CANDYLAND (2022)

 

Written & Directed By: John Swab

Cinematography: Will Stone

Editor: Andrew Aronson and John David Allen 

Cast: Olivia Luccardi, Eden Brolin, Sam Quartin, Owen Campbell, Virginia Rand, William Baldwin, Guinevere Turner, Brad Carter

A seemingly naive and devout young woman navigates her way into the underground world of truck stop sex workers a.k.a. "lot lizards."

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This is a film that pulls no punches, especially when it begins. It’s going into the film wasn’t quite sure where it was going to go even though watching it on shutter suspected a horror film but it seems like for the first third of the film. It’s more of a drama.

Even though considering where the film ends up going. It seems a bit unnecessary to be so graphic, but sets up the unpredictable nature and showing it’s Not afraid to go certain places 

That throughout the film, always seems to stay open as it offers a host of many ways it can go. As throughout the film. There seems to be a clash of genres as it starts off matter fact, drama that has a murder mystery in the background when initial killings start to happen. as it also feels kind of like a misdirection at first, but when the killer is revealed, we are shocked, but watch their ways as they try to avoid getting caught, though we do wonder when they will strike again also. Even as the film still stays pretty dramatic with the killings involved as we began to truly care about the characters.

Though slowly, the narrative becomes a true horror thriller. As the film keeps changing its identity I guess sort of like the characters there’s the before and then there’s a after.

as at first, there were so many ways that it could’ve gone and thought it would go, but ultimately it ends up, not going there. It makes its own way, which works for the film. Only wish maybe the killer wasn’t revealed as soon as they were crow that they played up the mystery angle a little bit better and longer.

The film does have an interesting scene of a red herring that is graphic and hard hitting, but also shows you the dangers of the lives. They lead and their line of work and offers a humanity more to the characters and helps to show the depths of one of the relationships between the characters and how messed up it is even when seeking justice in doing the right thing

As the film play so many rules just as the characters do one minute it’s a hangout film the max. It’s a hard hitting docudrama, then a mystery then a slasher then at times even a Grindhouse film that tries to tie in Christmas randomly. Though it occasionally breaks up its own rhythm. It’s trying to show that it’s moving into a new phase. Wish it could have been a bit more seamless And tightly written. So it made more sense. It does go to show that just because one thing is happening, that doesn’t mean other things stop irnchange necessarily with the new situation 

For all of its good graces by the end, it feels a little bit like a b-movie, even though it tries to hit hard with the ending.

The film manages to stay unpredictable in the end doesn’t go where you expect those stays down with an ultimate come uppance.

By the end, the theme seems to be sexual repression and how violent it can make someone.

Grade: C+

MARSHMALLOW (2025)

Directed By: Daniel Delpurgatorio 

Written By: Andy Greskoviak 

Cinematography: Flip Vandewal 

Editor: Andy Palmer 

Cast: Paul Soter, Corbin Bernsen, Pierson Fode, Giorgia Whigham, Kai Cech, Alysia Reiner, Amiya Cech, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper, Amanda Clayton, Max Malas, Samantha Neyland Trumbo 

When a once-fabled campfire tale becomes real, a group of campers uncover a profound secret that questions their very existence.

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First off want to thank screen-centered.com aka Myriamtalksaloy  for her initial review and recommendation of this film 

A lot of movie fans say that there is no originality out there. Well, I am glad to say this film proves them wrong because what starts out as a typical summer camp/or film evolves into something totally different and original.

Which is why I would suggest watching the film blind, before reading this review, because there will be spoilers and hints towards what happens and where it goes.

I truly enjoyed this film, especially because of what it was able to do which was keep you guessing and throw me off quite a few times. It offers the traditional coming-of-age summer camp story, but then adds in something a bit different.

As the film plays like a horror film specifically for kids while being a typical summer camp horror film, with characters a bit younger than expected. Then it offers twist upon twists, that feed upon each other. that it could almost play or be a GOOSEBUMPS tale as I’m sure many will compare to an M night shamalayan film 

If you go, expecting something he’ll be able to pick up on the choice sooner and faster. One is quite surprised by some reactions. 

As just because if it has a twist ending, doesn’t mean we should label it as instantly M night. Shamalayan rip off as this place is better that some of his film story wise.(though he has a better eye as a director and sensationalize his material a lot more. Which then makes you expect the twist.) 

This is a tricky film as it did surprise and entertain, but it didn’t amaze or offer the same level of production or direction as the film has a good idea in decent filmmaking, though it doesn’t come off as memorable

Now the film seems aimed at kids featuring very little violent, though there is violence and a little exploitation, as it does offer a sexy, no nudity and not as graphic as it could’ve been, but it’s there. As this comes off almost as a more violent AMBLIN movie type tale. Not necessarily distinct though the story is. Though the problem would be if it was more distinct, it might tip off the audience.

Why are so many complaining. it’s not stupid and backs itself up with its twist and turns as it goes in many directions sometimes opposing each other, but feel it is more growing in those create and show the pains of it. Which can happen in world building, though by the end it feels fresh and enjoyable tale.

The problem  is that we as movie goers and audience is complained. There is nothing new or that there’s no originality then when we get some bitch about the so-called plot holes and problems or nitpick it to death, yet support the same old stories only done more modern with bigger names behind the scenes, and we tend to pray over praise when something is decent and does its job as more and more today it seems such a rarity for a film really to be that way so that when something is good, we give it too much credit and treat it like it’s great when actually, it might be average at best. depending on your basis of what makes a good movie or what you score a movie on or by that would definitely recommend this film as it touches all the bases 

The film is modern yet seems more 1980s inspired. It switches gears with each new discovery, but does it with subtlety,

I’m going to need a sequel to this film ASAP before the characters and kids age out. Which should be easy based on what is hinted at in the finale.

Grade: B

NIGHT OF THE REAPER (2025)

 

Directed by: Brandon Christensen 

Written By: Brandon Christensen and Ryan Christensen

Cinematography: Clayton Moore 

Cast: Jessica Clement, Ryan Robbins, Summer H. Howell, Matty Finochio, Ben Cockell, Keegan Connor Tracy, Savannah Miller, Bryn Samuel

College student Deena visits home and is roped into babysitting. The local sheriff is mailed a piece of evidence and is led on a scavenger hunt to reveal the killer of another babysitter.

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This is one of the streaming channel SHUDDER’s originals that comes from Canada. this film, please like a modern update of a slasher film though unfortunately it plays like a typical one, not a supernatural/more of the human variety that by the end one unmasked doesn’t really have a good enough or really tight reason for their actions but works just enough for the film.

The film offers a harder opening scene than usual in these films, or there is real threat of children being killed

When can appreciate the homage and throwback qualities of the film? While luckily the film manages to save itself and add some surprises in a third act because everything before it is kind of run of the mill. But what a third act, which is when the film truly becomes thrilling as it kind of saved the film and set it apart from others of its elk. As what team playing at first, but want to start cooking got spicy.

They said in a suburban town everything feels darker than it needs to be as far as atmosphere characters the luckily not visually. Is the film does offer a good set up

In the end, this film pretty much PLEASE still like a beginner horror film, but a little harder than most of the ones I usually suggest if only because of the violence, as this is a good film for those who wanna get into hard and haven’t seen that many.

Casting-wise wise the film is great. Though why Bella throne doesn’t get into these types of horror films escapes me. 

Grade: C 

DIRECTOR’S CUT (2024)

Written & Directed By: Don Capria

Cinematography: Bliss Bussant 

Editor: Noah Marks

Cast: Louis Lombardi, Lucy Hart, Tyler Ivey, Danielle Kotch, Brandy Ochoa, Louis Rocky Bacigalupo, Greg Poppa, Haley Cassidy, Darren Kickok 

Excited to shoot their first music video, a punk rock band ventures into the woods of P.A. never to return.

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Should’ve known better going into this was hoping it would be more fun than it actually is as this seems like this should have been more of a Tubi premier horror film due to its nature and lower budget.

It’s not quite a failure, but it has issues and its problems. For instance One of the only Caucasian actresses in the film, of course ends up being the final group, which is rather disappointing not that the film has a big cast. But the only other Caucasian woman is a villain, so all the few people of color unfortunately might not make it to the end and then one has a partial sex or intimate scene that wasn’t needed which just shows the exploitation factor and while I’m not claiming racism, it just seems to Stay and remain in the same old tropes and stereotypical roles

Not that this offer that surprises or should really expect it to be anything different as it plays pretty much basic throughout Moore and exploitative B movie that while not quite tongue and cheek feels that way 

The film has an interesting concept, though you can see the so-called surprises coming easily . So the film place predictable and though desperate in their situation, you also feel the characters would know better.

As the film isn’t the most original, it doesn’t really offer too many surprises or anything to subvert the film in anyway which would be welcome. As the film does try to offer a bit of exploitation, but never quite gives enough.

The violence throughout seems to be more an afterthought. as again we see the application in the aftermath, but not necessarily the actual application of it

The film seems to have an hour of set up then in the last 30 minutes, decides to be violent and light torture porn as it seems to remember what type of film it’s supposed to b. The hour seems to want to set up the characters, their dilemmas, a few secrets, and the drama within the group. One only wishes they were more interesting as it is a very good looking cast not quite WB level, but very high catching.

It’s nice to see Lewis Lombardi as the lead, even if the film doesn’t offer any real subtlety to the character and already seems to aggressive within their first meeting, whereas you would think you would be more nurturing, so it already rings the bell for the alarms of his true nature 

Towards the end, the film chooses to reveal a trans actress and it’s Just filmed and introduced in such a weird way as to add another level of inclusion

Grade: D 

PREDATOR: BADLANDS (2025)

 JBG

Directed By: Dan Trachtenberg 

Written By: Dan Aison 

Story by: Dan Trachtenberg and Dan Aison 

Based on characters created by: Jim Thomas & John Thomas 

Cinematography: Jeff Cutter

Editor: Stefan Grube and David Trachtenberg 

Cast: Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Ravi Narayen, Chris Terhune, Stefan Grube, Cameron Brown, Alison Wright, Michael Homik 

In the future, on a distant planet, a young predator, recently exiled from his native clan, finds an unlikely ally. Together, they soon embark on an extremely dangerous and thorny journey to ultimately find their most fierce and cruel enemy.

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Watching this film it feels almost like a video game. As throughout there seems to be levels as it gets tougher and the enemies bigger.

The film is supposed to be live action, but there seems to be so much CGI and green screen. It might as well be animated like the last predator movie that was straight to streaming and took place at a different time periods.

While it’s nice that the film takes place on a planet and in other worlds where we get to see new species, aliens, challenges, and atmosphere is making it truly feel like a science fiction film it does seem to play the familiar beats where the predator is now the protagonist, whereas in the past, it has usually been the villain or an ally and now it has fully it has come full circle to be the character we are supposed to be rooting for

There are some human characters thrown in, even though they’re robots as it continues to be partially crossed over from the aliens universe with the Weyland-Yutani corporation causing all the problems.

As the android who the predator reluctantly bonds with her clan is seeking to destroy him and most of the planets, Denison and will stop at nothing to also retrieve her. Well, the predator is there to hunt big game to prove his worth as a warrior and earn his right of passage.

This is a film that is perfectly entertaining and good enough while you watch it though once you’re done, you will probably forget most of it so that it is disposable not completely. As it serves as another good sequel in the franchise that seems to promise more sequels in the future.. this is one of the better sequels as under the footage of Dan Trachtenberg the franchise well not entirely fresh is allowed to continue and be creative along the way

As I will be the first to admit when I saw the trailer for this film, I thought it was gonna be horrible just based on the young predators look though luckily as the film goes along, you pay less attention in it just feels more natural.

Elle Fanning playing two roles in the film is entertaining and really becomes the heart of the film both as the villain and as her good better half who is trying to aid the predator and become its friend.

If you’re a fan of the franchise, you’ll really like this film if not, it’s a good time waster filled with action even though strangely the first 20 minutes of what it’s supposed to be a sci-fi action film has a lot of dialogue and sometimes so that we get a backstory to go with the motivations of the story.

One could complain about the PG-13 rating, but it seems like it’s been like that since it’s alien versus predator days for the most part that it has become a little more lightened up I wouldn’t say exactly family friendly, but opened up more for teenage fans of the franchise or for those looking for more action and sci-fi elements that aren’t as gruesome, but just violent enough sort of like the VENOM franchise films.

maybe because of the dreadlocks, I’ve also always thought of the predators as kind of African-American with that toughness, but being able to show a little more nuance character and compassion than originally thought not to mention it always seems to be them versus the world literally or Sometimes they’re on the human side, but other times they’re just for themselves in their own not to mention it always seems like the humans who are usually Caucasian are either trying to control them take and use their inventions or just kill them as they are afraid of them taking over. 

Even though they usually go against a diverse race of characters and in predator two or battling Danny Glover, mostly. Though they seem to come to an understanding with him just as they did with Shania Lathan, an alien versus predator the first film. at least that is my minority report for this film.

Grade: C+