TrailerWatch – “The Crow” (2024)

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Denise

I have to admit, I felt a bit iffy on this film. Brandon Lee absolutely OWNS this role. I was fully prepped to hate what this re-imagening had in store. (Plus, the first images harked back to Leto’s Joker, and I hate an obvious ripoff.)

But. Color me intrigued. This trailer is gorgeous, and while I’ll always love Brandon Lee, I’ll let this film try to convince me that it’s got a cool idea too. I make zero promises, but now? I’m officially open to it.

FKA twigs is positively ethereal as Shelley, Eric’s doomed love. Plus, the Big Bad is Danny Huston, who killed it – literally and figuratively – as the lead vamp in 30 Days of Night. And Bill Skarsgård looks absolutely in as Eric Draven.

I’m still questioning the cringey why-so-serious makeup – seriously, everyone is charge looked at that and said “Yep, that’s absolutely original and not goofy in any way”? But it seems that look will be used in the climax. She said hopefully.

Read on for messages from Skarsgård, Twigs, and director Rupert Sanders. The Crow (2024) hits theaters June 7th, 2024. What do you think?

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The YouTubes – “The Best Picture Winner the Academy Doesn’t Want You to Know About” from Too Much Film School!

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Denise

I love TMFS. The way they poke fun at all of us who spent too much time taking cinema too seriously in undergrad… And how they demystify film analysis so everyone can be a part of the party.

So, as the Oscars are this Sunday? I’m loving TMFS’s look at the first Academy Awards, and how the two Best Picture awards – Artistic Merit and Production – could definitely help these awards show film goers how truly amazing films can be. Rather than drifting into self-congratulatory irrelevancy.

And yeah, I might start sharing more YouTube essays with y’all. Because they’re fascinating. Enjoy!

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Arthur the King”!

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Denise

Ready to hop on your bikes and pet a good boi? Synopsis!

Over the course of ten days and 435 miles, an unbreakable bond is forged between pro adventure racer Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) and a scrappy street dog companion dubbed Arthur. Based on an incredible true story, ARTHUR THE KING follows Light, desperate for one last chance to win, as he convinces a sponsor to back him and a team of athletes (Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Ali Suliman) for the Adventure Racing World Championship in the Dominican Republic. As the team is pushed to their outer limits of endurance in the race, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty and friendship truly mean.

Ready? Let’s go!

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Award Season – Dead Meat Horror Awards 2024

Posted on March 5, 2024 by Denise

Yeah yeah the Oscars are this weekend. And I’ll be interested to see who and what take the little gold men this year. But how about horror movies? Genre films are notoriously left out of the running when it comes to Academy consideration. Thankfully Godzilla Minus One got a nod for this year’s awards…though I’m still ticked it didn’t get a Best Picture or Best Foreign Film nod. And don’t get me started on how Mia Goth has been repeatedly robbed of consideration…

AHEM. Anyway. Dead Meat, the YouTube channel that dives into horror films (and provides fun “Kill Count” videos) has given us their 3rd Annual Dead Meat Horror Awards! Winners receive the coveted Prime Rib (can I call it the Ribby?), and viewers get an fantastic look at the nominees for categories we’ve always wanted. Best Stunt Work, Best Practical Effects, Best Kill, and a touching In Memoriam that highlights some greats in the genre we lost last year.

Seriously – Dead Meat put love into their show, and it’s so wonderful to see. So check it out! And prepare your to-watch queue; it’s gonna get packed. Enjoy!

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“Dune: Part 2” – sand and power

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Denise

“He’s afraid of the fundamentalists. And he should be.”

Story: Now that the young Paul Atreides has met the Fremen, and been taken into their mountain home. But does he have what it takes to become one of them? Meanwhile, his Bene Gesserit mother Jessica is heralded as a seer by the Fremen, which could help Paul achieve his dream of revenge on the corrupt House Harkonnen. But once Paul’s visions show him that his quest could cause destruction on a galactic scale, he begins to rethink his path. Can his new Fremen love, Chani, help him forge his own way? Can anyone?

Genre I’d put it in: Blockbusters With Deep Thoughts And Stuff
Release Date: 2024
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the book of the same name, and the Dune Chronicles.

Gotta say: I really, really wanted to title this review DUNC 2: SPICE BOOGALOO. But one, I’m sure The Boogaloo will be done to death in other reviews. And two, this sequel is too much of a gorgeous existential think-piece of a film to be saddled with that kind of silliness. Part blockbuster, part surrealistic art piece, this two hour and forty-six minute (yep) film gives you a feast for your eyes, and themes to ponder once your popcorn bucket is empty. And if you managed to snag one of those popcorn buckets? I am outrageously jealous. Post pics and tag my no-bucket having tuchas.

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Columbia Screening Pass-palooza – “Dune: Part 2”!

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Denise

Ready to get back to Arrakis? Synopsis!

“Dune: Part Two” will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Ready? Let’s go!

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“Drive Away Dolls” is a fun, queer, flip-fantasia

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Denise

“Pull that out! That is not a public receptacle!”

Story: Jamie and Marian are BFFs, living their best lesbian life in 1999. Well okay, so apparently Marian needs to lighten up. But when Marian decides to drive down to Tallahassee and visit her Aunt? Jamie sees this as an opportunity to loosen up her friend. So they hop in the Corolla Marian scored as a driveaway, and hit the road. Maybe don’t check the trunk though… Oops. Too late.

Genre I’d put it in: Retro Road Trip Romance
Release Date: 2024
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Wholly original!

Gotta say: Dolls is a Goofy Cohen movie. In the truest sense of the descriptive I just made up. It’s got that crazy Cohen aesthetic, ala Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Over-the-top characters, non-sequitur dialogue/situations, music you haven’t heard since you can’t remember when, and a strange but satisfying happy ending. Oh, and it’s super gay. Like, so totally gay. Kristen Stewart’s Rolling Stone covershoot gay. Towing your U-Haul to the Home Depot with your Subaru Outback gay. And it’s freakin’ awesome.

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“Bob Marley: One Love”

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Denise

“So what’cha gonna do with this chance Jah give you?”

Story: Exploring the life and times of singer, songwriter, and spiritual activist Bob Marley. Focuses on his life from 1977 through 1978, including the creation of his hit album, “Exodus”.

Genre I’d put it in: Biopics That Paint With Historical Fact To Provide A Feel Rather Than Portrait
Release Date: 2024
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the life of Bob Marley.

Gotta say: I’ve never been a music snob. (Someone who bought the 45 of “Disco Duck” could never claim that level of pretentiousness.) But I do believe one of the highest levels of this music is one where message and music blend together, turning them into an indivisible whole that settles deep in your soul. Bob Marley was a singer/songwriter that excelled in these types of songs, a craftsman who seemed to do this effortlessly, when many performers dream of creating just one song half as meaningful. Love delivers that same sort of feeling, most probably thanks to the the many members of Bob’s family that worked on this film.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “One Love”!

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Denise

I’ve been stoked for this film! I absolutely love Bob Marley’s music, and have been looking forward to seeing his life on screen. (I know. I could watch the 2003 biopic. But I didn’t know that existed. Before my movie review time.) Synopsis!

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita, BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE is in theatres February 14, 2024.

Ready? Let’s go!

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TrailerWatch – “A Quiet Place: Day One” shows the screams that lead to the silence.

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Denise

Lupita Nyong’o and Djimon Hounsou look like they’re gonna absolutely dominate this film. C’mon, after Nyong’o’s quiet but incredible performance in Us, and Hounsou’s equally powerful presence in Amistad? There’s gonna be a lot of emotion on faces here. And so far? It’s looking pretty awesome. Synopsis!

Experience the day the world went quiet.

Okay, I got chills.

A Quiet Place: Day One hits theaters June 28th, 2024.

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