Batman Beyond: The Complete Series

Creator(s) - Bob Kane (Gotham, Batman Ninja) and Bill Finger (Joker, Justice League)
Starring - Will Friedle (Boy Meets World, Green Arrow), Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Killing Joke, The Venture Bros.), and Lauren Tom (Friends, Futurama)
Release Date - 1999
Genre - Action/Crime
Tagline - "A new hero for a new era"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When the late 90s was rolling around I was hitting middle school and finding horror.  My VHS collecting was slowly turning to DVD and I was truly discovering horror.  Not to sound like one of those guys but I didn't really care about cartoons or animated movies by that point.  I had moved on to Night of the Living Dead, Evil Dead, Truck Turner, Escape from New York, and so on.  A friend of mine was obsessed with DC Comics and he would always recommend stuff for me to check out but I would always disregard his recommendations.  That changed when he pitched Batman Beyond to me.  I watched a couple episodes and absolutely loved it.  Fast forward and a few weeks ago I received a press release for the complete series of Batman Beyond hitting blu.  I reached out and was lucky enough to get a copy of this awesome box set for review.  Thanks guys!

     The series follows self-righteous Terry McGinnis (Friedle) who uncovers the Batcave below an elderly Bruce Wayne's (Conroy) mansion after Bruce falls asleep.  He doesn't try to black mail Bruce but insists he train Terry to be the new mantle for Batman.  Bruce reluctantly agrees and the pair take out crime all over the city ranging from corrupts officials and corporations to gangs and various supervillains both new and old.  

     I remember really liking how dark the show was when I was middle school.  Sure, there is a lot more darker animated shows than this but for a Batman show this is pretty dark and fun.  I don't remember a lot about the show until now but revisiting it was a very entertaining experience.  The voice acting in this is fucking perfect.  In Batman fandom many would argue that Kevin Conroy is Batman and after watching these animated movies and shows I have to agree.  Sure, Keaton, Bale, and Affleck all deliver memorable moments as the caped crusader but Conroy is the voice that I think of when I hear Batman.  He will always be the voice of Bruce Wayne and Batman to me.  His is great and I love seeing him as an aged and weathered Bruce Wayne.  His voice does have a little more life to it than his on screen counterpart but I can live with that.  I enjoyed Will Friedle as the new Batman but he doesn't stand out to me.  I know the new Batman is intended to be a teenager in the series but Friedle's voice is not recognizable.  Anyone that sounds like a teenage boy could have did the same.  The stories for these three series really held my attention.  As an adult I often watch shows that range from 45 minutes to an hour so it was refreshing watching a series with 20 minute episodes.  Most of the episodes work but there is a few that dud out. These are just a handful and not enough to prevent the viewer from enjoying the rest of the set.  Finally, the animation is right in tone with Batman: The Animated Series.  It works for an animated show aimed at teenagers and better than some of the animated DC films that would be released a few years later.  Overall, Batman Beyond is a fun take on the Batman legend.  It gives the very some of the same but with a more modern (at the time) take.  The blu looks great for what it is but there is room for improvement over the mastering.  I highly recommend grabbing this amazing set for your collection.  

Wildling

Director - Fritz Bohm (Mondmann, Erin Brudermord)
Starring - Bel Powley (Mary Shelley, The Cabin), Brad Dourif (Child's Play, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers), and Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Armageddon)
Release Date - 2018
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Discover your true nature"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     With Thanksgiving now behind me I'm back to more horror and catching up on movies sent over to me for review.  Way back in October I had put together a stack of movies to binge watch through the month.  It started out awesome but the last week of the month was rough for my family when we suffered an unexpected death.  Most of those movies I had to put off checking out until I could get caught up on a couple of other releases.  A few days back I started working on a few of the IFC Midnight and Scream Factory collaborations.  After watching Pyewacket and Lowlife I went ahead and tossed in the unusual werewolf film Wildling.  

     The film follows Anna (Powley) who lives with an older man who she calls Daddy (Dourif).  He gives her shots to repress her estrigene to prevent her from maturing and scares here with tales about a creature called a wildling that eats children.  When she becomes ill from all the medications he has injected her with she asks him to take her to the woods where she can become a tree.  Seeing that she is dying he kills himself.  The gunshot worries the neighbors and they call 911.  The sheriff, Ellen (Tyler), arrives and takes her into custody before taking her home to try and give her a normal life.  Soon her body matures and she starts her period and with in a craving for meat and an impeccable talent for killing.

     When I was putting my stack of movies to check out I was not excited to see this one.  I had high hopes for Pyewacket and Lowlife but the artwork for this one made me think it was a boring dark drama that flirted with horror themes.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent but still very entertaining.  The star of the show is Bel Powley.  Her performance makes the film and without her this film would have crashed and burn.  Liv Tyler was great as well.  Her character is rather bland and a little on the boring side but she does a solid job.  It works for the film but she's easily forgettable.  I was underwhelmed with Brad Dourif's performance.  He has delivered so many memorable performances over the years but Wildling is not it.  He is underutilized in the film and doesn't seem dedicated to his role.  The story for this one is not one many would expect when tossing in a knowing a werewolf film.  The movie is very unconventional for a werewolf film but really works.  It's a deep character piece that is slightly predictable but still works.  The story is very rich and highly enjoyable. Finally, the film does have some blood but nothing in the way of gore.  We do get some solid practical effects along with some painfully bad CGI.  The beast at the end of the film made me laugh at how bad it was.  A brilliant movie in almost every way is brought to a screeching halt due to laughable CGI.  Overall, Wildling is a phenomenal piece of cinema.  The dark tone and brilliant atmosphere make this character piece well worth your time.  The horrible CGI does take away from the overall film but not enough to ruin it.  Check it out.   

Lowlife

Director - Ryan Prows (Boomerang Kids, Django Guilt)
Starring - Nicki Micheaux (The Pact II, The Shield), Ricardo Adam Zarate (S.W.A.T., Snowfall), and Jon Oswald (Power Rangers: Cosmic Drift, Lady Dynamite)
Release Date - 2017
Genre - Crime/Drama
Tagline - "Blessed at the meek"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Sometime ago, longer than I want to admit, IFC Midnight and Scream Factory released several films together and I was sent these films for review.  Sadly, I was unable to get these up in a reasonable time.  Mostly because I'm a big pile of shit.  When Halloween was approaching I wanted to check a few of them out and get them reviewed but shit didn't go the way I had hoped so these were forced to be put off until now.  I recently watched Pyewacket and was very disappointed in the film.  I was hesitant to follow it up with another IFC Midnight/Scream Factory release but I forced my way on and tossed in the 2017 crime drama Lowlife.  Lucky for me this movie was a vast improvement over the first film I watched.  Once again thank you Scream Factory for sending this one over!

     The film follows consists of three different tales with all their paths crossing.  The first follows a masked luchador that is trying to live up to his father's legacy while working for a sex trafficker and organ harvester.  He is dating his step-daughter who is a recovering addict and carrying their son.  When he gets angry he blacks out and after a black out he finds his expecting girlfriend gone and begins his search for her.  The other follows a woman and her husband who are recovering addicts.  She owns a hotel and is barely making ends meat while her husband is dying.  She makes a deal with the sex trafficker to get her husband the organ he needs to leave from their daughter they gave up for adoption who just happens to be his pregnant step-daughter.  The third follows an ex-con just released from prison who decided to get a giant swastika on his face but is now regretting that decision after his release.  His old friend, who is now married to his ex-girlfriend, finds himself in some deep shit with the sex trafficker and must abduct his step-daughter if they want to live.  All three then come together for one reason or another and an epic battle between them all and the sex trafficker happens in the basement of a fast food restaurant.  

     I knew Lowlife wasn't the horror movie I was looking for but I at least knew it was going to be bloody and violent.  Horror or not, this movie definitely packed a punch and was bloody as fuck.  The acting in this one is great.  The characters are very lively and memorable.  The film goes against the grain to give the viewer characters that beat the cliché and become memorable.  Some of the characters are a little more fun than others but the entire cast does a fantastic job in their roles.  The story for this one keeps the viewer on their toes.  Just when you think you have the movie figured out we are thrown for another loop.  The film has a pretty steady pace that really pulls the viewer in.  The viewer may struggle with connecting with the characters but that's the fun of this movie.  The story is just so far fetched and out there that the viewer can't help but become enthralled with it.  Finally, this film does not shy away from the blood.  We get some insane kills with top notch practical effects.  The gore looks great and it always catches the viewer off guard.  Most of the kills take place off screen but they are still enjoyable.  Overall, Lowlife is not a horror experience but those of you looking for a bloody exploitation flick with outrageous characters will truly enjoy this gritty masterpiece.  Check it out!

Pyewacket

Director - Adam MacDonald (Blackfoot Trail, Slasher)
Starring - Laurie Holden (The Walking Dead, Dragged Across Concrete), Nicole Munoz (Van Helsing, Once Upon a Time), and Chloe Rose (Degrassi: Next Class, Dark Matter)
Release Date - 2017
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Be careful what you wish for.  Someone might be listening"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Back in October I laid out a stack of movies that I wanted to marathon during the month.  Some were new movies sent to me for review and others were older releases that I needed to review but had misplaced or packed up in totes by mistake after the house fire.  Several of those were some IFC Midnight and Scream Factory collaboration releases.  The artwork on all these were fantastic and I couldn't wait to dig into them.  The first on the chopping block was the 2017 release Pyewacket starring The Walking Dead's Laurie Holden and Nicole Munoz.  Thank you Scream Factory for sending this one my way!

     The film follows angsty Leah (Munoz) who lives with her mother (Holden) after the death of her father.  They both struggle with his death in different ways.  Leah has turned to black magic while her mother drinks.  In an attempt to make things better for them her mother packs up and moves away to a new home while still allowing Leah to finish her school year out to be with her friends.  However, Leah refuses to think about anyone other than herself and turns to black magic to rid her of her mother.  She performs a ritual to summon a demon to kill her...and it works after she reconciles with her mother.  Now she must stop the beast before it takes her mother or is it too late?  

     I went into this one very excited.  I wanted to watch Pyewacket before Halloween but life got ahead of me so it was put on the back burner until now.  Sadly, I kind of wish I would have waited longer to see it.  The movie was so boring that I couldn't finish it in one viewing.  I had to turn it off so I could watch something before giving it another go.  The acting in this one is very dry.  I was expecting more from a film of this caliber.  The characters are painfully cliched and the cast has very little to work with.  With that being said, the cast never gets the chance to make the characters their own.  The scene moves straight on with the story.  Normally, this wouldn't be an issue but the character development is placed on the first scene of the film and then never touched upon again.  The story for this one is interesting but the impact is lost along the way.  What we do get is very predictable and you see the little twist coming a mile away.  I also didn't like how the characters were written.  It was damn near impossible for me to like the film's main character.  She's a cry baby and clearly spoiled.  I think the story was written to have the audience not like her and sympathize with the mother but once filming started this was lost in the shuffle of the story.  Finally, if you are looking for blood the film has some but don't expect gore or memorable kills.  We get some blood in the film but the film is more centered around the mother/daughter relationship and Leah's attempt at summoning an evil presence.  Overall, Pyewacket just wasn't that good to me.  It was a boring movie that had an interesting story that fails to go anywhere.  This is one I will not be revisiting.  

     

Wonder Woman: Bloodlines

Director(s) - Justin Copeland (Invincible, Batman:Hush) and Sam Liu (Batman: The Killing Joke, The Death and Return of Superman)
Starring - Rosario Dawson (Iron Fist, The Defenders), Jeffrey Donovan (Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, Fargo), and Marie Avgeropoulos (Dead Rising: Endgame, Supernatural)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Action/Fantasy
Tagline - "Her greatest fight will be the one to get back home"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been enjoying the shit out of some DC animated movies recently.  After watching the slightly underwhelming Superman/Doomsday I tossed in The Death and Return of Superman which is the two films The Death of Superman and The Reign of Supermen combined.  While I was watching these two films I was splitting them up with Batman Beyond.  As I wrapped up both films I decided not to start season 2 of Beyond and decided to go with Wonder Woman: Bloodline.  The character has always been very interesting to me but I've learned to appreciate her even more after having a daughter who idolizes her.  I tossed it in but found myself bored through most of the film.    

     The film follows Princess Diana (Dawson) who lived on a hidden island with other Amazons.  Things change when a pilot crash lands nearby while fighting Darkseid's minions.  The Amazons try to hold him prisoner so he tries to reason with Diana about the alien menace that is attacking the real world.  She sympathises with him and goes back with him so she can learn about the world outside of her island.  She moves in with Julia and her daughter Vanessa.  Julia gives Diana more attention than her own daughter which pushes Vanessa away.  As an adult she now favors the villains Diana is now fighting as part of the Justice League.  After Vanessa makes a deal with Villainy Inc. she is confronted by Diana and Julia is accidentally shot.  Vanessa blames Diana for her mother's death and joins Villainy Inc. forcing Diana to make another important choice.  

     I went into this one with excitement.  My daughter couldn't wait to see another Wonder Woman movie and I was riding a high from watching The Death and Return of Superman.  Sadly, the film let us both down to some extent.  My daughter still enjoyed the film for what it was worth but the dialogue heavy scenes with little action really tried our patience.  Maybe I was expecting too much from the film.  As I stated earlier, I really find the character of Wonder Woman to be fascinating but the film just rehashed what I've already scene with a more updated story that just feels rushed at time.  The voice acting in this one isn't bad but the cast sounds very under enthused.  The dialogue is very bland and a lot of the action scenes lose excitement because the voice acting is dull during these.  The cast comes across as if they just don't want to be there.  The story for this one is another origin story mixed with a pre-Justice League Wonder Woman story.  Honestly, I'm not a fan of the jump in her timeline and feel that they did the character an injustice by not making it the plot of two films.  This is the third, if I'm not mistaken, origin story and the second that was animated which is rather pointless.  Both previous films did a better job at establishing the character.  The overall film feels like it was tossed together in a whim and the movie suffers from extremely boring scenes that is heavy on dialogue and not content.  Finally, the animation looks good but feels more like one of the animated series from the 90s rather than one of the new DC animated movies.  I liked the look of the characters and the style they went with.  Overall, Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is a somewhat pointless film that doesn't really serve a purpose.  Instead of the another origins story we should be given a new tale following Wonder Woman.  

The Death and Return of Superman

Director(s) - Jake Castorena (Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman Unlimited) and Sam Liu (Wonder Woman: Bloodlines, Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay)
Starring - Jerry O'Connell (Sliders, Joe's Apartment), Rebecca Romijn (X-Men, Satanic Panic), and Rainn Wilson (House of 1000 Corpses, The Office)
Release Date - 2018/2019
Genre - Action/Fantasy
Tagline - "Nothing ever truly dies"
Format - 4k Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been lucky enough to review a few of the DC animated movies over the years.  I became interested in them after receiving Justice League Dark for a Christmas present from my wife.  I'm a huge fan of Constantine character and was very butt hurt when the live action show was cancelled.  The animated movie was fantastic and opened me up to the DC movies.  I've seen a few and really enjoyed them but I'm always hesitant for some unknown reason.  After watching Superman/Doomsday I hoped that The Death and Return of Superman was better...and it was!  The film is The Death of Superman and The Reign of Supermen combined to make one seamless viewing experience.  

     The film follows Clark Kent/Superman who is struggling with juggling saving the world, being the boyfriend Lois Lane deserves, and the duties of Clark Kent.  During this time a meteor crashes in the ocean and Lex Luthor races to get to the crash site before anyone else can.  Something is alive in the meteor and kills his rescue team along with some Atlanteans.  Soon the beast, Doomsday, makes his way to Metropolis killing everyone he meets.  The Justice League steps in but is unable to subdue to alien creature.  When all seems lost Superman arrives and is able to stop him but is mortally wounded dying soon after.  Some time passes after his death and imposter Supermen spring up to "help" the city.  Steel, Cyborg Superman, Eradicator, and Superboy make appearances around the city for different reasons with Cyborg Superman deceiving the public into believing that he is the original Superman that was reconstructed after his battle with Doomsday.  Lois Lane refuses to believe this and starts an investigation into the whole ordeal while Lex Luthor uses Superboy, a Superman clone, to do his own evil work.  Luthor then uncovers that Darkseid sent Cyborg Superman to prepare for his arrival and soon the world is set against an invasion before the real Superman arrives to save the day.

     I was a little nervious going into this one but in the end I didn't want the movie to stop.  It was utterly fantastic and just as epic as it should have been.  Superman dying is a big fucking deal and, unlike Superman/Doomsday, the film properly portrayed that and put it on the scale that it should have been.  The voice acting in this one is great.  The voices actually sound like they were meant for the characters and they actually bring about different emotions and reactions from just using their voice.  Superman/Doomsday didn't work for me because the voice acting showed no enthusiasm or charm.  They didn't get into character or make you feel like they are more than just actors voicing a cartoon.  The story for this one is action packed and offers up a lot for the viewer to retain.  We go from an evil force killing Superman before moving on to several Supermen taking over the mantle of Superman before being tossed into a planetary invasion from Darkseid.  The story for this one is rich and doesn't feel rushed which makes sense considering it's two films together.  Finally, the animation is a little better than the film I previously mentioned but Superman still looks silly to me.  I don't know why I hate his design so much but he just look ridiculous.  Aside from that, it looks like every other DC animated film and I dig it.  Overall, The Death and Return of Superman is a must see for any DC or superhero fans.  The film is extremely fun and well worth your time.  Check it out now!

Necropolis: Legion

Director - Chris Alexander (Queen of Blood, Female Werewolf)
Starring - Augie Duke (Hell's Kitty, Burning Kentucky), Ali Chappell (Beauty and the Beast, Psycho Biddies), and Lynn Lowry (Shivers, The Crazies)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "She's coming back"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I grew up on Full Moon.  I was a fan of all genres when I was a kid and every Friday I looked forward to hitting up the video store so I could get a stack of tapes for the weekend.  My local video store was closed on Sundays so if you rented a movie on Friday you got an extra day to watch it.  I would typically rent between 5 to 10 tapes and spend my weekend binge watching them.  I loved all genres but when I wanted a horror movie I usually went for the Full Moon tapes.  The artwork always pulled me in.  The ride home was always unbearable.  My mind raced wondering what kind of crazy tale Band and company was going to tell me.  Now, 20 some years later I find myself still getting just as excited when Full Moon announces a new title and with The Deadly Ten announced I can't help but shit myself.  Last month I watched Weedjies: Halloweed Night and loved it.  It didn't take us back to Full Moon's golden days but I did highly enjoy it.  This month Full Moon has Chris Alexander's Necropolis: Legion set for release and Chris was kind enough to send it my way.  Between you and me, this one was highly anticipated for me.  Thank you for sending this one my way!

     The film follows a writer (Duke) who moves into a cabin once owned by an evil sorceress with mouthy nipples.  She plans on using the location to inspire her next novel but the cabin's rich supernatural history has other plans.  The longer she is there in the cabin the more she has nightmare about Eva (Chappell), the sorceress.  Soon Eva is able to take control of the young woman forcing an internal struggle for the woman to free herself.  

     I have a confession.  I've never actually seen Necropolis and with the announcement of Alexander's reimaging I discovered that I don't own it either.  After seeing this amazing film I will now actively be seeking out a copy to check out.  My review for this film will not reflect on the original film and how well it ties to it.  Instead, it will be about this particular film only. The acting in this one is great.  The cast does an amazing job bringing some very memorable characters to life.  Augie Duke and Ali Chappell stand head and shoulders above the rest of the cast.  Their characters are the main focus of the film and their performances are what makes the movie so damn entertaining.  I couldn't imagine this film with anyone else in the roles.  It was also nice to see living legend Lynn Lowry in the film even for a small role.  She is always fantastic to watch and it's great seeing her in such an amazing movie.  The story for this one works for the film's run time but any longer and the story would lose credibility.  I liked the religious aspect mixed with the occult but the story is rather paper thin and stretched to the limit.  The film has solid pacing and the slower scenes still help establish the story and build character development.  Finally, the film has some great practical effects but don't expect a gory tale.  The practical effects we do get work for what the film is going for but those of you that are seeking out a gorefest may not be happy with what you see here.  Overall, Necropolis: Legion is an absolutely gorgeous film that relies on story and content rather than gore and violence.  It's a fever dream that reminded me a lot of 70's Italian horror which can barely be done in today's age.  It may not be like the films that put Full Moon on the horror map but it is taking the company in a new direction and I'm all for it.  

     

Superman/Doomsday

Director(s) - Lauren Montgomery (Scooby Do: Mystery Incorporated, Green Lantern: First Flight), Bruce Timm (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, The Adventures of Batman and Robin), and Brandon Vietti (The Batman vs. Dracula, Spider-Man)
Starring - Adam Baldwin (Full Metal Jacket, The Patriot), Anne Heche (Psycho, John Q), and James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel)
Release Date - 2007
Genre - Animated
Tagline - "Where were you the day Superman died?"
Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I graduated high school I went to work for my dad for a year or so before deciding that college was where I needed to be.  Horror was literally everything I thought about but when I arrived on campus I found the environment lacked the atmosphere I was expecting.  I was hoping to meet some fellow students that had a love for horror and exploitation like I did.  I didn't but I did meet some people that would go on to become some of my best friends at the time.  During this time I would show them underground horror and b-movies and they would get me to step out of my comfort zone to check out more popular films that I would typically ignore.  One night we were all drinking and watching O' Brother Where Art Thou? when a friend of mine suggested we check out Superman/Doomsday that he had just picked up.  We all agreed to check it out but I honestly don't remember shit about it.  A few days back I got in The Death and Return of Superman to review and inside was a bonus disc of S/D on 4k.  I thought I would revisit this one before tossing in the new film.
     The film follows a scientific expedition by Lex Luthor to dig deep into the Earth when the team uncovers something ancient buried.  They accidentally puncture the shell with a laser freeing an indestructible monster inside.  Doomsday, the name the news gives him, is an unstoppable force that leaves Metropoles in ruins before Superman can arrive.  Superman and Doomsday battle for sometime but eventually the two kill each other.  The world mourns the loss of Superman and soon Superman returns.  He's acting strange and doesn't acknowledge Lois Lane as his love interest which throws up some red flags.  Lois does some investigating and uncovers that Lex Luthor used some of Superman's blood found at the scene of his death to clone him.  Now the cloned Superman is dishing out his own brand of justice which went against everything Superman stood for. Meanwhile, the real Superman's body was stolen and taken back to his fortress of solitude so he can absorb the radiation from the Earth's sun to regain his strength.  He has had enough after watching the news and rushes back to Metropolis to save Lois and the others from the clone.
     After revisiting this one I can say that I'm not a fan which may be the reason I don't remember a lot about it after my initial watch.  The movie itself looks good in 4K but the film itself is painfully boring and predictable.  The voice acting in this one is not that fun for me.  I grew up on the animated Batman and Superman shows and I find myself drawn to the newer animated DC movies but this one falls short compared to all those.  Honestly, the voice just doesn't match the character and they rarely change their tone throughout the film.  Voice acting is tough work.  You can't just act and use your facial features to show emotion.  You have to show emotion in your tone and pitch.  The cast struggles to do so.  The story for this one is nothing short of epic but the film fails to capture that.  Superman "dies" yet it's not as dramatic or suspenseful as one would expect.  The movie just moves at it's own pace which makes the segments in the story that should have the most impact feel weightless.  Finally, the animation in this one weird to me.  Superman/Clark Kent is so damn blocky and goofy looking that I had a difficult time taking this film seriously.  Lex Luther and other side characters look like they do in the animated show but Superman looks like he had the least amount of time spent on him.  Overall, Superman/Doomsday is worth a watch especially in 4K but don't expect an amazing experience.  The film itself has it's moments but is pretty forgettable.  

Tone-Deaf

Director - Richard Bates Jr. (Suburban Gothic, Trash Fire)
Starring - Amanda Crew (The Haunting in Connecticut, Final Destination 3), Robert Patrick (The Faculty, Terminator 2: Judgement Day), and Hayley Marie Norman (Hancock, iZombie)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "The struggle is real"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Sometimes I get a press release for a movie and it just doesn't intrigue me.  Either the artwork for the film is bland or the synopsis fails to inspire my imagination.  Sometime back I received the press release for satirical horror comedy Tone-Deaf starring Robert Patrick and Amanda Crew.  Robert Patrick became a legend in the film industry for his portrayal in Terminator 2: Judgement Day.  He has cranked out a few other solid films since then but everyone remembers him from T2.  Honestly, I wasn't interested in the film and seeing his name attached to it did nothing for me.  That all changed when I came across Amanda Crew's name.  I became a huge fan of hers when I first watched Sex Drive.  She's absolutely gorgeous and I love her characters.  It's because of her that I sought out The Haunting in Connecticut.  

     The film follows Olive (Crew) who was just let go from her job and finds out her husband has been cheating on her.  Her friends suggest that she leave the city for a few days to recharge.  She's hesitant at first but agrees.  She finds a house for rent and books it for a week from a widower who is struggling with dementia.  His lapse in reality makes him realize that he never got to feel what it was like to kill someone.  He now plans on killing Olive in the very home his wife once lived but doesn't realize how much of a fighter Olive really is.

     I really wanted to like Tone-Deaf.  The artwork for the physical release may have been boring but seeing Amanda Crew was worth it.  The movie does miss it's mark and comes off as goofy at times but there is some charm to be found in it at time to time.  The acting in this one is solid.  For the most part I really liked Amanda Crew and Robert Patrick's performance.  They really are dedicated to their role but the characters they portray are so fucking cringey.  The film tries to play on the social warfare between the boomers and millennials with both characters being extreme examples of each.  The cast really tries to make the characters entertaining but what we get is two extremely annoying characters.  The story for this one has it's moments but there is several aspects of the movie that turned me off to it.  I liked the young woman getting away from it all and renting a home from an older man that is slipping mentally worked.  It pulled me in and I couldn't wait to see where it took me.  Sadly, it lost me when the character of Harvey, played by Patrick, would break the fourth wall and go on his boomer vs millennial rant.  It took what would be a very credible horror film and made it goofy as fuck.  I love a good horror comedy but this made the movie feel painfully awkward.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood.  Harvey is a relentless killer and the kills are swift and brutal.  We don't get a lot of gore but we do get plenty of blood and some nice practical effects.  One death scene is ruined but some horrible CGI but that is one out of the whole film affected by this.  Overall, Tone-Deaf is a solid concept but the fun is lost in the execution of the film.  The film deserves a watch but don't expect something that will stick with ya.