​Hello, everyone, and welcome to another episode of moviemanMDG's Movie Talk, where I talk about everything film-related.  Most of the time, I'm pretty generous with a particular film in my criticism.  While I may not like some of them as much as others, I strive to find a few merits in their intended direction to make my experiences more tolerable.  You can say that I am the complete opposite of a "film reviewer" you'd find on Twitter.  However, there have been times when a movie makes me struggle to find a single one.  2025 is no exception, as it gave us plenty of lackluster and even borderline atrocious films that made everyone question their existence and even throw a fit on Twitter.  Unlike my top ten list, I hadn't seen many films I thought were as bad as people made them out to be.  Fortunately, I've watched enough to make this top ten worst list possible.  I know we have the recent "War of the Worlds" adaptation featuring Ice Cube on Amazon Prime, and yes, it was "direct-to-DVD" awful.  I would've reviewed it, but I think the other reviews speak for themselves, so I wasn't going to waste my time with that.  But I will be discussing the top ten films that are equally as insufferable as watching Ice Cube sitting by the work desk for an hour and a half.  As always, if you like some of my selections more than I did, just so you know that I respect your opinion, even if I disagree.  With that said, let's count down the biggest stinkers of 2025.

​The video-game-to-movie trend has recently gained momentum with projects such as "Sonic the Hedgehog", "Super Mario Bros.", "The Last of Us", and even "Fallout".  However, that doesn't mean that the curse is truly broken, as we have a couple of adaptations this year that cater more to their fans than general audiences, but not in a good way.  One of them is my number ten pick, which celebrates creativity yet isn't very creative itself.  Despite an all-star cast and a promising director in Jared Hess, "A Minecraft Movie" is a half-baked, tonally fatiguing collection of Easter eggs that lacks a sense of innovation or entertainment in its underdeveloped premise.  The visuals were suitable for conveying the game's vibrant, blocky, and massively creative realm, and the cast, while underwhelming and exaggerated, made the most of their performances.  Besides that, "A Minecraft Movie" is what I would call the complete opposite of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie".  It's got plenty of Easter eggs to please the game's fans, but none of the charm or entertainment to make casual viewers unlock their own imaginations.

​I'm one of the many people who find some enjoyment in the Smurfs.  Heck, I would even say I was guilty of enjoying the live-action movies and "The Lost Village".  So, that should mean I would be able to tolerate the blue, fun-loving creatures' latest cinematic imagining, right?  Surprisingly, no.  "Smurfs" has an intriguing concept: them traveling across the multiverse, akin to the "Spider-Verse" films.  Unfortunately, it is wasted on a disappointingly mediocre, derivative, and dumbed-down reboot that lacks the fun, charm, and magic of the comics and previous film adaptations.  The animation is commendable for conveying the source material's traditional art design and the various styles of its world-building.  Not to mention, it features an inspiring message about self-identity and kindness for younger kids.  However, the film smurfed those merits to a pulp with its hit-and-miss voice cast, restrained world-building, and an uninspired screenplay full of forgettable humor and familiar story beats.  It's clearly enough to make older viewers go smurfing mad the same way Gargamel feels towards the cute, blue-skinned creatures.

​Rhys Frake-Waterfield started on the wrong, if not tasteless, foot in his "Twisted Childhood Universe" with "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey", a slasher take on the beloved silly old bear.  However, its sequel helped him find an identity he's going for, with its cheesy yet grim B-movie aura.  Unfortunately, that slight improvement was short-lived, thanks to the franchise's first of multiple planned twisted spin-offs.  "Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare" brought us a demented Peter Pan who spills blood instead of pixie dust, and the result is more of a dull, second-rate nightmare than a violently delightful dream for slasher fans.  Martin Portlock did a surprisingly good job as an unstable "boy who never grew up", and the practical effects were pretty decent for its grisly violence.  Sadly, those merits were hampered by its mediocre cast, Scott Jeffrey's underwhelming direction, genre cliches, and uneven editing.  You're better off relying on the other "Peter Pan" adaptations to take you to Neverland, especially the Disney version. 

​"The Old Guard" was a surprisingly good action film on Netflix, benefiting from Charlize Theron's charismatic performance and Gina Prince-Bythewood's approach to the action genre.  So, it makes sense that Netflix would want to continue the story of the immortal soldiers hiding within society.  It's too bad that the one we got wasn't able to achieve its own sense of immortality to warrant its existence.  "The Old Guard 2" should've been another fun action-packed ride that rides on Theron's presence.  Instead, it's a forgettable and frustratingly sluggish piece of streaming slop whose mortality lies in its lackluster execution and disappointingly bland stakes.  Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman provided some bits of intrigue as the two clashing immortals, and the action choreography, while unmemorable, was enjoyable to watch.  However, these merits were wasted by its disjointed screenplay, dull direction, and an irritating cliffhanger ending, leaving it lacking the immortality and fun of its predecessor on an unfortunate scale.  If it were to continue with "The Old Guard 3", then I hoped it would be a much better experience than what I went through with this.  

​The masked strangers returned for another deadly visit, as if their first visit was so much fun.  Renny Harlin's planned "Strangers" trilogy started poorly with a derivative first chapter that repeated the same structure as the 2008 film, but set in a cabin in the woods.  Its second chapter continues this fight for survival outside the forest, and while it delivers a slight improvement over its predecessor, it still can't redeem the further damage it has done to the franchise.  "The Strangers: Chapter 2" is an incredibly tedious and incomplete pursuit that lacks the anxiety-inducing edge and enjoyment of the 2008 film.  But the biggest offender is its attempt to "humanize" the enigmatic Strangers through flashbacks, betraying the core element that made "The Strangers" so terrifying.  Madelaine Petsch's performance was tolerable at best, and the single-take hospital scene was the only good part of the film.  Sadly, those hardly matter when you're dealing with a mediocre supporting cast, forgettable scares, and a head-scratching screenplay that's more dumb than innovative, making this second visit unbearable.  It would be interesting to see if "Chapter 3" can continue the trilogy's improvement or become the final nail in the horror trilogy's coffin.  Based on my experience with this one, I won't be surprised if it turns out to be the latter. 

​I know that I'm going to get a lot of flak for putting this film on my list, but I don't care.  I just really don't care.  They can try to talk me out of it all they want, but at the end of the day, I still stand firm when I say that "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" is not just a bad horror sequel, but also a bad sequel to an alright film adaptation of the popular game franchise.  This is another video game adaptation that's more intent on pleasing its fans with its plethora of Easter eggs than on delivering a more interesting, well-conceived story to complement them.  It retains some of the similar merits from its predecessor, including its bleak atmosphere and solid practical effects for the animatronics.  However, the character-driven moments from the first film were absent in the sequel, leaving us with familiar characters who become even less likable through their actions.  Its dull cast, uneven tone, tame scares, and Scott Cawthon's iffy screenplay make this second nighttime job less fun than the games and even the first film itself.  It also didn't help that my experience was ruined by a child who wouldn't keep quiet for almost the entire movie.  For my sake, the next film better be rated R.  Like I said, it's possible that the "Five Nights at Freddy's" fans will attack me for this.  But I won't care, as they'll only prove me right about how obnoxious and ill-behaved fanbases can be regarding people's different opinions.

​We have horror legacy sequels that successfully honor their original counterparts, as well as those that make us question their decision to revive their psychotic masked killers.  The 2025 version of "I Know What You Did Last Summer" belongs in a different category altogether.  This legacy remake/sequel is so baffling and soulless that I want to keep my experience a secret from anyone.  Its effort to offer bold narrative choices was commendable amid its familiar structure, but it tried way too hard to copy the merits of the recent "Scream" films, resulting in an unnecessary, frustrating, and generic continuation of the Fisherman's bloody rampage.  Its by-the-numbers screenplay, lackluster characters, predictable scares, and poorly executed final twist make this "requel" one to forget by next summer.  

​Once upon a time, Cameron Diaz returned to acting to team up with Jamie Foxx for a movie about two operatives who fell in love and went off the grid to start a family.  That movie came to be known as "Back in Action", an action comedy that's understandably flawed but tolerable enough to warrant the leads' chemistry.  Then came my number three pick, "Shadow Force", an action thriller that revisits this concept with a different cast and a darker tone.  The result is an incredibly bland, fundamentally tedious thriller that couldn't escape the shadow of the Netflix film it's ripping off.  Juan Azpiroz's cinematography was admittedly decent in portraying its action set pieces, but it wasn't enough to get itself off the hit list.  With its uninspiring leads, Joe Carnahan's mediocre direction, bland script, and an underwhelming third act, the film should've moved to the shadows of streaming services.

​If you think Paul W. S. Anderson couldn't get any lower than his "Resident Evil" and "Monster Hunter" adaptations, then you haven't seen what he did to George R. R. Martin's short story.  Considering Martin's success with "Game of Thrones" and the source material's post-apocalyptic essence, "In the Lost Lands" should've been another action-packed and fun experience, or at the very least, a "so bad, it's good" movie you would watch drunk with your friends.  Instead, it's a visually murky, soulless fantasy that further underscores Anderson's incompetence in adapting video games and short stories to the screen.  Despite its stylistic potential, "In the Lost Lands" got lost in its narrative wasteland, thanks to uncharismatic leads, dull direction, a lackluster script, and unappealing color saturation.  It's definitely time for Paul W. S. Anderson to step away from film adaptations for the time being.

​I previously thought that "In the Lost Lands" would take the rotten tomato as the worst movie of 2025.  But then I decided to watch a film I had skipped during its theatrical run.  It was either the best or worst decision I have ever made, depending on the circumstances.  The way I see it, attending an actual wedding would be a much better experience than what I just witnessed.  "Bride Hard" is what happens when you combine "Die Hard" with a wedding setting, and then suck the fun and wit out of its absurd concept.  This could've been an amusingly dumb comedy you wouldn't mind spending 90 minutes watching, especially with Rebel Wilson and Anna Camp from "Pitch Perfect" hosting this "important" event.  However, it turns out to be just plain dumb to the point of being insulting to people's brain cells.  It's uninspiring, tediously cliched, and horrendously unfunny, but not in a way that's considered "so bad, it's good".  This painful excuse of an action comedy made me hesitant to say "I do", which is enough to pick it as my worst film of 2025. 

​That concludes my top ten least favorite films of 2025.  As I said earlier, if you enjoyed these selections more than I did, especially "Five Nights at Freddy's 2", I respect your opinion.  I may disagree, but I'm mature enough to understand that everyone has different perspectives on specific films.  They may like a movie that everyone hates or even hate a film that everyone loves, but at the end of the day, there's no denying that the art of cinema will always bring us together…as long as they act like adults.  Of course, that includes the ones on Twitter.  With that being said, I hope everyone has a happy new year, and I'll see you on my first review of 2026.

​Hello, everyone, and welcome to another episode of moviemanMDG's Movie Talk, where I talk about everything film-related.  2025 has been another year filled with ups and downs, including ones we'd love to forget as we head into another year.  The same can be said about the movies we've experienced, both on the big screen and from a specific streaming service.  Much like before, this year was jam-packed with films that either hit their marks in quality, became surprisingly enjoyable, or crushed us with sheer disappointment.  For this episode of Movie Talk, we're going to be focusing on the movies that earned my seal of approval as the best of the best.  I've watched more than enough films I loved, but only ten made it onto my list.  Just a clear reminder that this list is based on my personal opinion and mine alone, so feel free to agree or disagree, but please refrain from being a negative Nancy.  Everyone has their different taste in film, and even if they're wrong, their opinions must be respected.  With that said, here are my top ten favorite movies of 2025.  Let's get to it!

​2025 has been an excellent year for anime overall, offering solid hits like "Sakamoto Days", "The Summer Hikaru Died", and the final season of "My Hero Academia".  However, it has also been a strong year for anime on the big screen, with the first chapter of the "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" saga raking in big bucks at the box office.  But, in terms of storytelling, I would have to choose a movie about a demon with a chainsaw head as the best anime film of 2025.  Sorry, "Demon Slayer" fans, but this demon slayed for the right reasons.  "Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc" is a fantastically stylized and surprisingly bittersweet continuation of the "Chainsaw Man" anime that redefines its quality.  It delivers the thrilling, violent essence you'd expect from a movie about a dimwitted chainsaw demon, but what really caught me off guard is the tragic anti-love story that underscores its theme of heartbreak.  This character-driven exploration of Denji's biggest challenge is just as rewarding as its explosive, action-packed finale, complemented by some of the best animation I've seen from MAPPA.  From its engaging voice cast to its well-earned emotional resonance, "Reze Arc" sheds enough cinematic blood to satisfy the source material's fans until the anime's next season.

​It's important to include cardio in your everyday exercises, especially walking.  However, my number nine pick might make you think otherwise before you go outside for a jog.  The film adaptation of Stephen King's "The Long Walk" walks a near-perfect line between dystopian dread, restraint, and heartbreaking suspense, delivering one of my favorite Stephen King adaptations to date.  Helmed by Francis Lawrence, the film presents a bleak, intense, and heart-wrenching portrayal of tragedy and totalitarianism, demonstrating that basic storytelling can be just as compelling as more complex narratives.  Its young cast, particularly Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson, did a fantastic job conveying the authenticity of their characters' physical and mental exhaustion, as well as their chemistry.  Additionally, this is one of the movies that made me cry more than once, thanks to its rewarding emotional core and distressing atmosphere, both well conveyed by Lawrence's vision.  It's poignant, somber, and gut-punching, which can be a bit much, especially with its narrative repetition.  But, if you're willing to shed tears over a worthy film adaptation of a young adult novel, it is worth running out to see. 

​An animated movie about K-pop superstars battling demons could've been seen as another entertaining addition to Sony Pictures Animation's catalog that would be forgotten by next year.  That is, until we saw how huge its appeal turned out to be.  "KPop Demon Hunters" isn't just a Netflix movie; it is a global phenomenon that matches the cultural impact of Disney musicals like "Frozen", "Moana", and even "The Lion King".  It not only dazzles audiences with its vibrantly stylized animation and unforgettable soundtrack, but also introduces them to Korean culture, especially K-pop.  I was part of the audience that couldn't get enough of the Huntrix craze, which is why it earns the number eight spot on this list.  "KPop Demon Hunters" is a visually packed and consistently fun display of animation creativity that highlights the heart and musical essence of its absurd concept.  Its rushed character moments and ending prevented it from hitting its perfect cinematic pitch, but its endearing characters, compelling story, sublime soundtrack, and visually striking animation make it a cinematic concert worth attending.  I would even say that seeing its sing-along version in the theater with a packed audience is among my favorite theatrical experiences of this year, if not ever.  Sony Pictures Animation has clearly shown us how it's done, done, done regarding its current animation lineup.

​Always bet on Spike Lee to deliver a balance of traditional entertainment and layered social commentary.  This was further evident in Lee's latest cinematic joint, which is also a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic.  "Highest 2 Lowest" is a lively, insightful, and consistently engaging crime thriller that showcases the melodious talents of Spike Lee and Denzel Washington.  It may not resonate as much as Lee's other works like "Da 5 Bloods" and "Do the Right Thing", but I would consider it the most entertaining film I've seen from the acclaimed filmmaker.  Denzel Washington was phenomenal, Spike Lee's direction was energetic and nuanced, and the cinematography employed its old-school flair with great effort.  Additionally, Alan Fox's screenplay provided a timely, well-portrayed examination of New York's music industry amid its traditional ransom plot.  This is an astounding piece of cinematic music that's worth listening to, especially for fans of Lee's other works.    

​"Ne Zha" became one of the biggest cinematic successes in China despite being the first project by Jiaozi and animation studio Chengdu Coco Cartoon.  But no one seems to know about it until it is brought up.  Six years later, the long-awaited continuation arrived and became even bigger than its predecessor financially and critically, yet the story remains the same.  No one seems to remember it until someone brings it up.  I was surprised by how good "Ne Zha" was, with its epic scope, blend of action and humor, brilliant animation, and engrossing tale of fate, which prompted me to see its sequel in the theater.  That decision was undoubtedly worth it.  "Ne Zha 2" is a bigger, bolder, and more fiery follow-up that expands not only its immersive world-building and scope, but also the heart at the center of the titular character's coming-of-age journey and the film's themes.  It can be a bit too long and even intense for some viewers, including children, and the English version isn't as strong as the original dub in terms of performances.  Thankfully, every minute spent on its blockbuster-level scale is top-notch to the point of forgiving that dub's voice direction.  Thanks to its enjoyable Chinese cast, Jiaozi's direction and screenplay, riveting set pieces, and exceptional animation, "Ne Zha 2" is my personal pick for the best animated film of 2025, one that not many people will remember as much as others.    

​The "28 Days Later" film series brought audiences into a kinetic, bloodily chaotic world filled with ravenous zombies capable of tearing survivors to pieces.  "28 Days Later" and "28 Weeks Later" revitalized the zombie horror genre through their refreshingly energetic visions and nightmarish aesthetics.  However, we haven't returned to this post-apocalyptic society until now, and boy, did this revisit surprise me in more ways than one.  "28 Years Later" is a sequel we didn't think we needed, yet it offers enough substance and horror vibes to warrant its existence.  On paper, it seems to be yet another zombie gore-fest like its predecessors, and while that may be the case, the film blends it with a poignant family drama that explores themes of anxiety, coming of age, and death.  Its bold, challenging approach to the franchise's familiar roots may not impress everyone, especially fans of the first two installments, but it'll surely surprise some as it did for me.  Its impressive cast, Danny Boyle's uniquely energetic vision, and Alex Garland's well-written screenplay embody the franchise's kinetic tension and horror while offering a moving core beneath the mayhem.  Who knew a movie about zombies would make me shed a tear?

​It's challenging to deliver a two-and-a-half-hour sports epic about an ambitious yet unlikable ping-pong player that everyone will love.  Fortunately for us, director Josh Safdie managed to pull that feat off easily with "Marty Supreme", my fourth-best film of 2025.  A late entry on the list, "Marty Supreme" is an enticing, exceptionally crafted table tennis drama that displays the toxicity and stress of a person's pursuit of greatness.  Timothée Chalamet delivers one of the best and most charismatic performances of his already impressive career, and Safdie's vision conveys a nerve-wracking, consistently entertaining ride through his direction, strong screenplay, and tight editing.  This is another sublime example of making a seemingly unlikable protagonist and their quest for greatness worth rooting for.

​Here, we have another last-minute entry on this list, and this film is likely the most emotional of them all, and with good reason.  Chloé Zhao's latest film, "Hamnet", is a roller coaster of emotions that highlights the inspiration behind William Shakespeare's influential tragedy through the eyes of his wife.  With Zhao's incredible blend of heartache and cinematic beauty, the film is not only a genuinely sentimental and well-acted exploration of grief, but also a restrained, moving tribute to the healing power of art.  Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal were both exceptional in their roles, with Buckley providing the best performance of her career.  Along with Zhao's visionary beauty, a contained yet heartfelt screenplay, and Max Richter's poignant score, "Hamnet" is another testament to Zhao's cinematic empathy towards human connections.

​There's no denying that Ryan Coogler is one of the best filmmakers working today.  With films like "Fruitvale Station" and "Black Panther", Coogler possesses a storytelling flair and visual finesse that proudly reflect African American culture.  To no one's surprise, he has done it again with a period drama filled with music and vampires.  While it may seem straightforward at first, "Sinners" is actually a riveting, bold, and thematically profound display of vampiric horror and music that underscores how one's sins affect oneself and others.  Bolstered by Michal B. Jordan's dual performance, Coogler's adept vision and screenplay, exceptional cinematography, and Ludwig Göransson's award-worthy score, the film repents from the sins of traditional genre gimmicks to highlight the director's blend of down-to-earth appeal and blockbuster scale.  Additionally, it features one of the year's best sequences that'll answer your prayers for a true cinematic experience.  

​It is absolutely crazy that the only movie I've seen from Paul Thomas Anderson was "Phantom Thread" eight years ago.  As much as I wanted to see his previous movies, I just didn't have the urge to do so.  That is, until I saw his latest cinematic endeavor, which is far different from his comedies and psychological dramas, and my personal pick for the best film of 2025.  "One Battle After Another" is an invigorating and surprisingly amusing epic that balances Anderson's cinematic artistry with popcorn entertainment and political satire.  While its runtime and political undertones may be concerning, they don't detract from how it shapes our understanding of "pure cinema".  Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti were both incredible amid the film's A-list ensemble, and Anderson's innovative approach to cinematography and editing was sublime.  Additionally, Jonny Greenwood's unique score is a worthy awards contender for Best Original Score.  Whether it'll actually convince me to check out Anderson's previous works remains to be seen, but I can tell you this.  He's one of the filmmakers who knows how to make cinema come alive, not just in the craft but also regarding the experience of watching it.  That, along with its display of talent, entertainment, and artistry in filmmaking, is why "One Battle After Another" is my favorite movie of 2025.   

​There you have it, folks.  Those are my top ten favorites of 2025.  Overall, this has been another great year for not just original content but also for worthy adaptations beloved by both fans and casual audiences.  2026 hopes to continue this streak with some pretty enticing movies coming out that might be worth seeing on the big screen rather than at home.  We'll see if any of them can meet or exceed our expectations.  Until then, hope everyone has a great holiday season, and I'll see you on the next episode of "Movie Talk" where I share the biggest stinkers of 2025.

​Hello, everyone!  Welcome to another episode of moviemanMDG’s “Movie Talk”, where I talk about everything film-related.  It’s no secret that 2024 is another year full of surprises and inspiring feats in the film industry.  However, it’s also not without plenty of misfortunes and atrocities that we had to endure, whether on the big screen or on a streaming service.  With every cinematic masterpiece that invaded ours screens with awe-inspiring quality, there’s always a massive pile of hot garbage that stimulates our senses in the worst way possible.  That’s how I would describe my experience toward this year’s films that failed to reach their potentials with their cheapness and second-rate executions.  While my intention is to always look for a silver lining in these mediocre attempts at filmmaking, there are occasions where their positive aspects just aren’t enough to excuse their massive flaws.  The movies I got listed below are some of those moments.  We already got through with the best of the best of 2024 in my previous Movie Talk episode, so now it’s time for me to announce the films that I deemed unworthy of my cinematic needs.  Just like before, this is my personal picks of the films I disliked the most this year.  Even though there are certain popular ones that everyone loves to deem “the worst movie ever made”, especially ones based on an existing IP, there are actually those that truly deserve the rotten tomato treatment.  At least, that’s how I view them because again, everyone has their own distinct taste in movies, and that’s okay.  As usual, don’t be surprised if any of your picks for the worst movie of the year didn’t make it on my list or if the ones you actually liked more than I did are on it.  These are my personal picks, and if you enjoyed any of them, that’s great.  More power to you.  Now that that’s out of the way, let’s count down the biggest losers of 2024.  But before I do that, allow me to share with you the “dishonorable mentions” that were lucky enough to escape their unwanted achievements.

​Coming in at the bottom of the trash can is M. Night Shyamalan's daughter's attempt at making a horror movie.  All I can say is that she has a lot of work to do to make it big as a director.  "The Watchers" was just as lost as the characters in the woods, with a story that struggled to balance its slow-burn suspense with supernatural horror elements.  There was some potential hidden within Ishana Night Shyamalan's vision, especially when the cinematography captures the eeriness and dread of the isolated forest.  Sadly, that hardly matters when a film lacks effort in its unbalanced screenplay, so-so cast, and soulless scares.  You're better off watching something that's more worth your time.

​Camp is supposed to be a place where you experience the great outdoors and make new friends and memories.  But if it's anything like my number nine pick, I'd rather just stay home and play video games all summer long.  "Summer Camp" was another addition to a long line of comedies involving seniors acting like they're thirty years younger.  While familiar by design, I admire only a couple of them for being mildly endearing for their target audience, mainly "Book Club" and "80 for Brady".  Sadly, "Summer Camp" became a blueprint for following the same formulaic pattern without the charm and fun to accompany it.  Despite the efforts made by the main leads, the film's inept direction, generic screenplay, and lackluster characters were enough to give me the summertime blues.  Regarding this catalog of senior-focused comedies, this is by far the most boring and biggest waste of effort from all those involved.  These actresses deserved a much better camp to attend than what they got.

​There's no studio that suffered the worst luck in the superhero genre this year than Sony, especially its Spider-Man-less cinematic universe.  Except for the "Venom" trilogy, the studio's attempts at making Spider-Man's enemies anti-heroes to maintain its rights lack the cheesy fun, charm, and quality to warrant their existence.  The universe's final film, "Kraven the Hunter", is no different, as it is yet another failed attempt at superhero filmmaking that's more prey than predator.  Admittedly, it's mildly watchable regarding Aaron Taylor-Johnson's portrayal of the Spider-Man villain and the film's brutal violence.  Sadly, they're not enough to make this thrill of the hunt…well, thrilling.  Due to its bland supporting cast, incoherent editing, tedious direction, and rough visual effects, this supervillain origin film lacks the storytelling expertise to hunt alongside the big cinematic hunters.

​It's no surprise that everyone was crying foul at Hollywood for reviving "The Crow" when the 1994 adaptation was fine the way it was.  But, as usual, the folks at Hollywood didn't listen, and they paid the price for it, both critically and financially.  The 2024 reboot of "The Crow" puts a more supernatural and modern edge to the source material, and the result is a dull and bleak mess that's neither as compelling nor as entertaining as it should have been.  Its production design was serviceable for maintaining the gothic nature of the comic and the 1994 film, and the Opera House sequence was pretty enjoyable.  However, when it comes to everything else, the 2024 iteration of "The Crow" is a failed attempt at reviving the franchise due to its dull cast, generic script, forgettable action, and uninspired characters.  But, at the very least, Bill Skarsgård was able to redeem his soul with his take on Nosferatu, so there's that.

​2024 has been a pretty good year for horror, especially when we have plenty of surprises like "Late Night with the Devil" and "Nosferatu".  However, that doesn't mean it's safe from some of the bad ones we got amid its gems.  One of them is a supernatural horror film about tarot cards whose fate was already sealed before it even came out.  Regarding its plot and genre elements, "Tarot" was as generic and subpar as the title suggested, even failing to meet the lowest of my expectations.  While the young cast did all right with their performances, and the atmospheric dread was serviceable, the film failed to escape its destined fate due to its cliched and one-dimensional screenplay, bland direction, and uninspiring scares.  You're better off playing with real Tarot cards instead of watching the film's characters do it.

​Most people assume that "Kraven the Hunter" is the worst installment in Sony's Spider-Man Universe.  As much as I respect their opinions, I have to say that that isn't the case, as my number five pick exists.  S. J. Clarkson's feature directorial debut, "Madame Web", has been consistently deemed "the worst superhero film ever" by critics and audiences when it was first released.  At first, I thought this was another occasion when their reactions toward a movie were unfairly over-the-top.  However, after experiencing the film, I started to believe they were actually justified.  Its focus on the Spider-women and suspense thriller approach was quite welcoming for the short-lived franchise filled with villains-turned-heroes, and Dakota Johnson did an okay job as the titular character.  Unfortunately, they're not enough to untangle its messy and bland web of mediocrity and laziness.  Its subpar direction, mediocre dialogue, and weak supporting cast make this one of the nails in the coffin for Sony's attempt at making its own Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Maybe Sony can make another deal with Disney to incorporate these Spider-Man characters into the MCU?

​Zachary Levi may have taken the loss of his "Shazam" franchise a bit too personally, so much so that he starred in an underwhelming kids movie as revenge against us for not supporting his superhero sequel.  The movie I'm referring to was my number four pick, "Harold and the Purple Crayon", the long-awaited adaptation of the popular children's book that wasn't as creative and fun as the protagonist's imagination.  The idea of making Harold a fish-out-of-water adult was questionable, but that's not the main reason why the movie didn't work for me.  It's the fact that it focused so much on appealing to the younger demographic that it wound up pleasing no one, not even the young at heart.  The visuals were serviceable for Harold's drawings, and the cast, including Levi, was fine in their roles.  However, they're not enough to draw its way out of its formulaic script, mundane direction, inconsistent pacing, and unfunny plot.  It's another example of how not to make a family film and another unfortunate misfire for Levi's troubling reputation.  He's definitely in dire need of a purple crayon of his own so he can draw himself out of this predicament.

​2008's "The Strangers" revitalized the fear of being stalked or attacked by random people whose motives were unexplainable.  Their excuse: they just wanted to.  Sixteen years later, the masked murderers returned to evoke that feeling again via a reboot that's also the start of a narrative-driven trilogy.  The result is a heaping pile of nothing that lacked its predecessor's frights and authentic terror.  "The Strangers: Chapter 1" is a highly lackluster reboot that follows the same path as the 2008 film but with a dose of dumb characters and unintentional humor.  It's not funny in a scary way, mind you.  It's just hilariously bad, especially regarding Scarecrow's actions.  The film's isolated atmosphere was overshadowed by its dull approach to its dumb characters, cliched script, and weak thrills.  This latest visit from the "Strangers" is just unpleasant in the worst way possible, and I'm already praying that its upcoming continuations won't be as agonizing as this.

​I like watching inspiring, feel-good sports movies as much as the next guy.  While they're flawed in their formulaic narratives, they usually succeed in making me believe in miracles and the power of sportsmanship.  Charles Stone III's latest foray into the sports genre, which showcases Snoop Dogg's appreciation of football, should've been another touchdown for the everlasting catalog of sports cinema.  Instead, it wound up being an incomplete pass, followed by a massive loss in yards.  The Prime Video original, "The Underdoggs", featured Snoop Dogg performing as his usual self while representing his love of the game.  Unfortunately, it lacks the charm and humor of other feel-good sports movies to make it more than a lackluster and redundant commercial for the singer/actor's "Snoop Youth Football League".  Its script was immensely formulaic, the adult humor and language were annoyingly repetitive, and the characters, especially its protagonist, were unlikable enough to get sacked multiple times.  In short, this R-rated comedy is far from the underdog we usually see in sports, whether in real life or on the screen.

​Many fans of "Megamind" had been clamoring for another adventure with the blue-skinned, big-headed villain-turned-hero for years, and I don't blame them.  It was a fun and clever take on the superhero genre filled with big stars and memorable meme-worthy moments.  It may not be a masterpiece by DreamWorks standards, but it was one of the more entertaining films that the studio had produced.  This year, our prayers were answered, but in the form of a television movie made for Peacock to coincide with the series, and we have regretted it ever since.  Not many people have mentioned this anymore, and it's understandable why.  "Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate" provided a massive stain on its predecessor by having the audacity to call itself a "film".  Admittedly, it's supposed to serve as a pilot for the "Megamind Rules" series, but even so, it failed to capture the essence and witty appeal that made "Megamind" popular.  The story was bland and idiotic, the direction was void of charm and wit, and the animation was cheaply crafted, even by television standards.  I could see a few kids enjoying it, but I highly doubt they'll remember it weeks later.  That's how disappointing this movie was, not just for kids but also for those who grew up watching "Megamind", including me.  Most people would go with something like "Joker" or "Borderlands" as their ideal worst movie of 2024, but in my eyes, it's actually the big-headed blue man that deserves this title.  If you want more insight regarding my thoughts about the pilot film and its series, check out my Movie Talk episode, "The Doomed Return of Megamind".

​It still wasn't easy making this list compared to my best film list, mainly due to my attempt at being more positive toward these second-rate movies, but it had to be done.  As mentioned before, if you like any or all of the films I listed above, I can only say that you have my respect for tolerating them more than I did.  I may not be comfortable with those opinions, but I respect them regardless.  That said, this concludes another year filled with cinematic gold and cinematic slop.  Once again, I want to thank you all for following me and my website as we head into 2025.  Until my next review, have a happy new year.

​Hello, everyone!  Welcome to another episode of moviemanMDG's "Movie Talk", where I talk about everything film-related.  Another year is drawing to a close, which means it's time for one of my favorite things of the year. That's right, folks. It's time for another end-of-the-year list courtesy of yours truly.  I know I'm supposed to come up with something exciting to start this episode, but trust me.  When you've been writing top ten lists for almost ten years, you're bound to not worry about it and wing it anyway.  2024 offered many movies that attempted to revive the cinematic experience or divert audiences with their entertainment values.  Some films succeed in being overall great movies, while others fail to deliver more than what's on the covers.  There were also some surprises we didn't expect to be good but proved us otherwise, and some that failed to meet our high expectations because we kept setting ourselves up for disappointment.  For this episode, we're going to be focusing on the positives as I list the top ten movies that impressed me the most, whether they're for entertainment purposes, cinematic quality, thematic storytelling, or all of the above.  This year, I've seen plenty of movies I loved more than I thought I would, but this list is for the ten best films that remained in my head more than others.  As usual, I didn't have time to see all the movies I wanted to see before making this list, so don't be surprised if some of your personal favorites aren't included.  Sadly, that includes "The Brutalist", which is still playing in a few theaters.  But don't worry.  I'll get to that film soon enough.  Until then, we're sticking with the ones I already watched, with only ten of them worthy of being on my list.  That said, let's count down the best of the best as I present to you my top ten favorite films of 2024.

However, before I start the countdown, I want to do something different for my structure regarding this year's lists.  Throughout the past few years, I usually list the honorable mentions before announcing my number one pick.  This year, I decided to share them before I list off the top ten films instead.  It's not a permanent change but an experiment to see which structure suits me best.  Feel free to comment on which structure you prefer; I'll gladly take those to heart.  With that in mind, here's my pretty long list of honorable mentions that didn't make the cut.

​I was initially hesitant about adding this film to my top ten list or having it as an honorable mention.  But after thinking it over as I formed my list, I figured it was just too good to be an honorable mention.  The film I'm referring to was "My Old Ass", Megan Park's second directorial effort that sounded like the title of a Seth Rogen-produced raunchy comedy at first.  While there was some profanity and sex involved, they're balanced perfectly well with a thoughtful and witty portrayal of self-identity and coming of age.  Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza were both terrific regarding their charismatic performances, and Park's direction and screenplay were excellent in revitalizing its familiar genre tropes.  It further showcased Megan Park as another new voice for teenage coming-of-age filmmaking, and I'm very curious to see what she's planning next.

​If you want another reason to keep holding on to hope, look no further than my number nine pick of the year.  With the world being surrounded by hate, pain, and despair, "Sing Sing" could not have come at a better time.  More importantly, it was an expertly directed and genuinely heartfelt tribute to the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program that helped incarcerated men heal their souls through theatre arts.  I watched the film during one of the mystery movie events this year, and I was pretty disappointed it didn't gather as much attention as I thought it would.  Then again, it didn't expand to many theaters during its run, so that might've been the case.  Regardless, it was an incredible reflection of humanity and redemption powered by Colman Domingo's excellent performance and Greg Kwedar's sublime direction and screenplay.  I wasn't expecting to talk about this film, but after watching it, I'm glad I did.

​Whenever I don't have the time or money to attend a Broadway production, I usually wait until I see its film adaptation for a lower price.  Some succeeded in capturing the production's magic, while others didn't.  But in the end, it's the experience of witnessing these stories from Broadway for the first time that's truly magical, whether they're from the stage or on the big screen.  That's how I would describe my time watching my number eight pick: "Wicked".  Jon M. Chu returned to the musical genre with a visually breathtaking and narratively grand adaptation that paints a bigger picture of the two distinct witches from "The Wizard of Oz".  As someone who had only seen it for the first time, I was worried I wouldn't understand the prequel musical's appeal.  However, these worries disappeared like magic once I saw the craft, effort, and passion Jon M. Chu and the others put into the adaptation's first half.  Regarding its talented cast, Chu's direction, faithful screenplay, and beautiful production designs, "Wicked" defies its cinematic gravity in more ways than one and continues to prove Chu's impeccable ability to turn musical adaptations into cinematic gems.  

​Pixar struck animation gold with its original film that literally hit us with the feels almost a decade ago, a much-needed victory for the animation studio after a few years of middling content.  "Inside Out" was not only my favorite film of 2015 but also one of my favorites of all time, animated or otherwise, due to its clever storytelling and thematic depth.  Nine years later, Pixar repeated history with its follow-up after suffering from Disney's direct-to-streaming strategy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  "Inside Out 2" is another fantastic animated sequel that honors its predecessor's emotional core while expanding its world in an imaginative and thought-provoking way.  It fell a bit short of matching the emotional grandeur of the first film due to it following a few similar footsteps from that movie.  However, it's still a worthy continuation that I can relate to, mainly because of Anxiety, brilliantly voiced by Maya Hawke.  Regarding its terrific voice cast, well-balanced story, and incredible animation, "Inside Out 2" is another showcase of Pixar putting in as much effort in their sequels as they do with their original films.  I will gladly be seated for "Inside Out 3" if that happens.

​Love can be pretty complicated, especially when working as a stripper.  One of them found that out the hard way, resulting in my number six pick, "Anora".  Writer/director Sean Baker brought audiences back into the marginalized world of immigrants and sex workers with a consistently alluring and smartly written anti-romance comedy packed with seductive lovemaking and infectious humor.  It can be pretty spicy with its sex scenes, but underneath its soft porn shenanigans lies a humane and tragic reflection of a doomed love caused by the characters' actions.  Mikey Madison delivered a terrific performance that combines seduction with humanity, and Sean Baker's vision offered a sense of pizzazz and zestfulness in his old-fashioned direction and screenplay.  It's another example of "don't judge a book by its provocative cover", in which it provides more than just two-and-a-half hours of characters "making love".

​Denis Villeneuve has repeatedly proven that he's the perfect filmmaker capable of balancing the sci-fi blockbuster aspect with cinematic quality filmmaking.  After all, his films like "Arrival" and "Blade Runner 2049" have appeared in almost every top ten list I made since I created my blog.  Unsurprisingly, 2024 is no different, thanks to my number five pick.  Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" was a grand cinematic experience that combined its epic scale with invigorating storytelling and incredible visuals.  "Dune: Part Two" upped the ante with all those elements, including the world-building.  The result is a massive improvement over its predecessor that brilliantly continues Paul Atreides's journey through its faithful screenplay.  The cast was stellar, especially Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. Villeneuve's direction was immersive and awe-inspiring, and the visual effects impeccably captured the expansive world of Frank Herbert's novel.  It was simply an incredible experience that reminded me of the joy and magic of going to the cinema.  Bring on "Dune: Messiah"!   

​If there's one thing I admire about Robert Eggers, it's that he can make historical time periods seem more frightening compared to what you read in school books.  Of course, it's not without his unique filmmaking craft that makes the unnerving sequences hauntingly beautiful.  This was proven further in my number four pick, depicting the Dracula knock-off as a petrifying force capable of delighting and scaring new generations of vampire fans.  Robert Eggers's take on "Nosferatu" is another terrific display of the filmmaker's combination of discomforting aura and authentically gothic atmosphere.  Combine them with its compelling screenplay, creepily gorgeous cinematography, haunting score, and authentic production design, and you get the best horror film of 2024 in my eyes.  It may not be for everyone due to its runtime and disturbing imagery, but it was a magnificent portrayal of unspeakable terror that establishes Robert Eggers as one of the best directors working in Hollywood today. 

​When I watched "The Lighthouse", I didn't think I would ever recapture the same feeling I had after the movie ended.  The sense of unease and speechlessness from riding the roller coaster of terror and shock hadn't left my body for at least a few hours afterward.  A few movies attempted to match the impact of "The Lighthouse", but they didn't quite reach that level of discomfort I was hoping for.  That all changed when I saw "The Substance", and in seconds, that particular feeling came back.  "The Substance" is a miraculously energetic and terrifyingly beautiful experience that lives up to the gross and gonzo hype it promised from the marketing.  It's also balanced well with its cautionary tale of addiction and the temptation of regaining one's youth, led by career-best performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley.  Its two-hour-plus runtime and body horror elements can be a bit much for some people, especially those with sensitive stomachs.  Regardless, it is one of the trippiest and wildly satisfying movies I've seen this decade due to Coralie Fargeat's sickly compelling presentation and screenplay, amazing practical effects, and Benjamin Stefanski's kinetic score.  Unless you're concerned about its side effects, this is one cinematic drug that you should experience once. 

​Coming in at number two is a film that's surprisingly less painful than the title suggests.  "A Real Pain" further displayed Jesse Eisenberg's talents as an actor and filmmaker with a relatable voice for his Jewish community.  After making a solid debut with "When You Finish Saving the World", Eisenberg returned to the director's chair stronger than ever with an incredibly moving and layered comedy-drama depicting the pain and sadness within the human connection.  Eisenberg did incredibly well in all three aspects: acting, directing, and writing.  However, Kieran Culkin was the clear winner, as his career-best performance as Benji made me hope he'll make it to the Oscars.  Combine them with its cinematography and engaging chemistry between the leads, and you get a family vacation that's worth taking.

​Everyone has their preference regarding their favorite animated film of the year, and 2024 is no different.  Some would pick "Inside Out 2", others would choose "Flow", and there were even those who'd pick "Transformers One" as the best of the year.  I'm among the few who picked the latest feature from DreamWorks Animation, which provided the perfect programming to deliver something special for kids and adults.  In fact, I would even go as far as to pick it as my favorite film of the year, and that movie is "The Wild Robot".  DreamWorks Animation may have had an inconsistent filmography regarding the quality, but it's hard to ignore the ones that showcased the studio's commitment to delivering something extraordinary, like "Shrek", "How to Train Your Dragon", and even "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish".  "The Wild Robot" is another excellent example of this, delivering a remarkable blend of humor, heart, and visual majesty to depict a fun and emotional tale of motherhood, nature, and acceptance.  Writer/director Chris Sanders has truly created something that reminisces the good old days of animation, particularly ones from Disney and Studio Ghibli, where simplicity and beauty can go hand in hand with thematic layers and storytelling, delighting children and adults alike.  It had all the tools to survive the sea of animated content, such as the voice cast, uniquely stellar animation, Sanders' sublime direction and screenplay, and Kris Bowers' musical score.  As a result, "The Wild Robot" is not only the best animated film of 2024 but also my pick of the best film of the year.

​There you have it, folks.  These are my top ten favorite movies of 2024.  Again, I haven't seen all of the films that came out before I made this list, including the ones slated for a wide expansion next year, but don't you worry.  I'll get to them when that time comes…hopefully.  Until then, I want to thank you all for joining me for another year of cinematic goodness and let's hope 2025 is just as good, if not better.  Let me know what your favorite movies are in the comments, and I'll see you all in the next "Movie Talk" episode, where I discuss my picks for the biggest losers of 2024. 

​Hello, everyone.  Welcome to another episode of moviemanMDG's "Movie Talk", where I talk about everything film-related.  If you're like me, you usually want to watch movies related to a specific holiday every year.  Sure, there are other options to choose from, but there's always something about watching these movies that gets us into the holiday spirit.  Halloween is no exception, with a plethora of horror films and television shows being released around that time to satisfy our spine-chilling needs.  Whether they're recent, old-school, or even ones that reside in the far reaches of our streaming services, horror movies are the pinnacle of All Hallow's traditions besides trick-or-treating and stuffing our mouths with cavity-inducing candy.  

Whenever October rolls around, I watch a horror film almost every night to get into the Halloween spirit.  Sometimes, it's out of good fun, challenging myself not to be haunted by constant nightmares after watching them.  But, at other times, I use the opportunity to check out specific films I haven't viewed before, including those that recently became talks of the town.  This year is that time regarding the latter, as I'm about to embark on a new horrific journey this Halloween season.  That's right, folks.  For the first time in my life, I'm about to confront the deadliest clown in cinematic history!  No, I'm not talking about the Joker.  I already tackled that clown a few weeks ago.  I'm talking about the new killer clown who shows no mercy in torturing people: The infamous Art the Clown!  

First introduced in the anthology horror film, "All Hallows' Eve", in 2013, Art the Clown is highly notorious for his demonic and merciless personality and extremely gruesome kills.  Seriously, his kills are sadistic enough to make the "Saw" movies look teen-rated by comparison.  At least, that's what I assumed based on the audience's reactions.  Despite that, the psychotic serial killer's first appearance was popular enough to launch a spin-off franchise featuring the character called "Terrifier" in 2016.  Helmed by Damien Leone, who directed "All Hallows' Eve", the first "Terrifier" movie entered the cinematic competition through his Indiegogo campaign, with David Howard Thornton taking over the role of Art instead of Mike Giannelli from "All Hallows' Eve", who retired before production began.  Let's just say it had been getting a lot of talk for reasons we didn't expect.  

While "Terrifier" was received positively for its practical effects, its underdeveloped plot and characters amid the bloodshed didn't take the world by storm.  Despite its mixed reception, "Terrifier" would later become a cult classic among horror fanatics for its intent to push the boundaries of the slasher-splatter elements, especially the gore.  This resulted in the birth of a new horror franchise, with 2022's "Terrifier 2" defining Art as the new face of slasher cinema.  Its recent installment, "Terrifier 3", has already been making waves at the box office, with a fourth film currently in development to close off the narrative arc introduced in the second film.  If that's not terrifying enough, Art even made an appearance in the Peacock series "Bupkis" with Pete Davidson and a couple of "Call of Duty" games for good measure.  So, with the release of the third movie, I finally decided to muster up the courage to check out the "Terrifier" movies to see if they're really as controversial and gleefully violent as people claim they are.  In this special Halloween-themed episode of "Movie Talk", I'll be reviewing each installment of the "Terrifier" franchise, and yes, that includes the recently-released third installment.  So, get your barf bags ready because it's about to get terrifying.

Let's get this gory party started with the movie that started the recent horror craze: The first "Terrifier" installment that premiered at the 2016 Telluride Horror Show Film Festival.  Two years later, it was released in limited theaters by Dread Central and Epic Pictures Group, and the rest was history.  The film, which was written and directed by Damien Leone, tells the horrifying tale of Tara Heyes (Jenna Kanell), a young woman who left a Halloween party with her friend, Dawn Emerson (Catherine Corcoran).  The friends are confronted by an enigmatic killer with clown makeup known only as "Art the Clown" (David Howard Thornton), who relentlessly follows them.  Along with Tara's sister, Victoria (Samantha Scaffidi), Tara and Dawn are caught in a deadly game with the killer mime, who seeks to have some gruesome fun with his targets.

With all the talks going on about how violent and messed up "Terrifier" is, I can say that I was well prepared for what I was about to witness.  Plenty of years of watching slasher films, ranging from "Scream" to "Halloween", has led me to this brutally insane experience, and guess what?  It's just what I expected out of the genre.  Regarding the genre elements, "Terrifier" was another enjoyable yet sadistic addition to the horror slasher lineup.  However, when it comes to its storytelling, it's easy to see that this is the first film in the franchise.  The plot is pretty straightforward: You have a group of characters stuck in an apartment building with a crazed clown-mime psychopath who kills them in gruesomely deranged ways until the final girl enters the battlefield.  If you're expecting anything else from the storyline besides that, there's a good chance you'll be disappointed with the final result.  With the film focusing more on the frights and gore than the character depth, I was left not giving a crap about the victims of Art's unhinged personality.  They're basically one-dimensional characters who just wind up at the wrong place and time.

However, if you don't actually mind about how the story turned out, you might find plenty of merits amid Art's killing spree.  One of which is Damien Leone's direction.  While his screenplay followed the traditional rules of the subgenre, I can't deny his attempt at recapturing the B-movie aesthetics of the slasher narrative.  From the cinematography to the cheesiness of its dark comedy, Leone certainly understood the basics of the horror B-movie genre made popular in the 1980s, especially when he embraced and even improved most of those elements.  Once that happens, it becomes a goofily entertaining thrill ride elevated by its tension and gory, conventional kills, primarily due to its impeccable practical effects.  They didn't make me gag like everyone else who witnessed this bloody mayhem, but boy, are they disgusting to look at.  I would also credit David Howard Thornton for his remarkable portrayal of Art, which effectively combines terror with dark comedy, especially when he's disguising his sadism with innocence.  Jenna Kanell and Samantha Scaffidi also did pretty well as Tara and her sister, Victoria, with the latter playing a crucial role in future installments.

Overall, "Terrifier" is an enjoyably brutal throwback to the 80s B-movie genre that's all gore and little substance.  With this being the first film in the franchise, it's understandable that it's left with the slasher basics to form a narrative surrounding this ultra-violent concept.  But, to the film's credit, it embraces the mindlessness and gratuitous mayhem that we usually see in other slasher films from past generations.  As a result, it became a tolerable yet traditional experience that's best watched without eating a full-course meal.  The addition of its terrific practical effects and splatter B-movie vibes also helped elevate the film's enjoyability, although I wouldn't recommend it to those who couldn't stomach gore and violence.  Therefore, I would give this film a C+.  ​

All right!  Now that I know what I'm up against with "Terrifier", it's time to take it a step further with the follow-up that fully exposed me to the franchise.  Despite the six-year wait and the COVID-19 pandemic, "Terrifier 2" made its way to the big screen and shocked almost everyone.  As the first installment to be distributed by Cinedigm (now known as Cineverse) and Bloody Disgusting, it was a massive improvement over its predecessor by a long shot.  More impressively, it also made ten times as much money worldwide, with a budget of the same amount as an 80-inch television.  This is primarily due to it being bigger and gorier than the first film, which resulted in numerous reports of audiences fainting or vomiting during screenings.  Either they shouldn't have eaten beforehand, or their stomachs were actually that sensitive.  Either way, it sounded like a challenge I didn't accept until recently.

The story in "Terrifier 2" occurs a year after the events of its predecessor.  Its main focus is Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera), a teenager who's left to care for her younger brother Jonathan (Elliott Fullam) and their mother Barbara (Sarah Voigt) following the death of their father.  Unfortunately, the resurrection of Art the Clown (Thornton) and the appearance of an entity, The Little Pale Girl (Amelie McLain), puts a damper on their Halloween plans, as he now seeks to bring upon his bloody wrath on the other unsuspecting victims. However, Sienna learns she is destined to kill Art with a magic sword that can defeat him for good.  In short, this film has a lot more crazy shit compared to its predecessor, especially ones that were supernatural.

As I mentioned before, "Terrifier 2" was the first time I caught wind of the horror franchise entirely.  Unfortunately, I neglected to watch it in the theater because I've heard horror stories about its content and surprisingly beefy runtime.  Seriously, two hours and twenty minutes of gory chaos and splatter mayhem are what I would call insane, considering the reports I read about it, especially the infamous "Bedroom Scene".  For those who watched it and survived, you know the one I'm talking about.  So, I just left it alone until recently when I saw that the first two "Terrifier" movies became available on Prime Video for free.  I survived its predecessor easily, so surely I would be able to stomach two-plus hours of Art mutilating people, right?  Well, yeah.

After watching "Terrifier 2", I can see why this sequel trounces the original.  With the first movie being more of a simplistic approach to the slasher formula, "Terrifier 2" is an expansion of this bloody concept that goes all out on the elements that worked in the first film while improving upon its issues.  The result is a fun and gloriously messy follow-up that offers more of what splatter horror audiences crave, for better or worse.  However, I also find it a bit better than its predecessor for one reason: the narrative.  "Terrifier" was a straightforward slasher movie that's more on showcasing torture porn for an hour and a half than providing a narrative worth caring about.  Fortunately, Damien Leone used the sequel to correct that mistake by delivering a character-driven narrative involving Sienna Shaw amid Art's carnage.  We see not only her and her family struggling over the loss of their father but also Sienna's discovery as the "chosen one" capable of ending Art's reign.  Of course, we all know how that turned out based on the release of "Terrifier 3".

While it's far from emotional and unique regarding its slasher elements and underdeveloped plot, "Terrifier 2" is the type of horror movie that actually gives me someone to root for.  With its focus on making the characters tolerable, the film managed to provide the stakes and suspense that were quite convincing and surprisingly more thrilling.  The first "Terrifier" film also had its share of suspense, but that can only take it so far when its characters are one-dimensional playthings for the creepy mime clown to kill.  While I wouldn't say that the characters in "Terrifier 2" are lovable to a degree, they didn't make me want to cheer for their demise, especially Sienna, whose humane personality filled with terror and tenacity makes her another certified "final girl", but with a revealing yet badass valkyrie suit.  Damien Leone fought long and hard to bring Sienna to life in "Terrifier 2" following its predecessor, and it shows.  Additionally, she was brought to life by Lauren LaVera, whose performance skillfully embodied Sienna's traits with commendable sublime amid the film's grindhouse appearance. 

However, despite having a tolerably entertaining story, "Terrifier 2" showed that too much of a good thing is as unhealthy as consuming too much candy.  One apparent reason was its runtime, clocking in at almost two hours and twenty minutes compared to the first film's 85 minutes.  That's a massive difference between the two, although not in a good way.  While I wasn't bored due to its serviceable pacing and characters, I can understand that it overstayed its welcome, especially with how much brutal carnage it delivered.  Fortunately, it compensated with Damien Leone's direction and its impressive special effects.  Like what he did with the predecessor, Damien Leone effectively utilized the film's splatter grindhouse appeal to provide old-school thrills and puke-inducing shivers, but not in a way that's overly cheap and ignorant.  It's more of a tribute to the traditional slasher films of the 70s and 80s, especially their sequels that went for the supernatural route for their titular killers.  They're dumb, but for horror sequels like "Terrifier 2", they're dumb in a fun way.  Leone also did very well in maintaining the balance of horror and dark comedy, accompanied by another star-making performance by David Howard Thornton, whose portrayal of Art offered the proper amount of corniness and terror to the clown's sadistic nature.

As for the practical effects, let's say they're definitely on another level of terror.  Most horror sequels tend to get away with using CGI to up the ante for their violence and gore.  Some of them worked, while others turned audiences off because of their lack of realism.  Fortunately, "Terrifier 2" didn't resort to this shortcut.  Instead, it continued to rely on practical effects to capture the raw and gruesome fatalities that would make "Mortal Kombat" look like "Street Fighter" in comparison.  Yes, that includes the controversial "Bedroom Scene" involving Art murdering Sienna's friend Allie (Casey Hartnett) for three minutes.  Geez, if that's how long it takes for someone to get murdered, I can't imagine the length of the next murder in the threequel.  Did the kills make me puke?  Nope.  Not at all, although I did find myself squirming from time to time.  But, I am glad they continue to use the practical effects to capture the splatter aesthetics of the 70s and 80s, especially for the brutalities and prosthetic makeup.

Overall, I was surprised at how entertaining "Terrifier 2" was compared to its predecessor.  Regarding its plot, characters, and entertainment value, there is undoubtedly a noticeable jump in quality between the two movies, even though it's far from the "Godfather" of slasher sequels.  Additionally, it retains the usual elements that people loved about "Terrifier", including the sublime yet gross practical effects, Art's gruesome rampage, and the grindhouse aesthetics envisioned by Damien Leone.  While I wouldn't recommend it to those who couldn't stand gore or are not fans of the first film, I would say that it's worth watching for horror enthusiasts.  Heck, I would even recommend it to those who want to challenge themselves to watch it without puking, with or without food in their stomachs.  My best advice is to eat light before watching it.  Therefore, this sequel gets a B.   ​

​So, what are my overall thoughts on this terrifyingly gory slasher franchise?  Well, I can say this: it has been one heck of a journey for me.  I have spent my adult years watching multiple slasher films with similar concepts containing grotesque gore and over-the-top kills, but I neglected to watch "Terrifier" based on my research.  Thankfully, I finally found the courage to join this terrifying club and watch the first three films back-to-back-to-back.  Did I feel nauseous?  Not as much as everybody else.  Was it worth the experience?  Yeah, it was.  They're definitely not horror masterpieces in either shape or form, but I can understand why most horror fans enjoyed it more than I thought they would.  The "Terrifier" movies didn't just recapture the glory days of B-movie horror from the 70s and 80s but also challenged some of the established genre boundaries through their kills and dark humor, mainly from the merciless Art the Clown.  Yes, that includes the children in the third film because Art never thinks of the children.  As a result, the silent supernatural mime resides with the likes of Jason and Freddy Kruger as one of the slasher genre's most memorable antagonists.

It's undeniably common that low-budget horror films spawn overreaching franchises consisting of far-fetched ideas and declining quality.  However, regarding what Damien Leone accomplished in the narrative arc, the legacy and violence it left on people, and the Biblical imagery it referenced, "Terrifier" is certainly one of the slasher underdog stories that's terrifying for the right reasons.  Because of this experience, I'm now curious about the direction they'll go for "Terrifier 4" based on the ending of the third film, especially since it's intended to be the conclusion to the arcs introduced in "Terrifier 2".  Will Sienna finally be able to achieve peace?  Will Art the Clown finally be damned to Hell?  Will Damien Leone go any lower than chopping a kid to pieces?  Those questions will be answered sooner or later.  Until then, I would recommend the "Terrifier" movies to those who grew up with the slasher/grindhouse era…unless they have a weak stomach for gore.  If so, they're better off watching something like "The Nightmare Before Christmas" as their Halloween tradition.  With that said, thank you for reading this episode of "Movie Talk", and have a safe and happy Halloween.