‘Abigail’ sinks teeth into vampire genre with hilariously hammy bloodbath

Share: Finally freed from the clutches of Ghostface and the “Scream” franchise, Radio Silence is back to deliver bloody goodness to the big screen with their latest release “Abigail.” Moving on from slashers the team has tackled the tried and true vampire genre of horror to a perfectly hilarious and gory effect.  This movie’s set-up starts out fairly simply and involves a group of criminals, given code names based on the rat pack, who kidnap a girl (the titular Abigail) who is the daughter of …

‘Civil War’ avoids real conversation of America’s dangerous divide

Share: What kind of American are you? How would you answer that with a gun to your head? Is that something that we should be asking ourselves? A24’s newest movie “Civil War” tries to answer the question with a gun to the head, but at the same time, it doesn’t and instead replaces those questions with jarring and often disturbing visuals which gloss over the real questions like how our nation got to that point. Don’t come into this movie expecting anything or wanting your …

What’s the big deal, it’s just the tip?

Share: To tip or not to tip that is the question. Does the server have to do anything specific to get your money or is it wraps from the jump and there’s no tip regardless of what they do? When the IPad does more work than the cashier should you still tip that 20%? Are you thinking about the employees in the back of the kitchen? These are just some of the questions that a lot of people, especially college students, think of when entering …

‘The First Omen’ delivers damn-good body horror

Share: Winter is over, and it’s time for Hollywood’s tortured and undying horror franchises to shamble their way into theaters one by one. Studios could have stuffed the spring schedule with series filler, but “The First Omen” brings a screaming start to the year, revitalizing the franchise with an experience that is visceral and shocking. Released last Friday, the feature-length debut from director Arkasha Stevenson is both a prequel and reboot. It knows when to foreshadow the Richard Donner original and when to ignore it …

Time to put the Ghostbusters in the deep freezer for good

Share: Two years after the Ghostbusters made their return to the big screen in “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” they’ve taken back to NYC to revel in their spirit-chasing antics. But despite their killer comeback in 2022, all that “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” left me feeling disappointed and hollow. The story once again follows the Spengler family of Callie, Trevor, and Phoebe as well as Phoebe’s summer teacher Gary (played by Paul Rudd) who’s for some reason still palling around with his former student’s family. They’ve taken up residence …

‘Love Lies Bleeding’ is must-see madness

Share: “Love lies bleeding” is filled with twists and turns that will no joke have you on the edge of your seat. Director Rose Glass kicks off 2024 with a whirlwind queer love story. The romantic thriller set in the 80s is surely on its way to becoming one of A24’s greatest hits. It contains mature themes and stars Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Jena Malone, Dave Franco, and Ed Harris.  This film had it all, the crowd was enthralled and so was I. It follows …

‘Problemista’ is an extravaganza you don’t want to miss

Share: After being delayed due to the Hollywood-stopping WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the surrealist comedy flick with a fantastical twist, “Problemista” finally gets its well-deserved moment in the sun. It tells the story of an immigrant who jumps through expensive, time-consuming bureaucratic hoops to make it in America at the risk of losing his visa and being sent back to El Salvador. A24’s latest release showcases comedian Julio Torres’ outstanding ability to write, direct, and act as he shines in his first feature film “Problemista.” …

‘Dune: Part Two’ leaves its predecessor in the dust as it soars to extraordinary heights

Share: Director Denis Villeneuve is known for breathtaking visuals mixed with fantastic character work to boot, and no movie gives him more of an opportunity to show this off than the “Dune” series. After a three-year-long wait, Villeneuve has returned to his Sci-Fi epic with “Dune: Part Two.” Truthfully, it’s hard to put into words how amazing this movie is, as it takes a serious step up in every department over its predecessor.    The movie once again follows Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, and …

Bad bad, not good: Don’t get stuck in Madame’s Web

Share: Sony’s latest Marvel-related film “Madame Web” came to theaters just a few weeks ago, releasing on Valentine’s Day, and was met with a heap of negative reviews from Spider-Man/Marvel fans.  The build-up and overall promo were quite bizarre ranging from things like blatant false advertising, to the weird attempts from the main cast to get people to buy tickets like Dakota Johnson’s promo video where she goes on to say, “I think you’re gonna see it twice.” Aside from all this, the trailers and …

Netflix Avatarnishes new adaptation

Share: Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” remake feels like a very genuine love letter written with largely inaccurate information about the recipient. It’s really difficult to fully hate this show when it’s clear so many people tried to make something truly special. From the cast’s infectious enthusiasm in the promotional material to the emphasis on staying respectful to the various real cultures the world of “Avatar” takes influence from, it’s a shame it was all in service to a result so painfully mediocre.  The notion …