[Fantasia 2024] In Ant Simpson’s Bookworm, It’s A Big, Big World

In this family film about bonds lost, it eventually get stitched back together. Bookworm is a fantastic Kiwi film about why “Fellowship” matters.

Bookworm Movie Poster
Coming to theatres Fall/Winter 2024

World Debut at
Fantasia Film Festival 2024
Thu July 18, 2024 6:30 PM

Auditorium des diplômés
de la SGWU (Théâtre Hall)

Elijah Wood must have enjoyed playing Strawn Wise, a has-been stage magician, in Bookworm. This hilarious family film by Ant Simpson sees him doing what I feel is his best Johnny Depp impression as a misfit father from America trying to do what’s right. Technically, Mildred (Nell Fisher is perfect in this role) takes the lead in this New Zealand adventure comedy, as she has a know-it-all attitude despite having lived a rather sheltered life. True to this film’s namesake, she’s a nerd.

And that’s not the reason Wise abandoned her. Although the backstory felt very compressed, I’ll be watching this film again as soon as it hits theatres later this year. That’s because I want to know how he heard about his wife getting ill. As for showing up out of the blue, he’ll have to convince more than one guardian that he’ll do what’s right.

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The Skinwalkers American Werewolves 2 is More about the Legends and Lore than Scary UFOs

It’s important to recognize the legends and lore that makes up Small Town Monster’s next documentary, The Skinwalkers American Werewolves 2

The Skinwalkers American Werewolves 2 Promo PosterAvailable on Demand Beginning April 6, 2024

Seth Breedlove must really love cryptozoology over any other occult topic. In his latest piece, The Skinwalkers American Werewolves 2, he’s found locals who have had run-ins with this beast! And in what’s presented is rather fascinating from a shaman’s perspective.

Although this producer is not always in the field examining some legend like in his Alaskan Bigfoot series, what his documentaries offer is still food for thought. That’s because what he prefers to focus on are the stories from folks who had first-hand encounters. What is presented concerns a shapeshifting creature who can change into anything it wants. And while I half expected this release to include mention of a certain famous ranch, there’s very little acknowledgment. Instead, the dialogue suggests that this polymorph is not alien, but something from local, indigenous, lore. Personally, I think it’s an interdimensional entity.

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On the Trail of Bigfoot: Land of the Missing and More Alaskan Mysteries

Some say Alaska is the Last Frontier, and in On the Trail of Bigfoot: Land of the Missing, perhaps that saying is taken for granted in the lastest look at Small Town Monsters.

On the Trail of Bigfoot Promotional Poster1091 Pictures

Seth Breedlove is back with another episode of Small Town Monsters! This time, both he and his team of cameramen are ready to search the Great Alaskan frontier for people willing to talk about the Sasquatch. Like previous instalments, On the Trail of Bigfoot: Land of the Missing, the focus is on conversing with folks with firsthand experiences.

This latest is no different in style. This episode has this filmmaker right in the action, but this time he’s rented a cabin in the woods for his team to get an authentic experience. Afterwards, they have gone searching for the elusive creature, and found people we haven’t seen before to give their stories. As the title implies, Missing persons is the primary focus here. Continue reading “On the Trail of Bigfoot: Land of the Missing and More Alaskan Mysteries”

Hot on the Trail of Bigfoot. Last Frontier Offers the Latest Theories on Wood

The latest documentary in the series, Small Town Wonders is The Trail of Bigfoot: Last Frontier. The people he talks to here in Alaska have some fascinating stories that any researcher will want to hear!

On the Trail of Bigfoot: Last FrontierRelease Date: Jan 17, 2023 on VOD
1091 Pictures

On the Trail of Bigfoot: Last Frontier is Seth Breedlove‘s latest documentary under the label of Small Town Wonders. Where he heads to now is Alaska, and the people he talks have some fascinating stories that any researcher will want to hear! They hail from various towns that are strewn throughout the State, but as for whether we should believe them or not depends on wanting to believe. By my estimate, they’re just everyday folks and they have no reason to lie.

This filmmaker loves delving into urban myth, and I believe he’s far more genuine than those speciality network series. His work demonstrates he’s not approaching the subject with him in front of the lens all the time. What he discovers has an air of authenticity, and unlike his look into the legend of the Jersey Devil (review) and Rougarou, this one sees him a lot more invested in the subject. Like his past works where he’s on the trail of the elusive giant, his focus is on the west coast. These can be found on Tubi, and they tend to focus on the Pacific Northwest, and in this latest, he’s travelling north!

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That Ain’t No Fouke (or is it?) In Mytheries

Interestingly, the documentaries and fictional horror dramas feastured in this look at the Fouke monster bear a resemblance to Hammer films.

Boggy Creek Monster of Arkansas – Legends of America FoukeNow Playing on YouTube
The Paranormal Network

A new episode is now online of The Paranormal Network’s Mytheries. This time, the focus is on the Fouke Monster, a local Bigfoot type creature whose base of operations is in Fouke, Arkansas. It came into prominence in the early 1970s and whether it is real is still debated nearly 50 years later.

Jessica Dwyer, the series host, addresses both sides of the argument and, like previous shows, offers a point of view which includes how the monster of the month is ingrained in pop culture. She doesn’t add more to the lore, other than how it’s become part of this town’s livelihood. The addition of how the law is accepting of the influence–instead of discounting–says it all. This sweet update is all I need to know when investigations are infrequent.

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[Fantasia 2021] Cryptozoo Deconstructed in this Movie Review & Analysis

Cryptozoo Movie PosterFantasia Film Festival 2021
Available to view on demand Aug 21 9PM and Aug 23 9AM (EST)

Magnolia Pictures
August 20, 2021 (USA)
Please check local listings

Dash Shaw‘s Cryptozoo is a kind of animation that fans of this genre would expect to be released by The National Film Board of Canada rather than Adult Swim. The art style used in this film is something I’d expect from this digital media producer who encourages independent arts. I can see this creator further his trade with more shorts and daring narratives.

Lauren Gray (Lake Bell) is trying to save Baku, an eater of dreams, from the black market. It looks like a tapir from afar, but there’s more to this animal’s snout should it meet a sleeping human. This creature is lurking somewhere in the veil between worlds, and she can’t help this cryptid because it’s unwilling to be caught. Some people fear it and others will embrace it. This creature sucks nightmares (fears) away.

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