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Posts Tagged ‘Author Lataeya Lane movie reviews’

Black Phone 2 (Review)

Posted in New Movie reviews, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 19, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Black Phone 2, directed by Scott Derrickson (Black Phone, 2021) and Starring Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeline McGraw and Jeremy Davies, follows brother Finn and sister, Gwen, after surviving a terrifying kidnapping.


A mind-bending psychological and supernatural thriller. The film’s edgy energy presented something classic and unique. Now 17, Finn (Thames) is struggling with the emotional scars and impact that (The Grabber), portrayed by (Hawke), has had on his life. Unable to shake off the dark and traumatic experience, Finn has changed, using those experiences as a means to protect himself.
Meanwhile, his sister Gwen (McGraw) is struggling with her special abilities as her dreams become more vivid and her power grows stronger within each dream. After a very disturbing dream, Gwen’s abilities force her and Finn to follow a lead connecting their past to a series of unsolved murders at a Winter Christian camp in the mountains.

The Black Phone becomes the key, while Gwen’s dreams become the door through which The Grabber can penetrate. The evolution of Finn and Gwen’s story is built on solid character development. Both present a vulnerability that connects resilience, pain, love, hope, and faith into a force that is capable of bringing evil to its knees. This film was a great horror that was well written and visually composed of many frightening elements that blended reality and the supernatural, creating a marriage between the two. Thames and McGraw’s chemistry as brother and sister balances well with their personalities. At the same time, Ethan Hawke’s hauntingly dark portrayal of the evil antagonist brings out an emotional rawness that further enhances the development of Finn and Gwen.


The music throughout the film took us back to the 80s, shaping the mood and atmosphere of this cinematic world. The special effects were scary, realistic, and visually stomach-churning at times, and grossly entertaining.


I gave Black Phone 2 (5)stars for an exciting, fun time!
Watch the trailer below.

Check me out having a little fun at the Black Phone 2 experience at New York City’s Comic Con NYCC2025!

The Black Phone 2 experience at New York City’s Comic Con NYCC2025.

Happy Halloween Season!!!

L.L.

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From the World of John Wick: Ballerina Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 9, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, directed by Len Wiseman and starring Ana de Armas as Eve, Keanu Reeves as John Wick, and Norman Reedus as Daniel Pine, follows a young girl brought into the world of the High Table as she hunts for the people responsible for her father’s death.

A riveting storyline, compelling action, and fight scenes; Ballerina takes place between the previous films John Wick 3 and 4. The director does a great job of simultaneously interweaving the stories of Eve and John Wick.

The writing offers a detailed examination of the John Wick universe from a completely different perspective. We get to see deeper into the world how the mark impacts their lives, as well as how living an everyday life is out of the question.

Overall, Ballerina was fire in every sense of the word.  Armes presented an awe-inspiring presence on screen. The thoughtfulness and sheer nature of her personality were magical.  Her fighting style created an energy of fluidity and precision, while the supporting cast held the story together.

The special effects were remarkably realistic, while the score delivered a tone befitting the John Wick universe.

It was terrific to see Keanu grace the silver screen in the role of Legendary John Wick. Norman Reedus presented an impactful role that delivered a great addition to the cast.

This film is must-see. I gave this movie 5 stars.

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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A Quiet Place: Day One Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Warning mild spoilers below:

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.

I gave this film 5 stars!

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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The Watchers Review

Posted in New Movie reviews, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Warning Mild Spoilers below:

The Watchers, directed by Ishana Shyamalan and starring Dakota Fanning, follows the story of a young artist who travels to a remote location in Ireland to deliver an exotic bird, only to find herself trapped and unable to leave.

Mina, portrayed by Fanning, finds herself among a group of lost travelers as they try to work together to survive the mysterious forests surrounding them. Mina learns that she must follow a specific set of rules while allowing a group of creatures to watch her through a mirrored fortress know as the coop. As the pain of her tragic past surfaces, Mina breaks the rules with another lost traveler, Daniel, portrayed by Oliver Finnegan, in hopes of leaving the dreaded forest. Mina’s plan backfires as she learns that the consequences of her rebellious ways.

Days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months; Mina and the others, Clair, portrayed by Georgina Campbell, and Madeline, portrayed by Olwen Fouѐrѐ, begin to uncover the secrets of the forest and other useful information that helps them understand the history behind the forest, and it’s dark inhabitants.

The Watchers was an interesting film that brought Irish folklore into the modern world. Dakota Fanning’s portrayal of Mina was revealing, complex and relatable. The supporting cast held their own throughout, and the director’s point of view appeared strong while certain visual and story elements echoed classic M, Night Shyamalan.

I thought this was a good movie to see during fall instead of late spring. There were a lot of jump scares, and “things that go bump in the night.” Horror fans will appreciate the mysteriousness and dark energy this film gives. The flow of the film progressed, and the visual elements were magical. The scenes were authentic and transported moviegoers into the realm of fantasy/horror.

I gave this movie 3 and a half stars.

Please check out the trailer below.

L.L.

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Equalizer 3 Review

Posted in New Movie reviews, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 4, 2023| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Mild Spoilers Below:

Equalizer 3, directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning, was a great action-packed film that gave fans everything they wanted in a thrilling Denzel Washington cinematic adventure.

This time, we find our anti-hero assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), on the beautiful banks of Italy as he deals with some unfinished business. That unfinished business leads him on the path of retirement. But before he can actually sit back and relax. He soon finds himself once again protecting the people he loves.

Entangled in a world of the Italian Mob, Robert partners up with CIA Agent Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning) as they work together to bring down the powerful organization that has been constantly terrorizing the citizens of a quaint Italian community.

Equalizer 3 was well-balanced and presented moviegoers with a familiar yet fresh take on character expansion while delivering a tone that ties in trauma, loyalty, and purpose. The story and action sequences were captivating. Denzel’s performance was magnetic; the second he appears on screen, you are drawn to his character. The effects were wild, and the reunion and chemistry between Denzel and Dakota were fantastic. The supporting cast added to the depth of the storytelling process while providing fans with a level of connection that creates an emotional reality based on the understanding that dark times won’t last forever.

This is a must-see action film. The director‘s perspective and the magic of the cinematography connected all the elements to make this movie a spectacular Labor Day weekend Blockbuster.

I gave this movie 5 stars.

Please check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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Knock at the Cabin Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Warning: Mild Spoilers

Knock at the Cabin, directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Dave Bautista, Johnathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Kristen Cui, and Rupert Grint, tells the story of a family vacationing in a remote cabin when their trip turns into a deadly hostage situation.

The film opens with thrills and chills as we see a young Wen, portrayed by the talented Kristen Cui catching grasshoppers when suddenly a stranger approaches and attempts to befriend her. The child’s innocent nature is cautiously aware as she engages with the man. However, she is quickly alarmed by his intentions and retreats inside the cabin to tell her parents something is wrong.

The sound of a mysterious knock on the front door begins a chain of events that will change each character’s life.

Knock at the Cabin is a fascinating and thrilling film that will get the moviegoer to think about the fate of humanity and will challenge most people’s beliefs. Horror fans have seen elements of this type of movie before. The difference between this film and many others within the genre is that the definition and meaning of sacrifice are scarier than people realize. You can’t help but feel empathy and compassion for the family as they endure the brutality of their life-altering experience.

The Protagonists in the film were a good casting match. The chemistry they shared on-screen worked well and felt authentic. Kristen was the star of this film. She did a great job with her character portrayal and was a memorable presence on screen.

The Antagonists in the film were four individuals whose only connection was the event they set in motion. Their on-screen relationships and back story reflected their lack of connection. The lead antagonist, Lenard, portrayed by Dave Bautista, had several layers to his character. He had the most connection with Wen, as their interactions were powerful yet demanding.

The film concept created a space for deeper thinking and questioning the possibility of “what if.”

Overall, this film was thrilling and worth a trip to the movies.

I gave this movie 3 stars.

L.L.

Check out the trailer below:

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Nope (Review)

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 25, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Warning: Mild Spoilers Below

Nope, written and directed by Jordan Peele and starring Daniel Kaluuya (OJ Haywood), Keke Palmer (Emerald Haywood), and Steven Yeun (Ricky Park) follows a family and small California Ranch community as they experience and attempt to document a series of strange phenomena linked to an extraterrestrial probe that is connected to the sudden death of siblings OJ and Emerald’s father.

This Sci-Fi Horror is the summer blockbuster of the year. It was so exciting to experience this film in IMAX. For fans that believe in the Ancient Alien Astronaut Theory, this is the film we have been waiting years to see. The story was very well written and uniquely presented.  Filled with subject matter that Sci-Fi moviegoers are familiar with, however, the level at which this was brought to life was moving, and eye-catching. Daniel’s character performance showed a humbled strength that transformed and elevated every scene. Keke’s performance created a balance among the onscreen family dynamic and Steven Yeun’s character portrayal (Ricky Park) gave filmgoers the invitation to think and ask deep questions about the character’s traumatic past while connecting the elements of his story with the story of OJ and Emerald. The elements of horror were prevalent in certain parts of the film. There are some scary moments that will make you almost jump out of your seat.

The setting was structured well, and the plot had a special backstory intertwined within that gave fans an acknowledgment of great respect. The film’s visual effects and score were magical. All the components were blended to create a cinematic masterpiece. Nope is a movie that will open the door to a world of possibilities.  It is a great film that will give you the means to live in the moment while escaping into a world where the existence of aliens is no longer a secret conversation, and their presence is no longer part of the dark shadows of conspiracy theories. Nope…

I gave this movie 5 stars! It is worth seeing again..

L.L.

Please check out the trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs1HA1rBdGI

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SpiderMan Far From Home Movie Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, New Movie reviews, Reviews, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 11, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Marvel’s Spiderman Far From Home, starring Tom Holland and Jake Gyllenhaal tells the story of how a young Peter Parker and the world learns how to pick up the pieces of life without Ironman aka Tony Stark. Eager to go on a class trip to Europe, Peter plans to start living a normal life and finally decides to tell Mary Jane how he feels in hopes of inviting her to a romantic evening at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. His plans are quickly interrupted when he learns an evil villain has manifested halfway across the world to get Spiderman’s attention. Despite Peter’s efforts to ignore his calling from the legendary Nick Fury, Peter believes there is no chance to resurrect the once and thriving Avengers. A message sent by Tony put’s Peter’s life back in perspective, only for him to once again realize that it is still in his destiny to carry on Tony’s Heroic Legacy.

Spiderman Far From Home is an adventure thrill ride that brings forth the dawn of a new age of the Marvel comic films, while respectively giving fans closure for the loss of Ironman. It honors his heroism while still giving Spiderman the recognition he deserves to step in to be one of the sincerest heroes ever brought to life. The cast was great, and this movie returned the cinematic form of Spiderman into the beloved character we have loved in the comics for decades. Tom is a great Spiderman; this role was meant for him. Spiderman Far From Home is a great Midsummer Blockbuster film that fans will love. The humor, action, and the introduction of Mysterio was a breath of fresh air to the franchise.

I give this movie 5 stars, a rating that is deserving of a 21st century Marvel film.

L.L.

Check out the Trailer Below:

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The Cabin in the Woods Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 15, 2012| Leave a Comment »

 The Lionsgate production, The Cabin in the Woods directed by Drew Goddard and starring a cast of relative unknowns follows a group of five college kids on a trip.  The kids intent for a fun weekend filled with booze, sex and drug usage is cut short when two of them are attacked during a moment when they believe they are alone.  Attacked by flesh-eating zombies, their traumatic ordeal and experiences in the cabin are being filmed in real-time.  Every step they make is monitored and controlled by some kind of high functioning underground operation.   From the very beginning,  starting with their encounter with the stranger on the road, to the discovery of a torture chamber in the basement,  and the moment leading up to the initial attack prompts the movie to go  in so many different directions.  The movie simultaneously follows what is happening to the college kids and the adults responsible for their demise.  Strangely they take up bets, and route for their favorite.  In the end no one is to survive this experience.

After running and making attempts to protect and save themselves the kids die one by one with only  two to survive.  Dana and Marty aka the virgin and the fool end up underground in the official facility that has control over everything.  They learn that for some reason they are ones that have to die, in order to save the world from destruction.  At this point this is where the movie looses me completely.  The Sci Fi horror legend Sigourney Weaver makes a cameo appearance in the movie as The Director of the Facility.  She explains that their purpose is to offer up human blood to satisfy the gods, in order to save humanity.  Dana is then given the opportunity to rid the world of the fool so that the world has a chance to survive.

The hour and thirty minute flick is fast-moving but really does not stir anything in me.  The movie does keep you interested because the question of knowing who, why, how and when is always on your brain.  There were elements of 13 Ghosts, infused with Hostel, Stay Alive and Silent Hill in this movie.   The movie’s horror  intention was lost in its interpretation, even though there were some scary parts.  This movie was very hard to follow at times.  The acting was not impressive but the special effects and creature designs were very cool.  The make up effects for the zombies was also very interesting.  They didn’t appear to look like the traditional zombie but more, like a hybrid demonic creature with elements of  the classic zombie.  It was a refreshing twist on the creature.

Overall I give this movie three stars for cinematic effort and the attempts to being unique in its concept.

Happy Reading, Writing, and Creating!!

L.L.

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