Been a while, let's get right into it!
RATTLESNAKE (2019)
3.5/5
When a single mother accepts the help of a mysterious woman after her daughter is bitten by a rattlesnake, she finds herself making an unthinkable deal with the devil to repay the stranger.
This Netflix film has gotten some flack which I don't understand because while not perfect, it's a wild, well-acted ride to the finish. The skimpy storyline does have bits of hokum but mostly plays it straight and kept me glued to the screen. Despite a few obvious flaws, this is a solid film that should be watched.
ESCAPE ROOM (2019)
3.5/5
Six strangers find themselves in a maze of deadly mystery rooms and must use their wits to survive.
The fact that there has been a myriad of "Escape Room" titled films should not discourage you here. What this one lacks in narrative and depth more than makes up for with creative situations and visual flair. The characters are dumb, the choices are sometimes stupid but man this is a fun ride. Kick back and enjoy this popcorn flick for what it is...entertaining and fun!
HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U (2019)
3.5/5
Tree Gelbman discovers that dying over and over was surprisingly easier than the dangers that lie ahead.
I am a huge fan of the first film and while the sequel isn't quite as good, it is still super fun. The real key elements here are the filmmakers who took a very creative approach to come up with a way for the story to continue and Jessica Rothe. Rothe is a dynamo who I hope we'll see more of. She is pretty, funny, strong and as Tree Gelbman, an absolute delight to watch as she tries to solve the mystery while being aggravated that she has to relive it. Word to the wise, you MUST watch the first film first!
COUNTDOWN (2019)
2.5/5
When a nurse downloads an app that claims to predict the moment a person will die, it tells her she only has three days to live. With the clock ticking and a figure haunting her, she must find a way to save her life before time runs out.
It sounds like a pretty cool premise yet it falls apart when it tries to go deep. Why does this app exist and who is pulling the strings? Why do some die quickly and others have a countdown of 80 years?! The usual tropes rear their ugly heads and the uninspired cast does little to liven things up especially star Elizabeth Lail who's listless performance and perpetually confused look wear thin quite quickly. It's a watcher if you got nothing else but don't expect anything original that entertaining. Middle of the road horror at it's (un)finest.
DR. SLEEP (2019)
4/5
Years following the events of "The Shining," a now-adult Dan Torrance must protect a young girl with similar powers from a cult known as The True Knot, who prey on children with powers to remain immortal.
What a cool sequel! Danny Torrance as an adult? Well, alright! Dr. Sleep works for some very good reason, the main one being a powerfully understated performance by Ewan MacGregor who is VERY believable as Danny Torrance. While some thought differently, for me the "flashback Shining" scenes were beautifully done adding the flavor of the original without wallowing in Kubrick's meandering monotony. The only real flaws here were the characterizations of the villains, especially Rose the Hat who just come of silly, buffoonish and about as threatening as a cool breeze. Despite that misstep, this is a solid film and add to the stack of GREAT Stephen King adaptations.
3 FROM HELL (2019)
3/5
After barely surviving prison, the demented Firefly clan goes on the run, unleashing a whole new wave of murder, madness, and mayhem.
Let me just start by saying for those that HATED this film, I get it. I totally get it. I have hated even the idea of this movie since it's inception because there is NO WAY it could even be a fraction as good as Devils or even House. I went in wanting to hate it...thinking I'd hate it and boy is there a lot to hate. First off the whole project was pushed from the start and seems forced in many ways. Otis has been reduced to an ineffective mumbler. The entire Clint Howard scene was stupid and unnecessary. The budget was low and it shows but that isn't the problem. Sid Haig sadly died while filming and appears very little in the film. The premise that the 3 survived their bloody shootout is laughable. There is almost zero creativity in the plot. It's like Rob Zombie gets a great idea every 10 years and the rest is just reimaginings of existing films. So why, why, why did I give it 3 out of 5 stars?!!! Am I crazy? Yes, but what is your point? Look, as I was watching I was shaking my head and then something happened. I started laughing at the bad stuff and looking for something good. In honor of Sid and my love of Devil's Rejects and the characters themselves, I was going to find something good and entertaining here, dammit! I did, and in two unexpected places, Baby Firefly and the crazy violence laden finale. The finale was just fun and for me, the only true moment that looked like it could have been in Devils Rejects. The real surprise was Baby. Yes, Sherri Moon annoys me as does the character but THAT'S HOW SHE WAS WRITTEN! Finally, Baby is let loose and her annoying traits morph into sheer insanity as she steals the show as a bonafide badass and the strongest character in the film. This film was sitting at a 2.5 at best for me until the rip-roaring conclusion that for some reason I loved. Dee Wallace didn't hurt matters either.
Well, that's a wrap! I hope you guys enjoyed this edition and hope you'll be back for more!
Axes raised,
Jimmy