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Posts Tagged ‘Warner Brothers Films’

The Conjuring: Last Rites (review)

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 7, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

The Conjuring: Last Rites, directed by Michael Chaves (The Nun II) and starring Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do IT), Patrick Wilson (Annabelle Comes Home, and Mia Tomlinson (The Mediator) follows Ed and Lorraine Warren as they face the most impactful paranormal case that would eventually end their careers.

This film starts with a young expecting couple as they encounter a powerful demon on a case that would mark the family for the rest of their lives. In their fight to help and protect a family from the dark entities of a home, things go terribly wrong, and Lorraine goes into labor early.

After the traumatic birth of their daughter, Judy, the Warrens work hard to put their lives back together and move on. Judy has a psychic connection and works to manage her abilities with guidance from Lorraine.  It is not until Judy reaches her full psychic capacity that the entity that marks her returns in connection with a family she is drawn to help.

The story was well-written and presented a new chapter in the Warren world of the paranormal. The franchise has evolved in ways that have expanded the universe while allowing it to grow within the story without any fractures.

The visual and special effects opened the door to imagery, defining the meaning of creativity and imagination. The score was great and took me directly to my 80’ Playlist.

There were plenty of jump scares, creepy thrills, and intense moments invoking the feeling of uncertainty, mystery, and heart-pounding fear.

The new additions to the cast were a continuation of the legacy that the Conjuring Universe already carries. At the same time, the story, visuals, and all the other components are the perfect recipe for a fantastic start to the fall horror season.

The Conjuring: Last Rites is a 5-star Paranormal Adventure that horror fans will love as the final chapter in the Conjuring film Universe.

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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Weapons 2025 Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Weapons directed by Zach Cregger; (Barbarian) and starring Julia Gardner; (Wolfman), Josh Brolin (Avengers Endgame), Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange) and Cary Christopher (Days of Our Lives) follows a teacher Gardner as she deals with the mysterious disappearance of the students in her 3rd grade class.

The film starts with the point of view of Justine as her part of the story displays a very hurt and fractured character. Justine tries to make sense of what happened with the kids while trying to cope in ways that are not healthy.

Weapons takes on an interesting twist as the story changes with every key character involved. This film is more of a physiological horror with haunting imagery and creepy vibes throughout.

The score added to the frightening nature of this film, creating a sense of thrills and chills within the structure of the story.

The characters balance out, each building upon the other while blending depth and complexity.

Overall, this film was enjoyable. The storyline was well-structured, and the jump scares and plot twists were unexpected.  The special effects and elements of gore were visually impactful.

I gave this film 4 out of 5 stars.

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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Final Destination: Bloodlines (Review)

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 18, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Final Destination: Bloodlines, directed by Zack Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, starring Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Tony Todd, and Teo Briones, follows college student Stefani as a recurring nightmare haunts her. Desperate to seek answers, Stefani soon returns home and begins to uncover the secrets of her family history.

Final Destination: Bloodlines is a scary good time, with unexpected twists at every corner.

The story adds a fresh spin on the modern horror classic while exploring the deep connection between the historical elements of established characters.

The death scenes were exciting and uniquely created. They provide a pace of progression that exposes multiple layers of human experience. Each choice and decision relates to one another while adding complexity to the story.

The score was well done, while the special effects presented a hauntingly realistic nature that drew the audience in deeper.

Elements of comedy created balance, while the cast of relative unknowns delivered a sense of cohesiveness that only the FD franchise can generate.

As a horror icon and industry staple, it was amazing to see our beloved Tony Todd one final time as JB. It was great to see how the franchise paid homage to a decades-long story and character.

Overall, FDB is a 5-star horror film that fans of the franchise will get a kick out of.

Check out the trailer below.

L.L.

Check out the trailer below:

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The Accountant 2 Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

The Accountant 2, directed by Gavin O’Connor and starring Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal, is the sequel that follows a genius Assassin as he and his brother team up to solve the murder of a Treasury Secretary.

The film opens with a sketchy situation unfolding as gunfire erupts at a local nightclub.

Affleck (Christian Wolf) and Bernthal (Braxton) make a fantastic team kicking ass as they fight their way to solve the murder and to free children that have been wrongfully held captive.

An Action-packed, witty thrill ride is all that makes this film a fabulous prequel to the Summer Blockbuster season. The chemistry between Affleck and Bernthal is magical.. The fight sequences were impressive, and the score helped to create a thrilling balance within the film.

This is a great, action-packed film.

I gave this movie 5 stars. I am hoping for another sequel.

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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Sinners Movie Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 20, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

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.

This movie is a must-see.

I gave the film Sinners a 5 out of 5!

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

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.

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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Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 19, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Warning: Some Spoilers Below!

by LaTaeya Lane

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, directed by David Yates and starring Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law, continues the story of beloved magizoologist Newt Scamander as he protects one of the Wizarding World’s most delicate magical creatures from the hands of Grindelwald.

The third film in the Fantastic Beasts franchise touched on several storylines. We learned more about Dumbledore’s private life and his struggles while he embraced his role as a future leader of Hogwarts. In the process, we were able to see his power in full force and see how he manages to put the needs of others before his own. This film had a very mature tone while still managing to infuse moments of lightheartedness and triumph.

The introduction of a few new characters only tightened the plot and added to the story’s overall flow. The cast’s chemistry was on point, which created a unique feel that only the Wizarding World could portray. The costume design and classic score added to the mood, while the special effects created that magical atmosphere that all Harry Potter fans adore.

Overall, this was a great film that added to the thrill of an undying franchise. I gave this movie four and a half stars.

L.L.

Check out the trailer below:

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Godzilla vs Kong(2021)Movie Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 9, 2021| Leave a Comment »

WARNING SPOILERS BELOW!

Godzilla versus Kong, directed by Adam Wingard, is a sequel that merges the Godzilla and King Kong story franchises beautifully. A couple of years after a fellow Titan awoke Godzilla, the story takes place as fate and humanity’s influence evolves. Godzilla and Kong battle it out to rein as Supreme. As a new manufactured threat is soon unleashed, Kong and Godzilla realize that they are not enemies but allies. The two team up to defend the Earth and protect the people.

This movie was a great adventure that was a long time coming. It was filled with action, and the merging of both storylines added a lot of depth and complexity to the characters. It is rare to see monsters have such personalities and traits that humans relate to. People usually see typical monsters as entities that are not intelligent and are unreasonable. In this case, these characters’ foundations have such a compelling backstory that adds to the elements that make these characters so unique and memorable.

In the beginning, we see an older, gray Kong that appears to be relishing in peace, as if he is enjoying the first years of retirement. Kong has spent his life protecting others and defending those around him. He was a leader, a Real King. (A new foundational story that could come out in a future film). Godzilla, we see a powerful out of this world entity that does his best to find a space in the world that will accept his uniqueness as he molds the space to adapt to his unique needs. He understands the difference between right and wrong throughout this experience and has more human traits than we realized. 

(I love Millie: shout out to Stranger Things and the entire cast of this film, but it was clear that the stars in the movie were Godzilla and Kong.

The movie gets straight to the point and moves fast, which is excellent. The visual effects were amazing, making the fight scenes intense and an incredible experience to gaze upon the screen. The score and sound effects also added to the home theatrical experience while viewing on HBO Max.

Overall, Godzilla vs. Kong was that classic movie you watched as a kid in the 80’s but with an update that incorporates modern technology with futuristic fantasy elements. This movie is worth a second viewing, and I gave it five stars!

L.L.

Check out the trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odM92ap8_c0

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Batman Vs Superman Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 27, 2016| Leave a Comment »

batman vs superman

Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice was not as bad as most of the reviews claim. Directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck, the movie merges Metropolis and Gotham City in a way that helped to possibly introduce a future that fans of the DC  comic world has been anticipating for years.

Without giving too much away basically Bruce Wayne aka Batman believes that Superman is a major threat to the world and sets off on a personal vendetta to put an end to the extraterrestrial hero. Superman does everything he can to try to clear his name as a killer. His intentions were misunderstood, but no matter what he does to help,the people just can’t fully put their trust in him. In this movie Batman is more of a villain than a hero. Another villain soon surfaces, Lex Luther played by Jesse Eisenberg. Lex does all he can to try to destroy Superman once he gets his hands on Kryptonite.

Some interesting characters make an appearance like, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg, which I think will set the stage for future movies.

Overall the movie was very interesting. The action scenes were done in a manner that was exciting, but I just think that the some of the casting choices muddled the story-line and brought down the overall mood of the film. First and foremost I just can’t get over why Christian Bale declined the original offer. Aside from Michael Keaton,  Bale is by far the best Batman and that is why I just cannot accept Ben Affleck in this role. Batman appears to be aging, and the fact that he still hasn’t come to grips with the death of his parents just makes him even more distant as a character. It is clear that this is not the crime fighting Justice seeking individual that we have seen and grown to love in the past. We have struggled with Bruce and seen him in ways that made him more identifiable than any other hero we have seen. Affleck was unconnected and cold on so many levels. This role was not meant for him and it was clear that his on-screen delivery expressed that.  Another problem I had with the casting was with The Social Network star Jessie Eisenberg. He just did not channel a serious Lex Luther character. His comical air,seemed to be a better fit to play the Joker. It was as if his character was trapped in the body of another character. He was not a good fit.

batman

Henry Cavill was great as Superman. He gave the same passion and energy he did in the Man of Steel which was a great movie. Another Character that I really loved was the new Wonder Woman played by Gal Gadot. The only problem I had with her was that I wanted to see more of her and know more of her backstory. I hope they get her to do her own movie before Dawn of Justice 2 comes out. I’m not talking about the 1980’s Wonderwoman version.

I won’t spoil the end, but the movie was very interesting and it seems as if some characters have to go through a deeper transition, which will shape who they will become in the future of this adventure.

I give this movie 3 in a half stars. It would have been 5 but for obvious reasons I just couldn’t do it.

If you are a fan please go see it. Check out the trailer below.

L.L.

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