laylastepford Reviews

Cocaine Bear (2023)

Not Funny; Not Thrilling; Not Developed - WORSE than a B Film!

[3/10 · 9 March 2023]

I thought this was such a fun and easy concept that any mediocre writer could turn this into a fun popcorn hit... Unfortunately that's not the case here. You go into this expecting a fun, standard B-film; You figure most of the film will be "acceptable" with at least a few scenes that are really funny or thrilling or entertaining etc. Instead, most of the film totally sucks with just a few "acceptable" scenes. A plot this simple relies on characterization and style, both of which are completely lacking from this movie. You don't care if any of the characters live or die; you don't even care that they are on the screen. Keri Russell and O'Shea Jackson Jr do a decent job because they actually have screen presence but they're stuck working with subpar material. None of the characters in the film have any development or real identities. No fun stereotypes, no complex characters, no growth, nothing. The death scenes are lackluster, bordering on boring. The film is not edited like an 80s movie nor is it edited like the theme is cocaine or a wild animal on cocaine. The film is sluggish and the music and score stink. Yes, the CGI is well-done but completely underused. A decent writer could've improved this tenfold within an hour; a good writer could've made this unforgettable within a day. It seems like absolutely no work ethic went into any part of this film; Like every bigwig figured this would write itself (which it should have) but no one checked the progress before it hit theaters. End result: A VERY disappointed audience. Seeing it in theaters, I noticed almost no one laughed the whole time, some people fell asleep and others couldn't wait for the movie to end before leaving. No one had a problem "missing" any scenes to leave the room for snacks or bathroom breaks.

My recommendation: Do not pay to see this. You will want your money back.

Willow Creek (2013)

Way Better Than Any Other Bigfoot Movie!

[10/10 · 26 October 2017]

This is a "found footage" film done right. There was a great sense of authenticity to the story with quite a few of the 'local characters' just playing themselves (cameos). The actors who play the main couple in this film have a great chemistry together and the writing takes an interesting angle on the Bigfoot story - it's more thought-provoking than it may seem on the surface. Done in a very campy style, the film manages to maintain a constant sense of suspense right until the very end. This movie was also surprisingly impressive when it came to adding a comedic element, which blended into the film seamlessly. Overall this film was a suspenseful, clever and well-executed Bigfoot story, providing impressive social commentary on the freedom of gender roles in society, as opposed to in nature. Well worth watching - especially if you're a horror fan!

Passengers (I) (2016)

Exceptional commentary piece paired with compelling performances!

[8/10 · 3 October 2017]

As with many space movies, there are quite a few unrealistic plot holes in the script but aside from those few, the movie is pretty accurate. All of the cast in this film delivered compelling performances, playing their roles perfectly. This film is not your typical pop film (nor a typical sci-fi film as it's more of a romantic-drama-sci-fi), every little nuance shows a deeper meaning and weaves together a great analogy of our roles in nature. This movie shows the value of human companionship as well as romance. A great tale about "missing the forest for the trees" and forgetting that nature will not be controlled forever: Timeless circumstances no matter the backdrop.

Overall this film was an exceptional commentary piece paired with compelling performances; Absolutely worth watching!

It (I) (2017)

Stephen King's IT As A Generation X Period Piece

[6/10 · 23 September 2017]

This movie is more of a period piece about what life was like for many kids in Generation X, which really is it's own "horror story". There is so much negativity and despair without the presence of IT, that IT really only serves as a cherry on top of an already deflated childhood experience.

Since the story is more focused on the kids, they are seen much more in this film than IT/Pennywise is. The kids do a decent acting job, they're not awful or "unbelievable" but they definitely weren't trying to win any acting awards in their performances either - except for the kid who plays Eddie Kaspbrak, who does an outstanding job that goes above and beyond all of his peers in this film. This cast of kids didn't have the same chemistry in this film as those in the original and these kids were certainly less charismatic overall than their previous counterparts.

The single most disappointing aspect of this film is IT/Pennywise. Even if we pretend that Tim Curry's performance doesn't exist - which blows Skarsgard's performance out of the water, it doesn't change that this performance was not frightening, compelling or memorable.

Underwhelming and not very frightening as this film leans more on cliché "jump scares" rather than building any kind of real suspense or dread about the character.

Overall, the film serves as a great representation of Generation X's childhood, as well as representing Boomers and Silent Generationers during this time. The Boomer parents are mostly absent, abusive, overbearing and/or blame the Gen. X kids for perceived problems in their eyes. The Silent Generationers are tough, wise and politically incorrect.

Unfortunately, part of the trouble of this film was it's goal to serve 2 Gods: Telling a story about Generation X as well as telling the story of Stephen King's IT. The result was that neither story was able to reach their full potential and the intertwining added a bit of confusion/inconsistency.

While it was very interesting to place this film in the 1980s and added something new and creative to the story, it also took quite a bit away from the original story and fear of IT, itself.

Overall, this was an interesting take on IT if it took place in the 1980s as opposed to the 1950s - and worth seeing for that reason, but it clearly didn't reach it's full potential and therefore was more underwhelming than it was impressive. Not nearly as rewatchable as the 90s mini-series.

It (1990)

A Timeless Classic - Suspenseful with Outstanding Performances!

[10/10 · 23 September 2017]

Tim Curry's performance of Pennywise is in a league of its own; One of the greatest performances in the history of the screen, especially in the horror genre. He was sadistic yet entrancing; you could never look away when he's on screen. His makeup and very appearance is frightening enough, and yet still doesn't hold a candle to the way Curry delivers this stellar performance. You've probably heard the hype but fear not, you will not be disappointed!

This movie is a good psychological thriller as IT doesn't just kill but he psychologically tortures you first as he claims they "taste better when (they're) afraid". Since this novel/miniseries takes place in the late 1950s/early 1960s, it also gives the story more intrigue and symbolism, showing the end of a "golden era"/childhood and innocence.

The way the "Losers club" comes together is a very entertaining and interesting story, as well as somewhat heartwarming. The way they find each other and help each other through all of the horrible things they are all going through was a touching part of the overall story. Not only are these kids dealing with the threat of Pennywise, but they are also dealing with their childhoods and innocence coming to an end and dealing with a ton of problems, such as bullying, abusive parents, deceased parents/siblings, etc.

There are so many iconic and unforgettable scenes throughout this miniseries! The score is pretty memorable itself, balancing the 'scary music' with the 'carnival music' in all of the right ways. The look, the sound, the feel of this series is truly unforgettable (in the best ways). Aside from the spider scene, I'd say this was PERFECT. Even with the spider scene, this is still hands-down one of the best TV miniseries ever. Very suspenseful with outstanding performances; Above and beyond what would be expected of a "TV mini-series" and a timeless classic!

When a Stranger Calls (2006)

Good Hollywood-stylized take on the now-famous "babysitter call" urban legend.

[5/10 · 25 July 2017]

There are two ways this film can be rated: on it's own or compared to the original. Whether you have seen the original version of this film (1979) or not, makes a big difference on the way you see this version of the film. If you had never seen the original, you will think much better of it. If you compare it to the original, you will likely be disappointed. The plot of the script is very accurate to the most common versions of the legend and does a great job turning that "short story" into a full-length movie, without losing any of the suspense. That being said, there wasn't too much creativity in the script, as most of it does come straight from the legend. The flow and pacing of the film go well with the overall suspense in the movie. Overall this film was a good Hollywood-stylized take on the now-famous "babysitter" urban legend. While this newer version really lacks in originality of script, characters and performance compared to the original - it is still watchable as a tribute to the original legend and film. However, if possible, I'd recommend watching the newer version before watching the original version, so as to enjoy both more.

When a Stranger Calls (1979)

Suspenseful & Original take on a common Urban Legend - Worth Watching

[6/10 · 24 July 2017]

Carol Kane is not a great actress and unfortunately, this performance is no different. There were a couple scenes where she really hit her mark and did a good job, but all of her other scenes were the opposite: very mediocre and unconvincing. The rest of the cast did a great job though! The originality and creativity of the writing in this film needs to be commended. I went into this film expecting the entire thing to be about the original Babysitter-Caller legend yet it was only about the first 20 minutes of the film. Taking this route actually made the film even more exciting, as well as bringing it back full-circle to Carol Kane's character as the mother out for a date instead of being the babysitter. The film did a great job of keeping the suspense building and creating a very suspenseful atmosphere with the right pace, etc. However, there were some aspects that were very characteristic of B- movies. Overall this film was very suspenseful and original - despite being based on a common urban legend. It's not one of the best films ever done but it's definitely still worth a watch, especially if you're a horror or movie fan in general.

Nerve (I) (2016)

Phenomenal social commentary on the social media generation.

[8/10 · 23 July 2017]

Every single cast member delivers a solid performance in this film and does justice to their characters - which were consistent and believable. Though his role is more of a side character than leading character, Miles Heizer does an outstanding job with his performance. Talented actors will shine whether they are in the spotlight or not and Heizer definitely shines in this film. He really gives himself over to the character and captures a lot of nuance for an unknown actor. Juliette Lewis also delivers an excellent performance! This film delivers an excellent social commentary about social media and the youth today (especially in regards to those 'online challenges'). Not only does this show in the overall plot, but the film is also rich with symbolism and subtle references. Although the style of this film screams "fake" and "flashy", that's the point: Beyond the surface, this film is so much more provocative than it may seem. BRAVO! This film had a surprising amount of witty quips that were very funny and always delivered perfectly. The movie's lowest point is honestly it's soundtrack. Yikes! Most of the music was awful in the worst way and hard to sit through. That being said, I do think there was a point to it, as all choices in this film seemed to serve a specific purpose. Overall this film was a phenomenal social commentary/cautionary tale on the social media generation. A surprisingly thought-provoking teen film with compelling performances.

Flatliners (1990)

Suspenseful and Thought-Provoking with Some Commendable Performances.

[7/10 · 22 July 2017]

Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon showcase their talents and give compelling performances, as usual. This might even be one of Bacon's best roles. Unsurprisingly, Julia Roberts was the weakest part of the film, in terms of acting and casting. Oliver Platt proved himself to be a reliably consistent side-character actor, and William Baldwin's performance was decent to mediocre (at least better than Roberts'). The suspense was gripping throughout most of the film, from the "experiment" procedures to the after-math following each one. Overall this film was suspenseful, presented some interesting thoughts and ideas on a controversial subject, and provided some commendable performances. The premise was very provocative here and it was one of the earliest films to show Generation X's ambition despite the suppression by the Baby Boomers. It was also very true to the nihilism that embodies Generation X.

You Get Me (2017)

Insightful yet entertaining portrayal of dealing with a sociopath.

[6/10 · 21 July 2017]

This was the first film that I have seen Bella Thorne in, and I must say that she did a phenomenal job playing a sociopathic psycho. Bravo. The writing behind her character was very accurate and insightful and she played the role perfectly. While her cast- mates did not do a bad job, she definitely outshined them. This was a great "tale of caution" for young men and young women out there. The film made a great point about the crazies out there and how we really can't do anything about them - as it stands with the laws now - until they act out on their crazy thoughts/behavior, and whether or not that is the right call. This film did a great job of representing 'female predators'. Overall this film provided a very insightful yet entertaining portrayal of what it's like to have a negative encounter with a sociopath. It was very thought-provoking and well worth the watch!

Ruthless People (1986)

Hilarious Comedy with Outstanding Performances!

[7/10 · 20 July 2017]

Danny DeVito and Bette Midler are both incredibly talented actors and they each shine - as per usual - in this film. Whenever either one is on the screen, they immediately grab your attention with the way that they completely give themselves over to their roles. The delivery of their lines are perfect, and the nuances of facial expression and body language from both actors are exemplary examples of how to take a comedy performance to a higher level. The writing in this film is so clever and the jokes never stop hitting the mark. From the abundance of witty lines to the comical situations and the many scenes that intertwine the two, this film is well worth the watch. The beginning of the film starts with an animation sequence that lasts for about 2:35. This is a very zany, very 1980's type of comedy. Overall, this film delivered laughs throughout the entire film - a very fun watch!