Reviews

I had no knowledge of a prequel to the Omen Trilogy. It's been putting on and off. Partly due to the Pandemic. Yes, there was speculation of what's it going to be about. Anyway, since I've been a fan as a kid.

Now, after years since the three Films (1976-1981) and those nonsense AWAKENING and that silly remake back in 2006. It seems that the OMEN franchise still resonates with us.

This new film prequel THE FIRST OMEN directed by Arkasha Stevenson, her directorial debut, is an interesting offering. A few characters from the first film, to completely tell a new story of the birth of the Antichrist. The performances were well enough. Some elements from the first film are there too.

A young American nun comes to Rome and encounters an unusual evil while catering to the school for children. She becomes suspicious of supernatural occurrences around her. I don't want to give any spoilers here. I am so accustomed to the original plot created by David Seltzer. I have a few issues and questions about why they took the story to an extent and revised it.

Remember that is a classic horror story, that had the fans excited. There's lots of blood and gore to go around. It's a fair horror story that connects with the original 1976 film directed by the late Richard Donner.

I was hoping to more focus on the original story. The soundtrack was good with a holy choir with resurrecting the classic theme by Jerry Goldsmith. But I must say that it's better than THE EXCORCIST: BELIEVER. Entertaining and it flows confusedly throughout. It's fair but I will watch it again.

My rating: 7.0.

I've watched this film several times and I enjoyed it. This is more of a sleepy thriller. A hitman has been spotted in snowbound Sweden only to hide in a picturesque Italian Village. And he finds love of an Italian beauty.

Jack (George Clooney) is the hitman who is suspicious of his surroundings, and he is given a final assignment by a mysterious agent Pavel (Johan Leysen). Jack is an expert gunsmith who builds a sniper rifle for Ingrid (Irina Bjorklund) who is also an expert assassin. He tries to adjust life in the village by speaking a little Italian to a Catholic priest (Paolo Bonacelli) who he strikes an unsual friendship as he confesses him about his past. Then he meets Clara (Violante Placido) an Italian prostitute who he strikes a relationship. Jack is immediately drawn to her as he learns of prostitutes being murdered there.

I'm not that much of a fan of George Clooney but I digress. His performance is fair and enough. But he plays the character very carefully one scene at a time. Though Jack doesn't trusts no one as he keeps a low profile. He has an affinity for butterflies in which I think it's his way for an atonement of what he has done in the beginning of the film. Placido is very beautiful and she is attracted to Jack and falls for him. Jack feels after this last assignment he can spend his life with her. I will not give out spoilers. The film is directed by Anton Corbijn, who crafts it gently. He explores the beauty of the village in Italy with good cinematography. He gives the characters a place of danger. As I stated before, I liked this film because you can guess the ending of this film as Jack tries to live a simple life rather than looking behind his back if anyone is on his trail. I enjoyed it. A different spy thriller with a unique quality and suspense. I rate this film: 7.2.

This cheesy Thriller has it's thrills but talented Amy Adams proves she can carry any kind of Mystery Thriller. Based on the novel by A. J. Finn, THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW centers on, Anna (Sounds Familiar?), (Amy Adams) an agoraphobic woman who's confide to her house as she befriends a neighbor, Jane (Julianne Moore) across the street from her apartment and then later she witnesses a murder committed as she watches it in her camera. Or was it a murder? She claims to the police detectives that she's not insane then weird things starts to happen to her. Mind Games are explored here in this Film. But there are some flaws in the story. Especially, the story overall. Anna goes through all these hallucinations and demons of her past as she tries to overcome them. I'm not saying the film directed by Joe Wright, is bad but It's certainly Not SHARP OBJECTS.

My rating could have been lower since Adams is a gifted and versatile actress. 6.0.

Director Spike Lee's latest offering focusing on four Black Americans who served in Vietnam. They return to find a hidden treasure of a fallen soldier (Chadwick Boseman), whom they fought with in South East Asia. I must say that this film is not one of Lee's best but the performances are great especially Delroy Lindo, who has to confront his demons. It's not a good experience for all of them. As in this time of the Trump Age, racial tensions and the Covid, it does point out that we have alot to do and a long way to go in the 21st century. We have a long way to go. As well for the other veterans (Clarke Peters, Jonathan Majors and Norm Lewis) They're willing to risk anything to recover the hidden treasure. It's fight for survival. Great cinematography with Lee appreciating Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam epic. Apocalypse Now (1979) and you do see it. With using Marvin Gaye tracks from his "What's going on?" album, you can relate as you view the film. To conclude this, I do like this film though are few flaws. But it's very entertaining but from a Black perspective. My rating: 7.5

CLEMENCY is one film that really struck me watching it last night. The anti-heroine Bernadine Williams (Alfre Woodard), is a prison warden who job is to monitor prisoners for execution as at the same time she tries maintain and balance her professional life and personal life. As protests goes on for an inmate Anthony Woods, (Aldis Hodge,another great performance) who's been on death row for certain number of years has gotten the green light. Bernadine is a woman in a conflict within herself. She wrestles her ego that she's in charge of everything until Anthony Woods puts her conscience to the test. Knowing that the death penalty is wrong she has difficulty managing her marriage with her husband (Wendell Pierce) who is a teacher. It seems thought she doesn't care about the inmates Family nor the victim's Family for that matter. This is perhaps Woodard's ultimate performance Largely ignored by the Oscars. As you feel her emotions taking it's toll on her guilt. You can have deep sympathy for Woods. All the characters are awakening and they grip you because you're viewing a film about a life being taken away. Until the end, Bernadine Williams has to deal with personal demons to the highest as she avoids her damaged world and the people in her life. Director Chinonye Chukwu has done a great service to this film. A great character study of guilt and injustice. My rating: 8.0

Diane tell the story of a middle aged Woman in Upstate New York, (Mary Kay Place), who works for the homeless and has a difficult relationship with her son, (Jake Lacey), also has to deals with issues within herself. The film starts slow but Diane's interaction or relationship with some relatives seems to make her out as the villain as she try to help others with taking a look at herself. I was looking forward to this film and it's Not bad. But the director, Kent Jones should have made this woman explore more about her relationship with her circle of friends. But the ending needed improvement. My rating: 7.0

I enjoyed PREMATURE as I watched it last night on HULU. I took a chance at viewing the film despite my opinions on Feminism, The Red Pill and MGTOW. This film directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green centers a young teen Ayanna (Zora Howard), during the summer in her neighborhood, socializing with her friends until She meets Isaiah, a record producer. They quickly mingle and become intimate. But as for Ayanna, she struggles through her identity and independence as a teen who's planning on attending college to become a writer and she endures her relationship with her mother whom she hardly communicates and her rollercoaster relationship with Isaiah. Well, it's been tough for her. That's all that I can elaborate. Green takes film on the gritty streets of Harlem, NY, the teens and their environment. Dealing with every issues on everyday life. My rating: 7.0

Case 39 is a very interesting horror film. It focuses on a Child, Lillith (a satisfying performance by Jodelle Ferland), who is being a abused by her Family who catches the attention of a sympathetic Social Worker, Emily (Zellweger). After her the child's case has been reviewed and approved by her board. Emily takes Lillith and she gets to live with Emily. Then strange things start to happen as Lillith resides with her. A good plot with a few logic points to both characters. Both Emily and Lillith has a history. Though I will not give out any spoilers but Renee' Zellweger is top notch. I know that she took this role that has a principal path for the Emily, who eventually learns of this little girl's history. An entertaining film with some jumps and scares here and there. You won't be disappointed. My rating: 7.0

I was so shocked to learn that when Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino were assassinated in Sicily in Spring/Summer 1992, that the people of Sicilia were standing up and protested to the organized crime. Yes, I do remember. I read a Book called " The Excellent Cadavers" by Alexander Stille, when he talks about the bloody ordeal of Ani-mafia judges who were murdered by Toto Riina during the 70's and 80's. This man Peppino Impastato took it upon himself and spoke out against this terrorist society in the 1970's. But in the end, with that task he was murdered. This was a good film and I enjoyed as much. Great performances. I CENTO PASSI is a film that really hit me because of my appreciation of the culture and the language of the Island of Sicily. This is a film that captures a man who sacrificed his life for a just cause to a bunch of murderous cowards.

Rating: 7.6

IM WINTER EIN JAHR, is a film that tells the story of the deceased member of a family but since it's been a year they're struggling to recover. The mother and daughter has a estranged relationship until Lilli (Karoline Herfurth), dancer, who is trying to take her life one day at a time as her mother (Corrina Harfouch) commissions an artist painter (Josef Beirbichler) to paint a portrait of her demised son and her distraught daugther, whom she tells him that he was killed in a hunting accident until her daughter tells him it was a suicide. Apparently, the mother highly favors him over her daughter but has a difficult time communicating with her. So, instead Lilli is a tortured child who is in deep pain over the loss of her brother and Her Father (Hanns Zichler) struggles to keep the remaining Family together. This film echoes ORDINARY PEOPLE, done in a artistic way. The Family is in the dark and they're distancing themselves. But as for Lilli, she finds comfort in the lonely painter, who has lost a friend as well. This film directed by Caroline Link illustrates a grieving Family and it expresses through the painter's relationship with Lilli, whom he has grown attached to her. Good performances by all the cast and great cinematography. A slow absorbing Drama. My rating: 7.5

Flower is a well itty bitty film directed by Max Winkler. Erica, the teen who is sexually promiscuous and extorts money from men for her little click of friends who learns that she has a stepbrother, Luke, (Joey Morgan), who has mental issues. She slowly but surely uplifts him. Until she learns his past. She, her new step brother and her friends makes a silly but deadly plan to capture the person who's responsible for his trauma but things doesn't go the way they planned. Terrific performances by Zoey Deutch as Erica the ring leader and definitely Kathryn Hahn as her mother who she has a love-hate relationship with her and who had strings of boyfriends her daughter resents. It starts out good yet the story, to me is never complete and it never really has a resolution. As she establishes her relationship with her Luke it never ends in fruition. Although I enjoyed it. But it could have been much better.

My rating: 6.0

This film was in my opinion Boring because it all focused on the petite and Beautiful Emily Browning. Director Julia Leigh fails to bring the character Lucy into fruition. It was like she was just there and none of the other characters were never explored. Sleeping Beauty centers on a college student, Lucy, a college student who enters into a dark erotic world. Browning's performance was well done but it seems she's lost throughout the whole film. The cinematography was good. I got the impression that Leigh try to paint this film as like a portrait of Venus but fails miserably. Yet it is barely entertaining but it lacks interests on the doomed and vulnerable Lucy in a world she never thought she would be involved. My rating a hardly: 6.0 only because of Browning. It should have gotten lower.

Bare, A film about a young Woman, Sarah (Dianna Argon), who's having serious hardships in her life From Beginning to the end. Until she meets Pepper, (Paz De La Huerta), who drags Sarah into her world of lowlifes, Stripping, Drugs and Hustling. This Movie directed by Nathalia Leite surely disappoints. Because I wanted to know the fates of the two characters, who emotionally and romantically gets attached quickly. Unfortunately, It leaves no resolution for them.

My Rating: 6.0

This Movie tops it as I'm still recovering from THE RISE OF SKYWALKER. It tells a story of a woman Cecilia who escapes from her abusive Boyfriend. She learns he commits suicide or Did He? She inherited a huge amount of money from her deceased boyfriend Adrian. But after that Strange things happen. This is a real shocker even though I didn't watch the original 1933 classic. I only watched parts of it. Based on the novel of the same name By H.G Wells. This is a real top notch thriller and I enjoyed it. Great Performances By the cast Especially Elisabeth Moss, whom you feel great sympathy as she struggles to fight this invisible ghost that Stalks her and tries to keep her sanity. Great cinematography. The music is great with a little Herrmann here and there. The movie gets you so much involved but no more spoilers here. This is a great movie so far since 2020 began. It won't disappoint you. My overall rating: 7.8.

I really enjoyed watching this sequel to Stanley Kubrick's THE SHINING (1980). Director Mike Flanagan stays true to Kubrick's Classic. DOCTOR SLEEP is a Stephen King sequel to his truthful THE SHINING. It focuses on a adult Danny Torrence, who still haunted by what happened at the Doomed Overlook Hotel. An acoholic when he can barely strives to live a normal life. BUT! He still has The Gift. Now a cult group known as the True Knot led by Rose the Hat, that preys on children to remain immortal. Ewan McGregor is such a versatile actor he's good in just about anything he does (Obi-Wan?). You have sympathy for him with his performance as the tormented Danny. Rebecca Ferguson is top notch as Rose the Hat as she senses Danny's Psychic correspondence is interrupted by a Gifted young girl. Abre Stone, (Kyleigh Curran) who the True Knot is after. Now, since Kubrick's THE SHINING is such an iconic classic Film. And as many times I've watched this film any fan should know the story by now. Flanagan stays true to the story and he combines elements with Kubrick's which I respect and I was satisfied with. The Film stands on it's own. Really it does. As for the critics, You judge the Film yourself. They were so quick to negatively bash IT CHAPTER TWO which I enjoyed as well that they must know that film was actually well and sufficient. Honestly, I've never read a Stephen King novel and I have no desire to do so. Yes again, it is a worthy satisfying Sequel to Kubrick's Classic that Flows through out. My rating: 8.0

Yes, it has finally arrived and been made. Scorsese has been wanting to do this film for years. THE IRISHMAN focuses on the Life Hitman and Teamster Boss Frank Sheeran who confessed that he was responsible for the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. The Film delivers and when I was watching this film, I was thinking GOODFELLAS. Could you imagine DeNiro, Pacino and Pesci in a film together directed by Scorsese!! The Filmmaking process Scorsese has done is the same as GOODFELLAS but it was different in many ways. 3 hours was worth it. So, the question arouses. Who stoled the Show? I must say, Both DeNiro and Pacino. They ultimately have great chemistry together. Joe Pesci was great as well as crime boss Russell Bufalino. It's best that you watch this on the Big screen. These three legendary actors has accomplished so much in a Film that dealt with character development, suspense and emotion. Yes, There's lots of Violence. Let's face it. It's a new film directed by Martin Scorsese. I never had any issues or flaws except the CGI was sufficient. I paid attention to the story and I followed it through. This is an amazing Film. There's talk already of Oscar Nods for all three actors. So I suggest everyone go to see this film and It's a must. My rating: 8.4

Harriet is a Film that delivers a few points about her life. Harriet Tubman was a true fighter risking her life for freeing enslaved Africans in the South. The film's take on a her is good but there are flaws. Tubman had done a lot in her lifetime as a Freedom Fighter. The Director Kasi Lemmons was not committed in doing an actual film on what she had accomplished. It couldn't fit in Two hours. Cynthia Erivo delivers a good but not a great performance as Tubman. She, in some ways struggled into develop in her character per say. The whole cast was fine through out.I wanted to see more of Tubman adjusting life as she fled to her freedom. The soundtrack is subtle by Terrence Blanchard with some of old Spiritual hymns mixed in. The doesn't make the character develop. and at times I was loss. But it caught my attention and I Followed the Film. throughout. I must remind myself that this was a courageous woman. An independent Fighter who stood out for justice for her people. You can make your own criticism. Overall it's pretty good but it could have been better. My rating: 7.0

Luce is a Pretty good psychological thriller Film that deals with Racism. A white couple has high hopes for Luce, A young African who they adopted from war torn Eritrea. He's popular in high school, among his friends, peers and the faculty. Intelligent, Athletic and Articulate. Luce seems to have it all except one Problem: His teacher, Harriet Wilson (Octavia Spencer), who is highly suspicious of him. His parents (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) are very proud of him. Yet, there's a lot that this young man is going through. Is Luce all what he say he is? Well the story by J.C Lee lets the audience of a young man struggling with his identity with an essay written by him that his teacher Mrs. Wilson questions him. Director Julius Onah plants questions about him and his actions. Superb performances by the whole cast especially Kelvin Harrison Jr as Luce who trying to pull himself together through the accusations his teacher alleges. Lots of Profanity, Sexism, Tokenism. But you feel for Luce but I'm not giving you any spoilers. Overall Rating 7.2.

All that I can say is, judge the Film for yourself. It seems that when people went to see this film so far They negatively bash it. But you must forget IT CHAPTER TWO is the continuing story of The Losers Club returning to Derry, Maine and they reunite and their purpose is to destroy IT "Pennywise The Clown" once and for all. Also, I must remind you that this is a horror Film and it's loaded with scares and lots of Blood. To me, I don't mind the CGI in it but it's better than the 1990 miniseries. Director Andy Muschietti has delivered a horror Film that can affect you in one way or another. Yes, there are Flashbacks but it's essential to the Story of the Losers Club when they are mature adults. Another reminder, This film takes place in 2016. A more Hip version. But as I was watching this movie, I must say I was really into it. The casting was great. James Mc Avoy is always good in everything he does. Jessica Chastain does a good job as the adult Beverly. Regardless if Amy Adams didn't portrayed her it didn't matter to me. They're both great actresses. Bill Hader and James Ransone work very well together and you can see the chemistry between the two when you look at them as Richie and Eddie as adults well. You can see they had to study the actors humor and how they mingle together as kids. Isaiah Mustafa knocks it out of the park as Mike who stayed in Derry and waited for 27 years until Pennywise returned. Jay Ryan and Andy Bean were good also as Ben and Stan. And finally, Bill Skarsgard is more evil and vengeful as Pennywise. Most people don't realize is that the Losers had to confront their fears returning to Derry, Maine because they can't let Pennywise to continue murdering innocent children. So they plan and sacrifice so that IT will never return. From my point of view, The Losers were still Kids again, though they were adults but as each member help each other they overcome their fears. My own moral is this. We were all Kids and we all have childhood fears and at some point in your life you have to confront them. I can say that as well because I was a child with fears. And I think that's the point of this second chapter to Stephen King's classic novel. So, I really enjoyed it and it lived up to it's hype. The CGI, again, didn't matter to me. To conclude this, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I can't wait until it's released on Blu-Ray. My overall rating: 8.2

Ready or Not is a fun-filled bloody gore film. With a comedy twist of YOU'RE NEXT and a little bit of ROSEMARY'S BABY in the mix. The film centers on Grace (Samra Weaving, who looks uncanny like Margot Robbie), is about to get married to Alex La Domas (Mark O'Brein) and to her In-Laws, The creepy La Domas Family. When the wedding is over and their honeymoon is about to begin later that night. Alex explain to Grace that she participate in a Traditional game that has been in his Family for generations. She learns quick about what to take place. The film packs with a lot of blood and macabre humor. It's really good to see Andie Mac Dowell returning to the screen and Henry Czerny (Sharp Objects). There are some fun scenes but the idea of the film is that it's a survival game and that's all I'm going to say. But you will be rooting for her through the film. Overall, it's not a Bad Film just a survival tactic all the characters go through. My rating: 7.0

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a horror Film that has a few little scares but you must watch this film carefully especially from the Beginning. The Cast Acting is Fine but there is one scene that is clumsy. It centers in 1968 Halloween and the Election is drawing to a close in a small Town in Pennsylvania where a small group of teens goes to a Haunted House and discovers a Book that has tales with a History. The film is not a Bore but it's more like a Disney or Nickelodeon for teens and young adults. Rating: 6.5

Ma is a fun horror Film with it being predictable. Octavia Spencer is a mess and she is a Trip befriending a group of High school Kids but she wears out her welcome. Juliette Lewis really shines playing the concerned mother of her daughter. At least the film has a background story. (NO SPOILERS). Very Gory and Bloody. Funny at times as Spencer having fits. Good thing about this film NO SEQUELS! 6/10

Brightburn is a gore horror film that focuses what if the world doesn't need a super hero. Well, it doesn't in this Film. The film has a storyline that you have to figure throughout watching it. Excellent acting by the entire cast and of course lots of Blood and horrific images. This short film is for Horror Fans alike but no suprises here.

SHAZAM is a feel good Movie for all ages and as for me? I grew up watching SHAZAM on CBS Saturday Mornings as a Kid. Yes, I thought I was "Captain Marvel", That's originally Billy Batson's identity. The TV show of the 1970's really put the hook in me. Now as this Film, I enjoyed it. I appreciated how the film begun. Poor Billy Batson who was abandoned as a child who been through several Foster homes. Yet, when he met Freddy and some his new foster siblings this started to change for him until riding on a subway in Philly somehow he runs smack into the Powerful Wizard SHAZAM and he was chosen to display his powers for Good battling Evil. I really enjoyed watching this Film and the memories of FILMATION when I was a Kid in the 70's. If you're die hard SHAZAM Fan you will love this film. Of course, it points out a Sequel. My rating: A richly deserved 8.0.

All that I can say is that Dafoe's performance was excellent. Though it is emotional as the cinematography takes you on a journey on Van Gogh's last years of his troubled life and the people that didn't understand. Since now, He's more appreciated that ever. Just about all of his paintings are worth millions. Now, all that I can say, I understand.