First there was George Romero, then Lloyd Kaufman followed
by Fred Olen Ray, backing Sam Raimi. Now there is Rickey Bird. It doesn’t
matter how woke or how beta society becomes there will always be lonely, deviant
teenage boys who want to see blood, broads, and boobs. NZG delivers that.
Starring the very naked and beautiful Nicole Cinaglia in the
title role. She came here to get naked and kill zombies with a chainsaw. And
she’s a strong powerful modern female so she can do both. Lucky us! D.T. Carney
is chasing the money she’s carrying. Luck for us he’s a dude so he can’t
multi-task, so he is fully clothed for a freezing winter night. And his aim isn’t
much better than a storm trooper. Normally a chainsaw verses gun battle is
kinda one sided. A beretta holds nine, and a chainsaw…….. I wonder how many zombies
she gets per gallon?
Special Effects are handled by Nick Reisinger. There are
several close-up shots of the zombies and things being squished, popped with
stuff coming out that are phenomenal. This isn’t badly lit, quick fly by,
shapeless blobs that aren’t scary. But, full on, ‘that was awesome’, let’s see
it again!
NZGiB is a fun little movie to watch in a dark place, away
from your mother.First rule of NZG is
don’t talk about it or they will make you talk to a professional mental health
specialist. God, definitely don’t post about it or you will wind up in Facebook
jail. Quietly wait in your lair for this precious series to spawn
another bloody disgusting, spartially clothed, two stroke fumed episode.
Low key, suttle, unassuming could be used to describe this
film. From these words one might think it’s not worth watching. But these are
the qualities that make it so good. And are maddening to any horror fan or
director. So simple and under the radar. Most probably only checked it out for
the fantastic poster and or Ethan Hawk. Why aren’t more horror movies like this
not made?
Nothing wrong with the horrifically gawdy over the top wide
release films. But for true horror fans we tend to enjoy things, with feeling,
that feeling of the hair raising up on the back of your necks, jumping out of
the seat, having to look away from the impending doom, yelling at the
characters who want to check out noise in the basement. People say they love
horror and they list Stephen King and Evil Dead. But I want to talk to people
who love Peter Struab, Jack Ketchum, Robert Bloch, Dan Simmons, watch the films
‘The Host’ (2006), ‘Touch of Evil’ (1958), ‘Night Moves’ (1975), ‘It Follows’
(2014). Anyone could have made this movie on a shoe string budget. Some kids
using an iPhone or camcorder. Or some college students in Michigan who hit up
everyone they know for money to make a low budget horror film. Let all of us fans
agree Evil Dead and Stephen King are the shit and talk about the others.
It added an extra layer of creepy that this neighborhood is
right up the street from where I currently live. The film is a horror story
before the supernatural comes a knocking. The hero has no idea why he is doing
all these random things to escape and absolutely maddening he doesn’t stick to
one strategy. And the Grabber is playing his own little games that only make
sense to him. The Grabber is here to punish naughty boys and chew bubble gum,
he’s all out of gum.
Ethan Hawke is just one of those actors that keeps showing
in good movies. He has been a few big movies, but repeatedly finds good movies
to be in. Mr. Hawke could be thought of a horror actor as of late but looking
at his IMDB page he has been in all types of movies, indies and takes
supporting rolls. Seeing interviews with actors on how all the good rolls dried
up or they got type casted. But Ethan has avoided this fate, been all over the
place for the better part of 40 years staring in big studio pictures and low
budget indies. It looks like his Daughter Maya Hawke is going to take after her
dad. She already has 25 acting credits in four years.
A great story, that is going to spawn a prequal and a ton of
copy cats. It leaves a simple blue print on how to make a great movie. No need
for quick and witty dialog, big special effects budget, traveling around the
world for the perfect shot, tons of shooting locations, or make up. At the end
of the day anyone in the world could have shot this in their basement. Maybe
the production quality and acting wouldn’t be as good. At the same time it’s
not that easy to come up with a great idea, write it into a screen play, and
transfer that on to film. Writers Joe Hill (son of Stephen King), Scott
Derrickson, and Robert Carhill, and a mask designed by Tom Savini, just make it
look so easy here.
It was once said every movie made has the same plot; Boy
comes to town, meets girl, saves girl, rides off into the sunset with said
girl. Plot might be the same as every movie ever but director Alistor Grierson
and Writer Robert Benjamin make this movie their own and very entertaining with
that plot. There is a scene in ‘Full Metal Jack’ (1987) with the privates
chanting “This is my Rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is
mine”. Well, this movie is definitely Alister and Robert’s.
Rex n Rex a vet with mental health issues is just trying to
stay out of trouble. But there’s Bad Rex and Worse Rex so an average boring day
just trying to get a few errands done turns into the path less taken, for good
reason. When trouble has other plans, it’s hard to hide for long. The little
sister of fate is all to happily snipping away at the strings in front of her,
while her sisters know all too well there are plenty more for her to cut.
The movie starts at a brisk pace, and never slows down. Even
in the basement when it’s just Rex, without a leg to stand on not knowing
what’s going on, the pace doesn’t feel slow. The viewer is in the same boat
with the character unsure why he’s there and what creepy white people things
are about to happen.
Ben O’Toole plays the deeply troubled charming bad boy Bruce
Campbellish type to a devilish T. Not taking his messed-up life the least bit
serious. Meg Fraser plays the sweet and normal Marilyn Muster type dead on, but
she isn’t that innocent. By the end of the movie they seem like a good couple,
but going to be more than a handful to keep each other’s table manners in check
and to Finnish each other jokes.
A horror film with comedic styling of the ‘Evil Dead’ (1981).
If someone tries to make a horror movie without being inspired by Ash and his boom
stick, I don’t want to see it. This is just a fun movie that deserves a
midnight showing. And maybe even a second go around.
The film that set the standard for all deranged love stories
to follow, Fatal Attraction (1987), Basic Instinct (1992), Single White Female
(1992), Swim Fan (2002). Evelyn (the fantastic Jessica Walters) is a super fan
of local DJ Dave (Clint Eastwood), she goes to the bar he hangs out at and seduces
him into a psychotic web of chaos.
Mr. Eastwood’s directorial debut, received critical acclaim
making $10,600,000 on a budget of $725,000. Making the moving outside of
Hollywood gave the first-time director more freedom to make the movie with his
own vision. But more importantly shooting on site (Carmel-by-the-Sea and other
North of LA coastal towns) saved money to be used elsewhere on production.
Giving the movie a more authentic feel. Not only is it expensive to build sets
but the look and sound “feel” is a lower quality effecting the acting on set.
Payback on both movies and music always has lagged the recording quality. Watch
Death Trap AKA Eaten Alive (1976) on a HD television, it feels fake. Having a
classic performance by Robert Englund and directed by Horror titan Tobe Hooper
it just seems like you’re watching a high school play with cheap props.
This movie still is enjoyable to watch fifty years later due
to timeless quality of jazz and a great cast. Lots of Cartoons and Movies turned
to Jazz to fill the background, who’s childhood memories aren’t filled with
sound tracks from Looney Tunes and Charlie Brown. Jazz seems to have a larger
part in this media than selling recording or tickets, sure it has been in style
at certain times and parts of the country, but it’s always been the redheaded
stepchild to other types of popular music.
Everyone knows about the movie star named Clint Eastwood.
1971 saw him break away from the westerns, to this film and Beguiled (great
movie would love to see a remake!) and Dirty Harry. This started his impressive
run as a director.
First leading role for Jessica Walter (1941-2021), more well
know in 2022 for Arrested Development (2003-2019) and Archer (2009-2021). If
you want to see one of the best send offs for a cast member who past, watch
Archer S12 E8. She is perfect in Play Misty for Me. Sweet and innocent at first
but plays crazy equally as well at the end of the movie.
Many other recognizable actors, Donna Mills, John Larch,
Clarice Taylor, and frequent Eastwood collaborator Don Siegel. During this time
it was common to have the same supporting cast for actors and directors movie
after movie. Tv shows rotated the same guest stars and bad guys week after
week. Lots of familiar faces in this movie. A classic that hasn’t stayed in the
spot light, maybe once Clint stops making Oscar winning movies people will go
back and check out one of his early movies that aren’t a western.
If George Miller and Sam Rami made a movie, Willy’s is what
you would end up with. The Janitor is here too kickass and chug Throat Punch
energy drink. To bad you can only drink one per hour before the stroke kicks
in. Not much for talking The Janitor loves cleaning and pinball, he works hard
and plays hard. Pity the furby that gets in the way.
Think of a horrifying nightmare where the rat from Chucky
Cheese is sick of the little bastards peeing in his rathole. Sick of the
parents complaining about the smell. Sick of kids rubbing gum in his fur. Sick
of the terrible pizza, all the good games being out of order, the flat coke
cola, the bad music, and that off key bitch Dolli Dimples.
In some ways this is a good “bad” movie that came out to
late. The Banana Splits Movie (2020) felt more original and fresher. The final
girl doesn’t have much to do. It’s the Nick show and everyone else isn’t
important. The Janitor is a near perfect character, that explanation isn’t
needed. But, questions are all over. It draws you in without going down the
midichlorians rabbit hole.
A fun little movie, that seems to could’ve been much more.
The third act drags a little bit. Emily Tosta who plays Liv didn’t have enough
character development or given much to do. And if you don’t question much,
especially the ending. Its worth the eighty-eight minutes to watch it.
Very confusing movie, the description says Horror but the first
act is mostly social commentary/observation. The police of Summit County have
their first murder. Ill equipped to deal, the old sheriff whose job up to this
point was to help little old lady’s across the street. When people start panicking
old deputy dog wants no part of it. Up steps in nepotism at it’s finest.
Robert Forester plays that short time sheriff who wants to stay on
long enough for his son to take over. Unfortunately, his son, Jim Cummings, is
a self-consumed dunce. Along with most of the police force he hates how the public
views them but than proves with utter incompetence and pompouslyhaughty over egotistical arrogance. Only
one that’s hip to the murder spree is Officer Julia Robson, Rikki Lindhome, but no
one will listen to her cause that whole being a female thing.
Just remember there is no such thing as a werewolf, or is there?
So this Halloween check out a horror movie that is weirdly so right for 2020.
During the Minimoon, Hunter Moon, Blue Moon…. Oh shit the trifecta, it is going
to be real this 31st. So , load the silver bullets, lock the doors, hide
in your moms basement, the lycanthropes
are going to be on some crazy moon beam crack. No one gets out of 2020 alive!
So many stories have more to tell. Vast number of characters
we wonder what happened after the ending credits. Joe Dirt’s (2001) continuing
story needed to be told (Kid Rock you suck for not coming back for the second
movie!) God Damnit Not you Jason, No one cares! Now Cole on the other hand what
happens after your freaky hot and super cool babysitter tried to have her way
with you? Did that propel you to become the cool kid at school? Did you join
forces with other badass teenagers throw on some spandex to fight evil? Did you
finally write the song that would united the world? (oh, wait wrong movie….)
It's kinda of a joke IMDB only has this rated 5.9, with the
tomato meter at 46%. Y’all not mad at Netflix for destroying your business
model are ya? The studio system has for a long time messed up movies, forced
actors into shitty roles, interfered with the filming, and butchered the
editing (all Sam Peckinpah movies) and if god forbid a classic was made, they
made sure the original people that made it a classic was no where near the
remake. Every horror franchise ever except Saw (2004) which is why it is one of
the highest grossing horror franchises and one of the newest.
It is awesome to see this awesome cast back again. Ken
Marino has been crankin out several movies a year for over twenty years. Bad
Milo (2013) is a must to check out. Robbie Amell only has a few scenes, and
each one kills. Both Samara Weaving and Emily Alyn Lind both come back looking
cute as ever with massive twists for their characters. Several newbies most
notably Jenna Ortega playing the anti-social bad girl way better than Megan Fox
ever could. Her character Phoebe is going to be a lot of fun to watch in the
third movie.
The Director McG keeps it close to the Two and a Half Men
(2003-20015) formula. Really cute girls, bad jokes, absolute craziness it just
seems so simple someone has to do make it. And I glad he did. I’m going to
watch this movie again.
And remember freshman year is hard on everybody! Can’t wait
for Junior Year!
