Have you ever found yourself scrolling mindlessly trying to find something good to watch. You stumble across something and think it might be good? You do a quick search only to find a long, drawn out review that gives away the plot? That's where we come in!
Here you will find quick, spoiler free reviews. We watch all the good and bad stuff, so you don't have to! We will give you a brief review, tell you where it's streaming and let you know if it's worth checking out or not. We hope you enjoy!
| Ratings |
| 🎃 - Poor |
🎃🎃 - Okay |
🎃🎃🎃 - Good |
🎃🎃🎃🎃 - Great |
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 - Classic |
After Midnight (Shudder)
By: Brett Bussard
Rating: 🎃🎃🎃🎃
After Midnight is a 2020 romantic creature feature written and directed by Jeremy Gardner (director of 2012’s the Battery, probably the best $6,000 zombie movie ever made) and co-directed by Christian Stella. The story follows Hank, who wakes up one morning to find his longtime girlfriend, Abby (Brea Grant) has left with no explanation other than a cryptic note telling him she had to go. Late every night since she’s left, a creature has been trying to get into Hank’s house.
The movie alternates between flashbacks to Hank and Abby building a relationship together and the present when he’s alone, depressed and coming unhinged trying to ward off the creature. Occasionally, the flashbacks have no dialogue, just a pretty, ambient score that adds to the emotion of the scenes. Through these scenes, we start to get an understanding of why Abby left.
Although Hank is certain he has seen the creature on his porch, his friend, Wade (Henry Zebrowski, who adds comic relief to nearly every scene he’s in), writes it off as a large animal. Abby’s brother, Shane (Justin Benson), a local police officer, believes Hank is imagining it. When Hank visits Shane to show him that the creature was able to free itself from a bear trap, Shane attempts to convince him the creature isn’t real, telling him “we’ve been letting our imaginations draw faces on the noises in the dark since we were living in caves. And we always draw sharp teeth.”
The third act really sticks the landing. In an intensely emotional scene that’s nearly 15 minutes long, Hank and Abby sit on the porch waiting to see if the creature shows up while breaking down how their relationship fell apart. It’s a heavy, very well acted scene with no score, only the sound of insects and their two voices. This is followed by a final scene that is full of heart and character with great music, touching performances and some great surprises that really bring the movie home. I’m not really much of a crier, but I’ll admit that I was a little glassy eyed for basically the entire third act.
After Midnight is a quick watch at only 83 minutes and is currently streaming on Shudder and Hoopla.
Anything for Jackson (Shudder Exclusive)
By: Sean Peltier
Rating: 🎃🎃🎃🎃
Anything for Jackson is a 2019 Shudder Exclusive film that premiered on Shudder on December 3rd. This film, similar to The Lodge doesn't have many locations, but is so beautifully shot and atmospheric, that you won't miss it. The movie brings together feelings of dread, suspense and a good old fashioned ghost story. If this sounds like something you're interested in, then I would stop what you're doing and hop over to Shudder to enjoy Anything for Jackson, which made my top 3 horror films of the year.
In what I would call an original ghost story that packs quite the punch in 97 minutes, "Anything for Jackson" is a breath of fresh air in a year filled with letdowns and movies pushed back indefintely. If you haven't already, I invite you to turn down your lights, head over to Shudder and see just how far the Walsh's will go in Anything for Jackson.
This film is currently streaming exclusively on Shudder
Suspiria 2018 (Amazon Prime)
By: Mary Basham
Rating:🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
Young Susia Bannion finds herself drawn to the Markos Dance Academy in West Berlin in the Autumn of 1977. We realize quickly that the dance troupe isn’t exactly what it seems!
Starring Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Mia Goth
Directed by Luca Guadagino
Written by Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi, and David Kajganich
First and foremost, this is not a remake! Take that term, wad it up and like a piece of paper, throw it away!
Those of us familiar with Dario Argento’s original trio of movies “Suspiria”, “Inferno”, and “The Mother of Tears”, know the lore these movies are based. 2018 Suspiria follows the lore of the “Mother of Sighs”. We won’t be delving too much into the lore in this review for fear of spoilers. Unlike the original “Suspiria”, the purpose of the dance troupe is realized very quickly. This sets a whole different tone for the movie.
While the original Suspiria was very iconic with its imagery and beautiful colors, 2018 Suspiria is more subdued with wintery tones. Using the wintery background of West Berlin, the casts’ costumes and earth tones work very well in creating a mood. Not necessarily sad, but just very low key. I truly loved the period costumes of the movie. Even the silly dance costumes in the trailer, which I had actually cringed when I saw them, were fitting in the context of the movie and the dance finale. The dance rehearsals and final performance of the piece “Volk” were meaningful and added a lot to the development of the characters and storyline.
Another confession, before this movie I did not consider myself a fan of Dakota Johnson. Her performance was subtle and you saw her development with the character and it was believable. Yes, the girl from “50 Shades” turns in a performance I thoroughly enjoyed.
I want to discuss the epilogue and the performances contained in it, but that too, would be too spoilery!
Not surprising, Tilda Swinton turns in another breathtaking performance as Madame Blanc. I truly did not know the true nature of the character and enjoyed that new twist. Another further departure from the original Suspiria.
Another MAJOR difference was the amount of horror and gore. Several scenes were shocking and absolutely delightful. Spellbinding. Some scenes left my mouth agape in shock! LOVED IT.
It may seem I am gushing and fangirling about this movie, but it was truly an outstanding movie, and a personal favorite of 2018.
Rewatchability: Yes
Purchase Worthy: Most definitely. I cannot wait to see the extras.
Score/Soundtrack: I loved it and bought it on vinyl!
This film is currently streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime
Terrifier (Tubi)
By: Mary Basham
Rating:🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
“Terrifier” is the new slinky black dress of clown movies – a little slutty, enjoyable, and just what we needed.
Starring David Howard Thornton, Jenna Kanell, and Catherine Corcoran
Directed by Damien Leone
Written by Damien Leone
Terrifier is a fast paced gorefest that follows two best friends as they drunkenly try to get home, only to encounter the deadly Art the Clown. What follows is a tense and fabulous throwback to the slashers we all love!
Released in early 2018, Terrifier quickly gained an almost cult like status due to word of mouth on the internet. Dear reader, I feel I should disclose, yes, I am a basic white girl with an irrational fear of clowns. Not so much a fear of clowns on the screen (loved Pennywise), but they terrify me when I am around them IRL. I also do not care for mascots. It’s the unpredictability of both that bothers me. They love to mess with you. But this clown truly frightened me. During the pizza shop scene, I actually wondered if I’d be able to finish it without having an anxiety attack!
Starring David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown, Art is just a fun loving clown who likes to make children laugh and spread joy wherever he goes….yeah right. He’s a murdering clown leaving a trail of blood wherever he goes.
Picture it, Halloween. Two drunken best friends, Tara and Dawn, find themselves on a deserted street after partying hard, neither sober enough to drive. Tara notices that they’re being watched by a clown from the shadows. Our introduction to Art. David has a background as a professional mime, and his performance is enhanced IMMENSELY by this talent. Art’s over the top gestures, the smiles, the tip of the hat to the ladies, had me literally on the edge of my chair.
Terrifier is a throwback to a really good slasher movie. Don’t expect a lot of character development, but do expect a lot of character killing! With this in mind, the action moves from the pizza parlor to what looks like an abandoned apartment building. Jenna Kenall’s performance as Tara, the main damsel in distress, was believable and enjoyable.
This is another horror movie that seems to divide people. Either you love it or hate it. It’s a slasher movie. And like most slasher movies, it’s high on the gore and action, low on dialogue and story. This worked for me! There was one scene that everyone talks about, but there’s ANOTHER scene that I felt was even more shocking and had me laughing and loving it! Art is quite the scamp!
Rewatchability – Most definitely!
Purchase Worthy – Absolutely! I am eager to see all the extras as well
Score/Soundtrack – Purchased and it is fantastic!
The film is currently streaming on Tubi