Companion- Ahhh, new year, a new slate of movies. And we'll start the year off with a quirky darkly comedic thriller. A young woman named Iris recounts the day she met her boyfriend, Josh. As the memories unfold, we're informed of the fateful trip the two of them took to an isolated lake house to party with friends, Kat, Eli, and Patrick. Kat's boyfriend, Sergey, who owns the house is there as well. After a night of merriment, tragedy strikes the next day sending Iris's life in a tailspin. As truths are revealed, it's clear Iris will never be the same. I've always been drawn to the strange and unusual which is why I had so much fun with this. You're thrown a lot of curves. Nothing is as it appears to be. There are several funny moments. There are horrifying moments. There's a rich tapestry that keeps you involved wondering where this movie is going to end up. Plus, there is a social consciousness the film is an allegory for domestic abuse. 2025 is starting with a bang. If we can expect movies like this, bring it on. Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid star.
***3/4 stars
Heart Eyes- The bastardization of another holiday through the lens of horror, Heart Eyes aims to drench the day of lovers in gory blood. It's Valentine's Day in Seattle and Ally is having a very bad day. She's recently broken up with her boyfriend. The ad she designed for the jewelry company she works for has been brutally ridiculed. And the cherry-on-top is the good-looking guy (Jay) she met in a coffee shop (a meeting she bumbled her way through) has been brought into her company to fix the ad she botched. Could things get any worse? The answer is always. The Heart Eyes Killer, a serial murderer who has targeted couples in various cities in the last three years, has decided to make Seattle his latest stop. And wouldn't you know, he happened to see Ally and Jay in a "fake" intimate moment and has the two of them in his sights. Heart Eyes is a unique movie. It really is a rom com with a slasher story woven in. There are times you might forget you're watching a horror movie because there are decent stretches of the film where the killer is absent. But when Heart Eyes does appear, it's bloody and brutal. Exactly what you demand of a slasher flick. There are some things I found absolutely preposterous such as why, even at night, are there only three cops inside of a metropolitan police station. But hey, what can you say about plot armor, right? The surprise for me though was I was actually intrigued by the budding relationship between Ally and Jay. The leads pulled this off very well. They made you care about them through the usual rom com tropes that can become very saccharine very quickly. Surprisingly enough, Heart Eyes could be considered a quirky date movie. Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, and Jordana Brewster star.
***1/2 stars
The Gorge- Scott Derrickson directs this Apple TV sci-fi horror action film. It's the story of two elite snipers charged with guarding a mysterious gorge in an unknown location. Each sniper takes a post in large military-style towers on opposite ends of the gorge. Contents of what's in the gorge unknown, both are assigned to their posts for one year with the task of eliminating anything that might try to come out at any cost. You might be shocked to hear this. I was a bit shocked as I was watching this. There's actually a very sweet romantic movie woven into the fabric of the chaos. It surprised me for two reasons. Scott Derrickson is not known for romantic content. And why would you expect that from the director of movies like Doctor Strange, Black Phone, and one of my all-time favorite horror movies, Sinister? The second reason. I generally don't like the male lead in this movie. I usually find him smarmy, and he has a bad case of "punch me" face. But I felt his vibe in this one. He worked well with his female co-star. Their story was sweet amidst the horrors they eventually encounter. While I wouldn't say the horror angle of this was particularly scary, it was creepy and weird. And when the lead starts flying, it's a bloody good time. Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sigourney Weaver star.
***1/2 stars
Captain America: Brave New World- The MCU begins 2025 with the fourth installment featuring their star-spangled hero. This time the Russo Brothers had over the directing reins to Julius Onah and Anthony Mackie takes over for Chris Evans as the title character. Flash forward a few years since we've last seen this iteration of Cap from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier TV series. Sam Wilson has cemented his status as the new Captain America. Complete with a new vibranium suit (courtesy of Wakanda), Sam has become a known commodity to friend and foe alike throughout the globe. And he's also become pretty accomplished with the iconic shield. Also returning is Sam's (and the Avengers) political nemesis, General "Thunderbolt" Ross, this time as the newly minted U.S. president. Both become embroiled in an intricate plot that seeks to discredit Ross at all costs, including possibly starting the next world war. Last year's Deadpool and Wolverine I believe was a "We're back" declaration by the MCU after a couple of down years where nothing seemed to connect, and everything felt very random after Endgame. However, that movie, while loads of fun, felt like a one-off type of feature (it may not be). Brave New World feels like the MCU is trying to establish some connecting tissue again. There are plotlines that harken back to previous material. And without giving too much away, this film does make "Eternals" an important piece of the MCU. Some of you may hate that. I have heard the less than flattering critiques of that production. But it is what it is. The other big plot point is the introduction of a new substance in the MCU that may not be familiar to those who are not as comic savvy but all too familiar to those who are. You have to wonder. Is this Disney's sly way of saying "They're coming?" Plus, I think it's safe to say if you have been living with internet access, two more Avengers movies are on the horizon. The seeds are planted here. Brave New World does a lot of world building that we haven't seen in the MCU for a bit. And while the usual MCU levity is there, I give Brave New World credit for taking a dip into some dramatic waters such as Sam feeling if he's an adequate replacement for Steve Rogers particularly since he made the decision NOT to take the Super Soldier Serum. There's Ross's longing to get back in the good graces of his daughter who hasn't spoken to him in the years following The Incredible Hulk. There are other significant dramatic arcs, but that would give too much away. The action sequences are fine. It's nothing Earth shattering, just normal standard things you've grown accustomed to in these films. There is a new Falcon who I thought would be annoying upon introduction, but proved to be a decent character who has a good rapport with Sam. All told, I thought Brave New World did a good job of building bridges and acknowledging the past without doing too much. It felt coherent. It's a movie more along the lines of the political intrigue of The Winter Soldier than the straight superhero actioner of Civil War if you're comparing Cap movies. There is only one end credit scene which is a bit strange. But it is a dread foreshadow of what's to come. On the road to the next Avengers film, this is a good foundation to build on. Harrison Ford and Giancarlo Esposito co-star. There are other notables, but I'll save those for now.
***3/4 stars
The Monkey- Osgood Perkins, director of the strange but intriguing Silence-of-the-Lambs-like 2024 thriller, Longlegs, takes on horror comedy in this adaptation of a Stephen King short story. Twin brothers, Bill and Hal Shelburn, "inherit" a drum playing monkey toy they find among their absent father's belongings. This is no ordinary monkey toy. For when you wind the key in back to make the monkey drum, horrific deaths follow. And don't think you can focus the monkey's wrath. This little organ grinder primate will orchestrate the death of who it wants and when it wants. The plot is very Final Destination-ish in the absurd manners in which people die. And Perkins gives a little wink and nod to the absurdity by making most of the deaths more than a little slapstick in nature. There is a death scene that will remind you of those old classic cartoons on "how to build a better mousetrap" it is so ludicrous. There's only one killing I can recall that was taken seriously and happens to be a driving factor in the movie. There are some plot holes and story fragments that could have done with a deeper dive. The message conveyed of not letting grief destroy who you are is a bit muddied with the silly humor which isn't necessarily clever. But, it's a jolly, if grisly way to spend 90 minutes. Theo James, Elijah Wood, and Tatiana Maslany star.
***1/4 stars
Mickey 17- Director Bong Joon Ho brings us another quirky black comedy in a dystopian future where cloning is the feature. Mickey Barnes is a financially destitute schmoe whose latest business venture with his friend, Timo, has gone belly up. To make matters worse, they owe a lot of money to a murderous loan shark. What to do. The answer comes in the form of a spaceship leaving Earth to colonize the planet Niflheim. Timo joins the crew as a shuttle pilot. Mickey? He signs up to be an "Expendable." Translation. Mickey will essentially become the ship's lab rat, exposed to any and all types of viruses, strenuous physical activities, and dangerous encounters on and off ship for the crew scientists to study. Every time Mickey dies, he's regenerated with an Earth-banned cloning technology. For 16 iterations, Mickey undergoes this grueling process only for version 17 to stubbornly not die on the latest mission. But what happens when a supposed-to-be deceased 17 meets freshly cloned 18? Bong Joon Ho has a flair for the bizarre to be sure. Does anyone remember Parasite from 2019? This film has a fair amount of political satire as hierarchy of the ship, an egomaniacal politician and his devious, controlling wife, are the most over-the-top caricatures you'll find in film. It's an amusing movie at times but also a bit sad. Mickey is such an unassuming and pitiful character. The fact that he has absolutely nowhere to go in life for a good portion of the runtime is a bit depressing to be honest. But your heart will be gladdened as he slowly rises to become something more. Mickey 17 is a bit overlong for me. Don't expect huge laughs. Its odd absurdities should keep most entertained throughout. Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, and Steven Yuen star.
***1/4 stars
Novocaine- The directing duo of Dan Berk and Robert Olsen (didn't know they were a thing before now) bring us this unique action comedy. Nathan Caine is a mild-mannered assistant bank manager in San Diego. An introvert, his only real "friend" is his online gaming partner. Enter Sherry, a teller at his bank, who takes a liking to him. After much initial hesitation, Nathan gives in and now he's king of the world. Life has never been this good for him. So, of course, bank robbers not only rob his credit union, but also take Sherry hostage. What is Nathan to do except pursue the kidnapping thieves and rescue the woman he loves. But it's particularly dangerous for Nathan. He has a rare condition of congenital insensitivity to pain. Meaning he can't feel it. Advantage? He can take a beating and keep coming. Disadvantage? He can never feel how gravely injured he is. This movie was wild. It's funny but not really riotously so I thought. The focus to me was more on the action than the comedy. That wasn't a bad thing necessarily, but I was expecting a little more slapstick lunacy. Without the quirk of Nathan's condition, it is a standard action movie. But let's talk about that quirk. This movie exists to gross you out albeit in a farcical way. Some of the injuries Nathan suffers will just make you cringe. Particularly one kill that's made with a broken...I'll let you watch it yourself. Novacaine is a different kind of duck that's for sure. A highly entertaining one as well. Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, and Jacob Batalon star.
***1/2 stars
*** stars
Drop- The madmen at Blumhouse bring us this almost Hitchcockian suspense thriller that plays on the theme of first date hell. Sometime after the traumatic death of her husband, widowed mother, Violet Gates, has finally agreed to meet photographer, Henry, from a dating app. Leaving her young son in the care of her sister, she meets Henry at a lavish high-rise restaurant. Getting over the first date jitters becomes the least of her issues when she mysteriously begins receiving text messages from an unknown user escalating to an eventual demand. Violet kills her date or risks the deaths of her son and sister. But why? What is her date caught up in? Why Violet? There is a restaurant full of potential suspects. Can she figure out the mystery before she has to do the unspeakable? Drop is a fairly tight thriller for about three quarters of its run. That's mostly due to the interaction between Violet and Henry. They're good together. They're likable. They're believable. The tension is a slow build but it doesn't bore you. The cinematography is incredible. The restaurant looks amazing. You have a sense of depth as far just how high in the sky everyone is. Also, of particular note are the camera fades on Violet when her dilemma is brought to light. It adds to the sense of dread and isolation she's feeling. Like the world has closed in on her. So why am I not going to give this as high of a grade as you might think? I mentioned before that three quarters of this film are really tight and intense. The last quarter is contrivance after contrivance after contrivance. It ceased to be believable, or as believable as a story of this nature can be. So many little conveniences. So many situations that would not, should not have happened. That's why I have to curb my excitement. It's still a very watchable movie but it just didn't stick the landing the way it should have. Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar star.
***1/4 stars
The Amateur- Vigilante spy thriller is not a combination of words I'd ever thought I would use but here we are. Charlie Heller is a brilliant CIA cryptographer whose wife is murdered by terrorists in London. Distraught and seeking vengeance, Charlie embarks on a quest to take out those responsible for the death of his wife which may lead him down roads leading back to his superiors in the CIA. In many ways The Amateur is a standard revenge thriller. In some ways, it isn't. Charlie is a very unconventional vigilante. He is not intimidating, borderline psychotic, or pugilistic in the least. He kills with his superior mind and ingenuity. He always has an answer. Sometimes a little too much to be credible, but it's still entertaining to watch. The character is sold very well by Rami Malek. It's a solid thriller but, honestly, you already saw the best action sequences in the trailer. Laurence Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan, and Jon Bernthal co-star.
***1/2 stars
Wolf Man- This new iteration of the classic Universal horror icon is directed by one of the current gurus of the genre, Leigh Whannell. Whannell directed a modern-day masterpiece retelling of another Universal icon in 2020, The Invisible Man. So, can Whannell pull another rabbit out of his hat? Blake Lovell is a writer in San Francisco who has just inherited his childhood home in a forested region of Oregon after the death of his father. Hoping to mend the tensions between himself, his wife, and his daughter, the three decide to vacation in Oregon only for the worst of fates to befall them. A humanoid creature is stalking the woods. After Blake is injured, let's just say, he's not the same as he was. Will his frightened wife and daughter survive the night with Blake on the inside of the house and whatever is hunting outside? With Universal attempting to create a "Monsterverse", they've experienced some ups and downs. The attempted revival of The Mummy in 2017 was a colossal flop. The Invisible Man was a well-acclaimed hit. Wolf Man? Unfortunately, pretty bland. There is a bit of gross-out imagery and body-horror transformation. But, overall, this was a bit boring and lifeless. I didn't really care if anyone made it out alive to be honest. No character resonated with me in any way. I really wanted to like this but it just wasn't to be. I thought it lacked creativity (which The Invisible Man had in spades) and suspense. Two absolute killers dealing with the horror genre. I don't know what this bodes for Universal's Monsterverse but this was a misstep. Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner star.
**3/4 stars
Sinners- Director Ryan Coogler takes a break from superheroing and boxing to take a stab at a new genre. Horror. The time is 1932. Twin brother gangsters, Elijah and Elias Moore (better known as "Smoke" and "Stack"), have returned from World War I and the city of crime known as Chicago to their home in the Mississippi Delta. Their aim? Creating a lucrative night spot filled with booze, music, food, and gambling for the poor sharecropping black community in the area. Given the time period, they of course have to combat the requisite racism from the white community that might be looking to do more than shut them down. There's a new threat in the Delta that no one, black or white, is prepared to deal with. And on one fateful night, drawn by the soul-grabbing Blues music as well as the large crowd, this threat is going to come calling. Can the "Smokestack" Twins and their guests survive the evening? This movie has some parallels with the cult classic "From Dusk Til Dawn." The first half is a slow burn drama. It's not boring by any means but it is all set up introducing you to the principal characters, as well as some prominent secondary ones. That includes our villains in the last few minutes. Then it all hits the fan. Not in the comically grotesque and ludicrous way FDTD does. But people start dying quite horribly. You can probably take a wild stab at what the villains are by now and it's a monster that's been used to death in cinema. But Coogler does something different here. He adds a spice to the old tropes. One that's spiritual in nature. You particularly see this in a musical scene that's cool and a bit trippy to behold at the same time. The music reaches into the spirit world drawing the evil to it which is a theme talked about early in the film. And I have to say the music does reach to your soul a bit. Then of course tying this in with the deep social injustices of the time was a precarious balancing act. This was a very different way to approach the horror genre. Coogler and the cast pull it off magnificently. There is a mid-credit scene that could prompt more looks into this world if Coogler decides it's warranted (and if the movie makes enough money). My personal opinion? Let this one stand alone as the tragic, macabre thriller it is. Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, and newcomer, Miles Caton, star.
**** stars
Until Dawn- Yet another film based on a video game. To be more specific, another horror movie based on a video game. These can be very hit and miss. So which camp does this one drop in? Clover and her friends are on the hunt for her sister, Melanie, who disappeared a year prior. Investigating the mysterious valley of her disappearance, Clover and company encounter a strange house where they are repeatedly attacked by fearsome killers and creatures who summarily slay them all. Only for each to wake up again at the beginning of their entrance into the house. This Groundhog Day time loop will continue until they can figure out why this happening and get it right. Survive "until dawn." And therein lies the issue with this movie. A haphazard concept like this has been done before in movies like Happy Death Day and Cabin in the Woods. But what made those movies fun was having a story behind the madness. A glue that brought the craziness together. There's no glue here. I dare you to watch this and find me a coherent plot. It's a bunch of grisly deaths strung together. They're brutal and sometimes amusing but to this minute that I'm writing this, I'm still asking myself what the purpose was? And do I feel for any of these characters being whacked? Not particularly. Even when the explanation of sorts is given, I'm still confused as to why it all happened in the first place. The only reason this gets as high of a grade as it does is due to some of the deaths being kind of gnarly. And even with that, some of them are only recordings on a smartphone that weren't allowed to play out in the movie itself! Ella Rubin and Peter Stormare star.
** stars
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0 *= Dreck! Barf City!
1-2 *= No redeeming qualities whatsoever
2-3 *= Varying degrees of mediocre
3-4 *= Worth a look to almost excellent
4-5 *= Must see viewing
5 *= You have reached the top of the mountain. And it is good.
