Check out an EXCLUSIVE CLIP from the irreverent, X-Mas rated comedy Cup of Cheer. David is joined by Nagier (http://youtube.com/biggoldbelt) to check out the clip and discuss the film!
CUP OF CHEER is a ridiculous and laugh-out-loud-funny satire of every cheesy Christmas movie you've ever seen, coming to streaming, digital, and VOD November 6, 2020. For more information, check out https://www.cupofcheermovie.com/.
The film follows Mary, a big city journalist who heads off to her charming hometown of Snowy Heights to write an article about the town's world famous Christmas cheer. But upon (literally) running into the grumpy but endearing Chris, the owner of Cup of Cheer, Mary learns that his charming hot cocoa shop is going to be shut down on Christmas Eve. And it's her ex boyfriend that's shutting it down. Using her big city smarts and her Christmas cheer, Mary unites the town in an effort to save Cup of Cheer, and to save Christmas.
Director: Jake Horowitz
Writers: Jake Horowitz, Andy Lewis
Stars: Storm Steenson, Alexander Oliver, Liam Marshall, Jacob Hogan, Helly Chester
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For Those Looking For Digital Horror - Come Play (Theaters)
Come Play is a modern Babadook, with fantastic sounds, a creepy modern creature, and palatable tension. For more information, check out our review!
For Those Feeling The Lockdown - Host (Shudder)
The quintessential quarantine movie (and probably the best horror movie this year), Host dials in the scares with a clever use of technology, references to the current predicament, and enough jump scares to keep you from dropping out of this zoom meeting. For more information, check out our review!
For Some Mind Games - Black Box (Amazon)
Black Box takes you on a technological deep dive with strong characters led by the amazing Mamoudou Athie, an intriguing story, and a mental mystery that will keep you guessing. For more information, check out our review!
For a New Classical Classic - Nocturne (Amazon)
Nocturne's fantastic music, story, and characters create a slowly building symphony of suspense, obsession, and madness. It also has probably my favorite movie poster released this year! For more information, check out our review!
For Those Wanting To Get Outside - Creep (Netflix)
Creep was one of the earlier found footage horror films and did it so incredibly well, fueled by Mark Duplass's intense, unpredictable, and wholly personable performance.
For the Kids - Addams Family (Hulu)
The Addams Family is a nostalgic animated feature that captures the style and characters of the main show. For more information, check out our review!
For Nostalgic Kids - It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (AppleTV+)
The Halloween classic is now only on Apple TV+, so if you still have your free year remaining, now is a great time to take advantage of it. A mainstay in my own childhood, this is a classic Halloween film that can be enjoyed against and again!
For Those Looking For A Different Type of Horror - Cats (HBO)
Yes, this movie was universally panned. Yes, it is a strange film. But it is also catchy and has enough in there that I'm sure you'll be singing through the fever dream that is this film.
Looks like 2020 delivered a terrible trick on Halloween with the news that legendary actor Sean Connery has died at the age of 90. The actor known for his many roles, but most famously as the dashing and smooth agent James Bond, had a prolific career and life. Sir Sean died peacefully in his sleep in the Bahamas, having been "unwell for some time", his son said.
He took on some fantastic roles including the iconic role as James Bond, an escaped thief that ravaged San Francisco in The Rock, and as the wonderful antagonist in SNL's celebrity jeopardy skits. Connery's bond movies spanned many years and were loved by moviegoers. He portrayed the iconic agent in:
Dr No (1962)
From Russia with Love (1963)
Goldfinger (1964)
Thunderball (1965)
You Only Live Twice (1967)
Diamonds are Forever (1971)
Never Say Never Again (1983)
I know I am going to pour a martini tonight, shaken, not stirred to remember this wonderful actor!
Alexa and Stephen Kinigopoulos, the directors of the indie gem Fishbowl join for a great discussion about this wonderful film. They discuss the film, the inspiration for some of the incidents that occurred (Stephen co-wrote the movie), and their journey from concept to release. They also discuss some of the similarities between their characters and their own lives!
So give it a watch and make sure to check out Fishbowl, available digitally and on demand! For more information and for links to rent or purchase, check out the review!
Starring: Emily Peachey, Belle Shickle, Caroline Coleman, Rick Kain
Directors: Alexa Kinigopoulos, Stephen Kinigopoulos
Synopsis:
In a small town filled with secrets, three sisters are forced to cling to each other as they cope with loss and a father who's growing increasingly obsessed with the rapture he thinks is coming. The sisters (Peachey, Shickle, and Coleman) are forced to endure hardships at home and at school, with the only people they can rely on being themselves. And as their father (Kain)'s behavior becomes increasingly dogmatic and erratic, the sisters are put in a difficult situation while facing small town judgments. They are good, but slightly rebellious girls who are forced to deal with the sins of their father and the judgmental looks of those around them. They are constantly put in a difficult situation of following his erratic directions and wanting to live their own, normal lives.
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Fishbowl's fantastic style, understated humor, wonderful performances, and subtle touches showcase a family and spiritual crisis surrounded by small town angst and judgment. For more information, check out our review!
For Those Looking to Vote - All In: The Fight For Democracy (Amazon, Youtube)
All In; The Fight for Democracy is an important film about modern voter suppression techniques, with poignant examples and valuable advice to ensure that all Americans are able to exercise their rights to vote. It is free to watch this weekend on Youtube so make sure to check it out! For more information, check out the news story!
For Those Looking For Digital Horror - Come Play (Theaters)
Come Play is a modern Babadook, with fantastic sounds, a creepy modern creature, and palatable tension. For more information, check out our review!
For 80s Kids and Scream Queens - The Call (Digital)
The Call gives Lin Shaye a platform to shine as a different, insidious type of character, surrounding her with a young cast and a creepy setting for this atmospheric 80s horror callback. For more information, check out our review!
For the Showboats - Blackjack: The Jackie Ryan Story (Digital)
Blackjack: The Jackie Ryan Story is a slam dunk portrayal of the legendary street baller, with a boisterous performance by Finley and a loud style to match the street ball subject and hot-tempered athlete. For more information, check out our review!
For the Fan of Thrillers and Tension - Cut Throat City (Digital / Redbox)
Cut Throat City has a lot more going on than meets the eye, from its complex characters, to its involved story, and wonderful dialogue, this film steals the spotlight. For more information, check out our review!
For Those Looking For A Different Type of Horror - Cats (HBO)
Yes, this movie was universally panned. Yes, it is a strange film. But it is also catchy and has enough in there that I'm sure you'll be singing through the fever dream that is this film.
For Fans of Awkward Comedy - Bad Therapy (Hulu)
Bad Therapy has three great leads in a dark comedy with funny moments, awkward humor, and ridiculous situations. For more information, check out our review!
Release date: October 30, 2020 Running time: 93 minutes Starring: Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Wunmi Mosaku, Matt Smith Director: Remi Weekes
After making a harrowing escape from war-torn South Sudan, a young refugee couple struggles to adjust to their new life in a small English town. However, when strange things begin occurring in their new house, they learn that there is an unspeakable evil lurking beneath the surface.
His House has a slow start as you learn about Bol (Dìrísù) and Rial (Mosaku) and their new life in England. At first we only know about this new environment, but aspects of their past are slowly revealed as the strange occurrences get more and more pronounced. In fact, the first bit of this film doesn't even reveal itself to be a horror movie. But when the strange occurrences begin, the movie ramps up the horror. And it slowly builds this sense of dread as more and more odd actvity occurs in the house. The film has a fantastic cast, led by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Wunmi Mosaku. Dìrísù is really convincing as a happy immigrant just excited to be in this new area. And Mosaku is phenomenal as Rial. We saw Mosaku earlier this year in the wonderful film Sweetness in the Belly, where she played another dramatic role. Mosaku is an amazing talent and I can't wait to see what she does next. She is relatable and great at conveying the mixed emotions that she is feeling in this new scenario.
His House uses horror to tell a harrowing immigrant story, but one that could have been more impactful. The horrors of what they left are touched upon but not in enough detail to really make them stick. Additionally, the terrible things that happened during their journey to England are also briefly touched upon, but again without enough detail to really be impactful. I think more could have been made about their reasons for leaving, and the experiences they had on the trip over. And although the film does use the horror aspects to tell this tale, they are only slightly connected. The horror builds and builds to a climactic conclusion, but one that feels ridiculous given the careful nature of the first part of the film. It feels like this movie is two films in one, and it should have lost the horror aspects to instead tell a harrowing immigrant story. Or if it was going to keep the horror aspect--and don't get me wrong, I love genre mixing and using horror elements--it could have dialed back the horror a little in service of the story.
His House uses an impressive cast and horror to try and tell a harrowing immigrant story, depicting the horrors that they left and the terrible things that occurred along the way.
Rent it.
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Release date: October 30, 2020 Running time: 90 minutes Starring: Greg Finley, Ashley Greene, David Arquette, Robert Davi Directed by: Danny A. Abeckaser
The story of the hot-tempered and self-centered Brooklyn native and street basketball legend Jackie Ryan (Finley). His dreams of playing professional basketball seem to have passed him by after years of hard partying and neglect. He works construction alongside his overbearing father (Arquette), and his wisecracking best friend Marty (Madio). After being spotted at the famous West 4th basketball court for his incredible talent, Ryan is invited to try-out for the New Jersey Nets and is forced to confront his inner demons, family conflicts, relationship drama, and turn his life around.
I am a sucker for a good sports drama and Blackjack has plenty of basketball action. But the film is less about the basketball and more about Jackie's personal journey of growth and confronting the impediments to his own dreams. This film is similar in that respect to another fantastic basketball movie that came out earlier this year, The Way Back. But whereas The Way Back was a more serious, thoughtful drama around basketball, Blackjack has a lighter tone but deals with a similar self destructive attitude. And Blackjacks' lighter tone and style really make it stand out. The film is set in the 90s and is a love letter to that era of film and sports. The film has bright colors, loud music, and a vibrant style that is reminiscent of the era and the streetball subject matter. And a lot of this is accomplished by Greg Finley's portrayal of Jackie. I've never seen Jackie play, but I imagine that Finley's boisterous, cocky, and plain fun game is an accurate portrayal of the street legend. Finley shows the hot headed person along with the constant self-destructive nature. Ashley Greene as Jackie's love interest and positive influence was another great character, a strong female counterpart to Jackie's loud personality. However, I do wish that her story was explored more, although to be fair the film is based on Jackie. She plays a pivotal role, but doesn't feature as prominently as I was hoping. It was also fun seeing David Arquette on the big screen again, as a caring and slightly flawed father that exhibits some tough love and lessons for Jackie.
But Blackjack is deeper than its loud exterior lets on. The film deals with some difficult subject matter without overtly clueing the viewer in. There is an interesting intersection of race and expectations that is touched upon, though very lightly. There is also a lot on life expectations versus reality, and the amount of work needed to make those come true. Jackie has all the talent in the world and the support of those around him, but he also succumbs to influences that do not have his best interests at heart. The film focuses on talent versus hard work, and what it can take to succeed. Sometimes you can't get by on simply talent, but need to show something more to actually take the next step. And I would be remiss to not mention the actual basketball in this film, with some fun street games and talented players highlighted. Like I said, the basketball is a central part, but the film deals more with Jackie's character and personal journey. Though, as with every good sports drama, it ends with a climactic game that will have you cheering until the final bucket.
Blackjack: The Jackie Ryan Story is a slam dunk portrayal of the legendary street baller, with a boisterous performance by Finley and a loud style to match the street ball subject and hot-tempered athlete.
Watch.
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Release date: October 29, 2020 Running time: 107 minutes Starring: Chelsea Islan, Widika Sidmore, Baskara Mahendra and Hadijah Shahab Directed: by Timo Tjahjanto
A SHUDDER ORIGINAL. Timo Tjahjanto is known for segments in anthology films The ABCs of Death and V/H/S/ 2, and features like supernatural thrill ride May the Devil Take You and action extravaganza The Night Comes for Us. Now, Tjahjanto returns with a sequel to his 2018 hit, May The Devil Take You. Two years after escaping from demonic terror, a young woman is still haunted by unnatural visions. The dangers that await her and her friends grow as a figure of darkness rises, threatening to take their lives.
May The Devil Take You Too is a continuation of the story from the first one, with the same young woman hoping to escape the evils that plagued her in the original film. However, she is drawn into a new predicament with a group of friends / family who are experiencing their own demonic issues. As someone who has experience with this situation, she naturally (though somewhat forcedly) decides to help this scared group. The setup is tenuous at best but it does at least provide some avenue for Alfie (Islan) to be thrown into this new situation.
One thing that this film does, and something I have noticed generally with Indonesian films, is it has really great practical effects. The make up and effects are very good, and will give you a scare without breaking your sense of disbelief. The demonic, possessed characters look fantastic, with otherworldly white make up and plenty of blood. And they move in a way that is off putting, sometimes through acrobatics and other times through smart camera work. I don't know what it is about someone bent over backwards, but it is always creepy and is a fantastic addition whenever used! And even when someone is not fully possessed, they can have some unsettling facial expressions to let you know that they are on their way. Eyes that are too big, mouths extended in an evil grin, there are some really great touches that give this movie a scary feel. And these effects also extend to some of the brutal scenes between demons and humans, which lead to even more gore and a good amount of blood.
However, May The Devil Take You Too's story seems like just a vehicle for Alfie to encounter more demons. The reason why she was summoned is strange and didn't really make sense to me. Maybe it would have helped to see the original film, but not having that context, it felt like too convenient of a setup. And some of the lore and consequences of Alfie's previous experience felt a little too Marvel movie for me. It has some strange explanations for why Alfie is special here and it didn't quite add up. It did provide for some intense confrontations with the demons in this film, but it also felt like too much of a convenient vehicle for her. And the film relies a lot on jump scares and other terror inducing instances a little too much. It was scary the first time, but it happened a little more than I wanted. And the demons seemed to appear with little explanation. There was a main anatagonist, but additional ones spawned for some reason that I couldn't quite figure out.
May The Devil Take You Too continues the story of the first Indonesian horror film, with some great practical effects and make up in this unsettling tale.
Rent it.
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Release date: October 23, 2020 Running time: 100 minutes Starring: Dominic Pace, Gabriela Lopez, Kevin Glikman, Natasha Halabi, Nathanyael Gray, and Patrick Caberty Directed & Written by: A.R. Hilton
Four seasoned killers and one hapless professor awake in chains to discover they are part of a demented experiment orchestrated by a maniacal, mysterious captor. To decide their fate, they must share the motives behind their crimes as they face the judgement of their peers. The rules are non-negotiable and the outcome is clear: live or die. The moral compass spins frantically as all fight to justify their lives before the final vote is cast.
Anonymous Killers certainly has an interesting premise and setup. It starts with a stylized introduction of each of the killers and showcases their work and motivation. It takes a long time to get started but it is a nice introduction to this crew. And when the killers are together in this captured state, there is a certain amount of judgment going on. Overall the premise is a bit strange but does setup some tense situations as the killers try to bargain for their life. And one thing that I did like is that during the interrogation by the captors, insights into the characters are revealed that do give an interesting backstory. And for some of the killers, it does put a human face and story on their character. However, for others it humanizes a little, but then when you see their choices after you realize that there are plenty of deplorable choices that occurred as a result. And one thing that should be noted is the diversity in the cast. The film features many assassins, from various genders and races, which is something that should be applauded.
And as you would expect from a movie about assassins, the film does have some brutal effects and deaths. And these are pretty imaginative due to the variations in the killers themselves. Some are ruthless, some are cunning, but they are all well done. However, this film does have some rough edges. The writing and acting were not bad, but they weren't very convincing. And some the action effects were hit or miss. And although the film builds towards a final climactic moment, the reveal at the end did not resonate with me. Overall, this film has an interesting premise, lots of tension, and good production values, but the writing and story just did not grab me like I thought they would.
Anonymous Killers assembles a ruthless group for judgment, with plenty of tension, an interesting premise, and good production values.
Rent it.
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Release date: October 30, 2020 Running time: 92 minutes Starring: Lin Shaye (Insidious, The Grudge), Tobin Bell (Saw, Jigsaw), Chester Rushing, Erin Sanders, Judd Lormand Director: Timothy Woodward Jr Writer: Patrick Stibbs
From the creator of Final Destination, Lin Shaye and Tobin Bell star in this tale of death from the fall of 1987. After a tragic accident, a group of small town friends must survive the night in the home of a sinister couple. One by one, their worst nightmares quickly become reality as they enter the realm of The Call. Each must call a strange phone for 60 seconds and hope that they can survive the night.
You'll instantly recognize the main star of this film, Lin Shaye. She has become a modern day scream queen as one of the main driving forces behind the Insidious series. In this film she gets to play a more insidious character than in the namesake movies, and it was a lot of fun to see her play this. And her husband in the film, Tobin Bell, is another easily recognized actor that is fun to see in a horror role. They play the two adults in this film who have a confrontation with the group of young friends. The rest of the cast are mostly young but well cast. The characters aren't incredibly deep, and only little bits of their backstory are revealed at first. You learn more as the movie progresses, but it would have been nice to have some more build up before the call part.
And when the film gets into the call part of it, the horror really starts. The call takes place in a creepy setting with a good horror aesthetic. And initially the film has a good amount of tension as you try and figure out what will happen next. This is accompanied by some atmospheric music and sounds to keep you on edge. And the call itself is a creepy experience, though it feels like it has been done before. The unknown parts of the film really drive this, and you learn more as the characters learn more. And as you learn more about the characters, the reveals do help to paint a fuller picture of what is going on. However, the ending of the film left something to be desired. Some characters make some uncharacteristic and frankly bad choices towards the end that cause the ending to fall flat. The film tried to go for a horror ending but some of it feels forced.
The Call gives Lin Shaye a platform to shine as a different, insidious type of character, surrounding her with a young cast and a creepy setting for this atmospheric 80s horror callback.
Rent it.
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The Call is available digitally and premium on demand October 30.
For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.
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And make sure to check out our interview with Erin Sanders, who plays Tonya! We discuss the film, her love of horror, what it was like filming an 80s period piece, and her Halloween plans!
Erin Sanders, who plays Tonya in the all new horror film, The Call joins to discuss the film and her love of horror. We also discuss what it was like working with Lin Shaye, what drew her to this film and role, how much fun it was to film a period piece, and what she is doing this Halloween!
So give it a watch and make sure to check out The Call, digitally and premium on demand on October 30.
Starring: Lin Shaye (Insidious, The Grudge), Tobin Bell (Saw, Jigsaw), Chester Rushing, Erin Sanders, Judd Lormand
Director: Timothy Woodward Jr
Writer: Patrick Stibbs
Synopsis:
From the creator of Final Destination, Lin Shaye and Tobin Bell star in this tale of death from the fall of 1987. After a tragic accident, a group of small town friends must survive the night in the home of a sinister couple. One by one, their worst nightmares quickly become reality as they enter the realm of The Call. Each must call a strange phone for 60 seconds and hope that they can survive the night.
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Starting at 12:00am ET on Thursday, October 29th, Amazon Prime Video will bring ALL IN: THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY to an even wider audience, streaming it free on YouTube for the entire weekend.
The film will be available worldwide to audiences everywhere from October 29th until November 1st on the Prime Video YouTube page. This will allow the filmmakers and Amazon Studios to reach both voters and potential voters where they are, helping to educate them on the important subject of voter suppression.
Tens of millions of Americans have already voted in the current election where we are witnessing widespread suppression tactics across many states, especially in communities of color. The film paints a scary and honest picture of tactics used to dissuade voting; strategies that sound reasonable in theory but sinister in practice. We reviewed the film and thought it was an important documentary that all should see. And now with the release on YouTube, it is even easier to experience.
Release date: October 30, 2020 Running time: 94 minutes Starring: Rafael Amaya, Carolina Guerra, Ricardo Chavira Directed By: Felix Limardo
Narco Soldiers follows one couple's Bonnie and Clyde-style rise to power in a Dominican Republic drug cartel. The film takes place in the middle of the Caribbean, where drug routes and money are flowing, but the rise to power can be deadly.
Narco Soldiers is a tough movie to judge. It has good production values and camera work to really portray this Caribbean paradise in the best possible light. It is a beautiful representation on screen and can take your breath away with its sheer beauty. And the action and gun play are exciting to watch, with some good sound effects and shoot outs to get your blood flowing. And the story has plenty of twists and turns in this rise to power. And there are some fun characters to follow during your journey. The camaraderie between the main characters is fun to see as they have good chemistry together. And the chemist's transformation as he gets deeper into the drug trade is also fun to watch.
However, the dialog is very hit or miss. The voice acting is at times good, but often feels forced and out of place. It is tough to get into the film when the dialog just doesn't feel natural. And the acting is also hit or miss. You can tell that everyone involved is having a good time making this movie, but the characters are often exaggerated or over dramatic for their roles. And they often feel like stereotypical caricatures of drug cartel people. This movie seems to get a lot of inspiration from Scarface, as you would expect from a rise to power in a drug cartel, but the movie itself is just not as well done or exciting. It has a lot of scenes that seem to be throwbacks to that film, but they feel like imitations rather than fresh takes on the movie. In practice, the film feels like a Hollywood take on the drug trade and a rise to power, and not something that is grounded in fact.
Overall, Narco Soldiers tries to build an exciting drug rise to power, but the hit or miss dialog and characters overshadow the beautiful camera work and exciting action.
Pass on it.
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Don't Look Back is available digitally, and on demand on October 16, 2020. For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.
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Release date: October 30, 2020 Running time: 96 minutes Starring: Azhy Robertson, Gillian Jacobs, John Gallagher Jr.
Just in time for Halloween comes Focus Features newest film COME PLAY, a horror movie directed by Jacob Chase starring newcomer Azhy Robertson as Oliver, a lonely young boy who feels different from everyone else. Desperate for a friend, he seeks solace and refuge in his ever-present cell phone and tablet. When a mysterious creature uses Oliver's devices to break into the world, Oliver's parents (Gillian Jacobs and John Gallagher Jr.) must fight to save their son from the monster behind the screen.
Come Play is about the isolating nature of technology and the dangers of its constant use, and thankfully for this film, the use of technology is very good. Oliver's near constant contact with his tablet, which he uses to help drown out the world around him and to communicate, is a main driving force of this film. But it also uses some interesting aspects of technology, like pieces of the story showing up on the tablet only, or images only appearing when looking through the tablet camera. These give you a real sense of possession and helps to showcase the creature and its unique abilities. It also gives a great excuse to not show the creature all the time, and when it is visible, it allows some logical explanation for why it looks strange and CG. Speaking of CG, the use of CG in this film is thankfully minimal. And although the creature looks computer generated (despite being a puppet from the Henson group), the CG is high enough quality that it doesn't break your disbelief that easily. I wish they had done less with the big creature, but overall it is not too distracting.
And the thankfully part of the minimal creature CG is that the creature does not show up much during the film. Rather, the movie uses smart lighting, sound, and effects to create some very tense scenarios before you see the creature. Tying in with the technology, sometimes things are only shown on a tablet, or only through that tablet, causing the visibility of the creature to be minor. And what this does is create some very tense scenarios as you are waiting for the creature to show up. And this tension is made even that much more palatable because of the fantastic sound in this film. As you are waiting for the monster to show up you have creepy noises, shuffling of the creature, and otherworldly sounds coming from both the creature and the kids.
And this tension leads to some really good jump scares. I am not a fan of jump scares in general, but I was enjoying these ones. You know they are coming and when they hit you, you can't help but smile a little. The whole movie has a similar feel to the fantastic Babadook. You have a kid who has trouble expressing himself, a scary story / monster that begins to come alive, and parents who initially don't believe the child. And like the Babadook, this film shows the lengths that parents will go to protect their children.
Come Play is a modern Babadook, with fantastic sounds, a creepy modern creature, and palatable tension.
Watch it.
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Watch or Pass unboxing video of the Blu-Ray version of Mr. Topaze, featuring a new 2K restoration of the Peter Sellers classic.
Unwilling to sacrifice his principles, Albert Topaze (Peter Sellers), a poor but proud French schoolmaster, loses his job after he refuses to alter the failing grades of one of students. Seizing the opportunity to exploit his well-known honesty, actress Suzy Courtois (Nadia Gray) convinces her lover, the corrupt city council member Castel Benac (Herbert Lom), to hire Topaze as a managing director for one of his shady businesses. But when Topaze learns he is being used, he cunningly turns the tables on Benac and makes off with all the money.
Seller’s first and only credited directorial feature, MR. TOPAZE displays the British comic genius at the peak of his powers alongside his future Pink Panther nemesis Herbert Lom and a stellar supporting cast that includes Nadia Gray, Leo McKern, Billie Whitelaw and Michael Gough. Long considered a “lost” classic, MR. TOPAZE was digitally restored at the request of the British public from the last known surviving 35mm prints held in the BFI National Archive.
Director: Peter Sellers Starring: Peter Sellers, Nadia Gray, Herbert Lom, Leo McKern, Michael Gough, Billie Whitelaw, John Le Mesurier
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Release date: October 27, 2020 Running time: 85 minutes Starring: Emily Peachey, Belle Shickle, Caroline Coleman, Rick Kain Directors: Alexa Kinigopoulos, Stephen Kinigopoulos
In a small town filled with secrets, three sisters are forced to cling to each other as they cope with loss and a father who's growing increasingly obsessed with the rapture he thinks is coming. The sisters (Peachey, Shickle, and Coleman) are forced to endure hardships at home and at school, with the only people they can rely on being themselves. And as their father (Kain)'s behavior becomes increasingly dogmatic and erratic, the sisters are put in a difficult situation while facing small town judgments. They are good, but slightly rebellious girls who are forced to deal with the sins of their father and the judgmental looks of those around them. They are constantly put in a difficult situation of following his erratic directions and wanting to live their own, normal lives.
Fishbowl instantly grabs your attention with its wonderful style. The style resonates throughout this film, with a yellow film color that makes some sequences feel dreamlike and really gets that small town, old time feel; a rebellious soundtrack that both sets the time period and energizes the feeling of angst; and a period perfect re-creation of a small town on the verge of the year 2000. And the style is communicated in other ways too, such as the clothing choice. The girls pretty universally wear their school uniforms or plain, white clothing, and the father is mostly clad in the same white outfit throughout. It is a subtle touch, but one that shows the zealousness of their father and the financial predicament of the family.
The rebellious nature is communicated perfectly through the cast. All three sisters are portrayed amazingly by the three leads, with each bringing different levels of familial unrest. Belle (Shickle), the oldest, is the most headstrong and opinionated. The middle daughter Rachel (Peachey), is still towing the line between wanting to have fun but also still believing in her father and his teachings. The youngest Jessa (Coleman) is a kid that is forced to grow up a little too fast tot deal with their predicament. And the predicament is their father, who is masterfully played by Rick Kain. He plays the patriarch perfectly, with a steel in his gaze and a quiet rule over the household as his daughters try to chip away at that. And as the story develops, he goes from a seemingly one dimensional character to one that has various layers that have been locked away due to his past and his current life situation.
The push and pull with the girl's desire to listen to their father and also live their own lives is fantastic and really helps you to empathize with their predicament. They make seemingly normal choices for teenage girls, and are deathly afraid of what will happen to them. And the film is full of really good examples of an understanding gap, not just with the father. The rebelliousness of the kids shines through in their interactions with school administrators and other adults, who simply play lip service to the predicament that is brewing around them. The small town distrust is recreated perfectly, with outwardly nice individuals giving terrible, distrusting looks or side comments. The small town angst and mistrust are palatable in Fishbowl, with these seemingly normal girls feeling like outcasts. You don't quite know why at the start, but it becomes increasingly clear as the story progresses.
And ultimately the story of Fishbowl is a wonderful, painful, and dramatic journey. A lot is left unsaid and much of it reveals itself as the movie progresses, but plenty is revealed by the end. And the story builds to some very powerful scenes and epiphanies on all sides. And the ending itself feels perfectly in line with the journey we have taken, a natural progression of what we had already seen. And along the way you experience Fishbowls wonderful style and dry, dark humor that pervades this movie. There are so many great little touches that keep this film engaging, entertaining, emotional, and ultimately fulfilling.
Fishbowl's fantastic style, understated humor, wonderful performances, and subtle touches highlight a crisis of family and faith in a small town that cannot accept or cope with either.
Watch it.
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