Daniel

I just got back from watching Instant Family with my daughter, and we both loved it! It's a heartwarming, feel-good movie about foster parenting and adoption. Initially, I wasn’t planning to write a review, but then I stumbled upon one that was so outlandish, I had to respond. The review claimed that the film was “Pro-Trump propaganda.” Honestly, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Instant Family is a funny and endearing movie about a couple who decide to foster three children (yes, they happen to be Hispanic). The story strikes a great balance between light-hearted comedy and touching, emotional moments. It’s exactly what it appears to be: a heartfelt family film that delivers both laughs and love. As a Hispanic person myself, I can confidently say there’s nothing offensive about this movie. It’s an enjoyable and charming story, and it's absurd that someone would try to spin it any other way.

Yo, so "El-Serb" is this Egyptian movie that blew up real quick 'cause it straight-up shows how messed up terrorist groups, especially ISIS, really are. Honestly, I’d give it a solid 9/10 for a bunch of reasons. What hit hard for me was how they showed ISIS’s brutal interpretation of Islamic law – no sugar-coating, just pure truth about how these guys commit insane crimes in the name of their Islamic ideology. The movie made it clear that these groups represent a part of Islamic history we need to reject and fight, and that’s exactly what happens in the film. The Egyptian army takes a stand against the Sharia law of Islam, showing that fighting these extremists isn’t just a national duty, it’s a human one. As for the story and direction, man, the whole thing was full of action and suspense, with some killer performances, especially from Ahmed El Sakka and the rest of the cast. The soundtrack? It took the tension to another level and really added some serious depth to the scenes.

Hugh Jackman is Wolverine—there's just no doubt about it. This movie is such a wild ride! The witty dialogue, perfectly timed F-bombs, and the fact that it doesn't take itself too seriously make it so entertaining. Plus, the surprise cameos? Totally caught me off guard (and I’m glad I didn’t watch any spoiler videos beforehand for once). There were some serious "Oh, snap!" moments that had me on the edge of my seat. The film is packed with action, laughs, and some meta moments with the hilarious Fox jokes and fourth-wall breaks—it’s honestly too funny. I can already see plenty more sequels coming for this dynamic duo. I just watched these two doing the Hot Ones chicken wing challenge, and they were still killing it together. Wolverine till you're 90, Hugh—keep going!

Mom gets possessed by a demon. Entire family and a room full of neighbors watch in frozen silence. Mom's spine twists into an impossible shape. "Mom? You good?" She crab-walks up the wall and across the ceiling. "Mom, uh... you sure you're okay?" Projectile-vomits twenty gallons of blood across the room. "Mom? Do you need to sit down?" Begins speaking in a guttural, ancient tongue while her eyes roll wildly in their sockets. "Mom, it's me. Are you okay? You're acting a little off." Grabs a shard of glass and starts carving into her arms and face. "Mom, you're worrying me now. Seriously, let's talk about this." "I WILL SLAUGHTER YOU ALL AND FEAST ON YOUR INSIDES! NONE OF YOU WILL ESCAPE!" "Mom, I really think something's not right here..." Rips out a neighbor's throat, laughing maniacally as blood sprays everywhere. "Okay, guys, I think something's definitely wrong with Mom. Should we... I don't know, call someone or something?"

I have to start by saying that Sam Raimi's original EVIL DEAD trilogy has been a personal favorite since my teenage years. EVIL DEAD 2 stands out as the best of the three for me, striking the perfect balance between horror and comedy, while ARMY OF DARKNESS leans more into its goofy, cheesy charm. But it’s the first EVIL DEAD that delivers a relentless, low-budget terror that still packs a punch today, even with its undeniably campy effects. This remake, thankfully, shakes things up just enough in the story to keep even hardcore fans of the original on their toes. It manages to stay true to the spirit of the original film while adding a modern touch. The same suspense lingers throughout, that heart-pounding question of who’s next to fall victim to the curse. However, it’s all slicked up with a Hollywood polish that contrasts with the scrappy, zero-budget feel of the original. What really took me by surprise was just how much the gore has been cranked up. This is one of the most brutal, visceral horror films I’ve seen in years, with several scenes so intense they’re hard to watch. The chainsaw scenes teased back in the '80s? They’re here in full, bloody force. The production values are solid, and the cast does a decent job with what they’re given. Is it as good as the original? No, it doesn’t quite capture that raw, terrifying edge, but it sure does deliver on the gross-out factor. For modern horror fans, it’s a blood-soaked thrill ride, mixing demonic possession with over-the-top violence in a way that won’t disappoint.

When I sat down to watch this film, I expected something akin to The Hunger Games, but set in a near-future Chicago. While the basic premise — a dystopian society where everyone is forced to fit into rigid roles — might sound familiar, this movie brings its own unique take to the table. The story revolves around a world where people are divided into five distinct factions. But, as you might expect, not everyone fits neatly into these categories. Enter our protagonist, Tris (portrayed by the impressive Shailene Woodley), who discovers she’s what the society calls "Divergent" — a dangerous label in this seemingly perfect world. Her struggle to hide her identity and uncover the truth behind society’s fear of Divergents forms the crux of the narrative. I won’t spoil too much, but the film blends physical and psychological challenges to immerse viewers in Tris’s journey. The film’s world-building is reminiscent of Equilibrium, though it swaps the relentless action for a more measured approach, which allows the cinematography to really shine. The visual composition of the dystopian cityscape is a standout, with scenes that are often breathtaking in their design. The pacing keeps the story moving as Tris navigates her new faction, Dauntless, while forging (and sometimes losing) friendships. Naturally, a romance blossoms with the mysterious Four (played by Theo James), though his performance occasionally strays into over-acting territory. Still, the chemistry is palpable, adding another layer to the plot. As the story unfolds, the bigger mystery — why the government is hell-bent on eliminating Divergents — becomes the driving force of the film. The narrative sets the stage for further exploration in what is clearly meant to be the first part of a trilogy. Although I haven’t read the book, I feel the film does a commendable job of standing on its own. It may not have achieved the blockbuster success of The Hunger Games, but it’s an underappreciated gem in the same vein. The similarities between the two are hard to miss, yet this movie still carves out its own identity. In short, this film offers a visually captivating, well-paced story, and while it has its moments of overly dramatic acting and picturesque scenes paired with carefully chosen music, there’s little to complain about in that regard. Sometimes, it’s nice to simply sit back and let a movie dazzle you — and this one does. Give it a watch; you won’t regret the time spent.

Already, two horror films have failed to deliver, and the latest addition doesn't do much to turn the tide. The movie follows a couple who, after a traumatic home invasion in London, decide to move to rural Ireland to start a family. Upon settling into a quaint cottage, they encounter the locals, only to be warned by an elderly woman about a dark, eerie superstition involving leprechauns. To be honest, I found the film to be quite disappointing. The plot is almost nonexistent, lacking any meaningful twists or turns. The narrative drags without any real direction, and the characters quickly become tiresome. Particularly troubling is the portrayal of the male characters, who are mostly depicted as either foolish or downright malevolent. While the gore and some of the action sequences were decent, the film's attempt to blend fantasy and comedy elements with horror undermined its ability to be taken seriously. The pacing is another issue, with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes that feels overly long given the weak storyline. The ending is also unsatisfying, leaving little impact. Overall, this film is a poor start to 2023 for horror enthusiasts. The story is practically non-existent, the genre-mixing falls flat, and the characters are poorly portrayed. With a runtime that feels longer than necessary, it's hard to recommend this as a worthwhile watch. Rating: 3/10.

If you enjoyed the FNAF games, you'll find this movie entertaining at a basic level. It's a thrill to see the game elements brought to life, especially with the high-quality costume and set design. However, if you're a critical viewer, you might find this film disappointing. The major issues lie in character development, overall storyline, and the horror factor. While it might have benefited from an R-rating, it's still possible to create an effective PG-13 horror film. The acting is decent, with Hutchinson and Lillard making the most of the script they were given, as do the child actors. How to Improve It: This film could be significantly better if it focused on a one-room horror adventure, similar to the game. Imagine Mike staying in his office, terrified to leave, trying to fend off the monsters. This setup could be interspersed with flashbacks to connect the plot, phone conversations, and daytime scenes where Mike investigates the town to solve the mystery of the animatronics. Giving Mike a strong motive for returning each night would also enhance the story. In the end, while visually appealing with some fun scenes, this film might not be recommended to those unfamiliar with the FNAF games.

Alright, I must be missing something here because I was totally enjoying the story until the end. Then, suddenly, I was like... what just happened? Did she lose her mind? It seemed like the conclusion was about her coming to terms with what she did years ago, and no one was helping her cope mentally because of her past actions. But still, that ending left me completely baffled. So, did she go mad or what? I suppose I'll never understand unless someone much smarter than me (shouldn’t be hard to find) can explain what it means, or at least what the ending signifies. In the meantime, I'll just sit here in my ignorance, scratch my head, and wonder.

One reviewer pointed out that people often do dumb things in horror movies, a trope that supposedly comes with the genre. However, this expectation only stands if the writer or director lacks imagination. Classics like *Psycho* and *The Exorcist* didn't rely on such clichés; instead, their characters acted logically within the given premises. This movie, on the other hand, seems devoid of any coherent premise. The blame falls squarely on the script, especially since the director also wrote it. One might even wonder if there was a script at all, as the film appears improvised. If the director believes this approach is avant-garde, they might need a refresher at film school. The notion that characters in horror movies must act foolishly underscores the genre's decline. Character development's golden rule is motivation: actions should be driven by clear reasons and a bit of common sense, only to end up in the monster's clutches. Here, the monster's motivation is unclear—demon, cannibal, or something else entirely? And ultimately, why should the audience care? As for the leads, their acting skills are hard to gauge, given the minimal demand placed on them. The male lead witnesses something horrific, becomes excessively traumatized, and is rendered almost speechless—though he seems barely communicative to begin with. This aligns with Roger Ebert's observation about movies where straightforward actions or dialogue could resolve the plot. The constant camera focus on the protagonist's horror-stricken, panicky expressions quickly grows tiresome. The overall decline in horror quality is evidenced by recent remakes like *Carnival of Souls* and *The Haunting*. Hopefully, true horror, marked by intelligence, wit, and minimal special effects, will make a comeback.