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.

The Evil Within (2017)

What a Saturday, I went to lunch with Dad, was surprised when one of the daughters cut the grass without prompting, and I was able to push through another piece for my epic poem Salvation. While that may not sound like much, it was enough to allow my week to slow down and let me get some much needed down time. To finish the evening, I decided on an interesting flick, 2017s The Evil Within.

Plot/ The sadistic tale of a lonely, mentally handicapped boy who befriends his reflection in an antique mirror. This demonic creature orders him to go on a murderous rampage to kill the people he loves most.

When I sat down to watch this one, I had no clue what to expect. What I found was an interesting film that was much better than I initially would have guessed. While this is not a perfect film and it has some uneven moments, it is rather entertaining and memorable, featuring some solid visuals, decent performances, and sound cinematography. Yes, the ending (like parts of the movie) was confusing and there were some minor pacing issues, but those really do not bring the film down especially when the history of this movie is brought to life. This relatively strange and unknown gem, originally titled The Storyteller, was the obsession of oil heir Andrew Getty, who wrote, directed, and methodically crafted this film for roughly 15-years until his tragic death in 2015. In the end, this movie may not be great, and in may not live up to its own history, but it is a memorable entry and one that I am glad I noticed during my last trip to Family Video.

Cell (2016)

While I know this is Friday the 13th and I should be doing a review of one of those films, the one I grabbed (and am watching right now), I have already reviewed. So, to fill that void, I am writing up the movie from last night, 2016s Cell.

Plot/ When a mysterious cell phone signal causes apocalyptic chaos; an artist is determined to reunite with his young son in New England.

I have never read this book by Stephen King, but honestly, that was probably a good thing because it is often difficult to watch adaptations of his work if you are familiar with the source material. From watching this and the disjointed storyline, I definitely imagine that was the case. More of a philosophical thriller than zombie horror flick, there were some elements of the story that were intriguing. In many ways, this is the world that we live in and I could see society suffer with some type of psychological trauma if something similar happened. The scripting was honest; the performances decent, and there were some atmospheric moments that made this somewhat interesting. Unfortunately, the cinematography and effects make this more of a low budget B-movie destined for the SyFy Channel than anything else, a surprising fact when you see that John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson take on the lead roles. In the end, this one is nothing memorable and I imagine that the book was a better time. Is it watchable? Yes, but, have I seen worse? Absolutely!

Magic (1978)

After watching the cheesefest that was Contamination, I decided to venture into something different. Subsequently, I searched through Shudder until I found something down a stranger path, finally settling on the underrated 1978 flick Magic.

Plot/ A ventriloquist is at the mercy of his vicious dummy while he tries to renew a romance with his high school sweetheart.

This was an amazing film, and one that often flies under the RADAR for fans of horror flicks or thrillers. Directed by Sir Richard Attenbourough, this movie oozes atmosphere and is one of the creepier films from that era. Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins is amazing, creating a movie that is in many ways a precursor to his performance in Silence of the Lambs. The cast is strong, the cinematography is solid, the storyline works, and there is great tension sprinkled into the entire film. Yes, some of the pacing may seem slow and there are some head scratching moments, but those do not hold the movie back in any way. In the end, this is a creepy flick that for some reason often overlooked. With the movie now available on Shudder; give it a shot.

How to Make a Monster (1958)

Having recently signed up for a free week of Shudder from AMC, it is a refreshing trip into some of the different ages and genres they offer. Being in the mood for something different, I decided to take a trip back in time to catch the 1958 American International entry How to Make a Monster.

Plot/ When a master monster make-up artist is sacked by the new bosses of American International studios, he uses his creations to exact revenge.

This was a perfect trip back into the days of the classic creature feature, where even if a storyline was somewhat cliché, the overall quality of the film seemed to set it off. This one has everything a horror fan could ask for. There is Frankenstein’s Monster, a Wolfman, and an interesting trip into the mind of a psychopath out for revenge (I loved the hypnotic aspects of control he used). Done on a meager budget (even for that time), the scripting, performances, and overall flow of the movie make it an enjoyable flick to watch. Yes, there is a lack of suspense, the atmosphere is more comedic than horror, and it is predicable, but those factors really do nothing to bring the film down. In the end, this film is a perfect Saturday afternoon creature feature, and a great trip to the classic age of horror cinema. Give it a shot!

Gods of Egypt (2016)

Now that I returned from a softball tryout and can settle into starting my vacation, I decided to finish one last film before loading my bags. After some thought about what I had left to write about, I decided on the 2016 fantasy Gods of Egypt.

Plot/ Mortal hero Bek teams with the god Horus in an alliance against Set, the merciless god of darkness, who has usurped Egypt's throne, plunging the once peaceful and prosperous empire into chaos and conflict.

This movie is definitely not my normal selection and was one that I had stayed away from for some time. Now, after watching it, I wish I had not. There was actually a lot to like inside this fantasy epic, and as a fan of ancient Egypt, it was fun to sit through. Yes, it was unbelievable and some of it was a bit out there, but that is perfectly fine within the confines of a fantasy. Overall, it featured an interesting storyline, some solid scripting and characterizations, and enough plot twists to keep it moving. Yes, the CGI was rough and some of the performances were uneven, but that did not detract from the movie in any way. In the end, this was a film that was much better than I expected and a movie that made for a fun evening. If you enjoy fantasy flicks, give it a shot.

Dark City (1998)

Sometimes, I regret some of my choices, since they are journeys deep into the bowels of misery. Of course, that is my fault, as I tend to be impulsive when I see something instead of searching out something better. Fortunately, there are times when I decide to dig deeper, and find a movie that is worth watching, and at times, even inspirational. That was the case tonight, with the 1998 Sci-Fi entry, Dark City.

Plot/ A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans.

After suffering through that very forgettable Hellraiser installment, I was happy to break out Dark City. This is both one of the best, and one of my favorite Sci-Fi films of the 1990s. Honestly, I have no idea why it never reached anything other than cult status, it is worthy of so much more than that. Cold, dark, atmospheric, and complete with outstanding performances, a layered and complex script, and most importantly, a thought provoking storyline that leaves you inspired by what can be accomplished with originality within a Sci-Fi landscape. Even the ending, which still feels a touch out of place, can do nothing to derail the impressive gothic world created in the entertaining feature. In the end, Dark City is one of the most underappreciated Sci-Fi movies in the genre, and is cinematographically above many films that many place above it. If you have not seen this brilliant entry, search it out and give it a shot. You will not be disappointed.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Now, having watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens for a second time, I decided it was time to dive back into that world for the blog. Incredibly, I realized that I have overlooked the franchise for some time, and may have to break them all down over the next month or so. Who knows, but here is my spoiler free review of The Force Awakens.

Plot/ Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

Let me start by saying this will be spoiler free. Although, I have seen the film twice now (both 2D and 3D), I imagine that there are still those out there who have not ventured out. Personally, I loved the film, as it brought the excitement of the originals back to life. For me, the homage paid to the original series will likely pay off in the future installments, as there are many questions that remain. If, like me, you remember the classics when they came out, it was not until The Empire Strikes Back, that questions were left unanswered, and ironically, that is the one that will stand as the best ever. The pacing was amazing, as there was always something happening, making the small pieces of mysterious dialog even better. Of course, some will not like the way this one plays out because of that, because there are moments left for the viewers’ imagination, but that is what makes this one tick. The action sequences work, the new characters interesting and mysterious, and the overall feel was much better than I expected. Sure, there could have been some more originality sprinkled in, but it is understandable on why this one was fueled by nostalgia, as the Star Wars audience must touch a younger generation, that may not truly appreciate the original’s in the same manner we do. In the end, this one may not reach the level as The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi, but it does move up the scale quite a bit. If you have not seen it, you definitely should check it out, especially if you have kids that are just learning about Star Wars. Trust me, there is nothing better than when your teenaged daughter comes out and says, “That was awesome! Rey Rocks!”

Beyond Re-Animator (2003)

This was a long weekend full of college papers (two), softball practices (two), and the PIA Christmas party. Honestly, I was burnt out by the time the Steelers came on and was ready to go back to work. To help pass some time, I needed some mindless horror; and in my quest for that I found the 2003 Lovecraft inspired, Beyond Re-Animator.

Plot/ Everyone's favorite mad scientist Herbert West is currently in jail after having state's evidence turned against him by his former assistant, Dan Cain. While being led away, some re-agent falls from his pocket where a young man picks it up who was camping nearby. The young man finds Herbert down in his jail cell and learns for himself just what the re-agent is capable of.

When I saw this one, I could not resist and what I found was a combination of blood, gut, gore, and comedy that helped pass the frustrations of a busy weekend. I absolutely loved it, in fact, I was disappointed that I had not watched it earlier. As usual, Jeffrey Combs channels his at his best as the deranged mad scientist. While this movie is by no means perfect, it does feature some tremendous special effects and a tremendous amount of gore, enough to make any gorehound appreciate it. In the end, not for everyone, but if you love blood, guts and gore within a film that does not take itself seriously, you should definitely check this one out!

Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead (2015)

Tonight was busy (as most Wednesdays are) with both homework deadlines and a Nightmares softball game. Yet, with this being the Halloween season, there is always time for some horror. After some thought, I decided on a zombie flick for the evening: Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead (2015).

Plot/ Barry is a talented mechanic and family man whose life is torn apart on the eve of a zombie apocalypse. His sister, Brooke, is kidnapped by a sinister team of gas-mask wearing soldiers and experimented on by a psychotic doctor. While Brooke plans her escape Barry goes out on the road to find her & teams up with Benny, a fellow survivor - together they must arm themselves and prepare to battle their way through hordes of flesh-eating monsters in a harsh Australian bush.

Recently, I have been staying far away from the zombie genre, as many of the films that have been coming out lately seem tired and played out. Fortunately, I am glad that I picked this one, because it took an interesting route outside of the box and created something rather original. While this is not a perfect movie by any means, it does have an outstanding mix of action, creativity, and a decent mixture of effects. Sure, there is not much in the way of character development and there may be too many unanswered questions, but those flaws are easily overlooked. In the end, this was an intriguing zombie entry, and a movie that was a lot more entertaining than I expected when I turned it on. This one is definitely worth watching.

Re-Animator (1985)

Sorry that I have been away from the blog for a while, with softball and college, my schedule has been excessively hectic to keep up. However, with this being October and with Halloween in the air, I decided it was time to venture back into some movies and writing. Hopefully, I can keep up. My first movie selection for the month is a movie that really does not need a review, it is a classic; 1985s H.P. Lovecraft’s Re-Animator!

Plot/ A dedicated student at a medical college and his girlfriend become involved in bizarre experiments centering around the re-animation of dead tissue when an odd new student arrives on campus.

This is one of the best examples of how someone can create a cult classic on a minimal budget. Shot for less than one million dollars in the 1980s, this H.P. Lovecraft entry is an amazing film to watch. Yes, it is filled with schlock, and there is a tremendous amount of gore, graphic nudity, and violent activities, but it is accomplished in a way that makes it fun and entertaining. This movie has a great mix of comedy and horror, with Jeffrey Combs delivering one of his best performances. Sure, some of the luster has worn off and there is definitely a 1980s feel to the wardrobe and styling’s, but those have no bearing on the film at all. In the end, Stuart Gordon created a memorable masterpiece that never gets old. If you have not watched this one yet, you are missing out. Check it out!

Alien Agenda: Project Grey (2007)

It was so nice to finally have an evening at the house with nothing keeping me out until all hours. Over the past two weeks, it feels like there has been something everyday from band concerts, to Christmas parties, to working late, it has been a challenge. Tonight was different, and not only did I have a chance to watch some Agents of SHIELD, I was able to catch a low budget flick: 2007s Alien Agenda: Project Grey.  

Plot/ Dr. Schroder listens to her criminally insane patient as he recounts the story of the murder of his four friends. A story of infidelity, jealousy, and revenge takes a strange turn revealing an alien agenda. Chip implants, government mind control, Russian military, and alien visitors, form the puzzle pieces of this science fiction thriller. A search for the answers leads to the truth.

Although I have been caught up in the world of S.H.I.E.L.D lately and there are some alien overtones, I have honestly been in the mood to see some type of alien related flick. That is what I found with this one on HULU. A no-budget indie flick, this one is definitely far from perfect, but it did have some interesting aspects that at least kept me entertained. The storyline is interesting and there were some solid moments, the soundtrack was outstanding, and there were some intriguing cinematography aspects that seemed to work better than expected. Sure, the dialog and acting was a touch uneven, and the CGI effects and some scene transitions were laughable at best, but that did not destroy the movie. In the end, I understand that this low budget entry will not be for everyone, but it does have some entertaining moments. While not a masterpiece, if you enter into it with low expectations like I did, you could be surprised.

Total Recall (1990)

Yesterday was a long day, as I had to pull a late night at the institute. Yes, it was only a few hours, but that time seemed to drain the life out of me and when I got home, I did not feel like doing anything. Tonight, I decided to get back on track by reviewing another one of the retro flicks I have watched over the past few days, 1990s Total Recall.

Plot/ When a man goes for virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real, or does he?

This was a movie that I recently searched out for many reasons. Based on the Phillip K. Dick short story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, I decided to venture into this one again to see some of the areas I may have missed when it came out. While what I found was a touch dated, it was definitely worth watching again. The storyline is fantastic, the action scenes were solid, sets interesting, and the performances were actually better than I remember. Sure, some of the effects see out of date and the dialog is all over, but that was somewhat expected from what I had remembered. In the end, this was an entertaining trip into a strange and layered storyline. If you have not watched the original, give it a shot, it is worth it.

Snowpiercer (2013)

As I am sitting here laughing at the excuses being made by democrats as to why they are taking a beating today at the polls, I decided that I needed relax and prepare for tomorrow’s #MillionMaskMarch. While I cannot take off to join in the festivities, I will have my mask on hand all day. Next of for review, the 2013 surrealistic flick Snowpiercer.

Plot/ Set in a future where a failed climate-change experiment kills all life on the planet except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, where a class system emerges.

When I saw this, I honestly expected some type of global warming propaganda piece, and while there were some of those overtones, what I found was much better than I would have expected. This post apocalyptic movie has a lot going for it; some of which I definitely did not see coming. The performances were solid, the cinematography works and there are some atmospheric moments. More importantly, it takes on many of the social issues that often go overlooked in films of this type. Sure, there are some head scratching moments with some plot holes, but within this type of surrealistic environment, those are to be expected. In the end, this is a movie that will either be loved or hated. Personally, I found it an entertaining trip into the post apocalyptic landscape that could be created if these global warming nuts get their way. Give it a shot, you could definitely do a lot worse.