Disaster Flix: Into the Storm (2014)

After Twister.
Before Twisters.

This is Into the Storm, a 2014 Film about, well, a storm.
This one doesn't seem to be that well remembered and that's a shame.  I remember renting this- probably around 2015- and enjoying it.

Smash cut to me spotting it this Year and realizing that I somehow didn't review it.

The Plot involves a small Town, a Cast of Characters living in or entering said Town and a massive Storm.
What it does well is make a small Cast matter with backstories, motivations and all that stuff.

When the disaster happens, you root for them and hope for the best.

Can a future Dwarf from The Hobbit and a member of the Upright Citizens Brigade survive?
To find out, read on...

In the Cold Open, a group of teens driving down a road at night run across a tornado.

It doesn't end well for them.

A group of Storm Chasers and a Docunentary Crew are trying to catch some action on Film, but it's been a dry 3 months.

With funding drying up, will a nearby Town (from said accident) bear fruit?

The key Story here is a widowed Father (Richard Armitage) and his two teenage Sons.

He has them shooting a Time Capsule video for the Town and there's tension, ever since the Mother's death.

There's also a pair of wannabe Jackass Cast Members.

They seem willing to do anything dangerous for YouTube views.

Insert Mr. Beast Joke Here.

The older Brother has a thing for this girl in School and takes his chance to get close to her.

He helps her document a factory that polluted the Town, which means missing the filming of the Graduation Ceremony.

Dad isn't happy.

The Crew is getting ready to leave Town when it starts to suddenly hail.

Now a real Storm is breaking out and they are ready to cover it.

The Brother is at the Factory when it hits the nearby area, trapping them.

Meanwhile, the Storm gets worse and worse for those outside.

Can our Heroes get the shots they need?

Can our Family survive?

Will these two guys somehow not win The Darwin Award?

To find out, watch it now.

A Film that, for as loud as it can be, came and went pretty quietly.
Its Director- Steven Quale- has only made one other Film since this, in 2017.

I remember seeing this about 10 years ago and being really impressed.  Thankfully, I feel the same way in 2024.

I should also mention that this is *mostly* a Found Footage Film.  I still like it allot!

The Film works so well because you get just enough Character Work to make you really care about the random Characters.  They are fleshed out enough without the Film being bogged down with personal drama.

The Special Effects here are great.  Even with a scrutinizing eye and 10 years later, they look amazing.  Really good work here.

If you loved Twisters, you really need to see (or revisit) this forgotten 'missing link' between Twister (which I will revisit on Blu-Ray soon) and it.

It literally has Twisters in it!

Next up, let me look one half a very specific trend from 2007.  Chomp chomp, folks!

Tubi Thursday: Krampus- The Reckoning (2015)

 Let's wrap our yearly look at Krampus Films up with one that I probably should have done first.

When you look up Krampus Films, this one usually comes up first.

Is it the bad CGI?  The 2015 release date?

Yes.

In the Cold Open, a young girl talks to her Grandma about how unhappy she is.

She's told the story of Krampus (we're told).

Some vague amount of time later, a girl is annoyed with her Foster Parents and pulls out a strange doll.

A terrible CGI Model...I mean, Krampus shows up and kills both of them.

We are told that they were burned up as well.

This Cop- who looks like Claudio Castagnoli if you squint- is on the case.

It only gets harder when a Nurse that the girl doesn't like is killed by Krampus too.

At least they sprung for the make-up effects on him.

The Child Psychologist is on the case.

She's got her own stuff going on too, from her adopted Son to her strange scar and her lack of childhood memories.

I'm sure that won't pan out.

Krampus is continuing to punish those that are bad, seemingly at the girl's beck and call.

This...is really what they went with.

Can the truth get revealed?

Will it make any sense?

To find out, ho-ho-hop on over to Tubi to stream it now.

One of the OG Krampus Films- even if still only exists due to the Hollywood Film.

This one is weird.  Let me do the positives...

Krampus is a Monster.
The Plot is more complex than it seems.

Oh and there's lots of random Nudity that comes out of nowhere, if that does it for you.

The negatives- that Krampus Model is so blatantly CGI.  Couldn't you make a mask or something for close-ups?
Credit for not making him look like Ares like in that last Film, but...this CGI Model is a good start and nothing more.
Hell, even if you can't afford better, show it sparingly!

The Plot is so bizarre that it kind of warps around from making no sense to being clever.  It's still not good, but they also didn't take the easy way out.

They did, however, get me an early present- another fake Movie Search Engine...

There are worse Krampus Films and it aimed high.  Unfortunately, the Plot was still kind of silly when you really think about it for five seconds.

New(er) Flix: Batman- The Doom That Came to Gotham (2023)

 An early Christmas present for myself!

I've not caught up on the more recent DCAU stuff, especially in wake of the mixed to bad Reviews.

Even so, I'm a sucker for Elseworlds Batman and bought a used Copy of this on Blu-Ray.

Let's see what we got...

In this Tale, Bruce Wayne is investigating a lost expedition in the Arctic.

This is surely not based on a real event, says DC Lawyers.

The Leader- Oswald Cobblepot- ran off and joined the Penguins.

The other survivor runs to a Cave and vows to release an ancient being.

They bring him back to Gotham, Wayne coming back for the first time since his Parents were killed.

He goes back to his old House and meets some old friends- Harvey Dent and Oliver Queen.

Oh and a body is left in his House!

Of course, he's really here as Batman, making his first appearance in the City.

He's just in time as all sorts of bad things are happening, like the death of a Scientist (as mentioned) and strange robberies.

When he tries to stop one, he runs across Talia and she summons a creature to stop him.

Out on the streets, we get Lovecraftian Killer Croc.

Can he stop the evil before it gets summoned?

Will his allies be enough to turn the tide?

Will you realize before the end that this doesn't have a Joker in it?

To find out, buy or stream it now.

A fun, freaky and interesting Film.

I never read the Mike Mignola Comic of the same name, so I didn't know what to expect.  This blind buy sure paid off though.

This Elseworlds Tale truly makes the most of the open concept.  Everyone is different.

The Origins of the Villains are quite different and fun.

I really liked this version of Mr. Freeze (cheekily referred to as a 'Zero') and Poison Ivy.

There's lots of great Voice Talent here, including Jeffrey Combs and David Dastmalchian.  The less famous- at least to me- Actors here impress as well.

This new(ish) Batman is great.

If you expect a Mike Mignola-influenced Film based on Lovecraft, this will not disappoint.

Now much do I need this Comic?

Batman is always great when allowed to be himself.  When you add in Mike Mignola and Lovecraft, it is a match made in Heaven (and R'yleh).

Shudder Day: Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022)

Another traumatizing Christmas Film.

Ho ho ho!

In this 2022 Film, we are introduced to a bunch of weird Hipsters in a random Town on Christmas Eve.

The duo- who run a Record Store- hang out with their friends- a Couple who run a Toy Store- for a bit.

The guy- Jonah Ray Rodrigues, who I keep seeing ONLY on Shudder Films.
Weird!

In the Intro, we get News Exposition (or Newsposition) about how a Company retrofitted Battle Androids to make Santas.

They were all taken out of Stores though...or were they?!?

They go home, unaware of the danger that has just woken up.

To the annoyance of some Commenters on Shudder, they spend quite a while riffing on Music, Films and other topics.

Just be patient though.

Soon enough, 'Santa' has killed the pair at the Store and follows them home.

It takes out some more victims and NOBODY is safe!

Can the Cops save the day?  
Can they ever in these Films?

Will our Final Girl live up to her name?

To find out, stream it now.

A bloody fun Film, once you let it get going.

Right off the bat, let me cover the obvious complaint- the Intro.  It is prolonged.  It is a few long Scenes of our Leads interacting.  It does feel improvised quite a bit.

Is that bad?  For me, no.

This made the Film feel 'real' and the Characters fleshed out.  
We get to see these people 'being real' with each other for a bit before the chaos begins.

Once said chaos begins, of course, there's little time to rest.

My only real complaint is that the killer Santa Robot doesn't really 'feel' like a robot until the latter half of the Film.  It's just a big guy walking around with them adding in 'robot' noises with each step.

I do also wonder how he sneaks up on people when every step sounds like an hydraulic press!

Christmas Bloody Christmas is a bloody good time and I recommend it to all fans of Indy Horror.
There's enough extra with the whole 'robot' element to make it feel different.

Plus, we got this nice Christmas card out of it.

Blood and guts abound...eventually.  Give the Movie some time and I think it will grow on you by the end.

Non-Krampus Christmas Film Compendium

 Here are some weird, gross and just otherwise random Christmas Films.
These all are from the BK time aka Before Krampus.

I've been doing them since 2009, so let's see what I can dig up...

1) Santa Claws- Low Budget and horny.  Off to a good start!

MONDO BIZARRO: Yuletide Crap: Santa Claws

2) Tales from the Crypt (1972)- The classiest one here, especially since only the first part is festive.

MONDO BIZARRO: Holiday Death: Tales from the Crypt (1972)

3) The Night Train Murders- A festive trip ends in murder.  Ride them rails!

MONDO BIZARRO: Holiday Death: The Night Train Murders

4) Xmas Tale- A made for TV Film from Spain.  It was by the Director of O Rec (Record).

MONDO BIZARRO: Holiday Death: Xmas Tale

5) Kazuo Umezz's The Present- Japan brings a killer Santa for once.  If only it were better.

MONDO BIZARRO: Merry Deathmas: Kazuo Umezz's The Present

6) Saint Nick: The Dutch seem festive...and they turned Santa into a murderous Pirate.  The real stuff, however, is worse.

MONDO BIZARRO: Merry Deathmas: Saint Nick

7) The Children- Do you like kids?  You won't anymore after this British Film!

MONDO BIZARRO: Merry Deathmas: The Children (2008)

8) Breakaway- Lost in the argument about whether Die Hard is a Christmas Film is the idea of this one.  It is a blatant Die Hard, But... Film and it is very festive.

MONDO BIZARRO: TV Deathmas: Breakaway

9) Elves (1989)- Is the Title a lie?  Yes.  Is it still only on VHS?  Yes.

MONDO BIZARRO: Holiday Death: Elves!

10) Psycho Santa and Satan Claus- Two Films on one Disc!  Too bad one is bad and one can't afford to be lit!

MONDO BIZARRO: Yuletide Crap: Psycho Santa & Satan Claus

11) The Christmas Season Massacre- Actually, there was a third Film.  It was somehow worse.

MONDO BIZARRO: Merry Deathmas: The Christmas Season Massacre

12) Wind Chill- Long before A Quiet Place, Emily Blunt wasn't in as many good Films.  Case in point, this one about evil Snow Ghosts...or something.

MONDO BIZARRO: Holiday Death: Wind Chill

13) Santa's Little Helper- WWE's The Miz and Paige (now Saraya) want to take over for Santa.  Is there a third option?!?

MONDO BIZARRO: Holiday Grapple Crap: Santa's Little Helper (2015)

Feeling festive yet?

Great.

Holiday TV: Friday the 13th The Series- 'The Mephisto Ring'

 Another 'unlucky day' to celebrate.

This is the last one until next June.

Let's check out another Episode of the Show.
This one is called...

As a recap, the premise of the Show is that one guy collected a bunch of antiques that are cursed.

They are stolen/released and now he has to track them down.

He has the help of two young people (a third in Season 3).

A man is talking to his bookie about how he has a system.

He's shot by someone and killed in 1982!

In 1988, the Son is a bad gambler too!

He's beaten up by his bookie and the guy steals a ring from his Mother.

It glows like crazy and throws him around the room, killing him.

In the aftermath, the ring shows him who will win a Game and he makes some money.

Unfortunately, he's not enough, so he has to keep doing it.

Meanwhile, the Mom (who was also attacked) goes to our Heroes who are, conveniently enough, looking for the Ring, tells them that she knows about the ring.

He uses the ring more, tricking many different Gangsters/bookies into wearing the ring and dying.

My question- how does the magic ring show them the end this way AND have the TV Audio?

Our Heroes try to trick him, but it backfires and the woman has to hide.

His paranoia, conveniently enough, is validated when the lead bookie brings him in seconds later.

He abuses the guy, cutting off a finger (or two) to get the information.

Mom shows up and gets involved.

In the end, the lead guy is killed by the ring and the son says that he will use the info to get everything they want.

He's shot and killed...by Mom, who reveals that she also shot his Dad.

The End.

A rough tale of desperation, obsession and addiction.

To be fair, this Show is about strange objects killing people or making them kill people.
It's usually not upbeat.

In this case, the magic ring dooms a generational duo.  Ouch.

I have so many questions about how and why this thing works.
The idea is that it was a 'cursed' object as it was made for the 1919 White Sox, who famously threw the game for money.

Sidenote: Between Pearl, Krampus- Origins and this, I've mentioned 1918-1919 quite a bit in a short amount of time!

Anyhow, because they cheated, Satan made this ring benefit gamblers and cheaters, while also killing people?  Alright then.

The Plot is fine.  The Acting is good.

Just know that the Plot involves lots of beating and torture (off-screen, mind you), so here's your Trigger Warning.

Wow, I'm already 9 Episodes into this Show.  At this rate, I'll finish the Show in about 32 years!

Tubi Thursday: Krampus- Origins (2018)

You want to know Krampus' origins?

Read a book, nerd!

This is...not that Movie.

*** FYI that Cover is a lie.  Most of these ones are though. ***

In 1918, WWI is going on and a German baddie is playing with a magical book and amulet.

The American Soldier with it is later killed and this will matter...in about 30 minutes.

This 85 minute Film has to hit that length somehow!

As such, all of that Krampus stuff won't matter for a while as we meet this Nun who runs an Orphanage.

She works there with the One Black Guy, a Drunk Father, a Nun into the Occult and a new Teacher.

One girl in the group is inspired to try and study Alchemy.

She sneaks out every night with a guy to do...well, you can guess.

This will also matter later.

The Nun into the Occult helps out with the kids, which include a kid with a stutter, a bunch of young Extras, two Bullies and two Nice Girls.

Note how I'm STILL not talking about Krampus!

The Soldier's stuff is sent to the Orphanage, since he was the now-former Husband of the new Teacher.
After watching Pearl, I'm worried about said Teacher going nuts herself!

The Book is read by the sneaky girl and a POV Krampus is summoned.

Even at 46 minutes, we still don't see a thing!

Krampus then takes the form of, sigh, an evil kid to pad this one out a bit.

He eventually makes his move, putting everyone in danger.

Can this Demon be stopped on Christmas?!?

To find out, stream it now.

This one was a bit of a chore!

Positives- the Story itself isn't bad. The Acting is fine.

This isn't a bad Movie in the usual sense.

If this was just a Drama about kids in an Orphanage during WWI with some sort of normal, mortal peril in place, I wouldn't complain.

Granted- I watched this as a 'Krampus' Film, so I probably wouldn't have seen it.

This kind of thing can work to varying degrees of success from The Woman in Black 2 to The Orphanage to (the far better) The Devil's Backbone.

This is BARELY a Film about Krampus and what we get is a silly origin with him locked up in a magic book by Fairies!  Lame.

This Krampus is more like Ares from Wonder Woman and it is all kinds of disappointing.
Just give me a guy in a Krampus suit killing people/kidnapping children and I'd be happy.

I just want this!

A Film that isn't bad in the conventional sense.  It is just bad for not being a Film about what it should be (and being all that interesting in the process).