“Candyman” (2021) – Peele hits it out of the park yet again

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Denise

“Candyman is how we deal with the fact that these things happen… That they’re still happening.”


Story: It’s been years – almost thirty – since Helen Lyle went to Cabrini-Green to research urban folklore. But the mythology of the Candyman has kept on. Even though the towers have been demolished, the people who live in the projects around the now gentrified tower areas speak in hush whispers about him, or forbid discussion of him at all. This time it’s a man unjustly murdered for being black at the wrong place at the wrong time. But young artist Anthony is looking for art based on the pain and suffering of those who lived at Cabrini…and I do believe he’s gonna find it.

Genre I’d put it in: Shockingly Good Horror Sequels
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the 1992 film Candyman, though Peele takes the myth in new directions.

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Movie News – Eva Longoria’s directorial debut “Flaming Hot” wraps production

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Denise
Partial cast of “Flamin Hot”
TOP (L to R): Haysbert (Johnny Marlow), Rivera (Yadi Rivera), Shalhoub (Courtesy), Walsh (Gregory Adam Wallace)
BOTTOM (L to R): Serna (Courtesy), Soto (Courtesy), Gonzales (Courtesy), Gonzalez (Monica Gosselin)

Heard about the story of Richard Montañez, the creator of created Flamin’ Hot Cheetos? Mr. Montañez came up with the idea and flavor profile…only for others to try and horn in on his idea. Cool story, right? Eva Longoria thought so, and picked it as her first film as a director. The production just wrapped, and has yet to announce a release date.

Read on for the full press release after the jump!

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Freaky Fridays – “Kandisha”

Posted on August 20, 2021 by Denise
Horror, Cult Movies, Exploitation Cinema, 70s Schlock, and more! Let’s look at something cool!

“See through my eyes… Look… See what I did for you…”

Synopsis: Summer break y’all! Three BFFs decide to spend their nights creating stunning graffiti art. But when one gets assaulted by her ex-bf, she calls on the Moroccan figure who gets vengeance on men. But the creature seems a little bit too interested in killing. Like, everybody, regardless of guilt or innocence. What next?

Genre: Foreign* Mythological Horror
*in French with subtitles
Year Released: 2020 (wide, 2021)
Pedigree: From the writers/directors of Inside
Where I Watched: Shudder

Fabulous or Frustrating?: Candyman gets a feminist spin in this slow burn-to-ZOMG horror. Mixing Moroccan mythology with modern day #MeToo, Kandisha has plenty to like for all sorts of film fans. Indie darling? This French language film dives into the world of lower class French girls in the inner city. Gorehound? Hoo boy, there’s a lot of red stuff. Character driven story addicts? The three BFFs go through a whole lot, and really dig into their relationship with each other as things go south.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Candyman”!

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Denise

I’m really looking forward to seeing Jordan Peele’s spin on this classic story. You too? Synopsis!

For as long as residents can remember, the housing projects of Chicago’s Cabrini-Green neighborhood were terrorized by a word-of-mouth ghost story about a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand, easily summoned by those daring to repeat his name five times into a mirror. In present day, a decade after the last of the Cabrini towers were torn down, visual artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II; HBO’s Watchmen, Us) and his partner, gallery director Brianna Cartwright (Teyonah Parris; If Beale Street Could Talk, The Photograph), move into a luxury loft condo in Cabrini, now gentrified beyond recognition and inhabited by upwardly mobile millennials.

Ready? Let’s go!

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In Queue Review – “Radium Girls”

Posted on August 17, 2021 by Denise

“Why is there so much wrong in the world that no one knows about? “
‘It’s easier to believe stories that make us feel safe.’

Genre: Based-On Biodrama
Release Date: 2018
Where I Watched:  Netflix

Talky talk: Based on the nonfiction book The Radium Girls – – this Netflix film digs into the way radium companies used and neglected their workers. The book is an absolute must-read for anyone who wants to become versed in parts of American history rarely discussed; the film is a lighter touch. Girls a dramatic take, plus I’m thinking that showing exactly what these girls went through as their particular battles with radiation necrosis progressed would be too gruesome, even for streaming.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “The Protégé”!

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Denise

Ready to get your action on? Synopsis!

Rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) and trained in the family business, Anna (Maggie Q) is the world’s most skilled contract killer. But when Moody – the man who was like a father to her and taught her everything she needs to know about trust and survival – is brutally killed, Anna vows revenge. As she becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer (Michael Keaton) whose attraction to her goes way beyond cat and mouse, their confrontation turns deadly, and the loose ends of a life spent killing will weave themselves ever tighter.

Ready? Let’s go!

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“Free Guy” – Frenetic, Fun, and many other F-words

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Denise

“Don’t have a good day, have a great day. I guess.”

Story: Guy works at a bank, lives in a spotless apartment, and has an adorable goldfish. Life’s pretty damn perfect, no? Well, it seems that way, but he’s “just” an NPC (Non Player Character) in one of the world’s most popular video games. When he finds out that his world is more than he’d realized, he decides to take a good long look…and finds the woman of his dreams. What could go wrong?

Genre I’d put it in: Interwebs Reality Action Comedies

Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on Ryan Reynolds’ brand of goofy fun, but otherwise? Original.

Gotta Say: The premise of Free Guy caught my attention from the get-go. An NPC who suddenly catches sentience? I’m listening. Though I’m most definitely not a gamer (I’m the doofus whose character is forever walking into walls because I can’t seem to control anything), I remember NPCs from my days playing D&D, and ran into my fair share of characters plopped into the story to simply pad the game/move the action forward. As that “guy” Guy, Ryan Reynolds dials up the bland whiteness to 11 during his days of marking time…and then slowly evolves into a badass with a heart of gold. Yeah, the overall idea of a character becoming who they were meant to be ain’t new, but Guy adds a fun new polish to this trope. I’m digging it.

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Nutshell Review – “The Suicide Squad”

Posted on August 9, 2021 by Denise

“No one likes a show-off.”
‘Unless what they’re showing off is DOPE AS FUCK.’
“Fuck. That’s true.”

Let’s face it. Suicide Squad was… Bad. I don’t care what anybody else said – hell, what I said – I’ve had to live with that film rattling around in my brain for a while now and I got to tell you, it’s bad. So I’m glad gun stepped up to the plate and gave it his shot. And while this Squad isn’t 100% perfect, it is a wild ride filled with creators and stars that seem eager to have fun.

My only complaint? It’s a bit overlong in parts. Some scenes could use with a bit of judicious editing; nothing like having a half an hour lopped off, just bits and pieces here and there to make the action flow a little faster and more intense. But thank God for Gunn, who cranks the crazy to 11, along with the blood and gore.

Sebastian is my favorite Squad member and I’m gonna die on this hill. I also love the more in-depth look at Waller’s employees, who are used as a kind of Everyman conglomerate for viewers.

Stay past the end credits for a tease of possible other directions a few of the characters could go… And that’s all I’m saying about that.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “The Night House”!

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Denise

It’s hot out, so why not go for some spooky chills? Synopsis!

Reeling from the unexpected death of her husband, Beth (Rebecca Hall) is left alone in the lakeside home he built for her. She tries as best she can to keep it together – but then nightmares come. Disturbing visions of a presence in the house calling to her, beckoning her with a ghostly allure. Against the advice of her friends, she begins digging into her husband’s belongings, yearning for answers. What she finds are secrets both strange and disturbing – a mystery she’s determined to unravel.

Ready? Let’s go!

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TrailerWatch – “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” goes deep

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Denise

“I have tasted blood before, and that IS NOT IT.”

Ready for more of that crazy symbiote…and his evil(er?) “offspring”, Carnage? ME TOO. Synopsis!

One year after the events of Venom (2018), investigative journalist Eddie Brock struggles to adjust to life as the host of the alien symbiote Venom, which grants him super-human abilities in order to be a lethal vigilante. Brock attempts to reignite his career by interviewing serial killer Cletus Kasady, who becomes the host of the symbiote Carnage and escapes prison after a failed execution.

Hardy seems to slips effortlessly back into the role of Eddie/Venom, and Harrelson looks absolutely gleeful to be able to channel his inner bad guy.

Plus, it looks like we’re gonna see the Ravenscroft Institute, complete with mutant, Shriek! (Hello, paging X-men?) And let’s face it; if Carnage scares Venom, I can’t wait to see what’s gonna happen.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage hits theaters

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