The Deep Ones

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In case you haven’t seen the intro from my entry dated 1/26/19 (it’s in my archives whenever you want to read it), I’m no longer going to review every single movie I see.  I’m going to review one, with the occasional bonus, and just give ratings for the rest from now on (unless I decide to pick it up again in the future).  You can always ask me why I gave the ratings for the films without reviews though (via comments or the e-mail addresses under the ‘About Me’ section).

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The Deep Ones                                                           OK

Says to be based on the writings of H.P. Lovecraft and not anything in particular (similar to Castle Rock being based on Stephen King works but not directly).  If Lovecraft wrote Rosemary’s Baby, this is what it might look like, with a touch of The Stepford Wives.  For those of you unfamiliar with the late writer, his works may contain tentacled beings, seaside locations, creatures that emerge from the water (Cthulhu is a mythology devised by the author), and generally things that are alien/otherworldly.  This film contains all of those to a degree.  In it, a young couple rent a house overlooking the water and gradually meet the locals who obviously have a sinister agenda (obvious if you’ve seen movies).  At least there was no beating around the bush and we learn fairly early they are part of a cult that wants something from this couple (my reference above likely gave it away).  As cliché as it all may seem, there was a bit of an appeal to it all, a sense of dread that makes it slightly watchable (although some scenes were too dark to see what was truly going on); and the creature design isn’t the worst I’ve seen, but we don’t see it much anyway.  It ultimately feels so empty in the long run, making it an average-y (meaning forgettable) film.  6/21/2021

Bonus review:

Wish Dragon                                                               OK

(haiku review)

New film on Netflix.

It’s Aladdin in China.

Not as good but fine.  6/20/2021

Other movies and TV show(s) I’ve seen and their ratings (see above):

Arlo the Alligator Boy   >>>OK

            (Netflix)

The Kid Detective  >>>OK

Kittie:  Live at the London Music Hall  >>>G

Nobody (2021)  >>>EH/OK

Supernova  >>>OK

Tale of Tails (Season One)  >>>OK

            (Tubi; 8 episodes)

---Sean O.

6/23/2021

Luca

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In case you haven’t seen the intro from my entry dated 1/26/19 (it’s in my archives whenever you want to read it), I’m no longer going to review every single movie I see.  I’m going to review one, with the occasional bonus, and just give ratings for the rest from now on (unless I decide to pick it up again in the future).  You can always ask me why I gave the ratings for the films without reviews though (via comments or the e-mail addresses under the ‘About Me’ section).

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Luca                                                                            G

Latest Disney/Pixar release set in Italy that’s literally a “fish out of water” tale.  I was reminded of The Little Mermaid the most, but the two films aren’t entirely alike.  In this world, sea monsters have the ability to become human if they exit the water and avoid getting wet.  The titular boy learns this after coming across a fellow sea monster (roughly the same age) named Alberto and they both enter a nearby city with a specific goal in mind.  The animation was unsurprisingly gorgeous (I kind of wish I saw it on the big screen), there were some funny moments, and I believe people of all ages could be entertained (I enjoyed it for the most part).  Part of the ending may be too uplifting and predictable yet also kind of expected given the studio it came from and that it’s a family film.  I still think Inside Out is the best film Pixar released last, and Soul released just last Christmas was worthy too, and while it may be too soon to claim I love this film now, I can definitely say it’s a keeper.  6/18/2021

Bonus reviews:

Cruel Summer (Season One)                                      OK/G

Teen mystery set in Texas showing events that take place on specific dates in 1993, 1994, and 1995.  The focus is primarily on Kate, a popular girl held captive in a vice principal’s house, and Jeanette, an unpopular girl accused of doing nothing when knowing of Kate’s captivity.  I really liked this show in the beginning, wishing it got with the times instead of airing once a week; anyone that hasn’t been watching can now binge it on Freeform and Hulu.  Like many shows unfortunately, it does lose steam in the middle of its 10-episode run, but I did want to keep watching because I wanted to know how it ended.  Perhaps if it was a movie instead of a series wherein each episode is a bit over 40-minutes it might’ve worked better, or at least wouldn’t have felt like it contained too much filler.  A twist revealed in the second-to-last episode was kind of predictable (hey, watching so much over the years instinctively makes you draw several possible conclusions beforehand) and a bit of a letdown.  It’s still not a bad series to check out though if you’re looking for something new to watch; there are obviously more characters than Kate and Jeanette you get to know (small town…people have secrets, like always) and all the questions you may have are answered by the end of episode ten.  The end credits of that last episode inform us a second season is coming in 2022 and all I can say is…why?  I really don’t think a second season is necessary, unless there’s a whole lot more to the story we weren’t shown…6/16/2021

Twice Told Tales                                                         OK

(haiku review)

Three tales.  Hawthorne-based.

Dated?  Came out ’63.

First two?  Fine.  Third?  Eh.  6/17/2021

Other movies I've seen and their ratings (see above):

The Abominable Dr. Phibes  >>>OK/G

American Gigolo  >>>EH

The Devil Below  >>>OK

Dr. Phibes Rises Again  >>>EH/OK

Dog Gone Trouble  >>>OK

            (Netflix)

Flashback (2021)  >>>EH

Saint Maud  >>>OK

Walk Away  >>>EH/OK

---Sean O.

6/19/2021

Sweet Tooth (Season One)

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In case you haven’t seen the intro from my entry dated 1/26/19 (it’s in my archives whenever you want to read it), I’m no longer going to review every single movie I see.  I’m going to review one, with the occasional bonus, and just give ratings for the rest from now on (unless I decide to pick it up again in the future).  You can always ask me why I gave the ratings for the films without reviews though (via comments or the e-mail addresses under the ‘About Me’ section).

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Sweet Tooth (Season One)                                          G

I did like the comic book series created by Jeff Lemire when it came out, enough to collect all 40 issues that ended in 2013 (apparently a new series was released in November of last year).  When I saw the ads for this Netflix series, I did want to watch it, but, at the same time, I wasn’t sure how yet another apocalyptic TV series (or even a movie) would work.  Since it’s been 8 years, I obviously don’t remember most of what happened.  There is a bit of suspense throughout and I cared enough about some of the characters to make me give this season a mild recommendation; it really wasn’t that bad considering all the other post-apocalyptic material out there.  In it, a virus (“the sick”) wipes out a good deal of the population and those still alive must survive while trying to protect themselves from other people (yes, people, not zombies or other variations) in this new world gone to shit (dubbed “The Great Crumble”).  Also, at the beginning of the virus, a bunch of hybrid children were created (humans that are part animal).  We follow one named Gus, who is part deer, as he goes searching for his mother after his father succumbs to “the sick.”  He comes across others on his journey, particularly an ex-football player named Jep and a teenage girl that leads a group of other teens whose mission is to protect hybrids.  The story is obviously not over (aside from being only 8 episodes ranging from 39 to 55-minutes) and I will return, but I just hope they’ll know when to stop unlike another post-apocalyptic series based on a comic book that airs on AMC.  At least this is only based on 40 issues (I’m not counting the new series) as opposed to 193 though…6/8/2021

Bonus review:

Ouija Shark                                                                 OK

(haiku review)

Title says it all.

Bad?  Sure.  Watchable?  Sure…ish.

It’s short.  You decide.  6/13/2021

*Currently available on Amazon Prime and Tubi*

Other movies I've seen and their ratings (see above):

Broil  >>>B

Evil Boy  >>>EH

   (In Russian with subtitles)

Voyagers  >>>EH

---Sean O.

6/13/2021

Camp Twilight

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In case you haven’t seen the intro from my entry dated 1/26/19 (it’s in my archives whenever you want to read it), I’m no longer going to review every single movie I see.  I’m going to review one, with the occasional bonus, and just give ratings for the rest from now on (unless I decide to pick it up again in the future).  You can always ask me why I gave the ratings for the films without reviews though (via comments or the e-mail addresses under the ‘About Me’ section).

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Camp Twilight                                                                        EH

Movies set at camp, be they horror or not, are usually fun.  At least they’re supposed to be.  This one was not.  Ironically, it stars Felissa Rose, most famous (at least amongst horror fans) for playing Angela in Sleepaway Camp, one of my favorite slasher movies, that came out in the early Eighties and spawned three sequels (at least two of which were fun) and contained a twist that was likely really shocking for its time.  Felissa also co-wrote and co-produced this, and all I can say is---what the hell were you thinking?!  I hope this was just a paycheck for you (Camille Keaton from the original I Spit on Your Grave also makes a cameo!).  Felissa plays a lady in charge of chaperoning a group of high school kids to the titular camp in order to avoid failing the year and bodies eventually start hitting the floor.  The kills were so lame and poorly executed, none I recall being memorable, and an axe and machete were the weapons of choice, so I should’ve loved the kills.  And if you enjoy trying to figure out the killer in these films, they practically give it away early on (even though it shouldn’t be too surprising anyway).  And not that I care for such things anymore, but there is a twist towards the end, nowhere near the level of the aforementioned film, that’s not shocking in the least and doesn’t really alter what came before; you probably won’t care by that point anyway.  If this was supposed to be (ahem) campy fun, it certainly wasn’t fun in the slightest (I actually think I’m being too lenient with my already low rating).  Stick to Felissa’s first Camp film and its two sequels for some fun horror flicks set at camp, and if you really feel up to it, check out Return to Sleepaway Camp as well.  I’d recommend that 4^th film in the franchise over this garbage any day!  5/31/2021

Bonus review:

The Mosquito Coast (Season One)                              OK/G

I like Justin Theroux, previously known as Mr. Aniston and performer in titles like Mulholland Drive, The Leftovers, and (lol) Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion among many others, which is why I gave this Apple+ series a shot in the first place.  It recently ended the first season after just seven episodes (all longer than 40 minutes but under an hour) and a second season has been confirmed.  In it, Justin plays the father of an American family (including a wife, daughter, and son) that has to live in hiding for some reason (which you won’t know the answer for this season, hence a second one at least) and must flee to Mexico when certain people are in pursuit.  For the most part, the action follows them before crossing the border and while they’re in Mexico.  It may not be a great show, but I can’t deny how addicting it was, enabling me to tune in every week (yes, this is another modern show that hasn’t gotten with the times), and not just because I like Mr. Theroux.  I do wish they would’ve just added a few more episodes to this season (if anything) instead of making a whole new one because I don’t know how much longer it can sustain its somewhat welcome before becoming less addicting.  6/6/2021

Other movies and TV show(s) I’ve seen and their ratings (see above):

Above Suspicion (2021)  >>>EH

Boogie  >>>EH/OK

Endangered Species  >>>OK/G

Stage Fright (Season One)  >>>OK

            (6 episodes; available on The Roku Channel/Tubi)

Yellow Rose  >>>OK

---Sean O.

6/8/2021