This is Not a Test

 

This is Not a Test starts off pretty wicked. Very Dawn of the Dead 04. We meet a family, and then running zombies take over. From there our lead meets up with classmates of hers and they take shelter at school. At times this could have felt like a series having flashbacks for the characters but the film does a good job of letting you know who these kids are. It was built as Breakfast Club meets zombies, and it kind of is, only this isn't very light hearted, it's pretty bleak at times. It's not as in your face with the intensity as it was the first 5 minutes but this is a refreshing zombie film. At the end I guess the kids were just saying Don't You....Outrun Me....don't don't don't don't. 

She's the He

 She's the He is one of the best films of the year, and one of IF not the funniest. An entire cast of LGBTQ actors and actresses run with their rolls. Bullies? Popular girls? Alt girls? Sassy gay friend? Our leads especially kill it. The writing and dialogue is amazing as is the cinematography. At times this reminded me of Edgar Wright and I want to see more of it. It's a film that is relatable and has stuff to say. While deep it remains light and carries a perfect balance. If it comes to a city near you, then See the She and She's the He. 

Insidious Out of the Further

 The first Insidious I love, the second is pure bonkers, I don't recall much of 3 and 4 other than a few moments but they were fine, the fifth I enjoyed, but now we have the sixth, and it brings in some new characters and feels pretty fresh. The story feels inspired and the imagery is haunting, it is honestly the best since the first though I still prefer the second. Is it hella far fetched? Yes but with this series you have to roll with it. 

The End of Oak Street

 David Robert Mitchell crafted one of the best horror films this century in It Follows. He has dabbled into noir but now he is back in genre film making with sci fi and dinosaurs in It Dinos. This is a fun flick, not just a fun flick but a great flick. Bad Robot feels like Amblin, and where Steven Spielberg showed JJ Abrams on Super 8, JJ seems to be doing the same for Mitchell here. There is heart, a family dynamic, some great acting, insane tension, amazing and accurate creature effects and designs and some genuine shocks. The film pushed the limit of PG 13 and in saying that it has balls, big ol dino balls.....not really.....but now that you mention it ......any how this is probably the best dinosaur film since Jurassic World if not Jurassic Park.....unless we are counting Godzilla Minus One, but apples and oranges, a tasty fruit is a tasty fruit and unlike the last few Jurassic flicks this one has nutrients. 

X Men 97

 X Men the animated series was great, it was a cluster of story telling but it somehow worked for the X Men. X Men 97 provided fan service and felt s tad forced being aimed at adults, but structurally it was all the same. The second season is all that but it is a tighter season. Is their fan service? Hell yes, and we loved it. The third episode of the season was 100 percent that and it was the best episode for me. Was it forced? Not really. Was it a cluster? Yes but as always it works itself out at the end. This season had deaths, and ones that show the show. It had heel turns that felt important. It played with time in one of the best and most Marvel ways. Now just time travel to 2027.....or not just stay in 97, I'll still watch.

Spider Man Brand New Day

 

Spider Man Brand New Day is the Spider Man film I have waited 25 years for. There are spoilers here so warning true believers. I feel the Raimi trilogy(well first 2) truly captured awe. Andrew Garfield captured Peter Parker. Tom Holland has been growing, his Spidey was younger and naive in the larger MCU. Here he has grown and matured. After the events of the last chapter he is now a loner that saves the city. Holland nails it here and injects alot of heart. He has become my favorite Parker. The plot while contrived at the start makes sense at the end and holy fuck is it a ride. Birth of the atom, the mutants walk among us finally. Heels and faces are shades of grey......and it gives this film so many layers. MJ and Ned are part of the heart of this film and the end even pulls the heart strings. This might be right below the 3 Guardians and the last 2 Avengers films as my favorite in the MCU and if not it is neck and neck with No Way Home. This is easily the best of the Spidey films since I would say since Spider Man 2. I am now ready for Doomsday. 

Match of July

 Lyra vs Bayley: SNME