<I>The Purge</i> was a film that, to me, didn't sound too appealing on paper, even under the Blumhouse umbrella, but delivered a truly fantastic, yet terrifying experience (it was released before the 2016 election and 2020 Black Lives Matter riots that rocked both the U.S. and world) that allows anyone to commit any crime, including murder, and not be charged for such actions.
After seeing the film (and skipping all of its details for this review), you can sort of relate with those who wish to commit various crimes. Had this been an actual annual event that took place during the early days of the pandemic, where everyone remained inside as the outside world was in limbo and/or people were itching to get out and be relieved of the stress they endured, it would produce incredibly dire results.
Series creator (and writer and director of this film) James DeMonaco based the concept on a road rage incident where he wished that he can do harm to the other person without consequences. Luckily, he used his brain, not fists, to develop what has turned into series of films (at the time of this review, there are five <I>Purge</i> films, with more on the way) and television series (two seasons).
<I>The Purge</i> is a fantastic home invasion film that keeps you glued to the screen, rooting at times for both the intruders and family in protection mode, as well as giving you an itch to purge.
<b>Final thoughts:</b>
God Bless the NFFA.
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This would be five stars if there was a little more Erwin.
I have a hard time believing Hailee Steinfeld would only have one friend based solely on how adorable she is, but other than that, this is quality coming of age film with a great balance of comedy and drama.
Favorite (Not Necessarily Best) Four From Every Year Since Birth
Fantastic world created and a clever use of the technology they have in it.
Live concert ✔️
Theaters ✔️
Streaming ✔️
Where's the blu-ray release, Taylor?! 🧐
When I saw Quantumania at the theaters, I gave it four stars. Now I know I definitely inadvertently give a ratings bump based on the theater experience.
My favorite scenes are the ones before and after they enter the quantum realm. They enter the realm too fast, with almost no build up, and they are immediately split into two groups. Then they spend almost the whole movie split. It's somehow both too silly and too serious, like it's in a constant battle with itself over the tone.
Still waiting for Mattel to release Ordinary Barbie
Favorite (Not Necessarily Best) Four From Every Year Since Birth
<i>Infested </i>starts off with a small bite, allowing for character development and the plot to slowly build, and then quickly spreads throughout, resulting in one of the best insect horror films in a long time, maybe since <i>Eight Legged Freaks</i>(?).
<i>Infested</i> was directed by Sébastien Vanicek, whose camerawork for the film felt like it was influenced by both <i>28 Days Later</i> and [<i>REC</i>], two films known for their lighting and grainy-ish film. If you’re expecting an <i>Arachnophobia</i>-like film filled with humor and science, this isn’t it. There were a number of nail-biting scenes as the tenants of the quarantined building shuffle through each floor in search of refuge, only to experience one obstacle after another. The gore factor was expected but was barely seen at all, instead allowing us viewers to believe that what they think happened, happened.
Get tangled up for a little while with this French-language feature that will stream on <b>Shudder</b> in 2024.
<b>Final thoughts</b>:
Vanicek spun the perfect web. 🕸️
Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride Part II are somehow the ultimate early 90s comfort movies while also seemingly fading into the background compared to other 90s classics.
I will never tire of the Steve Martin & Martin short duo though.
This movie is 14 years old, but Michael Cera is still 22 in my mind.
Great cast. I love a pre-Captain America Chris Evans (and a Captain America Chris Evans and a post-Captain America Chris Evans), and Brie Larson is adorable.
This is sort of a weird one, huh? The performances were all very good, but the white savior criticisms are certainly valid. I think it would have benefited from some editing (eliminating Skeeter's love interest, which added nothing) and a shift in perspective (a little more Aibeleen, a little less Skeeter).
As <A HREF="https://letterboxd.com/carignano">Mauro</A> and I gear up for our third <A HREF="http://letterboxd.com/doublethreat">Double Threat</A> episode, which will feature both Eric England and Cait England (!), it's time to revisit <I>Contracted</i>, England's 2013 film starring <A HREF="https://boxd.it/edDJ">Najarra Townsend</A> and <A HREF="https://boxd.it/ZtKZ">Matt Mercer</A>, both who've appeared on Letterboxd's <A HREF="http://letterboxd.com/horrorville">Horrorville</A>.
I loved <I>Contracted</i> before I met Eric, and, now that we're friends, we've spoken many times about the film and how it came about (and, for that, I love it even more). Plus, when <A HREF="https://boxd.it/M5R">I interviewed him for Letterboxd's Horrorville</A>, he gave so much more details about the film, which will be covered on the podcast.
There's so much about this film to dissect (literally, but it's hard to not spoil it), especially the film's budget ($50,000), the cast (Najarra Townsend, Matt Mercer, Dave Holmes, Caroline Williams... even Simon Barrett, writer of such films as <I>You're Next</i> and <i>The Guest</i>), and how it falls into the growing horror subgenre <B>STD Horror</B> (maybe Sexually Transmitted Horror is a better phrase), among such films as <I>It Follows</i> and <I><A HREF="https://boxd.it/1rPG">Shivers</A></i>.
<B>Final thoughts:</b>
Body horror at its finest. Get infected!
I'm a 90s gal, so Now & Then is my Stand by Me.
Stand by Me is a timeless coming of age story about four 12 year old boys looking for a dead body, which doesn't sound like it'll be a heartbreaking and emotional tale about friendship, but it is.
The last line is such a gut punch: I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?
Favorite (Not Necessarily Best) Four From Every Year Since Birth
