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.
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is the second installment of Marvel films centered around the beloved Sorcerer. Directed by Sam Raimi and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen, this film follows Doctor Stephen Strange as he protects a powerful Multiverse Traveler, America Chavez, from the wrath of Scarlett Witch, aka Wanda Maximoff.
The movie opens with an action sequence only fit for a Marvel production. The opening scene sets the tone for an unforgettable theatrical experience. It was great to see how Sam Raimi’s directorial vision came to life, opening the door and allowing moviegoers to be inside the Multiverse. Fans of Doctor Strange know that he has been seen across many films within the MCU. The Multiverse of Madness was a film that showed how much Doctor Strange has evolved in his role as a leader and magical being. He seems to be quite settled in his life and very confident in his abilities.
This fast-moving thrill ride brings Scarlett Witch to the forefront of being a major villain. Her past trauma from facing Thanos and suffering from losing the alternate reality she created is the foundation of her pain. Scarlett destroys everything and everyone in her path to get what she wants in an attempt to change the past and rewrite her future.
The Multiverse of Madness was a film that brought many theatrical and literary elements together. The visual piece that this movie presented was magical. The plot sequences opened our minds up to the endless possibilities that the human imagination can create and execute. The creatures, monsters, and other mystical entities were a blast to see on the Silver Screen. More questions and theories surfaced while the adventure ran its course. There were elements of horror and classic Sam Raimi representations throughout the film that worked together perfectly like intricate pieces of a puzzle.
The main cast worked very well together. Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen made a great team, while cast members who played America, Wong, Mordo, and Christine created tight chemistry that added to the film’s overall tone. There are a few surprises near the end, and fans should expect to hang back in the theater for two post-credit scenes.
I am looking forward to what the future holds for Doctor Strange. This movie is worth going to see a second time.
Spiderman: No Way Home, directed by Jon Watts and starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Benedict Cumberbatch, picks up right after the events of Far from Home. Spiderman’s identity has been revealed, and he now must suffer the backlash of the world knowing who Peter Parker is. Out of desperation, Peter seeks help from Dr. Strange. Dr. Strange agrees to help, but in that process, the Multiverse is unraveled by a chain reaction of entities that poses a major threat to the current reality. Peter learns the hard way that his actions come with serious consequences despite the good intentions behind them.
Spiderman: No Way Home is packed with action that includes thrilling fight sequences that showcase a physically maturing Spiderman. The special effects are intensely done, and the cinematic elements transport the Marvel fan into Spiderman’s world. The Multiverse concept is blended into this story brilliantly and uniquely displays the creative components of writing. This film was exciting and worth all the time, energy, and funding used to create it. Tom Holland did a great job in his role as Spiderman. Benedict Cumberbatch was excellent as Dr. Strange, and the supporting cast had a beautiful way of projecting their chemistry on camera for all to see.
Spiderman: No Way Home is a must-see movie. I gave this movie five stars.
Halloween Kills, directed by David Gordon Green and starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Anthony Michael Hall, and Andi Matichak, is the sequel to the 2018 film Halloween. The film takes place right after the first film’s events where Laurie Strode and her daughter and granddaughter attempt to trap Michael Myers in a burning home to rid the world and Haddonfield of decades-old trauma and torment.
While Laurie recovers in the hospital, she and her family quickly realize that Michael is still alive as they band together with the local townspeople to help defend and protect each other. This movie was a lot different from the others in the franchise because it mainly focused on a variety of other characters’ perspectives that writers never before explored in the original films, such as Tommy Doyle, Officer Hawkins, and Lonnie Elam. We even see Nurse Marion as she joins the cause to help. However, once again, Michael proves to Haddonfield that he is a force to be reckoned with. Despite the efforts of Laurie and the strong women in her family, the darkness that is Michael Myers is practically impossible to overcome in this case.
Overall, I thought the film was exciting and well done. As a Horror fan and a fan of the Halloween Franchise, it’s just tradition to love a movie that defines the spirit of Halloween. It was good to see a more realistic hospital concept filled with patients and their families considering the deserted concept in the original Halloween sequel all those years ago. However, we’ve seen it all at this point, as police and the people in the town take shots and swings at Michael that have no lasting effect on him. We’ve seen him take out a whole police department and now practically an entire fire department. We’ve seen him throw people out of a window, strangle people in a car, impale people with strange objects, and so on. I’m not sure what the franchise has in store for fans in the future, but it may be time for Michael to retire his mask and for Laurie to enjoy the rest of her days with peace. The special effects and other production elements were done with a clear vision, but aside from the opening credits, the score missed the mark on so many levels. The classic John Carpenter Halloween theme wasn’t touched in a way that allowed fans to connect to the films as done in the past traditionally. I still don’t know how much I like the new story to reflect that Laurie is not Michael’s bother. I’m still processing that idea, and honestly, I may never get over that. This film’s body count is high, and Michael’s comedic and dramatic personality was still the same. Jamie’s performance was thrilling as usual, and the supporting cast brought a unique wave of interest that helped produce a decent flow of the film.
The Walking Dead Season 11 Premiere starring Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohan, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, opened with fans sitting on the edge of their seat. We find Alexandria’s group trying to pick up the pieces of a broken community after the Whispers War. The group tries to move forward as they attempt to search for much-needed food and supplies with the hope of rebuilding everything that they lost. Unfortunately, their new mission takes them into unfamiliar territory within an abandoned military base. In classic TWD style, the group must face a variety of threats, seen and unseen. Daryl leads the group as they work together to tactically maneuver throughout the space in order to gather the materials they need. Things go awry quickly as Daryl suffers from a cut that leads to a chain of events that once again threatens the group’s survival.
Meanwhile, we finally see how things unfold with Eugene, Ezekiel, Princess, and Yumiko as they undergo processing at the Commonwealth Community. With much anticipation, we are introduced to the Comicbook Character Mercer. He has a strong military background and is the head of security of this community. Mercer is very hard to read, but I am looking forward to knowing his on-screen persona. Trust is big here between both Eugene’s group and the leaders of the Commonwealth. Ezekiel and the others attempt to convince Eugene that coming to this community was not a good idea, but by the time he realizes it, it’s too late. Princess reveals that she has some interesting and valuable skills to help the group escape; however, those skills bring Yumiko closer to a family member she thought she once lost.
After Daryl’s group retrieves some food and supplies from the military base, they realize that their food won’t last long. So Maggie proposes that they go on another mission; to return to the community, she went to when she was with Georgie. Maggie states that Meridian has food, water, and supplies to help Alexandria rebuild; however, the Reapers killed everyone and took over the place. Daryl and the majority of the group agree to go on the mission, clearly understanding that it is a considerable risk in many different ways. The group begins their mission, where a host of dangers lurk around. A major storm blocks their path, but Maggie suggests using the subway tunnels to avoid the bad weather. They all agree, but as more dangers strike, Negan feels it is a bad idea to continue. He seems to have a working knowledge of the area; but, since Daryl and other members of the group struggle with trusting Negan, he and Daryl struggle to find common ground. As they continue, Daryl gets separated from the group, and Maggie is put in a situation where she has to lean on Negan for help. Unfortunately, it looks like he ends up betraying Maggie, but looks can be deceiving.
This is the final season of The Walking Dead, and I felt that this was a great start to building a conclusion that will open doors for more storytelling. It was so exciting to see Daryl and Maggie together. Norman’s on-screen presence brings happiness and delight to fans. His demeanor and attitude are the definition of cool. He looks amazing in the opening scene as he overlooks to scan the area below to ensure the group’s safety. Carol’s strength and leadership skills are impressive and have evolved with time. The military set with the lurkers was a great scene. Their positions on the ground and the darkness of the scene was a different type of darkness shown on TWD. The atmosphere was a muddled, cloudy, dusty, desolate environment that doesn’t understand the concept of light. The lurkers appeared to be sleeping, which is something very different we see in this world. When Daryl’s arm is cut, and the blood drops into the eye of the lurker, it starts a chain reaction that awakens the rest of them. This moment reminds me of when Selene awoke Markus in the Underworld films. Remember, they were vampires. This whole place brings up a lot of questions that I hope fans would get answers.
Another major scene in this episode was the subway tunnel that was filled with Walker body bags. This was another dark area that looked cool and scary at the same time. It seems as if those bodies were there from the start, but I hope we are told a good story that explains what happened there and at the military base. Both sets were done with a lot of creativity and consideration of the changing world. The artistry behind the Walking Dead brings fans into the world. This is not just any television show, but it is the greatest show of all time. I suggest watching the episode again in search of Easter eggs. The premiere episode was great in all aspects.
Five stars!!
L.L.
Check out the official trailer below:
As a bonus, check out the official TWD promo song “Who Will You Become.”
Marvel’s Black Widow, directed by Cate Shortland, stars Scarlett Johansson, David Harbour, Florence Pugh, and Rachel Weisz. The film goes deep into Natasha Romanoff’s past as it explores her origin story within the MCU. The events pick up between the events from Captain America Civil War and the start of Infinity War.
In this film, there are many questions about Romanoff that are answered. First, we are introduced to members of her family. We also were able to look at how her involvement as a spy/assassin has impacted the relationship she has with her family. It is very evident to see the deep-rooted emotional scars that Romanoff carries throughout the franchise films, but now we understand why.
What is nice about this film is that the director, writers, and Scarlett do an excellent job at creating and showing multiple layers of Romanoff that we have seen before while still allowing the audience to explore this character in a brand-new way without losing any depth to her.
Overall, the film was great but also very fresh. The chemistry between Romanoff and her family was tight. I loved the little comedy added into the script and enjoyed the detailed and elaborate action and fight sequences. The movie flowed well, and I had no issue with the length of it. Florence, David, and Rachel did a great job bringing their characters to life. Their performances added more thrill to the film. Scarlett did a fantastic job with her overall performance, and the storytelling process made us fully understand her character in a newfound way.
This movie is worth seeing multiple times. I gave this film five stars!
Wonder Woman 1984, directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot and Kristen Wiig is the second installment in the Wonder Woman Film Franchise. This film focuses on how Diana tries to deal with the devesting loss of her one true love, Steve Trevor, while she attempts to find balance in other aspects of her life. As Diana faces her grief, she encounters a darkness that is unleashed upon the world that threatens humanity’s survival. Diana’s choices and the choices that others make around her have a domino effect upon Diana.
Warning: Spoilers Below:
I must say that Gal Gadot is an amazing actress and I love her in her role as Wonder Woman. Kristen Wiig, as Barbara Minerva, did a fantastic job playing the female antagonist. Both women were great in this film. They had a lot of great scenes together and had great chemistry.
The main problem with this film was the overall storyline and score: The writing was so disconnected from the time, and the story did not cohesively connect to Diana. The opening scene takes place in a Mall, and I felt like Wonder Woman taking on a mall robbery was more appropriate for Spiderman (excuse the Universe crossover) but Wonder Woman in a mall saving people is beneath her and her abilities.)
The whole concept centered around Max Lord could have been done in a more creative and balanced manner. I liked Pedro Pascal as the villain, but the idea of him consuming the powers of an ancient stone could have turned into one of the greatest superhero good versus evil concepts ever written. The movie fell so flat on so many levels with the writing aspect. I also felt that the directing was a bit disconnected. When people watch this film, or at least when I anticipated watching this film, I came in with the same high expectations that the first Wonder Women film and the Justice League films created and delivered.
I must admit that I was disappointed.
If you are going to put a year in the title of a film, then you better be prepared to present aspects of score and cinematography in a way that transports your audience to that time. The mall scene looked like a mall from the ’80s but I can’t recall any other important components that would bring me to that time. As an 80’s kid, I wanted to feel those happy feelings and see those sights that would bring me back there. This film missed the mark big time, especially with the music. The music in a movie is responsible for the entire mood of a movie. It brings emotions, magic, connections; it is the last puzzle that connects all the other pieces together and unfortunately WW84 did not deliver that.
I have mixed feelings about the fashion. Gal and Kristen’s costumes were amazing! I loved everything that was presented in the film with those two. Even Steven Trevor’s costumes looked good, (they did try too hard with his wardrobe changes. I even loved Diana’s armor. I just had a problem with the fact that Diana should have had that armor when she and her Justice League colleagues battled Steppenwolf. The use of the armor did not seem to fit the situation she was in.
Overall, I gave this movie three stars for my loyalty to Gal and the Wonder Woman Franchise. It’s worth watching since WW3 is in the works, as well as additional Justice League Franchise films. I just hope that they upgrade their writing team for the future.
Bill and Ted Face the Music, directed by Dean Parisot and starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, picks up over twenty years after the events that took place during the Battle of Bands. Bill and Ted, married with adult children, still find themselves struggling to make their musical dreams come true while still hanging on to their unfilled destiny to save the world with a song that is intended to realign the Universe. As they try to fulfill their destiny and attempt to save their marriages, Bill and Ted are recruited by Rufus’ Daughter, played by Kristen Schaal, to come up with the Universe saving song in just a few hours. Bill and Ted accept the mission and quickly head off in their iconic Phone Booth time machine to travel into the future to get the song they wrote. Meanwhile, Bill and Ted’s daughters set off on their own adventure to help gather important historical figures to create a brand-new band for their fathers.
Overall, Bill and Ted Face the Music is a great movie. The flow and tone of the film had a sweet familiarity that fans will appreciate and love. The reprisal of the original cast was refreshing to see; characters such as Missy, Deacon, Death, and Sargent Logan. The addition of Bill and Ted’s daughters added a refreshing take to the franchise while giving them their own special moments to share. (I got the feeling that Bill and Ted were passing the torch.) Most of all, it was amazing to see the Holographic Image of Rufus played by the late and talented George Carlin. The emotions flowed when he came across the screen, and Bill and Ted acknowledged him tenderly.
The story was presented fluidly, while it answered some questions and tied some storyline loose ends. Some new characters were introduced, and the addition of Robot, played by Anthony Carrigan, brought the concept of “feel-good comedy” into the film. The scenes and visual effects brought the movie franchise into the 21st century, and Alex and Keanu’s performances were classic and magical. My only disappointment was the music within the film. I felt like there weren’t any staple musical performances within the soundtrack that added to the elegance that the first two Bill and Ted movies brought. I know that music plays a significant role in films, especially with Bill and Ted, but it is not a total loss. Just seeing Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter on screen together is worth it. Their on-screen chemistry displayed a connection as if the adventures of Bill and Ted never stopped. This movie will add to their legendary status.
I really liked this film and gave it four stars for good theatrical fun.
Marvel’s, Avengers: Endgame directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and starring an all-star cast continues the saga of the tragic aftermath of how a once thriving Universe attempts to survive the events of Infinity War. This movie was more than an epic adventure. It was a riveting odyssey that had many defining moments that changed the way we look at life, face tribulations, and connect to each other through the meaning of love and sacrifice.
Endgame is probably the best movie I’ve ever seen. The blending of each character’s storyline and how they each connect was absolutely amazing. After Thanos destroyed more than half of the Universe, the remaining Avengers spend years trying to think of ideas that will help to undo his actions. Before seeing Infinity War, I predicted the method in which these Superheros would try to destroy Thanos, and I was right. Without giving too much away, I will say that time travel plays a major part in this villain’s demise.
Each one of the Avengers deals with the heartbreak, loss, grief, and guilt over the situation in their own way. They each find it difficult to pick up the pieces of life and move on. There really is no moving on in this situation.
The Avengers do their best to execute their plan, while Thanos continues to relish in his victory always staying one step ahead of the Superheroes.
This movie is beyond anything I could imagine for this realm of cinema. Every element worked. The writing is strong, and each character complemented each other. The onscreen chemistry and presence within the cast are immense. The connection they make with the audience transcends every heroic and love story ever told. The special effects were great. The emotional energy that this movie has will impact how you see the characters and comprehend the story; it will forever impact your life as a fan of the Marvel universe.
Avengers: Endgame is worth seeing multiple times. This an unforgettable Blockbuster movie that deserves 5 stars.
The Journey of Rick Grimes all started with him being an average husband, father and Georgia Sheriff Deputy as he went out into the field to serve and protect the citizens of King County. He and his partner Shane answered a routine call to track down a perp in a stolen car. As Rick and Shane engage in attempting to subdue him a shootout erupts, and Rick is Shot in the process. This injury would change the normal path that Rick pursued while putting him in a coma for at least 6 months. When Rick awakens, he finds himself in a hospital bed hooked up to an IV and machines that are no longer working. As he manages to make sense of what’s happening, he realizes that the hospital has been abandoned for some time. He stumbles upon a set of double doors and written on the outside is “Don’t Open Dead Inside.” Unaware of what that really means, Rick manages to get out of the hospital. His first instinct is to locate his wife and son. He sets out on foot to his neighborhood and then his house only to find out the Lori and Carl are not there. Rick tries to convince himself that what he is experiencing is not real but things get worse as he continues to discover the truth. As Rick tries to gather himself outside of his home, he is knocked in the head by a stranger that would later become a friend along the journey.
Morgan Jones helps Rick and explains to him what is happening. Rick stressed the importance of how he must find his family immediately. Rick then takes Morgan and his son Duane with him to the local sheriff station where he arms himself with ammunition and other supplies. Morgan Duane and Rick eventually go their separate ways but Morgan and Rick attempt to continue to keep the lines of communication open on a walkie-talkie. Rick soon finds himself among the ruins of a once and vibrant city of Atlanta. It is there where he meets Glenn Rhee and a group of local survivors. The relationship bond begins to form as they take Rick back to a so-called safe haven which is a camp in the woods not far from Atlanta. It is there where he is unexpectedly reunited with his wife Lori and his son Carl as well as his best friend and partner Shane.
From there on, Rick’s Journey turns him into a Hero and a Leader. The group he encounters from Atlanta follows him to the CDC as he searches for answers to what this thing is and why the world has fallen apart. From the devastation of the events at the CDC, Rick leads the group to a quaint little farm which stems from the events of his son Carl being shot accidentally. The trip to the farm leads to loss but also to a road of remarkable strength. Once the farm fades and is overrun by Walkers. Rick must now face the Zombie Apocalypse with a pregnant Lori while Carl is on the mend from his gunshot. Broken by the separation of the group, Rick finds solace in the wisdom of Hershel as he soon finds himself back reunited with his family and friends. They set off to find a more secure place as they are on the road for the majority of Lori’s pregnancy. Rick finds the prison and makes an attempt to create a safe haven for his family and the people around him. After they begin to settle in, and Rick finds the will to manage the issues at the prison, he ends up dealing with the unexpected death of his wife as well as the birth of a little girl that he later realizes is not his biological daughter. He is riddled with grief and regret over his attitude with Lori. He goes into a depressed state but eventually comes out of it. He runs into the Woodbury leader, The Governor and with much determination faces off with him. After the Governor is subdued, the group is out on the road again. Separated again, Rick, Carl, and Michone set off to a place called Terminus. Lead into another trap where killers, psychos, and cannibals dwell. Rick reunites with everyone and meets some new friends along the way, as they work together to take down the people of Terminus. The road is filled with many threats, seen and unseen. As the group gathers themselves in search of a new place. Rick and the group run into a man named Aaron where he brings the group to Alexandria. This is the place where he begins to build his life up again until he realizes that Deanna, the first leader of Alexandria made a deal with the Saviors. Obligated to continue the deal to keep people safe, Rick finds himself in an uncompromising position until he discovers his spark to fight back again. Death is on the rise among some of Rick’s closest friends. He is later faced with another brush with death as Carl is killed and comes to grips that the war against Negan and the saviors are the only way to survive the world. The war is won but as time passes Rick takes on some of Morgan’s “all life is precious” sayings as he spares Negan’s life. Rick spends his time rebuilding civilization with Michone and the others.
Rick has dealt with unspeakable violence, by witnessing the dead walk the Earth. By losing his wife, and so many people that he has cared for including losing his only son Carl. By being attacked, traded, by maniacs, Wolves, cannibals, psychopaths and other bloodthirsty villains. Rick has survived, persevered and been determined throughout his journey. I can’t imagine what life is going to be like without him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a strong character as Rick. Now as he has entered another trial and tribulation period in his life, we must step back and think is this really the end? Now we know the answer is no. After everything that has happened with his new injury, We know that Jadis helped him to survive. Rick Grimes has evolved into a superhero. All superheroes have a weakness, but superheroes don’t die. Even Superman came back from the dead, and I must say that Rick is TWD’s Superman. He will forever be deemed as television’s greatest man turned superhero. Rick will always be loved and always be part of The Walking Dead. Rick Grimes will forever be loved and adored. Thanks Andy!!!
The World According to LaTaeya 