Home Tags Posts tagged with "REVIEWS"
Tag:

REVIEWS

Film Review: Ambulance

by Desha Winborne

Writer: Chris Fedak

Director: Michael Bay

Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jake Gyllenhaal, Eiza Gonzalez, and Garrett Dillahunt

After a poorly planned bank heist goes belly up, brothers Ben and Will Sharp find themselves locked in a high-speed chase with the FBI and the notorious LAPD.  Having high jacked an ambulance and taken a wounded officer and EMT hostage, the duo must navigate the treacherous LA traffic to evade the law and escape capture.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail

Writer: Pat Casey

Director: Jeff Fowler

Cast:  Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, Tika Sumpter, Jim Carrey, and James Marsden

After almost a year exiled on the mushroom planet, the evil Dr. Robotnik returns to Earth. His return is made possible by an unlikely alliance with Knuckles, an echidna warrior. The duo set off to earth to fight a common enemy, Sonic the Hedgehog. As the evil dr and blood-thirsty echidna plot, his demise Sonic is faced with the challenges of being a superhero. Using his super-speed and otherworldly abilities responsibly aren’t easy, often resulting in mayhem and chaos.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail

Movie Review: Halloween Kills

by Desha Winborne

Director: David Gordon Green

Writer: John Carpenter, Debra Hill, and Scott Teems

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Will Patton, and James Jude Courtney

It’s Halloween night and legendary serial killer Michael Myers is on the loose, again. Escaping death once more Myers sets out on a terrifying rampage, murdering all who are misfortunate enough to cross his path. Fear grips the small town but this year will be different. The good people of Haddonfield have had enough, this year the people will unite and fight for their town. Evil dies on Halloween night.

For forty years the legend of Michael Myers has haunted the small town of Haddonfield, Ill. 2018 is the year his reign finally ends. Halloween Kills is the 2nd film of the latest and presumably final, Michael Myers trilogy. It is the follow-up to 2018’s Halloween, in which the serial killer escapes from prison and has a final showdown with the woman he’s been stalking for 40 years, his sister Laurie. The 2018 movie ends with Mike locked in a basement as Laurie’s home is engulfed in flames. She had planned for years how she would end him only to overlook one major detail: the efficiency of the Haddonfield fire department. Halloween Kills begins exactly where we left off, with Myers still in the basement and Laurie escaping with her family. As the women head to the hospital to address their wounds they also witness the arrival of the fire trucks. The poor firemen save Myers and thus his bloodiest rampage yet continue with their corpses.

Halloween Kills depicts some of the most horrific death scenes we have ever seen in this franchise and is as much about Myers as it is about the town. This year the townsfolk band together to try and stop the menace once and for all. Since this is movie two of three you can take a stab at how it ends. With one more film to go this installment allows us to witness the aftermath of Myers assaults, we see a town in turmoil with fearful residents looking for justice. Ordinarily good people are driven to the breaking point as the quaint community evolves into an angry chaotic mob. In one of the most surprising scenes, the mob storms the hospital seeking vengeance. For the first time, we see families identifying their slaughtered loved ones and the poisonous effects of true evil. Though rightfully enraged their actions bear an uncanny resemblance to the Capitol Stormers as they stampede through a hospital in a panic searching for someone they’ve never even seen before. Though the film culminates in a satisfying showdown as per usual, the jubilation is short-lived once realization kicks in: it’s a trilogy, there’s one more chapter to go.

HALLOWEEN KILLS OPENS NATIONWIDE AND ON PEACOCK ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15th! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail

Review: Baylander Steel Beach

by Desha Winborne

Summer is definitely over, but the fun doesn’t have to end just yet. Head over to the Baylander Steel Beach and enjoy the last remnants of good weather. Located at the West 125th street Piers, this former aircraft carrier, the Baylander IX-514, is now a lively Harlem Hotspot, filled with good music, stellar drinks, and a casual atmosphere. The Baylander boasts one of the most impressive views of the Hudson River.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail

Review: Candyman (2021)

by xoJohn

Writer: Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld

Director: Nia Dacosta

Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo, and Carl Clemons Hopkins.

Struggling artist Anthony McCoy stumbles across an urban legend and decides to use it as inspiration for his next show. His research begins with the unfortunate story of Grad student Helen Lyle who tragically died in a bonfire decades ago. McCoy gains access to her research and unearths the legend of Daniel Robitaille also known as the Candyman. Unknowingly, McCoy invites others to “say his name” evoking an incantation that awakens the homicidal spirit to wreak havoc once again.

If you grew up in the 90’s you are probably familiar with the 1992 Clive Barker and Bernard Rose film which introduced audiences to a hooked hand killer whose presence could be invoked by the repetitious saying of his name. Nearly 3 decades later writer Jordan Peele and Director Nia Dacosta have joined forces for a direct sequel and origin story. Since the debut of the original film, there have been two other sequels. Both sequels found the hooked hand killer miles away from the Cabrini Green stomping grounds of the first film. Each sequel provided additional back story details. The First sequel was set in New Orleans where the spirit went in search of a descendant to sacrifice. After that unsuccessful attempt, the spirit moved on to Los Angeles, in the third film, to sacrifice his reincarnated daughter Isabel. In this new adaptation, the vengeful entity has returned to the hallowed grounds of the new Cabrini Greene in search of a familiar soul for some unfinished business. Artist Anthony McCoy is the unfortunate target and we witness his metamorphosis from fledgling artist to urban legend. McCoy’s interest in the legend goes from zero to 100 with lightning speed as he hopes to profit from tragedy using the legend to sell his work. Similarly, several other characters see the same dollar signs in exploiting the legend, a not-so-subtle nod to this era of black trauma for sale. In his haste for notoriety, McCoy ignores all warnings and moves full steam ahead neglecting loved ones, fueling his obsession. Though predictable, his descent into madness is enjoyable and ends in a weirdly satisfying twist.

In addition to the tongue-in-cheek nod to black trauma, there is also a blatant reference to the current climate of gentrification and police brutality. Though presented as just another slasher film, this Candyman has a social conscience, offering a relatable timely tale as well as the blood and gore we have come to expect. Though enjoyable the film is not without its flaws. Much of the violence is hinted at but not fully displayed, for instance just as the killer strikes we cut to another scene instead of witnessing the horrific details. Also, the backstory gets a bit convoluted as we discover additional confusing details about the origin of the murderous entity. Lastly, there is an all too brief appearance by Tony Todd, the OG. Please don’t blink you might miss it, literally.

Candyman hits theaters on Friday, August 27th, 2021.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail

Review: The Forever Purge

by Desha Winborne

Writer: James DeMonaco

Director: Everardo Gout

Cast: Ana De La Reguera, Josh Lucas, Will Patton and Tenoch Huerta

After 10 months in America, Mexican immigrants, Adela and Juan find themselves faced with their first Purge. Unfortunately for them, this year’s annual day of chaos takes an even uglier turn as groups of anarchists refuse to stop purging the next day. Though they survived the night the young lovers must work together to survive a deadly new world.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail

The grand opening of Wolfnights newest location is finally open! For those who don’t know Wolfnights is a casual eatery known for its incredible wraps. Founded back in 2011 by Itai Afek, the brand has been fortunate to achieve a great deal of success in its niche market. The initial vision for this enterprise was the notion of the perfect bite. Though this concept often eludes many chefs, the team at Wolfnights seeks to achieve this honorable goal by combining flavors and gourmet ingredients in their signature wraps.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail

Film Review: The Hunt

by Desha Winborne

Director: Craig Zobel

Writers: Nick Cuse, Damon Lindelof

Stars: Hilary Swank, Emma Roberts, Justin Hartley, Glenn Howerton, Ike Barinholtz, Wayne Duvall, and Betty Gilpin

12 strangers wake up gagged and unbound in a field. Disoriented and confused the strangers try to figure out where they are, how they got there and most importantly who is responsible. Soon they discover they are mere animals chosen for sacrifice, in The Hunt.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail