When Zack Snyder’s remake of George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead was initially announced, I was extremely dubious, to say the least. I generally despise remakes and this was sacrosanct ground. I didn’t see it in the theater, but I eventually relented when my girlfriend talked me into it.
Read MoreCaptive State (2019) #RetroReview
After 2011’s critically well-received Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a surprise hit, director Rupert Wyatt became a hot name in Hollywood. Unfortunately, he hasn’t really been able to follow up on that success. That being said, RotPotA worked well enough for me that I was willing to give 2019’s Captive State a shot, despite bombing at the box office and receiving mixed reviews.
Read MoreThe Rock-afire Explosion (2008) #BluRay
I would guess that most people in the US at least have a passing familiarity with Chuck E Cheese. However, if you grew up in the ‘80s and were in certain parts of the country, their pizza restaurant/arcade hall competitor was probably your location of choice for birthday parties and rewards for good grade cards. ShowBiz Pizza Place operated from 1979 until it was completely absorbed by Chuck E Cheese in the mid-90s.
Read MoreRepo Man (1984) #RetroReview
I first saw Alex Cox’s Repo Man from 1984 in the mid-’90s as a teenager, and I didn’t get it. As the years went by and I forged a greater appreciation for all things punk, I thought it might be a film that I should reevaluate. It was with that in mind that I finally picked up the Criterion Collection Blu-ray five or six years ago.
Read MoreRicky Stanicky (2024)
Ricky Stanicky, the latest offering from director Peter Farrelly, brings together a mix of familiar comedic elements with a touch of unpredictability. While the film's premise may feel like every other Adam Sandler film, it manages to carve its own niche, thanks to the versatile performances of its cast, particularly Zac Efron and John Cena. Zac Efron's ability to seamlessly transition from roles like a wrestler to a comedic lead showcases his adaptability, reminiscent of John Cena's own surprising comedic prowess.
Read MoreOut of Darkness (2022)
Out of Darkness is a gripping journey into the primal depths of survivalist horror, where the unforgiving landscape becomes a character in itself. Directed by the impressive newcomer Andrew Cummings, this film catapults viewers 45,000 years into the past, where a desperate group of pioneers battles starvation, fear, and the unknown in a quest for a new home. The film opens with a slow burn, the first half-hour setting the stage for what initially seems like a mundane survival story.
Read MoreMonolith (2022)
Monolith takes audiences on a unique and intriguing journey by blending a minimalist approach with the power of podcasts to deliver a thought-provoking narrative. Lily Sullivan's one-woman show, supported by exceptional vocal performances, unfolds within a single location, effectively capturing the essence of paranoia, guilt, and the looming possibility of an alien invasion. The film cleverly taps into the current trend of podcast popularity, using interviews as a tool to unravel mysteries.
Read MoreAlita: Battle Angel (2019) #RetroReview
Though hindered by a handful of flaws, Alita: Battle Angel from 2019 is a seriously fun film. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, and produced and co-written by James Cameron, the filmmakers go all in on creating visually dazzling anime-inspired cyberpunk visuals. Based on the manga by Yukito Kishiro, Cameron had wanted to make the film for nearly two decades but his work on his Avatar series took priority.
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