Tag: 2023

The Year the Film was Released

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Movie Review

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) Short Movie Review

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar – Movie Review

Discover the captivating storytelling of The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Watch this fast-paced movie on Netflix and be amazed.

First Reaction – The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is fast-paced and captivating storytelling.

Watch The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar on Netflix

ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nomination – W

Director: Wes Anderson

Writer: Wes Anderson (Screenplay)

Writer: Roald Dahl (Story)

Cast

Plot: Chronicles a variety of stories, but the main one follows Henry Sugar, who is able to see through objects and predict the future with the help of a book he stole.

Runtime: 40 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar starts when Roald Dahl (Fiennes) introduces the incredibly wealthy Henry Sugar (Cumberbatch). Henry has inherited the fortune and is out of place with society around him. His fascinating stories led him to learn about Imdad Khan (Kingsley) and his incredible gifts.

Verdict on The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Recap

This short movie follows a rich man who never earned his riches, but now he finds a way to remain rich. It leads him down a path where he discovers a way to stay rich, but it comes at a cost.

Best Parts

This uses Wes Anderson’s intense non-story style of storytelling, where the narrator barely takes a second to breathe. It elevates this story to be interesting around every corner and feel like we are watching a play. The revolving sets and stagehands appearing on camera make it feel great. We get fantastic performances, which play into the style of the movie. In the end, this showed the storytelling abilities of Roald Dahl to give us a captivating character in famous tales.

Final Thoughts –The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is an incredibly entertaining story.

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Movie Review

Sing Sing (2023) Movie Review

Sing Sing – Movie Review

"Sing Sing explores resilience through a prison theater group, highlighting the transformative power of art for inmates coping with long sentences."

First Reaction – Sing Sing shows the impact of long term prison sentences and how people cope.

Watch Sing Sing on Amazon Prime.

ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nominations – Q (Adrian Quesada, Original Song).

Director: Greg Kwedar

Writer: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.

Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Sing Sing starts as we meet prisoner John Divine G Whitefield (Domingo). He is locked up for a crime he never committed and has found a purpose in a theatre group. John works with the other inmates facing lifelong terms in prison sentences.

The men come together to put on a show. They put aside their differences to make something meaningful in their limited time. However, they do face problems they never expected.

Verdict on Sing Sing

Recap

The movie follows a man who helps leads a prison theatre to help the inmates deal with their time locked up. He puts together a new show and brings the inmates together to help them express themselves after their mistakes.

Best Parts

The movie proves that people can always come together to make something special. It doesn’t matter if they have been locked up or are innocent facing a life they don’t have outside the walls. This has wonderful performances and shows this is a therapy, not a show stealing moment.

Worst Parts

The movie doesn’t put enough focus on the crimes they may or may not have committed.

Final Thoughts –Sing Sing has a good message about coming together.

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Movie Review

You’ll Never Find Me (2023) Movie Review

You’ll Never Find Me – Movie Review

Discover the mysterious world of 'You'll Never Find Me' in this captivating movie review. Dive into a story filled with suspense and unexpected twists.

ABC Film Challenge – Horror – Y

Director: Josiah Allen, Indianna Bell

Writer: Indianna Bell (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Patrick, a strange and lonely resident, lives in a mobile home at the back of an isolated trailer park. After a violent storm, a mysterious young woman appears at his door seeking shelter from the elements.

Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: You’ll Never Find Me starts when a lonely resident Patrick (Rock) gets a visit from a young woman (Cowan). She needs help and he offers her shelter and safety. However, there is an unease between the two as she fears he wants something more and he doesn’t know why she is in the area late at night.

With a storm raging outside, the two try to get comfortable with each other. However, the strange events continue to occur, causing more tension between the pair.

Verdict on You’ll Never Find Me

You’ll Never Find Me is a horror mystery following a stranger arriving at a lonely man’s cabin. It creates an uneasy tension between the two as they are both unsure of the other. However, as the night continues, they learn the truth of what is happening.

This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat. It has an opening sequence which feels a lot like ‘Barbarian’ even though things go in a different direction. The tension can be cut with a knife as the movie constantly keeps you questioning what is happening before the final reveal. It is a true masterclass in set up and delivers an ending you would never imagine.

Where to Watch

a
JustWatch

Final Thoughts – You’ll Never Find Me creates a tension ready to cut with a knife.

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Movie Review

Elevator Game (2023) Movie Review

Elevator Game – Movie Review

Discover the chilling world of the Elevator Game in this supernatural horror movie review. Find out how players attempt to travel to another dimension.

ABC Film Challenge – Horror – E

Director: Rebekah McKendry

Writer: David Ian McKendry, Travis Seppala (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Supernatural horror, based on the eponymous online phenomenon, a ritual conducted in an elevator, in which players attempt to travel to another dimension using a set of rules that can be found online.

Runtime: 1 Hour 34 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Elevator Game starts when a YouTube team Kris (Carlos), Matty (Demkowicz), Izzy (MacIsaac) and Chloe (Marks) prepare for their latest episode. They run a show named ‘Nightmare of Dare Street’ which Kevin (Stewart-Kanigan) produces. Along with the new intern Ryan (Anania) who suggests a new game going through social media.

The game sees the team playing a game in an elevator that is meant to unlock the doorway to another dimension. However, once they play the game, they realize the story is true and face a battle to survive the ghostly figure.

Verdict on Elevator Game

Elevator Game is a horror thriller following a YouTube channel wanting to get views from supernatural stories. They are becoming desperate and take what seems like an easy role. However, they learn the game has more to it and must figure out how to escape the curse.

This movie plays into social media games which get out of control. It plays in the curses and however dangerous social media games; people still jump in on playing them. The concept works in a way; however, it struggles to maintain the niche of the idea. As soon as the characters leave the elevator setting, it feels more like a generic haunting movie. It still entertains but doesn’t make as much sense to the concept of the game. The ghost creation is haunting and like many others becomes the highlight of the movie.

Where to Watch

a
JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Elevator Game is a great fun late night horror movie.

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Movie Review

Blind Waters (2023) Movie Review

Blind Waters – Movie Review

Experience the suspense and terror of Blind Waters. Follow Valentina and Weston's harrowing journey as they battle a relentless shark on their dream vacation.

ABC Film Challenge – Horror – B

Director: Anthony C Ferrante

Writer: Anthony C Ferrante (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: An unrelenting shark turns a couple’s dream vacation into a nightmare when they are stranded at sea and forced to fight for their lives.

Runtime: 1 Hour 41 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Blind Waters starts when Valentina (Carrasquillo) and Weston (Sigler) are on their dream vacation on a beautiful island. They are experiencing the local culture and set out on a boat trip in the open ocean. However, their boat breaks down and they get attacked by a bloodthirsty shark.

They are near safety, but Valentina has lost her vision and Weston has been bitten. The pair have two choices, wait for rescue or go to safety, neither option is as safe as they want it to be.

Verdict on Blind Waters

Blind Waters is a horror thriller following a couple’s dream vacation that turns into a nightmare when they get attacked by a shark. They must figure out how to survive and face other challenges. The race is one to survive, as the rescue party starts searching for them.

This movie takes the typical people stuck in the water shark movie and adds some extra flavour. It uses isolation to create more threats, which increases the tension they go through. This uses ideas to uncover potential solutions, as the bigger threat awaits them. It is one where we know the danger and we must wait to see if they can handle it before it is too late. However, this can take away from the threat the shark poses. It ends up being a fun shark movie, that adds to the collection where you can switch off and enjoy.

Where to Watch

Blind Waters is available on Tubi now.

Final Thoughts – Blind Waters is an entertaining late-night shark movie.

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Movie Review

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor (2023) Movie Review

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor – Movie Review

Discover the creepy secrets of Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor in this chilling movie review. Find out what the investigators uncover on their footage.

ABC Film Challenge – Franchise Films – H

Director: Stephen Cognetti

Writer: Stephen Cognetti (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A group of cold case investigators stay at the Carmichael Manor. After four nights, the group was never heard from again. What is discovered on their footage is even more disturbing than anything found on the Hell House tapes.

Runtime: 1 Hour 38 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor starts when cold case investigators Margot (Perrotta), Rebecca (Brown) and Chase (Bentley) head to the Carmichael Manor. After the fire at the Abaddon Hotel, they want to discover more about the family who has plenty of mysterious events around them.

However, they learn that the horrors started somewhere else and now deal with the spirits. What follows is the footage of their final days trying to survive the mansion and their uncomfortable events.

Verdict on Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor is the 4th and currently the last instalment of the franchise. It follows a cold case investigating team looking into the story of a local unsolved mystery. However, it leads them to the connection to the Abaddon Hotel and the cult surrounding the events there.

This movie takes things to a new location, one connected to the original. It dives further into the history of the locations and the people involved. This gives us a new mystery to have investigated, before things spiral into the same terrors for the victims. The horror is still excellent and gives us plenty of moments of pure terror.

Where to Watch

a
JustWatch

Final Thoughts –Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor completes the excellent horror journey.

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Movie Review

Snow Angel (2023) Movie Review

Snow Angel – Movie Review

Snow Angel follows a haunted ex-pro snowboarder coping with a fatal accident, balancing unexpected encounters and shocking revelations throughout.

First Reaction – Snow Angel keeps us guessing along, and leaves us shocked by the outcome.

Director: Gabriel Allard

Writer: Gabriel Allard, Catherine Bérubé, Damien Berube, Marc Lapointe, Louis-Philippe Tremblay, Payl Van Dyck (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: In the aftermath of a fatal accident in a snowy village at the Eastern tip of Quebec, a screwed-up ex-pro snowboarder decides to pack up her cabin and leave town for good, but someone, or something – seems intent on stopping her.

Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Snow Angel starts when ex-pro snowboarder Mary-Jane (Berube) is involved in a fatal accident. It ruins her friendship with Alice (Murray) and Mary wants to rebuild the broken life. However, Mary-Jane is haunted by the past and decides she wants to leave.

Her trip is interrupted by an unexpected visitor, Fred Walker (Renaud), who has followed her career for years. She reluctantly agrees to show him some of the best spots in the area, but things begin getting a little too close to home.

Verdict on Snow Angel

Recap

The movie follows a troubled ex-pro snowboarder struggling to deal with the aftermath of a fatal accident. It follows her family torn apart and she tries to understand what has happened to her former friends. Meanwhile, she gets haunted by the events which have stuck with her.

Best Parts

The movie does a brilliant job of keeping us guessing. It leaves clues and you start to believe one outcome, only to be surprised by the bigger reveal. The performances are brilliant and help surprise the audience.

Worst Parts

The movie tends to return to the night of the incident for minor moments, which sometimes feel more like stopgaps to fill in blank time.

Final Thoughts –Snow Angel keeps us guessing and leaves us flawed.

Categories
Movie Review

The Wrath of Becky (2023) Movie Review

The Wrath of Becky – Movie Review

The Wrath of Becky is a violent, chaotic film about a teenage girl avenging her loved ones against a domestic terrorist cell.

First Reaction – The Wrath of Becky is violent and chaotic from start to finish.

Director: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote

Writer: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote (Screenplay)

Writer: Nick Morris, Lana Skye, Ruckus Skye (Characters)

Cast

Plot: Two years after escaping a violent attack, a teenage girl must defend herself against a domestic terrorist cell.

Runtime: 1 Hour 24 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Wrath of Becky starts as Becky (Wilson) is placed in the foster system. However, she can’t settle in any homes until she meets Elena (Burse). Becky continues to exhibit a more aggressive attitude toward those around her, and her decision to fight back has a ripple effect.

She clashes with a domestic terrorist cell run by Darryl (Scott), who murders Elena and takes her dog Diego. Becky decides to have some fun and targets the terrorist cell, saving the world from the threat they pose.

Verdict on The Wrath of Becky

Recap

The movie follows teenage Becky as she tries to get her life back. However, her experience has caused lasting damage to her, and she clashes with a new terrorist cell. Becky decides to eliminate the terrorist cell to get revenge for taking her latest loved ones.

Best Parts

The movie has a brutal nature behind everything going on; it plays into the over-the-top comedy violence. Lulu Wilson commits to this chaotic role where she shines. Watching the terrorist group operate shows how easily they can rise and how dysfunctional they can become. This is plenty of action comedy in the violence, which, for the right tone, is great fun.

Worst Parts

It leans into the fantasy violence a bit too often, instead of letting Becky off the leash.

Final Thoughts –The Wrath of Becky is a violent, chaotic movie.

Categories
Movie Review

Bottoms (2023) Movie Review

Bottoms – Movie Review

Discover the intriguing story of Bottoms, a movie about two queer high-school students who start a fight club to achieve their goals.

ABC Film Challenge – High School/College Movies – B

Director: Emma Seligman

Writer: Emma Seligman, Rachel Sennott (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Two unpopular queer high-school students start a fight club to have sex before graduation.

Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Bottoms starts when outsider gay students PJ (Sennott) and Josie (Edebiri) want to finish their last year of high school by having sex. However, they became public enemy number one after injuring the star football player. This leads to them wanting to create a fight club to defend women from aggressive boys.

However, it offers something new for the female students, a safe space. Something none of the women have felt about before and they can open up about the problems they have been facing. However, their plans get complicated and they must save their reputations.

Verdict on Bottoms

Bottoms is a high school comedy following two outsider students who want to have sex. They start a fight club for women and bring a group of women together in ways the high school hasn’t before. However, things get out of control for them both.

This movie shows a darker, even older vision of high school where bullying is still taking over. It does lean into the extremes of what people will do for sex. However, it does portray the boys as manipulative and the girls as naïve and believing anything a guy says. It is also difficult to see the lead to girls as ‘ugly’ members of the school and things go way past what would be acceptable in high school. It is also difficult to understand how a school comes so close to together for a football game, and always has been.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Bottoms is an outlandish high school comedy.