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.

Synchronic (2019)

After a few busy days with the yard and watching social media for updates on the UFO thing in Las Vegas and the real-lide scene from Night of the Comet taking place in New York, I decided to relax and catch up on some movie watching.  The first flick I watched today was the 2019 Sci-Fi film,  Synchronic.

Plot: Two New Orleans paramedics' lives are ripped apart after they encounter a series of horrific deaths linked to a designer drug with bizarre, otherworldly effects.

I had never heard of this one before it popped up on my Amazon page and the premise sounded different so i gave it a shot. What i fiund was an interesting storyline, that while a touch confusing at times, kept me engaged. There was some pretty good cinematography, decent performances, and some intriguing moments. Yes, there were some pacing issues and there were some major plot holes to navigate, but those did not totally ruin the experience for me. Of course, with those elements, i am sure some casual viewers will be totally turned off. In the end, this may not be groundbreaking or a movie that you should knock diwn the door to see, but if the air quality has you secluded, it will definitely be an interesting film to help you pass the time. 

Saw V (2008)

Last night I took a break from the computer to go watch Jolene in her advanced theater production of The Elevator Family. With that now over, I figured it was time to get back to my trip into the mind of Jigsaw with Saw V from 2008.

Plot/ Following Jigsaw's grisly demise, Mark Hoffman is commended as a hero, but Agent Strahm is suspicious and delves into Hoffman's past. Meanwhile, another group is put through a series of gruesome tests.

It is funny how much things change, as you grow older, and this movie kind of fits in with that ideology. Up until re-watching the Saw franchise last week, I held this entry in higher regard, but now I have a completely different viewpoint. For me, this one lacked the tremendous plot twist and tension that made the other earlier installments memorable, and most of all not having Jigsaw as a true primary character on screen was quite depressing. While the idea was solid and the storyline had potential to deliver something amazing, this was the first time in the series that everything felt rushed. Sure, the effects were decent, the traps intriguing, and there was enough blood, but even those elements could not make up for the lack of the Jigsaw. On top of that, the performances were uneven and the atmosphere was rather flat. In the end, this entry had a chance to build upon the solid foundation that was left by the earlier entries but failed to hit the mark. More of a thriller than true horror film, this one did not deliver and was rather predictable. If you haven’t seen it, you aren’t missing much.

Saw 2 (2005)

After spending last night at the Edgar Allan Poe reenactment, I decided that I wanted some violent horror for my Halloween night. Thinking back over the past month, I couldn’t believe that I had never reviewed half of the Saw franchise and figured that I would start that undertaking by revisiting Saw 2 from 2005.

Plot/ A detective and his team must rescue eight people trapped in a factory by the twisted serial killer known as Jigsaw.

The original Saw was one of the best horror/thrillers I had seen. It was atmospheric, dark, and the storyline was tremendous. Creating a sequel to a movie such as that is almost an impossible task. Yet, now after revisiting Saw 2, it is clear that Darren Lynn Bousman did just that with a tightly woven storyline that differs from the original but captures the essence of the classic perfectly. I remember when this one first came out and the clear differences between the two made it an uneven watch for me. However, today, that feeling is completely different. The change with having multiple players in Jigsaws game was the perfect step for the franchise and added layers to the legend of Jigsaw that would pay many dividends throughout the rest of the series. The cast is tremendous, the performances are solid, the dialog, scripting, and storyline were fantastic (the twists made it even more worthwhile), and the gore, traps, and special effects were amazing. Sure, the pit of needles was blah (and honestly still a letdown) and some of the arguments and decisions made by the participants were annoying, but those are only minor flaws. In the end, I am glad that I decided to revisit this one tonight on Halloween; it was so much better than I remembered and a movie that fans like me could have easily overlooked as it was sandwiched between the two best movies made in the franchise (and possibly the genre). If you haven’t seen it or revisited it in a while, I think you should. This is an outstanding movie and one that is perfect for the Halloween season.

Let Me Make You a Martyr (2016)

Last night after finishing my Evil Dead 2 review, I decided to dive back into Shudder to see if I could find something interesting. After some thought, I decided on the 2016 crime drama Let Me Make You a Martyr.

Plot/ Adopted siblings hatch a plot to kill their abusive father, a local crime boss who won't go down easily.

This movie was not at all what I expected when I started watching it and honestly, it was a lot more than I ever imagined that it would be. This was an extremely thought provoking film with a detailed and layered storyline that was both entertaining and intelligent. The scripting was outstanding, as the non-linear approached worked extremely well in creating an atmosphere, the performances were solid with Marilyn Manson leading the way with an extremely memorable performance, and the cinematography and production elements were spot on. Sure, the non-linear storyline and drug use will turn some people off as will the slower pacing, but in this case, it should be viewed as the perfect platform for this story to be told in the proper manner. In the end, this is a movie that should definitely be seen. Yes, it isn’t really a traditional horror movie, but it does have elements that should make any viewer cringe. If you haven’t done so already, find it and give it a shot.

Antibirth (2016)

Now that I am settling back into a bit of a routine with movies having finished After the Static, I definitely seem to have a different perspective on certain things. As I move forward in the next week working on the online companion to the book, I will still be finding some time to dive into the blog. Tomorrow will be a review of the stage adaptation of 1984. Tonight is a movie that in ways were both fascinating and frightening for different reasons, the 2016 indie flick Antibirth.

Plot/ In a desolate community full of drug-addled Marines and rumors of kidnapping, a wild-eyed stoner named Lou wakes up after a wild night of partying with symptoms of a strange illness and recurring visions as she struggles to get a grip on reality while stories of conspiracy spread.

Antibirth is a strange movie. Not really a horror film (even with some early creepiness), it is more of a strange art-house character study that travels into the weird or surreal. This indie has some odd moments and features some solid performances from an outstanding cast, some interesting characters, and a tremendous script that is both entertaining and engaging. Sure, there are some moments where the lack of budget and uneven plot shine through, but those elements do nothing to derail the film. Overall, it is one of the better indie flicks I have seen come around in some time. In the end, Antibirth is a movie that will either be loved or hated for many different reasons within the storyline. Personally, I loved it. While it is not for everyone, I think that there are many people out there like me who will love it.

Black Mass (2015)

I know, I know, it seems like I have been taking quite a few breaks from the blog recently (and I have). Why, not quite sure, but I know that the New Year is almost upon us and I am ready to get back into the swing of things. Since my last post, I got a new television, a 60-inch LG LCD (thanks PIA), and now it is time to get rolling. Next up is the 2015 entry Black Mass.

Plot/ The true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf.

When I saw this one, I was interested in what type of performance Johnny Depp would offer. Yes, he is a great actor, but it had been some time since I watched him in something conventional, and this seemed like an awesome story for him. What I found was a tremendous performance that in many ways carried this somewhat flat true crime entry. While the cast and performances were solid, Depp clearly embodied the character. Being a true crime entry, the storyline was predictable and really never rose to a great level (unless you were unfamiliar with the Whitey Bulger case). As is the norm for this genre the pacing is slow, the character development is somewhat off, and because it was based in reality, never truly reaches its overall potential. In the end, this is an entertaining film, but it fails to reach the level of some of the great gangster movies of the past. Yes, it is worth watching, but do not expect something great.

Freaks of Nature (2015)

After taking a day off from the blog, it is time to dive back in. For my next entry, I decided on the 2015 horror comedy, Freaks of Nature.

Plot/ In the town of Dillford, humans, vampires, and zombies were all living in peace - until the alien apocalypse arrived. Now three teenagers-one human, one vampire and one zombie-have to team up to figure out how to get rid of the visitors.

This was one that I never imagined would be entertaining, yet alone good, but I was wrong. This one was one of the most ridiculous and entertaining gorefests I have seen in some time. A brilliant mix of comedy, blood, guts, romance, and horror, this one had everything you could ask for (vampires, werewolves, zombies and even aliens). The best part was the strong performances, originality, dramatic moments, and mix of blood, guts, and gore. Yes, there were some head scratching moments that made little sense, but those did not matter in the least. In the end, this was one of the most entertaining flicks I have seen in some time, and a movie that definitely has me taking an extra look at the McRib. If you have not seen it, give it a shot it is definitely worth it.

The Encounter (2015)

Last night I took a break from the blog so I could focus some on my upcoming script project for class. At this point, I am still struggling to solidify an idea, but believe I have it narrowed down. Tonight, I did want to get back at it, and my selection was the 2015 found footage entry The Encounter.

Plot/ What started as a simple camping trip in the mountains of Northern Arizona quickly descended into an amazing and terrifying story that is truly out of this world. As the sole survivor of this deadly close encounter, Collin must try to explain the unexplainable.

Found footage movies are often a mixed bag and really, no one knows what to expect until watching them. Unfortunately, that was definitely the case with this entry, which takes on an interesting topic in a rather clichéd manner. Yes, there are a few intriguing moments, which featured some atmosphere and suspense, along with some outstanding special effects and make-up. Other than those brief moments, much of the movie suffers from the typical ailments that plague low budget found footage entries, such as uneven characterization, jagged performances, rough dialog, and an overwhelming amount of repetitive/clichéd moments. In the end, this was a low budget entry that did not inspire or create anything memorable or groundbreaking. Plus, it is a found footage flick, which as a whole, is a genre that needs to disappear for a while. While it is not the best in the genre, I have experienced much worse on a larger scale with a bigger budget. Not for everyone, but if like me you enjoy supporting low budget cinema, give it a shot. 

Star Leaf (2015)

With the kids selecting another play of the horrid Poltergeist remake earlier, I needed something mindless to get that misery out of my mind. After some debate with the voices in my head, I decided on the 2015 sci-fi flick Star Leaf.

Plot/ Hikers find a secret grove of extra-terrestrial marijuana and must fight for their lives when they anger the otherworldly forces protecting the plants.

This flick is definitely a mixed bag for viewers. Not really a horror movie, not really a thriller, I guess it would have to sit inside the sci-fi arena, although that is a touch of a stretch as well. Honestly, it is a hard movie to classify. While the storyline was actually a entertaining with some trippy moments and aliens thrown in for good measure, it was far from a perfect film and was extremely uneven. The scripting was all over, the characters imbalanced, and the dramatic elements seemed a little forced at times. In the end, this movie was better than I expected, but it was nothing like I anticipated when I picked it up at Family Video. Not for everyone, this one will be an acquired taste, and a movie that will fit with the stoner crowd.

Dark Places (2015)

After spending a good chunk of my weekend in a world with some alien and UFO themed movies, I decided that I needed to go into a different direction with one of my movie selections. Wanting something darker, I eventually decided on the 2015 mystery/thriller Dark Places.

Plot/ Libby Day was only eight years old when her family was brutally murdered in their rural Kansas farmhouse. Almost thirty years later, she agrees to revisit the crime and uncovers the wrenching truths that led up to that tragic night.

Because this was based on a book by the author of Gone Girl, I was excited, as that was one of the more stimulating flicks I have seen. While this movie is not quite at that level, it does take on an interesting topic and era (the satanic craze of the 1980s). Built as a layered whodunit, there is a lot to like; featuring a solid cast, some awesome performances, intriguing storyline, and an overall unbelievable storyline. Sure, the ending does feel a little forced and anticlimactic, but that in no way should impact whether or not you pick this one up. In the end, this may not be Gone Girl, but it is a solid mystery/thriller that needs to be seen.

The Intruders (2015)

Now that I have finally finished my physics class, I can possibly dive into some more creative outlets. Unfortunately, it took a couple days to get back into the swing of things. Now I am ready to roll (at least, I think I am). Next up for review, the 2015 flick: The Intruders.

Plot/ After the traumatic loss of her mother, a teenaged girl tries to uncover the dark secrets behind her new home, in spite of her father's disbelief.

I watched this over the weekend with the daughters, as they were excited to see Miranda Cosgrove in a “scary” movie. While I did not find this one suspenseful in any way, it was not a terrible flick. The acting was solid, the scripting was decent, and there was at least a small amount of atmosphere created throughout the flick. Sure, it was more of a predictable mystery than horror/thriller, but it did show a few moments of originality that gave it some redeeming qualities. In the end, this was an entertaining flick to watch with the daughters and one that makes for a solid family friendly mystery/drama. Not for the fans of hardcore thrillers or horror, if you are looking for a decent “scary” movie with the kids, give it a shot.

The Glass House (2001)

Sometimes, I take pleasure in the fact that the daughters enjoy scary movies. Unfortunately, as they get older, I do have to pay more attention to what type of flick I select, with content and rating overriding the scare factor. One such movie we enjoyed over the weekend was a solid family friendly entry: 2001s The Glass House.

Plot/ An orphaned teenager is taken in by a Malibu couple but discovers they are not the caring friends they seemed to be.

I went into this with almost no expectations and only put on because the daughters wanted to watch something. Fortunately, what I found was better than I could have expected. While it is not a perfect film and is rather predictable, the atmosphere and characters do actually set it apart from many of the other PG-13 entries that sit in the genre. The story was interesting and believable, the performances solid, and the scripting created a realism that was easily imagined. Yes, there were some plot holes and it did have some predictable moments, but those issues are rather small (especially for a family friendly thriller). In the end, this will not be for the hardcore thriller fan, but it is better than many in the genre and perfect for a wintery afternoon with the kids. Give it a shot.  

Frankenhooker (1990)

Now that I finally feel like me again with the sickness apparently gone and my weekly homework complete, it is time to settle down and focus on catching up on some of the films I have watched this week. One of the more entertaining and fun was one I had not seen in over a decade, the 1990 schlockfest Frankenhooker.

Plot/ A medical student sets out to recreate his decapitated fiancée by building her a new body made of Manhattan Street hookers.

If you are a fan of cheesy 1980s horror, you have definitely seen something from the mind of Frank Henenlotter (Basket Case). While none of these films will ever win an Academy Award, they will definitely live on in many circles as cult classics. This is definitely the case with Frankenhooker! Honestly, one look at the title should be enough to make anyone realize exactly what they are in for: classic low budget schlock at its finest. Yes, the effects range from laughable to bad, the acting is all over, and you must suspend the reality for a while, but that should have been expected. What you do have is an interesting and imaginative storyline mixed with a great balance of comedy and gore, something that many more refined (or popular) horror comedies lack. In the end, this movie is an entertaining romp through B-movie horror. If you love this type of film and have not seen it, check it out! For fans of schlock cinema, give it a shot!