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Reviews
Dexter: New Blood (2021)
Great show , horrible ending
It was great seeing Dexter return. Michael C. Hall is always excellent. Clancy Brown as the villain was the perfect choice. I loved the snow setting,and Jennifer Carpenter returning as Dexter's conscience was great. It was a nice touch in order to bring her back in some capacity other than flashbacks. Overall the show is fantastic and worthy of the original series. My only issue is the last episode. I lives the final episode of the original series and unlike most people, I thought it was a fitting finale. NewBlood's finale left me wondering why they brought the show back at all if only to kill Dexter. And at the hands of his own son. I wanted more seasons of New Blood and was hoping to see a Dexter /Batista showdown reunion. I gave 10 stars because despite the finale, the show is fantastic and definitely still a repeat watch for me.
The Acolyte (2024)
Unwatchable
I could not make it through the first episode. This series does not compliment the Star Wars legacy. It is boring and lacks good dialogue. It plays like a fan film of Star Wars than an actual Star Wars show. I loved what Disney did with shows like Obi Wan, The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, but The Acolyte falls short of being worthy of the name Star Wars. The show seems more concerned with showing diversity than giving us a good story with good dialogue. What good are diverse characters if they are made to look stupid? This was really a letdown for me being a life long Star Wars fan. This is not the way.
On the Line (2022)
What a letdown ending.
First off, let me say the acting is good in this. Mel Giubson knows how to keep you captivated with his acting as well as his co-stars. It gets tense at times but the twist ending is such a major let down that it actually ruined the film for me. It is very rare for a film to disappoint me so badly after I invested 90 or so minutes of my life to watch it. I felt so angry that I sat through this for that final reveal. It felt like getting married and thinking you would have limitless sex and find out after all this time was invested, that sex was no longer an option. I have rarely had WTF moments where it was because of disappointment. This is a one time watch for me. It's too bad, because I am a huge Mel Gibson in and this film is beneath him.
Never Hike Alone 2 (2023)
Excellence.
This film can easily be placed in the Friday the 13th franchise as an official film. It plays that well. The Kills are fantastic, plenty of gore. You can tell the filmmakers are fans and not just putting out a cheap slasher. They care for the characters, they care for the story and they care about continuing Jason, who has been in limbo since the lawsuits. I can't speak highly enough about these NHA films. I am a huge F13 fan and these films have supplied the entertainment I crave in seeing Jason back on screen. A well-done slasher with good acting, an alumni cast and a great story. The gore is plenty and Jason is intimidating and scary once again. Jason is back and it is thanks to these filmmakers who are fans first.
Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)
A reboot before reboots were common
Friday the 13th part V: A New Beginning is a decent sequel. Most hate the film for not featuring our favorite hockey masked killer but the film really has the feel of a Friday the 13th film and is almost a reboot/ quasi-remake of the first film. We get the murder of a teen,a grieving parent, and a whodunit until the final reveal. Is Jason back or is someone hacking away teens in his name? Most fans already know the outcome and either love it or hate it. I love it for the simple fact that it carries on the slasher tradition by sporting great kills, ample nudity, and some of the best quotable lines in the entire franchise. It is in my top 5 Friday the 13th films.
Matilda: The Musical (2022)
Excellent adaptation
A wonderful family film with great performances and an excellent soundtrack. My 8 year old daughter is obsessed with this film and it is nice to see her branch out into other genre films besides animated films. Emma Thompson is excellent as the nasty school master. I loved the 90s version but this has replaced it as my favorite adaptation of this classic story. The children are very talented and the film will leave a lasting impression of you love musicals. I went into this expecting to dislike it but ended up finding myself enthralled and singing along with the films musical numbers. An excellent effort by everyone involved.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)
Excellent and fun.
I was hesitant about this one due to the title. I have found most if the Marvel shows boring but She-Hulk is funny, action-packed and has a great story. I am not a fan of smart Hulk but the banter between Hulk and She -Hulk is funny and drives the first episode. Well done.
Halloween (2007)
Zombie triumphs
Rob Zombie taks some creative liberties with the Myers character and although he takes away some of the mystery of this iconic slasher, he provides us with the most brutal and unforgiving version of the Shape. The first half of the film focuses on young Michael andthe abuse he takes at the hands of his sister, his mother's boyfriend and his classmates. When Michael finally snaps, it is the best 20 minutes of pure mayhem. The sanitarium scenes are fantastic as well as we see Michael regress ino the mute beast we all know and love. T second half is a brutal reke of the original film. Halloween is beautifully shot and keeps you on the edge of your seat. One of the best in my own personal opinion.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
Excellent
Everything I expect from a Star Wars show. Darth Vader is brutal again. I look forward to more. It's nice to see Ewn McGregor back in the role and the fight scenes are top notch.
Rambo: Last Blood (2019)
A fitting final chapter for our hero
Rambo Last Blood is not your typical Rambo film. John Rambo has finally found peace in a little town with a surrogate family after his father has passed. When his housekeepers daughter is kidnapped and sold as a sex slave Rambo kicks into high gear. A pretty good final chapter. Stallone still has action chops and makes today's action stars look weak by comparison.
Cobra (1986)
One of the best 80s action films
Cobra is a very well done action film that stars Sylvester Stallone as a tough as nails, brutal cop. The killer leads a cult and is a formidable foe. This film has the classic one liners expected in 80s action films and some intense scenes. Still holds up well.
13 Fanboy (2021)
Good slasher
13 Fanboy sets out to pay homage to the Friday the 13th films and also sets itself apart with a great plot. A demented fan is killing off Friday the 13th actors and other 80s horror Icons. I would love to see what they will do for a sequel. The cast is spectacular. I only wish there was more of Deborah Voorhees but her death in the film is central to the plot. A nice effort . It is great to see F13 alum in a new slasher.
Never Hike in the Snow (2020)
Excellent Fan film
The film makers of Never Hike Alone have done it again. You can clearly tell they are fans and they respect the films and characters. This is what a Friday the 13th film should look like. Vincent DiSanti is excellent as a director and as our favorite slasher Jason. Great job. I cnat wait to see future entries in this excellent series of films. They are creating a franchise of their own with these well done tributes to Friday the 13th!
Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things (1972)
One of the best PG horror films
I first viewed this film as a child and was scared senseless by Orville. I was scared but captivated. I recently saw it on TUBI Tv and I found myself enjoying the campiness of the film. It is still very effective and entertaining. Still one of the scariest PG horror films from the 70s.
Jason Rising: A Friday the 13th Fan Film (2021)
Excellent Cast, Excellent story. Everything an F13 film should be.
Thank you to the filmmakers of Jason Rising for giving us everything we have longed to see in a Friday the 13th film. The kills are amazing and the returns were unexpected and a great surprise. Jason is back!
Ash vs Evil Dead (2015)
Perfectly executed
This was the BEST show STARZ had to offer. It was a great throwback to and continuation of the Evil Dead franchise. The comedy was on point, the deaditws terrifying and Bruce was amazing as always. I am stumped it was cancelled.
Hamilton (2020)
Excellent Show
Hamilton is an excellent show with amazing performances and great choreography! I have listened to the album and now have been watching on streaming service Disney+
Curse of Chucky (2013)
A Return to form
Curse of Chucky is a great entry in the franchise. It is a definite improvement over Seed of Chucky which simply plays for laughs. Chucky returns to horror and Don Mancini does a great job setting up the gloomy atmosphere of this film. The film ties well with the rest of the franchise and only seems to ignore Seed. I wasn't sure what to expect when this film was announced but was pleasantly surprised. An instant classic in my opinion.
Never Hike Alone (2017)
Great film
This film plays just like a Friday studio film. Very well done and a great original story. One of the best fan films ever produced.
Thir13en Ghosts (2001)
Underappreciated gem.
I saw this film in theaters and enjoyed every minute. The ghosts each have a back story and are generally scary. They could have easily launched a companion tv series to tell a longer version of each ghosts' baack story. This film even incorporates the original's theater going gimmick of using glasses to see the ghosts, which I think is a stroke of genius. The cast is great and Matthew Lilllard gives a Scream-worthy performance. Lots of scares and gore, exactly what I expect from a horror film. A classic
Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)
A great tv movie!
I remember watching this film on tv when I was a child. This movie does a fine job of depicting how some people are not accepting of persons with mental disabilities and believe them to be up to no good. Rewatched it recently and was surprised by how well the film still holds up and entertains. It was still able to invoke feelings in me that I felt as a kid on my first viewing, sympathy , anger, sadness, and satisfaction when the bullies get their just punishments. There is very little gore. This movie does well without it. I am a huge fan of this film and the cators are top notch, especially a young Larrry Drake as Bubba. If you have not seen this gem, you should find it and enjoy a good classic horror film.