The Current Occupant (2020)

After some time working on some articles for Titans Wire and diving into the drones plaguing the East Coast, I decided to put something on before transitioning into some possible true crime. My selection was from the Into the Dark series on Hulu: 2020s The Current Occupant.

Plot: Trapped in a mysterious psychiatric ward, a man with no memory comes to believe that he's the President of the United States and the subject of a diabolical political conspiracy. As the asylum's soul-crushing forces bear down on him, he fights to preserve his sanity and escape so that he can return to power.

From the Into the Dark series, this entry is not bad and had some good moments, but that wasn’t enough. The acting was solid and there were some pretty good technical elements. The initial premise seems interesting and is rather original, but the execution lacked the same originality and felt like it was put together specifically to pay homage to a few classics. If that was the intention, it did a decent job. However, as a standalone, this one was a bit too far-fetched and at times was too laughable. In the end, this one wasn’t terrible and comes off as a modern trip into the Twilight Zone. Would I watch it again? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. 

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. 

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.

Willy's Wonderland (2021)

This will be my last day in Pennsylvania on this trip and Timothy's I'll be back in a more favorable climate. Waking to 4 inches of snow and single digit temperatures are really not my cup of tea.  I did stay in most of the day and decided to watch this 2021 flick, Willy's Wonderland.

Plot: When his car breaks down, a quiet loner agrees to clean an abandoned family fun center in exchange for repairs. He soon finds himself waging war against possessed animatronic mascots while trapped inside Willy's Wonderland.

What else could horror and B-Movie fans ask for but a crazy almost unhinged performance by Nicolas Cage? Not much,  right.  This is that movie.  Cage plays the character perfectly,  and the performance makes the movie.  While there is no real scare factor,  the fight scenes with the possessed animatronics are B-Movie gold. The storyline is fun,  the characters are OK,  and the effects are pretty good.  Yes,  this one is mindless and lacks any type of scare,  but that fits nothing to really bring the movie down, it is a fun trip into a strange world. Give it a shot. 

No One Will Save You (2023)

As 2023 came to an end,  it was quite refreshing to look m back m and see that I have finally gone back and started working on here again.  Having recovered from my transplant and still attempting to break out of this writers block,  I see it as a step in the right direction. The first movie for 2024 was quite a surprise,  the 2023 alien invasion flick No One Will Save You. 

Plot - Brynn finds solace within the walls of the home where she grew up until she's awakened one night by strange noises from unearthly intruders.

Who knew a movie with next to no dialog would be so interesting and entertaining? Have seen the cover on Hulu, i decided to take the chance and what i found was something i didn't expect,  a unique approach to a Sci-fi/horror thriller. Yes,  it did have did have some flaws,  but overall it was gripping entry. Kaitlyn Dever was amazing and plays the character perfectly aided by only actions and emotions.  The atmosphere is good,  cinematography works,  and the feel of the movie works all around.  Sure,  the backstory is lost for the most part and the aliens have maybe too many looks, abilities, and inconsistencies,  but those are minor flaws and can easily be overlooked. If you are looking for an intriguing alien invasion flick,  this one is for you.  Check it out!

TMZ Presents: UFOs The Pentagon Proof (2021)

Next week at this time,  I'll be prepping for my UFO event with Enigma Labs at the ocean front. I'm stoked.  Ever since my first sighting in the 70s as I child,  I have known that UFOs exist.  While I have no idea what they are and have changed opinions over time,  I know they exist.  A fact that I am excited to see take on a mainstream life ìn this crazy 2023. Hopefully,  more information confines to trickle out.  Being in that mood,  I decided to watch TMZs show, TMZ Tresents: UFOs The Pentagon Proof (2021).

Plot: Analyzing the U.S. government's official response to UFO conversations from an investigative standpoint; interviews with key players; new footage of UFOs from the deck of a USS naval ship.

I am not a huge fan of TMZ, but I will admit that they do a great job at providing some solid information and in their investigation shows,  they make it worth watching.  This one is the same,  detailing the available information on this polarizing topic.  From 2021, this documentary dives into the Pentagon and the half-assed way they documented these important sightings as well as the way they worked to cover it up.  With some of the interviews, they pointed out facts that are easily verifiable to any one that wants to dive info these reports for themselves.  Shot with a myriad of interviews, they talk with both witnesses, experts,  and government representatives that all point out different information on the topic.  Thus,  giving different perspectives.  What I really appriciated was the fact that they covered the topic without an agenda, and allowed the different people they were talking to present their story without an agenda. The different members of TMZ asked pointed but not leading questions,  allowing them to answer open and honestly.  In the end,  this was both informative and entertaining. If you haven't watched it,  check it out. 

Spree (2020)

I really do love this time of the year,  it gives me a perfect excuse to immerse myself into all things spooky, strange, and horror related. Like last night,  I got to go out to watch the silent classics Nosferatu and the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with a live band playing an incredible soundscape. The Invincible Czars were amazing! Today, I've watched a couple things,  including this movie Spree from 2020.

Plot: Desperate for an online following, a rideshare driver has figured out a deadly plan to go viral and he will stop at nothing to get his five minutes of fame.

When I selected this one this morning,  I had no idea on what to expect and was actually pleasantly surprised by what I found.  Unfortunately,  I already know that this will be a movie that will be very polarizing, and the audience will either love it or hate it. It's it a good film,  technically not really.  The dialog is so-so, the performances are uneven,  and the end sort of spirals. But,  there is something here within the idea of the storyline that adds a realistic view of the viral streaming community and the many different parts of society that want to join those ranks. Personally, I love social media (@ringmasters_realm on Instagram) and could understand everything that was taking place within the movie.  But, that might put me in a minority. In the end, this wasn't great, but it was a fun way to spend some time watching something outside the typical cookie-cutter horror that has become common. Not for everybody, but will appeal to a social media generation.