Wicked Ones

Director - Tory Jones (Killbillies, Angel)

Starring - Richard Leo Hunt (Remnant 13, Summer of '67), Katie Stewart (The Wicked One, Hell-ephone), and Dale Miller (Mountain Mafia, Hatfields and McCoys: Bad Blood)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "All things wicked are born from innocence"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (Out of 5):

     The Wicked One was a solid slasher that had some rough edges that stopped it from becoming a memorable horror film.  It was a fun watch but I don't see myself revisiting it any time soon.  I had been sitting on the blu release of this one for several years but decided now was the perfect time to give it a spin after director Tory Jones and producer Chris Gierowski asked me to review the sequel.  I'm glad I finally tossed it in because the follow up was a much better film that the first one.  Thanks guys for allowing me the opportunity to review this sequel.  

     The film follows the Lawson's, two of the survivors of the first film, who now have kids of their own.  They make a trip to their hometown where the original film was because their son has a gig their.  He is in a rock band and they were booked at a club there.  A simple trip for a rock show turns deadly when the Wicked One, along with the insane Mathis siblings, break out of the insane asylum and return home once again.

     Wicked Ones does not fall into the cliched slasher storyline like it's predecessor.  The movie does take what was built in the first film but expands it into something that is slasher inspired but not another slasher cliché.  I love slashers, I honestly do, but the first film is painfully cliched and forgettable.  However, Wicked Ones is anything but forgettable.  Jones and company really learned a lot from previous projects and created a fun and highly entertaining horror film.  The acting in this one is leagues above the previous film.  The entire cast, Roman Jossart included, does a fantastic job in their roles.  Katie Stewart and Dale Miller really find their footing here with their characters.  Their personalities are vastly improved and these two characters are likable this go around.  Honestly, I was looking forward to their death in the first film but this time I was wanting them to survive.  Also, Jason Crowe and Roni Jonah steal the show as the Mathis siblings.  These two characters brought some laughs, as well as, some amazing characters to the film.  I really enjoyed their performances and it would be a crime if we don't get a film following these two psychos.  The story for this one is like I said earlier.  It takes the story created in the first one and expands it some.  It doesn't fit into the slasher sub-genre but does work.  The slasher elements mixes well with the few scenes of torture and improved characters to create a movie that will hold your attention from beginning to end.  It does slow down in the middle but not enough to take away from the entire movie.  Finally, this one also improves on the deaths from the first.  The kills this time are more enjoyable with more blood and light gore.  The practical effects are great and really push the scenes over the edge.  Overall, Wicked Ones is one of the few times where the sequel is better than the original.  The acting, story, and delivery is all better than the first and the introduction of the Mathis siblings really gives Jones something to consider with a prequel or spinoff.  This is one I would recommend 

The Wicked One

Director - Tory Jones (Angel, Wicked Ones)

Starring - Katie Stewart (Mom and Dad, Ambrosia), Dale Miller (Dead Moon Rising, Hell House), and Jack Norman (Blood Moon River, The Funhouse Massacre)

Release Date - 2017

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Evil exists"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was brought on to Horror Society I soon became friends with filmmakers Ryan Stacy and Shawn Burkett.  That friendship was my introduction into what I would go on to call the indie film collective that feature several filmmakers that often work together and support each other's work.  Aside from Stacy and Burkett, the collective consists of Studio 605's Roman Jossart, Jack Norman, Brandon Prewitt and another frequent collaborator Tory Jones of Jonestown Films.  In the past I've reviewed Jones' slasher Angel and purchased his other slasher The Wicked One on blu.  I never got around to checking it out but that changed when Jones and producer Chris Gierowski asked me to review the film's follow up Wicked Ones.  I agreed but before I could I went ahead and tossed in The Wicked One.

     The film follows disgruntled siblings Trevor (Cheyenne Gordon) and Alex (Stewart) who visit their family farm for a weekend getaway.  The farm was once the site of a brutal killing but what they don't know is that the ruthless killer that went on to inspire the town's local legend has escaped the mental facility and is on his way home.

     The Wicked One is one of the movies that's been on my watch list for some time now but I never could make time for it.  It looked fun but constantly getting other movies in for review took up my movie time.  With that being said, I enjoyed it for what it is but there is several aspects that I would have done differently that would have give the movie that iconic slasher tone.  The acting in this one is decent but some of the scenes are a little forced and awkward.  The characters are not that likable so you expect them all to fall victim to the masked slasher in the film.  Their personalities are really hard for the viewer to get behind and their interactions with one another is awkward at times especially when it's the sibling pair fighting.  With that being said, I really enjoyed Norman's role as the masked killer.  This is not the first time he has donned a mask to kill people and I would argue that he has a knack for it.  The story for this one almost rides the coat tail of Rob Zombie's take on Halloween.  We follow the cliched killer who breaks out of the insane asylum only to make his way home while murdering everyone he crosses paths with.  He stumbles across a mask that he enjoys along the way and decides to wear it.  It doesn't really bring something new to the screen but what it does bring it delivers with force.  Finally, the film has several classic slasher kills.  We get some blood and solid practical effects but nothing really memorable about the kills.  They work for the story but for those looking for kills that will stick with us will be disappointed.  Overall, The Wicked One doesn't bring something new to the table but what it does bring it does effectively.  The slasher works and the cinematography has captures several amazing shots throughout the film.  It may be unoriginal but it is still fun and I highly recommend checking it out.   

Psycho Ape

Director - Addison Binek (Movies to Watch on a Rainy Day, Tromasterpiece Theatre)

Starring - Kansas Bowling (Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, B.C. Butcher), Bill Weeden (#Shakespeare's Shitstorm, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.), and Stephen Albers (Tromasterpiece Theatre)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "The ape wonder of the world!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My love for bad for movies has lead me to meet several like minded people.  The masses may proclaim that the movies I love watching are bad but I personally have more fun with these cheap movies than they do with theatrical shit shows.  They may be on the low side of quality but the creativity and imagination that went into them is unlike anything you can find elsewhere.  Another fan of bad movies that I met sometime ago is the host of Movies to Watch on a Rainy Day and the mastermind behind Tromasterpiece Theatre, Addison Binek.  His posts on Facebook has brought my attention to several indie flicks that I had never heard of before.  For sometime now he has been working on a killer ape movie with the help of fellow filmmaker Greg DeLiso.  I've been curious about this project since the very beginning and Binek knows this so when he was almost finished with it he reached out to me to review it.  I couldn't wait and watched it on my next day off work.  Thanks Addison!

     The film follows Nancy Banana who is obsessed with apes and the lone survivor of a teen massacre where an escape ape killed all her friends using a banana.  Now, years later, the ape has escaped and is on another bloody rampage and is being trailed by Dr. Zoomis.  The ape soon finds his way to Nancy's and the two create a bond that only Dr. Zoomis can break.

     Psycho Ape is the kind of indie movie that gets me excited to turn my television on.  This type of movie is not meant to be well polished, well written, and thought provoking.  Instead, it's funny, goofy, and doesn't make sense at times but it entertains.  I want to have fun and not be hit with a movie that tries to mindfuck me.  Psycho Ape is a fun flick that you have to experience for yourself.  The acting in this one is very uneven but funny.  Kansas Bowling and Bill Weeden work so well together.  Their characters are both over the top and fun but they are not trying to win any awards.  It looks like they had fun on set and that fun transfers well onto screen.  However, the supporting cast is a little awkward at times.  This does bring some unintentional laughs but is still extremely awkward at times.  The story for this one pays tribute to so many classic ape movies from yesteryear that almost plays out like movies from the drive-in era.  The nods to these classic movies is funny and expected.  You can really tell Binek had fun with the film.  With that being said, the Pixar argument in the film makes absolutely no sense and does break the flow of the film up in the same sense that the stoner woods scene breaks up the story in Amityville Vibrator.  Finally, the film has a surprising amount of blood and practical effects.  The effects does show the film's budget but they are still fun and bring in some laughs with the film itself.  Binek did them to fit in with the theme of the film which brings in a few extra laughs.  Overall, Psycho Ape is far from perfect but you can't deny how entertaining it is.  The movie has plenty of laughs and I couldn't imagine the amount of fun this one would be with a group of friends and several beers deep.  I can't wait to see the finished product and double feature it with S.O.V. slasher Spirit Animal.  I highly suggest checking out this shitty film because it was so much fun.  

Uncle Peckerhead

Director - Matthew John Lawrence (Larry Gone Demon, Stripper Cake)

Starring - David Littleton (The Signal, Music Box), Ruby McCollister (The Deuce, Bug Bite), and Chet Siegel (CollegeHumor Originals, Museum of Human History)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several weeks ago I saw a trailer for the horror comedy Uncle Peckerhead that was gearing up for a blu release from Epic Pictures.  The trailer really peaked my interest so I reached out to Epic about the press release and a review copy.  A few days later I got this awesome press kit with a few shirts, a poster, a cassette tape, and some stickers.  Honestly, I was really impressed by all the goodies they sent but was the movie worth it?

     The film follows a three piece punk band who just found a seat on a small tour but are at a loss when some goons steal their van.  Heartbroken that their see their dream of playing their songs on a tour, they cross paths with the odd but genuine Peckerhead (Littleton) or Peck for short.  He agrees to take them to their gigs and in return he gets some much needed company.  What they don't know is that at midnight for a few minutes he turns into a flesh eating demon.  They see his disorder at a mild nuisance at first but soon find themselves at the center of unneeded bloodshed and death.

     The trailer really sold me on the film but I have to say the movie did not disappoint.  There is a few things I wish the movie would do differently but the overall flick was well worth the wait even though I had to wait a few extra weeks for a disc replacement because my original copy would not play passed the one hour mark.  Regardless, the film was as fun and bloody as I had hoped for.  The acting for this one really surprised me.  The film's cast is absolutely phenomenal and the characters really do stand out especially when you compare it to other horror comedies.  However, David Littleton is the real stand out star of the film.  His character, though the title character, really does carry the film.  He does a fantastic job and really brings about different personalities and emotions depending on the scene.  He was fantastic.  The story for this one is a solid premise but the ending really didn't work for me.  The punk band going on tour and using the fan of a demon is pretty brilliant and the perfect basis for so many misadventures.  However, the ending of the film just felt lazy and unfinished. I don't know if the budget or shooting schedule was cut short but the movie didn't end well for me.  I won't go any further for risk of spoiling it but it does not bring about any closure.  Finally, the film has so much blood and gore, as well as, some great make-up effects.   The kills are not that memorable but they do offer up some great practical effects and some great looking gore.  Overall, Uncle Peckerhead is a well acted and bloody horror comedy that has some solid practical effects and a fun story.  The ending could be better but I would still recommend this one as it is.  Check it out now from Epic Pictures.  

The Birds

Director - Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho, Rear Window)

Starring - Rod Taylor (Inglorious Basterds, The Time Machine), Jessica Tandy (*batteries not included, Cocoon), and Suzanne Pleshette (The Invaders, Blackbeard's Ghost)

Release Date - 1963

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "...and remember, the next scream you hear could be your own"

Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was younger, around 4 years old or so, my home life was not the best.  In fact, the police and social services were often called to my home to deal with my mentally ill mother and dumb ass father.  It was also during this time that I remember my first brush with horror.  It was one of the many days that I had to stay with my grandmother because of the shit going on with my parents.  While I was at her home we were watching movies like we would often do.  She then introduced me to Hitchcock's classic The Birds.  This would not be the film that made me fall in love with horror but it is the first film that truly scared the living shit out of me.  I've watched it countless times since then but I couldn't wait to revisit it on 4K.

     The film follows Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) who was tricked by a lawyer when she was visiting a bird ship.  To return the prank, she discovers where his family stays on weekends and delivers two love birds to him.  However, her little trip backfires and she starts to fall in love with the good looking lawyer but neither of them can foresee the horrors that befall them when the birds flying around the small coastal town get a taste for blood.

     The Birds, just like Psycho, is one of the most iconic horror films to ever filmed. The film is able to bring about a sense of dread and danger without having to cover the viewer in blood and gore like most modern flicks.  The fact that it involves birds which, when I was little, was an irrational fear that I had prior to seeing this.  However, after watching the film I found myself fucking terrified.  From my understanding, I was not the only person that this film did that to.  Sure, I'm over now and was soon after seeing that film for the first time but for a short period of time that film scared the shit out of me.  The acting in this one is absolutely phenomenal.  Rod Taylor and Tippi Hedren are fantastic together and their characters work so fucking well for the story.  I know Hitchcock is known as the master of suspense but he knew how to tie characters to stories and he couldn't achieve that without these amazing casts.  The story for this one is simple on paper but painfully difficult to shoot.  The story works because it uses nature against us.  Something real that we can't control has always scared man so turning something so innocent as a bird into a killer is enough to send chills.  Knowing that one or two birds posed no danger, Hitchcock had masses of birds for the film.  Using old school camera tricks and split screen he is able to pull off these tricky shots that works with the story.  Finally, if you are looking for a blood soaked film you will be disappointed.  We get a little blood and some make-up effects but that is the extent of it.  The film does use classic camera tricks that we mentioned before but those wanted practical effects will be disappointed.  Overall, The Birds is essential viewing for movie fans regardless of the genre they prefer.  It's an important part of horror history, as well as, movie history.  The 4K release is absolutely mind blowing.  It looks so good compared to the DVD I bought some Halloweens ago.    

Psycho

Director - Alfred Hitchcock (Rear Window, Vertigo)

Starring - Anthony Perkins (Psycho II, Psycho III), Vera Miles (The FBI Story, Alfred Hitchcock Presents), and John Gavin (Spartacus, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour)

Release Date - 1960

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A new- and altogether different - screen excitement!"

Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5): 

     I've been fortunate enough over the years to review some modern day hits, indie masterpieces, and legendary horror films that were re-released on a new format.  When I get one of these classic films in for review I always feel like I'm contributing a small piece to movie history.  Psycho is one of the most iconic horror films and a movie that is still discussed all these decades later.  When I was sent this 4K box set to review with Psycho included I had a rush of excitement go over me.  I couldn't wait to dive into this one.

     The film follows lonely hotel owner Norman (Perkins) who lost his mother several years ago but refuses to let her memory go.  His mental state allows him to slip in and out of his own consciousness and into that of his mother which has resulted in Norman killing several of his tenants.  When a sister and her boyfriend start searching for a woman that had stolen 40 thousand dollars and skipped town they track her to Norman's hotel where he becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance.  

     Psycho, as I stated earlier, is one of the most iconic horror films to ever be released and one of Hitchcock's titular titles.  The film inspired several sequels, a remake, and a television show with countless fans forever immortalizing Norman Bates and Marion Crane's shower scene on posters, artwork, tattoos, and other forms of memorabilia.  Reviewing this film is almost like reviewing The Goonies and Beetlejuice because everyone has seen it but I wasn't allowing that to stop me from checking out the 4K transfer.  The acting in this one is great.  I wouldn't compare it to Rear Window but Anthony Perkins does a phenomenal job creating the now iconic character of Norman Bates.  His calm and innocent demeanor that slow moves into the land of the unstable is brilliant and really works well with the story.  Janet Leigh's performance is great even though she is in the film for just a short time.  Her shower scene may very well be one of the most iconic scenes in movie history.  The supporting cast is great but those characters are easily forgettable.  The story for this one is simple enough but is stretched a little thin at times.  The meek mannered man that is obsessed with his dead mother killing tenants in a hotel is a absolutely brilliant story for a horror film but some of the scenes do drag out a bit too long.  The dialogue heavier scenes does drag the tone of the film down just a bit.  It still works but it a tad too long.  Finally, though a horror film, this one is not a bloody masterpiece like more modern horror tales.  We do get some practical effects but nothing that will last with the viewer.  Overall, Psycho is an absolutely brilliant horror thriller from the master of suspense.  The 4K transfer is picture perfect but the black and white tone is not lost in the upgrade.  

Vertigo

Director - Alfred Hitchcock (Rear Window, The Birds)

Starring - James Stewart (Rear Window, Anatomy of Murder), Kim Novak (Tales That Witness Madness, Malibu), and Barbara Bel Geddes (Dallas, Alfred Hitchcock Presents)

Release Date - 1958

Genre - Thriller

Tagline - "A tall story about a pushover"

Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was riding a high after watching Rear Window for the first time.  I had watched several Hitchcock flicks prior to receiving this 4K collection for review but Rear Window was one of the few I had never seen until now.  After seeing how amazing it truly was I couldn't wait for the next film in the set which, coincidentally, was another Hitchcock flick I had never seen before.  Vertigo was released in 1958 and also starred James Stewart.  Rear Window was amazing so I went into this one with high hopes.

     The film follows Scottie (Stewart) is a former detective that suffers from vertigo and a fear of heights after witnessing a suspect fall to his death.  Unable to work, he spends most of his time travelling around town.  He is approached to follow a beautiful young woman who the man suspects may be in danger.  He becomes obsessed with her and this obsession sprawls into another obsession with a different woman that is the mirror image of the young woman he was tasked with following.  

     Rear Window, though predictable, did a fantastic job pulling the viewer in and holding their attention.  The suspense and tension is fucking perfect and the final is so satisfying even though you see it coming.  Sadly, Vertigo was nothing like that.  It's still an entertaining watch but the mindfuck Hitchcock throws at the viewer just feels clunky and chaotic.  It's a fun watch but a movie I don't see myself watching that often if at all again.  The acting in this one is so good.  James Stewart and Kim Novak are absolutely stunning together.  Both characters feed off each other and the two work so well together.  The supporting cast is solid as well but these two characters really carry the story on their backs.  The story for this one is solid on paper but Hitchcock tries to throw some twists at the viewer but those twists are predictable and drags the flow of the film down drastically.  If the story was more of a straight forward story it would have been much more entertaining.  Finally, this is not a bloody mess that most modern horror fans look for.  Instead, it's very story focused.  Overall, Vertigo was fun but nowhere near as entertaining as other Hitchcock works that I had previously seen.  With that being said, the 4K upscale looked just as good as Rear Window and really surprised me.  

Rear Window

Director - Alfred Hitchcock (The Birds, Psycho)

Starring - James Stewart (Vertigo, The Mountain Road), Grace Kelly (Dial M for Murder, Suspense), and Wendell Corey (Women of the Prehistoric Planet, Picture Mommy Dead)

Release Date - 1954

Genre - Thriller

Tagline - "The master of suspense brings you his masterpiece"

Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When most people think of the golden age of Hollywood they often think of star like Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and John Wayne.  However, I often think of Alfred Hitchcock and all his contributions to cinema history.  Not really known for horror, but he was a master of suspense with many of his thrillers often cited as some of the best movies in movie history.  I've watched my fair share of Hitchcock films but one movie I had never seen was his 1954's Rear Window starring James Stewart.  I had heard about this film and how it was considered one of Hitchcock's best for years but I never got the opportunity until the 4K Alfred Hitchcock Collections was sent my way for review.  

     The film follows Jeff (Stewart) who is wheelchair bound after an accident leaves his leg in a cast.  A photographer by trade, he finds himself observing people in the apartment building across the way from his.  His people watching takes a suspicious turn when he believes a man has murdered his invalid wife.  He tries to get the police involved but they believe that this is just the musings of a man with too much time on his hands.  He then turns to his girlfriend and hired help to investigate him.

     I had always heard great things about Rear Window but I never took the time to pick up a copy for viewing so I was very excited when I was sent this 4K release.  With that being said, this movie was absolutely amazing.  Hitchcock is the master of suspense and Rear Window is the reason he is called that.  The movie is damn near perfect and I can see myself revisiting this one again soon.  The acting in this one is classic.  James Stewart is a legend in Hollywood and his performance in Rear Window is absolutely phenomenal.  His character, though wheelchair bound, brings some intensity to the film.  He never disappoints in his scenes and his character carries the entire film on his shoulders.  The supporting cast is just as fantastic but Stewart is amazing.  The story for this one is a top notch thriller full of atmosphere and tension.  Hitchcock's approach to story telling is a slow build up that finally explodes right before the story ends.  With Rear Window that slow build, mixed with character development, works so well.  The story may not be the most original or clever but it flows so damn well and still delivers even though it is predictable.  Finally, this is not a bloody piece of cinema.  Instead, it is a character driven narrative that works for a mystery instead of horror.  Overall, Rear Window is a fucking must for movie fans.  It's not a horror film so fans of other genres can really appreciate this classic work.  The 4K release is absolutely stunning and really did impress me.  The image and audio is just as flawless as the film itself.  

Slashening: The Final Beginning

Director - Brandon Bassham (The Slashening, Fear Town USA)
Starring - Lloyd Kaufman (#Shakespeare's Shitstorm, After School Lunch Special), Addie Weyrich (Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell, The Marvelous Mr. Maisel), and Jean Louise O'Sullivan (Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job, Puppet Master: Axis Termination)
Release Date - 2020
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "That knife represents a dick"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I reviewed the slasher comedy The Slashening and Fear Town, USA from director Brandon Bassham.  Both were funny and highly entertaining slashers that would go on to get a blu release from Troma.  Yea, both are movies I would highly recommend.  The Slashening scored a 4 out of 5 in my review and from my understanding would go on to score high from other horror reviewers as well which only makes sense that Bassham and company would start work on a sequel.  I've seen updates pop up sporadically here and there but recently he posted that the film would be making it's festival premier soon.  I reached out to him about the film and he hit me back a few days later with a link to review it.  Thanks Brandon!

     The film follows a support group of survivors of different slashenings from around town.  The meet in a room to discuss what happened to them, their friends, and how they survived.  However, their support group starts to dwindle from night to night as the burlap sack killer re-emerges to kill.

     The Slashening was one of the slashers I recommended to horror fans for years so the follow up had some pretty big shoes to fill.  The first film flowed like a standard slasher but the humor made it work.  The follow up was a departure of that standard slasher story but still delivered on the laughs.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  The characters are flat but their comedic timing and cliched personalities works.  If you have seen any slasher then you know what to expect from this one but in a more exaggerated form.  The story for this one, as I stated earlier, does take a departure from the typical slasher story that we got with the first one.  It still has that slasher element scattered throughout with the "whodunit" angle being prevalent but the slasher style that many horror fans love is not in the forefront of the film.  I really liked how the story was approached but some of the scenes were a little bit of a buzzkill.  Finally, the film has several funny and memorable kills that work for the film's premise.  The effects are nothing extraordinary but they work just enough to get the gag across.  With that being said, the kills really are funny and add even more laughs to an already funny movie.  Overall, Slashening: The Final Beginning is a slasher for the Troma degenerates.  It's funny, sometimes crude, and holds your attention from beginning to end.  The slasher vibe that was so much fun in the first film was replaced with a different type of story but still works for what it is.  I highly suggest checking this one out if you ever have the opportunity.  

The Goonies

Director - Richard Donner (Superman, Tales from the Crypt)
Starring - Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, Stranger Things), Josh Brolin (Deadpool 2, Avengers: Infinity War), and Jeff Cohen (Amazing Stories, Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School)
Release Date - 1985
Genre - Comedy/Adventure
Tagline - "It's excitement all the way as Steven Spielberg and Richard Donner, the makers of 'Indiana Jones', 'Gremlins' and 'Superman', combine forces to create the Family Adventure of the year!"
Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Growing up I had a small stack of tapes that I would often watch over and over again.  My uncle had given me Jason Goes to Hell and Conan the Destroyer and around that time my dad had picked up Fright Night and The Goonies.  The Donner/Spielberg collaboration was a huge part of my childhood.  So much so that when I hit high school I couldn't stand the fucking movie anymore.  I had watch it so many times that the fun was no longer there.  It's pushing 20 years since I last saw the film and with the 4K release I figured I would give it another go to see if the spark has been reignited.  I want to thank WB for sending the film over for me to review.

     The film follows a group of friends looking for one last adventure before they all move away.  The bank is foreclosing on all their homes unless they can find enough money to pay the banks.  They come across an old map in the attic of one of their homes and soon find themselves searching for the buried treasure of One Eyed Willie but soon find themselves fleeing from the notorious Fratelli family.    

     The Goonies is the reason I love a good adventure flick.  Between this and the two Conan movies, I often find older adventure films to be relaxing and highly entertaining.  The Goonies was the movie I thought would be as close to perfect as a movie could get but, as I stated earlier, I burnt myself out with it after so many viewings.  However, after a 16 year break from the film I can safely say it is still as fun now as it was then.  The acting in this one is unmatched.  The child actors in this one show more talent on screen than most of the veteran actors of the time.  The characters, Brolin included, what makes this film so fucking entertaining.  The supporting cast is great but the young leads are what makes this movie so memorable.  It's a shame some of them did not go on to have bigger careers in Hollywood.  The story for this one is, at heart, an adventure film for the family but it has some laughs and horror elements scattered through.  The character of Sloth could have been left out but keeping him in brings in both some laughs and that slight horror feel.  The story really is well written and high enjoyable.  Finally, this is not a blood film for the 2 of you that have never seen it prior to now.  We get some make-up effects and some old school camera tricks but that is the extent of it.  Overall, The Goonies is an important piece of cinema and a huge part of my childhood.  I don't mean to sound negative but this is a movie that I literally watched almost everyday for years.  I loved the VHS I had of it but this 4K release is almost like seeing the movie for the first time.  The darker scenes I remember on tape were crystal clear.  This is the way to watch this classic movie.