meddlecore

How many shark movies can one guy make?

In the case of Anthony C. Ferrante, the answer is AT LEAST 8.

Clearly the 6 installation Sharknado series wasn't enough for him.

Because, not only did he come back with this film...but a 2025 release called Great White Waters, as well.

Sure, they all go direct-to-Tubi (or worse).

And, it's more of a thriller, than a horror film, in my opinion.

But it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Yes...it's bad.

But the actors are, for the most part, generally competent.

Even though the writing is pretty damn terrible.

And, largely, generic.

It's not wholly and completely unwatchable.

Which is more than I expected from it.

So there's that.

But it's still only the fourth best shark-horror film of 2023.

2 out of 10.

I couldn't help but find this film unbearbly boring.

The story begins with a single mother raising her two young children near the oceanside in Britain.

When wandering around one day, the young girl- Evie- finds a strange artifact, which she begins wearing around her neck.

Marking a strange turn in her personality.

The stress from dealing with this ordeal leads their mother to attempt to drown them in the ocean.

Only for their neighbour/estranged father to save them at the last second.

But their mother didn't make it out alive.

Resulting in the two kids being raised in separate foster homes.

Fast forward a number of years later...with the two reconnecting in early adulthood.

As we learn that Evie has, apparently, been murdering potential suitors.

Which likely pertains to her underlying daddy issues.

We learn about...whatever is going on...through brief flashbacks.

Though it's not really clear why these things are happening.

You can only assume that it somehow relates to the item she found by the beach that day as a kid.

And the mental/emotional trauma she endured as a result.

But, for a majority of the film...nothing is inherently clear.

Except that everyone in her life blames her for everything.

Why this is, is eventually revealed.

But the way it all plays out is confusing, at best.

So, it's not a matter of whether the story is bad...just that it could have been structured much better, cinematically speaking.

Either way...it's a bit of a slow burner.

Which seems to have been an unnecessary narrative choice.

As the ending seems rushed, and forced.

Leaving you generally unfulfilled, as a viewer.

2 out of 10.

The premise of this horror short out of Sweden is pretty damn ridiculous.

But hell if it's not extremely well executed.

At barely 11 minutes in length...the build-up is rather succinct.

But it managed to get me with at least 3 jumpscares before the short-but-sweet gorefest set in.

The title of the film "Epadunk" is named after what is, quite possibly, the weirdest genre of- particularly Swedish- music.

As it is a brand of electronic music that is specifically dedicated to "A-Tractors"...which are effectively custom made tractors that are fashioned out of half-a-Volvo, and whatever other spare parts they can slap on the back.

I guess they are a big part of Swedish culture, because they can be driven by new drivers without their full class license.

So, the bizarre plot of the film (which I won't go into fully here, so as to avoid spoilers) does seem to perfectly accentuate the topical content at hand.

Thus, while it may be short...it's also kind of great...in a stupid sort of way.

5 out of 10.