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
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.
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