The Dead Don't Die (2019)

As I attempted to get some stuff done on my computer, I was looking for something to watch. That’s when I broke down and picked this one. While I am not a huge horror/comedy person, I decided to change it up and went with 2019s The Dead Don’t Die.

Plot: The focus is on the sleepy small town of Centerville where the dead become undead.

Dark zombie comedy is hard to pull off and this is a great example of that. While the cast is outstanding, the movie never takes full advantage of the talent at hand. Sadly, the comedic elements fall flat and that brings the entire film down. There are some attempts at actual horror, but those seem misguided and added simply for effect. This one sits somewhere between comedy and horror and never really brings the two together. Yes, the performances are solid and it wasn’t a complete drag, but it definitely did nothing to etch its name in stone next to some great movies in the genre.  In the end, I can see why this one didn’t pop up on my RADAR when it came out, it’s slow and lacks definition. Stay away unless you have nothing else to watch. 

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.

Leave the World Behind (2023) - Part 5 - Psyop

 

I have been slowly diving into the situation taking place in New Jersey with the UAP/ Drone flap that is taking place. Between interesting videos on social media, a familiarity of the area from being stationed up there, and the inept answers being disseminated by the different three letter agencies, it is intriguing. 

But, through what I was reading, there was something that was weighing on me and I couldn’t place it, until I did. Looking at some of my notes from past investigations, it dawned on me that the timing of all this was familiar. Then I realized it was the anniversary of Leave the World Behind, and all of the symbolism and predictive programming it gave us. This flap fits right into that movie, yet adding another strange layer to the story.  

Plot: A family vacation on Long Island is interrupted by two strangers bearing news of a blackout. As the threat grows, both families must decide how best to survive the potential crisis, all while grappling with their own place in this collapsing world.

On Wednesday, New Jersey Republican state Sen. Jon Bramnick called for ‘limited state of emergency’ over mysterious drone sightings that are plaguing New Jersey for the past 6 weeks. I totally get that request, especially as the three letter agencies keep saying, “we have no idea who is doing this, but there is no threat to national security.” I’m sorry, both of those statements cannot be true. If you are clueless on the origin, how do you know the intention? You can’t, unless you are lying about something. 

To me, a military veteran and a researcher, the fact that our own federal government seems remarkably unconcerned to find out the origin of this incursion is very telling. To me, it screams black project or psyop. This is where Leave the World Behind comes into play. 

If you remember, President Obama produced and co-wrote that movie and one of the main themes was the government launching a series of psyops against the American people, which  would ultimately lead to civil war. 

There is a great divide inside the United States right now because of the amount of gaslighting and misinformation being pushed on both sides of the aisle. Mainstream media is dead and one has to sift through volumes of information to get to truths. Too many people blindly believe what they hear and accept things on face value. They are blind to the fact that our elected officials are being controlled by the corporate lobbyists and career government officials that believe they are above our elected officials.  

Between playing both sides on the international front, driving up debt by handing out money like it is water to foreign nations, and fear of major change on the horizon as threats about releasing certain documents near, it would not be a surprise that someone in the so-called Deep State would launch a psyop to save their grasp on power. 

I don’t believe in coincidence and there are too many coincidences found in Leave the World Behind. Hell, it was supposed to be fiction, but like Orwell’s 1984, it is becoming more like a predictive model for society. 

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.

Thanksgiving (2023)

It's not often that I look forward to watching a slasher film.  Don't get me wrong,  I absolutely love them.  Unfortunately,  most modern entries are nothing compared to the ones I grew up with.  But that was different,  A son as I saw that 2023s Thanksgiving was streaming, I had to watch it.  

Plot: An axe-wielding maniac terrorises residents of Plymouth, Massachusetts, after a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy. Picking off victims one by one, the seemingly random revenge killings soon become part of a larger, sinister plan.

Wow, this one was se much fun to watch.  While I'm sure that it will fall into the love it or hate it arena,  I hope more love it.  This one has everything you need to take a modern journey into the world of the classic slasher genre with an entertaining story,  over-the- top kills, and some really good effects.  Did,  since of it was headscratching, there were some holes in the story,  and I found it sonewhat predictable, but that did nothing to take away from the overall feel and experience. In the end,  this was a great watch and I'm actually hoping there is a sequel.  It is a holiday classic that with his become part of our Thanksgiving traditions. 

The Postcard Killings (2020)

Time does seem to fly by.  It seems like yesterday, I was walking through Point Pleasant searching for the Mothman. Today,  I'm just hanging out and watching some movies.  The first one I caught this month is the 2020 thriller,  The Postcard Killings.

Plot: A New York City detective investigates the death of his daughter, who was murdered on her honeymoon in London, and discovers the existence of a serial killer.

As a huge fan of procedural crime movies and shows,  this one seemed like a nice change of pace from what I have been watching.  Unfortunately,  there was something missing.  I'm not in any way saying this is a bad movie,  in fact, it has some great scenery, a solid cast with decent performances, and an interesting storyline.  However,  the movie never truly achieved anything to make it stand out.  It was actually quite pedestrian and bland; never capitalizing on its full potential to become something extremely memorable. So, in the end, this will help you pass some time, but it is nothing special and should be viewed as a middle of the road crime thriller.

Malignant (2021)

I was searching for something different and was getting frustrated.  That was when someone recommended the 2021 flick Malignant.

Plot: Paralyzed by fear from shocking visions, a woman's torment worsens as she discovers her waking dreams are terrifying realities.

This one was so much better than I thought it would be. I mean,  I can't count the number of times I passed this one by.  But, shame on me.  This movie has everything that a horror fan could like,  an interesting story,  a crazy killer,  and some solid kills and effects. Yes,  the movie may have run a tad long and there were a few elements the made little sense,  but,  overall this was a well thought out and enjoyable watch with since amazing imagery. It's not perfect, but it is a great choice if you're searching for something on Netflix.