The Ringmaster's Realm

Our weather has been miserable here in Virginia Beach and it hasn't really shown any signs of letting up. Fortunately, that means I have had time to sort some stuff in the toy shop and watch some movies. The ne t one up here at The Ringmaster's Realm is the 2017 Sci-Fi /Mystery Magellan. Plot : After NASA picks up a trio of mysterious signals from within our own solar system, astronaut Roger Nelson is dispatched on a multi-year solo mission aboard the Magellan spacecraft to investigate the sources. This one was a pretty good low-budget film and one that had a interesting (while unbelieve or unrealistic) concept. Having such a low budget definitely limited many of the possible settings and such, but it did not impact the cinematography or overabll feel. Yes, there were some plot holes,  an uneven storyline, a lack of realism within the structure of the mission, and an strange anticlimactic ending,  but again coming from a lower budgeted production, one should expect those. In th

While I did take a day yesterday to pay respects to all those that have fallen, I couldn't stay away from a movie in the evening. So, after catching up on The Blacklist, I decided to check out The Silence from 2019.  Plot : The story of a family struggling to survive in a world terrorized by a deadly primeval species that has evolved for millions of years in the pitch-darkness of a vast underground cave system, hunting only with their acute hearing ability. As the family seeks refuge in a remote haven where they can wait out the invasion, they start to wonder what kind of world will remain when they're ready to emerge. When i sat down last night i want looking for a blockbuster,  but i hoped for something that was at least exciting. Unfortunately,  this wasn't it.  While this one wasn't terrible, and was watchable,  it had the potential to be a lot more. Featuring a solid cast, decent atmosphere, and a cool soundtrack, this one was littered with missed opportunities. Th

It was such a dreary day outside,  as the rain came down almost all day.  Unfortunately,  there are no signs of it letting up for a few days.  All was not lost though,  as I was able to get a few more tubs sorted in the toy area and watch a few entertaining movies.  Some were new and others I haven't watched in some time,  like the 2021 entry Spiral. Plot : A criminal mastermind unleashes a twisted form of justice in Spiral, the terrifying new chapter from the book of Saw. I am a huge fan of the Saw franchise and I unapologetically love every installment,  including this one. With that in mind, this was not my favorite installment. There were some very good moments in this one although it was pretty predictable. The characters were interesting, the idea of a new storyline branching off from the mythos was a nice change, and the nods to the orhiginals speinkled im a solid touch. Unfortunately, i felt the film was a touch flat, with uneven acting, a predictable twist, and an overall

It looks like the forecasted rains are finally about to set in,  which will definitely make for a wet holiday period. At least,  I have a ton of things to watch and the home toy business to run. After cutting the backyard today, I settled in and decided on the 2022 entry Significant Other on Paramount+. Plot : While on a remote backpacking trip through the Pacific Northwest, a young couple sense they may not be alone. As things take a dark turn, they find there is no one to trust -- not even each other. I went into this movie blind, not knowing anything about it and I am glad I did. Yes, this film is definitely different from the common horror flims being pushed out and that is a good thing. For those looking for the typical tropes and jump scares, this one isn't for you.  But, even without a high body count, this one packs a punch featuring a tremendous atmosphere, anawesome soundtrack, and enough suspense to keep you engaged (it even had an unexpected twist). Sure the storyline i

Having spent most of the day working on yard work and updating my Etsy shop, I decided to take some time and relax. In doing so, I discovered that Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among  Thieves was streaming on Paramount+. So, let the campaign begin. Plot : A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. I went into the new Dungeons & Dragons not knowing what to expect. While i haven't played in years,  i was one an extremely avid player and have been looking to get back into it.  What i found amazed me.  This is an is an absolute blast of a movie. Ther cast and performances are outstanding, the storyline is lighthearted and fun, and the action sequences really work. Best of all, it can be enjoyed by everyone, even those that have never enjoyed the fun and mishaps that take place within a real campaign. Yes, some of the CGI is uneven, but that is easily over

Wow,  it's been a few weeks since I added anything. I know I said I was going to post more,  and intend to.  But as i continue my recovery recovery from the liver transplant,  I find myself busy with many of the things that I neglected while being on the wait list. Hopefully, I can get into some food of regular routine.  Getting back to it, I present 2021s The Black Phone, Plot : After being abducted by a child killer and locked in a soundproof basement, a 13-year-old boy starts receiving calls on a disconnected phone from the killer's previous victims. Thus is one i waited to see instead of going to the theater and i may be regretting that. This one is both emtertaing and enjoyable, but i do think the overall claustrophobic feel would have hit harder on the big screen. Ethan Hawke is amazing and does a magnificent job at embracing the character, but even his performance may have been outdone by his young co-stars, More of a thriller than horror film, this slow burn entry demon