Azrael

 I LOVE Samara Weaving, she is one of if not my favorite actress going. She is a total babe that plays strong characters in kick ass films. Here in Azrael, she is still a total babe, and she is a strong character but the film itself is a bit dull. It has a unique premise it just never gains steam. It is far from a bad film just on the bottom of Samara's body.....of work. 

Daddy's Head

 

Daddy's Head is a bleak & atmospheric film on Shudder. It has some haunting imagery and is quite unnerving at times but it did not do too much for me. I could appreciate it but it will not stick with me. Style over substance but even then it loses you. 

Frankie Freako

 

I love Astron 6, whether it be well crafted films like the void or pure pulp & camp like Psycho Goreman, but Frankie Freako just did nothing for me. I love the idea and the concept in it and it has some charm to it but it felt like a chore made by a Ghoulies fan wanting a job at Troma. 

The Bikeriders

 

Jeff Nichols is a great filmmaker and The Bikeriders had momentum going in but ultimately this bike crashed. What could have been an artistic version of a bikesploitation film becomes a dull & poorly paced chore. It does have some great cinematography and acting but that is about it. His weakest film in my opinion. 

Venom The Last Dance

 Venom: The Last Dance is a flawed yet fun film.I thought the first was awesome yet the second one was a let down. The third one has some sweet kaiju imagery, a subplot that actually works and the entire cast seems to be having a good time. While I want the Sony Spidey films to end, this here is a worthy send off.

Saturday Night

 

SNL has always been a staple in my life. When finding out last year that Jason Reitman was helming Saturday Night, the film based on the 90 minutes leading up to the first episode, I was excited. Who better than the son of Ivan to get this close? Well Jason has crafted his masterpiece.  This is a chaotic, coke fueled slice of the 70s that looks and feels the part. I was reminded of Martin Scorsese throughout and it even feels very PT Anderson (a man that himself feels very Scorsese). All the casting is phenomenal especially that of George Carlin, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. This could be the years best. 

Big Shark

 I'd be delusional if I said that Big Shark has not occupied my brain. This was one of my favorite cinema going experiences of the year and an overall enjoyable film. Don't get me wrong. It's terrible beyond words, but what do you expect from Tommy Wiseau? He has polished....."polished"...his craft and his dialogue....."dialogue" has improved......"improved" but he still has not learned from the past, in fact some moments the sound quality is the worst since Birdemic. But to see Tommy sing, fish, play basketball....."basketball", deliver "heroic lines", dance and hunt a shark all makes it worth it. Oh Hai, Shark.