Halloween (2018)

In my review of the original film, I hated on it, that all changed dramatically when I saw this sequel 40 years in the making. This film unlike its predecessor, is an entertaining film with quality. Yeah, given this films genre and the title, it's supposed to be scary as hell, but, it's actually a thrilling film with suspense.

This film has a lot to offer, given the 40 year wait for the reunion of the Shape aka (Michael Myers) and Laurie Strode. This film has at all, frights, edginess, suspense, and action sequences that are some of the best parts of the film. Halloween is a phenomenal film, which is one of the best films of the year by far. 

This film has a very effective use of flashbacks to the 78' original. Flashbacks to the very beginning to where Michael killed his first victim. The flashbacks really help the film be as thrilling as if they weren't included.

Taking over the directing duties from jack-of-all trades John Carpenter, is David Gordon Green. Green makes a thrilling film, while still encompassing the style of Carpenters directing style. Green has made an authentic film that offers more thrilling and suspenseful qualities than frights. 

When the original film came out in 1978, this was the first film audiences saw Jamie-Lee Curtis. Her character is a frightened woman forty years after Michael's demise, her granddaughter is now put in her position. Laurie, who's been suffering from agoraphobia since that Halloween night 40 years ago, is now ready for him to escape that mental institution. 

Lee-Curtis does a great job in this film, way better than the original. Co-starring opposite Jamie-Lee Curtis, is the original Michael Myers actor, Nick Castle, Lee-Curtis' daughter on screen, Judy Greer and the granddaughter played by newcomer Andi Matichak. This cast does a great job at providing audiences with genuine performance and depth and curiosity. 

Once again crafting an iconic score, is not only the creator of the franchise, John Carpenter, but his son Cody, and composer Daniel Davies. The films score is electric and edgy. The trio of composers put a modernized twist into Carpenters iconic theme while bringing a new edge of sound to the film. 

The Halloween film genre can be a hit or a miss. But, this film is a total hit. This film is an outstanding film, its got edge and depth and complexity that you usually don't see in a film of this caliber. The direct follow-up of the 1978 original Halloween, does not disappoint. 

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions

Rate: B+ 

Director: David Gordon Green

Starring: Jamie-Lee Curtis, Nick Castle, Judy Greer and Andi Matichak

MPAA Rating: R-(for horror violence and bloody images, language, brief drug use and nudity) 

Synopsis: Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.

Runtime: 1 Hour & 45 Minutes 

Hocus Pocus (1993)

One of the best things about the fall season is not only the leaves and trees, its the annual Halloween movie marathon on Freeform. One of my personal favorite Halloween movies is the cult classic, critic hammered film Hocus Pocus. Yeah, this film may have been a disaster at the box office, but has. been a cultural phenomenon for two decades and will continue to be a classic phenomenon and cult favor

Long before director Kenny Ortega made the High School Musical films, he made this one. Cooking  up a witchy film, that is fun and exciting and one of the best films of the genre. The sets, costumes and special effects are fun and vibrant, they keep the film on the right path. 

Veteran actresses: Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker are a witty and outright hilarious trio of comedic proportions. They add a balance that is equal and works in which the film is more entertaining. Co-stars: Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, Thora Birch and Jason Marsden are fantastic. They are the highlight of this film. The film has some of the most memorable one-liners & humor that make this one of the best halloween films.

Rate: A 

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

 

Halloween (1978)

A staple in horror films for forty years,  [It] Halloween has aged like rotten cheese. It was good then, but this is now. This film isn't your typical scary movie. It's a slasher, thriller. Not only that, but, it is terrifying in that the score is extremely effective. While it's a great horror film of its time, I see this film in the 21st century, thinking that it'll be as scary as it was 40 years ago. I was dead wrong. When this film ended, I was like: "this was dumb and weird."

Jack of all trades, John Carpenter not only directed the film, but he is also responsible for creating the score, writing the film and producing. One of the films most thrilling aspects is every time Michael Myers appears on screen faceless, the films iconic theme is tuned in. That right there shows Carpenters original approach on directing and scoring.

In her first film, Jamie-Lee Curtis, plays a terrified high school student, one of Myers sisters, and a babysitter. She plays her character in a dramatic way, but a little to dramatic, and cheesy.

The films best parts are when for 1. are whenever Myers appears on screen, he is breathing heavily and that is one of the best, yet creepy, parts of this film. 2. Whenever he shows up, the theme plays. I give this film credit for at least trying to be somewhat scary.

Orchestrating the madness is director of the film, and composer John Carpenter. Carpenter not only makes a film so original and the least bit scary, he makes a score that is possibly more terrifying then the film itself.

This film doesn't even make the climb as being still a scary movie forty years later, with a variety of films of this kind coming out every year. The horror films nowadays can be even scarier than this or perhaps worse? No, this film isn't all that bad. I just think this film is an average scary movie. In retrospect, this film was scary when it debut 40 years ago, but 40 years later, it loses its scare factor.

Photo courtesy of Compass International Pictures

Rate: C 

Starring: Jamie Lee-Curtis

Director: John Carpenter

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 1 Hour & 33 Minutes

Venom (2018)

Who says a villain can't have their own film? The infamous foe of Peter Parker (aka) Spider-Man gets his long-awaited film. This isn't your average superhero film. Well, in this case, "hero-villain", an oxymoron for the title character.  It [Venom] may seem all bad but he's actually the opposite of a villain. The symbiotic-alien, takes on a host, Eddie Brock, who's a flawed yet cunning character. Brock, played by Tom Hardy, who is no stranger to playing baddies, morphs into the creature in terrifying fashion. This film isn't your average superhero film, it's more of a villainous tale into one of Marvel's most terrifying creatures.

Unleashing terror one director at a time, is "Zombieland"  director Ruben Fleischer. Fleischer crafts a film that does not disappoint. His vision for creating this origin story, is exciting and thrilling every second. He adds insight to one of comic books most iconic villains. Granted that this films namesake is bad and scary, the villain is actually good in a way. He helps Brock defeat the films villain in the most badass way possible. 

Playing Brock and the namesake Venom is Tom Hardy. Hardy is no stranger to playing a film baddie, Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises" and Praetor Shinzon in "Star Trek-Nemesis". Hardy brings his A-Game in this role. Co-starring is Michelle Williams as his love interest. Williams brings the film to a more emotionally sappy path alongside Hardy. 

One of the most unexpected things this film has are the complex relationship between Brock and his body inhabitant Venom. It's complex because it shows a lighter and surprising side of the title character. This makes the film more interesting and gripping. 

I do, however, have a few issues with this film. One, being the character of Dora Skirth. She's played by Jenny Slate, who has a high pitched, nasally voice. That and her character is unnecessary and makes the film drag on. Second, the film starts off slow but gradually gets better once we see Tom Hardy and Venom tag-team in action. 

Organizing the music for this film, is composer Ludwig Goransson. Goransson, who is notable for scoring "Black Panther", score yet another comic book based film. He makes a plethora of electronic and fast paced sounds to keep the film on its feet. 

"We are Venom". Based on one of comic books most terrifying baddies, is a film that finally brings audiences an inside scoop on how Venom/Eddie Brock came to be. This film is action-packed and detailed immensely, not only on the villain, but the whole film. It's terrifying yet comedic. This film ranks up to be one of many successful origin films of villains. 

Photo Courtesy: Sony and Columbia Pictures

Rate: B 

Director: Ruben Fleischer 

Starring: Tom Hardy 

MPAA Rating: PG-13-(for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for language) 

Runtime: 2 Hours & 20 Minutes 

Synopsis: Investigative journalist Eddie Brock attempts a comeback following a scandal, but accidentally becomes the host of an alien symbiote that gives him a violent super alter-ego: Venom. Soon, he must rely on his newfound powers to protect the world from a shadowy organisation looking for a symbiote of their own. 

Operation Finale (2018)

In the latter years that followed the "Holocaust", a team of Israeli intelligence agents of the "Mossad" track down one of the living post-war architects of the "Final Solution". Adolf Eichmann, one of Hitler's confidante's, avoided being caught for his crimes and escaped to Buenos Aries, Argentina with his family in hiding. One of the most astounding feats and unfathomable was that he used a fake name to successfully enter the country. It's one of the most thrilling historical films to date. This film is stunning and is a testament of time and justice for the Jewish people.

Director Chris Weitz and writer Matthew Orton craft a vividly captivating film. Weitz who so eloquently creates a stunning biographical narrative with authenticity and finesse that audiences will  truly appreciate the art of this compelling film and its very important role in history. Meanwhile, Orton crafts a screenplay that is filled with tension and relentlessness.

Leading the charge is Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). Isaac plays the leader of the mission, Peter Malkin. Isaac plays Malkin in an intense and emotional take on the hero of the Jewish people. Playing the mastermind behind the mask, is Ben Kingsley (Ghandi). Kingsley plays the war criminal in cunning fashion. He's conniving and an emotional manipulator. His take on Eichmann is one of the best performances in a film with historical purpose.

One of the most effective parts of this film is inclusion of real footage of the mission, trial of Eichmann and the killings during the "Holocaust". Including these important parts makes the film as accurate and real as possible. This can get a little graphic despite its PG-13 rating, but it's as effective if it wasn't included in the film or if it was more detailed to receive an R rating.

Keeping the film more dramatic is composer Alexandre Desplat. Desplat (The King's Speech), makes a score as thrilling and dramatic as the film itself. It's edgy and dramatic to the highest levels.

One of the most daring and courageous of historical events has come to audiences globally. The men and women of the US equivalent to the CIA, Israel's "Mossad", as heroes that stood the test of time and with a race against the clock to capture one of the most notorious men of the Nazi Germany- Hitlerian regime. This film services the Jewish people and the 6 million fallen, justice and peace, which was fought ferociously to obtain. Even for those who aren't personally impact by this tragedy will certainly feel empathy and renewed sense of hope after watching this breathtaking film.

Rate: A 

Director: Chris Weitz 

Starring: Oscar Issac, Ben Kingsley, Joe Alwyn, Nick Kroll, Lior Raz 

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for disturbing thematic content and related violent images, and for some language) 

Runtime: 2 Hours 

Synopsis: Fifteen years after the end of World War II, Israel's intelligence agency Mossad and security agency Shin Bet - led by the tireless and heroic agent Peter Malkin (Isaac) - launched a daring top-secret raid to capture the notorious Eichmann (Kingsley), who had been reported dead in the chaos following Nazi Germany's collapse but was, in fact, living and working in a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina under an assumed identity along with his wife and two sons. Monitoring his daily routine, Malkin and his operatives plot and execute the abduction under the cover of darkness just a few feet from Eichmann's home. Determined to sneak him out of Argentina to stand trial in Israel, Malkin and Eichmann engage in an intense and gripping game of cat-and-mouse.

The Happytime Murders (2018)

It's muppets gone bad. From the son of Jim Henson, comes a downright awful and obnoxious comedy. With  adult comedic films on the rise since 2016's "Sausage Party", it hasn't gotten any better, with the exception of both "Deadpool" films, adult tailored comedic films have been no entertaining experiences. This is perhaps the worst film of the year, in my opinion.

This entire movie is just utterly cringe worthy. Yeah things might seem promising from the surfaces, but this film is just too much for the people working on this film. For director Brian Henson, this film is just putting the legacy of his father right down the crapper. Henson tries too hard to emulate the talents of his father, who unlike his son, has made quality content meant for adults. I give Henson kudos for trying to entertain audiences, but it's just excruciating to watch with it's 90 minute runtime.

The writing on the otherhand, is some of the worst ever in a comedy and is completely lazy. A bit forced at getting reactions from audiences and it fails at being a quality film for a comedy, which puts the comedy film genre to shame and look completely dead.

She could've done better. Funny woman Melissa McCarthy leads this troubled film in a bad and unworthy way. She has more talent than this film recognizes. Alongside her, A blue puppet and Maya Rudolph. This blue puppet is one of the worst parts of this film and Rudolph is just annoying in this film. Suffice to say, this film is a career low for McCarthy and Rudolph, who gave us "Bridesmaids". Such a 360 difference in both films.

Trying to somewhat subdue the film of its disgustingly abhorrent qualities, is composer Christopher Lennertz. He makes a groovy score but it's not enough to make this film better.

Save your money at all costs. This film does have promising looks outside, inside it's just plain nasty. This film is a try-hard and it ultimately fails miserably at being a comedic film. The fact this film was made shows Jim Henson is rolling in his grave.

Photo courtsey of STX Films

Rate: F 

Director: Brian Henson

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Joel McHale, Elizabeth Banks and Maya Rudolph

MPAA Rating: R (for strong crude and sexual content and language throughout, and some drug material)

Runtime: 1 Hour and 31 Minutes 

Synopsis: No Sesame. All Street. THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS is a filthy comedy set in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles where puppets and humans coexist. Two clashing detectives with a shared secret, one human (Melissa McCarthy) and one puppet, are forced to work together again to solve the brutal murders of the former cast of a beloved classic puppet television show.

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

The untold story of a Colorado Police Officer infiltrating the notoriously disgusting "KKK" in the 1970's, is now a deeply powerful and disturbing motion picture. Colorado Springs Police rookie, Ray Stallworth, sets out on an investigation of the local "KKK" chapter. Doesn't that sound crazy? It's an unbelievably gripping take on a very important event in history. This film is rich in craft and has a sometimes excessive political bias. BlacKkKlansman is an authentic and rich true story narrative that aims to show a piece of history that has, not only had an impact on America but a global one as this film is a monumental achievement in both film and society.

Infiltrating the director's chair, is director Spike Lee. Lee offers a film to audiences that is not only a movie of a historical event, but a film on social issues and political ideologies in America. Lee writes the film with edge and sensationalism that is unlike anything ever seen in a film of a historical significance. 

This film offers a cast that is jawdroppingly good. Playing Stallworth is the son of legendary actor Denzel Washington. John David Washington portrays him in a powerful, gripping and memorable performance. It's quite possibly one of the best lead male roles of the year.  Along for the ride, Adam Driver, who isn't only a Star Wars baddie, but a former US Marine. He makes playing Stallworths right hand man like it was easy, given his former occupation.

Co-starring in the film are: Topher Grace (That 70's Show) and Laura Herrier (Spider Man: Homecoming). Herrier and Grace give soulful performances. Grace playing David Duke and Herrier plays a local college student who is the president of the Black Student Union on campus. They give performances that embody the very definition of authentic and true. 

Bringing more edge to the film is the music. Terence Blanchard makes a string filled composition blend in the film and is a big part in the films intensity. 

This film is the kind of film that is spectacular but also hard to stomach, given its strong content- a film with mature and meaningful messages. I applaud Stallworth for his courageous and bold endeavors taking down hate. I also applaud Lee for telling a story that should be witnessed by audiences on a global scale. This film is definitely going to have negative and positive reactions from audiences. It's also a film that makes it the point of conversation amongst those who are old enough to remember this and those that weren't alive or old enough to grasp that this actually happened. This film was meant to be made, especially at a point in time where the film resonates perfectly into present day America and racial issues.  

Photo courtsey of Legendary Pictures

Rate: A- 

Director: Spike Lee 

Starring: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Herrier, Michael Busemi with Ryan Eggold and Topher Grace 

MPAA Rating: R-(for language throughout, including racial epithets, and for disturbing/violent material and some sexual references) 

Synopsis: From visionary filmmaker Spike Lee comes the incredible true story of an American hero. It's the early 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. The young detective soon recruits a more seasoned colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), into the undercover investigation of a lifetime. Together, they team up to take down the extremist hate group as the organization aims to sanitize its violent rhetoric to appeal to the mainstream. Produced by the team behind the Academy-Award (R) winning Get Out.

Runtime: 2 Hours and 15 Minutes