Disclosure Day

 

Steven Spielberg is back! The Fablemans, while personal, was underwhelming for me. Weather Side Story felt big but pointless, this is my favorite film of his since Ready Player One and his best since The Post.....honest this might be my favorite of his and his best since Catch Me If You Can. This feels like a missing 80s Sci fi conspiracy film,  it feels like a missing 80s Spielberg film. The first scene throws you right into the story. We have to piece things together as the story unfolds.  The story is tense, the action is thrilling, the sci fi is awe inspiring,  which Spielberg always masters. The acting might be the years best. With Emily Blunt in this, and Inde Navarratte in Obsession,  it is a terrific year for acting. Speaking of terrific year for acting, add in Project Hail Mary and this is a fantastic year for sci fi. This year has been amazing thus far. And this is the years best. 

Masters of the Universe

 

The Masters of the Universe toys and cartoon were a year or 2 before my time but luckily there were reruns and luckily my mom found figures at garage sales,  flea markets and toy liquidator. I didn't have all the characters like Spiderman, Batman, TMNT, Star Wars or WWF but I had enough.  I even enjoy the 80s film....I also loved Bumblebee and luckily the same director did this and thank Gray Skull cause this is a blast. It's Guardians of the Galaxy,  it's Flash Gordon,  it's a filmmaker playing with action figures on the big screen and it shows in just how fun this is. Much like James Gunn's Superman it highlights the absurdities of this universe but it doesn't mock them. *puts hands on hips, leans back and laughs*  This film has the power.

Obsession

 Obsession might be the most disturbing film since Midsommar. Hell it surpasses that, i don't know the last time a film unnerved me like this. From the start we meet our two lead males, one is shy, he is our main character, Bear, along with his douchey buddy, Ian. You see Ian is withholding info and that will add to tension. We then go home and my heart breaks upon finding what we see. Bear, still goes out and hangs with his crush Nikki, he makes a wish and she falls madly in love with him......from there it gets fucked up. We hear sounds ,we see movements and facial expressions, we witness insane levels of "affection". The two males are fucked up because Ian is a douche and Bear is a pussy that unleashed magic upon his life for the worse. Nikki is enslaved by this demonic version of herself. The real emotional connection and true victim is her best friend Sarah. She is just trying to be there for her friends while struggling to get into an art school for tattooing. Needless to say the film doesn't end on a happy note. It is downbeat & bleak. And while i don't know if i will ever watch it again.....Bear's home fucks me up royally so i am not sure if i can withstand that again, i loved how it ended and sweet fuck is this film great. 

Match of May

 El Grande Americano vs the OG El Grande Americano 

Match of April

Roman Reigns vs CM Punk 

Gunther vs Seth Rollins

Oba Femi vs Brock Lesnar 

IC title Ladder Match 

Finn Balor vs Dominic Mysterio 

Myles Bourne vs Johnny Gargano

Lola Vice vs Jacy Jane vs Kendal Grey

Fatu vs Drew McIntyre 

Zaria vs Sol Rucca

Sol Ruca vs Zaria

Shotzi vs Charlie 

Indi Hartwell vs Deonna Purrazzo 

Vanity Project vs Los Americanos

Tony D vs Joe Hendry vs Ethan Page vs Ricky Saints

Backrooms

 

When the Backrooms trailer dropped i was hooked. I knew of the lore but never watched the shorts, which I since have. I watched videos on the video games, read about the subreddits,  and other films based upon linial horror. The film itself starts off as a found footage film until it shows the men in black.....or...white.....watching the footage. Then we get some character building that and honestly, if it was just a character study, it would have been great.  Then we get to the Backrooms. Here it gets eerie and comfortable.  It is nightmare fuel, but it is my happy place. I have had dreams like this and have awoken feeling peaceful as I find beauty in chaos. Getting lost is a chaotic form of beauty I love. The set is amazing as is the score and acting. It is a surreal journey that shows the worst of ourselves and makes you think how trivial life can be through loss and heartbreak.  If they do a sequel,  I hope it is just a journey in the Backrooms. Hats off for such a young filmmaker, you are a master. 

Pitchfork Retreat

 

The Pitchfork Retreat started off in a darkly humored way, the eay that feels Lynchian.  The film itself is not but it started off nice. The first act we get to semi know a few horror authors and none seem like decent people. Then we get the very long second act where the authors tell their tales turning the film into an anthology.  The first goes a bit too long, the next two feel a bit rushed but overall I was digging it. The last act tries to force all the tales into being one with them haunting the authors. It is enjoyable but such a cluster. That was how the entire film felt. With that said if I go to Frightmare(where I saw this) next year amd there is a sequel,  I will still check it out.

Mandalorian & Grogu

 

The Mandalorian & Grogu is every single thing I wanted it to be. It felt like the show, which every 25 minutes or so being a different task. Yet everything ties together. The action sequences are very John Wick and the sets are either dusted,  grassed or neon drenched. This is a spaghetti western,  neo noir space opera and it is also the saddest film in the Star Wars saga. As sad as it was i was either tearing up or smiling ear to ear. 

One Last Kill

 

The Netflix Punisher lost me as did Daredevil.  The Disney Plus Daredevil won me back so I had to check out One Last Kill, even if Punisher wasn't on DD I still would have checked it out, even if he wasn't in the new Spidey. This is short, only 45 minutes but it takes about 15 to get rolling. It was kinda dull at first but they were trying some surreal shit that didn't always work, but it was all needed to see that Frank is done with this world. And that is where the 30 minutes of carnage begins. This is badass as fuck.  Think those hallway fights from DD or John Wick and you get the idea. This is The Punisher. It reminded me a bit of Dirry Laundry only more brutal and I loved that MCU signed off on this. The end truly shows that Frank is not done with this world. 

Mortal Kombat 2

 I love the Mortal Kombat games, I had the figures growing up, I love the 95 film and the 2021 film. Hell even the animated films were awesome from the past few years. Mortal Kombat 2 takes what didn't work in the 2021 film, which honestly for me almost everything worked except for Cole, and here hevis secondary.  He would have worked if maybe he turned into Scorpion but alas. This film also feels highly inspired by 90s fandom. Here is an update of sorts of the 95 film, we get a video game color palette and fighting stages. The characters are great, the humor is great, the fight scenes for the most part feel lifted from the games.  Part 3, get over here. 

Daredevil Born Again

 Season 1 kinda dragged for Daredevil, I feel season 3 of the Netflix show did too. With a new Spidey and Punisher on the way i needed to step back in and watch season 2 of Born Again and holy fuck was it tense. Kingpin became Trunp, Bullseye stole the show, we got Jessica Jones. It was a bit court room dramaey at the end but that same finale wound up going for the jugular. 

Night Patrol

 

Night Patrol is kind of a perfect vampire film even though the movie itself is extremely flawed. Perfect in that it follows From Dusk Til Dawn and Sinners as films that start off non vamp but end in carnage. Now this is no Frkm Dusk Til Dawn and neither are Sinners but you get the point. Honestly I enjoyed the crime aspect with gangs and crooked cops....I mean cops, better than I did the vampire portions.  Regardless it was a good time, it might not be anything I reflect on but I enjoyed my 2 hours. 

The Pitt season 2

 

The Pitt had an amazing and tight first season. Tight in terms of tension, story telling and the structure of the show. Season 2 started off with new characters that you were forced to know.....and eventually love, and was more lenient with the time structure.....which honestly flowed better for terms of characters. Both seasons were amazing and I loved every bit of every episode. Even at times when you question why....such as Robby essentially being a plot device to combat another character's decision, or Santos just being in pure hate mode.....it all pays off. I was hoping for the worst in the finale, not expecting a bad episode but expecting the Empire Strikes Back, a series of down endings. Instead while we got a bleak peak into what is to come we also were comforted.  And the stinger sent the audience home happy. 

City Wide Fever

 

On paper City Wide Fever has a great premise.  A film student finds a USB with info on a forgotten giallo director and upon digging for info,  people begin to die. It's ahot on video and pure trash, and as someone that loves shot on video and trash.....this wasn't the film for it. Giallo films are sleazy yet beautiful.  This film has sleaze but the video aspect takes away the beauty. The plot makes no sense and thr acting is awful. This would have been better with a rewrite and a bigger budget. I admire this film but the 73 minute run time felt like 2 hours. 

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

 

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This is a film I knew little about. I had read reviews and knew of the theatrical only release strategy but I went in mostly blind. This is an experience. This film talks to you, literaly. It is a journey of getting to know a couple and their best friend. We see them aspire to be film makers, we see them need out, we see them ghost hunt, we see them party, all in their new home they bought just to film in.....and then the town folk show up to watch the house....nightly. It gets pretty bonkers and the ending is left open and I loved every bit of it. Was the seance too long? Yes but it felt real. Was the puking needed? Okay maybe I didn't love or need or want that part, but everything else was fantastic.  

Malcom in the Middle

 

I grew up with Malcom in the Middle. Legit, while it started when i was 12, it ended when i was 18. This show was a companion piece to my teens and i loved it. It ended great and the cast has gone on to retire or perform the greatest role in TV history. Brining it back? This is a show i wanted back. Was it needed? No. Were some moments forced? Sure. But this show was pure Malcom in the Middle through & through and i adored it. I loved seeing what became of these characters and now.....now i want more? Yes? No? Maybe? I don't know, but i will repeat the question! No, i proclaim now i want more! 

Film of 2025

 There are still a few 2025 titles i haven't seen yet such as Blue Moon, Gorge, Highest 2 Lowest, and but here are my top 15 films of the year. 

Superman

Weapons

Phoenician Scheme 

Sinners 

Mission Impossible 

One Battle After Another 

Freaky Tales 

Jimmy & Stiggs 

Companion

Silent Night Deadly Night 

Thunderbolts 

Novocain

Queens of the Dead 

Bugonia 

Lilo & Stitch  

Primate

 

I really dug most of Johannes Robers work, especially Resident Evil. Primate is his latest and i was interested in it, just never got around to seeing it in the cinema.  Kinda glad I watched it on a stormy day instead because......this was beyond dull. Animal attack films are far and few between these days and as much as I love ape films.....this missed the mark. Unlikeable characters, cringey dialogue,  a boring plot, I legit could not wait for it to end. 

The Simpsons

 

I knew the Simpsons had a shorter season, and i watched the finale 24 hours after it aired, but i still didn't realize it was over until about a month ago. This season was a step up from last year, still not as great as say 10 years ago but it was a solid season with lots of commentary and fan service. 

Match of March

Carmelo Hayes vs Ilja Dargunov 

Mario Galaxy

 The Super Mario Bros Movie was fantastic. It was fun, nostalgic,  had heart and a simple story. The sequel is just the same. While I prefer the first this one still makes you have that awe and wonder that usually isn't present with many modern blockbusters. Colorful and imaginative,  this is a perfect family film and a perfect video game film. Seeing this in a packed house full of kids and adults was perfect,  it's how Star Wars is and how MCU used to be. Bring on the third,  bring on a universe. 

Ready or Not Here I Come

 

Ready or Not is a favorite of mine of the 10s. I didn't want or need a sequel but I was still accepting of one, and the cast was lining up to be great.....and they nailed it. This is a fun sequel that while far fetched makes sense. Grace and Faith are fantastic final girls and the world building here rivals John Wick. It's bloody, funny and super fast paced. 

They Will Kill You

 They Will Kill You is a film that i wish i could see as a double bill with Ready or Not 2. This is Ready or Not taking place in John Wick's Continental but cycled through martial arts and exploitation.  From the opening scene to the credits it is basically non stop carnage. Zazie Beetz as usual kills it, as does the entire cast. Social commentary,  gnarly kills, over the top gore, dark humor and super stylish this film is a blast. 

1000 Women in Horror

 

1000 Women in Horror proves once again that Shudder does not skimp on docs. This shows a history of women in horror by showing the life cycle of women.  Kids, teens, adults, elderly, this covers it. The talking heads here add actual insight and not just about film but what it truly feels to be a woman.  A

Project Hail Mary

 

The trailer for Project Hail Mary blew me away but it was from Lord & Miller, they are fun directors so at most I thought this might be a fun popcorn flick.  This is way beyond that and this is now easily the best film of the year. This might even rival last years best.....hell it takes it on emotion alone. I teared up many times watching this. The relationship between Grace(my boy Ryan Gosling) and Rocky is a thong of beauty.  The structure is wonderful and the film looks gorgeous.  Of all the lost in space films of the past decade this one is the biggest thumb down......I mean thumbs up of the bunch. 

Match of Feb

CM Punk vs Finn Balor

Undertone

Undertone is one of the most effective horror films in some time. Minimal cast, sets, and budget. Essentially following one podcaster as her world unravels listening to could be haunted audio files all while her mom is nearing the end. It hit a little too close for me there but that is what made it grat. That and the use of sound. Perfectly crafted. 

The Bride

 

The Bride is somewhat meta, it is a crime drama romance mixed in with punk bars quasi musical dance numbers, some camp and all set in the 30s....it's all over the place tone wise......and that makes it bonkers and admirable. The acting and gore is great, the plot is thin but it starts getting tighter towards the end. This has has cult classic written all over it. 

Scream 7

 I was vastly against seeing Scream 7. Mainly for what happened to Melissa Barrera but the trailer looked bland and generic.  Still wound up seeing it since my girlfriend and I talked about it and.....it's okay. The first 20 minutes or so drag but once it gets to the theatre rehearsal it picks up....and stays that way until the last 20 minutes or so.  I liked that it tried something new and flipped the script but the end was so lackluster.  Sidney has always been the weak link of the series so once more familiar faces pop up, it helps. 

Match of Jan

 CM Punk vs Finn Balor 

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die

 

Non blockbuster Gore Verbinaki is wonderful.  A Cure For Wellness is a gem and now we have Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die. This is a bonkers, dark, bleak yet hopeful, dystopia film that smacks you in the face with satire and weirdness. Sam Rockwell is excellent in it, as is Hayley Lu Richardson. Michael Pena and Zazie Beets have great chemistry. Juno Temple is very un Juno Temple, and Asum Chaudhry chews scenery. It tackles AI, it tackles cell phones, and it loved seeing both get destroyed....i hate cell phones even though they are a necessity.  It feels a bit Terry Gilliam and I want more of this type of Gore. 

The Burbs

 The Burbs is a film that gets better with age. Behind Gremlins it si probably favorite Joe Dante film. A TV was not needed, but damn, I am glad it was made. This takes the neighborhood dynamic but changes characters and situations and makes it different enough, literally the setting is the only connection,  and expands upon it to give us a fast paced, well acted and tense 8 episodes. It leaves you wanting more and i am stoked for a second season.  

Send Help

Send Help sounded like a director for hire flick, the trailer looked interesting but did not look very Sam Raimi. The film itself? Oozes Raimi. Gross out gags of blood and bodily fluids, dark humor,  POV shots, isolation.  All the acting is great and it needs to be here as both characters are shitty. This is a cat and mouse game of seeing both sides, only her side is right. Through craziness she even admits monsters are created, and he and her ex created a monster and Sam Unleashed it upon us. 

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

 

The Bone Temple much like the previous 28 Years Later, is a bit of a slow burn. Every burn matters though. It builds tension. Tension with the Jimmies and Spike, tension with Ian and Samson. The zombies are second nature here, yes there are jump scares but connections and intimidation are the core. Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell both steal every scene and when their characters meet it feels huge, when we get the Iron Maiden scene every thing changes. The end we meet a familiar face and it leads us directly into the final chapter and I am stoked. 

Nouvelle Vague

 

Richard Linklater is interesting. He is fantastic at what he does but i don't know if he knows how great he is. He does art projects then films that feel like director for hire projects. Nouvelle Vague is a art film through and through,  and it is about the making of art films. For those of us that went through a French new wave period, this film is perfect. The camera angles, the film stock, the acting, the story.  It feels genuine and it is cinema at its purest. 

Black Bag

 I love Steven Soderbergh,  he has many different styles. Blockbuster,  indie and mid budget. Past decade or so he has remained indie and mid budget. Earlier this year he had Presence, now he has Black Bag. Great cast, well acted, looks great but I found the plot to be rather dull. Regardless I wished it would have made more of a buzz to create more movies like this. 

Comic of 2025

 

Snotgirl 

Batman & Deadpool

Archie Meets Jay & Silent Bob 

TV of 2025

Stranger Things

Cobra Kai

Welcome to Derry

Yellowjackets

The Pitt

Beavis and Butthead 

Peacemaker

Strange New Worlds

Simpsons

It's Always Sunny

Stranger Things

 When i first saw a trailer for Stranger Things it was at an AMC and i thought it was just gonna be some YA series, but it looked interesting. Then i watched the pilot and was blown away, by time i got to the finale of the first season this could have been my second favorite show of all time....and it is. Season 2 was better, season 3 had flaws, season 4 was the best of the best, but now we have the fifth and final season. The horror is at an all time high, the characters are fully developed, and the plot is as brilliant as ever. Dustin & Steve, Mike & El, Hopper & El, the Wheelers, the Byers, Lucas & Max, Max & Holly, Will & Robin, Hopper & Mike, Mr. Clark & his students, Murray & everyone, Erica being the sassy sidekick to all, Dipshit/Delightful Deric, this season had so many emotional notes with characters, and none of it felt forced, it was genuine. This is epic TV at it's best, this is epic horror at it's best. 

Queens of the Dead

 

Romero zombies are back! Tina Romero has crafted the best Romero film since 2005 with Queens of the Dead. This is fast paced as fuck and goes for the jugular. You get to love these characters in a short time and fear for death and laugh with absurdity. Tina has her dad's chops when it comes to social commentary, and the satire is all over this, honestly done way better than in Diary of the Dead. I am stoked for what she gives us in the future.