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Is It Spellbound or Excitement that Skydance’s Latest is on Netflix?

One dream from a young teen is never enough in Spellbound. What she wants, she may not get, and when she has a lot on her shoulder, what’s taught will have most parents nodding.

Spellbound 2024 Movie Poster Now Playing on Netflix

Skydance Animation must be taking lessons from Disney with their latest film Spellbound. That’s because the heroine is a princess, and after seeing her parents argue, the argument transformed them into giant furry beasts. Ellian (Rachel Zegler) has to break the curse. This task will be difficult and as much of this backstory is told in song, what comes next is her trying to maintain the kingdom while questing at the same time. This teen is as adventurous as Merida from Brave, but as for who is in the know, only Minister Bolinar (John Lithgow) and Nazara (Jenifer Lewis), do.

As for the rest of the kingdom, they are blissfully unaware. The young lady has managed everything, and I believe this film is great showing teens they should learn how to be responsible, and take charge when needed. The message is important to note, and although she’s close to getting her parents back, she has to understand what she’s become and also the new boundaries, as the film implies the king and queen are no longer in love.

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When The Mysterious Nie Xiaoqian: A Chinese Ghost Story (小倩) Gets A New Date!

Like its namesake, let’s hope this new take on A Chinese Ghost Story isn’t just a fading dream. This film has a new release date, and as for when it’ll come out in the Americas, that’s anyone’s guess.

Nie Xiaoqian: A Chinese Ghost Story has a new release date, and according to AsianFilmFans YouTube information, that’s Dec 6, 2024! Whether this is for its debut in China or an international date, the latter is unlikely. This animated movie was supposed to come out in April of this year, but with no media coverage and reviews to be found, perhaps the film wasn’t ready. When considering the credits lists first-time director Qichao Mao in charge, perhaps he realised there’s some flaws that needed fixing.

Between the older trailer and newest, there’s a lot more story revealed. Siu-sin is tied up, and shows no love for her captor. It’s some greater force who have kept others from ascending. In Bhuddism, there’s sometimes the hope for reincarnation or even a new life in a new realm, but here, there are unearthly forces who want to control spirits!

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Missed Opportunities with Harold and the Purple Crayon. Can Replacing That With A 3D Pen Do The Job?

While one star can continue to charm in Harold and the Purple Crayon, is that enough to carry a film?

Available on VOD
Spoiler Alert

Zachary Levi may well be typecast, because the character he plays in Harold and the Purple Crayon is no different from Billy in Shazam. There’s a youthful exuberance that this actor loves to amp up, but I’d like to see him expand his range.

When I realised Alfred Molina is also involved in this film, I had to give this film a chance, and found myself enjoying this movie more because of his voice than Levi. He’s like that grandfather I want to spend my time with, but when his presence suddenly disappears, I’m like Harold and have to wonder why. After a few hours alone, he’s comes up with the idea to draw a portal to the real world with his magical crayon, where (like in Disney’s Enchanted) what he discovers is pure culture shock!

Everyone calls him a wacko, and even amusingly a Smurf. The only two people who are sympathetic are Mel (Benjamin Bottani) and Terry (Zooey Deschanel) to this child-like individual who needs to find “The Old Man,” the name he gave to the narrator.

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Where Does The Legend of Lara Croft Fit In if “Tomb Raider” is Just a Title?

Although the wait to see The Legend of Lara Croft in action in her classic form was long, the buildup to that moment where she finds herself using two guns (than bows and arrows) is well worth it.

The Legend of Lara Croft Promotional Poster Although I have not played the latest video games in the Tomb Raider series, the animated adaptation certainly helps get me up to speed with how this IP has changed over time. I find that The Legend of Lara Croft is good at rekindling my interest and although part of the backstory (she originally had daddy issues) has changed, there’s just enough of what made those classic games memorable surface once again. And I’m not talking about her sex appeal. When I love Indiana Jones style adventures, the concern here is if it’s a modern style tale or something pulpy?

Although Crystal Dynamics’ take on this IP doesn’t have the same oomph as the past games from Edios/ Square*Enix, at least there are other publishers who can use their creative license to expand the universe, and say what is truly inspired from legends and lore versus beating other tomb raiders to the treasure. While the emphasis on the folklore is lighter in these later products, I’m thankful the animated take doesn’t forget about what made this series appealing. Although those elements didn’t get heavy until the finale, the wait is at least worthwhile. Continue reading “Where Does The Legend of Lara Croft Fit In if “Tomb Raider” is Just a Title?”

No, Your Monster Can’t Be My Pet Monster… But Can He in this Romantic Horror Comedy?

Sometimes, all anyone wants to do is let all that frustration out, and Your Monster is a film that shows how to do it right!

Vertigo Films
Release Date(s):
Oct 25 (USA) and Nov 29 (UK)
TBA for Canada
Potential Spoiler Alert

The question of what Your Monster is supposed to represent depends on how audiences want to interpret this film. Here, Laura Franco (Melissa Barrera) wants to shine on New York’s biggest stage. However, her time on the stage will be limited. In what I’m reading suggests she has to learn how to face her insecurities. Or she can learn how to fend for herself. That’s because nobody was there for her when she got her diagnosis. This feeling of being alone sets the course of the film. And as for why Jacob (Edmund Donav), her boyfriend, wasn’t present, I kept tabs on the flashbacks to figure out why.

As for what her monsters hiding in the closet represent, that’s a question which isn’t easily answered until more backstory is revealed.

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Hollywood Suite’s Shocktober isn’t Just Zombie Town. Top 10 Picks, Returning Series and more!

While we won’t argue which holiday is better, Halloween or Christmas, the face Hollywood Suite doesn’t want to miss a beat with a month long celebration of films can be boiled down to our distallation of a top ten, along with news on what’s debuting or finally here to watch at home.

In Canada, Hollywood Suite is back to deliver fan favourites of classic and modern age horror movies for the Halloween enthusiast. Their 2024 Shocktober line-up is here to play on air and on demand, and I’ve started with the broadcast premiere of R.L. Stine’s Zombie Town.

Despite what the major critics say, I rather enjoyed this family friendly work about a young teen who has a dislike for the season, but will have to change his mind when his hometown gets ravaged by your not so typical zombie. What happens is a variation on a moment from Last Action Hero! You can read a full review of my first impressions here, and after subsequent viewings, I feel it has the potential to be a cult classic. To have Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase make cameos is a plus!

Also, the second season of the Hollywood Suite original series Cinema A to Z is ready to air with its premiere episode Serial Killers on October 10. In this episode, film experts uncover audiences’ fascination with the macabre through 26 portrayals of murderers on film from American Psycho to Zodiac. Although I’m not a huge fan of the slasher genre, I respect it because that’s where the movie Halloween emerged from.

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