Movie Monday with Fred- Evil Dead Rise (2023)

 This Monday Fred recommends: Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Even though I think it may be the weakest, this series doesn't have a single bad entry!

A family reunion is cut short when demons are unleashed in their dilapidated apartment building

 

As I said before this is by no means a bad movie. It's was actually quite a bit of fun! It's just that I feel this is the weakest entry we've gotten so far. The movie feels at odds with itself when it comes to its tone. For a while it felt like they were going to play it pretty serious but after things get going, there are a few gags thrown in that make it more tongue-in-cheek. Never hitting the serious, grim tone of the 2013 remake; but also not hitting the campy, over-the-top nature of  Evil Dead II (1987). And with the story involving kids, it felt like they were slightly pulling their punches with how far they took the carnage-candy. That being said though, there's still quite a bit of the red stuff being splattered on screen! And I love the change of location from a cabin in the woods to a rundown apartment building! It really helps this one standout from the rest of the series. Though, I do wish they did a little more with it; they mention Room 82 and the state that it's in, but it's never seen or used. And lastly, I love the design of the lead Deadite here, probably one of the more unsettling designs for the franchise!

 

The cast is mostly unknowns, but they all do a pretty good job with their characters. With the standout being Alyssa Sutherland, as Ellie. She plays the mom turned lead Deadite and her performance was a blast to watch! And behind the camera you have both Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert as producers. And they help to give the film a little more authenticity!

All-in-all it's still a fun movie and I can't wait to re-watch it and add it into my Halloween rotation!

But what do you think? Have you seen Evil Dead Rise (2023)? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Until next time I hope everyone has a great day!

Movie Monday with Fred- Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

 This Monday Fred recommends- Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

Definitely not a movie that would’ve been expected to be recommended here, but there’s no denying this movie has a certain charm to it!

A security guard begins work at the abandoned Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. And he soon realizes there's something sinister going on there.

As someone who doesn't really know all that much about the games this is based on, I was still pretty entertained by this movie! I knew a few things going in, but not much else. This definitely feels like a film made as lovingly close to the source material for the fans as possible. And while I think that group with get more out of the experience, just about anyone can enjoy it. In fact, as I watched it, all I could think of was that this makes for a good gateway horror movie. If you're looking for something to watch with the whole family, or you know someone who isn't into the genre that much, FNaF is a good place to start! Although, if you looking for a scary good timing with lots of carnage-candy, you'll have to look else where. While there's some gore to push its PG-13 rating, it's not a lot, and it's not a scary movie in the slightest. Unless you have a phobia of animatronics! No, this is a movie more concerned with giving our protagonist a story and setting a mood. And it does both of those things pretty well!

The cast here all do a pretty good job! Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, Zathura) is really good here as our protagonist, Mike. They really give his character a strong sense of motivation as to why he does the things that he does through out the course of the movie. And Matthew Lillard (Scream, Scooby Doo) is always fun to see! His role is short, but memorable!

If you're looking for a fun horror movie the whole family can sit down to, this is a good one! And just in time to send the Spooky Season off with a bang!

So, have you seen Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) yet? If so, what did you think? Does it do the games justice? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time I hope every one has a great day! And I hope everyone has a great and safe Halloween!

Movie Monday With Fred!- Haunt (2019)

 This Monday Fred recommends: Haunt (2019)

It's been some time since we've posted on here and what better time than the Spooky Season to get back into the swing of things! And what better way than to suggest a slasher movie that is/has been under some radars for far too long!

A group of friends end up at an extreme haunted house on Halloween night. And soon after their night turns deadly.

 

Not the most original premise, I know. But what it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for it with its setting, decent characters and a sense of dread that quickly gets under your skin, not letting go until the credits begin to roll. And the villains all stand out not only for their simplistic costumes but beyond that. And to say anymore would ruin some of the extra fun! And the standout for me for the villains has to be credited only as Ghost. Just a fun character and part of one of the most standout moments of the film for me! And this film very much earns its "R" rating; the violence on display can be pretty brutal 

 

 The cast is filled with relatively unknowns, but all do a decent job for their characters. Most notably is Katie Stevens as Harper. She's the main protagonist and very much the anchor to this film. The rest of the cast of friends all do a fine job as well. Again, none of this is wholly original, just executed very competently. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods are the duo directing from behind the camera, and if those names don't ring a bell immediately, they wrote the screenplay for A Quiet Place while writing this film. And you have Eli Roth as a producer, and I don't need to say much more than that--other than the fact that I'm looking forward to him finally making that full length film from the fake trailer for Thanksgiving!

 

It's rare for me to come across a forgotten a movie and get the feeling that it's a hidden gem but by the end I was completely won over by the film. And it's such a shame that this movie didn't really get much of a marketing push or was just ignored by the general public as I feel this should be in everyone's Halloween movie rotation.

Needless to say if you're looking for a fun way to spend an hour and a half, you really can't go wrong with this one!

So, have you seen Haunt (2019)? Have you always been in the know for this film? And if you haven't until know, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Until next time I hope everyone has a great day!

Movie Monday With Fred!- Deep Rising (1998)

 

This Monday Fred recommends: Deep Rising (1998)

 

It's been a little while since we've had a creature-feature on here. And what better one to come back to the genre than this film here!

Hijackers board a luxury ocean liner, but discover that the entire passengers and crew have mysteriously vanished. What caused their disappearance? But, more importantly, can the hijackers make it off the ship alive?

Much like Broken Arrow (1996) last time, this is just a solid movie for a good time! It's not a hidden classic of the genre, but if you're looking for a fun flick, look no further. This is a movie that knows exactly what it is and knows exactly how much tongue-in-cheek it should be, while also taking itself just seriously enough to solidify the threat. 

And on that last point, this movie can be surprisingly gory in some spots. Nothing too gruesome, but just enough to earn itself that "R" rating. You have gooey dead bodies, an axe to the head and a quick scene of a guy having been partially digested! And the creature that does most of these things is great in terms of design, but unfortunately lacks in execution. They used CGI for the whole thing (as far as I'm aware) and...well, it didn't look great then and looks worse for wear now. Though, I suppose there's a charm to that; kind of like a homage to the 50s creature-features that came before. And no, I'm not going to spoil the creature here. Much like Tremors (1990), part of the fun is discovering that along with the characters! Though, I suppose the new cover art gives it away now, which is a shame. But since the original art (pictured above) tells you absolutely nothing about what the film is, I guess is why they changed it up.

The cast here is all pretty good as well! Treat Williams has a good unexpected every-man charm as the main hero, Finnegan. Kevin J. O'Connor adds a little more fun as Finnegan's right-hand man. Famke Janssen is good as a thief that managed to survive. And Wes Studi is always great to see and adds a little acting weight to the cast!

Behind the camera you have Stephen Sommers. And if you take nothing else away from this film, just view it as a template he would later use on The Mummy (1999)! It's all there: the likable characters, the menacing threat, the spotty CGI in some places (LOL!). 

Needless to say, if you enjoy Tremors (1990) or The Mummy (1999), you're going to have a good time here. 

Have you seen Deep Rising (1998)? Has it been awhile since you did? If you haven't, did you like it? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time I hope everyone has a great day!

Movie Monday With Fred!- Broken Arrow (1996)

 

 

This Monday Fred recommends: Broken Arrow (1996)

 

Does anyone remember this movie? I feel like this one that gets lost in the discussion of decent action flicks from the 90s.

A rogue U. S. pilot steals two nuclear missiles and threatens the country. Now his former co-pilot, with the help of a local park ranger, are the only ones that can stop him. 

This really is a solid little action movie. It's nothing too flashy, but it is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. And sometimes that's all you need. Not every action movie has to be a classic or defining film of the genre, sometimes its nice to just watch a movie that knows exactly what it is. And all it wants to do is entertain you. 

 

 And entertain it does. You have many different shootouts in different locations, like a mine and train, along with a few hand-to-hand fights. And you have a little cat-and-mouse moments as our protagonists try to survive groups of armed men, while our villain puts his plan into action. Unfortunately, one of the major problems with a movie like this is that it's simple and not much to it. And to keep it an unspoiled experience for first time there's not much to really talk about without getting into the details of the set-pieces, and I don't like spoiling that anymore than actual plot details.

 

The cast here are all pretty good. Christian Slater, as Riley, does a good job as the betrayed co-pilot, and friend, trying to stop the nefarious plans from taking hold. Samantha Mathis, as Terry, is a pretty good side-kick to Riley as she is given a bit to do and isn't too much of a damsel in distress. But, it's John Travolta, as Deakins, that is the absolute standout! He chews every bit of scenery he's in. It might be a little over-the-top, but it is fun to watch him as he looks like he's having a blast playing the villain. Something he'd lean into a a little more the following year with Face/Off (1997).

 

Behind the camera you have the legendary John Woo directing here! This is his second American film, and while his harder edges from his more violent Hong Kong films have been a little sanded down, his still delivers some really well directed action scenes! Not as balletic as something like Hard Boiled (1992) or The Killer (1989), but a slightly more grounded take on the gunfights he's known for.

Overall, I think this is a movie that is worth at least one viewing. Just a good competent action movie that will surely entertain you until the very end! Besides, you know that twangy guitar musical cue they used for Dewey's theme in Scream 2 (1997)? Well, they lifted it from this film! The first time I heard it in Scream 2 I was like, "I know this song!".

Have you seen Broken Arrow (1996)? Let me know in the comments below!

We'll be back soon with another recommendation! So, don't forget to give me a follow to stay up to date! Until then, I hope everyone has a great day!

Movie Monday with Fred!-Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

 

This Monday Fred recommends: Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

I had sat down the other day for the annual Christmas viewing of Die Hard. And while I think it's one of the greatest actions movies ever made, it got me thinking about the rest of the franchise. And I think it's save to say that the first one is the best, and the fifth one is by far the worst, there's those middle three movies that tend to shift and movie for everyone on how good they are. 

Die Hard 2 (1990) while fun feels a little cartoony to me at times; nothing crazy, but the one-liners and quips are a little more goofy. But overall it's a fun movie, it just has a little too much repetition from the first movie for its own good. 

Then there's Live Free or Die Hard (2007) that could have an argument made for being possibly underrated. I think it's a really fun movie (and maybe I might do a post about at some point). but there are some things that hold it back. Firstly, it being PG-13 was a massive mistake. This franchise should always be R rated, and while they released that version on DVD, it's theatrical release was the watered down version. Secondly, while the action set pieces are a lot of fun, they do tend to be a little over the top and outlandish. And the third thing is the villain isn't the most memorable; though I remember them more that the ones from A Good Day to Die Hard (2013).

But between those films is Die Hard With a Vengeance, and I maybe crazy here, but it feels like this movie isn't as highly regarded as I feel like it should be. At least it doesn't get as talked about as much.

After a bomb is set off in New York, the terrorist makes a demand; to play a game of "Simon Says" with John McClane (Bruce Willis). Pulled from his suspension, while hung over, he must team up with a local store own, Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson), to play the deadly game Simon (Jeremy Irons) has laid out for them. If they fail, he will detonate more bombs around the city.

I gotta say, this has to up there with one of my favorite action movies. The pacing hits the ground running and never lets up until the credits are rolling! Though, unfortunately, that comes at a slight cost; the character development. Where the first film had a better balance of action scenes and good character beats for most of its major players, this one is a little more focused on the action.

But that action is some of the very best in the series. Frantic car chases through crowded New York streets, a brutal (and bloody) shootout in a closed elevator and a bomb on a subway train are just some of the highlights for me. 

On top of that, I enjoy the riddles McClane and Zeus have to work together in order to solve along the way. They may not be deep head-scratchers, but I like when movies give out riddles you can try and solve along with the characters. Though, I must admit, the water jug puzzle still loses me every time I see it. Good thing, I'm not the one that had to solve it!

The cast here are all good! Bruce Willis brings McClane back to that every-man vision (with every-man problems) we watched at the start of the first movie. And that's what the other sequels seemed to forget about the character: he's not supposed to be an over-the-top action hero; he's just supposed to be a normal guy caught in an extraordinary situation.

Samuel L. Jackson is good as Zeus, the reluctant store owner forced to team up with McClane. He just doesn't have a lot going on beyond that. Again, the pacing doesn't allow enough time for some of the characters to grow. But he still gets quite a few memorable scenes with Willis, and they play off each other well enough, that you kind of overlook that fault.

And Jeremy Irons as Simon has a menacing presence over the film from the start, and he doesn't show up physically until around an hour in! He is, by far, my second favorite franchise villain after Hans Gruber. Which is fitting given the connection those two characters have. 

Then behind the camera you have John McTiernan returning to direct this sequel. And once again proves that when he is on his game, he can direct the hell out of a movie. He is responsible for some of the best action movies of the 80s and 90s. Every thing from Predator (1987) to Die Hard (1988) in the 80s. And then The Hunt for Red October(1990), Die Hard With a Vengeance(1995) and Last Action Hero(1993) (that is a very underrated movie and I will die on that hill!) and The 13th Warrior (1999) in the 90s. 

 

Simon Says, go give this movie another chance if you haven't seen it in a while. And let me know in the comments what you thought of Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995)!

And we'll be back next time with another Movie Monday with Fred! Until then I hope everyone is having a great day!

Movie Monday with Fred!-Krampus (2015)

 It's been a while since one of these has been posted and what better way to restart the series than by having it in its new home.

This Monday Fred recommends: Krampus (2015)

 

Let's start off the Christmas season with a movie that has quickly earned a spot in my yearly holiday movie rotation.

 

A boy accidentally summons an evil Yuletide presence that begins terrorizing his family just before Christmas.

 

I must admit, the first time I watched this I was expecting more than what I got. Being the follow-up to Michael Dougherty's Trick 'r Treat (2007), a movie that I instantly loved, I think I was expecting to have the same reaction. But that wasn't the case. It actually took me an extra viewing, and it being really cheap at one of my local shops, before I truly came around on it. It's still got it's problems, but there is quite a lot to like here! 

There's a lot of striking visuals peppered throughout this film; particularly a scene towards the end looking like a hellish Pagan ritual that looks like its just getting ramped up! And the creature designs range from great to, maybe, a little goofy (in a good way!). Krampus can be pretty imposing (when he actually shows up), but I'm still not a fan of the choice to cover his face with a mask; it's a little odd and it took me a moment to realize that's what it was while I was watching it. But his minions are all fun and menacing in their own ways as well; an evil angel tree-topper, gnarly teddy bear, a jack-in-the-box that has an extra surprise and gingerbread men (yup, you read that right).

The cast here are all pretty good for what is asked of them. Toni Collete (Hereditary and The Sixth Sense) has some stand out moments and Adam Scott’s (Step-Brothers and many other things) reaction to a sudden realization early in the film gets me every time. David Koechner (Anchor Man, The Office and many other things), Allison Tolman (why Women Kill and The Gift) and Conchata Ferrell (Edward ScissorHands and Two & a Half Men) do well as the obnoxious relatives that come to visit on the fateful night!

As previously mentioned, Michael Dougherty is the director here; he went on to not only write, but direct Godzilla: King of the Monsters and wrote the story for Godzilla vs. King Kong. And while Krampus isn’t as tightly written as his previous film he still brings enough of the holiday aesthetic with this as he did with Trick ‘r Treat. And here’s to hoping the proposed sequel to that film can capture the same magic—or at the very least, a different type of magic!

So, if you haven’t seen Krampus (2015) I highly recommend mend it! And if you have, maybe give it another shot if you didn’t care for. And what better way to do so than on December 5th, otherwise known as krampusnacht!

Tell me in the comments what you thought of Krampus (2015)! And we’ll be back next time for another Movie Monday with Fred!