The Lenient Critic Podcast Episode 1: Ghostbusters: Afterlife, King Richard, House of Gucci, tick, tick...BOOM!

Is Ghostbusters: Afterlife a worthy continuation of the franchise, and is House of Gucci a substantial follow-up to The Last Duel? In the debut episode of The Lenient Critic Podcast, Foster Harlfinger joins Rowan to review four of the latest films, and preview four that we will see in the coming weeks! They also break down their favorite biopics (a loaded category!) and talk about what they’ve been watching in November, whether it be very good...or very bad.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and give us a rating on Apple Podcasts!

Review: “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” Revives the Franchise

They should’ve called this one Ghostbusters Nostalgia: remember what you loved about the 1984 original? Here it is again, but slightly different!

Everything about Ghostbusters: Afterlife certainly fits in with that subtitle. Instead of young male physicists, the titular Ghostbusters are and Phoebe (McKenna Grace) and Trevor Spengler (Finn Wolfhard), grandchildren of original Ghostbuster Egon Spengler, and their friend who is simply named Podcast (Logan Kim). They discover the remnants of the team’s initial iteration, just as a supernatural event begins to rock their small town.

Afterlife is fun, and succeeds in what it endeavors to do. The characters aren’t spectacular and don’t offer anything particularly new to the franchise, but their on-screen interactions make every scene interesting to watch. McKenna Grace, especially, does a wonderful job, proving that she’s one of the best young talents of her generation.

Review: “House of Gucci” Isn’t Particularly Ethical, or Fair

The price of fame and the corrupting influence of power aren’t exactly uncharted ground when it comes to film and television. But what about when it happens in real life, and a movie is made charting those true events, is it fair to criticize the film and label it cliché?

That’s my dilemma with House of Gucci, Ridley Scott’s second film of 2021, released within a month of The Last Duel, which (spoiler) I liked much better than this one. Funnily enough, both star Adam Driver and feature bloated two and a half hour runtimes. Each has their merits, and each their downsides.

As I alluded to earlier, House of Gucci is a (fictionalized) historical retelling depicting the fall of the Gucci family dynasty, which owned the company since its founding. Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) marries the youngest member of the Gucci family, Maurizio (Adam Driver), whose father essentially disowns him over his relationship with Patrizia. Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons and Al Pacino also star as the other members of the Gucci family, who essentially become main characters as the film progresses.

“Resident Evil” Review: Stay a While in Raccoon City

I’m told that Welcome to Raccoon City, a total franchise reboot, is much more faithful to the Resident Evil games than the previous six films. I have neither seen the other films nor played the games, so I was going into this completely blind.

I think that might’ve been the best way to do it. Welcome to Raccoon City spells out everything it needs to (sometimes annoyingly so) and the story is simple to understand for us non-gamers. Claire Redfield, played by Kaya Scodelario, returns to the city she grew up in, just as shady corporation Umbrella is moving out of Raccoon City in favor of a new location. However, they’re leaving behind a (literally) toxic mess that quickly spirals out of control, transforming the town’s residents into zombies.

A well-used $25 million budget does the film a service, allowing it to really live up to its premise. There’s no shying away from violence, oftentimes cartoonish and absurdly fun: zombies munching on eyeballs, hell-hounds leaping through car windows and flaming truck drivers are some of the film’s many offerings. Not all of it has to make sense, but it brings with it a certain sense of self-awareness that we’ve been seeing a lot of in the horror genre recently. I don’t mind it — I actually think it improves Raccoon City — but I think this element of modern horror film should start to take a backseat in favor of more original ideas. And from what I hear, Raccoon City doesn’t have too many of those.

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” and Tempering Expectations

The following article contains discussions about Spider-Man: No Way Home. Proceed at your own discretion.

It’s sad that the second trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home probably made more money for Marvel and Sony than the criminally underrated The Last Duel made in its entire box office.

The studios even made an “event” out of the trailer release, hosting a packed auditorium in Los Angeles to screen it minutes before the rest of the internet saw it. This is a brilliant marketing strategy (something Marvel has proven to be quite good at), but I simply find it ridiculous. I saw on Twitter that people were flying out to Los Angeles just to see the trailer. A trailer that can just as easily be pulled up on a phone at a moment’s notice.

Review: “Home Sweet Home Alone” is a Hollow Echo of a Classic

What if Kevin McCallister was British...and played by Jojo Rabbit breakout star Archie Yates? Oh, and what if the robbers were actually the main characters? It sounds great, doesn’t it?

No. No, it doesn’t. Disney has once again come for our childhoods with another soulless reimagining of a classic property — and what’s worse, they even acknowledge this fact in the actual film. While watching an outer space-set remake of “Angels with Filthy Souls” (the movie Kevin watches in the original), a character rhetorically asks “why are they always remaking the classics?” Clearly, they knew what they were doing, and at least someone decided to be self-aware about it instead of blissful ignorance.

Everyone else in this movie is living in that fantasy world. Archie Yates is charming and likable enough (especially given his young age), but it’s a shame that his character, Max Mercer, is such an unsympathetic brat…and not in an endearing way, like this series’ first protagonist. Regardless, Yates isn’t the main problem with this movie, because he’s actually trying, which is more than I can say about most everyone else here. Ellie Kemper and Rob Delaney play Pam and Jeff McKenzie, a married couple who have fallen on hard times. They believe Max has stolen from them, so they plan to break into his house and steal back what they believe is rightfully theirs. And...what do you know? Max’s family went on vacation to Japan, and conveniently left him behind.

Review: Ocean’s Three Steal More than the Show in “Red Notice”

You’d think that with the investment that makes Red Notice Netflix’s most expensive original movie ever, they would deliver more than a ridiculous, mediocre action movie. And yet, here we are.

With frequent Dwayne Johnson collaborator Rawson Marshall Thurber (Dodgeball, Central Intelligence) on writing and directing duties, it’s clear exactly what kind of movie we’re going to get. The opening scene sets the tone perfectly; as we’ve seen a million times before, in a million other heist movies, we get a narrated expositional sequence that sets up the items our main characters will be attempting to steal. This time, it’s the (very fictional) eggs of Cleopatra — priceless artifacts that should be “impossible to steal.” Nevertheless, our morally gray main characters will take the challenge and embark on an unnecessarily complicated journey to do so.

One thing I will say is that, bar the opening sequence, the plot finds its footing very quickly. We’re thrown into a museum chase where FBI profiler John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson) is pursuing art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds). Booth is after Cleopatra’s eggs, but so is the Bishop (Gal Gadot), another, more elusive art thief. You can imagine how the rest of the story might play out: friendships are formed, secrets are revealed, long distances are traveled in impossibly short times — the staples of a traditional heist film.

Review: “Eternals” Assemble in a True Marvel Experiment

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is officially a teenager. After years of rousing, epic, individualized superhero stories, the MCU is finally ready to take a big step and try something new: taking real risks, hoping to yield worthwhile results. The outcome is a mixed bag that is Eternals.

Eternals takes place over seven thousand years, splitting its time between the past and the present as its ten titular immortals carry out their mission on Earth: to rid the planet of the monstrous Deviants. They’re led by Ajak (Salma Hayek), and to be completely honest, it would take an entire article to discuss each and every character the film focuses on. Unfortunately, not everyone gets the spotlight they deserve — such is the downside with large ensemble casts.

Review: “Big Mouth” Season 4 is a Mature Take on Immaturity

Note: This review was originally published in The Cape Cod Chronicle in December 2020.

Growing up is a messy affair; I can attest to it most plainly. That’s why it’s fun to see a representation of adolescence that seems so much more extreme than a realistic worse case scenario — it makes you glad that kind of thing has never happened to you.

That seems to be the main gimmick of Big Mouth, a raunchy animated series from creative team (and childhood friends) Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg, centered around very fictionalized versions of themselves as kids. I’ve been a viewer of the show since its premiere in 2017, and as more issues and subjects concerning the young people of today find a place in the news, so does Big Mouth. The series has continued to grow, along with its protagonists, finding new ground to cover and new areas to explore with each passing season.

Expanding the Universe: October 2021 (Part Two)

Read the first part of the article here.

Only Murders in the Building Season One (2021)

Viewed from: August 31-October 19

This show came out of nowhere, but took the streaming television world (and my investment) by storm. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez play residents of an apartment building in New York City who investigate a, you guessed it, murder in the building through the avenue of a true crime podcast. Only Murders in the Building gets more engaging with every episode, trying out some incredibly unique format ideas as it goes along, to resounding success. Not only is it a mystery, but it’s a character study, and a very well-written and well-acted one to boot. I can’t wait for Season Two. [Grade: A+]

Film About A Father Who (2020)

Viewed on: October 20

How much do we really know about our loved ones? Lynne Sachs’ Film About a Father Who compiles footage she shot of her father, Ira Sachs, for over thirty years, and charts her discoveries about Ira’s private life and multiple affairs and illegitimate children. While short, it’s an intriguing look at Sachs’ family and the effect her father’s life had on her. [Grade: A]

American Horror Story: Double Feature (2021)

Viewed from: August 26-October 20

I was ridiculously excited for this season of American Horror Story, not because I was a fan (I gave up on it after I started the fourth season), but because the first half of the tenth season, subtitled Double Feature: Red Tide, was filmed in Provincetown, on Cape Cod, where I live. It was for that sole reason that I intended to watch, but you can imagine my disappointment when Red Tide turned out to be quite bad. It imagines that writers go to Provincetown in the winter and take pills that enhance their creative abilities and make them worthy of fame. The only catch: the pills deplete the iron in their blood, so they need to drink the blood of others, effectively making them vampiric. It’s a good enough premise, but the story squanders it completely and focuses on all the uninteresting aspects. The second half of the season, though (Death Valley), which I’ve seen derided online, is in fact the superior half of the season. Neal McDonough plays President Eisenhower, who is presented a proposition by extraterrestrial visitors. This half of the season is far too short, not only running just four episodes, but also splits its time between the mid-20th century and the present day. It shows an interesting alternate history, featuring explanations for major historical events in the 1950s and 60s (most involving aliens), but it drags whenever it cuts to the present day. Still, each episode of the second half is better than the entire first half, and I think that comes down to the creativity involved. Death Valley just takes more risks, and is the better for it. This doesn’t mean that it makes the season much better, though; there’s no connection at all between Red Tide and Death Valley, making the back-to-back placement puzzling. Why were they pushed together, and not separate seasons? That probably would’ve been better for both stories. [Grade: C+]

Dune (2021)

Viewed on: October 21

Read my full review here.

Scooby-Doo! in Where’s My Mummy? (2005)

Viewed on: October 21

I absolutely loved this movie as a kid, and it definitely still holds up. The reason I loved this so much (above the other high-quality Scooby-Doo animated films) was that Where’s My Mummy? brought us out of the small-town setting that had become the norm for the adventures of Mystery, Inc. Instead, they’re in Egypt, where Velma unearths the tomb of Cleopatra, unleashing an ancient evil along with it. Where’s My Mummy? tries new things, travels to new and unique locations, and blurs the line between supernatural fantasy and reality as the best Scooby-Doo mysteries do (think: Zombie Island on steroids). The voice cast is spectacular (including classic cast members like Casey Kasem and Frank Welker!), joined by supporting players like Ron Perlman and Virginia Madsen. This direct-to-DVD Scooby-Doo film is somehow better than every live-action attempt, right down to the badass chase sequence music. Every Scooby-Doo animated movie has to have one, and this one has two! [Grade: A]

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Viewed on: October 23

Speaking of childhood favorites, Nightmare Before Christmas is a stunning example of a film that can cater to all ages while simultaneously being ridiculously entertaining to all who see it. It’s not too long (running at a clean 77 minutes), has an unfair number of earworm-y musical numbers, and is so visually creative you notice something new every time you see it...and I’ve seen this movie a lot. The tale of Jack Skellington and his skeleton grin is one that will endure for years to come, and I’m proud to say it continues to age very well. No way I’ll ever get sick of this one. [Grade: A+]

Sex Education Season One (2019)

Spectacular character development in a very British setting proves to be a winning combination in this underrated Netflix gem, featuring Asa Butterfield, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa and Gillian Anderson, among many others. The ensemble cast is only scratching the surface of what makes this show great, though; every episode ends on an emotionally pungent cliffhanger, which just makes you hungry for more. We empathize with characters we never thought we would, and so much is crammed into the eight episodes of the debut season...and yet, somehow, it all works. It all works perfectly. Keep in mind, Sex Education is one of the raunchiest shows I have ever seen (hence the title), but it is also one of the best in recent years. [Grade: A+]

Titans Season Three (2021)

Viewed from: August 12-October 25

Titans continues to be essential viewing for comic book fans in its third season, this time incorporating some crucial arcs from the source material. It’s also really surprising, taking big steps early in the season that I definitely did not expect. The cast continues to shine, and the action is still great. Just more of the same over here. [Grade: A]

Primer (2004)

Viewed on: October 25

A movie shouldn’t need an illustrated flowchart to understand it, but Primer definitely makes a fantastic case for a rewatch. Two scientist friends believe they discover the secret to time travel, but it’s at Tenet levels of confusing, and it takes a while to settle into its own story. At least it’s not too long and drawn out, getting to its point relatively quickly. [Grade: B+]

Suitcase of Love and Shame (2013)

Viewed on: October 26

Another experimental documentary viewed academically, I was initially intrigued by Suitcase of Love and Shame. Assembled by filmmaker Jane Gillooly from tapes found in a suitcase put up on eBay, Suitcase charts an affair between Tom and Jeannie in the mid-20th century, giving us a look into their forbidden love, both romantic and sexual, in a completely unfiltered way. It’s meant to be uncomfortable, but I find it more sad, especially with the added context I read for class. If you watch it, I recommend doing the extra research, as it really adds to the experience. [Grade: B]

Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword (2009)

Viewed on: October 27

Another Scooby-Doo classic from my childhood! Samurai Sword did not hold up as well as Mummy, but it still takes the Mystery Inc. gang out of their typical setting and brings them far across the Pacific. Certain elements did not age particularly well, but Samurai Sword is another entertaining adventure with an interesting incorporation of the supernatural and an excellent visual flair. [Grade: A-]

The Way Way Back (2013)

Viewed on: October 27

This comedy, written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, was filmed near where I lived, and I am genuinely surprised I had not seen it before. Teenager Duncan (Liam James) travels with his mother (Toni Collette) and her new boyfriend (Steve Carrell) to a summer home in Wareham, and the rest is a comedically dramatic slice of life. Duncan is your run-of-the-mill awkward teenager, but he eventually finds his people at the local Water Wizz theme park...which I have visited multiple times in real life. Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph and Allison Janney also star in this wonderful under-the-radar film that I wish I had seen sooner. I came away feeling very happy, always a sign of a surefire success. If you’re ever feeling down, The Way Way Back is full of empathetic and layered performances, all wrapped up in a delightfully surface-level film. It’s hard to beat. [Grade: A+]

Point Break (1991)

Viewed on: October 27

Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze, two 90s action stars if I’ve ever seen them. I can’t believe I had never seen this before, as it’s right up my alley, but I’m glad I did. The performances, writing and action combine to create an unexpectedly hilarious and welcoming and comedic atmosphere, and I found myself really enjoying it. I’m not a surfing guy, but that doesn’t matter; this isn’t a surfing movie. All it is is 100% pure adrenaline. [Grade: A]

Last Night in Soho (2021)

Viewed on: October 28

Read my full review here.

What We Do in the Shadows Season Three (2021)

Viewed from: September 2-October 29

What’s left to be said about What We Do in the Shadows? This is one of the best series on television, anchored by a supremely talented comedic cast and extremely imaginative storylines. Laugh-out-loud moments mix very well with emotion here, especially in the last few (very serialized) episodes. Season Four can’t come soon enough. [Grade: A+]

Army of Thieves (2021)

Viewed on: October 29

Read my full review here.

Spookies (1986)

Viewed on: October 31

A very bad film with a very rich production history, Spookies is peak awful. It was shot as two different films and squashed together after the fact, but the story is surprisingly cohesive, albeit bonkers. Despite its ineptitude as a functioning film, Spookies has some of the best practical effects I have ever seen in a movie, especially one with an incredibly low budget. If you’re not going to watch the movie, at least watch the Kill Count that covers it; Spookies is a very bad film, but one that deserves recognition. [Grade: B-]

Army of the Dead (2021)

Viewed on: October 31

Vivaaaaaa Las Vegas! I am absolutely not ashamed to love Zack Snyder’s 2021 zombie action heist movie (quite a combination of words there), in which Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) leads a crew into the zombie-infested Las Vegas to extract millions of dollars from a vault. With Army of Thieves hitting Netflix, I absolutely had to give its predecessor a re-watch, and I was definitely not disappointed. Aside from having one of the best opening sequences I have ever seen in a movie, Army of the Dead knows exactly what it’s doing and exactly who it’s catering to. The action is cathartic, the visual effects are stupendous and it ends up being a big ol’ mess of convoluted zombie fun. Some people might find it exhausting, but I find it exhilarating, and I will continue to love this movie until I get sick of it. Sequel, here we come! [Grade: A]

I got a rock!

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

Viewed on: October 31

What more can be said about the most iconic non-Christmas holiday special of all time? The Great Pumpkin sums up everything perfect about Peanuts and the brilliant pantheon of characters that are Charlie Brown and friends. Wisdom and thoughtfulness is conveyed in Charles Schultz’s script, and the voice acting perfectly encapsulates childhood innocence. Welcome to the 20th century! [Grade: A+]

Expanding the Universe: October 2021 (Part One)

It’s spooky season, and schoolwork is beginning to ramp up! That doesn’t stop my watching habits, though -- not while there’s entertainment to be had! Featuring horror and otherwise, here is what I watched in October 2021.

LEGO Star Wars: Terrifying Tales (2021)

Viewed on: October 2

It seems Disney+ has begun a LEGO Star Wars holiday special tradition, following up 2020’s Life Day special. In a similar vein, Terrifying Tales follows an anthology format anchored by a framing device that pays off at the end. Being non-canon to the overall Star Wars universe gives this forty-five minute special license to basically do whatever the hell it wants with the characters at its disposal, and it definitely goes for it. To those who wanted a General Grievous vs. Darth Maul mashup fight, your prayers have been answered. People who wondered what might have happened if Luke joined the Empire from an early age will also be satisfied by one of the stories presented here. Terrifying Tales is fun, exactly as it should be -- and it caters to all ages, not just the children it was very much made for. Keep ’em coming, Disney... we’ll keep watching. [Grade: A]

On My Block Season Four (2021)

Viewed from: October 4-6

The fourth and final season of On My Block was a long time coming, and I’m glad I got into this show when I did. Our primary group of friends (aka the Core Four) keep finding themselves in dangerous trouble, even two years after Season 3 concluded. Ruby, Jamal, Cesar and Monse are living very different lives since we’ve last seen them, and it’s the perfect way to differentiate this from previous seasons. The characters we love are older and more experienced, and so removed from the events of the first three seasons that revisiting them uncovers a whole host of unresolved conflicts and character storylines that are ridiculously entertaining to watch unfold. The interactions between the main characters are so engaging and wholesome, off-kilter humor and all, and Season 4 continues that tradition in stride. It might be a “where are they now?”-style epilogue stretched into a whole season, but it makes full use fo the time jump, giving us some great new opportunities for characterization and emotional moments that top anything we’ve seen so far in the series. Some of it boils down to unnecessary forced conflict, and Jamal continues his tradition of being a selfish jerk (in his quirky way), but the themes of friendship are so carefully imbued with bracing humor and thrilling, grounded action that there’s no way you can’t love this show. Season 4 is a strong conclusion to an already successful series, and I can’t think of a better sendoff. [Grade: A+]

What If...? Season One (2021)

Viewed from: August 11-October 6

Jeffrey Wright stars as the Watcher, the MCU’s observer of the multiverse and cosmic Nick Fury, in the first animated outing from Marvel Studios. Each episode is a brand-new story, a hypothetical spin on the outcome of a Marvel film, and while it takes a little bit of time for the series to find its footing, it gradually settles into a rhythm where the stakes are low but the excitement level is consistently high. The nine episodes of Season One are as action-packed and exciting as you want them to be, and it is a great feeling to have some familiar voices from the Marvel movies we know back as certain characters. Plus, it may technically be an anthology series (and a canon one at that), but by the end of the season, most of the storylines are tied together in a satisfying conclusion that honors the source material while also carving out a new path for these multiversal characters to tread. Not to mention the finale is the last screen appearance by Chadwick Boseman, who is gone but certainly not forgotten. [Grade: A]

The Premise Season One (2021)

Viewed from: September 16-October 7

BJ Novak’s sex-obsessed anthology series from Hulu is a valiant swing from the established comedy writer...but unfortunately, it manages to miss most of the targets it aims for. Each episode has a different story with a different cast, and most involve storylines that are trying their best to be philosophical, but often find themselves bogged down with the amount of ideas explored per episode (yet, somehow, each episode feels constrained and limited in scope). Most episodes tackle serious issues in an admittedly interesting way, though they are very soon muddled with the veiled, pseudo-intellectual immaturity that the show can’t seem to escape -- who knows, though, maybe that’s the brand Novak was going for (the finale, entitled “Butt Plug,” comes to mind). Some highlights: the performances are usually very reliable and strong, including one by the late Ed Asner; some episodes use tension in a unique manner; and it’s quite well-written (props to BJ Novak), but it isn’t enough to make this very brief season of frivolous television worth watching. [Grade: B-]

No Time to Die (2021)

Viewed on: October 8

Rewatched on: October 24

Read my full review here and some other thoughts here.

Ted Lasso Season Two (2021)

Viewed from: July 23-October 8

Ted Lasso is no longer a half-hour comedy. Instead, the Apple TV+ original is venturing into the hour-long dramady category, completing this transition seamlessly without any lost charm. Ted Lasso and its titular feel-good football coach are still giving us emotional thrills, from the highest highs to the lowest lows. Season 2 does delve into the more serious sides of all of our characters, most importantly the subject of mental health and anxiety, and how athletes deal with it in various ways. It may be a coincidence that this season was released shortly after the same topic arose during this year’s Olympics, but that only makes it so that Ted Lasso is still a (more upbeat) reflection of the world and culture around us, or at least a reflection of how it should be. Pair that was an absolutely incredible ending, and you can consider me satiated until the arrival of Season 3. [Grade: A+]

Liquid Sky (1982)

Viewed on: October 8

Perhaps the most psychedelic films I have ever seen, Liquid Sky is very much a product of its time, the very picture of the drug-fueled underground 80s club culture. Anne Carlisle plays two roles: Margaret, a woman who abandoned her promising future in favor of the aforementioned party-focused life, and Jimmy, a fellow cocaine-addicted model and Margaret’s rival. Carlisle is so remarkable in both of these roles that it was genuinely difficult to tell she played Jimmy at first. You may also be surprised to learn that Liquid Sky is a science-fiction film of sorts; amorphous aliens land on a rooftop above Margaret and her drug-dealer girlfriend Adrian’s apartment, and begin to feed off of endorphins from Margaret’s sexual encounters. Liquid Sky is certainly one of the most bizarre films I’ve ever seen, and is heavily stylized to the point of self-parody. The actors play it up, knowing exactly what kind of movie they’re in, and that makes it a highly entertaining viewing experience, coupled with the decadent perversion presented by the film that makes you constantly question if you should even be watching it in the first place. [Grade: A-]

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Viewed on: October 8 and 10

Having watched 2001 for the first time, I can now confidently say I can see what all the fuss is about. Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece showcases cutting-edge visual effects, revolutionary science fiction ideas, and brilliant uses of classical music, to name a few iconic elements. Its slow burn storytelling focuses less on character and instead builds tension in unexpected ways, influencing sci-fi and fantasy for decades to come. And, while 2001 is light on story, its scope more than makes up for it, imagining a future that, admittedly, is dreaming too big too soon...but it’s better than dreaming too small. [Grade: A]

When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

Viewed on: October 11

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more well-structured romantic comedy that truly understands the rules of the genre, while also being original and expressive with its execution. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are perfect together, and the film is best when they embrace the kookiness and lovable madness that is the long game of love. I’m glad I finally watched this absolute classic. [Grade: A+]

Halloween Kills (2021)

Viewed on: October 14

Rewatched on: October 18

Read my full review here and some other thoughts here.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012)

Viewed on: October 15

If there was a solid way to end a mediocre, lightweight film franchise, this is it. Featuring some of the series’ best moments and characters, Breaking Dawn Part 2 is not a great movie, but it does conclude the Twilight saga in an unapologetically satisfying and interesting way. It certainly doesn’t make me want to see more, but I’m glad I watched them, if only for the experience. At least they went out on a high note. [Grade: B-]

Just Beyond Season One (2021)

Viewed from: October 13-17

This family-friendly anthology horror series from Disney+ kind of came out of nowhere, but it was definitely a fun watch. Throughout each of its eight episodes, we get the intentionally unshakable feeling that something is not right, relatively tame jump scares, and some basic Disney Channel-esque, kid-friendly horror. The episodes are pretty short, but they’re fun, based on a series of comic stories from Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine. The intro sequence, in fact, is very reminiscent of the Goosebumps series, though that one took far more risks than Just Beyond does. It’s low-budget and campy, but it’s exactly what I expected; and it has a message, a through-line theme of not being ashamed of who you are, and taking control of the freedom to express yourself. If this is a success, it looks like harmless horror fun is here to stay on Disney+, and I’m on board with it. [Grade: A-]

The Last Duel (2021)

Viewed on: October 17

Matt Damon has had quite a career...and so has Adam Driver, especially in recent years. So when you see both of them playing squires in medieval France, with Damon being constantly upstaged by Driver, a new arrival on the scene, you can’t help but draw comparisons to their real-life careers. Of course, I highly doubt that Damon and Driver have a real-life rivalry akin to their fictional counterparts, but you never know. The Last Duel tells the story of the last royally-sanctioned duel to the death in medieval France, and it features stunning lead performances from Damon, Driver and Jodie Comer, who is the central figure in the reasons for the duel. Directed by Ridley Scott (still going strong!) from a script by Damon, Ben Affleck (who also stars) and Nicole Holofcener, The Last Duel features a unique storytelling device and boasts strong production design, fight scenes (however brief) and a prevalent message that was as relevant 600 years ago as it is today, as unfortunate as it is. It’s one of Scott’s best recent films, truly one for the history books. [Grade: A+]

TO BE CONTINUED!

Review: More Safes, Less Zombies is a Good Thing for “Army of Thieves”

Yesterday, Netflix dropped Army of Thieves, a heist movie that serves as a loosely-connected prequel to Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, with very little fanfare…or promotion at all. In fact, when I visited the site to watch it, I couldn’t find it anywhere on Netflix’s homepage — this is a real shame, because I really liked Army of Thieves, and it definitely won’t get the attention it deserves.

Following safecracker Ludwig Dieter (played by Matthias Schweighöfer in Army of the Dead), the prequel explores Dieter’s mundane life before his life of crime. Going by his real name of Sebastian Schlencht-Wöhnert, Dieter is recruited into a gang of thieves by Gwendoline Starr (Game of Thrones’ Nathalie Emmanuel), who is leading a heist to break into a series of semi-mythical vaults, all created by legendary safe designer Hans Wagner.

Review: “Last Night in Soho” Takes You on a Magical Downtown Ride

Edgar Wright just doesn’t miss. It’s a simple fact. He developed Ant-Man, wrote The Adventures of Tintin, and directed some of my favorite movies of the last twenty years, including Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver and Shaun of the Dead. You can just imagine my excitement when I first heard about his latest, Last Night in Soho.

Of course, pandemic delays have affected most recent Hollywood releases, but Last Night in Soho has finally been released, and I’m happy to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I know, I usually leave my verdict until the end, but I had such a good time last night with Last Night that I had to throw that out there at the start.

I will say this: if you haven’t seen a trailer yet, don’t. Last Night in Soho is better seen unspoiled in any way, so the less footage you see beforehand, the better. To give a brief plot teaser: Thomasin McKenzie plays Ellie Turner, a young fashion student who moves to London for school, and it isn’t long before she starts seeing nighttime visions of Sandie, a young singer from the 1960s.

Review: “Dune” Tells an Exciting, But Incomplete Story

In the case of a film adaptation of a novel, I’m in favor of letting both stand on their own. After all, the plot, ideas and characters of the novel is being re-interpreted for the screen, and it should cater to a wider audience and not just fans of the source.

The world of Frank Herbert’s Dune is so complicated and detailed, it’s quite a feat to even attempt a film adaptation. David Lynch’s 1984 movie worked for some and not for others, but Denis Villeneuve comes with a different approach: his Dune adapts roughly half of the original 1965 novel, which is both its strongest success and biggest disappointment.

Random Musings: Halloween Kills

Michael Myers is on a rampage in Halloween Kills, the (unsurprisingly divisive) latest entry in the long-running Halloween franchise. Of course, such a jam-packed film evokes more thoughts that could fill a page, so below are some thoughts I had that didn’t fit into my review — and keep in mind, there are major spoilers ahead.

“The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood” Review: How’s This for an Establishing Shot?

“The thirteen tracks which you are about to hear were long ago hidden away, deemed too grotesque for public consumption by the American recording industry. Recently, however, they were unearthed by the homicide unit of the L.A.P.D. These tracks would soon gain infamy as key evidence; allegedly linking Ice Nine Kills frontman, Spencer Charnas, to the brutal slaying of his 28-year old fiancé. Though the original title of this disturbing collection of songs remains unknown, these cuts would forever be remembered as…Welcome to Horrorwood.”

After a series of singles, horror-themed heavy metal band Ice Nine Kills has released a brand-new album (and their first sequel!), Welcome to Horrorwood. I reviewed their first single from the album when it was released earlier this year, and while the singles that followed were in a similar vein, I was delighted to find that the complete album included some fantastic songs I hadn’t previously heard.

Continuing the tradition began by Horrorwood’s predecessor The Silver Scream, each track off of Horrorwood was inspired in some way, either lyrically, musically or both, by a classic horror film. Some of them are more obvious — “The Shower Scene” takes cues from Psycho, for example — and some references are more deep-cut.

Review: The Standard Slasher Sequel Lives On in “Halloween Kills”

There are going to be a lot of funerals in Haddonfield.

Halloween Kills picks up mere minutes after the conclusion of 2018’s Halloween, with Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), her daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) leaving infamous serial killer Michael Myers for dead. This is a slasher movie, though, so of course Michael escapes, and violence ensues.

Review: Even on the Small Screen, “Chucky” is Your Friend to the End

Few horror icons (Fredy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers) have remained substantially successful in their respective franchises since their debuts. While Chucky, of the Child’s Play franchise, has changed as a character multiple times, the direct-to-video release that plagues most franchises has actually helped to make the franchise what it was always meant to be.

Now, the next evolution of the franchise has arrived. Brad Dourif once again voices the killer doll in Chucky, a serialized television sequel to the seven-film saga from series creator Don Mancini. Unlike the latest film, Cult of Chucky, the TV series wastes no time introducing its characters and is virtually bare of exposition, despite Cult ending on an open-ended cliffhanger. Based on trailer footage, there’s no doubt that cliffhanger will be resolved, but for now we have a whole new cast of characters to meet.

Random Musings: No Time to Die

Daniel Craig’s James Bond had his last vodka martini (shaken, not stirred) this week with No Time to Die, and I didn’t have a chance to cover everything I wanted to in my review. Here are some other thoughts I had about the film that didn’t quite fit into the review — and keep in mind, there are major spoilers ahead.

Review: There’s Just “No Time to Die”

While traditionally action movies, each James Bond film has their own tropes that they typically adhere to. 007 meets a beautiful woman (“Bond girls” no longer) who has some secretive tie to the film’s villain. The aforementioned villain is never alone — he always has a nefarious henchman who does his dirty work before being axed by Bond in a completely satisfying way.

No Time to Die, Daniel Craig’s last outing as the MI6 super spy, is not immune to these tropes, and it definitely knows it. In fact, it also knows that this is the last time Craig will inhabit the role, so it decides to take its sweet time with seeing him off — 2 hours and 43 minutes of time, in fact. This makes it the longest Bond film in history, but the runtime surprisingly isn’t too much of an issue. The story and pacing are rapidly-paced enough so that something is always happening, and the concept of boredom isn’t allowed to exist.

Five years after Bond’s last outing, Spectre, he’s retired from the espionage game, but as is with any retired action hero, just when he thought he was out, something happens to pull him back in. This time it’s a (surprisingly timely) scheme by Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek), a rather fascinating character who considers himself to be a hero akin to Bond — albeit in his own twisted way.

Review: Turn Off Your Brain for “Venom: Let There Be Carnage”

It’s always nice when a studio sees what works with their first film, and vastly improves on those measures in the sequel. 2018’s Venom, while an undisputed box office hit, was not a critical darling, but it was a comic book movie so a sequel was inevitable.

After numerous pandemic-related delays, Venom: Let There Be Carnage has finally arrived. Tom Hardy returns as journalist Eddie Brock, who co-exists with the alien symbiote Venom (also voiced by Hardy). The pair are having some domestic issues, and it doesn’t help when serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson) breaks out of prison with a killer symbiote of his own to cause some destruction. Let there be Carnage, indeed.

I’ve talked before about the “bigger and better” approach that most sequels strive for, and I can confidently say that Venom succeeds in both. Not only is the threat of Let There Be Carnage greater and more personal than the first film, but the stakes are higher, the action scenes are more ambitious, and the cast have clearly settled into their roles. It had a lot going for it.

Expanding the Universe: September 2021

You might think that with college beginning, I won’t have as much time for my typical viewing habits. To that I say, nonsense! I very easily struck a balance in being responsible with my work and doing my duties as a lover of pop culture -- and what a jam-packed month for those duties! What follows is what I watched in September 2021.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Viewed on: September 3

Rewatched on: September 19

Read my full review here.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Viewed on: September 4

It can be hard to imagine a more culturally iconic movie with more quotable lines than The Princess Bride. Based on indelible source material, the incredibly sweet, exciting, and absolutely hilarious film features Cary Elwes and Robin Wright as Wesley and Buttercup, a dynamic duo if there ever was one. Anchored by its heart and ability to balance timeless comedy and true drama (with some truly amazing performances to boot), a classic like The Princess Bride only comes along so many times...it would be inconceivable not to appreciate it! [Grade: A]

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Viewed on: September 4

Like Ted Lasso, Jerry Maguire is a sports story that isn’t really about sports. Tom Cruise is the eponymous disgraced athletic manager who attempts to gain relevance again by representing football player Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.). Jerry Maguire is a bit too long, but that isn’t unheard of for a sports film -- not to mention Cameron Crowe is in the writer/director behind it all. There’s sports, there’s romance, there’s comedy, but most of all, there’s heart. It may not be my favorite kind of genre-blending movie, but Jerry Maguire had me at hello. [Grade: A-]

Fight Club (1999)

Viewed on: September 6

The first rule of fight club is, and say it with me...you don’t talk about fight club. This is an unfortunate development, as I had hoped to review it in this post, but I suppose this will have to do. But...if we’re not allowed to talk about fight club, how did all those people find out about the fight club? Some mixed messages there (completely coincidentally, just like this movie)...hmmm... [Grade: A]

Sing Street (2016)

Viewed on: September 7

Being a teenager in Ireland during the Troubles can’t have been easy. Derry Girls offers a satirical take on the idea, and Sing Street approaches it from a more adolescent point of view. Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) starts a band to impress a girl, and that’s just about all there is too it. Sing Street is an undeniably good time, giving us characters we can easily empathize with and some stunning realized sequences, elevated by some really solid performances. Throw an excellent soundtrack into the mix, and you have a charming musical with heart to spare. That last bit seems to be a theme so far this month, doesn’t it? [Grade: A]

Their Finest (2016)

Viewed on: September 8

Broaching philosophical and ethical questions about the nature of honor during World War II is not the only thing Their Finest does well. The film examines a fictional story of Catrin Cole (Gemma Arterton), who helps craft the perfect propaganda film to boost the reputation of the Allies after Dunkirk. One thing I did not expect Their Finest to be is bitterly funny (mostly due to the out-of-work actor Ambrose Hilliard, playing impeccably by Bill Nighy), but it brings a particular attitude to the aspect of the war that most have forgotten about. I had never heard of this movie before watching it, and I believe more should see it. [Grade: A-]

Malignant (2021)

Viewed on: September 10

Read my full review here.

Black Mirror: Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too (2019)

Viewed on: September 10

Being the first Black Mirror episode I watched after a long break, I expected a dismal and depressing episode with an incredibly bleak ending (something anthology series seem to rely on). Instead, I was treated to a weirdly upbeat episode where Miley Cyrus plays pop superstar Ashley O. Angourie Rice and Madison Davenport co-star as teenagers who have to rescue Ashley when her parasitic aunt (Susan Pourfar) forcefully puts her into a coma. The episode definitely gets stronger with a better sense of story direction in its second half, but the performances really make the viewing experience what it is. If this were the last Black Mirror episode I watched, you would have no problems from me. Unfortunately, it was not yet September 23... [Grade: A-]

Twilight (2008)

Viewed on: September 11

Before watching Twilight, I genuinely thought the term “sparkly vampires” was an exaggeration, but no, it turns out it was a very literal description of the effect of the sun on Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and his vampiric family. Kristen Stewart stars as Bella, the new girl in town, who finds herself falling for Edward, not caring about his true identity. Twilight was not nearly as bad as I was expecting, but it still presents itself as essentially a zero-sum movie. Despite the establishment of characters, nothing much happens. The conflict is jammed-in and secondary to everything else. Did I have to watch this series? Absolutely not, but I had to see what all the fuss was about. Let’s just get on with it. [Grade: C]

First Cow (2019)

Viewed on: September 12

The acting is undeniably fantastic and the character development is strong, but First Cow drags on endlessly. I suppose I should expect this from an A24 film, and hey, maybe The Green Knight was the exception. [Grade: B]

Lucifer Season Six (2021)

Viewed from: September 10-13

Read my full review here.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

Viewed on: September 13

While it maintains a visual edge over its predecessor, New Moon is in no ways a better film. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart still need acting coaches, but at least the fight sequences are marginally better and Michael Sheen makes a scene-stealing appearance. If the rest of the series continues in this vein, it might leave me dead in the water. Please help me with my vampire puns. [Grade: C]

Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

Viewed on: September 14

The innovation that has come in the last century is absolutely remarkable, and experimental documentaries like Man with a Movie Camera serve to further impress us as snapshots of what was possible way back when. Progressive documentarian Dziga Vertov (real name: David Kaufman) is behind the camera along with his brother Mikhail, and over a period of three years, they filmed pieces in three major Soviet cities. You will be genuinely amazed at some of their methods, and they still hold up to this very day. It just goes to show what a man with a movie camera can really do. [Grade: A]

I Love Sarah Jane (2009)

Viewed on: September 15

A small, contained story set during an evidently larger conflict, this short film debuted at Sundance, and I can only imagine the reaction it got. Every other piece of dialogue is a curse word, but it manages to incorporate a surprising amount of themes into its brief runtime -- including, but not limited to: boyhood, toxic masculinity, devastating loss, and fitting in. Future Disney star and del Toro darling Mia Wasikowska plays the titular Sarah Jane, whom young Jimbo (Brad Ashby) is smitten with. Zombies roam the world and they are surrounded by idiots, but Sarah Jane is the only thing that matters to him. Fantastic production design and makeup aside, I Love Sarah Jane is far too brief, but it certainly has its well-paced moments. [Grade: B+]

The Company of Wolves (1984)

Viewed on: September 17

Like Man with a Movie Camera and Sarah Jane, I watched The Company of Wolves in an academic context, but I still very much enjoyed it. The best way to describe it is as existential fairy tale horror, a tamely R-rated film crowded with metaphors about desire, willful repression and everything in between. We, as the audience, keep descending through layers of dreamlike narrative until the climax brings us a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood that is...odd, to say the least. Still, like Sarah Jane, the makeup is exceptional and the performances are solid. This is 1980s fairy tale if ever I saw one. [Grade: A-]

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)

Viewed on: September 15

I fear I am becoming numb to the mundanities these movies are subjecting me to. While Eclipse mercifully has some action built up and some actual skill behind the camera, there is still the undeniable fact that the leads are just blatantly uninteresting. Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner have proven their acting skills elsewhere (Lautner less so), but they are still just so lifeless in their Twilight roles. My puns are getting better, right? Still, the plot moves slightly forward, and the love triangle between Bella, Edward and Jacob seems to be coming to a welcome end. Unfortunately, there are still two more movies, but this means the story has to start picking up steam, right? Right?! [Grade: C+]

Candyman (2021)

Viewed on: September 20

Read my full review here.

Rocky (1976)

Viewed on: September 20

I could do Sylvester Stallone impressions all day. Maybe not all day, but most of the day. To watch the movie (for the first time) that made him a star with the hindsight we have on his career now is truly astounding. Rocky is a victorious, self-contained power anthem disguised as a movie, and it really is Stallone that tethers it; as the writer and star, he has a personal tie to this movie that will not be ignored. I also did not expect to genuinely laugh at this movie as much as I was expecting to -- it definitely has charm to spare, which again can be contributed to its lead. Seeing Rocky in theaters must have been a true experience, even more so than watching it with retrospective. [Grade: A]

Las Hurdes: Tierra Sin Pan (1933)

Viewed on: September 21

Las Hurdes, also known as Land Without Bread or Unpromised Land, was directed by Luis Buñuel to showcase a village that is poor to such extremes that it is barely comprehendible. I will not spoil its true nature (do more research if you wish), but I believe it is better once looked at in hindsight. Its ethics are certainly debatable, but it remains a very interesting examination of poverty and suffering, no matter its presentation method. [Grade: B]

Star Wars: Visions Season One (2021)

Viewed from: September 22-25

Read my full review here.

Black Mirror: Men Against Fire (2016)

Viewed on: September 23

Subtlety is not the specialty of Black Mirror, and this became apparent when I watched Men Against Fire, the finale of the third season. A by-the-numbers story that follows a futuristic soldier (Malachi Kirby) hunting mutants known as roaches, Men Against Fire makes its message known very early and has no use for delicacy when addressing it. Unfortunately, though, that same message is as timeless as it ever has been, which is by no means a good thing. [Grade: C+]

Psycho (1960)

Viewed on: September 25

I can only imagine what it must have been like to sit in a theater and watch Janet Leigh get brutally stabbed in glorious black-and-white on the big screen sixty-one years ago. Psycho plays its cards close to its chest, all while masterfully setting up (sometimes albeit confusingly) an amazing twist that allows Anthony Perkins to show off his off-kilter, multi-varietal acting talent. Not only is it a convincing horror, Psycho is also a great mystery, capped off by one of the most unnerving and slowly exciting endings of the 20th century. [Grade: A+]

Dear Evan Hansen (2021)

Viewed on: September 26

Read my full review here.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)

Viewed on: September 27

If you were looking for proof that Twilight was an extended metaphor for abstinence and caution, I present to you Breaking Dawn Part 1. In a movie that absolutely did not need to be the commencement of a two-part finale, Bella and Edward get married and have a baby, all in the span of a week. Everything you love to hate about the Twilight series is here, from the bizarre editing choices to the weirdly underperformed drama. The conflict is different but still feels exactly the same, and just like the last installments, I have absolutely no idea where the story can go from here. Also, I feel lied to -- the Netflix cover art for this movie featured Aro, played by the magnificent Michael Sheen, sitting on a throne in a pure white room. Not only does Michael Sheen make a brief ten-second appearance, but the throne was nowhere to be seen. I would be surprised if the last movie offers any sort of penance for the unfortunate mess the series not only started as, but has progressed further into. [Grade: D]

The Power of Ten (1977)

Viewed on: September 28

If you want to ponder our place in the universe and have a small existential crisis, watch The Power of Ten and take a good, long look inside yourself. No, seriously, watch it. [Grade: A+]

Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

Viewed on: September 30

Read my full review here.