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Reviews
Lowlifes (2024)
A surprising gem.
I was not expecting this movie to be THAT good. Prior to this, Camp Host was the best TUBI film but this one, wow!
The less said about this movie, the better. Go into it blind. It's wild.
The budget is obviously low but the gore effects are very well done and use practical effects.
There are some comical moments in this film. It had some laugh out loud moments.
The acting was above average for a TUBI film and slightly above average for a horror movie.
Umm what else? I don't want to spoil anything but I had a lot of fun with this film. I expected to fall asleep to and I was instantly engaged.
8/10.
Mary Had a Little Lamb (2023)
This was way better than it had any right to be.
So let me preface by saying this. I saw Winnie the Pooh Blood & Honey and thought it was crap. Mostly for the character design. It looked like men in Halloween masks.
That movie was rather dull and blah.
Mary Had a Little Lamb was surprisingly good. Not great or anything, but for a horror movie mostly made for the macabre twist of the nursery rhyme, there was some effort.
The acting was actually above decent for a movie like this. The lead whom my husband and I kept calling Wish Lindsey Lohan, did a great job.
It's a slasher movie. Kinda like Unhinged meets Texas Chainsaw Massace. You've seen it before.
And now, the worst part of the film...
The lamb. You couldn't add in a line saying that their face was deformed and it's paralyzed or something... The lamb mask is the same BS from Winnie the Pooh BUT, it's slightly more believable/realistic because he could be half man/half lamb but ffs, have the mouth move or give a reason why he has a "still-head"
His mother, methed up maniacal British Edith Bunker is a hoot.
All in all, 6/10 - this movie was better than expected. Some cool kills and attempts at suspense.
Jules (2023)
One of the best this year.
This movie is so sweet, funny and sad. It's about aging and growing forgetful. Losing yourself. However the main character (Ben Kingley) never loses himself and is so damn good in his role of a simple man from a simple town. He is refreshingly honest and such a lovable character.
The other two main characters were excellent as well.
The whole movie was great. Jules is up there with favorite all time movie alien pals. They are fantastic! You will see what I mean. Jules doesn't talk but they understand.
It's a lovely film and made me feel all gooey inside. Strong recommendation! See this movie!
Pearl (2022)
Brilliant! Remarkable! Captivating!
This was a beautiful film! It blended the dreamlike feel of the technicolor era with the nightmarish reminders of reality.
Mia Goth is an amazing actor. She KILLED it as Pearl. Pun intended. A perfect prequel for X as everything in THAT movie makes much more sense now.
The lady who played Pearl's mother was very good too.
All of the actors were.
This is elevated horror at its finest and it deserves an Oscar nod for Mia Goth. She is incredible.
People who don't like elevated horror or don't appreciate the era might find this film boring. However, if you have a distinguished pallet, you will love this movie.
I can't wait for MaXXXine!
Terrifier 2 (2022)
The T2 of Indie Horror.
The Terrifier series has drawn some parallels to the Terminator movies. While the first one was low budget, it left an impact. In the first Terrifier's case, it showcased Art the Clown in his first full feature film. It was simple, mostly one location, iffy acting but over the top gore.
The second Terrifier improved on EVERYTHING! Bigger, better and badder! The first film didn't really give you any characters to care about. They're just all there for the blood and guts.
In this one, you have Sienna and her brother. And even they're mom and her friend Brooke (to a point) They are all well rounded characters and you care when something happens to them.
The production was better. The acting was way better. The gore was definitely over the top and icky. And it made me jump a few times. Great horror film. For real. A legit 9/10.
Between this and Barbarian, the two best horror films of the year!
Terrifier (2016)
Amazing film. ART THE CLOWN is the NEW ICON of horror!
Fantastic movie. It's a simple plot and mostly takes place in one location. The acting and story and subpar but who cares? This is a slasher movie. It's all about the villain, scares and death scenes and this one DELIVERS! This movie is SOOOOO GORY LIKE OMG. Red stuffs everywhere. Art the Clown is gleefully maniacal. The chase scenes are well done too and you care about the characters.
The story is that people are showing up to this random place and Art The Clown stalks them down one by one. Short simple and sweet
Art the Clown is the new icon of horror. He will be as iconic as Freddy, Michael and Jason. I hope we have a Pennywise vs Art movie one day.
The Final Rose (2022)
Picked this at random on Tubi.
Actual score 6/10.
Grading on a curve because we expected it to be absolutely awful... It's a 10/10 as far as Tubi Originals go. Although Titanic 666 was pretty fun.
But this is a decent film. The acting is better than you'd expect. The main character is likeable. The behind the scenes reality show drama is realistic. The kills are mostly off screen but the different characters bring this to life.
This could honestly play every Halloween on Lifetime and fit right in. There's moments of comedy. It's not that scary. Not at all. But it's a fun and decent slasher better and smarter than you think it will be.
Queer as Folk (2022)
I love woke shows. But this is trash.
The best thing about the show was the diversity of the characters. Trans, gender queer, diverse ethnicities, etc.
But a woke show can not function on being a woke show alone.
The characters are all one dimensional sex and/or drug addicts. There was hardly any direction. Most of them were obnoxious or annoying. Is this really gay culture these days? If so. I'm glad I tapped out and got settled with my husband. But even then, I'm sure people have more layers than these flat characters did.
Awful on every level. Tried and tried but couldn't even get past episode 5. Watch or rewatch the original Showtime version instead. THAT was a great show.
Un couteau dans le coeur (2018)
A mesmerizing and beautiful mix of queer horror and giallo
Wow! I was absolutely blown away by this film! A superb Giallo that strikes heavy influences from Argento and DePalma. Quite possibly the best queer horror film I've ever seen and it's probably not even close.
Last of the Grads (2021)
Excellent Low Budget Slasher
Really an 8/10 but the score on here is WAY too low.
Yes, a straight-forward nothing new slasher but a super fun one and even several moments of suspense toward the end. The girl who played the lead was magnetic and a pure joy to watch. She is someone who came across as very likable and someone audiences can easily connect too (Kind of like Betty on Riverdale)
The gore (outside of the cheesy axe scene and a hand amputation scene that stops bleeding) was top notch. It's not really scary but the last 30-40 mins have some excellent suspense scenes and tbh, one of the best chase sequences in a slasher film. I would say top 10 chase scenes and it rivals Wendy in Prom Night but with better lighting.
There is no mystery here nor is there much of a plot or motive for the killer. Just chase "teenagers" and kill them. Good enough!
It was fun for what it was and I would recommend it. It's a bit long but doesn't really get boring. The acting is hit and miss but the main girl really stands out. Her boyfriend reminded me of Christopher Collet from Sleepaway Camp and it made his death scene even more ironic. The ending was kind of dumb but oh well. Not a 10/10 but an 8/10 considering the limitations.
Fear Street: 1994 (2021)
Excellent! I'm a pleased fan!
I read a lot of the books in the 90's... This isn't based on one specific book and every title sans their own sequels, tell a different story with different characters. But they all had a common bond. Something bad always happens in Shadyside.
The movie follows that connection and tries to add a "why" and further connection. It would have been redundant to do the "books came to life" that Goosebumps and SSTITD did... So they went a different route...
Like the books there were lots of twists. The characters were likable. I loved that the lead character was gay without it feeling forced or contrived. She did a good job.
This movie is NOT for kids. Gore and violence is one thing but there's a lot of borderline scenes, some nudity and innuendos. Here in the states violence is okay but sex is not lol. But Goosebumps or even SSTITD, this is not.
This is probably gorier than Scream and IKWYDLS, but not too over the top. Definitely more than I expected and there's a particularly gruesome scene towards the end that gave me "The Intruder" vibes.
All in all, a slasher film trying to do more and supernatural elements added in for flavor. It all worked for me. I look forward to 1978 and 1666.
Lazy Susan (2020)
Surprisingly, Sean Hayes most grounded role. Great movie!
So Sean Hayes plays a woman. Not a trans woman but a cis woman (SPOILERS; This is further cemented when she finds her birth tape)
I wasn't put off by this. Gender swaps occur all the time. Tilda Swinton did in Suspiria and I'm sure there's several more examples of males playing females (Shakesphere plays come to mind too) So this nothing new...
Despite playing a woman, which is usually played over the top in gender role swaps, this is surprisingly Sean Hayes most grounded role. He isn't campy or over the top and gives Susan a realistic portrayal rather than embracing the parody of it all... He did a fantastic job!
With that said, Susan is mostly unlikeable. She's lazy, self-centered, only thinks of herself and makes excuses and lies.
Yet this movie is incredibly funny. Especially the interactions with her family. It had the same aura of Napoleon Dynamite style humor. Very dry in most scenes and laugh out loud in others...
Susan is a realistic character. I've interacted with my people like her over the years, male and female...
It's the acting, line delivery and silly situations that channel the laughs. There is kind of a story arc that makes Susan somewhat redeemable in the end but a lot of people will be turned off by her because of how she behaves and treats other people... Nevertheless, an entertaining movie. I enjoyed it. Probably a legit 7/10.
The Stand In (2020)
Really a 7/10 but too many reviews underrating this film... Review
This is movie isn't the "Laugh out loud" and "hilarious" movie the trailer and ads made this out to be. Although I had a couple laugh out moments including the meltdown at the beginning.
It's a dark comedy bordering on satire. Drew plays total opposite characters to the point they're likeable and unlikeable for totally different reasons and both have arcs going in opposite directions. This movie was definitely a good showcase for Drew's range and skill.
Really, IMO marketing ruins yet another film. Setting insincere expectations and trying to make a rose from a weed. In my case, it was the opposite. IMDB reviewers trashed this movie so I went in with low expectations to begin with.
All bias and influence aside, I liked this film. It's different. It's not the Bridesmaids esuqe "Did a woman just really do/say that" type humor or even Adam Sandler type slapstick. It's a character driven drama where the source of laughs are awkwardness, morbidity or tragedy. It is a different vehicle for Drew.
I hope this review helps set the movie straight. I was entertained and engaged by it. Maybe you will be too.
But... SPOILER ALERT: Drew's character of Candy Black is truly someone who gives no care. When the mount of scenarios Paula places for her, reaches its peak, it's like a "ehh, whatever" type attitude where I'm sure many of us would react much differently. It did fit in with her depressive state and I can relate, when depressed you become apathetic to what could be considered "bombshells and attacks"
I also did not like Paula. Drew played her great. And that is a testament to Drew's talent. The character itself was just a vapid parody of an eccentric woman trying to make it big in Hollywood.
Where as I loved the Candy/Cathy character more as the movie went on.
Good film. Different. Refreshing. Check it out.
Saved by the Bell (2020)
Awesome Reboot!
Updates and refreshing reboot of a classic series! My favorite characters are Lexi and Devante. I love how diverse the cast is and how Lexi is treated and acts like a normal person without overdoing the transgendered tropes. She is an amazing actress and so proud of her success! Devante was the stand out star.
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
I LOVED THIS movie!
Okay, let's get the cons out of the way first.
Yes, it was a bit tongue in cheek. For the most part, it worked but at other times it felt forced.
SPOILER!!!!
A major twist happens right off the bat. I'll just say that. But it will divide some people. All I will say is that I wish this scene lasted about 5 minutes longer because the deep fake style FX were awesome and if this technology improves, a lot of passed away actors will be coming back from the dead...
Anyways... onto the good. This "part three" brings back Linda Hamilton! And I must say... EVERY scene she is in... I had a BIG smile on my face. The convoluted twist was the only way her evolution made sense. Because of this, I can forgive the rapid fire first twist.
Grace was an awesome character. There was a metaphorical juxtapose between her millennial style outlook vs Linda Hamilton's Baby Boomer style outlook. As a matter of fact, there is a lot of political subtext in this film.
Action, is awesome although admiringly this film was pretty much a piece by piece retread of the second and first film but with more innovative set pieces and increased action.
This film may have bombed at the box office but I'm glad it was made.
Linda Hamilton helped propel this movie and so did Arnold Schwarzenegger although his role was more of a tongue in cheek parody designed for comic relief.
Nevertheless, the film works and is the best sequel. It is by no means in the same category as T1 and T2 but an admirable effort.
It's like a choose your own adventure... If you want John to love and follow his story, watch T3. If you want Sarah to love and continue her story, watch this.
All in all an 7.5/10 (rates 10 here to counteract the 1 trolls)
To put in perspective...
Terminator - 8.5/10
Terminator 2 - 10/10 (my favorite all time movie)
T3: Rose of the Machines - 6/10
Terminator Salvation - 1/10 (unwatchable. Tried twice and turned it off)
Terminator Genysis - 5/10
Terminator: Dark Fate - 7.5/10
Snatched (2017)
Not a 10 but FAR from a 1. A 7.
This movie doesn't deserve such a low rating. A 1? Are you kidding? This is a semi low brow/buddy style comedy. For what it was, it's very funny and entertaining. I'm not a big fan of Amy Schumer but she did really well here (I though Trainwreck was just average)
Good to see Goldie back too. She and Amy had good chemistry. Funny and entertaining. It kept a smile on my face.
Cabin 28 (2017)
Decent
Considering I went into this movie blind (no reviews, no trailer) it was actually pretty decent. It had some decent suspense and moments. Obviously low budget and the daughter and mother are the only characters you really care about. Nevertheless, a watchable Strangers type film. Disturbing and depressing in some parts. Drags a little at the end but also a different approach considering the "based on a true story" aspect.
Betrothed (2016)
Fun Bloodbath!!!
Okay, so this isn't an Academy Award winning film but it never intends to be. What it is however, is a fun and entertaining splatter popcorn flick. The opening was a little rough but once it transitioned into the main story it increasingly got better. The mom and her sons reminded me of the movie "Mother's Day" Their relationship was deliciously devious. The girl who played Audra did a good job but the actress who played Emily was fantastic. Other highlights include Ethan (Joey Bell) who made for a surprising twist at the halfway mark. He was definitely a standout for me and I won't leave spoilers but let's say his character arc was intriguing and "escalated quickly." He really gave a terrific performance as an emotionally scarred and abused teen. He is a terrific actor and has a bright future ahead of him. His character arc was plausible and realistic for what he had been through. You'll be surprised by some of his actions. I won't spoil it for you but let's just say things "escalated quickly" I'll just leave it there. You have to watch to see what I'm talking about ;-)
Overall a fun and entertaining bloodbath homage to the backwoods horror stories of yesteryear. If you're a fan of these kind of movies you will love this one! Check it out!
The Anniversary (2012)
Unsettling, Uncomfortable, Unpredictable, Unhinged
This is my first review on IMDb. There are hardly any reviews for this film anywhere on the Internet. I wanted to contribute.
I saw this on hulu plus.
Not knowing get what to expect I figured this would be a standard 80's slasher throwback. I was wrong.
The set up is very familiar. Five girls head off to a cabin in the woods for a fun getaway. However, this day marks the anniversary of the murder of the main girl's ex husband. That's all I'll give away as far as what happens. What I will say is the film takes it's time effectively building up all of the characters. These aren't cardboard, one dimensional characters. They are real people. When the horror does start, the movie becomes extremely uncomfortable and quite unpredictable.
Some points...
The music score really adds to the tension.
You will be surprised by the twists and turns.
The low budget adds a gritty feel. Although it does work against the film at times. The camera is shaky here and there and you might not always catch what's happening. This doesn't happen too much though. The low budget actually worked it It's favor for the most part.
I've seen a lot of horror movies. Rarely do they leave me feeling unsettled. This one did. And for that, I give it due praise.