“The Lion King” (2019) Movie Review

    One of my favorite Disney movies growing up was “The Lion King”.  It had great music and was just an entertaining animated feature.  The film also came out when I was around nine years old so it was a newer Disney film compared to movies like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” or “Cinderella”.  When I heard they were doing a live action remake, I was intrigued, especially since it was going to be directed by Jon Favreau.

    For the few people who haven’t seen the original Disney film, “The Lion King” tells the story of Simba, the young son of King Mufasa, as he learns about the circle of life from his father.  Unfortunately, Mufasa’s brother Scar wants to rule and he will do anything to be the new king, even if it means killing his brother and nephew.  Simba manages to escape Scar’s wrath and is raised by Pumbaa and Timon.  After growing up, Simba’s old friend (and new love interest) Nala runs into him and persuades Simba to return and reclaim his rightful place as king.

    For the most part, this is a pretty faithful remake and plays out pretty much beat for beat.  I really enjoyed the film and thought it was pretty well done.  Most critics have trashed the movie and the general consensus among them seems to be the film ‘lacked heart’.  I, for one, felt the movie had plenty of heart and while the movie looks more realistic, I don’t feel like that takes anything away from the film as a whole.  I am not the biggest Disney fan ever but I really enjoyed this film.

    Now, one thing I do want to discuss really quickly is the fact that this is being labeled a live action remake.  The phrase ‘live action’ is being used very liberally here since the film is mostly computed animated.  Yes, it is meant to feel real and the characters are modeled after real animals, but that doesn’t change the fact that the label of ‘live action’ is a bit false.

    While the film is largely computer animated, it does feel awfully real most of the time.  There are a lot of shots that feel straight out of a National Geographic or Disneynature documentary.  It’s these moments with small details that really help sell the movie and set it apart from the original animated version.

    The voice cast all did a great job.  Casting Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, as Simba was an inspired choice.  I was a bit surprised how small Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s part was but she did well with what she was given.  I loved that James Earl Jones returned as the voice of Mufasa.  James Earl Jones has such an iconic voice that it would have been nearly impossible to replace him.  Lastly, Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner knocked it out of the park as Pumbaa and Timon.  Timon and Pumbaa were easily my favorite characters in the movie.

    Ultimately, “The Lion King” doesn’t have much new to offer besides it’s new realistic look and feel but would anyone really want them to change the classic film too much anyway?  Just sit back, repeat to yourself ‘hakuna matata’, and just enjoy the film.

Grade: B+

“Jury Duty” Movie Review

    It is hard to explain the phenomenon that was Pauly Shore.  Well, a lot of things that were popular in the 90s are hard to explain now.  Remember how hot Pogs were?  Trying explaining Pogs to a kid now, you will be lucky to only get a blank stare.  In that respect Pauly Shore sort of equates to Pogs, a lot of people seemed to love him in the 90s but we didn’t exactly know why and we still can’t explain the appeal.  Pauly Shore enjoyed a string of modest hits despite critics hating his films and then he disappeared as mysteriously as he arrived.

    Of course, not all of Pauly Shore’s films were a success, the film “Jury Duty” for instance was a box office bomb.  Still, box office figures are just numbers and critics such as myself can only tell you their opinions so I had to see this film for myself.  Thankfully, the generous folks at Mill Creek Entertainment were kind enough to provide me a copy of the film so I could tell you my take on it.

    The film follows a young man named Tommy who lives a carefree life but must find a place to stay while his mom gets married.  After being let go as a male stripper, Tommy decides that his best option for room and board is to be put on jury duty.  Though the case seems pretty straight forward, Tommy prolongs the jury deliberation in an effort to keep his hotel room and to get closer to Monica, a fellow juror who Tommy has a crush on.

    I personally think much of the appeal of Pauly Shore can be traced to his key demographic at the time, teenagers.  Pauly Shore had a very over the top and cartoonish style of comedy and that is very prominent in this film.  Critics tend to enjoy slightly more mature fair and it’s part of the reason Pauly Shore was so hated by them.

    “Jury Duty” was a loose reimagining of the teleplay “Twelve Angry Men” and it doesn’t exactly carry the same weight the 1957 Henry Fonda film did.  I would be curious to see what the YouTube channel LegalEagle would make of this film.

    This is exactly the kind of movie I would expect critics to tear apart but I have to admit, I kind of liked it.  Yes, it’s dumb and it certainly won’t stay with you but it isn’t made to be profound or change someone’s life.  It is just made to get a cheap giggle or two and it succeeds in that way.  Plus it is fun to see some great comedic character actors in some of their early roles.  Heck, even Stanley Tucci turned up in this film...and he even had hair!  It should be noted that Andrew Dice Clay also appears in an uncredited cameo at the beginning of this film.

    I saw Pauly Shore at the 2019 Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan and while I didn’t get a chance to meet him personally, from what I saw, he seemed legitimately nice.  He greeted and interacted with all his fans and he seemed to have a good time.  It made me appreciate Pauly Shore a little more, I have to admit.

Grade: B

Buy “Jury Duty” on Blu-ray with a Retro VHS Slipcover Here!!!

“The Secret Life of Pets 2” Movie Review

    The secret is out and now we can all share a second secret among us.  That’s right, “The Secret Life of Pets 2” is out and features all your favorite characters from the first film as well as some new adorable additions to the lineup as well.  I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the first movie so really wanted to check out the sequel when I got a chance.  Well, I finally found time to see it and I can finally share my thoughts now!

    The sequel focuses on Max and Duke as their owner Katie marries and has a child named Liam.  Max isn’t a big fan of kids but he grows to love the kid especially since Liam loves Max and Duke so much that he even acts like a dog.  As Liam gets older and the thought of Liam going into the world without Max by his side approaches, Max starts to stress and gets a great deal of anxiety.  Katie takes Max to the vet to help him and he is forced to wear a cone to prevent him from stress itching.  Soon after, Max and the rest of the family go on a trip to a farm just as the action heats up back in the apartment complex when Snowball the bunny is recruited to help save a tiger from a cruel circus owner.

    So, let me just start by saying that I liked the movie and thought it was really cute.  It was a fun movie for kids that adults could enjoy as well.  That being said, I wish the storyline was a little more cohesive.  I don’t think splitting the characters up and doing A and B storylines is a good idea in a movie meant for children.  It was just too busy at times and needed more focus or connecting tissues.  I also think the movie lost some of it’s steam during the farm scenes.

    The film does more than make up for it’s slight messiness with how cute the characters and humor is.  For the most part, it is a movie you just feel good while watching it.  I also loved the addition of the adorable yet unintentionally destructive tiger.

    The voice cast was all very good with most of the talent from the first movie returning.  The only notable substitution was that of Patton Oswalt for original Max voice actor Louis C.K.  Louis C.K. was of course replaced due to his actions with women in the past that he admitted to.  Regardless if you can forgive him or not, it was probably best for the studio to replace the comedian for this family friendly film.  The more you can avoid controversy, the better.

    “The Secret Life of Pets 2” is a harmless and safe family film that won’t leave a lasting impression but will still entertain you regardless.  It’s fun for the whole family!

Grade: B

“NASA: A Journey Through Space” Television Review: To Binge or Not to Binge

    A few days ago marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon mission so I wanted to wait and post my review for “NASA: A Journey Through Space” on the actual anniversary of the mission in honor of mankind’s accomplishment.  Of course, the anniversary of mankind’s accomplishment also happened to fall on days I worked so this post is a little late.  Thankfully, the good folks at Mill Creek Entertainment provided me with this review copy for which I am very grateful for.

    This series tells the story of the events that led to formation of NASA and everything that follows.  From exploring writers and filmmakers fascination with landing on the moon to actually doing so, this series provides information into the minds that helped push towards space exploration.  Each episode focuses primarily on specific milestones in the history of NASA.  For instance, there is an episode about the events focusing on the Apollo 11 moon mission which is sandwiched between episodes detailing the events which led to the historic mission and what happened following it.

    Now, I know this description of the show isn’t super specific but in all honesty, it’s not easy to sum up this show because it covers so much time and detail that unless I wrote a summery of each episode specifically, I would be doing this series a disservice.  You might be asking why, and the answer is rather simple, the show is a documentary which packs a lot of history and information into each episode and there is very little fluff to be found.

    I have been known to watch my fair share of shows on the History Channel (okay, okay, mainly the show “Ancient Aliens” but that show is still technically on the History Channel) and to me, this series felt a lot like a show which would air on the History Channel.  The series is narrated by Coby Batty (who does a fairly good job changing accents when necessary).  Batty is known for his work narrating documentaries and he does a good job with this series as well.

    So, as you might already know, when it comes to my tv shows, I normally try to do my reviews based on the series as a whole (which admittedly is a lot easier when dealing with a mini-series).  While I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed this series as much when I was in school, I have grown and enjoy educational shows and movies far more now.  I also think that this is the type of show that is important for someone to watch even if they don’t find it as fun as something else.

    So, in honor of the giant step mankind made fifty years ago, I am proud to recommend binge watching this series.  Somehow, we managed the impossible and it’s fascinating seeing how we managed to do so.

Overall Grade: B

To Binge or not to Binge Verdict: BINGE

Buy “NASA: A Journey Through Space” on Blu-ray Here!!!

“Spider-Man: Far From Home” Movie Review

    Growing up, my favorite Marvel comic book character was (and still remains) our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.  From the comics to the animated series and then the Sam Raimi movies, Spider-Man has always been one of the most relatable characters ever to grace printed comics and the silver screen.  Naturally, I was excited to see “Spider-Man: Far From Home” when it was released last week.

    The movie takes place after “Avengers: Endgame” and deals with how Peter Parker is trying to find his place after coming back to life post snap (aka the blip).  Peter Parker feels lost without his mentor Tony Stark and just wants to live a more normal life.  Peter Parker wants to tell MJ how he feels about her during a school trip to Europe but finds his normal life disturbed by Nick Fury who wants Peter to join Quentin Beck aka Mysterio in a new Avengers team to fight creatures from another dimension.  In what shouldn’t be a spoiler to anyone who has read Spider-Man comics, Mysterio isn’t all he seems.

    I really enjoyed this film and the film felt like a nice little epilogue following the universe altering events of “Avengers: Endgame”.  The smaller stakes felt more personal to the character and set the stage for the next arc in the character’s story.  As far as the film as a whole, it definitely like a step up from “Spider-Man: Homecoming” which I also enjoyed but felt a little underwhelmed by.  While “Spider-Man: Homecoming” felt like it tried to be a John Hughes movie more than a superhero movie, “Spider-Man: Far From Home” manages to balance the action and comedy more evenly.  The comedy also works a lot better in this film and I laughed out loud at more than a few parts.

    The cast was excellent with Tom Holland proving to be a delight once again as the awkward friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.  Zendaya has great chemistry with Holland as his potential love interest MJ.  Samuel L. Jackson once again proves to be one of the most underrated cast members of the MCU.  Lastly, Jake Gyllenhaal was one of the best parts of the film as Mysterio.  I give credit to Gyllenhaal and the writers for turning a second rate character like Mysterio into one of the best villains of the MCU to date.  Jon Watts returns to direct this sequel and really steps up his game with this film.

    In a lot of ways, “Spider-Man: Far From Home” plays out more of a sequel to “Iron Man” than it does to “Spider-Man: Homecoming”.  A lot of the call backs and references relate to “Iron Man” more than they do to “Spider-Man”.  Tying the villain closer to Tony Stark also creates an interesting dynamic for Peter Parker that typically isn’t the same as in the comics between the hero and the villain.  While I adore Spider-Man’s rogues gallery, they all tend to have some direct ties to Peter Parker himself which can be repetitive.  Spider-Man’s villains are usually either his teachers or ex lovers or friends.  Using Mysterio as a villain also provided a chance for the filmmakers to showcase a lot of his ‘powers’ with a visual flair not often seen in the MCU.  The action scenes reminded me a lot of those ones showcased in “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” and that is a very good thing since they series remains fantastic.

    I do have a few slight gripes about the film even though I understand the creative decisions for these choices.  While I understand the emotional focus Iron Man’s death had on Peter, wouldn’t the rest of the world morn the apparent deaths of Captain America, Black Widow, and Vision just as much?  I mean Captain America was ‘the first avenger’.  Surely his ‘death’ would be at least on par with Iron Man’s death.  I also wish they had set up Norman Osborne or at least Oscorp in the film.

    While I still consider the Sam Raimi “Spider-Man” films some of the best superhero movies, this is easiest the best “Spider-Man” movie made in some time.  You also need to stay during the two after credit scenes.  There is so much to unpack with the after credit scenes that you will be talking about them until the next Spider-Man film.

Grade: B+

“I Am Mother” Movie Review

    Netflix is filled with a slew of interesting original content.  For the most part however, Netflix has a better track record with it’s original shows than it does with it’s films.  As far as their original films go, I feel it’s a little like playing Russian roulette.  Watching a Netflix original movie ‘probably’ won’t kill you, but why put yourself through it?  Yet here I am again, and I watched yet another Netflix movie.  Am I a glutton for punishment?  Only my therapist knows for sure.

    “I Am Mother” tells the story of a young woman known only as daughter and her ‘mother’, a robot who cares for her.  The young girl grows up in a facility closed off from the outside world.  Mother told her daughter it was because the outside world was uninhabitable and she needed to be protected.  Daughter begins to search for answers however when a mysterious woman shows up outside asking for help.  Who, if anyone, can daughter truly trust?

    So I happened upon “I Am Mother” because it was suggested to me by Netflix and it looked like it might be interesting (although I thought the same thing about “The Titan”).  While the film had a lot going for it and was certainly better than “The Titan”, the film’s flaws kept it from being memorable beyond the first watch.

    Now the film actually looks stunning.  As far as the cinematography and special effects go, it is actually a more visually appealing film than a lot of movies released in theaters.  This attention to detail and the overall production design made what was essentially a small picture feel far bigger than it was.  The film was also blessed with an excellent performance from newcomer Clara Rugaard.  You know she is destined for greatness when she can outshine Hilary Swank in the scenes they share together.  Rose Byrne also provides a great vocal performance as Mother.  Byrne’s comforting voice gives the robot Mother a great deal of humanity.

    Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems with the film was what plagues a lot of science fiction movies, it tried too hard to be a heady sci-fi film without actually having any fun.  A gloomy and intelligent science fiction film ‘can’ work but it has to have a killer ending.  While the ending revealed a few potential surprises, all the big twists felt fairly predictable.  I would have loved if the writers played with the concept of what ‘actually’ makes someone human more.

    Another slight problem I had with the film was it’s pacing.  I actually liked it’s relatively simplistic story and approach and didn’t mind the slow build.  What I didn’t like was the slow build to a sort of crammed finale and the runtime that could have been trimmed a bit.

    “I Am Mother” ended up being an average film that was beautifully shot.  While this film will never be a masterpiece, it wasn’t poorly written either.  It just needed a little something more in my opinion.  If you like science fiction films, this certainly isn’t the worst out there by any means and would be worth a watch for it’s visual flair alone.

Grade: B-

“Toy Story 4” Movie Review

    The original “Toy Story” movie remains one of my favorite animated movies of all time.  It was a cute and simple story which dealt with the building of an unlikely friendship.  The franchise continued to grow with two strong followup films and it appeared as if “Toy Story 3” was the end of line for Woody, Buzz, and company.  Needless to say, the franchise couldn’t stay in the toy chest for long and “Toy Story 4” graced the silver screen this summer.

    This possibly final chapter in the “Toy Story” franchise starts with Bonnie (the girl whom Andy gave the toys to) trying to adjust to life in kindergarten.  With the help of Woody, Bonnie creates a new toy at school made from a plastic spork named Forky.  Forky quickly becomes her favorite toy but Forky is a bit of a handful to the other toys since he has only recently become alive and still believes he is a spork.  Woody takes it upon himself to watch Forky in an attempt to find some meaning in his existence since Bonnie hardly plays with him anymore.  Forky manages to get lost during a road trip and Woody decides to find him for Bonnie’s sake.  Once he finds Forky and the pair head back, he crosses paths with his old flame Bo Peep and the pair end up on an unlikely adventure to rescue Forky from Gabby Gabby. Gabby Gabby is holding Forky hostage in exchange for Woody’s voice box.

    I really enjoyed the movie overall although the ending was a little problematic for some people, including myself (I will get into that in a bit so just be warned there will be spoilers beyond this point).  That being said, the film is still yet another winner for the long running “Toy Story” franchise and provides an appropriate swan song for Woody.

    The voice cast was amazing and it was nice to hear Randy Newman’s score in the film since he provided the music for the other film’s in the series.  The new characters in the film were also compelling and added a breath of fresh air to the film.  Forky and Duke Caboom were among the highlights of new characters in the film.  The humor of the film was accessible to all audience members and everything you would expect from Disney and Pixar.

    Now, let’s talk about the ending of the film...you’ve been warned!!!  So, the film ends with Woody leaving his friends and Bonnie to be with Bo Peep.  Now, as far as Woody finding love again, that part I loved.  Woody had spent so much time in this film series bringing happiness to others, it was nice to see him finally find happiness of his own.  What the ending messed up a little on, in my view, was successfully closing the book on Woody’s friendship with the other toys, especially Buzz.  I understand the moral of the ending was supposed to be that friendship sometimes means having to let someone go for their happiness, but it needed more of an emotional punch to it.  Woody and Buzz deserved it in the film, and we deserved it as an audience.  Since the film focuses so much on Woody and Bo Peep, the other toys felt very slighted as a result.

    Now, while the ending may not have had the emotional wallop I felt the film deserved, the movie was still very good and surprisingly fresh.  It managed to tell a relatable story of how moving on is difficult when you are trying to find your place in the world after you have lost everything (which is definitely a message most older audience members can relate to).  This film has a lot of heart and while it isn’t perfect, it is still pretty amazing.

Grade: A-

“Space Station” Movie Review

    When I requested a review copy of “Space Station”, I didn’t realize what a treat Mill Creek Entertainment would provide me until I started rewatching it.  Mill Creek Entertainment has just released a fantastic 4K transfer of this IMAX film.  This movie was actually previously released by Warner Bros. in a 3D version as well so film collectors like myself may have to get both versions depending on the experience they want.  I would like to thank Mill Creek Entertainment for providing me this review copy because it means a great deal to me (I will get into that in a little bit).

    The film (which clocks in at 47 minutes long) is a documentary which shows the lives of astronauts from the Kennedy Space Center as they prepare to leave the Earth to embark on their mission to space.  Once in space, they are tasked with completing work on the International Space Station with the help of the cosmonauts already there.  The film shows the majestic beauty of space and the hardships the astronauts have to go through.

    The film is an enlightening piece of media for any fan of NASA or space exploration.  I have to admit that the film feels more important now that interest in space exploration has sadly weaned over the years.  The crisp visuals showcased in 4K help make you feel like you are in outer space with the astronauts.  It can be truly breathtaking to watch and it only makes me want to compare the 4K and 3D versions now to see which feels most immersive to view.

    The film is famous for being the first production of an IMAX 3D film to shoot in space.  It was narrated by Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise but his narration honestly adds little to the viewing experience.  In a documentary like this, star power adds little to the overall experience.

    Now I mentioned that this movie had a special meaning to me earlier and that is because I had actually seen this film in an IMAX 3D theater years ago with my parents (they have both passed away since).  I didn’t realize it was the same movie until I started watching it.

    Ultimately this is a movie for fans of NASA and documentaries but anyone can still appreciate the beauty of space with this film.  If you are looking to get lost, you could do far worse than taking a trip to the International Space Station. Plus with a short runtime, it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.

Grade: B

Buy “Space Station” on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Here!!!!

“Opportunity Knocks” Movie Review

    The late 80s and early 90s were a golden era for “Saturday Night Live” and one of the standout performers was Dana Carvey.  Carvey was always a gifted comedian and has managed to shine in everything he has starred in no matter the material he is given.  To date, Carvey is best known for co-starring in “Wayne’s World” and it’s sequel, a film based on a “Saturday Night Live” sketch which also featured Mike Myers.  I was extremely curious to watch “Opportunity Knocks” because I am a big Dana Carvey fan so when I found out that Mill Creek Entertainment was releasing this film on blu-ray, I had to check it out.

    The movie follows con men Eddie and Lou as they attempt to rip people off to pay back a gangster.  After destroying the gangster’s car, Eddie and Lou split up to get away from his thugs.  While attempting to break into a house earlier, the pair had discovered a beautiful home in which the owner was away from for a period of time.  Via an answering machine, the pair had discovered the house sitter wasn’t going to show up so Eddie decides to hide out at the house.  After spending a night there, Eddie is surprised to meet Milt and Mona, the home owner’s parents.  The couple mistake Eddie for Jonathan, the friend who was supposed to house sit.  When Eddie realizes how much money Milt has, he starts a romantic con with Milt and Mona’s daughter.  Everything goes well until Eddie actually begins to fall in love with her.

    Dana Carvey has always been a favorite comedian of mine ever since his days on “Saturday Night Live”.  Carvey has always been able to surround himself with some of the best talent of all time (if you need any proof, watch the Hulu documentary “Too Funny To Fail: The Life & Death of the Dana Carvey Show”) and he shines best playing off of other comedians.  When Dana Carvey is given starring roles, he tends to go a little over board and hams it up a little too much.  While “Opportunity Knocks” isn’t the hamfest “Master of Disguise” turned out to be, Carvey has a habit of going over the top even in this film.  That isn’t to say I disliked the film, but a slightly more reserved performance might have enhanced the film some.

    Aside from Carvey, the supporting cast is surprisingly strong.  Todd Graff plays Lou in the film and has a good chemistry with Carvey.  When Graff shares scenes with Carvey, he enhances the veteran comedian.  The great Robert Loggia shines in this comedy.  Julia Campbell is also very good and it is a bit surprising she didn’t end up doing more after this performance.

    One thing that bothered me a little about the movie was how easily Milt and his family all forgave Eddie after he conned them.  For me, this unrealistic action removed any heart the film was going for.  That being said, the movie does score some bonus points in it’s favor for Carvey’s President George H.W. Bush imitation.

    The movie isn’t terrible but isn’t the comedic showcase Carvey deserves either.  Some comedians just deserve greatness and just plain average is a bit sad to see.  Still, it’s a trip back to the 90s where things felt simpler and there are definitely a lot worse comedies out there.

Grade: C+

Buy “Opportunity Knocks” with a Retro VHS Cover on Blu-ray Here!!!

“Annabelle Comes Home” Movie Review

    The latest film in “The Conjuring” universe, “Annabelle Comes Home” recently hit theaters and having seen almost all the other films set in that horror universe, I knew I would have to end up watching this at some point or another so in the theaters was as good of time as any.  This movie comes on the heels of the sad news of Lorraine Warren’s passing.

    The latest story of the doll Annabelle takes places after the first film and it’s prequel as Ed and Lorraine Warren retrieve the doll and take it back to their house to contain the demonic presence that resides in Annabelle.  Once Annabelle is secure, Ed and Lorraine Warren take off to research another case so they leave their daughter with a babysitter until they get back in a few days.  When the babysitter invites a friend over who sneaks into the room Annabelle is being held and lets the doll out, all Hell literally breaks out and it’s up to the girls to contain Annabelle before they become her latest victims.

    I enjoyed “Annabelle Comes Home” but it had a bit of a ‘more of the same’ feel to it.  The film offers some scares and it is entertaining but also doesn’t add much to make the franchise feel fresh either.  For a franchise that is known for it’s scares, it sure plays it safe with it’s sequels. Perhaps this may be part of the reason one of the most popular tags for this film aside from ‘creepy’ is ‘boring’.  Most of the scares in this film were obvious jump scares and there wasn’t really enough of them scattered throughout for most horror fans.

    The film was a little frustrating to me because of it’s bait and switch marketing.  The film’s trailers showcased Ed and Lorraine Warren a great deal and it was advertised as a sort of Conjuring and Annabelle crossover.  As it turns out, it was not.  The Warrens basically served as bookends to the main story which makes sense since they are seemingly saving the Warrens for a proper “The Conjuring 3”.

    The film started Mckenna Grace as Judy Warren.  Grace did a very good job and her star is set to shine even more with a starring role in “Ghostbusters 2020”.  Madison Iseman plays Judy’s babysitter Mary and does a good job expressing terror as well.  As stated before, Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return as Lorraine and Ed Warren and are among the highlights of the film.  To me though, the breakout star was Michael Cimino as Bob.  Cimino’s character nicknamed ‘Bobs got balls’ provided a great deal of the levity throughout the film.

    Horror screenwriter Gary Dauberman makes his directorial debut with this film.  Dauberman awkwardly framed some of his shots to foreshadow events in the film.  I also felt like the film was more worried about setting up otherworldly ghouls not to world build within the movie but to set up possible spinoffs.

    “Annabelle Comes Home” is a familiar horror film that checks off all the formulaic checkboxes and delivers an entertaining yet mostly forgettable film.  It’s become clear the Annabelle franchise needs to rest in peace or find a new direction.

Grade: B-

“Brainscan” Movie Review

    I am not the biggest horror expert in the world so there are quite a few horror movies I am still discovering.  From time to time, I watch ‘new to me’ cult classics provided to me through review copies.  Unlike some other horror movies I get however, I had actually heard of the movie “Brainscan” and requested it directly from Mill Creek Entertainment.  Mill Creek was kind enough to provide me the film and I very much looked forward to seeing it.

    The film follows a young man named Michael as he agrees to play a game called Brianscan after his friend Kyle encourages him to.  Michael plays the first game and kills someone in the game.  Upon doing so, he is greeted by a character in the game called the Trickster and finds out that the murder he committed in the game turned out to be real.  Now, Michael isn’t sure if he is losing his mind or if he is actually a killer.  Michael finds himself in over his head as the Trickster manipulates Michael into killing his friend Kyle and covering up his murder.

    The movie received negative reviews upon it’s release but has since become something of a cult classic since.  I found the movie to be interesting and thought the character of the Trickster to be really unique.  I can understand critics not being blown away by aspects of the film, but I find it odd that so few of them saw the good in the film.

    The film was directed by John Flynn and starred Edward Furlong a few years after co-starring in the smash hit “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”.  Flynn did not have a good experience working with Furlong on the film.  Frank Langella plays a detective in the film but isn’t given much to do.  T. Ryder Smith is given the most creative freedom as the Trickster and does a stellar job.  Smith’s performance was inspired by rock stars such as Alice Cooper and he doesn’t disappoint.

    This movie is interesting because it takes a stand on the video game violence debate by basically equating simulated violence to actual violence.  Not only is it a talking point brought up a few times in the film, but the basic concept of the film seemingly makes the argument that there is little difference between video game violence and real life violence.  I wonder if this stance might have been why the movie wasn’t more popular.  It’s hard to sell a movie to an audience when your audience as a whole tends to disagree with your stance (also a bit hypocritical to target a teenage audience with a violent movie while stating that simulated violence can turn them violent in real life.  Just my opinion however).  Maybe I am just overthinking this movie.

    After watching the movie and putting aside the vague morals the movie is trying to advocate, I thought it was pretty entertaining.  It was a classic but it reminds me of the type of movies I would watch as a kid.  Plus, the movie is worth watching for the Trickster alone.

Grade: C+

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