Jacques Van Zyl

I highly recommend watching WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness before watching Agatha All Along. There are three stars who I want to point out this time around. Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke and Aubrey Plaza were truly magical. Kathryn Hahn graced our television screens as the mysterious Agatha Harkness. The last time we saw her she faced off against Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, and she was left powerless after that brutal encounter. In Agatha All Along we see Agatha waking up from the spell and trying to regain her power by taking a trip down the Witches' Road. This road in itself delivers some magical twists which I will leave to the reader to discover. Joe Locke makes a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut as Teen, a youngster who will prove to be the next favorite mysterious character in the MCU. I really enjoyed the role Joe portrayed throughout the series and look forward to seeing more of Joe's appearances in the MCU. Joe has been stopping hearts in the series Heartstopper, and now the same is happening in Agatha All Along. Aubrey Plaza braced us with her magical presence as Rio Vidal, a green witch with a sinister backstory. Aubrey delivers a death defying performance and I can only be hopeful we see her again in the MCU. We get to see performances by Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn and Patti LuPone who have made their MCU debut as witches who join Agatha on her journey. Debra Jo Rupp returns as Sharon Davis, who you will remember from WandaVision. I have purposely left out the spoilers because I don't want to ruin your own Witches Road journey and encourage you to watch this series as soon as possible. Up next in the MCU we have the third season of What If coming out in December 2024 with its amazing stories from the multiverse's rich tapestry. Throughout the series and in the end credits you get to see many references to witchy lore. Jac Schaeffer has conjured up an amazing story and I look forward to any future works from Jac. Agatha All Along connects gracefully with WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, while leaving us hopeful that we haven't seen the last of Kathryn and Joe. This was overall a spellbinding story with a magical twist. Watch Agatha All Along on Disney Plus and traverse the Witches' Road. There is no post-credits scene at the end. I rate Agatha All Along a 4 out 5 stars.

Our favorite killer clown is back to break high scores in terms of both kill counts and box office records. Damien Leone delivers a work of "Art" that is both bloody terrific and terrifying at the same time. Each generation will seemingly have both a favorite horror character and a scream queen that will keep us entertained as long as the franchise survives, such as Freddy Krueger with Nancy Thompson (Nightmare on Elm Street); Michael Myers with Laurie Strode (Halloween); and Ghostface with Sidney Prescott (Scream) to list a few examples. With the Terrifier franchise it is no different as we see Art the Clown and Sienna being the two counterparts to a bloody terrific saga. I really hope we get to see more movies in the Terrifier franchise. I highly encourage diving into the prequels before watching Terrifier 3 on the big screen. This movie picks up straight where it left us at the ending of Terrifier 2. We are quickly reacquainted with Lauren LaVera as Sienna, the main protagonist of the movie. She plays her part exceptionally well and we see more screen time from her than her brother who also played a big part in the prequel. As usual, Terrifier 3 doesn't disappoint with the gory scenes and leaves you at the edge of your seat with all the creative kill and torture scenes that Art the Clown has lined up. When compared to the previous movies, Art explores new ways to terrify both victims and the audience. From children to the elderly, no-one is safe from the clown and his bag of tricks. David Howard Thorton plays the part of Art and really delivers an awesome performance. We see a short lived guest appearance from Chris Jericho from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as well as Samantha Scaffidi who returns as Vicky Heyes, the survivor from the first movie. This time she has more screen time as well. While there are many more victims this time around, the golden thread remains in terms of the storyline that was established from the first movie onwards. While Sienna wasn't around from the beginning, her role has become quite important in the Terrifier storyline. The movie unfortunately doesn't leave us with a post-credits scene, but the ending sure is promising, making me confident that we haven't seen the last of Art the Clown. I rate Terrifier 3 a 5 out of 5. Damien Leone delivered a work of "Art" that needs to be experienced on the big screen. I'm looking forward to seeing more of both Art and Sienna in action in the Terrifier franchise. Be prepared to be terrified. I highly advise that this movie is not for sensitive viewers. A few people have walked out of the cinema due to the intense and gory scenes in this movie. With the movie's storyline playing out during Christmas, Art the Clown is definitely the gift during the Halloween season.

Smile 2 picks up right after the ending of Smile which was released in 2022. I highly encourage viewers to watch the prequel to prepare for Smile 2. Smile was excellent, and Smile 2 takes it to the next level, promising to bring a smile to every horror lover out here. While the story doesn’t focus much on Joel from the prequel, we see what is the result of the ending of the first Smile movie. This movie focuses on pop star, Skye Riley and how her life changes after crossing paths with the smiling entity. Naomi Scott portrays the role of Skye Riley and delivers a scream worthy performance, making you experience the emotional rollercoaster from her physical pains till the screams of fear. The story really takes you on a wild ride from the start to the finish. The cinematography and the choreography is really top notch. Naomi’s descent into chaos with the smiling entity’s presence deserves to be praised. The gory scenes and the scares are more than its predecessor, which will leave you glued to the screen. The haunting soundtrack delivers the additional chills. The movie ends with yet another twist, leaving the door open for another sequel which is definitely welcomed. There are no post-credits scenes, so no need to wait till the end. The official run-time of the movie is 2 hours and twelve (12) minutes. Not recommended for sensitive viewers. I give this movie a rating of 5 out of 5. Make sure to catch it at a movie theater near you.

Madame Web, the fourth entry in the Sony's Spider-Man Universe brings us a different take on a complete new group of heroes in the heart of New York. I need to caution the readers that when going to watch the movie, keep an open mind. This movie is about Madame Web and her role as a protector to three young women who will play a much greater role in future...hopefully. If you are expecting Peter Parker / Spider-Man to swing in and catch a crook, you will sadly be disappointed. I firmly welcome the new take on the Spider-Women within Marvel. Since Across the Spider-Verse I have pondered the question on whether we will get a chance to see any of the Spider-Women on the big screen and also the 'How?'. I have always seen Cassandra Webb / Madame Web play a motherlike and protector role. I personally think Dakota Johnson played her part excellently well in that sense. Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced and Celeste O'Connor plays the parts of Julia Cornwall, Anya Corazon and Mattie Franklin and delivers a breath of fresh air. They are teased to play big roles in the future, according to the villain in the movie. The new villain of the movie, played by Tahar Rahim, provides a thrilling experience at first but gets taken down too easily at the end. Madame Web provided a good introduction to a new character, which is Madame Web, but sadly doesn't provide any promise of continuity and linkages with any of the existing movies within the current universe. A few easter eggs in the movie point to another beloved Marvel character, but I would have loved to experience more of Cassie's web and the chance of a teaser for the other heroines of the movie since there are still so much stories left to tell. There is unfortunately no post-credits scene, which was a let down, considering Madame Web is part of the Sony Spider-Man Universe and continuity is what many are hopeful for. I'm curious if we get to see continuity later in the form of a sequel or even a cameo of Cassie, Julia, Mattie and / or Anya in any other production. I rate this movie 3 out of 5. The trailer doesn't spoil too much of the storyline. Make sure to catch at a big screen near you.

The movie starts off on a high note, showcasing the end of one of France’s major historical figures while Napoleon watches on. The storyline is centered around some of Napoleon’s highlights in his military career such as the siege of Toulon, the Battles of Austerlitz and Waterloo, as well as his exile to St Helena. Every moment combined with dramatic effect delivers a well-rounded historical war-drama. We are taken to picturesque locations supported by an epic soundtrack delivered by Martin Phipps. The costumes and military regalia is done to perfection. The display of explosive artillery adds to the battle highlights, and watching the movie in a IMAX theatre adds even more value in terms of sound and picture quality. Even though the movie contains historical inaccuracies, a well dramatised historical account of Napoleon Bonaparte is offered, and Joaquin Phoenix delivers a performance worthy of a medal. Vanessa Kirby plays the part of Empress Joséphine, and delivers One movie would never be enough to share all of the highlights of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, but I feel this movie really summed up some of the stories quite well. The movie is filled with non-stop action between the battlefields and political halls of France. Ridley Scott delivers a war movie that gives us a shortened but powerful glimpse of the legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte. Give him a medal! I would personally have loved a see an entire series dedicated to the stories of Napoleon Bonaparte. I rate this movie 4 out of 5. Not for sensitive viewers. Lots of action with a few violent scenes. There are a few sexual scenes but with no graphic nudity. The movie trailer doesn’t spoil too much of the movie content and is a brilliant appetizer for the history buffs among us. There is no post-credits scene though, so no need to wait till the end. Watch Napoleon at a cinema near you!

Exceptional performance by Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani as Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel respectively. Samuel L. Jackson is back with a fury as Nick Fury and bringing the much-needed energy and comic relief as usual. I highly encourage watching the following Marvel movies and TV series in order to thoroughly prepare for The Marvels: - Avengers: Infinity War (2018) - Captain Marvel (2019) - Avengers: Endgame (2019) - WandaVision (2021) - Ms. Marvel (2022) - Secret Invasion (2023) The Marvels’ storyline picks up right after each of the main stars’ respective storylines and manages to combine their story arc into a unique and marvelous manner, keeping it consistent with some of the current events within the broad Marvel Cinematic Universe and developing our heroes from individual stars into a team of superstars. The costumes are aesthetically pleasing. Zawe Ashton plays the part of Dar-Benn, the antagonist in The Marvels. I would have loved to see more of her character’s backstory and hope that we get to see more backgrounds being unpacked either through Marvel TV Series or even an television special. The movie’s runtime is 105 minutes, making it the shortest Marvel movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story felt a little bit rushed, considering a dangerous mission is underway to prevent world-level ramifications but no-time is wasted to deliver yet another masterpiece in the cinematic universe. The story delivers a few unique twists, lots of humor and a few surprises. The movie definitely contains something for everyone, young and old, and I encourage you to take the whole family to experience The Marvels. The Marvels is a story that keeps the golden thread, which is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and still manages to peak higher, further and faster into the multiversal trajectory. The trailer doesn’t spoil much, but as always, a secret awaits for those who eagerly pay attention to the Marvel’s trailers. My only worry is that usually key spoilers tend to emerge in the week following the release of the movie in the forms of updated sneak peaks and mini-trailers. There is a mid-credits scene that you don’t want to miss, but no post-credits scene. I rate this movie 4 out of 5. Really excited to see what the future holds for Captain Marvel. Watch at a cinema near you!

Twisted Metal Plot The series' primary protagonist, John Doe, is a motormouthed outsider with no memory of his past, who is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make his wish of finding a community to belong to come true, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. With the help of Quiet, a trigger-happy car thief searching for revenge, he faces twisted marauders driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a highway patrolman, a deranged clown who drives an all too familiar ice cream truck and many other brutal drivers with their own agenda. Review (No Spoilers) The TV series is an adaptation of the famous Twisted Metal video games of Sony PlayStation. The gameplay revolves around weaponized motor vehicles battling out in various arenas and the victor moved on through various stages until you beat all of the other drivers in the tournament. The series didn't follow any tournament format, but the destructive and weaponized cars brought back many childhood memories of late nights with Twisted Metal 4. The series teases a lot of elements of the video game such as the one game poster, a cheat code and many names of the various characters from the video game. Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz were a potent combination on-screen and I really enjoyed the energy they brought to the Twisted Metal series. There are various cast members joining us for short intervals and many you many recognize from other productions. Thomas Haden Church and Will Arnett / Samoa Joe play the part of the series' antagonists, Agent Stone and Sweet Tooth respectively. They really played their parts to perfection. There are ten episodes in the series, with an average of 30 minutes per episode. The story doesn't beat around the bush and speeds off to the main points and actions scenes. I really wish the last episode could have been longer because the action scenes were explosive. Make sure to catch the post-credits at the end of the last episode. This series is meant for a mature audience. Lots of blood, language and semi-revealing clothing. This series is a 4.5 of out 5 for me. Thank you Peacock for bringing a childhood video game to life. Really hopeful that we get to see a sequel to to Twisted Metal Season 1.

The movie picks up where the prequel, Insidious (2010) ended. The plot of Insidious: Chapter 2 is as follows: Josh Lambert and his family move to his mother’s old home hoping to recover from the trauma experienced of all the paranormal activities. They soon discover that it is far from over. Many secrets come to light and we get to see more of “the further”. Insidious: Chapter 2’s action eases you into the supernatural horrors in the same fashion as the prequel, and once it starts, it doesn’t stop. The jump scares continue along with an amazing spooky ambience that really gets the hair raising throughout the film. Excellent acting performance by both Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne. Insidious: Chapter 2 leaves you spooked and intrigued until the very last moment. Make sure to put the audio on loud to experience the spooky audio that really added to my suspense. The paranormal entities really provide a great scare. Thumbs up to the costume team for an amazing job. For me this movie was a definite 5 out of 5, just like the prequel, and I can't wait to catch the rest, considering the fact that the movie ends in such a way that you know more material could be released in future. The trailer is excellent and it doesn’t give away too much detail. The choice of music is excellent. It really helps to build up the suspense. There is no post-credits scene.

The plot of Insidious is as follows: Josh and Renai move to a new house, seeking a fresh start. However, when their son, Dalton, mysteriously falls into a coma, followed by paranormal events that start occurring in the house. Insidious eases you into the supernatural horrors of the movie with an ambience that really gets the hair raising throughout the film. Excellent acting performance by both Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne. Insidious leaves you spooked until the very last moment. Make sure to put the audio on loud to experience the spooky audio that really added to my suspense. The paranormal entities are truly scary and whoever did the make-up and clothing arrangements, did an excellent job. For me this movie was a definite 5 out of 5, and can’t wait to catch the rest. The trailer is excellent and it doesn’t give away too much detail. It really helps to build up the suspense. Wait till the end of the movie. There is a post-credits scene.

A movie to get nuts about. The Flash takes us on a journey back in time where Barry attempts to change the past, but this brings unintended consequences for our speedster. An emotional storyline awaits, with quite a few unexpected twists and turns. Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton and Sasha Calle deliver a great performance as the super-hero team comprising of Flash, Batman and Supergirl respectively. Sasha brought Supergirl to life with her stellar performance. As a Keaton-fan of the Batman movies in 1989 and 1992, it was memorable seeing him in action and hearing his famous one-liner. The action sequences and sound effects is a must-see for the big screen. Lots of humor and touchpoints with the exiting DC universe. I feel the trailer reveals quite a lot about the movie but still leaves enough surprises for the avid DC Comics fans. There is a post-credits scene. Wait till the end!