Halloween 4: Michael The Cult Icon

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Michael Myers is back, and this time he is after his infant niece.

This was a mixed bag. I think you can definitely feel the absence of Carpenter in a lot of ways, and the film plays as trying to recapture or even imitate both the man himself and the first Halloween which he directed. I understand trying to return to the series roots after the third film underperformed, but making this film feel so heavily ‘inspired’ by Carpenter’s style ends up making it feel like a pale imitation.

That said I do think this film has some promise. I thought the more supernatural take on Myers, with him being evil incarnate was interesting and I am curious to see where they will take it. Moreover, I enjoyed the return of Donald Pleasant’s Dr Loomis, I think Pleasant brings an air of class to the film and really helps to bring the acting up to a believable degree.

I thought the film struggled to find new things for Michael Myers to do, yes he gets a few new kills but nothing to truly make this film feel any different from any of the others. Nightmare On Elm Street had massively different kills and wild lore things happening between instalments, even Friday The 13 at least had Jason in different costumes. Furthermore, I am not quite sure how I feel about the end twist of having Jamie continue on the ‘family business’. Though it was a shocking reveal, I question whether it was just a desperate attempt to keep the franchise fresh.

Overall, there is still some good stuff here, but it is a shadow of its former self.

Pros.

The theme is still great

The supernatural take on Myers

The return of Dr Loomis

Cons.

Nothing new

Carpenter’s absence is noticeable

If you enjoyed this review, then please head over to my Patreon to support me, I offer personalized shoutouts, one on one Q and As, the ability for you to pick what I review next and full access to my Patreon exclusive game reviews. Check it out!

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

iCarly: iLoveGwen

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Millicent’s mum re-enters the picture prompting hopes that her and Freddie will get back together.

I think the only character that this series seems to understand is Freddie, Nathan Kress, as this and the previous episode proved. He is the only character that the series seems interested in exploring and developing; the rest they don’t really seem to know what to do with.

I enjoyed, once again, seeing the Freddie storyline here I think his relationship with Jaidyn Triplet’s Millicent is easily the best thing about the revival so far, or certainly the most meaningful at least. I thought the idea of having Millicent constantly seeing things that suggested her parents were getting back together, only for them not in the end was both maturely handled and surprisingly heart-warming.

As I said before this episode doesn’t know what to do with any of its characters other than Freddie and Millicent, Carly, Miranda Cosgrove, is awkwardly along for the ride and Spencer, Jerry Trainor, and Harper, Laci Mosley, are forced into a competition for no real reason at all. With Carly you can’t ignore the fact that the way she is behaving is not charming or funny, as she is too old to behave like a child and with Harper and Spencer it is just a joke that you have seen before- still not funny. Harper seems to just be mean to every one of the male characters in the show for some reason, I don’t understand why she has been written this way?

Overall, perhaps a more mature episode of iCarly which is appreciated but is really wastes most of its character and that can’t be ignored.

Pros.

Freddie and Millicent

Further emotional and character growth

Well intentioned

Cons.

Harper

It wastes most of its characters who aren’t Freddie and Millicent

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Zola: The Twitter Film

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Based on the infamous twitter thread, Zola tells the story of a road trip gone wrong, highlighting how easy it is for people to end up in dangerous situations.

I had no expectations for this film going in, I didn’t really keep up with the thread when it was viral, though I was aware of the story itself.

I found the film to be on the better side of average but nothing to write home about.

On the positive side I thought the film managed to perfectly nail the tension and produced several scenes that were captivating as they feel so unexpected and threatening. You could feel the danger these women would have been in, and honesty it is both terrifying and heart-breaking.

Moreover, Colman Domingo was magnificent as X, the pimp who runs the girls through the later stages of the story. Why the character works so well and why Domingo’s performance is so good is because it is unpredictable, one minute he is cool calm and collect and the next he is knocking someone through a wall, the character works as they are seemingly very spontaneous and that is reflected in the performance. Furthermore, the character represents the moral ambiguity of our tale as we don’t know who to trust or believe, none of these characters are morally good and each do good and bad things throughout the film complicating them further.

Switching gears, what didn’t work for me at all was the dialogue. I understand that the way the main two characters speak is based on the real life tweets, you even get the tweet sound here and there, but I would have preferred it if they could have written it as actual dialogue for the film rather than just inserting tweets. Not only is it hard to understand but it quickly becomes annoying and grating as you watch.

Overall, it has its moments, but the dialogue really brings it down.

Pros

Solid tension

An interesting premise

Domingo

Cons.

The dialogue

The performances from everyone other than Domingo

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

American Horror Stories: The Rubber Woman Part 1 and 2

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

The first two episodes of the American Horror Story spin off see us return to Murder House as we witness yet another young person fall under its dark charm.

So yes this is every Ryan Murphy cliché under the sun that you would expect, there is needless over sexualisation, there is a strange S and M theme running throughout and nearly every line is cringe. However, where that falls apart with his other work, like the god awful Ratched, it just works with AHS and feels fitting.

Did I think it was a little lazy that the first two episodes of this supposedly standalone spin off series returned back to a series old haunt? Yes. However, that said I felt like it did manage to add something new to the Murder House lore and gave us another interesting character in the universe.

I did find the morality of the series to be a little twisted when this undeniably evil character, she kills a bunch of people, is allowed to have a happy ending, but again that is very AHS. As far as the performances go Matt Bomer is by far the standout of the episodes, though Sierra McCormick is a strong new addition.

Overall, though it is a little reliant on what came before it, there is still enough here to make this series interesting in its own right.

Pros.

The Rubber Woman

Matt Bomer

The return to Murder House

A few good scares

Cons.

A little too reliant on nostalgia

The ending should have punished the lead

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Jolt: Missing A Spark

2/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Kate Beckinsale’s Lindy is a woman with an explosive temper and a keen set of skills. As she re-enters society after years kept hidden away she falls in love, then her new beau is killed. You know what happens next.

Never has an actor needed to reinvent themselves more than Kate Beckinsale. Beckinsale has been on the forefront of the action genre for longer than I have been alive, but if her recent output is anything to go by the spark is gone.

As you might imagine from the premise Jolt is a very by the numbers film, it is passable action, but it is neither good nor bad just deeply average. What this film has going against it is a deeply generic plot that has been done so many times over the years in films and tv shows that you can’t help but role your eyes when you see it done yet again here.

Moreover, the cast aren’t bringing anything to the roles to make them or the film memorable. Yes, Beckinsale is a capable enough lead, but her character is forgotten the moment the film is turned off, and Jai Courtney………. Has no one told the makers of this film that Jai Courtney had his moment and blew it? The moment I saw him show up I immediately knew the film was going to be bad. If ever there was an omen to suggest a film is going to be bad, it is the casting of Courtney.

Again the action is fine, but it is nothing new.

Overall, you have seen this film before.

Pros.

It is passable

Everything is fine

Cons.

It is generic and played out

Courtney

The pacing

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Halloween 2: You Just Can’t Kill Michael Myers

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Michael Myers can’t be killed and now he is back at it, tracking Laurie Strode down to her hospital room with a mind to finish what he started.

Though not as good as the original, as few horror sequels are, there is still some electricity here. The moment we are treated to John Carpenter’s wonderful score we are send straight back into that world, as goosepimples are returned to our arms.

I really enjoy the slow dread and paranoia that comes from these early Halloween films, as we see just how frightened of Michael Myers all the characters are, and we get to see that grow as they begin to realise the supernatural qualities he has and how he cant be killed- at least not for very long.

There is a beautiful simplicity to Halloween that other slasher just cant beat. At the end of the day the premise is simple the killer is coming to claim his victims, and no matter what changes or happens that will always be true.

Furthermore this film not only proves without a doubt that Jamie Lee Curtis is not only the heart and soul of the Halloween franchise, as if there was any doubt of that, but also that she is the definitive Scream Queen. Curtis brings so much to the role of Laurie here as we begin to see the trauma coursing through her character as she is not quite in battle hardened mode yet, but she still gives Michael one hell of an opponent.

Overall, a strong sequel that sets the bedrock for the franchise.

Pros.

The slow dread

Michael

Laurie

The theme song/ wider score

Cons.

It is not quite as tight as the original film in terms of pacing

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Old: Live Your Life In An Afternoon

3.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A group of people find themselves on a mysterious beach where they age rapidly and seem incapable of leaving.

Other reviews of this film have been very mixed, and mine will only add to that.

The premise for this film is very interesting the concept of rapidly aging is fairly unique from a cinema standpoint and it does hold up throughout the film. The film does a lot of interesting things with aging its characters, we see many deaths and a birth, though the less said about that the better.

However, where things fall apart for me is with the big twist. As with every Shyamalan film there is a twist here, however I think it ends up disrupting and ultimately ruining the film. I won’t spoil what it is here, but I will say this, it is underwhelming and what you want to be happening isn’t….. It is far more mundane and generic than that. My issue with the ending of this film is that it is overly simplistic, it is too neat. The film ends with a surprising amount of it’s questions answered with little left to think about, what’s more the aging beach is seemingly forgotten about and no answers for it are given. In short it both gives you too many answers and too few.

The performances across the board are good, if sometimes a little eclectic and eccentric. I think that Rufus Sewell is by far the standout of the film as his characters slow descent into mental illness is both saddening and terrifying, and he does manage to feel quite threatening towards the end of the film. I also thought that Alex Wolff was strong as the families young child stuck in the body of a twenty year old, he brings a lot to the character.

Overall, a fascinating hook is pulled off course by a weak twist/ ending.
Pros.

The premise

The questions

The performance

The tension

Cons.

The ending

The twist

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Settlers: The Fight For Survival Is Bleak

3.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

In a post-apocalyptic future settlers on Mars must fight for their survival and that of their species.

This film is heavy and gets very dark. I am adding that here at the start of the review as I think it is very important to bare that in mind when starting this film, there is a scene right near the end that is quite an intense rape scene that is very hard to watch and that I found to be deeply distressing.

As a wider piece I actually found this film quite interesting to watch. The concept is interesting, and they leave out just enough context about how these people arrived on Mars and what Earth is now like to make the film have some mystery to it which helps immeasurably.

I thought the tension and feeling of subtle threat throughout was done very well, as there are moments where you yourself question which side the antagonist is on and indeed whether they are even an antagonist at all, but then you are clearly reminded.

Visually I thought the film was quite addressing and impressive. I thought the effects and wider look of the film shows how far technology has come, with the vistas we are treated to looking startlingly real and well actualised.

The main thing I would criticise this film for is wasting a very talented cast. This is essentially a two person film, however there are others cast in it: Sofia Boutella and Johnny Lee Miller. Both of these are very talented performers; however, they are killed off before the film even reaches the forty five minute mark with their inclusions ultimately feeling like a waste in the end.

Overall, despite some harrowing scenes and wasting it’s supporting cast this film still manages to be a strong science fiction thriller with an interesting concept and very well done effects.

Pros.

The tension

The effects

The premise

The ending

Cons.

It wastes Miller and Boutella

It is very hard to watch at times

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Tuca And Bertie: The Moss

2.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Tuca and Bertie’s building gets new management which causes a crisis for all the residents.

This is Speckle’s episode. Speckle is often there on the side-lines supporting Bertie and waiting for something to do, this episode finally gives him that. Honestly I didn’t like this episode for a lot of reasons, that I’ll get into later, but the one thing that worked well was Speckle- honestly he was hilarious. Speckle’s descent into madness was always very entertaining, and I thought his rants were standout.

I also enjoyed Tuca’s storyline as she was fighting to prevent change, which is very in keeping with her character, and to keep everyone together. I thought the scenes with her, and he ghost were interesting and I would like to see more of Tuca’s bonds with other people who aren’t Bertie.

Bertie here is simply awful; she would rather stay in a moss riddled flat with her friend that live with her boyfriend who has never done anything other than support here. If this episode proved anything it is how much of a toxic relationship they have and how Speckle and could and should be with anyone else. Why does she not want to live with him? Because he made some design choices she didn’t like……… Really? Worst of all we are supposed to still like her after this.

Overall, the episode until the final decision to revert was good, but the ending spoils everything, perhaps even the series.

Pros.

Speckle

Tuca

Cons.

Bertie

The ending

The morals of the show at this point

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Fear Street Part 3: The Worst Irish Accents Ever

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

The survivors of Sarah Fier’s murderous rampage are transported back in time to see her origin and the truth behind the curse.

There is a twist. A really obvious and blatant one from the start of the film. I won’t spoil it here but suffice it to say that it will hit you in the face several times before it is finally revealed.

Moreover, the Irish accents that our cast are doing in these flash back scenes are particularly bad. They use a lot of the same cast from the previous films to flesh out the residents of Sarah’s township in this one and not a one of them can do an Irish accent, to a point where it becomes laughably bad.

However, therein lies the charm. This film much like the others is dumb fun. There is poor writing and silly moments that are supposed to be scary a plenty, but again it only adds to the charm.

I thought the final showdown was fairly well done it managed some scary moments and it gave everyone what they didn’t know they wanted…… A showdown between all the undead killers for some reason. I did think this final sequence could have been bloodier, but I suppose it is intended for a younger age group.

I thought the flashback storyline with Sarah Fier was interesting as it gave us a good look into the paranoia of witch hunting and provided the most chilling scene of the series with the church mass death sequence.

Overall, a slightly disappointing ending to the series, but still dumb fun.

Pros.

The church sequence

The killer battle royal

The dumb fun

Cons.

The accents

The ending is somewhat disappointing

The twist is super obvious

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer