Shudder Day: Monster Island (2025)

 As it turns out, Monster Movies set in WWII aren't quite as uncommon as I thought.

Granted- 2 in 5 Years is not THAT many.

Regardless, here's a different one...

In this one, two Prisoners on a Japanese Ship escape before it is taken out via torpedos.

The men- an American and a Japanese man- are chained together and don't fully understand each other.

They manage to work together to break the chain connecting them together.

Now they just need to wait for rescue...

...which may not come soon enough.

This Island, you see, has a big, buff Gill Man (of sorts) living on it.

It is hungry.

They get some company on the Island...briefly as the Creature makes itself known.

As long as they stick together, they have a (slim as Pickens) chance to survive.

Too bad they both just got separated.

Uh oh.

To find out what happens, stream it now.

An enjoyable little Creature Feature- nothing more, nothing less.

This one has a simple selling point- Men vs. Monster.
Gotcha.

If you want more, you're out of luck.

This one does feature two strong Characters and (thankfully) not a bunch of annoying people.  Two strong Characters make you want them to succeed.

With a small Cast and a single Monster, this one can focus on what matters.  No filler.

This one is an enjoyable throwback Thriller with a cool Monster and people you want to survive.

Naturally, someone made a Fake AI Generated Image Trailer for it.

Killer Croc?

A Film that delivers exactly what it promises and not much else.  The Monster looks great- no question.

Streaming Standard: Shadow in the Cloud (2020)

 Any trip where I stay in a Motel requires me to watch a Movie.
I was only in one for a single night, but I still found time for this...

Ms. Moretz plays a woman who hops a ride during WWII out of New Zealand.

She has vague, but firm orders and a mysterious parcel that nobody is allowed to open.

The guys- save one- treat her like dirt, sticking her down in the rear gun canopy.

It's basically like sitting in a see-through canopy while you look DOWN at the Ocean.

They soon find out that she can hear them on the in-plane Radio.

One of them is Byron from VLDL.

She spots something, but they don't believe it.

She's a dame...a broad...a chick with a bad wing.

Even when she spots a Japanese Zero- and saves them- they still don't believe her.
Why?

Well, she just spotted a Gremlin, which is basically a giant bat/rat monster here.

Nobody believes in them, since The Twilight Zone didn't come out until 1959 (and the Episode you're thinking about is from 1963).

Can she convince them of the threat before it is too late?

What is the secret of what she's transporting?

Oh yeah and what exactly is the difference between a 'dame' and a 'broad?'

To find out the answer to 2 of the 3 questions, stream it now (on Netflix at time of writing).

A very enjoyable and fresh Film.  I'm happy to be surprised!

The Film isn't the most original Film in the World- obviously- but does a mix of things you don't see all that often.

How often do you get Period Horror Films- let alone ones that aren't set in the 1970s?

Early in the Film, they really deal with the Sexism of this Era, especially in a group that can be truly toxic in their masculinity.  It doesn't shy away from it.

Once it becomes more of an Action Film and Creature Feature, it keeps the same Themes.

Does it get a bit silly at times?  Yes.
Do I still love it?  Kind of, yeah.  If not more for it.

Shadow is a Film of two parts.  You may like one more than the other, but they were both interesting/fun to me.

Besides, any Film with animated foreshadowing is good in my book.

A Film that puts a new spin on a familiar- if forgotten- creature.  How much you like the Film will depend on how you feel about the transition about halfway through.

Tubi Thursday: Rabid (2019)

 Did I specifically watch the 1977 version of Rabid so that I could then talk about the 2019 Remake?

Duh.

Let's see how they compare...

Our Heroine- Laura Vandervoot- is supposedly an ugly duckling of a lady working for a Fashion Designer.

'Just give her reddish cheeks- she's hideous!'

After hearing some bad news- a guy she liked was asked by her friend to ask her out- she gets in an accident on her motorbike.

How bad is she?

Well, she looks a bit like Jennifer (from Jennifer- Masters of Horror and Comic).

The Soska Sisters and company made it pretty freaky, so I'll spare you from it.

She's horrified by her appearance and is given free medical care by a Doctor named after William S. Burroughs- a name you can trust.

For some reason, he's dressed like the Doctor from a DIFFERENT David Cronenberg Film.

***See the original for reference***

In a weird subversion of the Original Film, our Heroine starts attacking people and then doesn't remember it.

In the 1977 Film, she remembered, but the victims didn't.

She attacks some other people, while putting on a show of being normal.

Amongst her victims is...CM Punk.

Look in my eyes.  What do you see?
A guy about to be turned into a rage zom-bie!

She tries to keep working as she struggles with her body's changes and the spread of infection, as her victims attack others.

Can she balance work life balance with being a Typhoid Mary?

To find out, stream it now.

A Film that is pretty flawed, but is a good example of how you should do a Remake.

This is not a 1-to-1 Remake.  It would have been easy to do it.

We get key moments shown- like a Santa being shot by Cops- or TOLD to us having happened- we hear about the Subway Bite Attack.  
It is not a bad idea- mostly.

This version does do a better job of making the Heroine/Typhoid Mary into a real Character.  Chambers wasn't bad, but she was just going from place-to-place infecting people.  Her ending Arc was good, but that's about it.

Which one is better?
As a Film, I'd say that the Original is still better.
The Remake does many things right and different though and it is more than just a soulless copy.

At least I'm done with David Cronenberg Remakes, right?
Right?!?

A Film that is honestly a fair attempt at doing a new Version of a classic Film.  If you like it or not, they did try some things.

Rare Flix: Fatal Frames (1996)

 A Film about death that was sadly affected by it!

This is Fatal Frames, a 1996 Italian Film that attempts to be a (then) modern day Giallo.  Does it succeed?

The Plot involves a handsome photographer with a dark past who goes to Italy to Direct a Music Video.  It doesn't seem like its Director (Al Festa) was one himself, but IMDB is not always exact.

Two of his 4 Films as a Director do involve Musical Performers, so...maybe.

When a strange set of killings...that turn up no bodies happen upon his arrival, he's obviously a suspect.  How does this relate to other crimes?
Is he guilty?

To find out (and I can't discuss the Film without its bonkers Ending), read on...

In the long, drawn-out Credit Sequence, we see an old guy watching a Snuff Film!

When some kid (his Son...I guess) walks in, he makes the kid watch!

Enough of that now.

In the Present (of either 1993 or 1996), this guy (who I've seen a few times) is hired by his buddy to Direct a Music Video for an Italian Pop Star.

She's actually a real one, which makes me question all reality, since this is Fiction...but also she's using her real name and identity!

Two main things happen in the first Hour or so.

Random women around our Hero are killed in front of him, but then the bodies aren't found.  The Killer only leaves behind video tapes.

Stefania- the Pop Star- sings Songs for her Music Video.
Such lovely filler.

The Cops work the case and even bring in an outside man from the FBI- Donald Pleasence.

This Casting will be important later, so take notes.

He says that similar killings happened recently in the US, including that of our Hero's Wife!

In a weird bit, the Subtitle Track and the English Dub don't agree on key details.

This lady is stated to be a Hooker in the Audio, but the Subtitles say otherwise!

Our Hero is going a little bit crazy, not helped by the fact that he seems to be haunted by a ghost who calls him a murderer.

He thinks the killings might be connected a Painter, so he goes to his barely marked grave and is confronted by...Angus Scrimm?!?

He acts crazy for a minute and that's it.
(They later imply he's a Ghost...or something, by showing his face on a Painting)

So, here's where the Pleasence thing comes in.

He shot his Scenes in 1993 during the bulk of Production.  A funder of the Film suddenly dropped out and it took until 1995 to get the Film back on track.

By that point, Pleasence had died (right after filming Halloween 6).

To write him out, a Voice Double says that he's leaving to work on a case that popped back up.

In case you didn't get it, they literally PLAY THE HALLOWEEN THEME and a Body Double walks away from the Phone.

Note the Poster visible on the left side of the (non-fatal) Frame.

Back in the Plot, our Hero tries to solve the case, using the only clue they have- the Killer's silhouette caught in one video.

Sidenote: The Killer's Silhouette is a great name for a Mystery Film!

Can he go full Blow Out (Google it) and solve the case.

From here to the wrap up is SPOILERS, so skip if you want.

Ready?

*

*

*

He's confronted in the Studio by Stella and then...the previous Italian Victims (which includes Linea Quigley).

Huh?!?

Well, all of the Italian killings were fake- staged by the ladies and the Father of our Hero's dead Wife.

They knew that he was guilty (as they were all related to or dating the victims) and did ALL OF THIS to get him to confess.

I...I can't even be mad at a Plot Twist this ridiculous and silly!

The End.

A Film that is quite literally Style over Substance.

The Film is about a Music Video Director and is also shot with all of the bells and whistles.

It sure helps to distract from how generic the Plot, Setting and Killer are.

A masked killer who taunts Police with voice recordings- how innovative.

All of the Camera Tricks- Zooms, Tilts and Crane Shots- can only do so much.

The Film sure did appear to be cursed too, as the delay meant that Pleasence couldn't finish it.  He wasn't alone, as another Actor- Rossano Brazzi (of Final Justice fame)- died in 1994 during the pause!

Throw in the fact that the 'Inspector' (from The Beyond) died in 1997 and, well, yikes!

Is the Film notable outside of its weird historical notoriety?  Not so much.

I don't regret watching this insane and silly Film, even if it did drag quite a bit to get to 2 hours.  

Was this a better send-off for Pleasence than just dying immediately off-screen in Halloween 6?

You decide!

Next up, another Film that I only own digitally (and 100% legally).  Is this infamous 1960s Sci-Fi Film as dumb as promised?  Stay tuned...

Riffed Trax: Ironheart (1992)

 What does it say about me that I've watched a Film called Ironheart, but haven't gotten around to watching the rest of the Show?

Nothing.
At all.

This is Ironheart, a 1992 Action Film.  I got this via Rifftrax, as I love Kung-Fu Films and Rifftrax.  It is like peanut butter and chocolate!

The Plot involves a Cop traveling a long distance to solve the murder of his former Partner.  Will his expertise in Martial Arts play a part?
This is a product of a time where Martial Arts Films were big and, well, anyone that could do them got a shot.

In this case, it is Britton K. Lee, who has a total of 2 Credits (this is his last) and NO picture on IMDB.
Not even a random head shot of him or a still from this Movie.

That's how little people care, eh?

Is this Film a bit of enjoyable silliness?  To find out, read on....

In the Opening Scene, a woman leaves a Club with a well-dressed man.  It turns out that he's a bad guy and he takes her to the Docks.

A guy follows them, but then gets beat up and killed by thugs, including Bolo Yeung (aka the guy on the Cover).

Wait- if he's a Henchman, is he the Lead?

Nope- it is Britton.
He's a Cop in San Francisco who just happens to be the former partner of the guy killed at the Docks.

He's told about the death and travels all of the way to Portland to work the case.

Yes, Portland.

Did this inspire that Family Guy cutaway?

I should mention that this is also the final Film by Enter the Dragon (and Gymkata) Director Robert Clouse (who lived in Oregon btw).

The actual bad guy is Richard Norton, who actually goes the whole Film (SPOILER Alert) without doing any fighting.  At all.

Weird.

Anyhow, he's trafficking in girls, drugs and guns- the usual.

As for our Cover Star, he pops up every once in a while.

He mostly beats up misbehaving thugs (like those that fail) and stand in the background.

Our Hero befriends the sort-of friend of the missing girl.  She actually insults said girl by saying that she was 'taking the easy way' to fame by 'dancing at clubs.'

Some friend...but we do need someone to do the dialog that doesn't sound like a nervous kid in their first play.

It obviously leads to a big showdown!

Our Hero takes out the henchman (on what is supposedly their ship), easily kills Norton (see earlier comment) and has a pretty nothing fight with Yeung.

The day is saved...but there is no Sequel.

A Film that is very by-the-numbers and much more banal than you might think.

The Rifftrax Crew has fun with the fact that this Film is chock full of Driving and Parking Scenes.  It is way more than any Film that ISN'T about people in a Parking Lot should have.

Lee, as mentioned once, has so little charisma (at least when Acting in English) that it is almost becomes negative charisma.
I think he was honestly trying, but also failing.

Look- if I was trying to act for the 2nd time AND it was in Korean, I'd be pretty crap too.  Fair is fair.

As I've not seen this unriffed, I can't recommend that version per se.  The Rifftrax one- absolutely!

There's a strange charm to this one, as the Music if fun, but dated and the Setting is different.
Who thought 'Make this Kung Fu Action Film into a Travelogue for Portland, Oregon?!?'

This was just a bonus Review.  

My look at an obscure Italian Film with a famous Actor's last role is still upcoming- don't worry.

Streaming Standard: Predator- Killer of Killers (2025)

 Were you Prey-ing for more?

As an amuse-bouche for the new Predator: Badlands, here's an Animated Anthology Tale.

This is Predator: Killer of Killers...

I watched it after July 25th, but no SPOILERS.

The Film is a Trilogy of Stories introducing Characters, followed by a Fourth One paying it all off.

In the first Tale, we follow a Viking Queen and her tribe seeking revenge for her Father.

They, of course, are attacked by a big-ass Predator.

It is going to get (green) bloody!

In the 2nd Tale, a pair of Samurai Brothers come to blows when they are Adults.

Naturally, a sneaky-ass Predator shows up.

Which one will survive?

In the 3rd Tale, a young Hispanic guy wants to be a WWII Pilot, but is not allowed to.

When a Predator with a big jet attacks, he does his best to save his would-be comrades!

In the final Story, the Survivors are put up against each other to be declared the titular Killer of Killers.

They will then have to face the most Scott Steiner in bone armor-looking Predator you've ever seen!

What will happen?

To find out, stream it now.

Bloody good and fun animation.

A Predator Cartoon is a great idea and one that people thought we nearly got in the 90s (it was actually just an Animated Ad for Predator vs. Alien Toys).

I will say that this is a pretty different kind of Animation.  You may or may not like it.  That's fair.
I personally liked it and thought it worked well for the stylish violence on display.

Vikings vs. Predator
Samurai vs. Predator
A Ninja vs. A Predator

Do I really need to sell you on this?!?

If you're a new or old fan of the Predator Franchise, give this one a shot.  It may not be your favorite thing ever, but it has a Ninja Predator, so...

A Film that may not sell everyone due to the Animation style and format.  For me, it was a fun tease of what we might get soon.