Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler (Black Panther) and starring Michael B. Jordan, (Creed) Wunmi Mosaku,(Deadpool & Wolverine) and Hailee Steinfeld, (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), tells the story of twin brothers Smoke and Stack (played by Jordan) who open a local Juke Joint only to find that their dreams of being Black Business owners in the Jim Crow South are not what they hoped for.
From Dusk Till Dawn meets John Carpenter’s Vampires; this movie lifts the veil between supernatural and reality. This horror story reveals and exposes the history and traditions of African Americans in a time when fighting for the liberties of black people created a never-ending energy of a deep-rooted strength uniquely displayed within the characters.
Sinners is a film that horror fans will love. The cast was engaging and energetic. The musical elements added depth and culture to the story, while the cast was connected and brought a freshness to the screen.
The creature design was done well, and the special effects and sound added to the historical horror’s nature.
A Working Man, directed by David Ayer (End of Watch Producer) and starring Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, (Prime Target) Michael Pena, (Antman) David Harbour,(Stranger Things) and Arianna Rivas,(The Harvest) tells the story of an Royal Marine Officer, Levon Cade (Statham, The Beekeeper), turned Construction Worker, as he helps to find his boss’s daughter after she becomes the victim of a human trafficking ring.
Cade risks it all as he uses his Military skills to follow clues, which leads him into the trenches of an underground world that few people would dare to touch. It doesn’t take him long to get to the top as he takes down his enemies, carving out a path of destruction to save a girl who is like a family member.
A Working Man is an action-packed thrill ride that will not disappoint. This fast-paced flick will have you on the edge of your seat. The story itself is something we have seen before. However, the energy and fluidity of the characters involved were exciting. The storyline is strong and well-developed, while the main character is a complex yet vulnerable individual with heart and depth. The fight sequences were impressive, and the fashion represented by the group of antagonists was noteworthy.
This movie was a lot of fun and a must-see for action fans.
Captain America: Brave New World, directed by Julius Onah and starring Anthony Mackie (Wilson), Harrison Ford (President Ross), and Danny Ramirez (Torres), is the first major standalone film with Sam Wilson at the helm as Captain America. With Steve Roger’s passing on the Shield, Sam finds himself entangled in a world close to the President as the American government attempts to repair the fractured fragments of a society recovering from the global catastrophe caused by Thanos. Despite the efforts of the Avengers, a new terrorist rises to wreak havoc as Captain America is marked as the primary target.
President Ross proposes reestablishing the Avengers with the hope of making America and the world safer. Sam is unsure how to process this request. However, he teams up with sick kick Torres (played by Ramirez) to neutralize multiple threats, including President Ross.
This Captain America film was a great introduction to Marvel‘s Phase 5. The storytelling was on point and provided a nice continuation of the events in The Hulk and its sequel, The Incredible Hulk. Harrison Ford as President Ross was legendary, and the supporting cast added to the action-packed adventure. The special effects were amazing, and the action scenes, along with the fight sequences, were spectacular. The blending of Captain America and Falcon was done with creative grace, while Anthony Mackie’s portrayal of the hero was thrilling to see on screen. The sheer athleticism that Mackie demonstrates is worthy of this level within the Marvel Universe, and it is clearly evident that the franchise is in no way ready to fizzle out. The fire is still blazing, and Marvel is still hailed as number 1, in my opinion.
This movie is a must-see. Marvel fans will have a blast!
The Wolfman, directed by Leigh Whannell and starring Julia Gardner (Ozark), Christopher Abbott (Kraven The Hunter), and Matilda Firth (Disenchanted), follows a family as they travel to the remote mountains in Oregon to Blake’s childhood home to pack up his father’s things after being declared deceased.
The moment Blake reaches his family estate, things go bad as the family suffers from a terrible accident, leaving Blake with an injury that he is unable to recover from.
The situation continues to spiral out of control as Charlotte (Garner) and their daughter Ginger (Firth) try to help Blake while attempting to make sense of their current circumstances.
Overall, this was a pretty good movie. The storyline was interesting and presented a nice backstory into the past of our antagonist. The balance between Blake’s humanity and his relationship with the monster within created an internal struggle that was projected beautifully on screen.
Charlotte’s character is strong yet flawed. The fast-paced horror film did not disappoint, as its structure had many classic elements interwoven within. However, the creature design for the Wolfman did miss the mark for me. Parts of the character’s transformation reminded me of Seth Brundle from 1986’s The Fly. The concept of Blake living between human and wolf was conveyed, but I was hoping to see more elements of the wolf transpire.
The special effects were solid, and the film was thrilling in many ways.
Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers and starring Bill Skarsgard (Count Orlok), Nicholas Hoult (Thomas Hunter), Lilly-Rose Depp (Ellen Hunter), and Willem Dafoe (Albin Eberhart von Franz), is a dark tale that follows a mystical young woman haunted by the dark forces of an evil creature as he attempts to possess her heart and mind.
This version of the 1922 horror remake created a level of cinematic depth that opened the moviegoer to a realm of dark creativity. The world-building was authentic and pulled viewers in like a magnet. The story, loosely based on Dracula, was well written and presented an interesting connection between Emma and Count Orlok. The film explores deeper supernatural elements within the 1800s that deliver a timeless notion between religious beliefs and the belief in Science. All of which push the boundaries of the characters involved.
Nosferatu was well done; Bill Skarsgard’s portrayal of The Count created a captivating performance. However, I was a bit disappointed over the Character’s esthetic. The creature design fell short for me. I wanted the Character to look more like the original gangly vampire, with the large piercing eyes, oval-shaped head, and pointed elven ears, all elements that make Max Schreck’s original so memorable. Despite this design oversight, Skarsgard did a fantastic job bringing the creature back to life uniquely. Lilly-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult did a nice job intertwining their characters. The closeness they shared through their distance was another piece that made the story work so well. The costume designs were fabulous and added personality to the development of the characters. The Gothic nature of this film created a whimsical horror fantasy that will make fans of the genre appreciate the film’s intention.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton, Winona Rider, Cathrine O’Hara, William Dafoe, and Jenny Ortega, follows the story of Spiritual Medium and Paranormal Investigator Lydia Deetz as she deals with her father’s death, which opens the door to a past of unfinished business with the haunting ghoul Beetlejuice.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was a lot of fun to experience, and it was especially refreshing to explore the Afterlife further through Tim Burton’s lens. With the theme of death at the forefront of the storytelling process, the theme of family and elements of forgiveness, acceptance, and living are interwoven into the tapestry of a great Horror Comedy that is bound to end in a promising trilogy.
The plot is layered with multiple storylines that make the film entertaining and engaging from the very start. The special effects, costume design, and creature design create a captivating allure that only Tim Burton could deliver. Michael Keaton’s performance as Beetlejuice was comedy gold that brought me back to that 80s kid.
Winona Rider’s complex character gave way to an even deeper persona that presented a softer and more elevated side to her character. The addition of Astrid, portrayed by Jenny Ortega, created a rich family extension. Cathrine O’Hara did a great job reprising her role as the family matriarch while maintaining the spotlight and evolving her part in the story. The supporting cast kept the plot going in a fun way, while all the other components, including the score, added to the film in a meaningful way.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the perfect film to kick off the Halloween movie season. It’s great fun for the family and has lots of laughs, thrills, and chills. I gave this film 5 stars.
Alien Romulus, directed by Fede Alvarez, produced by Ridley Scott, and starring Cailee Spaney as Rain, David Johnson as Andy, and Archie Renaux as Tyler, was a horror thrill ride that took franchise fans on a journey to space and beyond.
Following events after Alien (1979), This film follows a group of space columnists searching for a better life. To return to their home planet, they plan to obtain a cryostasis chamber to put them to sleep for their journey. They board an abandoned space probe only to learn something terrible happened to the crew.
As the space columnists explore the ship further, they soon realize that they have boarded the nesting place of an otherworldly creature with only one mission: to destroy anything and everything in its path.
Alien Romulus is the seventh film in the franchise. The movie blended fresh with familiarity within the elements of storytelling and cinematography. The visual effects and structure of the film were stunningly impressive, while the acting and character delivery provided layers of emotional depth and vulnerability. The directing was spot on, and the overall film provided the horror that fans anticipated. This movie was exciting and a lot of fun. I recommend this to any horror fan or franchise devotee.
A Quiet Place: Day One, starring Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, and Djimon Hounsou and directed by Michael Sarnoski (Pig), takes place at the beginning of a major extraterrestrial invasion in the heart of New York City.
Terminally ill Samira, portrayed by Nyong’o (Us), is a poet living on borrowed time as she attempts to manage her Day-to-day life while creeping closer to her death. A routine day trip to a Marionette show in the city soon becomes a fight to survive as the city becomes utterly unhinged with chaos and destruction. While seeking refuge with other patients and a nurse on the trip, the will to survive suddenly becomes a journey to get Pizza from Patsy’s in Harlem. With her emotional support feline in tow, Samira meets a man named Henri, portrayed by Hounsou (Blood Diamond), who helps her learn how to move among the aliens undetected.
Surrounded by death and loss, Samira finds herself trapped in a tight situation; her feline companion comes to the rescue as he finds someone who can bring her to safety. Eric, portrayed by Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things), helps Samira by bringing her to safety and helping her get the medication she needs. Together, they set off to get Pizza in a world on the verge of ruin.
This film was exciting, packed with explosions, jump scares, thrills, and, most importantly, an emotional energy that radiated off the screen and into the hearts of moviegoers. Lupita’s performance not only delivered but also made such a deep connection between her character and co-star, Quinn, in such a profound way that it brought Samira and Eric together so quickly. It shows that despite the lack of dialog within the film, two actors can carry a movie without much conversation. Strangers can grow to care for one another in a way that impacts their lives beyond their shared traumatic experiences. This film gave me vibes from The Last Us, Alien, and Cloverfield.
A Quiet Place: Day One was deeply moving; the cast, cinematic view, score, and visual effects created an experience only the theater could bring.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, starring Kevin Durand as Proximus Caeser (Abigal), Owen Teague as (Noa) (It Chapter 2), Freya Allan as (Mae) (The Witcher) and directed by Wes Ball (The Maze Runner 2014), takes place generations after the death of Caesar, the Leader of the original ape rebellion.
In a future world where Apes are supreme while humanity dwells as a minority within the shadows of the earth, the adventure begins with a young Ape named Noa. Noa strives to be part of the group as he embarks upon a journey to take part in a cultural ritual to obtain an eagle egg to raise it within his clan. His journey to be among his clan eventually propels him to be marked as a leader. As the world moves into the future, we see a variety of ape clans and civilizations strive to fight for survival, rule, freedom, and peace.
Noa and his eagle clan family are on the verge of captivity by fellow apes; meanwhile, he and his companion (Raka) stumble upon a human (Mae) who has an agenda of her own to bring the world of human dominion back from the grave.
The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was a cinematic adventure that brought all the elements of past franchise films into full swing. The world of the Apes was truly a sight to behold. The cinematic environment powerfully depicted how the earth has evolved from human expansion. The creativity behind the climate was a magical experience as I had a deeper appreciation and understanding of how fragile our earthly environment is. For this movie to only be carried by one or two “humans,” I must say that the storytelling process delivered as it drew me into the world and the characters within. The special effects were believable and done with grace and accuracy, the score added to the film, and the movie’s overall tone moved the franchise into a new realm of story while still staying true to the overall legacy of Caesar’s reign.
This movie was enjoyable. I gave this film four stars for the thrill, special effects, and adventure.
TWD: The Ones Who Live was an epic ending to an epic love story.
Rick and Michonne head back to the CRM to obtain the dossier and to sabotage the Echelon Briefing. Each is responsible for their mission. Determined to return home, Rick is fueled with the hope of what he once was as he embarks on getting into the CRM to change things from the inside.
As their journey expands and their personalities shift into more complex individuals, we can still see the Rick and Michonne that we fell in love with in previous seasons of The Walking Dead.
Rick and Michonne overcome many obstacles throughout their journey while closing in on their most significant victory. The power couple beats all the odds to complete their mission. Rick nervously embraces his new lease on life and quickly reconnects with the people he loves.
The Ones Who Live intensely focused on Rick’s trauma and the CRM’s position and purpose in society. Michonne’s journey is centered on her love for Rick, who created a force of nature to change their world and the world beyond them.
The Ones Who Live was a masterpiece, as it continued to tell the whole story of Rick Grimes. Starting from the day he was shot and woke up from a coma, Rick’s intent to “find his family” and protect them has been at the forefront of his arc. Rick’s journey has led him to find his family and “focus on the future.” Rick’s desire to “thrive and fortify” will forever be etched into the astounding theme that love conquers all, and love is what makes people thrive and fortify. Rick has been through many trials and tribulations, but the one thing that has gotten him through is the love he shared with Michonne and his love for all the people who have come and gone throughout this time. Since Morgan saved him, Rick’s life has been shaped by each person who has played a role in his story.
Rick was born to lead.
Leadership is part of Rick’s DNA. As a Sheriff’s Deputy, the Leader of the Survivors, the town Leader of Alexandria, and a sergeant of the CRM, we see how much Rick’s Leadership has evolved. Rick’s personality is complex yet gentle. He is also edgy, determined, fierce, powerful, haunted, broken, hurtful, doubtful, and hopeful. He is a character who will heal from his pain but will always be a powerhouse in the world of The Walking Dead.
The last episode of Ones Who Live was a stunning example of how Rick’s story of survival can and will continue to live in the hearts of The Walking Dead Fandom. I’m still hoping for season 2 where we see Rick rebuild his life and reunite with Morgan, Daryl, Maggie, Carol, Ezekiel, Aaron, and even Negan. There is always more story to tell, and I would be honored to experience it again.
Check out The One’s Who Live on AMC+. Can’t get enough of The Walking Dead? Check out season 2 of Daryl Dixon coming Summer of 2024!
L.L.
Here is a sneak peek of season 2 of Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol:
The World According to LaTaeya 