This film demonstrates that Sam Raimi is a force to be reckoned with and that he still can create unique and fresh viewing experiences. I hope he continues to make films like these.
You would think that writer/creator Kevin Williamson, at the helm, would be able to deliver the same thrills and excitement as the previous films in the franchise. Unfortunately, this part could be the prime example of how not to do it. It's also crucial to have a strong director. Wes Craven, a master of horror, depicted true horror while also playing with conventions to keep things fresh and fun. Kevin Williamson fails to do so and attempts to keep things serious. Still, at times, it does feel like he mocks his legacy characters and the audience. Well, we aren't having it.
Alan Ritchson is most famous for playing Reacher stars in War Machine and rocks it. But he is supported by a good cast who manage to make you care and root for them. It's a no-nonsense film, where there are little to no distractions from the main plot. It's a simple story, but very effective.
On a whim, we decided to watch The Womb a.k.a. Inang. And while it's not super scary, there is some disturbing creepiness going on. It does have some familiar tropes, but the terror and dread are of a different nature. Probably far more heinous than in similar horror films.
It also helps that you empathize with the lead played by Naysila Mirdad. She tries to do her best to make a living and be a good person. But she is surrounded by people who are very loose morally speaking.
Cold Storage had the potential to be a bigger film than it is. But perhaps that can still come if they decide to make sequels. It's fun to see Joe Keery in something else, and it should be no surprise that he is doing well.
After Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers, I was really psyched for what writer/director Dan Trachtenberg would bring us. He gave us a fresh take on the Predators and expanded on the lore. Then I saw Predator: Badlands, and I didn't know what to think.
The first time I watched it, I was heavily disappointed. This part was very much unlike what had come before. The once super impressive alien has now been reduced to a weaker and more emo version of the original. Normally, I would write my review and be done with it. But because I didn't want my disappointment to dictate the review, I decided to give the film a second chance. So I watched it again.
This time, I found myself enjoying the film a little more. It's like a coming-of-age story for a younger Yautja who has to prove himself to his clan and his father. His father has no fate, but his brother Kwei believes in him and sacrifices his life so that Dek can flee and survive and, once and for all, show everyone what he is made of. The death planet, Genna, is full of challenges, and Dek learns some valuable lessons. Tonally, this part in the franchise is very much a Disney movie, including cute creatures. It's the opposite of what Predator should be about. But here we are. And yes, it took me some time to appreciate this. But once you do, you will find some solid entertainment.
That being said, I don't want them to continue this route. We need to go back to predators being menacing and dangerous. I don't see the point of likable predators unless they are fighting monsters who are worse than them. The kiddyifying of the Predator is stupid. I am all for expanding on the lore. But not like this. Here they are making a joke of beings who aren't to be messed with.
Overall, the film is entertaining enough, once you can find yourself to let go of the earlier parts. Otherwise, you will have a hard time accepting the demystifying of the Predators.
The original Becky wasn't particularly impressive. But it had Kevin James, who played a villain. It was OK. So, we were really surprised that it got a sequel.
Phenomena, a.k.a Creepers, is a film I have watched many times, but for some reason, I have never done a review for it. Not sure why. But I can honestly say that this is definitely one of the better works created by Dario Argento.
Even for Argento, this is a weird one since he combines the usual giallo stuff with supernatural elements. And thanks to good acting from Jennifer Connelly, it works.
Somebody on Facebook suggested this film, and when I watched the trailer, it did look promising! So we decided to check it out and were immensely disappointed!
