Mr. Right (2015)
In this time of responsible social distancing and self-quarantining due to the new corona-virus, we figured it was a good time to cull our Netflix list and find a true diamond in the rough. A suggestion I have for you is Mr. Right written by Max Landis and directed by Paco Cabezas. Mr. Right is not your typical Rom-Com. It's more tongue in cheek, which is humor I appreciate, and there is plenty of action to go around.
The Premise
Newly single Martha isn't looking for love but that's what she finds when she runs into Francis. She isn't put of by his casual "jokes" about being a hitman, but when people start really trying to kill to them, she thinks it might be time for a break.
My Take
I have self confessed crushes on both Anna Kendrick, who plays Martha, and Sam Rockwell, who plays Francis. So imagine my elation when I saw they were paired up in this film! They make an adorable, awkward, and super cute movie couple.
In Mr. Right, Francis never lies to Martha about being a killer. He slips it into casual conversation, telling her the truth the whole time. She never quite knows what to expect from him, which is why she likes him so much. He's new and exciting and not like any guy she's ever been with before. But when the bullets start flying, she starts having second thoughts, like any sane woman would. Then again, she really likes this guy...
Acting as Martha's voice of reason is her roommate and best friend Sophie (Katie Nehra). Sophie is immediately suspicious of Francis and has no problems voicing her concerns. She has every right to be worried about her friend. Especially because people like Tim Roth, RZA, Anson Mount, Michael Eklund and James Ransone are all after him.
The Verdict
A lot of times, movies that have all-stars casts like this make me nervous to watch them. Truthfully. I have found there are times not enough attention is paid to the script or direction and all of it goes to who stars in the movie. If you enjoy dark humor, action, comedy, and romance, I suggest giving Mr. Right a chance. It seems to have slid under the radar as far as movies go. I give Mr. Right 1 perfect clown nose. Why? You'll have to watch to find out.
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
I'm a big fan of heartwarming stories and an even bigger fan of tales of redemption. I was finally able to watch "The Peanut Butter Falcon", written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, which has been at the top of my Netflix since its release. It's one of those rare films that is funny, touching, and also manages to sneak in a life lesson at the same time.
The Premise
Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome, is living in a retirement home because he has no family left to care for him. However, that hasn't dampened his dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. After breaking out of the retirement home, he meets Tyler, who is running away from problems of his own. To make matters even more complicated, the duo are being pursued by Eleanor, an employee of the retirement home, and people seeking revenge for Tyler's wrongdoings.
My Take
Having spent a good portion of my professional life working in special education and retirements homes, I have a soft spot for characters like Zak. No one should ever be abandoned or made to feel it's impossible to pursue their dreams. I was fortunate that the educators I worked with were very good at what they did and (I hope) left all the children feeling loved and encouraged. That being said, the situation Zak was left in was very sad indeed and it highlights the need for more characters like Eleanor in schools and retirement homes.
Zak was played by Zack Gottsagen. Zach was naturally brilliant in this role and a perfect choice. Of course rumor has it that the role was written for Zack, so why wouldn't he be perfect? To back him up were fellow Texan, Dakota Johnson, as Eleanor and Shia LaBeouf as Tyler. I liked Johnson as Eleanor. She played Eleanor as soft spoken, sweet, and patient. All good qualities for working in retirement homes or with people with disabilities. As the opposite, Shia LaBeouf was gruff and impatient. He treated the character Zak as if he were no different than anyone else. That's also a good quality for people to have - not to talk down, shame, or belittle those that are different. So here you are with Zak book-ended with perfect examples of people he needs in his life. The overprotective "mothering" Eleanor and a "big brother" that takes no shit to show him the world.
I spoke earlier of a story of redemption. LaBeouf's character, Tyler, is in need of a little saving when he meets Zak. Tyler is on the lam when he and Zak first meet. He agrees to takes Zak just as far as his goal - a wrestling school - but the adventures they have on the way forge a bond between the two men. The actions Tyler takes in teaching, protecting, and befriending Zak renews his spirit when he is at his lowest point.
Rounding out the cast is Thomas Haden Church as Zak's all-time favorite wrestler, Salt Water Redneck, and real wrestler Jake 'The Snake' Roberts as Sam. Also, a special shout out to Zak's roommate played by Bruce Dern. He was the perfect accomplice to Zak's great escape..
The Verdict
"The Peanut Butter Falcon" was a well executed tale. It has all the elements of a great story - comedy, suspense, heart, wonder. I began to really feel for Zak and Tyler as they made their way to the wrestling school and as it came to the climax, I was pleasantly pleased at the way it all came out. I give "The Peanut Butter Falcon" 1.. 2... 3! 3 out of 3 wrestling moves. (I would count to 10 but that just seems really long haha!)
The Premise
Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome, is living in a retirement home because he has no family left to care for him. However, that hasn't dampened his dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. After breaking out of the retirement home, he meets Tyler, who is running away from problems of his own. To make matters even more complicated, the duo are being pursued by Eleanor, an employee of the retirement home, and people seeking revenge for Tyler's wrongdoings.
My Take
Having spent a good portion of my professional life working in special education and retirements homes, I have a soft spot for characters like Zak. No one should ever be abandoned or made to feel it's impossible to pursue their dreams. I was fortunate that the educators I worked with were very good at what they did and (I hope) left all the children feeling loved and encouraged. That being said, the situation Zak was left in was very sad indeed and it highlights the need for more characters like Eleanor in schools and retirement homes.
Zak was played by Zack Gottsagen. Zach was naturally brilliant in this role and a perfect choice. Of course rumor has it that the role was written for Zack, so why wouldn't he be perfect? To back him up were fellow Texan, Dakota Johnson, as Eleanor and Shia LaBeouf as Tyler. I liked Johnson as Eleanor. She played Eleanor as soft spoken, sweet, and patient. All good qualities for working in retirement homes or with people with disabilities. As the opposite, Shia LaBeouf was gruff and impatient. He treated the character Zak as if he were no different than anyone else. That's also a good quality for people to have - not to talk down, shame, or belittle those that are different. So here you are with Zak book-ended with perfect examples of people he needs in his life. The overprotective "mothering" Eleanor and a "big brother" that takes no shit to show him the world.
I spoke earlier of a story of redemption. LaBeouf's character, Tyler, is in need of a little saving when he meets Zak. Tyler is on the lam when he and Zak first meet. He agrees to takes Zak just as far as his goal - a wrestling school - but the adventures they have on the way forge a bond between the two men. The actions Tyler takes in teaching, protecting, and befriending Zak renews his spirit when he is at his lowest point.
Rounding out the cast is Thomas Haden Church as Zak's all-time favorite wrestler, Salt Water Redneck, and real wrestler Jake 'The Snake' Roberts as Sam. Also, a special shout out to Zak's roommate played by Bruce Dern. He was the perfect accomplice to Zak's great escape..
The Verdict
"The Peanut Butter Falcon" was a well executed tale. It has all the elements of a great story - comedy, suspense, heart, wonder. I began to really feel for Zak and Tyler as they made their way to the wrestling school and as it came to the climax, I was pleasantly pleased at the way it all came out. I give "The Peanut Butter Falcon" 1.. 2... 3! 3 out of 3 wrestling moves. (I would count to 10 but that just seems really long haha!)
Friday, January 3, 2020
Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020
They say hindsight is 20/20, so is this going to be the year of reflection? And if so, what kind of reflection? Self? World? Otherwise? I personally would like to close this chapter of my life by doing something I have never done before and reflect back on the past year at some of my favorite (and maybe not so favorite) memories.
I spent a lot more time with my family this year. My parents, sister, nephews, and friends that I consider my family. And for reasons that aren't totally appropriate for a public forum, I had to work extra hard on my marriage this year. I'm proud to say that all the extra hours we put in are working and we just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. So everything in 2019 is a little bittersweet for me, but that's okay.
My son Tim turned 18 this year. I officially have two men in the house. He also graduated high school and I have never been more proud. He got a full time job and is taking a gap-year while he decides whether a culinary degree is worth the time and expense. He has sought the advice of other chefs and cooks and heard their stories of people who went the education route and who went for the experience. All were where they wanted to be in life. Now it's up to Tim to decide what's best for him. If anyone else wants to chime in, I'm happy to pass the info along to him. Leave me a comment or message me!
Our next big event was Rebecca's Sweet 16. No car for her, though. She's terrified of driving at the moment which is just fine with me! She was also inducted into the Texas Thespians, one of the largest chapters in the nation. She's super active in her high school theatre, landing one of the starring roles in the Fall production of The Revenge of the Space Pandas or Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock, which turned out to be the only production they've done so far this school year. One of the downfalls of going to a brand new high school is a lack of support and funding for the arts.
In April I chopped all my hair off, but that's not super important. We spent a lot of time at the beach with my parents and in July my mom and I went zip-lining at Moody Gardens. It was on our bucket list and was pretty amazing.
Diana turned 14 at the beginning of her very first marching season. She adored every about marching band. The camaraderie, the skill level, the athleticism, the music, the discipline, the tan... The only thing she hates is how white her feet still are compared to the rest of her legs. Guess we'll need to spend more time at the beach in 2020. Diana was the first freshman to make region band at the their high school. She is also to first bass clarinet player to make region band, making her the first clarinet player to make region band. I could not be more proud of her accomplishments. She has decided she wants to be a nurse and is taking the appropriate high school level classes to achieve her goal.
At the end of the summer I spent two days in the hospital after suffering a pretty scary seizure. I was eventually diagnosed with Todd's Paralysis and sent home. I was out of work for two weeks as I recovered not knowing how permanent the effects would be on the right side of my body. I eventually had a full recovery and went back to work but was unable to drive for three months. It's no fun putting everyone on your speed dial just so you can get home from work safely. As I was having problems with my head, Victor started having problems with his feet. He has plantar fasciitis. It's apparently really painful. I hope we find a solution for him soon.
When I said at the beginning that things were bittersweet, it was because there was a leftover air of misfortune that followed us from 2017 and 2018 into our lives to 2019. Things have been extremely difficult in the Romero household for nearly three years now and we are just now getting over the hurt, pain, and scars caused by the misdeeds of others. New Year's 2020 is the first one in our recent history where we found ourselves celebrating. We celebrated our marriage (we got married on New Year's Eve), we celebrated our lives together, and we celebrated our future. And you know what? It felt good.
I spent a lot more time with my family this year. My parents, sister, nephews, and friends that I consider my family. And for reasons that aren't totally appropriate for a public forum, I had to work extra hard on my marriage this year. I'm proud to say that all the extra hours we put in are working and we just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. So everything in 2019 is a little bittersweet for me, but that's okay.
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| My sister and me after Mardi Gras! |
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| Cheers! At Tomball German Fest with my BFF |
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| Me and my Mom |
Our next big event was Rebecca's Sweet 16. No car for her, though. She's terrified of driving at the moment which is just fine with me! She was also inducted into the Texas Thespians, one of the largest chapters in the nation. She's super active in her high school theatre, landing one of the starring roles in the Fall production of The Revenge of the Space Pandas or Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock, which turned out to be the only production they've done so far this school year. One of the downfalls of going to a brand new high school is a lack of support and funding for the arts.
In April I chopped all my hair off, but that's not super important. We spent a lot of time at the beach with my parents and in July my mom and I went zip-lining at Moody Gardens. It was on our bucket list and was pretty amazing.
Diana turned 14 at the beginning of her very first marching season. She adored every about marching band. The camaraderie, the skill level, the athleticism, the music, the discipline, the tan... The only thing she hates is how white her feet still are compared to the rest of her legs. Guess we'll need to spend more time at the beach in 2020. Diana was the first freshman to make region band at the their high school. She is also to first bass clarinet player to make region band, making her the first clarinet player to make region band. I could not be more proud of her accomplishments. She has decided she wants to be a nurse and is taking the appropriate high school level classes to achieve her goal.
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| My Theatre Nerd |
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| Couldn't live without these guys |
When I said at the beginning that things were bittersweet, it was because there was a leftover air of misfortune that followed us from 2017 and 2018 into our lives to 2019. Things have been extremely difficult in the Romero household for nearly three years now and we are just now getting over the hurt, pain, and scars caused by the misdeeds of others. New Year's 2020 is the first one in our recent history where we found ourselves celebrating. We celebrated our marriage (we got married on New Year's Eve), we celebrated our lives together, and we celebrated our future. And you know what? It felt good.
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| Happy New Year! |
Friday, December 13, 2019
Ready or Not (2019)
Ready or Not (2019)
Since I can't go to the movies because of my seizures, I tend to load up my Netflix list with movies I really want to see. Ready or Not has been at the top of my list ever since I saw its first preview. It looked like a combination of The Most Dangerous Game (Richard Connell) and You're Next (2011).
The Premise
When a member of the Le Domas family gets married, it's tradition to initiate the new in-law by playing a game on their wedding night. The whole family gets into the spirit of things. Why? Because there's a curse on the Le Domas family and if they don't play, they believe something awful will happen. Sometimes the games are harmless, like chess or checkers. But every once in a while, they are forced to play a deadly game of hide and seek.
My Take
I love a good dark comedy and that's how I viewed this movie, more so than a horror film. The actors played their parts straight despite the somewhat absurd circumstances they were put in. I mean, who plays hide and seek on their wedding night with their entire clan of in-laws hunting them down with antique weaponry?
Samara Weaving and Mark O'Brien play the newly married Grace and Alex Le Domas. You may remember Samara from The Babysitter (2017). Except this time she's on the receiving end of some weird shit from a devil worshiping family. To round out the family, there's Adam Brody who plays Daniel Le Domas. With Daniel's character, you never know which side he is on and that makes it really exciting to watch from scene to scene. Melanie Scrofano plays sister Emilie who, from an actor's standpoint, would have been a lot of fun to play. She seems like the family member that took full advantage of the family fortune and never worked a day in her life. And of course there are dear old mom and dad played by Andie MacDowell and Henry Czerny. My favorite thing about their relationship is thinking about the fact that Andie MacDowell's character, Becky Le Domas, would have had to endure the same initiation right of choosing a game to play that the current bride, Grace, is doing right now. What doesn't kill us, I suppose... That brings us to the other in-laws played by Kristian Bruun and Elyse Levesque. I am familiar with Kristian and Elyse from their work on Orphan Black (2013-2017), one of my favorite shows ever. It's fun to see them paired up in the same movie. And finally, there is what appears to be crazy Aunt Helene (Nicky Guadagni), but we learn more about her as the movie progresses.
There are many things I enjoy about this movie. The plot moves along quickly and it doesn't give the audience much time to anticipate what happens next. I like that because it makes it less difficult to predict the scriptwriters next move. There's nothing I hate more than figuring it out all in the first act. So thank you very much Guy Buick and Ryan Murphy. The direction was also well thought out I loved the production design (Matt Bettinelli-Olin and Tyler Gillett).
The Verdict
I was not at all disappointed in Ready or Not. I am disappointed in that I feel like it was sleeper in the cinemas. Maybe it will find its footing in its DVD release or in streaming. I recommend you give it try. I give Ready or Not 5/5 pentagrams. And a little word of advice - be careful who you marry.
Since I can't go to the movies because of my seizures, I tend to load up my Netflix list with movies I really want to see. Ready or Not has been at the top of my list ever since I saw its first preview. It looked like a combination of The Most Dangerous Game (Richard Connell) and You're Next (2011).
The Premise
When a member of the Le Domas family gets married, it's tradition to initiate the new in-law by playing a game on their wedding night. The whole family gets into the spirit of things. Why? Because there's a curse on the Le Domas family and if they don't play, they believe something awful will happen. Sometimes the games are harmless, like chess or checkers. But every once in a while, they are forced to play a deadly game of hide and seek.
My Take
I love a good dark comedy and that's how I viewed this movie, more so than a horror film. The actors played their parts straight despite the somewhat absurd circumstances they were put in. I mean, who plays hide and seek on their wedding night with their entire clan of in-laws hunting them down with antique weaponry?
Samara Weaving and Mark O'Brien play the newly married Grace and Alex Le Domas. You may remember Samara from The Babysitter (2017). Except this time she's on the receiving end of some weird shit from a devil worshiping family. To round out the family, there's Adam Brody who plays Daniel Le Domas. With Daniel's character, you never know which side he is on and that makes it really exciting to watch from scene to scene. Melanie Scrofano plays sister Emilie who, from an actor's standpoint, would have been a lot of fun to play. She seems like the family member that took full advantage of the family fortune and never worked a day in her life. And of course there are dear old mom and dad played by Andie MacDowell and Henry Czerny. My favorite thing about their relationship is thinking about the fact that Andie MacDowell's character, Becky Le Domas, would have had to endure the same initiation right of choosing a game to play that the current bride, Grace, is doing right now. What doesn't kill us, I suppose... That brings us to the other in-laws played by Kristian Bruun and Elyse Levesque. I am familiar with Kristian and Elyse from their work on Orphan Black (2013-2017), one of my favorite shows ever. It's fun to see them paired up in the same movie. And finally, there is what appears to be crazy Aunt Helene (Nicky Guadagni), but we learn more about her as the movie progresses.
There are many things I enjoy about this movie. The plot moves along quickly and it doesn't give the audience much time to anticipate what happens next. I like that because it makes it less difficult to predict the scriptwriters next move. There's nothing I hate more than figuring it out all in the first act. So thank you very much Guy Buick and Ryan Murphy. The direction was also well thought out I loved the production design (Matt Bettinelli-Olin and Tyler Gillett).
The Verdict
I was not at all disappointed in Ready or Not. I am disappointed in that I feel like it was sleeper in the cinemas. Maybe it will find its footing in its DVD release or in streaming. I recommend you give it try. I give Ready or Not 5/5 pentagrams. And a little word of advice - be careful who you marry.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Return of Horror Fest - Teen Version
Yes Horror Fest made a (small) return to the Romero household this year. But please do not get your panties in a wad if you didn't receive an invite! It was dubbed Horror Fest Returns - The Teen Version for a reason. All of our children (ages 14-18) collectively agreed they wanted to host another 24 hour monster movie marathon. We the parents graciously allowed them to invite their friends over and allow them full fridge access for 24 hours and they could watch whatever Halloween movies they wanted. Here's what they chose this year:
Intruder (1989)
Victor and I picked this flick to start things off. The teenagers wanted a classic '80s slasher flick and this one has always one of our favorites. It's also a bit of a whodunit as one by one the overnight stock crew of a grocery store gets picked off in gruesome ways. Stay tuned till
Jason vs Freddy (2003)
This pick made me laugh because it turns out that half the kids watching the movie never saw the original Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street! How is that possible? So there were a lot of questions about the dream killer, but ultimately they enjoyed the battle between Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Always a classic, though maybe not so much a horror movie, Ghostbusters chronicles three parapsychologists as they capture ghosts around New York City.
Always a classic, though maybe not so much a horror movie, Ghostbusters chronicles three parapsychologists as they capture ghosts around New York City.
Hush (2016)
I'm a big fan of writers and directors taking control of their projects, especially when they're as well done as Hush. Written and starring Kate Siegel and written and directed by Mike Flanagan, Hush is a thriller about a mute and deaf woman terrorized by masked killer.
I'm a big fan of writers and directors taking control of their projects, especially when they're as well done as Hush. Written and starring Kate Siegel and written and directed by Mike Flanagan, Hush is a thriller about a mute and deaf woman terrorized by masked killer.
13 Cameras (2015)
Talk about creepy. Has anyone ever just given you the heebies jeebies? Actor Neville Archambault does a great job of it in Victor Zarcoff's, 13 Camera's. You can't help but feel for this couple that is being unwittingly spied on in this thriller.
Talk about creepy. Has anyone ever just given you the heebies jeebies? Actor Neville Archambault does a great job of it in Victor Zarcoff's, 13 Camera's. You can't help but feel for this couple that is being unwittingly spied on in this thriller.
Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
This was a first for many of our teenage guests. They thoroughly enjoyed each and every gory death (especially Johnny Depp's). And they loved Robert Englund's portrayal of Freddy, in this one and in Freddy vs Jason.
This was a first for many of our teenage guests. They thoroughly enjoyed each and every gory death (especially Johnny Depp's). And they loved Robert Englund's portrayal of Freddy, in this one and in Freddy vs Jason.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
This was solely for the thespians in the crowd, though the other guys loved Audrey II and Bill Murray's masochistic Arthur Dent. The theatre crowd was more into Ellen Greene and Rick Moranis. But overall, it was a win! (Of course)
This was solely for the thespians in the crowd, though the other guys loved Audrey II and Bill Murray's masochistic Arthur Dent. The theatre crowd was more into Ellen Greene and Rick Moranis. But overall, it was a win! (Of course)
The Conjuring (2013)
My daughter loves scary movies and she loves this one. Obviously it starts off the Annabelle series, but that's not why we like this one. It's very Amityville Horror (which we watched next) in that a family is haunted by an unknown presence. And it's supposed to have been based on a true story which always makes a haunting even scarier.
My daughter loves scary movies and she loves this one. Obviously it starts off the Annabelle series, but that's not why we like this one. It's very Amityville Horror (which we watched next) in that a family is haunted by an unknown presence. And it's supposed to have been based on a true story which always makes a haunting even scarier.
The Amityville Horror (1979)
This is one of my my husband's favorites, because of Margot Kidder, but that's okay. Of course by this time we started losing some of the teenagers. Haha They were dropping like the flies on Father Delaney. This one is also supposed to be based on a true story which always makes a story even better, in my opinion.
This is one of my my husband's favorites, because of Margot Kidder, but that's okay. Of course by this time we started losing some of the teenagers. Haha They were dropping like the flies on Father Delaney. This one is also supposed to be based on a true story which always makes a story even better, in my opinion.
Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
I have to tell you I don't know why I own this one and not any of the others, but I do. And it was the first time I watched it. It was a little long, and a little strange, but it was also a little unsettling, which is exactly what it was supposed to be. I obviously can't say much because it gives away the ending, but I did enjoy Paranormal Activity 3.
I have to tell you I don't know why I own this one and not any of the others, but I do. And it was the first time I watched it. It was a little long, and a little strange, but it was also a little unsettling, which is exactly what it was supposed to be. I obviously can't say much because it gives away the ending, but I did enjoy Paranormal Activity 3.
House of Wax (2005)
This one is kind of my guilty pleasure. I enjoy that in the end it's a brother/sister duo that team up (Elisha Cuthbert and Chad Michael Murray) and not a romantic link. Have you ever had a hot wax massage treatment? It's super satisfying. So being covered in the stuff seems like a great idea. But I guess these killers just take it way too far.
This one is kind of my guilty pleasure. I enjoy that in the end it's a brother/sister duo that team up (Elisha Cuthbert and Chad Michael Murray) and not a romantic link. Have you ever had a hot wax massage treatment? It's super satisfying. So being covered in the stuff seems like a great idea. But I guess these killers just take it way too far.
Death Note (2017)
Imagine having the power to kill anyone you want - and then giving that power to a teenager. That's Death Note. A great movie that keeps you in suspense up until the very end, Death Note is a great movie to add to any Halloween movie fest.
Imagine having the power to kill anyone you want - and then giving that power to a teenager. That's Death Note. A great movie that keeps you in suspense up until the very end, Death Note is a great movie to add to any Halloween movie fest.
The Babysitter (2017)
This is another one of our guilty pleasure movies. The Babysitter has all the elements - it's sexy, has dark comedy, and gore. A group of teenage Devil worshipers didn't count on the young boy they were babysitting spying on them. Hilarity ensues. Watch it.
This is another one of our guilty pleasure movies. The Babysitter has all the elements - it's sexy, has dark comedy, and gore. A group of teenage Devil worshipers didn't count on the young boy they were babysitting spying on them. Hilarity ensues. Watch it.
Student Bodies (1981)
This movie was a total spoof and the only one filmed in Houston, as far as I know. (Yay hometown!) If you loves spoof and don't mind the silliness of it all, this one's for you.
This movie was a total spoof and the only one filmed in Houston, as far as I know. (Yay hometown!) If you loves spoof and don't mind the silliness of it all, this one's for you.
The Banana Splits Movie (2019)
This is a new movie we added to our collection this year. My husband grew up watching The Banana Splits so it was only natural he would gravitate toward this movie. It was pretty good, considering the main characters had giant animation robots chasing them all around a TV studio for the duration of the film. Not as silly as it sounds.
This is a new movie we added to our collection this year. My husband grew up watching The Banana Splits so it was only natural he would gravitate toward this movie. It was pretty good, considering the main characters had giant animation robots chasing them all around a TV studio for the duration of the film. Not as silly as it sounds.
Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)
We can't have a Horror Fest without Tucker and Dale vs Evil. This is our favorite movie about mistaken identities. A group of college kids think that Tucker and Dale are hillbilly killers. After a freak accident in which the hillbillies save one of the college girls from drowning, the rest of the group meet their untimely ends in hilarious freak accidents.
We can't have a Horror Fest without Tucker and Dale vs Evil. This is our favorite movie about mistaken identities. A group of college kids think that Tucker and Dale are hillbilly killers. After a freak accident in which the hillbillies save one of the college girls from drowning, the rest of the group meet their untimely ends in hilarious freak accidents.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
The Babysitter (2017)
My favorite genre is horror-comedy. Movies like Tucker and Dale vs Evil are a staple in our home. We have found yet
another film to add to our list of absolute faves with The Babysitter. Brian Duffield, writer of The Babysitter, caught the innocence of childhood, the manipulation
of naughty teens, and the comedy of accidental murder in his screenplay.
The Premise
It's parental date night and Cole is stuck at home with his babysitter Bee. Not that he minds. Bee is smoking hot and they always have a blast. This time is different, though. Cole stays up to find out what happens after bedtime and finds out Bee and her friends are Satan worshipers and they need his blood to complete their ritual! Cole spends all night evading Bee and her friends, accidentally killing a few along the way.
My Take
I sympathize with Cole in more than one way. I always thought I had a babysitter for way too long. Then I was the babysitter for my little sister and all our neighbors. Now as a parent I feel for my kids. My mother-in-law lives with us - we have a built-in babysitter 24/7. Poor guys! So, I see a bit of Cole in myself and my kids. Except I was never as hot or half as fun as Bee.
Judah Lewis and Samara Weaving portray Cole and Bee, respectively. This is where the combination of writing, direction, and acting collide to make the chemistry of these two characters work perfectly. Cole is discovering girls and thus discovering Bee as an older woman. The awkward and tender moments between them are beautiful. It makes everything that happens later all the more tragic and emotional.
To be fair, Bee does try to protect Cole from all her evil doings. But, kids being kids, his curiosity ruins all her plans which leaves her Satan worshiping friends with no choice but to hunt him down. Bee's friends include Robbie Amell - the jock, Hana Mae Lee - the Goth, Bella Thorne - the cheerleader, Andrew Bachelor - the best friend, and Doug Haley - the nerd. Each friend, sadly, meets a tragic, and hilarious, end.
The Verdict
Now, I am biased because I love these kinds of movies. But given the combination of writing, McG's direction, and everyone’s acting, I personally recommend The Babysitter to anyone with a dark sense of humor and a twisted funny bone. I give The Babysitter 6/6 Satanists or was it 666??? I can never remember.
The Premise
It's parental date night and Cole is stuck at home with his babysitter Bee. Not that he minds. Bee is smoking hot and they always have a blast. This time is different, though. Cole stays up to find out what happens after bedtime and finds out Bee and her friends are Satan worshipers and they need his blood to complete their ritual! Cole spends all night evading Bee and her friends, accidentally killing a few along the way.
My Take
I sympathize with Cole in more than one way. I always thought I had a babysitter for way too long. Then I was the babysitter for my little sister and all our neighbors. Now as a parent I feel for my kids. My mother-in-law lives with us - we have a built-in babysitter 24/7. Poor guys! So, I see a bit of Cole in myself and my kids. Except I was never as hot or half as fun as Bee.
Judah Lewis and Samara Weaving portray Cole and Bee, respectively. This is where the combination of writing, direction, and acting collide to make the chemistry of these two characters work perfectly. Cole is discovering girls and thus discovering Bee as an older woman. The awkward and tender moments between them are beautiful. It makes everything that happens later all the more tragic and emotional.
To be fair, Bee does try to protect Cole from all her evil doings. But, kids being kids, his curiosity ruins all her plans which leaves her Satan worshiping friends with no choice but to hunt him down. Bee's friends include Robbie Amell - the jock, Hana Mae Lee - the Goth, Bella Thorne - the cheerleader, Andrew Bachelor - the best friend, and Doug Haley - the nerd. Each friend, sadly, meets a tragic, and hilarious, end.
The Verdict
Now, I am biased because I love these kinds of movies. But given the combination of writing, McG's direction, and everyone’s acting, I personally recommend The Babysitter to anyone with a dark sense of humor and a twisted funny bone. I give The Babysitter 6/6 Satanists or was it 666??? I can never remember.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Battle for Sevastopol (2015)
A good "true story" movie should pique your interest. We all know
Hollywood works its magic on whatever subject it picks and stretches the truth.
That's exactly why biopics are always "based on a true story" or
"based on true events" rather than factual, actual movies. That being
said, Battle for Sevastopol is an excellent film and makes me want to
learn more about its heroine, Lyudmila Mykhailovna Pavlichenko.
The Premise
Credited with an amazing 309 kills, Lyudmila Pavlichenko is the most successful female sniper in Soviet history. She became an advocate for women's rights, a friend of the U.S., and a battle-worn hero of World War II. Based on the incredible true story, Battle for Sevastopol focuses on the career of one of WWII's bravest soldiers.
My Take
It is no secret that the military is very much a fraternity. It was even more so during WWII. However, attitudes in the former Soviet Union were more progressive than I originally thought. Early in the war, the Soviet military allowed women to volunteer for service. This of course was not without its difficulties. Women back then faced more challenges than women do now, but if not for these groundbreaking souls, no military in the world would be where it is today.
Lyudmila Pavlichenko was one of these women. Played by Yuliya Peresild, Pavlichenko became a sniper at a time woman were largely pushed into nursing. The real Pavlichenko passed away in 1974, so I can only imagine that Peresild portrayed her with the right amount of bravery and vulnerability. In the film, she fell in love with two fellow soldiers (Anatoliy Kot and Oleg Vasilkov) and an army doctor (Nikita Tarasov). While I can't find anything to back up these relationships, what is true was her friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt (Joan Blackham).
What I found most amusing in my research, is the realism of the writing in Pavlichenko's visit to America. At the time, reporters were more concerned with her appearance and style on the battle-front than her cause and reason for her trip. Writers Maksim Budarin, Maksim Dankevich, Leonid Korin, Sergey Mokritskiy, and Egor Olesov were somehow able to capture the many varied atmospheres and settings of this film.
The Verdict
Battle for Sevastopol featured excellent make-up, especially during the battle scenes. The writing was very well done as was the direction, thanks to Sergey Mokritskiy. The portrayal of Americans was a bit amusing - a little like watching caricatures of ourselves. But as far as I could tell, the acting was top-notch (it is a foreign film after all!). I give Battle for Sevastopol a full 309 kills. Anything that makes you want to learn more about female snipers is worth the watch!
The Premise
Credited with an amazing 309 kills, Lyudmila Pavlichenko is the most successful female sniper in Soviet history. She became an advocate for women's rights, a friend of the U.S., and a battle-worn hero of World War II. Based on the incredible true story, Battle for Sevastopol focuses on the career of one of WWII's bravest soldiers.
My Take
It is no secret that the military is very much a fraternity. It was even more so during WWII. However, attitudes in the former Soviet Union were more progressive than I originally thought. Early in the war, the Soviet military allowed women to volunteer for service. This of course was not without its difficulties. Women back then faced more challenges than women do now, but if not for these groundbreaking souls, no military in the world would be where it is today.
Lyudmila Pavlichenko was one of these women. Played by Yuliya Peresild, Pavlichenko became a sniper at a time woman were largely pushed into nursing. The real Pavlichenko passed away in 1974, so I can only imagine that Peresild portrayed her with the right amount of bravery and vulnerability. In the film, she fell in love with two fellow soldiers (Anatoliy Kot and Oleg Vasilkov) and an army doctor (Nikita Tarasov). While I can't find anything to back up these relationships, what is true was her friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt (Joan Blackham).
What I found most amusing in my research, is the realism of the writing in Pavlichenko's visit to America. At the time, reporters were more concerned with her appearance and style on the battle-front than her cause and reason for her trip. Writers Maksim Budarin, Maksim Dankevich, Leonid Korin, Sergey Mokritskiy, and Egor Olesov were somehow able to capture the many varied atmospheres and settings of this film.
The Verdict
Battle for Sevastopol featured excellent make-up, especially during the battle scenes. The writing was very well done as was the direction, thanks to Sergey Mokritskiy. The portrayal of Americans was a bit amusing - a little like watching caricatures of ourselves. But as far as I could tell, the acting was top-notch (it is a foreign film after all!). I give Battle for Sevastopol a full 309 kills. Anything that makes you want to learn more about female snipers is worth the watch!
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