#31in31 2018: “Day of the Dead” (2008)

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Denise

“Hey – what happened to fuckface?”

Story: It’s the zombie apocalypse again y’all! And the military are doing just fine thank you very much. Oh who are we kidding? It’s a shit show everywhere. Except for the zombies. A few seem to…understand. Great. Man, it sucks being a first responder during the zombie apocalypse, having to check out things you should be running away from.

Scares: Not many, especially if you’re a fan of the orignal. Or have ever seen a zombie movie in your life.

Splat factor: Romero remake with straight-to-video FX.

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#31in31 2018 – Screen Prism’s “Stephen King’s It: Why Clowns Scare Us”

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Denise

Clowns are scary. Full stop. No ifs, ands or buts. Just watch It and tell me I’m wrong. But I’m not. I’m totally right on this one. Luckily, ScreenPrism agrees with me, and even did the research as to why clowns are creepy AF.

Check out this great video essay before all those little ghosts, goblins and *shudder* clowns start coming around your neighborhood. When it come to most things – including clowns – #themoreyouknow…

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “Green Book”!

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Denise

I’ve heard absolutely amazing things about this movie, and I’m happy that I’ve got passes for the B’more screening of Green Book! Synopsis!

When Tony Lip (Mortensen), a bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx, is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Ali), a world-class Black pianist, on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South, they must rely on “The Green Book” to guide them to the few establishments that were then safe for African-Americans. Confronted with racism, danger—as well as unexpected humanity and humor—they are forced to set aside differences to survive and thrive on the journey of a lifetime.

For folks who don’t know, The Green Book is actually a real thing that many people used to get around in questionable areas. Ready to get one film closer to having your Award Season movie list checked off? Let’s go!

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#31 in 31 2018 -“Plague” (2014)

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Denise

“Night? At night we run.”

Story: During the zombie apocalypse, a group of survivors beat feet, leaving a man behind. The man’s wife wants to wait for him at their rendezvous point. The group? Not so much. So, she waits. And two men show up.

Scares: A few, but mostly it’s a slow burn character driven joint.

Splat factor: Not really – just a lot of the red stuff, and zombie extras covered in dried “blood”.

Closing scene “shocker”?: No. But the ending is a hella satisfying one. Continue reading →

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#31in31 2018: “Pumpkinhead”

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Denise

“What’d you do, daddy?”

Story: a group of twenty-somethings head to nowheresville to get some dirt biking in. But when an accident has tragic consequences, they find themselves a target of vengeance. Demonic, monster-shaped vengeance.

Scares: lots of great creep, and a few requisite jump scares.

Splat factor: Some, but kills are mostly shown in the dark. Plenty of blood though. Continue reading →

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#31in31 2018: “Last Shift”

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Denise

“I REPEAT OFFICER IN NEED OF FUCKING ASSISTANCE”

Story: A rookie cop’s first night on the job. Gotta be rough, what with the hazing and the in-jokes… This precinct is a little different though. The station has officially moved to new digs, with Rookie and Sarge the only two people in the building for the final shift in this building. Last shift, if you will. (#titledrop) Just a room full of old, junky evidence that wasn’t thought important enough to transfer. Hey, didn’t Sarge say all calls were routed elsewhere? And what’s up with the lights flickering? Whatta dump. Continue reading →

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#31in31 2018: “The Wailing”

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Denise

“Are you a moron? That’s evidence.”

Story: The World’s Worst Police Officer just wants to live a boring, uneventful life while waiting for the clock to run out on his retirement. But when a strange disease affects a small mountain village – right when an loner moves in – things get decidedly un-boring. Is this man the cause of all the illness? And why is everyone who comes down with the sickness suddenly so darn violent?

Scares: Several really good ones, but you’ll be here for the innovative storytelling more than outright boogedy-boogedy-shoo.
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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “Bohemian Rhapsody”!

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Denise

It’s here! It’s here!  The screening for the Freddie Mercury/Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody! And I’ve got passes y’all. Synopsis!

Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

This looks so amazing…but you know you wanna. So let’s go! Continue reading →

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“Halloween” (2018) – all hail Laurie Strode

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Denise

Nutshell: I was worried this re-imagining of the Halloween sequels would be a disappointment. It’s not. It’s outstanding on its own merits, with plenty of chills, and a fantastic screenplay that gives fans what they want without turning into the Shout-Out Olympics. A fitting tribute to Carpenter, Curtis and, of course, Michael himself. Grade: A-

“There’s a reason we’re supposed to be afraid of this thing.”

Story: It’s forty years after Laurie Strode faced Michael Meyers on Halloween night. Her daughter Karen thinks she’s bonkers. Her grand-daughter Allyson just wants to get to know her better. But Laurie’s in her personal survivalist hideaway…at least until she finds out that Michael has escaped.  Again. Wait, where’s Allyson?

Genre I’d put it in: Outstanding Sequels Continue reading →

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#31in31 2018: How “The Thing” Hijacks Your Brain to Scare You

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Denise

Great science and horror video essay from Film Radar! Because who doesn’t love the how and why of getting scared? Paranoia, isolation, duress…there’s a whole lot covered in this fantastic video. Watch, and be the one who knows all the things when your Halloween parties roll around!

(FYI: as this vid discusses John Carpenter’s The Thing, there’s a lot of gory video tidbits. So be wary watching this around folks used to more lighter fare.)

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