RATING THE KRAMPUS MOVIES
Krampus is the “Christmas Devil”…here in the States, creative minds (and, some not-so-creative) deliver not one, but four tales of this yuletide terror.
Ray Schillaci
HALLOWEEN TREATS – TEN FRIGHTFUL FILMS FOR HALLOWEEN
Wishing you all a Happy Halloween and vicious viewing pleasures from my dark, dank basement where no one can hear you scream.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE KEEPING ROOM
Collectively, the young women of “The Keeping Room,” director Daniel Barber, and writer Julia Hart take us on a journey that is intense, beautiful and melancholic.
MOVIE REVIEW – GOODNIGHT MOMMY
A slow burn foreign horror, that for some, may not fulfill their thriller/horror needs, but for those with more patience that do not mind the long shots that build suspense, trying to throw you off balance, it can be rewarding.
MOVIE REVIEW – BLACK MASS
The performances in this new gangland tale are brilliant from Johnny Depp to the minor characters, but the film itself suffers in pacing and tries your patience.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – BREAD AND BUTTER
Imagine, if you will, a romantic comedy minus all the romantic notions, minus all the cute or beautiful looking actors (young or old), and still delivering all the goods with a very strong resolve.
MOVIE REVIEW – NO ESCAPE
“No Escape” is a smart and harrowing journey through a third world hell.
MOVIE REVIEW – EXETER
How many films have we seen with young people trapped in a scary place, being picked off one by one? But Nispel turns the whole scenario on its bloody ear just as Wes Craven did with “Scream”.
SUPERFLACK (DON’T GET DOWN ON MARVEL)
Marvel has tapped into everything that made it successful as a comic book champ, and has now translated it to film.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “PARTY AT MARCUS’S HOUSE” (w/Marcus Nispel) – “Ant-Man” & “Trainwreck”
Showcast Episode 109: Director Marcus Nispel (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (2003), “Conan the Barbarian 3D”) joins The Movie Guys in studio and has stories for days as his new film “Exeter” hits DirecTV on demand, with a major release planned in theaters for August. Also, previews of new-in-theaters “Trainwreck” and “Ant-Man”, while Adam leads a few rounds of “Name the Marvel Character”.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – MARTYRS
Nothing will prepare you for the onslaught to the senses from one of the most intense and grueling horror movie experiences I have ever set eyes on.
WORTH REVIVING – “GREASER’S PALACE”
By now everyone knows who Robert Downey, Jr. is. But how many of you out there are familiar with his father, Robert Downey, Sr, a virtual powerhouse of audacity with sparks of brilliance demonstrated in so many of his off-the-wall films of the ’60s and ’70s?
MOVIE REVIEW – MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
The setting along with the vehicles are gloriously post-apocalyptic and the soundtrack rouses us like never before. But where is Max in all of this?
MOVIE REVIEW – EX MACHINA
A chilling pot boiler with eye-opening visuals and dynamic performances from the entire cast.
INDIE REPORT – PRIMROSE LANE
Writer/director and actress Kathleen Davison has a haunting tale to tell, and it was told well as the closing night film for the NoHo Cinefest.
SHORT FILM SHOWCASE 2015
Ray Schillaci recommends four exceptional short films: “The Apple Tree”, “Tomgirl”, “Moving On” and “A Tricky Treat”.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 15TH ANNUAL PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL – PART 2
Ray Schillaci recaps more of the best of the fest from The 2015 Phoenix Film Festival, including “Slow West”, “Exeter” and “White God”.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 15TH ANNUAL PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL – PART 1
According to many attending the festival, filmmakers and moviegoers alike, this was one of the best years yet.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – PREDESTINATION
Aided by a complex story, interesting characters and tight direction, the Spierigs deliver a powerful punch that has you talking about the film long after it is over
MOVIE REVIEW – AVENGED
Here is an independent genre film that operates high on all cylinders and delivers the goods promised.
2015 OSCAR TELECAST RECAP
After watching the Oscar telecast for so many years, one cannot help but wonder this year, what the hell happened?
THE TOP TEN FILMS OF 2014…A SECOND (AND THIRD) OPINION
It’s Oscar Sunday, and with The Oscar Rant out there, more opinions have popped up about the ten best films of 2014.
OSCAR NOMINEE MOVIE REVIEW – THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Is it manipulating? At times, it attempts to be. Does it accomplish everything it set out to do? Perhaps. Do we end up caring? Depends on the audience.
OSCAR NOMINEE MOVIE REVIEW – SELMA
For all who are uninitiated, “Selma” is not just about Martin Luther King Jr, although he is a key player in its history. Just as fascinating are all the supporting players that were integral to the historical events that took place in Selma, Alabama.
MOVIE REVIEW – UNBROKEN
Zamperini’s life story is worthy of a five star HBO mini-series rather being crammed into a two hour movie
WORTH REVIVING – “THE GREAT RACE”
May I present a film near and dear to my childhood heart that still holds up…
MOVIE REVIEW – THE BABADOOK
Kent’s film, as with so many films of this genre, does have noticeable influences, but in no way shape or form does it ever become a pale imitation.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – STRETCH
Joe Carnahan’s finest film. A biting satire of everything wrong with L.A. and its ugly underbelly.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – WITCHING AND BITCHING
“Witching and Bitching” comes to us just in time for Halloween. It starts off small and frenetic, and soon becomes giant in scope in its visual flair and hyperkinetic style.
WORTH REVIVING – “THE NINTH CONFIGURATION”
“The Ninth Configuration” suffered the fate of being too high-minded for its time. But for those deep thinkers who were open to its philosophical and metaphysical musings and its search for a higher being, the pay off was a remarkable experience.
MOVIE REVIEW – BOYHOOD
I’m probably late to the game, but that does not prevent me from singing the praises of the best film (so far) of 2014.
MAY THE FORCE OF 3D BE AVOIDED
Studios and theater chains are in cahoots to wrangle the public into paying more and practically forcing them to accept 3D.
HORROR’S THREAT
Movie Guy Ray Schillaci looks at the current state of horror films – is creativity still alive? Can they be profitable? These questions and more get answered with commentary by director Mike Flanagan (“Oculus”), director Marcus Nispel (“Friday the 13th” (2009)) and more.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – UNDER THE SKIN
Sounds interesting, cool, unique and it is all downhill after the first ten exhaustive minutes.
MOVIE REVIEW – GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
James Gunn not only got it right, but he’s possibly pulled off the best Marvel movie yet.
WORTH REVIVING – “BECKET”
Movie Guy Ray Schillaci fires up his new column, “Worth Reviving”, which looks at films that get lost in the shuffle of over-hyped Hollywood offerings. This edition gives the once-over to the 12-Oscar-nominated “Becket”, with Peter O’Toole & Richard Burton.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – CHEAP THRILLS
There is so much wrong going on in “Cheap Thrills,” but none of it is the acting, writing or production.
MOVIE REVIEW – EDGE OF TOMORROW
This is a well-tuned machine that provides a fun trip to the movies that can be enjoyed by just about anyone young and old.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “THE HORROR…” (w/Ray Schillaci) – “Edge of Tomorrow” & “The Fault in Our Stars”
Showcast Episode 53: “Edge of Tomorrow” and “The Fault in Our Stars” get the full movie preview treatment from The Move Guys with guest host Justin Bowler. Plus, a look at movie news and a first for the Showcast – in depth talk about horror movies with special guest Ray Schillaci.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – BIG BAD WOLVES
The filmmakers have not opted for the straight forward horrific narrative, but tease us with twisted dark humor that makes us chuckle and gasp at the same time.