Chucky: He Is Risen Indeed

Summary

Good Chucky, voiced by Brad Dourif, finally turns bad and there is a traitor inside the School’s ranks.

The Colonel is easily the best thing about this episode once again, and his killing of Chad Chucky with the communion wafer is both shocking and a good use of the setting. It is a shame he gets killed off so quickly, but it does give Andy, played by Alex Vincent, a nice hero moment after he was rendered fairly helpless in the previous episode.

The defecting of Good Chucky and the death of Nadine was a mixed bag for me, it was sad to see Good Chucky turn bad as it could have been interesting for the wider universe of the show if he had stuck around longer and then the question of could Chucky be redeemed ever could have been tackled, but it was fairly obvious he was going to fall to the darkness. The death of Nadine didn’t hugely hit me as much like with the Colonel she wasn’t set up enough to have her death be impactful, if she had survived into the next season and died then that would have hit harder.

Overall, a good episode as exciting things are happening, but the impacts are a little stunted.

3.5/5

Pros.

The Colonel continues to have a lot of good moments

Andy gets a lot of good hero moments

It is very watchable

Fun things are happening

Cons.

Nadine’s death doesn’t hit as hard as it could have done

The Colonel is gone too soon.

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Christmas Bloody Christmas: A New Christmas Classic Is Born

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A military grade robotic Santa Claus goes on a rampage.

I am very much a fan of the rising talent that is Joe Begos, VFW was fantastic and Bliss I was less keen on but there was still a lot of talent there, but this I think might be his best film yet. There is something so undeniably fun about this film, yes the premise is a little like Terminator minus the science fiction stuff, but that doesn’t take away the gory spectacle we are treated to.

In addition the early part of the film before the slashing even really begins is incredibly strong and that speaks to the strength of both the writing and the characters created. Riley Dandy is fantastic as the lead and is instantly likeable, her and Sam Delich also have great chemistry together and play off each other really well. I ended up caring so much about them as a couple that I was actually sad when his character died and they were parted from each other. The film does all of that emotional work before the first act is even over, that is no mean feat.

I really do hope that Begos and Co bring this back for a sequel with a juiced up robo Santa Claus now even angrier, and have Dandy back as the Ripley of this burgeoning franchise. I think this will probably be a new Christmas classic for me and something that I come back to every year.

Overall, a great film, watch it.

4.5/5

Pros.

Dandy

The gore

The threat

The mania of the final showdown

The commentary, comedy and good back and forth at the start of the film

Cons.

Robbie’s death still makes me sad now when I think about it.

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Chucky: Doll On Doll

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Chad Chucky and Good Chucky, voiced by Brad Dourif, face off.

I think following on from last week’s episode this was definitely a step back, though the episode was not all bad.

I enjoyed the fight between the two Chuckies, however, I thought the idea of Good Chucky slowly starting to turn bad again was super obvious as it would break the status quo of the show to have Good Chucky permanently amongst the heroes roster for this universe, he always needs to be evil. The crucifixion turned raising from the dead was a nice touch though.

I also liked that Andy, played by Alex Vincent, makes a return right at the end of the episode, I knew the series wouldn’t just kill him off, hopefully he can be a larger part of the last few episodes of the season. Moreover, I thought the Colonel was chilling certainly an interesting take on Chucky and a fun persona to follow, hopefully they are not just one and done.

I would say what held this episode back for me is the very obvious fact that it is a filler episode more content with setting things up for later in the season then delivering for this episode in particular, when thinking about it it is hard to say very much of anything happens in this episode.

Overall, a few neat moments and its nice to see Andy return but other than that a fairly dull episode.

3/5

Pros.

Andy is back

The Chucky fight

Seeing the Glen/Glenda doll return

Cons.

The Tiffany stuff grinds the plot to a standstill

It feels very filler esque

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Chucky: Death On Denial

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Tiffany, played by Jennifer Tilly, hosts a party for her children’s birthday but during the festivities things start to go awry.

I think this was easily the best episode so far this season for a number of reasons. Firstly, Tiffany and her ever further descent into madness and her relationship with Nica, played by Fiona Dourif, is easily becoming the best thing about the show and is also far more entertaining than any of the school stuff with the kids, plus we get the much waited for return of Kyle, played by Christine Elise, so that is easily an extra point in my book.

Secondly, when Glen/Glenda was mentioned at the end of last season I was slightly apprehensive about how the show was going to handle them, but I have to say Lachlan Watson does a terrific job as both characters and really is the standout star of the episode, they encapsulate the perfect personification imagining of what Glen and Glenda would be like in human form from how they are depicted as in Seed Of Chucky.

Finally, I really enjoyed the beginning and ending of the episode where Chucky, played by Brad Dourif, addressed the audience and did his little bit with WWE superstar Liv Morgan I thought it was quite funny and helped to juxtapose the more serious elements of the episode.

Overall, easily the best episode so far, mostly because it didn’t feature the kids very much at all.

4/5

Pros

The return of Kyle

Tiffany and Nica

Watson

The opening and ending Chucky bits

Cons.

Some of the guest stars other than Morgan were a little annoying

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Chucky: Hail Mary

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Chucky, played by Brad Dourif, is captured by the kids and turned good, meanwhile a bigger badder Chucky doll finds its way into the school and brings a new Chad-sense to his murdering.

I liked this episode more than the previous episode, I think the idea of a good Chucky is interesting and I like that it gives Dourif a chance to play against type, at least in terms of this series. I think the idea of another Chucky that is jacked is silly, but therein lies the charm of me its dumb but it’s the right kind of dumb.

Moreover, I preferred the more lively pace of this episode when compared to the previous week’s episode as it felt like more was happening and less like the series was playing for time. Plus this weeks murder is far better than last weeks, not only does it feel more rewarding the gore is also a lot better, Chucky giving a nun a heart attack last week was not as funny or as satisfying as they probably imagined it would be.

In a wider sense the series is getting better and I do like where they are heading with it, even if it is down from the fun week in week out craziness of the first season. Hopefully the second half of the season will be better.

Overall, an above average episode made better by the prospect of a good Chucky.

Pros.

Good Chucky

The stupid idea of Chad Chucky

It feels more lively

Cons.

There is still a lot of teasing and no delivering

The cliches are still there and are starting to effect the story

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Chucky: Sinners Are Much More Fun

2.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Chucky, voiced by Brad Dourif, arrives at a Catholic school.

To be blunt with you this wasn’t a very good episode. Very little happens and most of it is just set up for things happening later in the season, that is not to say the things being set up aren’t interesting but they aren’t present in this episode so it doesn’t bring it up.

Moreover, the whole school setting is proving incredibly cliché everything that you would imagine when you think of strict religious boarding schools is shown here and nothing is subverted or done in any form of clever way, its tropes through and through.

I am glad to see Devon Sawa return to the show this time playing Father Bryce and he certainly does manage to bring with him a certain level of gravitas, it is just a shame that his character is clearly being written again as a cliched trope, really just being there to bully the kids and do little else.

I think the wider world stuff is far, far more interesting than what is going on in the school and the idea of Nica, played by Fiona Dourif, and Chucky working together to take out Tiffany, played by Jennifer Tilly, is interesting and one that I will be keen to see how it plays out. Plus the arrival of Glen and Glenda will hopefully spice this season up somewhat.

Overall, a weak set up episode.

Pros.

Nica and Chucky working together

It is watchable

It sets up some interesting things for later on

Cons.

Teases and set up make this episode feel like filler

Everything to do with the kids at school is dull

Father Bryce is a cliché

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American Horror Story NYC: The Sentinel

3.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

The killer is caught but the killing continues.

I enjoyed that they finally caught the serial killer and brought him to justice, now hopefully we can tackle the two other major elephants in the room, the supernatural Big Daddy killer and the quickly spreading AIDS epidemic two things which are far more interesting that just a bog standard serial killer narrative.

I thought Russell Tovey’s Patrick is the shining star of this episode and his fiery speech as he leaves his employment at the police force is definitely a fist in the air sort of moment. I am intrigued by the fact that he is seeing visions of Barbara, played by Leslie Grossman, and hope that they further explore his connections to the supernatural killer that took her life.

I again found this episode a little slow at times and do think they are dragging out the season and that it would have been better with fewer episodes.

Overall, a good episode but one that highlights the wider pacing issues with the season as a whole.

Pros.

Finally catching the killer

Tovey

The visions of Barbara

They can now focus on the bigger picture

Cons.

Pacing issues

A fair number of slow moments that indicate padding and filler within both the episode and the season.

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Wednesday Series Overview: A Family Reunion

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega, is given her own show wherein she is sent off to boarding school.

I think this is the best series Netflix has made in a long time. Yes, there are similarities between it and Riverdale, though this is infinitely better written and less gratuitous, because both are teen shows set primarily with dealing with teen issues and occasionally otherworldly hijinks.

However, where the two differ is that this show has far more going for it than Riverdale ever did and an appeal that vastly goes beyond the teen girls that Cole Sprouse brought in, and is something everyone can enjoy. There is enough member berry goodness, with the returning Christina Ricci and the references to the now classic films that it can bring in old fans whilst also offering something new to bring in fresh crowds.

Tim Burton’s dark sensibilities are but to great use here and the tone for the series feels both very in keeping with his aesthetic whilst also appropriate for the source material. I think the best thing that Wednesday has going for it is its characters and the writing as a whole, the former being instantly memorable and easy to warm to and the latter feeling like a natural continuation that also is devilishly funny.

Overall, this is the sort of teen programming we deserve.

Pros.

Ortega

The characters

Ricci

The ending of the series and the similarities with Harry Potter

It is very funny

Cons.

It could have done with being a few episodes longer

4.5/5

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Witchfinder General: Those Who Claim To Be Holy And Righteous Often Aren’t

2.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A sadistic witchfinder general, played by Vincent Price, makes life hell for residents of one British village.

There are things to like about this film, such as the distinctly British folk horror feeling that permeates almost every frame of the film, to the decidedly gothic and sinister sense of horror that makes us question all we know about witch hunters and also highlights the darker aspects to the witch trials in terms of morality.

However, for me personally I found this film quite slow going. The pace was really quite oppressive at times, and no I am not some TikTok child with a few second attention span I have watched many other longer films than this it is just the way this one is paced that is the issue. Things take a long time to get going and when they do they all follow a fairly predictable and entry level plot pattern that leads to a very obvious ending.

Overall, though I appreciate the folk horror elements, I find the slow pace and the predictability make this film hard for me to get on board with.

Pros.

The gothic sense of horror

The distinctly British folk horror elements

It is watchable

Cons.

The pace

The predictability

The ending

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American Horror Story NYC: The Body

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

The killer is finally tracked down.

When I realised that this episode was going to have the main characters find out who the killer is I was somewhat surprised as there is still a ways left to go in terms of the number of episodes still left in this season, however, despite finding out who the killer is this episode they don’t catch him really quite the opposite.

I liked the fact that the world keeps being broadened and new facets like this idea of the mob working within the gay community are being explored. I thought bringing back Henry, played by AHS veteran Denis O‘Hare, was a really smart move as this new angle gave him a lot more to do and he really shined in this episode as did Zachary Quinto’s Sam.

My one issue with the episode and also this mid part of the season more generally is that there seems to be some filler being placed in to pad things out. Like there is no need for this episode to stretch on in the way that it does, it is possible for them to find out who the killer is and have the show down in one episode it doesn’t need to be spread across two, but I suppose that is the curse of cable TV.

Overall, a good episode that really sets up an interesting conflict for the next episode.

Pros.

O’Hare

Quinto

The killer’s identity is finally revealed

The ending and the set up

Cons.

A little bit of padding for time

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