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!

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

“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.

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

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.

Posted in Nutshell Review | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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!

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

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

Posted in Trailers | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Short Films – “White Girl”

Posted on July 31, 2021 by Denise

Genre – Promising But Dull Horror Shorts
Year Released – 2019
Where I Watched – Shudder
Length – 13 minutes

At the start I figured this would be an A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night rip-off. But it should be so lucky. Girl shows a lot of promise, but like its protagonist, wanders aimlessly until it’s time to get things done. And by then, I’d checked out.

Continue reading →
Posted in Short Film Short Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Freaky Fridays – “Blood Red Sky”!

Posted on July 30, 2021 by Denise
Horror, Cult Movies, Exploitation Cinema, 70s Schlock, and more! Let’s look at something cool!

“A thousand times you have been warned. Now you pay the price for your ignorance.” – oh the irony, you terrorist jerks.

Genre: Hijacking But ZOMG Vampire!
Year Released: 2021
AKA: Transatlantic 473
Pedigree: One of the Big Bad Crew is Lincoln from Prison Break
Where I Watched: Netflix

Synopsis: A groups of white boys play jihadists, hijacking a plane for a little terrorism. But they’d no idea sweet mom Nadja – headed to the States for help with curing a blood borne illness – is a lot more dangerous than anyone could imagine. Don’t mess with a momma bear protecting her cub, y’all. Basic 411.

Fabulous or Frustrating?: 30 Days of Night meets Die Hard in this actiony horror romp. Sky is a lot of fun for action fans, and will give monster addicts and gorehounds a lot to enjoy. The bad guys are truly, gleefully bad, and our monster hero is trying desperately to hold on to her humanity while basic human decency crumbles around her. Add in a kid that never does what he’s told? You’ve got two hours of bloody mayhem, baby.

The story is told as an extended flashback, with the last 20 minutes catching up to “present day”. We get flashbacks to when Nadja got bitten, how she first started to try to deal with her illness, and her growing fear of losing the fight.

Excellent FX; her transformation into full blooded bloodsucker is simple but effective. Eyes turn golden and reflective , new teeth come in, wig comes off, ears go pointy… Extremely effective and best of all, not the pretty vamp that’s become the rage ever since Ed sparkled.

As Nadja, Peri Baumeister is both terror filled and terrifying. She does a lot with routine, cookie cutter dialogue, her face conveying much more than her words. Special shout out to Alexander Scheer as resident psycho Eightball; Scheer seems to delight in chewing the scenery, giving his bad guy a glee that’s chilling and fun to watch.

There’s plenty of the usual action/horror schadenfreude here, with people doing exactly the opposite of what they should be doing to keep themselves and others alive. And Nadja’s little boy Elias gets the gold medal in this regard. Be prepared to shout at your TV screen as these folks try their level best to get infected, or get slaughtered.

I’m surprised Sky isn’t getting more buzz, as it’s just the kind of action packed story that should find a willing audience in the summer movie fun fest. If you’ve got Netflix, give it a look. Pop some popcorn, grab a beverage, sink into the couch, and enjoy the bloody good time.

Freak-O-Meter:  4 out of 5 Freaks

Posted in Freaky Fridays, In Horror, Movie Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TrailerWatch – “Dune” drops a second trailer!

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Denise

I’m not even gonna try to be even handed here. I’m a huge fan of the Dune series of books, and I can’t wait to see this film. Synopsis!

A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

As I’d figured Jason Momoa is great as Duncan Idaho, giving the character a sly wisdom I’m really digging. And Zendaya is perfection as Chani, with director Denis Villeneuve shooting her dream sequences with Timothée Chalamet’s Paul beautifully. Dat cinematography y’all. Y’ALL. Did I mention I can’t wait? Because I can’t wait.

Dune hits theaters and HBOMAX on October 22nd. Bring forth Fall, and the Spice!

Posted in HBO, Trailers | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Columbia Screening Pass-palooza – “Old”!

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Denise

When Jaws hit, people stopped going into the water. Ready to get scared off the beach? Because I’ve got passes for the Columbia, MD screening of Old! Synopsis!

This summer, visionary filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan unveils a chilling, mysterious new thriller about a family on a tropical holiday who discover that the secluded beach where they are relaxing for a few hours is somehow causing them to age rapidly … reducing their entire lives into a single day.

I read the comic book series this film is based on, and it’s creepy as hell. So, are you brave enough to hit the beach? Let’s go!

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

Nutshell Review: “Black Widow”

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Denise

“Never let them take your heart.”

Widow backtracks the MCU to immediately after The Snap, with Natasha trying to avoid arrest after violating the Sokovia Accords. But when she learns that the training camp that molded her is still active, she decides to destroy it once and for all. There’s fantastic onscreen chemistry between her “family”, terrific cinematography, and so much crazy action the FF franchise seems believable. Damn it’s a fun film to watch, if not a bit Deus Ex What-The-Hell in its “getting the band back together” storyline.

Go to see Natasha’s swan song of violence, and the way Florence Pugh’s Yelena constantly takes Nat down a peg by lampshading the hell out of her. Stay for the sweet meditation on what it means to be family, and the way David Harbour obviously enjoyed every single second he was playing “big poppa” figure Alexi.

#Protip: 3D is entirely unnecessary, as all the action is plenty cool without it. Marvel movie time, so be sure to stay all the way through the end credits for a tidbit that brings things to the MCU “present day”, introduces a new character, and promises more for…a character or two.

Posted in Nutshell Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment