Movie Reviews Archives | Page 62 Of 241

Dracula Book I The Impaler! Back from the Dead with the Help of a Dark Horse.

The first of four planned volumes, Dracula Book I The Impaler explores the legendary Count before his debut in Bram Stoker’s iconic novel—from his first foray into the dark arts to his rise to lord of the undead!

Just how many times Dracula’s story (or Vlad the Impaler) can be retold depends on who is crafting the story. I recall Topps had a take I quite liked back in the day and it’s been reprinted (Amazon link). The latest is Dracula Book I The Impaler, I can’t wait to sink my fangs into this too! I can’t say which one is the best, as they all have their merits, and the latest from writer Matt Wagner, artist Kelley Jones, colourist José Villarrubia, and letterer Rob Steen is sure to please too! The teaser pages I was offered showed just how much more bloodier and scarier it is going to get.

The project marks the first ever collaboration for Wagner and Jones, two legendary comic book creators and longtime friends. The book, which began as a crowdfunding sensation on Kickstarter, will be available in comic shops and bookstores for Halloween 2024.

From the Press Release:

“When Kelley Jones and I decided to launch the first volume of our new collaboration, Dracula Book I The Impaler as a Kickstarter campaign, we always knew we also wanted to offer it via more traditional publishing channels,” said legendary Grendal creator Matt Wagner. “The overwhelming success of our campaign only solidified the need for that option, with both retailers and readers alike begging us for a mass-market edition in addition to the exclusive, hardcover Kickstarter versions. When it came time to partner up with an established publisher for that alternative, there really was no other choice to consider but Dark Horse Comics. Dark Horse and I have enjoyed an incredible collaborative relationship for over 35 years and their reputation for quality material and their support of creators’ rights is a well-deserved hallmark in the comic’s industry. We’re thrilled to team up with them to bring our epic to an even wider audience!”

Continue reading “Dracula Book I The Impaler! Back from the Dead with the Help of a Dark Horse.”

At Foggy Mountain, All Roads Lead to Martial Arts Mayhem

@wellgousa release of Foggy Mountain #FoggyMountain might go unnoticed by some, but if you’re looking for a #martialarts film from Vietnam, this one has some good action. One just has to wait for the end.

Available to stream on Hi-Yah

In the ring, Phi (Peter Pham) is a tough as nails MMA fighter, and he needs money. There’s a procedure that can correct his wife’s vision (she’s going blind) and it doesn’t come cheap. At first I thought Foggy Mountain might be a metaphor for her problems, but instead, it’s something else. In this film’s case, it means that this fighter must either making a deal with the devil, Ba Rau (Kim Long Thach), a rather nasty crime lord, or seek help elsewhere. Thankfully he’s smart in not to accept, but it comes at a price, and thus begins a story of revenge as he searches for his lair located out in the boondoggles.

The concept is fairly standard, and after the setup to motivate Pham to search the rural countryside of Vietnam to hunt down this piece of work and his minions. The bits of action fans want to see are good. However, to get to that point means wading through a story that suffers from pacing issues.

I was not all that invested until the hero finds that this criminal is also running a slave trafficking operation. I wasn’t quite as initially invested at first, but once when directors Phan Anh and Ken Dinh up the ante, by involving the loss of innocence with the kids getting run over, shot at, and et cetera, the viewer in me wants to see these bad guys go down.

Continue reading “At Foggy Mountain, All Roads Lead to Martial Arts Mayhem”

When Matt Vesely’s Film Monolith Suggests Shaka, When The Walls Fell….

Although the Star Trek reference to Monolith may seem appropriate, there’s more going on in this tale than meets the eye, and what’s presented is eerie!

Monolith 2024 Movie Poster Well Go USA
Playing at select theatres and on VOD

Although the Aussie made movie titled Monolith is slightly misleading, I’m sure what it’s named was intentional. This science fiction thriller about alienation has enough elements in play to suggest the building of such an edifice, but in truth what’s being assembled is revealed one brick at a time. Lily Sullivan (Evil Dead Rise) plays an unnamed journalist who’s fallen from grace. Either she didn’t give credit where it’s due, or she falsified some info just for notoriety, the damage is done.

Now, she’s trying to rebuild; she’s the voice behind the “Beyond Believable” podcast. It explores all the crazy things that go on in life that nobody wants to accept. The pressure to come up with a good story is tough, and instead of exploring the paranormal, it’s more about conspiracies. After getting a mysterious email which barely identifies why “The Brick” is dangerous and a phone number, she’s curious enough to take the bait.

Continue reading “When Matt Vesely’s Film Monolith Suggests Shaka, When The Walls Fell….”

NSYNC with the Details Regarding the Trolls Band Together Sing-Along Edition

What watching Trolls Band Together again in home video will let viewers know just what fences have been mended between brothers who haven’t been back to the studio in ages.

Trolls Band Together Blu-Ray Case — **Available to purchase on Amazon USA**

Everything you want to learn about Justin Timberlake‘s executive producer role in Trolls Band Together but were afraid to ask is well addressed here. I’m quite enjoying the home video release of this work a lot more than what was experienced at the theatre. It’s mostly because I wanted to know more about how the NSYNC reunion came about. I’m sure it wasn’t as easy as a phone call when considering what happened that resulted in them disbanding, sort of reuniting, and et cetera.

What I’ve learned from viewing “Hi, Hi, Hi” and “Together Again” is that Timberlake isn’t the only one who wants to keep this franchise alive. Producer Gina Shay must have geeked out when he pitched the idea of doing a reunion. To see the behind the scenes recordings with them talking about how to develop their characters and also composing a new song must’ve been a dream come true for her.

Continue reading “NSYNC with the Details Regarding the Trolls Band Together Sing-Along Edition”

A Creature Was Stirring Arrives on Home Video This Week to Scare Up Love

When considering a tiny part of A Creature Was Stirring takes inspiration from Judy Collin’s holiday poem, I’m guessing there are more elements in play that neither friend and foe realise.

A Creature Was Stirring Blu-ray — Available to stream or purchase on Amazon USA

Well GO USA
Spoiler Alert

Although the creature feature A Creature Was Stirring had limited theatrical screenings last month, I had my plate full on what to enjoy over the holiday season. This eerie variation of a trapped in a cabin in the woods’ scenario would eventually get viewed, and I’m hoping the coming home video release will offer a behind-the-scenes featurette to explain the finer points.

This tale about a mighty morphing porcupine has the vibe of a Stuart Gordon film. And when the focus is not about two teens claiming to be Jehovah’s witnesses entering into a situation they are totally unprepared for, what’s presented is more familial.

Continue reading “A Creature Was Stirring Arrives on Home Video This Week to Scare Up Love”

TheNFB and Janet Perlman’s The Girl with the Red Beret is Slice of Life at its Best

When The Girl with the Red Beret takes a ride on the Montreal metro, it becomes the unlikely venue for a strange and wonderful musical journey.

The Girl with the Red Beret Poster Out of all the animated works The National Film Board of Canada has produced over the years, The Girl with the Red Beret (La fille au béret rouge) ups the ante on what “slice of life” means. Here, what gets presented is about an experience and how one little girl sees a an entire world can unfold in Montreal as she rides the Metro.

It’s possible to experience a lot when riding public transit. And what’s presented is not just about whom she encounters, but also in how time marches on. There’s no big story here. Although I was paying attention to the pickpocket’s attempt to steal from this young lady, that narrative disappears midway. Afterwards, another plot popped in and I had to ask why attempt to transport a large couch on this ride? I’m sure others have tried in real life, and failed.

Continue reading “TheNFB and Janet Perlman’s The Girl with the Red Beret is Slice of Life at its Best”