‘Transformers’ Animated Movie At 40: What Went Wrong?

By the time The Transformers: The Movie hit theaters on this date 40 years ago, the commercials hinted that Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots was going to be killed by Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. But was it just a ploy to get more people in the theaters. The Transformers were a popularContinue reading “‘Transformers’ Animated Movie At 40: What Went Wrong?”

‘Ready Or Not 2’ Just A Bloody, Messy Redo

The first Ready or Not came out during the middle of a batch of movies that were yet another variation of “The Most Dangerous Game.” When it opened in late summer 2019, there was a lot of controversy over The Hunt that it could’ve totally overshadowed it.And then there was the dull The Belko ExperimentContinue reading “‘Ready Or Not 2’ Just A Bloody, Messy Redo”

‘Obsession’ Is A Monkey’s Paw Tale That’s All Thumbs

This post is going to contain a lot of spoilers but I feel it’s my duty to do so.There’s been a lot of talk about Obsession but I seriously doubt this movie had made a reported $443 million in just nine weeks. It didn’t have much hype or promotion and no main stars and directedContinue reading “‘Obsession’ Is A Monkey’s Paw Tale That’s All Thumbs”

‘They Will Kill You’ Will Bore You With Its Overkill Execution

The problem with They Will Kill You is that it reveals its twist early and there’s no build-up so the execution is overkill, literally. Made like a cross between Ready or Not and Kill Bill, Zazie Beets plays Asia Reaves, who was convicted of killing her abusive father, but has been released and takes aContinue reading “‘They Will Kill You’ Will Bore You With Its Overkill Execution”

Remembering Alex Kintner

Okay, I know Alex Kintner isn’t a real person. But his character died on this date, June 29, in the summer blockbuster Jaws. For years, photos have circulated online that show a darker death of the character. This is believed to be the work of Verna Fields, the film editor who won an Oscar forContinue reading “Remembering Alex Kintner”

‘Send Help’ Avoids Normal Cliches As A Dark Comedy On Social Structure

A movie like Send Help seems to have arrived at the right time. Following the Texas snow winter storms of 2021, many of these doomsday preppers found themselves unable to survive a week with no electricity. When the fit really hits the shan, they’re SOL. Rachel McAdams plays Linda Liddle, a mousey strategist at aContinue reading “‘Send Help’ Avoids Normal Cliches As A Dark Comedy On Social Structure”

Before ‘Scary Movie’ There Was The Horror Parody ‘Student Bodies’

Horror comedies have been around for decades all the way back when ‘Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein’ had the two sharing the silver screen with Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi. And then Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder gave us ‘Young Frankenstein.’ In 2000, the Wayans brought us ‘Scary Movie,’ a crude but hilarious parodyContinue reading “Before ‘Scary Movie’ There Was The Horror Parody ‘Student Bodies’”

‘Dead Alive’ Isn’t Your Typical ‘Braindead’ Zombie Flick

Sometimes fame and fortune doesn’t have the end results we expect. While some filmmakers might think a lot of awards and recognition might bring them more freedom, I think it has the opposite effect sometimes.  Now, Peter Jackson is an Oscar-winning filmmaker and respected documentary producer. But about 40 years ago, he was a youngContinue reading “‘Dead Alive’ Isn’t Your Typical ‘Braindead’ Zombie Flick”

Willem Dafoe Sinks His Teeth Into Role In ‘Shadow Of The Vampire’

Dracula has been in the entertainment world lately. There was the disappointment that was “Renfield” where Nicolas Cage played the character followed by equally disappointing “The Last Voyage of the Demeter.” Then there was “Nosferatu” where Bill Skasgard played him with a Sam Elliott mustache. And now Caleb Landry Jones is playing him.  Other actorsContinue reading “Willem Dafoe Sinks His Teeth Into Role In ‘Shadow Of The Vampire’”

It’s Time To Give ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ The Hook

Back in 1997, a friend and I went to go to the movies. “Jungle 2 Jungle,” Tim Allen’s followup to “The Santa Clause” was about to be released. The movie was a remake of the French movie “Little Indian Big City” which had been heavily panned by critics when it opened in America a yearContinue reading “It’s Time To Give ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ The Hook”