Tag: 2019

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Movie Review

Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire (2019) Movie Review

Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire – Movie Review

Get ready to be scared! Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire is a must-watch horror film filled with suspense and eerie encounters. Read our review to learn more.

Director: Stephen Cognetti

Writer: Stephen Cognetti (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: The Abaddon Hotel will once again be open to the public. Russell Wynn has taken his audience-interactive show, Insomnia, into the abandoned hotel that is rumored to be haunted.

Runtime: 1 Hour 23 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire starts when a rich man Russell Wynn (Chytry) buys the Abaddon Hotel and saves it from demolition. He wants to produce a play in the hotel and recruits Vanessa Shepherd (Vermilyea) to do a news piece on the grand re-opening.

As the team record the final preparations for the live show, Vanessa’s team discovers something lurking in the shadows. However, the show must go on and the house regains its powers now it is filled with new victims.

Verdict on Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire

Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire is the third instalment of the franchise. It follows an ambitious producer who wants to film his latest show there. However, as they prepare for the big event, strange things start happening around the hotel.

This movie dives into people’s obsession with haunted locations. No matter how many stories have been told from there, people will always try to make something out of the stories. Its commentary on people’s behaviour stands out from the crowd. However, it falls short because most of the moments would see people watch the footage would see things. When it comes to the scares, it is more of the same, they are affected and bring terror to anyone watching.

Where to Watch

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JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire reflects people’s need to answer paranormal.

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Movie Review

Polaroid (2019) Movie Review

Polaroid – Movie Review

Polaroid is an entertaining horror film about a cursed camera that causes the deaths of those photographed.

First Reaction – Polaroid is an entertaining late-night horror movie.

Watch Polaroid on Tubi.

ABC Film Challenge – High School/College – P

Director: Lars Klevberg

Writer: Lars Klevberg, Blair Butler (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: High school loner Bird Fitcher has no idea what dark secrets are tied to the Polaroid camera she finds. It doesn’t take long to discover that those who have their picture taken with it, soon die.

Runtime: 1 Hour 28 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Polaroid starts when an outsider Bird (Prescott) receives an antique camera. She begins taking harmless photos of her friends. However, the people who are in the pictures start dying. Bird quickly comes to the conclusion the camera is behind the deaths.

The problem is some of her friends haven’t died yet and she must figure out how to save her friends before they meet their fates. However, the truth brings a much more disturbing side to everything happening.

Verdict on Polaroid

Recap

The movie follows a group of high school students who take a photo with an antique camera. However, after the photos are taken, they begin dying in unusual methods.

Best Parts

We get a horror film with a possessed item picking off victims in photos. It gives us a blend of Final Destination and a slasher, despite the characters not having a way to fight back. This might have flaws, but it works as an entertaining horror that keeps us wanting to see more.

Worst Parts

Some of the kills are a bit too over the top and by doing this, it leaves us in a position where something is doing the murders, instead of leaning into a mixture of accidents.

Final Thoughts –Polaroid is a fun late-night horror movie.

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Movie Review

Z (2019) Movie Review

Z – Movie Review

Discover the chilling horror of 'Z' - a family terrorized by their son's imaginary friend. Read our review for the spine-tingling details.

ABC Film Challenge – Horror – Z

Director: Brandon Christensen

Writer: Brandon Christensen, Colin Minihan (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A family finds themselves terrorized by their eight-year-old son’s imaginary friend.

Runtime: 1 Hour 23 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Z starts when Beth (Tracy) and her husband Kevin (Rogerson) discover their son Josh (Klyne) has made a new imaginary friend named Z. They don’t see too much harm with it to start with until they see a darker side to Josh. Beth tries to investigate the truth and makes a startling discovery.

It leads to Beth needing to learn more about her past, if she is ever going to stop the violent friend. However, Dr Seager (McHattie) believes there is a much more rational series of events happening.

Verdict on Z

Z is a horror thriller following a family dealing with a mysterious imaginary friend. They believe it is harmless to start with, but things take a much more sinister turn.

This movie takes us into the world of dark imaginary friends, we have seen this a few times and even in 2024. It adds a twisted element to the story, as we know a family thinking they are fine, dealing with a threat that presents a terrifying concept. However, in this movie, we end up going through the routine scares and the uneasy concept doesn’t click as well as others. It is still a nice short movie, which gets enough out of everything, making for a solid late-night movie.

Final Thoughts –Z is a solid late-night horror.

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Movie Review

Snatchers (2019) Movie Review

Enter Snatchers Movie to Discover the Perils of Early Adolescence

ABC Film Challenge – Sci-Fi – S

Enter Snatchers Movie to Discover the Perils of Early Adolescence

Director: Stephen Cedars, Benji Kleiman

Writer: Stephen Cedars, Benji Kleiman, Scott Yacyshyn (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: After status-obsessed teen Sara has sex for the first time, she wakes up the next day nine months pregnant-with an alien.

Runtime: 1 Hour 36 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Snatchers starts when Sara (Nepi) returns to high school to find herself part of the popular crew. It leads to her meeting up with Skyler (Fryberger) and hooking up for the first time. However, the next day she finds herself heavily pregnant and turns to her old friend Hayley (Elyse).

When the pair look for help, an alien creature comes out and goes on a killing rampage. However, now the two are facing the reality that Sara is still pregnant and must figure out what to do next. It takes them down a dangerous path as they search for answers.

Verdict on Snatchers

Snatchers is a horror sci-fi comedy following a teenager who finds out she is pregnant and gives birth to an alien creature. However, she believes she still has one in her while the other goes on a rampage. The friends must figure out how to stop the rampage before it is too late.

This is an extended version of a short movie of the same name and the same team. It uses the high school politics between two old friends who find themselves working together again. This has an alien creature like many of the ones we have seen before, while showing a deadly side. We get good performances throughout and the comedy flows around everything going on. Think like a high school version of Slither, you know what you are getting yourself in for.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Snatchers is a wacky sci-fi comedy with a pinch of high school drama.

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Movie Review

Scooby Doo! and the Curse of the 13th Ghost (2019) Movie Review

Scooby Doo! And the Curse of the 13th Ghost – Movie Review

Discover the plot of Scooby Doo! And the Curse of the 13th Ghost. Follow Scooby-Doo and the gang on a mission to uncover the truth behind a spooky legend.

ABC Film Challenge – Franchise Favourites – S

Director: Cecilia Aranovich

Writer: Tim Sheridan (Screenplay)

Writer: William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, Joe Ruby, Ken Spears (Characters)

Cast (Voice Talents)

Plot: Scooby-Doo and the gang must track down the last of the thirteen ghosts they had hunted years ago.

Runtime: 1 Hour 22 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Scooby Doo! And the Curse of the 13th Ghost starts when Mystery Inc faces an uncertain future. Freddy sells the Mystery Machine and while clearing out their old artefacts they discover a Crystal Ball. Vincent Van Ghoul has been trying to contact them in an attempt to get Daphne, Scooby and Shaggy to find the 13th ghost.

The gang must work together to solve the latest mystery as they come up against a real ghost. However, this one is more dangerous than the others they faced and Fred and Velma must learn about the events of the 13 Ghosts encounter with Vincent Van Ghoul.

Verdict on Scooby Doo! And the Curse of the 13th Ghost

Scooby Doo! And the Curse of the 13th Ghost is a sequel to the 1985 TV series. It follows the full gang working together to solve the unfinished mystery of the 13th ghost. They team up with Vincent Van Ghoul as Fred and Velma learn about the previous adventures they missed.

This movie uses one of the niche series of the gang which saw Daphne, Scooby and Shaggy on their own adventure. It puts Daphne in a different light for Fred, who gets lost in who he is to the gang. Meanwhile, the return of Vincent Van Ghoul and battling real ghosts adds a new level of peril. It covers up the fact Scrappy has been forgotten in the history of the series too. This feels more like a nostalgic trip for older fans of the series, as the younger audience might feel lost with certain references.

Final Thoughts –Scooby Doo! And the Curse of the 13th Ghost is a fun nostalgic trip.

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Movie Review

Last Breath (2019) Movie Review

Last Breath – Movie Review

Last Breath is an intense documentary about a diver's miraculous survival after being stranded on the seabed with limited oxygen.

First Reaction – Last Breath is an intense documentary.

Watch Last Breath Here

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ABC Film Challenge – Disaster Movie – L

Director: Richard da Costa, Alex Parkinson

Plot: A deep sea diver is stranded on the seabed with 5 minutes of oxygen and no hope of rescue. With access to amazing archive this is the story of one man’s impossible fight for survival.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Last Breath

Recap

The documentary follows the crew of a deep-sea diving team. They are on a routine mission in the North Sea when disaster strikes and one of the divers becomes standard on the seabed. He has lost his tether and only has 5 minutes of oxygen. The crew comes together to bring about a rescue mission, and against all the odds, he survives for over 30 minutes in the depths of the ocean.

Best Parts

The movie shows how even experts can face impossible odds and find a way to overcome challenges. It is a remarkable story of survival against everything science has suggested. There is an education to improve and prevent the same risks, despite not anyone being at fault. Most importantly it shows the skills of everyone involved who would do anything to save their team members.

Final Thoughts – Last Breath is an incredible story of survival.

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Movie Review

The Great Alaskan Race (2019) Movie Review

The Great Alaskan Race – Movie Review

Experience the heart-pounding adventure of The Great Alaskan Race. Join the brave mushers on their 700-mile journey to save lives in the historic race of mercy.

ABC Film Challenge – Disaster Movies – G

Director: Brian Presley

Writer: Brian Presley (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: In 1925’s historic great race of mercy, a group of brave mushers travel 700 miles to save the small children of Nome, Alaska from a deadly epidemic.

Runtime: 1 Hour 27 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Great Alaskan Race starts as we meet legendary musher Leonhard Seppala (Presley) who has stepped away from the competition. However, his life suffers tragedy and his life changes priorities. A couple of years later a deadly epidemic hits the remote town of Nome and doctors race to get medicine to the town.

When planes can’t make it, they turn to the local mushers making an incredible 700-mile trip to transport the medicine. This includes Leonhard taking the most difficult, but it is to save children, including his daughter, so the risk is worth taking to save a population.

Verdict on The Great Alaskan Race

The Great Alaskan Race is an action-adventure movie following the incredible story of the bravery of a group of mushers made to transport medicine to a remote town. It focuses mostly on the man who covered the larger distance as he knew he had nothing to lose and the legendary tale which remains part of history.

This movie brings to life the incredible story that helped save a town’s children from a medical outbreak. It proved people can come together to achieve this, even in the most unlikely conditions and created history. We might not go into too much of the horrendous conditions, but we get the ideas for what could go wrong. In the end, it shows the importance of history and small unsung heroes in the world.

Final Thoughts – The Great Alaskan Race is an inspirational tale.

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Movie Review

What Men Want (2019) Movie Review

What Men Want – ABC Film Challenge – Comedy – W – What Men Want – Movie Review

What Men Want – ABC Film Challenge – Comedy – W – What Men Want - Movie Review

Director: Adam Shankman

Writer: Tina Gordon, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A woman is boxed out by the male sports agents in her profession, but gains an unexpected edge over them when she develops the ability to hear men’s thoughts.

Runtime: 1 Hour 57 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: What Men Want starts when self-centred sports agent Ali Davis (Henson) loses out on her latest promotion in the male-oriented world. She has always battled back to overcome the sexist minds but has the most impressive numbers. On a bachelorette party, Ali meets a psychic and ends up bumping her head.

When she wakes up she suddenly learns she can hear the thoughts of men. At first, she sees it as a nightmare, but soon she turns it into a gift. Ali uses her new gift to woo the hottest free agent that should secure her promotion. However, certain tricks she uses could come back to haunt her.

Verdict on What Men Want

What Men Want is a romantic fantasy comedy following a selfish career-driven woman who accidentally gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts. When it first happens, she uses it to help her career and personal life. However, it takes her time to learn what is really important to have with this gift.

This is a remake of a film we have seen remade over the years. It does spin the concept to give a woman the chance to learn what men think and go through a series of disturbing thoughts. However, the message is still clear and it isn’t about knowing what people think, it is more about understanding what they want. Taraji P Henson does a great job in the leading role, with the supporting cast getting the laughs when they need them.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – What Men Want is a fun comedy with a nice message.

Categories
Movie Review

Come As You Are (2019) Movie Review

Come As You Are – Movie Review

Three young men with disabilities hit the road with a jaded nurse driver to a brothel in Montreal. Come As You Are

ABC Film Challenge – Comedy – C

Director: Richard Wong

Writer: Erik Linthorst (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Three young men with disabilities hit the road with a jaded nurse driver to a brothel in Montreal catering to people with special needs. Remake of the acclaimed Belgian film ‘Hasta La Vista’.

Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Come as You Are starts when three disabled men Scotty (Rosenmeyer), Matt (Szeto) and Mo (Patel) decide to go on a road trip. They are joined by a jaded nurse Sam (Sidibe) who reluctantly agrees to take them on their journey. However, none of them have told their loved ones who mount a search for them.

As they continue their trip, they must reveal to Sam what they are searching for. They reveal they are heading north to a brothel as they have been unable to fulfil their sexual desire because of their conditions.

Verdict on Come As You Are

Come As You Are is a road trip comedy following three disabled men who travel to a brothel. However, along the way, they must overcome their fears and get their loved ones to understand their desire for more independence.

This movie shows how difficult everyday life can be for disabled people who can get over cared for by loved ones. It puts a spotlight on their desire for independence in life and how they can go about achieving it. Even if this does fall into the sex comedy road trip, there heart involved is a lot more of the main attraction.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts –Come As You Are has a big heart to cover-up the weak comedy.