Tag: 2022

The Year the Film Was Released

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Movie Review

Morbid (2022) Movie Review

Morbid – Movie Review

Morbid is a horror film about friends facing their fears during a twisted game at a Halloween party, ultimately struggling to survive.

First Reaction – Morbid is a short sweet horror tale.

Director: Taylor King

Writer: Taylor King (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A group of friends at a Halloween party play a Japanese board game called Morbid – where answers to the game could mean the difference between life and death.

Runtime: 1 Hour 10 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Morbid starts when a group of friends Monica (Worth), Ashley (Hammonds), Jessica (Cox) and Blair (Acosta) play a Japanese board called. It forces them to right strange decisions on a list and take a substance to experience the night. However, things spiral out of control as the game comes to life.

As the night unfolds, the secrets between the friends comes to life. They must understand themselves and their friends to battle back against their nightmares.

Verdict on Morbid

Recap

The movie follows four friends who take part in a twisted game. It forces them to pick between each other and face off against their biggest nightmares. However, things spiral out of control and they must fight to survive.

Best Parts

The idea behind the game is interesting, dives into testing friendship and offers a twisted night. Some of the nightmare designs are interesting and having striking fear in places.

Worst Parts

The idea behind the game is fun, but the way the story is told is not engaging. It jumps all over the place, never keeps the timeline in any sort of order leaving it feeling confusing and over-complicated. There never seems to be a commitment to the style of horror it wants to be either.

Final Thoughts –Morbid has an interesting idea, but struggles to land the horror.

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Movie Review

Jeepers Creepers Reborn (2022) Movie Review

Jeepers Creepers Reborn – Movie Review

Get the first reaction to Jeepers Creepers Reborn - a movie review revealing if it lives up to the name behind the character.

First Reaction – Jeepers Creepers Reborn struggles to live up to the name behind the character.

Watch Jeepers Creepers Reborn Here.

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JustWatch

ABC Film Challenge – Franchises – J

Director: Timo Vuorensola

Writer: Jake Seal, Sean-Michael Argo (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Forced to travel with her boyfriend, Laine begins to experience premonitions associated with the urban myth of The Creeper. She believes that something supernatural has been summoned – and that she is at the center of it all.

Runtime: 1 Hour 28 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Jeepers Creepers Reborn starts when Laine (Craven), Chase (Adams) and Sam (Freilich) head to a supernatural festival. Chase is a massive lover of the unexplained and the Creeper story is the latest one he wants to learn more about. Meanwhile, Laine being from a scientific background sees things differently.

Elsewhere, the Creeper (Benjamin) has risen again to start it’s 23-day hunt. However, Laine starts sensing him around and a deeper connection to what drives the action comes to light.

Verdict on Jeepers Creepers Reborn

Recap

The movie follows a couple who attend a horror festival to learn more about the Creeper. However, once they are there, they learn of a much bigger history behind what drives the Creeper to feed.

Best Parts

This movie is a mixed bag really, on the positives it tries something new with the Creeper legacy. It blends the idea of modern YouTube supernatural hunters and breaks the fourth wall, with the idea that our characters know about the legacy and have had movies. The final good thing comes from the Creeper design still being fantastic.

Worst Parts

I mentioned I liked that we tried something new here, and that is true, it did need a new idea. However, the idea goes in a direction that doesn’t make that much sense. It doesn’t do enough to continue the fear selection process and even hints at that still being a thing before going in a completely different direction. There is also some really bad CGI blue screen for anything happening outside.

Final Thoughts –Jeepers Creepers Reborn feels like the weakest in the franchise.

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Movie Review

Turning Red (2022) Movie Review

Turning Red – Movie Review

Explore the heartwarming story of 'Turning Red', as a young girl named Mei Lee navigates the challenges of adolescence while transforming into a red panda.

ABC Film Challenge – High School/College Movies – T

Director: Domee Shi

Writer: Julia Cho, Domee Shi (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A thirteen-year-old girl named Mei Lee is torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the changes of adolescence. And as if the challenges were not enough, whenever she gets overly excited she transforms into a giant red panda.

Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Turning Red starts when 13-year-old Meilin embraces her first steps into adulthood. She has her loyal best friends Miriam, Abby and Priya as they go through the high school experience. However, she has reached the age a family legacy gets handed to her, when she turns into a red panda.

Meilin must learn how to control the panda to have a normal life. However, her mother Ming has been controlling her life for years. Now, Meilin embraces the change in hopes of attending a dream concert and showing the rebellious side to her.

Verdict on Turning Red

Turning Red is an animated comedy following a teenage girl who discovers she has been given a power to turn into a red panda. She isn’t expecting it and struggles to deal with the changes she goes through, dealing with the normal teenage problems.

This movie shows the changes people go through when it comes to adolescence. It shows the importance of friendship, family and understanding one’s true self. This also shows the obsession teenagers have with bands that can take over their lives causing them to change as they grow. It does get laughs and has a big heart, even if things can get out of hand through the story.

Where to Watch

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JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Turning Red has a big heart for the sweet story.

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Movie Review

Dual (2022) Movie Review

Dual – ABC Film Challenge – Sci-Fi – D – Dual – Movie Review

Dual – ABC Film Challenge – Sci-Fi – D – Dual - Movie Review

Director: Riley Stearns

Writer: Riley Stearns (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A woman opts for a cloning procedure after she receives a terminal diagnosis but when she recovers her attempts to have her clone decommissioned fail, leading to a court-mandated duel to the death.

Runtime: 1 Hour 34 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Dual starts when Sarah (Gillan) learns she has a terminal illness and decides to take a drastic step. She agrees to get a clone made to continue living her life. However, when she recovers from her illness, it is too late to decommission the clone.

The only option for Sarah is to prepare for a dual to the death. Her boyfriend Peter (Koale) has moved on with his life by joining the clone Sarah. Meanwhile, the real Sarah turns to Trent (Paul) to master the art of combat so she can get her life back.

Verdict on Dual

Dual is a sci-fi comedy following a young woman who agrees to have a clone after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. However, when she recovers, she learns she must fight her clone to the death to see who makes it out alive.

This is a real dark oddball comedy that relies on the monotone style being delivered. It shows how society can offer a way out and a future for loved ones with you. However, it shows the barbaric side of society that lets people kill each other. The completely odd style behind the movie brings the comedy to life, in more of I can’t believe this is the only option type of discussion.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Dual is a strange dark comedy.

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Movie Review

Watch the Skies (2022) Movie Review

Watch the Skies – Movie Review

"Watch the Skies" follows a teenager seeking answers about her father's disappearance, joining a UFO club amidst a government cover-up.

First Reaction – Watch the Skies creates a great mystery about the unknown connections in the world.

Where to Watch

Watch The Skies will be available exclusively at Showcase Cinemas from 11th July.

Director: Victor Danell

Writer: Victor Danell, Jimmy Nivren Olsson (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A rebellious teenager who believes her missing father was abducted by aliens joins forces with a quirky UFO club of endearing misfits. They embark on a high-stakes adventure that defies the law and challenges the very fabric of reality.

Runtime: 1 Hour 55 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Watch the Skies starts when rebellious teenager Denise (Torhaug) searches for answers about her father’s death. She believes there is something more unexplainable and turns to Lennart (Barkselius) for more support. While he doesn’t believe in everything Denise is putting together, he is willing to listen.

However, their investigation discovers Kicki (Melander) running a secret facility deep in the forest. They make a shocking discovery which would prove Denise’s father’s work as credible and set out to prove it once and for all.

Verdict on Watch the Skies

Recap

The movie follows a determined teenager who wants answers about her father’s death. She joins forces with a UFO research team that could provide connections to what happened. However, the government are looking to keep things quiet and will do anything to make sure it happens.

Best Parts

The movie does a great job of showing the divide between people who know the truth and want to keep secrets and people stuck living with the unknown. However, deep down, it is more about discovering what could be out there and what could be visiting. It is interesting seeing the earlier, calmer study into the unexplainable events.

Worst Parts

Some of the side characters are questionable and don’t fit the positions they are in. They don’t believe their causes, making them dangerous for no reason to everyone else around them.

Final Thoughts –Watch the Skies is a great dive into the possibilities.

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Movie Review

Sound of the Surf (2022) Movie Review

Sound of the Surf – Movie Review

"Sound of the Surf" explores the evolution of surf music, highlighting its cultural significance and audience divides while documenting its rock and roll history.

First Reaction – Sound of the Surf has interesting look into the surf music world.

Where to Watch

Sound of the Surf – July 1, 2025.

Director: Tom Duncan

Plot: Over 50 years ago, rock and roll fell in love with the sport of surfing and from that serendipitous moment, surf music was born.

Runtime: 1 Hour 10 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Sound of the Surf

Recap

The movie follows the rise of rock and roll around the love of surfing. It shows how it was looked down at first before refusing to be forgotten and becoming the sensation we know now. The movie explores different people from the original people behind it all, and how it began a clash of cultures. We continue to learn about the different bands that became popular and how mainstream music tamed the levels the originals loved.

Best Parts

If you want a history lesson behind surf music, this does everything you would expect. It shows the difference in opinions that people have when different styles evolved and how it rubbed people the wrong way. This also works at showing how to the people who follow the music, they have an important memory and the first aspect behind different aspects of the music.

Worst Parts

If you are not a fan of the music, you will struggle to enjoy this one. It feels a bit more like a lot of people only like certain elements of the music, instead of accepting different sounds with the same good meaning and background behind the music.

Final Thoughts –Sound of the Surf explores the rise of the music that has a split audience.

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Movie Review

Arctic Void (2022) Movie Review

Arctic Void – Movie Review

Arctic Void features a slow-unfolding mystery as three friends confront isolation and dark truths after vanishing from a tourist ship.

First Reaction – Arctic Void has an interesting mystery but takes too long to unfold the truth.

Director: Darren Mann

Writer: Darren Mann, Jay Kirk, William Paul Jones, Michael Weaver (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: When the power mysteriously fails and almost everyone disappears from a tourist ship in the Arctic, fear becomes the master for the three who remain. Forced ashore, the men deteriorate in body and mind until a dark truth emerges.

Runtime: 1 Hour 26 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Arctic Void starts when a filmmaking friends group, Ray (Weave), Alan (Griffin) and Sean (Huen) take a trip to a Norwegian town. However, on the tourist ship they are on, everyone suddenly vanishes.

The friends find a small town where they look for help. However, they only find it empty and they must uncover what has happened. It leads them down a dangerous path with unknown threats putting them lives at risk as they learn more about themselves.

Verdict on Arctic Void

Recap

The movie follows three filmmaking friends whose trip to the Arctic Circle takes an unexpected twist. The boat they travel on suddenly becomes abandoned, and they seem to be the only humans around. They search for answers from both inside themselves and outside the place they have become stranded in.

Best Parts

The mystery created is fascinating to see unfold. It creates an amazing sense if isolation and uncertainty around the location they are trapped in. There is also a play into how friends can get caught up in not knowing everything about each other too.

Worst Parts

It does hold too much back too early and when we get a shock moment, we focus more on the reaction of the character than seeing what happened. It is a big moment, but doesn’t do enough to make things feel important to the bigger picture.

Final Thoughts –Arctic Void has an interesting mystery to unpack.

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Movie Review

Werewolf By Night (2022) Movie Review

Werewolf By Night – Movie Review

Read our review of Werewolf By Night, a thrilling action movie featuring Gael Garcia Bernal and Laura Donnelly.

ABC Film Challenge – Action – W

Director: Michael Giacchino

Writer: Heather Quinn, Peter Cameron (Screenplay)

Writer: Gerry Conway, Michael G Ploog, Roy Thomas, Jean Thomas (Created By)

Cast

Plot: Follows a lycanthrope superhero who fights evil using the abilities given to him by a curse brought on by his bloodline.

Runtime: 52 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Werewolf By Night starts in the aftermath of the death of the patriarch of the Bloodstone family. Verussa (Harris) brings together a group of supernatural superhero hunters to compete for the right to hold the stone. This includes Jack Russell (Bernal), Elsa Bloodstone (Donnelly) and Jovan (Thatcher).

Jack and Elsa work together to escape the game, not wanting to kill for the position. However, things get out of hand when Jack is revealed to be a monster himself. Now the hunters have new prey and must figure out how to escape.

Verdict on Werewolf By Night

Werewolf By Night is an action horror following a superhero werewolf who joins a circle of monster hunters for a ceremony. He works with Elsa Bloodstone to battle against them and finds a new place in life, with other monsters.

This movie grabs the vintage look with the black and white aesthetic to make us feel like we are stepping back into a classic monster movie. Despite the shorter runtime, we get a nonstop story that never overstays its welcome. It keeps everything feeling contained and simple, which could open the door for more in the future. This is by far the goriest a Marvel creation has been and leaves you wanting even more.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Werewolf By Night is an excellent Marvel story, with a vintage tint to everything.

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Movie Review

The First Slam Dunk (2022) Movie Review

The First Slam Dunk- Movie Review

The First Slam Dunk follows Ryota Miyagi, an underdog in basketball, as he honors his late brother's dream, inspiring his team.

First Reaction – The First Slam Dunk is a wonderful intense game.

Where to Watch

Acclaimed sports anime releases on 4K UHD + Blu-ray Collector’s Edition, Steelbook, Blu-ray, and DVD on 24th March

Director: Takehiko Inoue

Writer: Takehiko Inoue (Screenplay)

Cast (voice talents)

  • Shugo Nakamura
  • Jun Kasama
  • Shinichiro Kamio
  • Subaru Kimura
  • Kenta Miyake

Plot: Follows 17-year-old Ryota Miyagi, who struggles to accomplish his late elder brother’s dream of becoming a basketball star.

Runtime: 2 Hours 4 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The First Slam Dunk starts when Ryota Miyagi’s older brother passes away. They shared a love for basketball and Ryota continues his passion to help him remember his brother. However, his high school team are always the underdogs, and he must fight for a spot on the team.

When Ryota learns a new style, he begins using his disadvantages to his advantage. He inspires the team to improve, and the plucky underdogs begin to shock the best team in the league.

Verdict on The First Slam Dunk

Recap

The movie follows an underdog team playing one of the best teams in the league. An unlikely star steps up and turns the plucky underdogs into a determined well-oiled machine. All in the name of his late brother.

Best Parts

The game is the backbone of the movie, and the story comes from the memories which drive Ryota. They show the difficult life he has lived through and the battles he wants to prove to himself. This is an inspiring story proving people can achieve greatness in the sport they love. There is also a wonderful soundtrack which brings the story to life.

Final Thoughts –The First Slam Dunk is an enjoyable inspiring story behind a game.