“Till” – heartbreaking history

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Denise

“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”!

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Denise

“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”!

Posted on October 18, 2022 by Denise

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”!

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Denise

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

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Denise

“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!

Posted on October 12, 2022 by Denise

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

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

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Till”!

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Denise

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

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Halloween Ends”!

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Denise

Ready for the final nail in Michael’s coffin? (She said hopefully…) Synopsis!

In this unexpected final chapter, set four years after the events of last year’s Halloween Kills, Laurie is living with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and is finishing writing her memoir. Michael Myers hasn’t been seen since. Laurie, after allowing the specter of Michael to determine and drive her reality for decades, has decided to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life. But when a young man, Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell; The Hardy Boys, Virgin River), is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all.

Ready? Let’s go!

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

TrailerWatch – be nice or Santa’ll kick your tinsel in “Violent Night”

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Denise

Yeah yeah yeah. I hate it when Christmas tries to muscle in on my Hallo-MONTH. But this film looks like an absolute trip. Santa meets Die Hard? Sign me up. Synopsis!

To hell with “all is calm.” From 87North, the bare-knuckle producers of Nobody, John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Bullet Train and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw comes a coal-dark holiday action-comedy that says you should always bet on red.

When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus (David Harbour, Black Widow, Stranger Things series) is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint.

Violent Night slides into theaters December 2nd, 2022.

Posted in Holiday-ness, Trailers | Tagged | Leave a comment

Hallo-MONTH: #TheMoreYouKnow 🌈🎃

Posted on October 4, 2022 by Denise

Thank you so much for these helpful tips, dark-and-night!

Posted in General Mayhem, Hallo-MONTH | Tagged , | Leave a comment