With “Nope”, Jordan Peele pulls off a fantastic horror hat trick (#SpoilerFree)

Posted on July 20, 2022 by Denise

“You can never go wrong with a fried fish sandwich.” [PREACH]

Story: Think I’m telling you, or even giving you a hint? Nope. You’ll thank me later.

Genre I’d put it in: Jordan Peele mind-blowers
Release Date: 2022
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Original. And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

Gotta say: For those of you whose minds are puréed oatmeal after the craziness that’s been the past several years, Nope is Jordan Peele’s third directors credit. And damn if the man didn’t bring his A-game yet again. Yes there will definitely be times when you are watching this film and things like “What…?” “How…?” “Why…?” “But…?” will pop into your head. And that’s to be expected; this is the Jordan Peele joint, so there’s going to be moments where, like his earlier films, Peele wants you to sit and think about stuff rather than spoon-feeding you. He wants you to roll around those screen moments in your brain parts, and discuss them with folks. And believe me, my screening buddies had lots to chatter about outside the theater. I’m betting you will too.

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

TrailerWatch – Laurie Strode goes toe-to-toe with Michael Meyers in “Halloween Ends” trailer

Posted on July 20, 2022 by Denise

This is what we’ve been waiting for, Halloween fans. The moment where Laurie finally – figuratively and hopefully literally – faces off with her nemesis.

There’s no synopsis on the trailer. Just brief moments from the film flashing on screen. After the sputter that was Kills, I’m hoping things go out with a bang. And lots of blood. [EDIT – they just released the synopsis, so here ya go!]

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.

Halloween Ends on October 14th, 2022. Fingers crossed for a treat.

Posted in In Horror, Trailers | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Vengeance”!

Posted on July 19, 2022 by Denise
Before hitting the multiplex, please consider the health risks involved with participating in group gatherings at this time. Take very good care of yourselves – I wanna see you on the other side.

Ready for some payback? Synopsis!

VENGEANCE, the directorial debut from writer and star B.J. Novak (“The Office”), is a darkly comic thriller about Ben Manalowitz, a journalist and podcaster who travels from New York City to West Texas to investigate the death of a girl he was hooking up with. With an ensemble cast that includes Issa Rae, Ashton Kutcher, Boyd Holbrook, J. Smith-Cameron, and Dove Cameron.

Ready? Let’s go!

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

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Nope”!

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Denise

… Though I’m sure everyone will be saying YUP to this giveaway! Synopsis!

Oscar® winner Jordan Peele disrupted and redefined modern horror with Get Out and then Us. Now, he reimagines the summer movie with a new pop nightmare: the expansive horror epic, Nope.

The film reunites Peele with Oscar® winner Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah), who is joined by Keke Palmer (Hustlers, Alice) and Oscar® nominee Steven Yeun (Minari, Okja) as residents in a lonely gulch of inland California who bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.

Ready? Let’s go!

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

Virtual Screening Pass-palooza – “Don’t Make Me Go”!

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Denise

A movie title – and screening option – that speaks to the introverted hermit in me… Synopsis!

When single father Max (John Cho) discovers he has a terminal disease, he decides to try and cram all the years of love and support he will miss with his teenage daughter Wally (Mia Isaac) into the time he has left with her. With the promise of long-awaited driving lessons, he convinces Wally to accompany him on a road trip from California to New Orleans for his 20th college reunion, where he secretly hopes to reunite her with her mother who left them long ago.

Shut up, YOU’RE crying! Ready? Let’s go!

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

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”!

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Denise

Ready for some retro fun and frolic? Synopsis!

In 1950s London, a widowed cleaning lady falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, deciding she must have one of her own. After working to raise the funds to pursue her dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris that will change not only her own outlook — but the very future of the House of Dior.

Ready? Let’s go!

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

“Thor: Love and Thunder” – goats, dolphins, GOATSIES, and a whole lot of crazy fun

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Denise

“What a classic Thor adventure! Hurrah!”

Story: When we last left Thor, he had joined up with the Guardians of the Galaxy. And there he is, part of the team…but separate. Seems he’s still coming to terms with what’s happened in the last few MCU phases, and needs to find himself. Meanwhile, his ex, Jane Foster, is having a similar kind of moment. Can these two crazy kids work out their issues before a God-killer mows through the universe? Because there’s a God-killer. And he’s mowing through the universe y’all.

Genre I’d put it in: Taika Waititi Shenanigans Part Deux
Release Date: 2022
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the Marvel comics characters. Part of the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse. Sequel to Thor: Ragnarok.

Gotta say: Thunder plays out like The Wizard of Oz, The Phantom Tollbooth, and D’Aulaires Norse Myths were stuck into a blender by Nora Ephron and Peter Max. And it’s glorious mayhem, with a soft, sweet center. While its fluff does dissipate quickly from the ol’ brainpan after you leave the multiplex, it’s a film that not only fits in well as a sequel to Ragnarok, it continues the “long strange trip” vibe of Marvel’s Phase 4. Not too shabby for a candy-colored action-film/love-story combo that turns everything to 11 then rips the knob off.

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

“The Black Phone” – chilling, thrilling, and a damn good time

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Denise

“Are those black balloons in there?” [OMG RUN KID]

Story: It’s 1978 y’all! Pinball machines, stripe-y ski vests, and a serial killer? Yeah, that last one isn’t the best thing to happen to the Denver suburbs. (Not the worst either, but moving on…) But “The Grabber” has been making kids disappear for a while, so when junior high student Finney meets a magician who seems to need help with a bag of groceries? Oh Finney. Don’t help. Whups, too late.

Subgenre: Scary Clowns Are Bad Crime Chillers
Release Date: 2022
FX: Brief, but well done and not overused.
Clichés: Psychic Kid Is Psychic, Vans Are Bad Y’all, Parents Suck, School Sucks, Friends ‘Til The End

Spooky or Nah?: I’d heard this film was the scariest thing that has come out this year. Hmm. Well, scary is relative. Are we talking truly chilling, like “this is disturbing and I’m freaked out”? Or maybe horrific, like “I have to jump into my bed because I’m afraid of what could be under it”? Perhaps a complete and total gross-out “I need a Silkwood shower after watching this” vibe? In my humble opinion, Phone is chilling, with a touch of horror and a wee soupçon of gross-out. With me? No? Okay fine, I’ll elaborate. *stretches out typin’ fingers*

Continue reading →
Posted in In Horror, The Horror! | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Columbia Screening Pass-palooza – “Thor: Love and Thunder”!

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Denise

That’s right baybeeeee – it’s time to meet THE GOATS! And also see Thor, Jane, Valkyrie, and Korg. But who doesn’t love goatsies? LOOK AT THEM. (I do not have a goat problem. But thank you for asking.) Synopsis!

Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Love and Thunder” finds the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – one of self-discovery. But his efforts are interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

Ready? Let’s go!

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

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Minions: The Rise of Gru”!

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Denise

Okay, you’ve gotta admit those yellow cuties are adorable. Synopsis!

Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement.

It’s not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.

Ready? Let’s go!

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