Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “The Banshees of Inisherin”!

C’mon, the combo of Farrell and Gleeson is always a good time. Synopsis!

Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading
Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Armageddon Time”!

Ready for a look at another award season film? Synopsis!

From acclaimed filmmaker James Gray, ARMAGEDDON TIME is a deeply personal reflection on the strength of family, the complexity of friendship and the realities of class and privilege, seen through the eyes of a young Jewish boy growing up in 1980s Queens. The film features an all-star cast including Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading
Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“Ticket to Paradise” – frothy, formulaic fun

“Why save the good stuff for later?”

Story: Lily just graduated from law school! Mazel! Now she and her BFF are hitting Bali for a graduation vacation. Cut to a few weeks in, and Lily has fallen hard for local seaweed farmer, Gede. Engaged, hard. Problem? Her divorced parents don’t want her to ruin her life by jumping into marriage…for fear she’ll only end up like them, bitter. OR ARE THEY.

Genre I’d put it in: Travelog Rom-coms
Release Date: 2022
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Original, though the plot is similar to the usual Rom-com boilerplate

Gotta say: This one’s for the folks who just want to see Julia and George have a blast, and maybe wanna plan a trip to Bali. Because J&G, along with the breathtaking views of Bali, are the reasons for catching Paradise. Pity the plot is hollow. But hey, views! Fun! I firmly believe that the cast took this gig so they could spend some time on Bali. And who can hate that? Not I.

Continue reading
Posted in 7 Pieces Of, Movie Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“Till” – heartbreaking history

“C’mon give momma a hug. See you when you get back.”

Story: You know the history; a sweet fourteen-year-old boy was lynched in Mississippi in August,1955. But this historical drama looks at “Bo”, his family, his trip South, his horrific murder, and the trial of his murderers.

Genre I’d put it in: Powerful Docudramas That Should Be Required Viewing
Release Date: 2022
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the real-life story of Emmett “Bo” Till, his brutal murder by lynching, and the trial of his murderers

Gotta say: We’re all taught the bare-bones basics of Emmett Till. How he was lynched, brutalized beyond all basic recognition (to most), and how his death was a catalyst for civil rights. But there’s so much Till taught me about this heartbreaking event, basics that should be taught as core curriculum…especially now, when hate has not only reared its ugly head, but seems proud to be seen and acknowledged.

Continue reading
Posted in Movie Reviews | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Hallo-MONTH: AFan looks at “Eli”!

“I miss DC.” [DC RULES]

What is this?: Little Eli is sick. Seems he’s allergic to everything. So his mom and dad take him to a specialist in the middle of nowhere, in the hope that he will be cured. But why is it so freaking creepy at this place? Ah, probably just hallucinations. Right? Sure.
Year Released: 2019
Where Can You Find This?: Netflix

From the writers of Autopsy of Jane Doe? You have my attention. Eli is a fun “uh oh sickness” romp that’ll have you figuring out exactly what’s coming next immediately. But with a cast that includes Lily Taylor, Kelly Reilly, and Sadie Sink? It’s a fun time nonetheless.

Even though there were a few times when I wanted to shout “let’s get this horror party started, already!”, Eli is great for a group of folks with varying levels of scare tolerance. Yes it’s jump-scare-palooza. But it’s nothing anyone who’s seen Rosemary’s Baby (or similar low-key frights) can’t handle. In fact, this’d make a fun double feature with Baby, if you’re so inclined. I’ve said too much…

Posted in Hallo-MONTH, In Horror | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “TÁR”!

Want another taste of award season? Well, boom! Synopsis!

From writer-producer-director Todd Field comes TÁR, starring Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tár, the groundbreaking conductor of a major German Orchestra. We meet Tár at the height of her career, as she’s preparing both a book launch and much-anticipated live performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. Over the ensuing weeks her life begins to unravel in a singularly modern way. The result is a searing examination of power, and its impact and durability in today’s society.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading
Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Ticket to Paradise”!

Mmm, Bali destination wedding. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Synopsis!

Academy Award® winners George Clooney and Julia Roberts reunite on the big screen as exes who find themselves on a shared mission to stop their lovestruck daughter from making the same mistake they once made. From Working Title, Smokehouse Pictures and Red Om Films, Ticket to Paradise is a romantic comedy about the sweet surprise of second chances. 

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading
Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“Halloween Ends” – I don’t know what I just watched, but it was…fun

“You’re just an old man in a Halloween mask.”

Story: When we last left Laurie & Co., her daughter had been killed by Michael Meyers, and Haddonfield was one big riot. Now, four years later, Laurie has bought herself a house, moved in with her grand-daughter, and tried to settle down. But Haddonfield is a pale shadow of itself…and the people within may be wearing masks of their own. And hey, where did Michael go, anyway?

Genre I’d put it in: Trilogy Enders That Are WILD
Release Date: 2022
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Part of the Halloween franchise. The third of the new trilogy.

Gotta say: [Okay. So I wrote this review last night, when the WTF’ness of it all was still firmly etched into my brainpan. I tried my best to gather my thoughts, and figured I’d do better after a polish in the morning. However. I have since decided that in order for y’all to get the maximum feel of what went on in my mind – and how this movie works – I’d leave my initial thoughts be. So, come with me on this wild ride of word vomit and unstructured mental mayhem. You’re welcome, I guess?]

Y’all. You are NOT READY. You. Are. NOT. Ready. Forget what you expected, and go into this one as blind as possible. I avoided the last few trailers…okay, because I was so damn disappointed with Kills, I just wanted everything to be over. But damn if Ends didn’t flip the table.

Continue reading
Posted in In Horror, Movie Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Hallo-MONTH: AFan presents the 2022 Halloween Jam!

Time for my yearly spooky playlist – enjoy the bops! 🎃

Posted in Hallo-MONTH, Music | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Till”!

Ready to grab all the tissues and get your docudrama on? I started tearing up when the trailer began… Synopsis!

Till is a profoundly emotional and cinematic film about the true story of Mamie Till-Mobley’s relentless pursuit of justice for her 14 year old son, Emmett Till, who, in 1955, was lynched while visiting his cousins in Mississippi. In Mamie’s poignant journey of grief turned to action, we see the universal power of a mother’s ability to change the world.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading
Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | Leave a comment