
The Daily Beasts
For theme projects (like #Kaijuly, #Mocktoberfest, and #SeasonsBeatings—for example),
a new film/show is profiled every day by a different writer.
June-Claude Van Damme: (High) Kick-Off
Welcome to a month-long celebration of all things JCVD!
The Pumpkin King: DOCTOR SLEEP (2019)
Mike Flanagan’s adaptation is a profound meditation on the power of death and legacy.
Fourths Of July: STEP UP REVOLUTION (2012)
The dancing protest film is a mix of inept screenwriting and incredibly impressive choreography.
ABRAXAS, GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (1990)
This blundering action/sci-fi movie starring Jesse Ventura (and found in the public domain) is incredibly inept, but has its charms and its lessons to teach.
PUPS ALONE (2021)
Mistakes have been made. Including this talking dogs version of HOME ALONE.
REINDEER GAMES (2000) [Director’s Cut]
In what may be the most Christmas-centric action film ever, the mixed REINDEER GAMES still boasts a great cast and significantly improves with a director’s cut.
Rambo: The Force Of Freedom, “When SAVAGE Stole Santa” (1986)
Yes, there was a Rambo cartoon. Yes, there was a Christmas episode. And yes, it is awesome.
BLOODBATH AT THE HOUSE OF DEATH (1984)
Horror spoof BLOODBATH AT THE HOUSE OF DEATH has haunted Rob Dean for 33 years. He finally confronts this ghost of the past and finds…not much more than hot air.
POWER RANGERS (2017)
In which the 2017 cinematic POWER RANGERS forces the author to question his views on the world and whither lies his joy. Also there’s a large gold monster. So it counts.
KONG: SKULL ISLAND (2017)
Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ 2017 take on King Kong delivers on monster goodness, horror, action, adventure, and even a dollop of historical commentary.
PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING (2018)
2018’s PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING is messy and unfulfilling, but has some genuinely good ideas and performances within it.