Shelby Oaks (2024)

I will admit that I have become addicted to true crime documentaries and YouTube over recent weeks since the whole Bricks & Minifigs / Reckless Ben - Salem Brick Trial has gone down. I know it's not horror, Sci-Fi, or some unexplained documentary, but man, it could be. The corruption being uncovered by the researchers has been incredible, and it is quickly developing into a "what not to do" expose. Seriously, Bricks & Minifigs, you suck! 

That being said, I decided I wanted to revisit a movie I watched a few months ago and enjoyed more than some people did when it was first released. The 2024 entry, Shelby Oaks. 

Plot: A woman's obsessive search for her missing sister leads her into a terrifying mystery at the hands of an unknown evil.

This movie definitely feels like one people will love or hate. After rewatching it, I am somewhere in the middle. Yes, some of it felt disjointed, and the ending didn't truly hit home, but there were some positives with the atmosphere, the storyline, and some of the investigation angles. The performances were solid, and the idea was interesting. Unfortunately, besides the ending, the pacing was off, and the depth of the story appeared to lose its way the longer the movie went on, and this definitely held it back. Yes, it's not in any way groundbreaking, but it is entertaining and a fun watch with some creepy moments.

Slingshot (2024)

While doing some research earlier today, I decided that I wanted something more space related to play while working. After some searching through streaming services, I decided on Slingshot from 2024. 

Plot: An astronaut struggles to maintain his grip on reality aboard a possibly fatally compromised mission to Saturn's moon, Titan.

This movie was more of a space drama than I had hoped for. It is a psychological thriller that doubles as a Sci-Fi flick. That’s not saying it isn’t good or entertaining, it is, but it wasn’t what I was searching for today. The storyline is interesting, although the pacing seems a bit off and it tends to drag at some points, the acting is solid, and the atmosphere is claustrophobic, matching the situation being portrayed.  Other than that it is an entertaining afternoon. In the end, if you are looking for action and adventure this one isn’t for you. But, it you want something more thought provoking, that will make you think, give this one a shot. 

Nosferatu (2024)

I was so excited when I watched the first trailer for Nosferatu. I knew that I had to go see it. I originally planned for opening night, but family got in the way. That changed today as I made it out for an afternoon showing of 2024s Nosferatu. 

Plot: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

This was an amazing film. Every aspect of the movie was finely crafted to give it life and allow it to breathe and it does. The overall visuals are amazing and work extremely well at creating a dark yet beautiful experience. The cast was tremendous and their performances were top notch. The atmosphere was amazing, storyline interestingly updated while staying true to the classic, the dialog was outstanding, soundtrack perfect and the effects work well within the story. The pacing started to become uneven toward the end and Count Orlock could have had a little more depth, but those are extremely small issues. In the end, this movie should solidify Robert Eggers as a master of the genre and quickly become a classic. It already has become my favorite Christmas movie and it is one I am sure I will revisit many times. If you haven’t seen it yet, head out and do it. It is well worth it. 

Cuckoo (2024)

After dealing with some late news in the world of the Tennessee Titans that I had to cover for Titans Wire, I decided to kick back and find something to watch. In scanning my streaming services, I settled on a movie I debated about going to see in the theater after its release, the 2024 entry Cuckoo. 

Plot: A 17-year-old girl is forced to move with her family to a resort where things are not what they seem.

This movie is perplexing. While there are some very solid aspects in it, including solid performances, heavy atmosphere, great cinematography and interesting story, other aspects fall flat. The characters are dull and unrelatable and there are pacing issues throughout. Couple that with some strange style elements and it becomes a giant conundrum. I did enjoy it and it isn’t terrible, but it didn’t match the hype that surrounded it. In the end, I am glad that I waited until it was streaming to watch it. If I had made a trip to the theater, I would likely have been disappointed. If you want to check it out, now's your chance. Although, I know there are much better choices out there. 

Carry On (2024)

Continuing a mini-trend I started the other day, I decided I wanted to stay with a holiday theme. In searching, I saw that this one was just released by Netflix and is a Netflix original. While I’m usually not a fan, I did decide to give it a go. That is the 2024 release, Carry On. 

Plot: A mysterious traveler blackmails a young TSA agent into letting a dangerous package slip through security and onto a Christmas Day flight.

I don’t watch or review many action thrillers, to me, the genre fell flat at the end of the 1990s and has never really recovered. This one caught my eye, so I gave it a spin and wasn’t disappointed. This movie would have fit in during that era, when the action and thriller elements outweighed the believability. The performances are solid, including Jason Bateman as a villain. The atmosphere, tension, and effects work. While the storyline and actions are nowhere near plausible, they at least make it entertaining. In the end, this is a fun movie and although it is a touch predictable, it is easy to just sit back and enjoy a mindless action flick. Check this one out, for a Netflix original, it’s worth it.

Conclave (2024)

For some reason I was drawn to this movie. From the first time I watched the trailer, I just knew I had to watch it. While it does sit outside my normal genre search, I decided to finally head out to the NARO and check out Conclave (2024)

Plot: When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.

I really didn’t know much about this heading into it, in fact, I originally thought it was going to dive into the Pope’s death back in the 1970s. I remember that as a kid and thought it was somewhat mysterious. What I found with this one was much better than that and likely more entertaining. The storyline in this one is good, although in retrospect after watching it, it is somewhat predictable. That doesn’t matter though because the performances, atmosphere, tension, and overall storyline work together quite well, making the movie seamlessly fly by. It honestly didn’t feel like a 2hr movie. The political intrigue and conspiracy aspects work to add a sense of realism as well. I am sure there will be many that will not like the ending, but I feel like it perfectly underscored the entirety of the movie. That might not have been clear at the exact moment, but in looking back, it was obvious. In the end, this conspiracy drama thriller might be the best movie I have seen in 2024 and is well deserving of all the accolades it receives. Plus, it has a message that should permeate through society, “the only sin in certainty” and too many people are certain about their beliefs and will not step outside their comfort zone.

Smile 2 (2024)

When I was searching for something horror related to watch last night, I had thought about starting some type of holiday theme. Holiday horror can be fun, but sometimes it really misses the mark. Instead, I decided to watch a sequel. 2024s Smile 2. 

Plot: About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her past.

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this one. I am a huge fan of the first movie and was unsure how they would be able to match that. But, they did and possibly took it up a notch. The cast, led by Naomi Scott was amazing and their performances were outstanding. Some will be turned off because there were really no new revelations and it is basically a replay of the first film, but this storyline is really good and uses the lore as a tremendous foundation. The atmosphere, tension and feel are spot on and along with the soundtrack and solid cinematography creates something enjoyable. The decision to focus on some of the psychological issues was great and allowed some realism to soak in.  In the end, I’m sure there will be those that dislike this movie, but I’m not one of those. While I do still like the original more, this one is a very close second. I can’t wait to see what they come up with if they decide to dive into a third installment. 

 

UFO History: December 3, 2024 (Alien Invasion)

I know that yesterday, I changed up the Disclosure Project on UFO Sighting history and it looks like I am going to do it today. At least, a little. I am selecting today, December 3, 2024. Why? Because of the Alien Invasion that was predicted. 

As a person that loves conspiracies and apocalyptic predictions, I did mark this (#alieninvasion) on my calendar. Who wouldn’t? Not sure what I am talking about, well here is a backstory. 

All the way back in 1997, a man named Clif High created a program, Web Bot, to help predict future events by tracking keywords on the internet. It monitors internet chatter, including articles, blogs, forums, and more to help determine what would happen. Originally used for insight on the stock market, the Web Bot predicted something a lot darker in 2009.

Back in 2009, the Web Bot found and tracked information that projected a potential visible confrontation between UFOs fighting other UFOs or jets. But how did he come up with December 3, 2024 as the day that this battle between humans and aliens would start? Well, that is quite funny, actually. 

When discussing this prediction, which was called “39 days to melee,” High stated that there would be a sign or temporal marker” that would kickoff the countdown. And what was that? None other than the interview between Joe Rogan and President-elect Donald Trump. Now think of it, back in 2009, who would have imagined that Rogan and Trump would have been on the world’s largest podcast leading up to an election? In 2009, probably no one. 

But on October 25, not only did Rogan and Trump break the internet, they kicked off a countdown that ended today. 

As I type this here in Hampton Roads, there have been no credible sightings for me to report, but in scanning social media, there have been some today (not more than usual), and I will keep monitoring. Unfortunately, I fear that this Web Bot prediction will fall flat like the Mayan Calendar or other apocalyptic prediction. 

That’s OK though, I will mark myself safe and start preparing for the next extinction event. I’m sure it won’t be long before Yellowstone rumbles again. And who knows, maybe I’ll dive back into Nostradamus or the Simpsons. After all, the Simpsons did predict the Hunter Biden pardon. 

Salem's Lot (2024)

Last night as I prepared for the alien invasion that apparently isn’t happening, I did put some horror on as a backdrop. After hitting a werewolf film earlier in the week, I decided to go with another traditional creature, the vampire. My selection was the 2024 remake of the Stephen King classic Salem’s Lot. 

Plot: An author returns to his hometown of Jerusalem's Lot in search of inspiration for his next book, only to discover that the townspeople are being attacked by a bloodthirsty vampire.

Being a fan of the original, I went into this with some rather low expectations. There was something with the grittiness of the original that made it memorable. As I feared, this one lacked that. While the movie as a whole was entertaining, it lacked the atmosphere, character development, and tension of the original and came across rushed and unrefined. The performances were good, there were some decent scenes, and there were positive elements. Unfortunately, the modernization of this one fell flat and lacked the execution that could have taken it to another level. Maybe if this was a mini-series or a limited series it could have achieved something more. In the end, this one was average and not worth more than a single watch. 

Oddity (2024)

 

I have to admit, 2024 has been a decent year for horror. In fact, I have seen a few movies that I have actually wanted to rewatch this year. That doesn’t usually happen. This next movie is one of those, the 2024 low budget flick Oddity. 

Plot: A psychic medium attempts to uncover the truth behind her sister's murder at the site of the crime.

There is a lot to like in this one. While it has a very simple premise, the execution and the atmosphere in this one is what hits home. Yes, it does have a couple jump scares, but it mainly  relies on the heaviness to create an unsettling aura.  The cinematography does a great job at pulling the viewer into the storyline and allowing it to saturate the entire film. Even the mystery elements are well done and keeps the viewer involved. While the acting and cast were also good, the ending was a bit uneven and did bring the overall feel of the movie down. In the end, this was an entertaining and interesting film and one that should be enjoyed by anyone that likes atmospheric horror.

Th Beast Within (2024)

I am normally not a fan of werewolf movies. Strange, because I am fascinated by cryptids and the strange creatures that roam the backwoods of the world. When I picked this one, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It is the 2024 entry, The Beast Within. 

Plot: After a series of strange events leads her to question her family's isolated life on a fortified compound deep in the English wilds, 10-year-old Willow follows her parents on one of their secret late-night treks to the heart of the forest.

I wasn’t quite sure this was going down the werewolf path at first and enjoyed the slight hints of folklore that was sprinkled in. Unfortunately, between the over use of symbolism and blatant hints held within the storyline, I felt like it drug along. The pacing and overall story was choppy and that outweighed some of the strong performances held inside.  The movie also lacked action, but it had some really good visuals and for a lower budgeted entry, it wasn’t that bad. In the end, this one is not the best, but it's not the worst. Maybe a fan of the werewolf genre would like it more, but for me, it didn’t hit home.

Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey (2024)

True crime documentaries can be fascinating and I am a huge fan. Maybe it’s the detective/investigator in me, or maybe just the mystery involved; I don’t know why, but I can’t get enough. Although, I do watch a lot of other unexplained documentaries sprinkled in with my love of horror. So, when I saw Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey on Netflix, I had to dive in. 

Plot: Police missteps and a media circus derailed the JonBenét Ramsey murder case. This definitive docuseries chronicles the decades-long quest for justice.

This case has always intrigued me and like many I have followed the twists and turns for years. While I am not as invested as some, I do think that this story needs to have an ending and was excited to see what was brought forward. First off, the quality of the docuseries was outstanding. Not only did they show multiple perspectives, they also made sure to point out the facts as well as giving those involved a chance to talk about different aspects. Incredibly, for some, their silence on the subject speaks volumes. While there wasn’t anything really new released in this one. It did point out the fact that DNA evidence does still exist and that the Boulder Police Department has an opportunity to get that testing done. Will they? Who knows, because they refused to take part in this series. One of my biggest takeaways from this outstanding series was the way the police department and the media hijacked reality and twisted information to meet the story they wanted to create and not the facts in the case. I find this interesting because it is a part of the media issues that still persist in the United States today. Don’t get me wrong, there are some strange aspects to this case that were touched upon that still don’t add up and this does not take us any closer to finding out the truth. But, it does a great job of presenting the facts and giving the viewer an idea of what has transpired since this tragic day decades ago. If you are a fan of true crime, definitely check this one out. It is a rather easy watch and is entertaining as well as informative.

The Exorcism (2024)

I am a sucker for religious themed horror, although I have recently become overly frustrated by the constant rehashing of similar storylines and structures in many of the modern entries. So, I have for the most part stayed away from the genre. That changed yesterday when I saw this one streaming on Shudder. The 2024 entry, The Exorcism. 

Plot: A troubled actor begins to exhibit disruptive behavior while shooting a horror film. His estranged daughter wonders if he's slipping back into his past addictions or if there's something more sinister at play.

This one started out fun and really a cool concept of remaking the classic The Exorcist. While that masterpiece can never be duplicated, the idea of an attempt was intriguing. Unfortunately, the movie went downhill from there. While some of the performances were good, the film felt disjointed and did nothing to expand the storyline. The cinematography was also good, but the editing left more than a few head scratching and unbelievable moments. Even some of the storyline made little sense and did not feel flushed out. In the end, this was a decent attempt and a cool idea. Unfortunately, it lacked a punch and fell flat. Stay away. 

Blink Twice (2024)

I know it has been a while since I sat down and typed up something here for The Ringmaster’s Realm, I’ve been busy. But, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been watching movies or researching something on the fringe parts of society. Yesterday, I watched Blink Twice from 2024, and it stuck with me after hearing an interview on a podcast. It really makes me wonder how close to reality this fictional tale is.

Plot: When tech billionaire Slater King meets cocktail waitress Frida at his fundraising gala, he invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. As strange things start to happen, Frida questions her reality.

I have to say I really liked this one. Sure, it wasn’t as gratuitous as I imagined heading into it, but that ended up making it a touch more enjoyable. The cinematography, performances, and storyline are all top notch. Yes, some of it felt a little rushed in spots, but that could have been me watching with anticipation attempting to guess what was going to happen. There is definitely a realism in play, as this one is extremely believable with the stories that exist on social media surrounding the elites and their depravity. I did feel like the chemistry within the cast was off and that may have brought the film down a touch, but that is minor in the grand scheme. If you are looking for a thought provoking thriller, give this one a shot, it is well worth it.

Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

I am usually not a big one for going to see the latest hype movies in the theater, but sometimes when the opportunity comes to watch a surprise with AMC Screen Unseen, I jump at it. There what happened last night when I got an early surprise with the 2024 entry,  Lisa Frankenstein.

Plot: A misunderstood teenager and a reanimated corpse embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness and a few missing body parts.

I have to start by early I loved this movie.  It was the right niche of comedy, darkness, lightheartedness, and nostalgia, that it should appeal to everyone.  For me,  the brooding 80s soundtrack was the icing on top.  The cast is outstanding and their performances really work to make this one extremely entertaining. Sure, the storyline is outlandish and a bit unpredictable,  but that works in this quirky film.  The writing is solid and the character development was spot on.  Truly everything within this one worked to continue building throughout,  especially with the costuming and make-up effects that added so much to the overall feel. In the end,  I am so glad that AMC gave me the opportunity to see this one early,  it was well worth it,  and I may actually go see it again.