulling overtime on Valentine’s Day are mistaken for a couple by the elusive couple-hunting killer. Now, they must spend the most romantic night of the year running for their lives.REVIEWSlasher films about Valentine’s Day have always seemed like a fun and good combination for decades. 1981’s MY BLOODY VALENTINE pretty much started the trend, featuring a memorable killer in Harry Warden in his coal miner’s outfit and pick-axe. It was even brought back in the 2009 3-D remake to similar success. We’ve also had 2001’s VALENTINE with its cherub looking Cupid killer, as well as Hulu’s Into the Dark anthology series that featured two horrific Valentine’s tales to varied success.It should be no surprise that 2025’s HEART EYES successfully brings both horror and Valentine’s Day together in a fun way. The film would totally fit right in the late-90s/early-00s post-SCREAM nu-slasher revival, while also working as a spoof or satire on romantic comedies with all the tropes and cheese firmly in place. The simple premise pretty much involves the hulking Heart Eyes Killer [or HEK for short] traveling to a different city each year to murder happy couples for reasons unknown to only him or her. HEK arrives in Seattle, only to catch main protagonists Ally and Jay fake a kiss in front of Ally’s ex-boyfriend out of jealousy and mistakenly making them targets for the killer. Romantic tropes, slasher goodness and on-the-nose needle drops ensue.HEART EYES doesn’t bring anything new to the slasher table, pretty much bringing what MY BLOODY VALENTINE had kind of done for a modern audience. But the film does these old tricks very well, giving you exactly what you would want in a modern slasher. Besides a lack of nudity, the film doesn’t really shy from the violence. While nowhere as gory as something like TERRIFIER, there are some nice gooey death sequences in HEART EYES. People get impaled and slashed by daggers. A victim gets crushed while hiding inside a wine juicer. There’s also crossbow action, as well as a sick looking decapitation that earns the film’s R rating. I thought the effects were handled very well.Unlike other Valentine’s Day horror, HEART EYES also acts as a sweet rom-com that makes you root for the two leads to get together at the end if they manage to survive the night. Ally and Jay love the same type of coffee, bump heads [literally] at the same time, work in the same profession and manage to understand each other even if Ally [who is still not over a bad breakup] tries to sabotage any chance for love. And when they come together to survive HEK’s rampage, you watch their bond grow and it feels satisfying to watch them fall in love. That’s due to a smart and strong script that fleshes out these two characters, making them very likable and understandable when it comes to their individual perspectives. Add in a supportive and sassy best friend and a sarcastic police department and you have characters you care to watch for 97 minutes.If I did have a main gripe, it’s probably HEK’s reveal in the final act. I partially got it right, but the entire reveal felt like the writers [mainly HAPPY DEATH DAY’s Christopher Landon] just wanted to be wacky and make up something to shock and surprise people. No one would guess the entire thing correctly since a lot of it was never hinted at or established like in other slasher mysteries, making it seem like an idea that was thrown at the wall to see what would stick. I appreciate how progressive and modern the reveal is and I thought the action during the conclusion was quite good. But the reveal itself didn’t connect with me because it came out of thin air.The direction by Josh Ruben is energetic and well thought out in terms of set pieces and sound design. The film is never scary and not meant to be, but the romantic comedy aspects are solid and the tone maintains throughout. The Heart Eyes Killer is used very well, having some creepy moments from time to time. I thought their mask having night vision through the heart eyes was a neat touch that I wish more was done with. The death sequences and gore were shot really well. It’s not the most dynamic or memorable film visually, but Ruben did a very good job keeping it all together and maintaining a fun tone that I’ve seen a lot of other filmmakers have trouble with. Maybe it feels too much like the current SCREAM films, but it’s still well made.What really won me over is the acting. I think both Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding are wonderful as the two leads, Ally and Jay. Holt is adorable, has nice comedic timing, and makes her a cool Final Girl who takes charge when she needs to. Gooding, no stranger to slashers due to his association with the current SCREAM sequels, is extremely charming and funny as hell in terms of his facial expressions and line delivery. Honestly, I think Gooding would make a fantastic romantic lead for a rom-com because he has all the tools to pull it off effortlessly. I also enjoyed the supporting performances by Devon Sawa and Jordana Brewster, playing two very different detectives on the HEK case. With Sawa’s bad-cop named Hobbs and Brewster’s more good-cop named Shaw, that obvious joke does present itself - with Brewster’s no-selling of it making it even funnier. And special mention to Gigi Zumbado as Monica, Ally’s best friend. She’s not in the film as much as I would want her to be, but Zumbado makes every scene she’s in funny and memorable. Also, a big shout out on the soundtrack. With songs like “Lonestar” by Amazed, “Please Don’t Go” by KC & the Sunshine Band and “You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes, this film has a solid song list.THE FINAL HOWLHEART EYES doesn’t reinvent the slasher wheel, but it’s still a fun time for those looking for a good Valentine’s Day horror film to watch. It also surprisingly works as a cute rom-com, just with a serial killer murdering happy couples [whether they know they’re in one or not]. The story is simple and straightforward, yet clever with an obvious wink-and-nod at certain tropes for both horror and rom-com genres. The script also presents likable characters, including two main characters you can’t help but root for in getting together by the movie’s end. This is helped greatly by the charming performances by both Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding, who share a ton of chemistry and play off each other extremely well. Josh Ruben also handles the gory sequences nicely, while maintaining a consistent tone that balances the horror with the romance. While the reveal itself didn’t exactly excite me or win me over and the film has this SCREAM feel you can’t escape, I think HEART EYES is a worthy watch during Valentine’s Day week for any horror [or even rom-com] fan.SCORE3 Howls Outta 4(7 out of 10)
Wolf Man (2025) *Might contain spoilers*
DIRECTED BYLeigh WhannellSTARRINGChristopher Abbott - Blake LovellJulia Garner - Charlotte LovellMatilda Firth - Ginger LovellSam Jaeger - Grady Lovell Benedict Hardie - DerekGenre: Horror/Supernatural/Body Horror/WerewolvesRunning Time: 103 MinutesPLOTWith his marriage fraying, Blake persuades his wife Charlotte to take a break from the city and visit his remote childhood home in rural Oregon. As they arrive at the farmhouse in the dead of night, they’re attacked by an unseen animal and barricade themselves inside the home as the creature prowls the perimeter. But as the night stretches on, Blake begins to behave strangely, transforming into something unrecognizable.REVIEWIt’s funny - I had reviewed the original 1941 THE WOLF MAN earlier this month in preparation for, what I had believed, was a modern remake or retelling of the same story. I had even debated whether to watch and/or review the 2010 remake, but I felt that I would dislike the 2025 adaptation more if I had. I wanted to go into 2025’s WOLF MAN with a fresh set of eyes and judge it for its own merits without comparisons to whatever came before it.But lo and behold! 2025’s WOLF MAN isn’t an actual remake at all! It has no Larry Talbot. There are no Romani fortune tellers. I don’t think I even caught a full moon. It has family, love, and a man changing into… something. But it’s not the Universal WOLF MAN you’re used to.And that’s one of my main issues with this version of the story - I feel the title is a bit misleading. Yes, there’s some legend about men turning into wolves and technically there are wolf-looking men in this movie. But WOLF MAN is less of a werewolf film and more of a body horror movie that’s akin to David Cronenberg, mainly 1986’s THE FLY. It’s a horror film where someone gets infected and begins to transform for the entire film, until that person decides to attack the people closest to them. Yes, main character Blake gets scratched and becomes more of a wolf creature. But he’s not technically what one would expect a werewolf to look like either. I respect the change but the title is advertising something audiences are probably not expecting [or even wanting out of a film like this].The film also struggles with getting its message across in a meaningful way. 2020’s THE INVISIBLE MAN turned the original story on its head to craft a fantastic horror movie about abuse and PTSD. It just happened to star a man who could turn invisible and traumatize the main character with that ability, making characters in the film wonder if she’s going crazy or her outbursts about her ex-boyfriend being invisible are true.WOLF MAN seems to be about not wanting to repeat the same mistakes our parents did so it won’t pass on to future generations. The prologue doesn’t shy away from this, as young Blake is raised by a strict military father who barks orders rather than show love and affection for him. He’s also hiding his own secrets, which makes Blake turn on him as he grows up. In order to do that, Blake is a bit more loving with his daughter Ginger [nice GINGER SNAPS homage], who dotes on her father and seems closer to him than to her workaholic mother Charlotte. However, Blake continues to feel guilty anytime Ginger acts out or doesn’t listen to him, turning him into his father. It seems while avoiding the past, Blake can’t seem to shake it off for his present and future.While this commentary is great, it’s not handled in a deep way. The father-daughter aspect is done well, but the rest of the relationships could have used more time. There’s issues between Blake and Charlotte that aren’t really elaborated on besides that she works so much that she feels she’s not a good mother to Ginger, while Blake is a stay-at-home dad who probably isn’t being the best husband and father financially. But we barely spend time with this couple before shit hits the fan, so it’s hard to tell whether the marriage has been rocky for a long time now or this is just a recent event. Plus considering that Charlotte and Ginger don’t have the strongest relationship, the film’s focus would be more on that. While the two do grow closer due to the events in the film, I never got a sense their relationship will improve, although I suspect it would. Plus the “Sins of the Father” deal gets hammered into your head maybe too many times that it soon becomes too much on the nose when the “twist” occurs.I also felt WOLF MAN was pretty tame in terms of scares and action. The film relies on jump scares for the most part, using the sound design to jolt audiences. But no one in my showing really fell for any of them, which is telling in how much they worked. And while some of the gore is pretty gnarly at times, Whannell seems to shy away from it quite a bit. Some people get murdered or eaten and we just see the aftermath, which is a shame. Plus, there are action moments - including one between two wolf people - that should be the film’s highlight. But instead, they’re cut pretty short and just feel like an afterthought. Maybe it’s because of the budget or Whannell was going for something with broader appeal, but it takes away the energy and intensity from WOLF MAN.Fortunately, the film does have things going for it. The actors all do well with what they’re given. I feel Julia Garner kind of got the short straw here, as she’s reduced to playing frightened mother and wife for the most part. But she handles it well and convinces you that she’s confused and terrified by what’s going on. Matilda Firth could have played Ginger as a kind of annoyingly precocious child, but she gives the character a level of intelligence that makes her fit with the adult actors. She handles fear well, but also has a charm about her that makes you care for her relationship with her parents. She’s good in the role. The real star here is Christopher Abbott as Blake, who is game for anything asked of him. He plays a great dad. He plays a husband fighting for his marriage. He plays a man struggling with his two lives. And as he transforms into the Wolf Man, he becomes scarier and more intense as he goes from man to beast within a short time. Walking on all fours is kind of goofy, but Abbott goes for it and I respect it. Plus, I liked him in the makeup [even if I have mixed feelings on the look] and thought he conveyed his metamorphosis well. Solid actors who needed a better script to play around with.I also liked some of Whannell’s directorial choices. The use of the wolf powers was actually a cool idea. It had a superhero origin vibe, where the subject is realizing he or she is becoming something else by realizing they have abilities no human should have. The loud sounds and the gurgling of sound when people talk to Blake was a nice touch. I also loved the wolf sight that would come in and out, reminding me of Detective Mode in those Batman Arkham games. I feel Whannell was more focused on the style of the film rather than the substance here. I mean, that’s fine for some horror directors but we’ve seen Whannell stand out because of the substance in his works. So while I liked the film visually [it’s a nice looking movie], he’s capable of better.THE FINAL HOWLIf you’re going into WOLF MAN looking for a traditional werewolf movie, you’re going to be seriously disappointed. If you’re looking for something different, you’ll still probably be disappointed but maybe you’ll get something out of it. The issue with this film is that it plays things way too safe. It has a strong commentary about the sins of the father and how their actions affect their children, but it never really goes deeper than that, preferring to predictably play things out on the surface without any subtlety. Same with the relationship between the characters, as their dynamic has no depth other than they have issues that need to be worked on. Also, the film isn’t scary at all and when cool action happens, it’s cut away to something else.But at least the performances are pretty good, especially by lead Christopher Abbott, who gives his all as both human and wolf-man. And the film has a good visual style going for it, especially when the wolf powers [or “Detective Mode”] come into play. The body horror aspect had some gnarly moments that picked up the film’s intensity at times. It’s also paced very well, as this film blew right by despite my issues with it. And I respect a new way of looking into the Wolf Man character, even if it doesn’t fully work for me. Considering what Leigh Whannell has done in the past, his version of WOLF MAN is pretty weak and disappointing. Considering how much I loved THE INVISIBLE MAN, I felt that this was a severe drop in quality. Maybe some of you will get a kick out of this adaptation, but I don’t think it’s really anything to moon over. It’s fine at best.SCORE2.5 Howls Outta 4(6 out or 10)
Dreamscape (1984)
DREAMSCAPE (1984)Directed By: Joseph RubenStarring: Dennis Quaid, Max von Sydow, Christopher Plummer, Eddie Albert, Kate Capshaw, David Patrick Kelly, George WendtGenre: Drama/Science Fiction/Thriller/HorrorRunning Time: 99 MinutesPlot: In order to diagnose the psychic traumas suffered by his patients, Dr. Paul Novotny gets young Alex Gardner to enter their dreams.Review: It’s a shame that 1984’s DREAMSCAPE isn’t as cool as the misleading poster that’s advertising the film. Instead of an INDIANA JONES romp with some horror elements implemented, DREAMSCAPE is pretty much a sci-fi drama that becomes a bit more political as the film moves forward. The film takes elements of movies before it, like SCANNERS and THE DEAD ZONE, while at the same time being a movie that probably inspired others that improved on its premise like INCEPTION or PAPRIKA. Hell, this isn’t even the best 1984 film involving nightmares or an evil person with claws!Yes, the nightmares look pretty bad 40 years later due to the obvious green screen effects. Yes, the film has a lot of plot threads going on that don’t feel like they should connect or even feel important by the end of the film. And yes, the characters are pretty much archetypes without much depth. Most of them are even unlikable in several ways, including our main protagonist played by Dennis Quaid.But you have to admire DREAMSCAPE’s ambition for trying to balance all of this out, even if it doesn’t fully reach its potential. Despite the not-so-great visual effects, the nightmare scenarios are still pretty cool to see realized. That Snakeman monster is just awesome looking and he should have had more of a presence throughout the movie. And the plot is intriguing enough to make you want to see how it’ll all end.Plus, you can’t go wrong with that cast. Dennis Quaid is great as a smug jerk who later becomes heroic. Kate Capshaw, who gets more to do in THE TEMPLE OF DOOM the same year, isn’t bad as Quaid’s love interest. Having Max von Sydow and Christopher Plummer, two masterclass actors, play against each other is wonderful. David Patrick Kelly brings some of that WARRIORS villainy in what should’ve been a bigger role. And George Wendt is here too! DREAMSCAPE is a decent timewaster that’s worth a look if you want to see a film about nightmares in 1984 that wasn’t directed by Wes Craven. This one could probably use the remake treatment, although I feel like INCEPTION was pretty much the peak of these dream scenario movies.SCORE2.5 Howls Outta 4(6 out of 10)
The Wolf Man (1941)
DIRECTED BYGeorge Wagnner STARRINGLon Chaney Jr. - Lawrence “Larry” Talbot/ The Wolf ManClaude Rains - Sir John TalbotWarren William - Dr. LloydEvelyn Ankers - Gwen ConliffeRalph Bellamy - Captain Paul MontfordPatric Knowles - Frank AndrewsBela Lugosi - BelaMaria Ouspenskaya - MalevaGenre - Horror/Supernatural/WerewolvesRunning Time - 70 MinutesPLOTAfter his brother’s death, Larry Talbot returns home to his father and the family estate. Events soon take a turn for the worse when Larry is bitten by a werewolf.REVIEWConsidering the first big horror film of 2025 is Leigh Whannell’s adaptation of THE WOLF MAN, I figured it was the perfect time to go back to when the werewolf film became mainstream. While Universal Studios’ WEREWOLF OF LONDON from 1935 was officially the first feature-length werewolf flick, that film bombed at the box office at the time although it has now gained a cult following and even a hit song inspired by it. It took six years for werewolves to be cool and engaging for moviegoers, with 1941’s THE WOLF MAN becoming a huge hit and inspiring multiple sequels, spin-offs and even remakes along the way.While the 1941 WOLF MAN is definitely a product of its time, the film still holds up for the most part and continues to inspire werewolf lore to this day. Probably the most iconic aspect of this classic horror film is the make-up of the title character. While very primitive compared to what would come along much later in films like 1981’s AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON and THE HOWLING, the prototype for those later looks begin here. Yes, the Wolf Man looks less like a real wolf, and more like a regular man who hasn’t shaved for years and probably in good need of a dentist. But for the time, this was pretty impressive make-up work and probably horrified audiences.THE WOLF MAN also has some thick atmosphere and cool locations going for it. Director George Wagnner does a nice job visualizing the story, using the setting quite well, especially at the end where the Wolf Man is hunting within the forest as he chases his love interest while others [including his father] chase him down. Even during the daytime scenes, there always seems to be a sense of dread and bleakness that the characters can’t overcome. Wagnner showcases through the use of fog and mist at night, while main character Larry Talbot encounters strange characters who deal in the mystical arts. There’s a level of spook all around THE WOLF MAN.And while it may look goofy to many today, the transformation scene is still quite impressive considering this was done in 1941. It’s just a simple series of dissolves with actor Lon Chaney Jr. being shown with more werewolf makeup on in each frame. But again, 1941 audiences probably ate this up and were terrified by this metamorphosis. I honestly prefer this to much of the CGI transformations we get today, as I would rather have a werewolf look like this than look like a cartoon character. But that’s just me, I guess. Also quite simple is the story written by Curt Siodmak. The narrative is easy to understand on paper, as it’s pretty much a man’s struggle to deal with his animal instincts when he’s bitten by a werewolf. Larry Talbot is already treated as somewhat of a black sheep within his own family, struggling with relationships with his father and those close with the Talbot family. His issues are made worse when he has no control over his new werewolf persona, killing people and stalking an engaged young woman who has refused his advances.While Larry is a problematic character in a lot of ways, especially in how he doesn’t listen to his love interest Gwen [who is an engaged woman in love with another man], he’s really the only character we follow throughout. He’s the only character we care about because he has depth and is the only one who struggles with anything major in THE WOLF MAN. You want him to reconcile with his father. You get upset when people tell him he’s mentally ill because he believes in werewolves, to the point where he claims to be one himself. You wish he could have a chance with Gwen, who is sweet on Larry but faithful to Frank. Larry is a complex character in a simple narrative. Unfortunately, none of the other characters come close to having any depth or interesting arcs besides maybe fortune teller Maleva, who pops up whenever she needs to bail Larry out of a werewolf situation. Most of the other classic Universal Monsters films have supporting characters you can identify with, but THE WOLF MAN suffers from not having many. Pretty tough to do that when your movie is only 70 minutes.And while the story is simple, you can take a lot of thematic subtext from THE WOLF MAN. Is this film about male puberty and sexual repression? Are we dealing with topics of duality, like a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde situation? Is this a story about mental health and mental illness? Is Larry dealing with paranoia, anxiety, depression with everyone around him treating him feel lesser because of it, to the point where he has to transform and take it out on people as a mindless animal? Is this just a film about good and evil, or love and rejection leading to terrible things? There’s so much psychological analysis you can make out of this film, which makes it timeless in a way. THE WOLF MAN may be a monster film on the surface, but there’s a much deeper interpretation of the narrative underneath it all.Siodmak’s biggest contribution to werewolf lore are all the elements he brings to the table here that quickly become incorporated in other mainstream werewolf movies. We have the weakness of silver. Werewolves have the mark of a pentagram once they’ve been bitten. There’s even the famous quote about men turning into wolves as “wolfsbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.” Like George A. Romero would do with zombies in the late 1960s, Siodmak formed the werewolf tropes as we know them today. The acting is perfectly fine here. The biggest impression is obviously Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot, aka the Wolf Man. At times, his performance is a bit awkward. But for the most part, he carries himself quite well and makes Larry a sympathetic character with goofy charm. Chaney Jr. also looks great in makeup, which makes him ideal for this dual role. Even better is Claude Rains as Sir John Talbot, Larry’s father. His performances are always top notch whether it’s in horror or something like CASABLANCA. The man brings class to every movie he’s a part of and here’s no exception. I liked his chemistry with Chaney Jr. Cool to see Ralph Bellamy here, even though he doesn’t really get a whole lot to do. Same for Bela Lugosi, who is gone as quickly as he appears. Maria Ouspenskaya is pretty great as Maleva though, bringing an air of mysticism to the proceedings. A good cast, even though a lot of them aren’t given much material to work with.THE FINAL HOWLWhile not the best Universal Monsters film ever made [my nod goes to 1935’s THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN], the original WOLF MAN is still pretty damn good all these decades later. Curt Siodmak crafts a simple [maybe too simple?] story that introduces a lot of the werewolf tropes that would continue to be implemented in werewolf movies to this very day. Director George Wagnner does a nice job visualizing the narrative with nice atmosphere and a spooky mood in the last half, while highlighting the use of makeup and dissolves to showcase the werewolf transformation. It may look hokey now, but it probably wowed audiences back in 1941. The actors are fine, mainly Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains and Maria Ouspenskaya. I wish the supporting characters had more depth because you don’t really care for them [Chaney Jr.’s Larry Talbot has the only real arc]. And the film may be a bit too short at seventy minutes to give the actors more to do. But THE WOLF MAN is a classic for a reason and still maintains a charm that will continue to make it resonate for many moons to come.SCORE3 Howls Outta 4(8 out of 10)
The Damned (2024)
THE DAMNED (2024)Directed By: Thordur PalssonStarring: Odessa Young, Joe Cole, Siobhan Finneran, Rory McCann, Turlough Convery, Lewis GribbenGenre: Horror/Drama/Mystery/SupernaturalRunning Time: 89 MinutesPlot:A 19th-century widow is tasked with making an impossible choice when, during an especially cruel winter, a ship sinks off the coast of her impoverished Icelandic fishing village. Any attempt to rescue survivors risks further depleting the starving villagers’ supplies.Review:In 2024, the movie season started with the terrible NIGHT SWIM - one of the several Blumhouse disappointments of 2024 that I don’t even remember or even want to rewatch. Fortunately things picked up throughout the year, but man did 2024 start out rough.At least 2025 is kicking things off slightly strong with the independent horror film, THE DAMNED - a film I knew nothing about before blindly buying a ticket for it yesterday. Didn’t watch a trailer for it. I never looked at reviews. I just wanted an excuse to go to a theater, considering it’s a dead weekend, and this seemed like the only choice.THE DAMNED has some good things going for it. The acting is pretty solid, especially lead Odessa Young. The cinematography by Eli Arenson is strikingly beautiful. Considering the film takes place in Iceland, you definitely feel the cold while admiring the gorgeous snowy location. And director Thordur Palsson crafts such a layer of a bleak and moody atmosphere that it would give Robert Eggers a chub the size of Nosferatu’s dong. I also liked the themes of grief, guilt and isolation throughout, which is represented when the characters start seeing apparitions that may or may not relate to some local legend that haunt those who have sinned in some way while at sea. But then you start wondering if the ghosts even exist or is this all psychological due to hunger and cabin fever. THE DAMNED wants to create this rollercoaster of emotions for the characters, which really comes into fruition during the third act.It’s a shame that the narrative is so thin and not all that interesting. The characters, besides Young’s “Eva” and Joe Cole’s “Daniel”, are pretty interchangeable at times. Hell, I don’t even know their names and I just watched this movie. The first act is pretty strong, but once the inciting incident happens, the middle portion of the film is such a slow burn that you’ll end up falling asleep. I personally had trouble keeping my eyes open during this portion. Thank goodness for those jump scare stingers to keep me from napping. And there are some unresolved things in the story as well that I wish were explained or explored more.There’s even a twist at the very end that I’m on the fence about. The twist itself is not overly surprising, but there’s no real resonance when it happens. Certain characters react to it but then, the film just rolls into the end credits. Instead of feeling the effects of the reveal, you’re just left telling yourself - oh, that happened.But THE DAMNED is a beautiful looking film that may please those looking for a slow burn horror-mystery with a short runtime. Just be in the mood for it and drink a lot of caffeine in case your eyes get drowsy during that middle portion. Worth checking out if this is your bag. Better start for the year than NIGHT SWIM at least.SCORE2.5 Howls Outta 4(6 out of 10)
Catching Up on 2024 Films [Part 2 of 2]
Even though this blog has been quiet for most of 2024, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been watching 2024 horror films during my absence. I've been mainly posting quick reviews on my Instagram Stories and Letterboxd throughout the year. So I figured I might as well post those thoughts here. I plan on posting future short reviews for movies monthly [unless I feel the film deserves a longer review] on the blog going forward.LONGLEGS (2024)Directed By: Osgood PerkinsStarring: Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood, Alicia Witt, Michelle Choi-Lee, Kiernan ShipkaScore: 3 Howls Outta 4 (8 out of 10)Plot: FBI Agent Lee Harker is a gifted new recruit assigned to the unsolved case of an elusive serial killer. As the case takes complex turns, unearthing evidence of the occult, Harker discovers a personal connection to the merciless killer and must race against time to stop him before he claims the lives of another innocent family.Review: Over hyped? Yes. Scariest movie of all time? Not even close. But LONGLEGS is still an unsettling film with cool visual shots and damn good performances [Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt and especially Nicolas Cage]. Lost me during the final act and never hits that SILENCE OF THE LAMBS or ZODIAC peak of greatness. But I was a long for the ride for a majority of it and those into thrillers and horror should really give this a shot, if you haven't already.ALIEN: ROMULUS (2024)Directed By: Fede AlvarezStarring: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Aileen WuScore: 3 Howls Outta 4 (8 out of 10)Plot: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.Review: For a film that was meant to be a Hulu exclusive, I’m glad ALIEN: ROMULUS got a chance at a theatrical release because this is one of the better films in this franchise. I liked the young cast [Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson are fantastic]. Fede Alvarez continues to be one of the better modern horror directors, as ROMULUS has a super solid visual presentation. In particular, this is the first time in a long time where the aliens are actually treated as creepy, scary and as threats to the protagonists. And yes, ROMULUS is a movie built on fan service and it never shies away from that. The Easter Eggs - oh boy, you’ll be doing that DiCaprio point meme quite a lot. I’m glad this film did well enough for Disney/Fox to greenlit another installment. Really dug this and look forward to whatever is next in this series.BLINK TWICE (2024)Directed By: Zoe KravitzStarring: Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, Adria Arjona, Alia Shawkat, Liz Caribel Sierra, Trew Mullen, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Haley Joel Osment, Geena Davis, Kyle MacLachlanScore: 3 Howls Outta 4 (7 out of 10)Plot: When tech billionaire Slater King meets cocktail waitress Frida at his fundraising gala, he invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. But despite the epic setting, beautiful people, ever-flowing champagne, and late-night dance parties, Frida can sense that there’s something sinister hiding beneath the island’s lush façade.Review: BLINK TWICE is a solid directorial debut by Zoe Kravitz, who brings a psychological thriller full of tension and intrigue until the very end. While not totally original, it does possess a message that’s uncomfortably necessary about toxic masculinity and the treatment of women by toxic men. Naomi Ackie brings a multilayered performance, while Channing Tatum feels natural in his role and has a memorable monologue in the film’s wild final act. Adria Arjona is also really great in her supporting role. It doesn’t all work, but BLINK TWICE makes me eager to see more projects from Kravitz. I think this is a film that’s worth your time.THE CROW (2024)Directed By: Rupert SandersStarring: Bill Skarsgard, FKA twigs, Danny Huston, Josette Simon, Laura Birn, Sami BouajilaScore: 1.5 Howls Outta 4 (4 out of 10)Plot: Soulmates Eric and Shelly are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Eric sets out to seek merciless revenge on their killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.Review: I was expecting much worse from this new CROW adaptation. The acting by everyone [especially Bill Skarsgard and FKA twigs] is fine. Some of the action sequences are alright. The soundtrack is cool. But other than that, this is a pretty soulless and charmless reboot. No atmosphere. The plot is super messy. And the villains aren’t all that interesting [Danny Huston deserves better material]. I also felt the love angle didn’t feel all that natural or organic either. If you’re a fan of THE CROW, I would check this out only if you’re curious. Otherwise, stick to the much better 1994 adaptation. You’re not really missing anything here.STRANGE DARLING (2023/2024)Directed By: JT MollnerStarring: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Madisen Beaty, Bianca A. Santos, Steven Michael Quezada, Ed Begley Jr., Barbara HersheyScore: 3.5 Howls Outta 4 (9 out of 10)Plot: Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.Review: STRANGE DARLING is one of my favorite films of 2024. Twisted, quirky, weird and pretty intense at times, this film makes you believe the story is going one way and it just gives you a middle finger while sending you another way. Scream King Kyle Gallner is great, but Willa Fitzgerald steals the whole damn show. The film is shot in 35mm and looks great [thanks to actor Giovanni Ribisi, who did the cinematography]. This is one of those thrillers where the less you know, the better. One of the best surprises of 2024.AFRAID (2024) Directed By: Chris WeitzStarring: John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Keith Carradine, Havana Rose Liu, Lukita Maxwell, Ashley Romans, David DastmalchianScore: 1 Howl Outta 4 (3 out of 10)Plot: Curtis Pike and his family are selected to test a new home device: a digital assistant called AIA. AIA observes the family’s behaviors and begins to anticipate their needs. And she can – and will – make sure nothing – and no one – gets in her family’s way.Review: I think ChatGPT actually wrote AFRAID, which is about an evil AI device. The actors are fine, I guess. But they’re not fine enough to save this film. The dialogue is atrocious. Things happen in this film with no real repercussions. There are barely any horror moments that are memorable. The last few minutes of AFRAID are super ridiculous. Thankfully, the film is only 84 minutes. And while terrible, this movie made me unintentionally laugh at times over how stupid it is. So I can’t say I was bored. But if you’re looking for another M3GAN, this ain’t it.SPEAK NO EVIL (2024)Directed By: James WatkinsStarring: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Aisling Francosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan HoughScore: 3 Howls Outta 4 (7 out of 10)Plot: When an American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, what begins as a dream holiday soon warps into a snarled psychological nightmare.Review: While 2024’s SPEAK NO EVIL is an unnecessary remake of the 2022 film of the same name, damn if it isn’t a fun time. James McAvoy is having the time of his life playing an intimidating villain who makes the protagonists super uncomfortable any chance he can get. The first two acts are similar to the original, but this version takes a more Hollywood thriller finale. The original film upset me more and is more of a gut punch. But this is a solid watch and worth a look just for McAvoy.THE SUBSTANCE (2024)Directed By: Coralie FargeatStarring: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis QuaidScore: 4 Howls Outta 4 (10 out of 10)Plot: A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.Review: For a film I had barely heard of prior to its theatrical release in September, it’s funny how THE SUBSTANCE became one of my favorite films of 2024. Demi Moore has never been better, playing an aging Hollywood actress who takes a serum to be an “enhanced version of herself” [played by a superb Margaret Qualley], Dennis Quaid is also great as a sleazy and gross producer named “Harvey”. With beautiful cinematography and gross special effects [mostly practical], this is right up my alley. If you enjoy body horror with strong commentary on female aging and the effects of staying relevant in Hollywood, definitely check this out on Mubi or on VOD. The only film this year to get my highest recommendation, so far.WEREWOLVES (2024)Directed By: Steven C. MillerStarring: Frank Grillo, Katrina Law, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jimmy Cummings, Lou Diamond Phillips, Kamdynn GaryScore: 2 Howls Outta 4 (5 out of 10)Plot: A year after a supermoon’s light activated a dormant gene, transforming humans into bloodthirsty werewolves and causing nearly a billion deaths, the nightmare resurfaces as the supermoon rises again. Two scientists attempt to stop the mutation but fail, leaving those exposed to the moonlight to once again become feral werewolves. Chaos engulfs the streets as the scientists struggle to reach one of their family homes, now under siege by the savage creatures.Review: Did you ever watch THE PURGE and wish instead of murderous humans, you got lycanthropes instead? Well then, WEREWOLVES is for you! Hell, they even cast Frank Grillo [star of two PURGE films] as the lead. This should totally work, right?Unfortunately, WEREWOLVES is just an average action-horror film that has a ton of potential but never takes all the interesting elements about the film to make it truly succeed. I like the idea of a supermoon unlocking wolf powers. I like the idea of communities so scared that they’re quarantining themselves during full moons. I like the idea of trying to find a cure for this gene. I even like badass Frank Grillo doing all he can to protect his sister-in-law and niece from a werewolf home invasion. But the premise is more interesting than any of the bland archetypes we’re supposed to care about. And Steven C. Miller is good with action, but there’s barely any tension because we hardly have any time with these characters, especially when the two major subplots go back-and-forth so quickly, all flow and momentum is gone.I will say the werewolves look pretty great though, as they seem like a mix of both practical and CGI effects. Some of the gore effects are pretty gnarly. And Grillo does what he does best, playing a cool hero who has a ton of agency. And despite feeling disappointed by WEREWOLVES, I’m happy to see a B-movie get some A-list attention in theaters for a change, even if it didn’t light the box office on fire. This will probably be worth mooning over on streaming.NOSFERATU (2024)Directed By: Robert EggersStarring: Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Skasgard, Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph InesonScore: 3 Howls Outta 4 (8 out of 10)Plot: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake. Review: Shout-out to the people laughing, snoring and walking out of NOSFERATU (2024). It didn't help my viewing experience at all...I dug the acting in this for the most part, even if I thought some actors were overdoing it a bit. I liked the gothic and Victorian vibe. The film may be a bit too long and the pacing is a bit slow and off at times. I also wasn't a fan of Count Orlok's new look, although I respect Eggers wanting to change it up for his adaptation. I might like it more when I stream it at home. But right now, it's a soft 3 Howls.
Catching Up on 2024 Films [Part 1 of 2]
Even though this blog has been quiet for most of 2024, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been watching 2024 horror films during my absence. I've been mainly posting quick reviews on my Instagram Stories and Letterboxd throughout the year. So I figured I might as well post those thoughts here before the year is over. I plan on posting future short reviews for movies monthly [unless I feel the film deserves a longer review] on the blog going forward..LOVE LIES BLEEDING (2024)Directed by: Rose Glass Starring: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Ed Harris, Dave Franco, Jena Malone Score: 3 Howls Outta 4 (8 out of 10)Plot: Reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Las Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.Review: While flawed, LOVE LIES BLEEDING is a fun time. Very good direction by Rose Glass, solid performances [Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brian and Ed Harris are especially great] and has weird moments that make you wonder where the story is headed. If you enjoy crime-thrillers with a tinge of strange supernatural aspects that come out of nowhere, this might be up your alley. One of the better films of 2024 so far.IMAGINARY (2024)Directed by: Jeff WadlowStarring: DeWanda Wise, Taegen Burns, Pyper Braun, Betty Buckley, Tom PayneScore: 1.5 Howls Outta 4 (4 out of 10)Plot: When Jessica moves back into her childhood home with her family, her youngest stepdaughter Alice develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds in the basement. Alice starts playing games with Chauncey that begin playful and become increasingly sinister. As Alice’s behavior becomes more and more concerning, Jessica intervenes only to realize Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy bear she believed him to be.Review: Probably one of the more forgettable horror films of 2024, IMAGINARY [another Blumhouse production that has disappointed me this year] is a waste of potential and probably a waste of one’s time. Despite a title that promises more inventive things, IMAGINARY has to be one of the most generic, lackluster and non-scary PG horror films I’ve seen all year. It has no shame in showing its influences on its sleeve, taking elements from better movies such as CHILD’S PLAY, THE SHINING and HELLRAISER II, making you wish you were spending time rewatching those films instead. DeWanda Wise is a very good actress and deserves better material than this, as I’m surprised that her back wasn’t in pain carrying this movie all by herself. I felt so badly for Betty Buckley in this as well, as the script just embarrasses her during the final act. Not much imagination in this one.IMMACULATE (2024)Directed by: Michael MohanStarring: Sydney Sweeney, Alvaro Morte, Simona Tabasco, Benedetta Porcaroli, Giorgio ColangeliScore: 3 Howls Outta 4 (8 out of 10)Plot: An American nun embarks on a new journey when she joins a remote convent in the Italian countryside. However, her warm welcome quickly turns into a living nightmare when she discovers her new home harbors a sinister secret and unspeakable horrors.Review: When I watched trailers for this and considering I had just watched Sydney Sweeney in MADAME WEB, I wasn’t expecting much out of this movie. But lo and behold, the first of many horror films this year tackling religion that ended up being a gnarly Nunspoloitation flick! In 2024 on the big screen, mind you! Sweeney isn’t the best actress, but she does some quality work here as a young nun who quickly becomes involved in the evil schemes of the convent she’s staying at. Mohan’s imagery is also pretty striking and memorable, with some memorable horror moments I wasn’t expecting in the film’s second half. The ending, in particular, is one of my favorite endings of 2024. I’m sure it’s still being debated about, considering our current social climate over childbirth. Definitely one of my favorite horror films of 2024 and worth a look if you’re a fan of Sydney Sweeney playing against type. ARCADIAN (2024)Directed by: Benjamin BrewerStarring: Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins, Sadie Soverall Score: 2.5 Howls Outta 4 (6 out of 10)Plot: In the near future, on a decimated Earth, Paul and his twin sons face terror at night when ferocious creatures awaken. When Paul is nearly killed, the boys come up with a plan for survival, using everything their father taught them to keep him alive.Review: A pretty okay dystopian flick that’s a mix of A QUIET PLACE, CHILDREN OF MEN and PITCH BLACK. While Nicolas Cage is top billing, he’s hardly in the movie as much as one would think, focusing more on the younger cast and how their characters deal with their bleak reality. While the younger actors do carry the story and emotional beats well enough, ARCADIAN could have used more Cage to really sell the absurdity of the entire situation. The creature designs are interesting enough to look at, even if they don’t always look great. But considering the low budget, I was still pretty impressed. And Benjamin Brewer does provide some tense moments through his visuals. Worth checking out on Shudder if you have time to spare.ABIGAIL (2024)Directed by: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett Starring: Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, William Catlett, Kathryn Newton, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, Giancarlo Esposito, Matthew GoodeScore: 3 Howls Outta 4 (8 out of 10)Plot: A group of criminals kidnap a teenage ballet dancer, the daughter of a notorious gang leader, in order to obtain a ransom of $50 million, but over time, they discover that she is not just an ordinary girl. After the kidnappers begin to diminish, one by one, they discover, to their increasing horror, that they are locked inside with no normal little girl. Review: Radio Silence direct a really fun vampire flick that won’t reinvent the wheel. But with a super solid cast [especially Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens and a dynamic Alisha Weir as the title character], cool gore, nice special effects, and some tense and really funny moments, ABIGAIL is one of the better horror films of 2024. I wish this had done better at the box office to show those SCREAM producers what they messed up, but this will definitely be a cult hit for years to come.TAROT (2024)Directed By: Spenser Cohen, Anna HalbergStarring: Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley, Avantika, Jacob Batalon, Humberly Gonzalez, Wolfgang Novogratz, Larsen Thompson, Olwen FouereScore: 1.5 Howls Outta 4 (4 out of 10)Plot: When a group of friends recklessly violate the sacred rule of Tarot readings, they unknowingly unleash an unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death.Review: I drew the Fool card in my last Tarot reading, which would explain why I watched this soulless, cliched, generic, not-scary horror movie. TAROT does have some visually stylish moments and the actors aren’t terrible, as they’re doing what they can with an awful and boring script. A good horror flick is not in the cards with this one.THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 (2024)Directed By: Renny HarlinStarring: Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez, Gabriel Basso, Emma Horvath, Richard BrakeScore: 0.5 Howls Outta 4 (2 out of 10)Plot: After their car breaks down in an eerie small town, a young couple are forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motives.Review: I really hope someone tells these killers that Tamara is home so we can end this series. THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 gave me nothing. Nada. Zilch. The victims are stupid and have no agency. The killers aren’t scary or threatening in the slightest. There’s a lack of tension that was present in the previous films. If it wasn’t for the okay acting and decent looking picture, this installment would be a total dud. At least MADAME WEB made me laugh at how awful it was. This movie just made me angry, to the point where I wanted to walk out of the theater.Can’t you tell I’m excited for CHAPTER 2??THE WATCHERS (2024)Directed By: Ishana Night ShyamalanStarring: Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Olwen Fouere, Oliver Finnegan, Alistair Brammer, John LynchScore: 2 Howls Outta 4 (5 out of 10)Plot: A young artist gets stranded in an extensive, immaculate forest in western Ireland, where, after finding shelter, she becomes trapped alongside three strangers, stalked by mysterious creatures each night. Review: Ishana Night Shyamalan’s feature film debut is a mixed bag. Shyamalan’s visuals and presentation are the best things about THE WATCHERS, as it has atmosphere and some decent tension at times. The movie looks really nice too. The actors [in particular Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell and Olwen Fouere] do fine with what they’re given. Unfortunately, the narrative starts off interesting and just deflates through too much exposition and predictable twists I figured out right away. Still, I’m willing to see Shyamalan direct another film that has a better script attached.MAXXXINE (2024)Directed By: Ti WestStarring: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon, Simon PrastScore: 3 Howls Outta 4 (7 out of 10)Plot: In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.Review: MAXXXINE is the weakest of Ti West's X trilogy, but it's still a good time. Mia Goth is great as usual [with Kevin Bacon and Giancarlo Esposito behind her]. Loved the 80s aesthetic and soundtrack. Strong Brian de Palma vibes here. Too bad that final act is sloppy and silly as hell. Also, the mystery didn't work for me [figured it out pretty much right away]. Curious to see what Ti West does next though.
Silent Night, Deadly Night Part II (1987) w/ The DTV Connoisseur
In this Christmas themed episode, I joined Matt Poirier from DTVC Podcast to discuss the holiday horror sequel SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT PART II. Before that, we look at the year that was in theatrical releases, the winners and losers, and what we expect for next year.Then with the film itself, we get into how much of the first film was recycled in this sequel, and then what we get that's new that's so iconic.It's Garbage Day!
Venom: The Last Dance (2024)
DIRECTED BYKelly MarcelSTARRINGTom Hardy - Eddie Brock/VenomChiwetel Ejiofor - General Rex StricklandJuno Temple - Dr. Teddy Payne Clark Backo - Sadie BackoRhys Ifans - Martin MoonStephen Graham - Detective MulliganPeggy Lu - Mrs. Chen Genre - Action/Adventure/Science Fiction/Aliens/Comic BooksRunning Time - 109 MinutesPLOTEddie 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. REVIEWPROSHardy and Hardy. The VENOM films haven’t been the greatest comic book movies ever made, but they’re definitely fun time-wasters and probably the best Sony Spider-Verse films outside of… well, anything Spider-Man. And while VENOM: THE LAST DANCE is my least favorite of the trilogy, at least it remains consistent with one aspect: an engaging dual-performance by Tom Hardy. Hardy does seem a bit bored and tired in this installment, but maybe that was intentional considering Eddie Brock has gone through a whole lot in three films. His voicework as Venom remains the highlight, sharing hilarious banter and genuine emotional moments with Eddie Brock. While the trilogy hasn’t been the strongest, it’s a shame that Hardy is stepping away from the franchise because he’s probably the main reason to watch any of these movies. He’s charismatic, can handle action pretty well and just manages to bring a level of gravitas a movie like this doesn’t deserve. Hardy carries the film on his back and is the only real reason to watch this movie.Some of the first act and the entire final act. I’m just gonna be honest - a lot of this movie is a slog to get through. But VENOM 3 starts off where the after credits of 2021’s SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME ends where Eddie is sent out of the MCU and sent back to the Sony universe. Realizing he’s wanted for a crime he didn’t commit [the murder of Detective Mulligan in LET THERE BE CARNAGE], Eddie goes on the run, confronting a number of characters and even an alien threat along the way. The opening where Eddie takes on a gang is fun, due to a cool visual showcase of Venom’s powers. The entire final act is also a whole lot of fun - just a CGI, symbiote action fest where a group of symbiotes possess people and take on an alien threat [and some of the military as well]. I thought the 3rd act was the best part of the film because it felt like a comic book movie for once and there were actual stakes involved. First time director Kelly Marcel handles the scope quite well, even if she can’t maintain the pacing for quieter, character moments in mostly the second act.Knull. The King and Creator of the Symbiotes has finally made his first-time live-action appearance, with Andy Serkis doing the motion capture and voice for, who is apparently, the next great villain in the Spider-Verse. I love the idea of Knull and using a totally new character as the big threat for the Spider-Man characters is a great move. He could be the new Thanos if done right.CONSKnull. Then again, Knull barely does anything in VENOM 3. He just sits on this throne, sends his army of creatures after Venom and gets upset when things don’t go his way. Considering how well the film is doing at the box office, we’ll probably see more of the guy. Hopefully next time, they actually do something with him and build him up into something super important and threatening. Honestly, Knull felt like an afterthought here.The supporting characters. The first two VENOM movies had characters that, while not the most fleshed out, actually elevate the material and flesh out Eddie Brock’s world. Anne, Cletus Kasady, Detective Mulligan, Mrs. Chen - these supporting characters added variety to the earlier films and were likable. VENOM 3 barely has any of that. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Juno Temple are very good actors, but their respective characters [General Strickland and Dr. Payne] could have been played by anyone and it wouldn’t have changed their importance in this film. Strickland is your typical military antagonist who would rather kill the threat rather than reason or understand it. Payne has more of a tragic backstory involving a brother who was murdered after a lightning strike that has crippled one of her arms [she was holding his hand while he was struck], but nothing much really comes from that until the very end when it was too late to care about her or her story. We also get the returns of both Detective Mulligan [who is still alive, which makes the government look like jerks for framing an innocent man] and Mrs. Chen [who is one of the film’s short highlights in a cool Las Vegas sequence]. While Chen seems like an addition due to fan service, Mulligan’s role is a bit more sinister and a welcome presence. And there’s also the Moon family [Rhys Ifans playing multiple roles in the Spider-Verse], who are interesting UFO conspiracists that help add to the fun of the final act and give both Eddie and Venom some advice. Still, these characters aren’t all that interesting enough to flesh out a feature-length movie, leaving Eddie and Venom to really have themselves to keep the story moving.The plot itself. Despite being the finale of a trilogy, VENOM 3 feels like the penultimate film to a real finale, considering what’s introduced here. We have Knull starting his villain arc. We have this plot device called the “Codex”, which was created when Venom revived Eddie from death in the first film - a tool Knull needs to escape his world. Everytime the symbiote takes over Eddie, the Codex alerts Knull and his army where it is. It’s a nice plot device that plays well visually, but it doesn’t really go anywhere narratively. Then we have scientists studying different symbiotes to apparently cure people. We also have a traveling family who want to go to Area 51. And a whole bunch of random stuff that takes away from a “final dance” for Eddie and Venom. No mention of Eddie’s ex, Anne. Nothing about Carnage. No mention of the multiverse adventure Eddie took. A lot of the sequences feel repetitive, rinse and repeat. There seems to be a focus in terms of story, but the execution feels a bit unfocused. And I’m gonna be honest - my eyes kept getting heavy while watching a lot of this film. I wish the story was more engaging as the trailers led us to believe.THE FINAL HOWLThe VENOM movies aren’t the greatest comic book films ever made, but both the 2018 movie and its 2021 sequel are at least fun time-wasters. I wish I could say the same for the trilogy’s finale, VENOM: THE LAST DANCE - which has its moments but is mostly an uninspired, drag of a film with a cool intro and a fun third act CGI action fest. The supporting characters don’t connect with me like the ones in the previous two films. Introducing Knull is a great idea, but he’s wasted here and considering what happens in the end, who is he supposed to be feuding with going forward? There are subplots that seem interesting but just end up feeling meh by the film’s end. The only reason to watch this movie is Tom Hardy, continuing to be the highlight of these films in his dual role as both Eddie Brock and his symbiote. Plus, Kelly Marcel does a good job with the special effects and action sequences, considering she’s a first-time director. I honestly wasn’t expecting much out of this film and my expectations were pretty much met. Despite the money this movie has made, Eddie and Venom deserved a better send off than this.SCORE1.5 Howls Outta 4(4 out of 10)
Smile 2 (2024)
DIRECTED BYParker FinnSTARRINGNaomi Scott - Skye RileyRosemarie DeWitt - Elizabeth Riley Lukas Gage - Lewis FregoliMiles Guiterrez-Riley - Joshua Ray Nicholson - Paul Hudson Dylan Gelula - Gemma Kyle Gallner - JoelGenre - Horror/Supernatural Running Time - 127 Minutes PLOTAbout to embark on a new 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 dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control. REVIEWPROSNaomi Scott. Sosie Bacon was great in the first SMILE from 2022, carrying that film and playing all the emotional beats of a psychiatrist who was struggling with her own fear of mental illness due to trauma from her childhood. You bought everything Bacon presented, making her a captivating actress and character to watch.But Naomi Scott absolutely overshadows her in this 2024 sequel. Actresses have really brought it in the horror genre this year, but Scott’s performance has to be near the top of the list. Naomi Scott’s Skye Riley is like an onion that has so many layers to play with, allowing the actress to play so many aspects of a female pop star believably for two hours. She struggles with addiction. She’s traumatized for partly causing a car accident that not only injured her back [to the point she constantly needs pain meds], but also murdered her on-and-off boyfriend. She struggles being heard by her momager who refuses to understand the constant stress a comeback tour is putting on her daughter, feeling that Skye is selfish for wanting to delay the tour and costing her definite money due to the massive demand for the tour. She also has a bad history with her best friend, trying to find ways to make up for whatever wrong she’s done to her. And of course, Skye is also possessed by this smile curse that makes her already tarnished reputation with the media and fans much worse as the days go on - which Scott plays perfectly.I think the best thing about Scott’s performance is how likable she makes Skye Riley, despite the fact that the character isn’t really all that sympathetic in terms of how she treats herself and the people around her. A lesser actress would have made this character so annoying, SMILE 2 would sink and be one of those sequels that should’ve never happened. But Scott elevates the material and really sinks her teeth into everything, no matter how wild the story gets. She’s charismatic and dynamic to watch from beginning to end. Just a wonderful performance in any genre, honestly.The soundtrack. A pop star needs some bangers and bops to make the persona work. And all the songs in SMILE 2 are just that - really great songs that don’t deserve to be this good and go so hard in terms of production and clever lyrics that foreshadow the events of the film. The filmmakers went all out making Skye Riley feel like a real persona for Naomi Scott, who sings her butt off on these songs as if she’s been doing this for years. I went to the fan screening for this film a day before the actual wide release and there was a four-minute countdown leading into the actual film, made up of music videos for these songs with Scott performing them in various stages of her character’s pop career. The time taken to really craft a character and the world she lives in should be commended. You can tell the people involved had respect for the material and use the bigger budget to make it feel like a real deal.Parker Finn. For the first SMILE, director/writer Parker Finn already displayed a cool style that made his horror film stand out from others at the time. Stylish editing, upside down shots to disorient the viewer and a nice use of CGI made his 2022 film a big success. But for the sequel, it seems Paramount gave Finn the keys to the car and let him go all out. Crazier editing, better special effects, more stylish angles and shots and awesome performance moments for Skye Riley. You can tell Finn finally gained some confidence from multiple people, and maybe even himself, becoming unafraid with his presentation and knowing exactly where to take his story from beginning to end. While I wouldn’t mind another SMILE installment, I would love to see Finn do something different while maintaining this level of visual creativity. I thought the direction of the sequel was superior to that of the original by a mile.Loved the continuation from the first film. Spoilers for the first film, but the survivor of that film, police officer Joel, returns in the opening of SMILE 2 as he’s struggling with being cursed himself and trying to pass it on to drug dealers. However things go wrong and the rest of the movie happens for our own entertainment. Kyle Gallner, having quite the year in horror prior to this, does a great job continuing where he left off in the first film, investing fans right away into the sequel. Considering how we know how this curse ends, you can guess what happens. But it’s great seeing a loose end given a fitting conclusion that leads into the rest of the movie.The predictable ending. I saw a lot of viewers complain about the film’s ending, with some feeling it lacked originality and came off silly. But seriously, if you watched the first trailer and understood who the main character is, you should have known there is only one conclusion to this movie. While predictable, it’s the only one that works and feels true to the story. So I liked it and I’m curious where things go in the next one because that seems like a huge task considering what goes down.CONSGetting difficult to decipher what’s real and what’s not. While I appreciated the storytelling and visual presentation of SMILE 2, there were moments where I felt that Parker Finn went too far in terms of letting the audience in on what’s going on. Considering this curse Skye Riley is suffering through, it makes sense that it would disorient her sense of reality and make her look more insane as the film runs along. But during the final act, it got to a point where even I was confused what was going on and how things ended up where they did. I understand a lot of what we see went on in her headspace. But it doesn’t make sense that she seems perfectly fine to others in the real world if she’s struggling with a manic mental state. I don’t think it was explained enough and just felt jarring by the film’s final minutes. I do think it was the right move to do in a narrative sense, but the execution could have been a bit smoother. For everything that Skye goes through in the final act, it makes you question how she functioned in front of others during all that. Probably the only flaw I could find in this sequel.THE FINAL HOWLI liked 2022’s SMILE and felt it was a cool concept that never met its full potential. But 2024’s SMILE 2 heard that and met that goal in almost every single way. Naomi Scott understood the assignment and carried the film effortlessly, crafting a fake pop star and making her feel like she’s been part of our lives for years. She hits every emotional and wild beat believably, making us feel for a character that honestly shouldn’t be sympathetic to begin with. That also extends to the incredible pop soundtrack that Scott shines on, providing us with bangers that will be an annual Halloween listen for me. Director/writer Parker Finn also improves upon what he achieved in the first film, giving us crazier and more stylish shots and edits, while using the bigger budget to create Skye’s celebrity universe and showcase better CGI for the smiling demons. And while some may complain about the predictable ending, I called it the moment I watched the first trailer and I have no issue with it. There’s no other way this film could have ended and it leads to an interesting third installment if Paramount decides to make it. I liked this way more than I did the first film and I think fans of SMILE will be smiling a lot while enjoying this sequel. One of the better horror films of 2024, without a doubt.SCORE3.5 Howls Outta 4(9 out of 10)