Immediate Response: The Fantastic Four- First Steps (2025)

 Let's return to the 1960s (on Earth 828)!

Will this one be, well, Fantastic?

The Good

* The Film looks great!  It has a retro-futuristic look to it, bright visuals and lovely space footage.
* The Cast truly unites as a 'family' in this one, which is how this has to work.
Human Torch even gets to be smart to boot!

* This version of Silver Surfer looks great, shining and reflecting just the right way.

* Plotwise, this one works, presenting 'real' people in fantastic...al situations.

* Galactus on the big Screen.  Yes, please!

* Great Music yet again.  Thank you, Mr. Giacchino

* Bonus points for HERBIE.  We all owe you an apology.

The Bad

* If the look of the Film isn't your thing, there's pretty much no escape from it.
* I honestly wanted more of the beginning segment, which will hopefully be restored in a later Cut (although Marvel has been sparse with them lately.

#JusticeForRedGhost

* Another tease for Avengers: Doomsday.  Damn this delay!

No major complaints- honest!

This one is great and I can't wait to see more of this group.

Current or lapse Marvel Fan?  Go see it.  Fan of Superheroes in general? Go see it!

Streaming Standard: Scream VI (2023)

 A Film that I finally remembered to watch...since it was leaving Netflix on July 24th.
I got there in time!

I know one Reader will be happy to see me finally give my take on...

Sam and Tara are back as a Year has passed since the last Film.

The latter moved to NYC for College and the former followed her.

She has trust issues...that are well warranted!

A new Ghostface is after them.

Is it related to the last killers?

Well, the Film has fun with a twist or two early on...which I won't SPOIL.

The new Ghostface is quite assertive, actively chasing and attacking them in Public.

You'll never safe in a Bodega again.

Old friends and new Characters- including Hayden Panetierre from Scream IV- try to work together to solve the case.

Which one(s) will be dead meat?

Hmm...I don't like her chances.

The finale takes them to a Scream/Stab Museum built into a Movie Theater.

Quick pitch- Horror Film set in the Tampa Theater!

Can they figure out who they can trust and who they can't?

Personally, I'd be wary of that guy behind you.

Never mind that the guy on your left is Prometheus from Arrow!

To find out, stream it now.... just not on Netflix (unless of course it is back on at the time you read this).

Can we all agree that Streaming is confusing to follow?

A Film that wisely mixes things up, even if it still doesn't want to take too many risks.

For starters, it works as a continuation of the last Film and its focus on the Sisters.  That's certainly not going to backfire in the long run, right?  Right?!?

It also still relies a certain bit on nostalgia, bringing Gail back and mentioning Dewie.  Sydney wanted- I assume- more than scale for a Cameo, so she's definitely interested in helping (but not really).

The kills are still brutal.  This is what you come to these for, right?

I will also say that the Bodega Scene was built up heavily to me online and doesn't really show much.  How was that too extreme?

In summary, I thought that this was an enjoyable Sequel and I'm curious what the actual plans for the Sisters was going to be in Scream 7.  I guess, in the end, it doesn't matter if we were Ready or Not...

The last one was also just 'Scream.'  Shouldn't this be 'Scream 2?'

A Film that amps things up and plays with the conventions nicely.  That said, it is still another Scream Film- for better or worse.

Tubi Thursday: Rabid (1977)

 Another Cronenberg Film I can check off of the list.

This one feels like a Remake of sorts of Shivers...but bigger and better.

A young woman- Marilyn Chambers- not Burns!- and her boyfriend are injured in a motorcycle crash.

The Doctors- specifically Keloid get experimental with her procedure.

It involves putting her under sedation for a month, which, I can't imagine is good for you.

She experiences a strange side effect.

She has a craving for blood!

The lady attacks another Patient, who then gets amnesia about the event...which is mighty convenient.

Ah, there's the Body Horror I was looking for.

Given that this is 1977 Cronenberg, you only get a taste though.

Do I need to blur this?

She finds her cravings to be hard to resist.

To be fair, she also doesn't try that hard.

She escapes the Hospital- after turning Keloid- and infects people along the way, including a Truck Driver and this poor lady.

See the Shivers comparisons yet?

Marilyn continues to suffer, but also continues to infect.

She's the Typhoid Mary here, as, while she feels pain, the effect on others is far worse.

Dr. Keloid bit off some fingers, but while two Construction Workers use a jackhammer to break through a car door for some blood.

Marilyn's lady friend lets her stay and soon runs afoul of an infected on the Subway.
See the next Review for yet another Subway Scene.

As the WHO calls this a Pandemic, makes people get Rabies-like shots and carry Vaccine Cards (pretty sneaky, David!), Marilyn finally realizes how far she's fallen.

Her boyfriend- not infected- sees her in mid-kill of her friend.

As things aren't getting better- even though it is Christmastime!- she makes a sad, desperate move.

She infects a guy and says that she will prove that she's not the Typhoid Mary.

It ends...poorly.
The End.

Wow, this one is rough...but also quite good.

I thought that Shivers had potential.  It just didn't quite go anywhere, especially limited by its locked off location.

In many ways, this is the Dawn of the Dead to that Film's Night of the Living Dead.

For better or worse, this is the big-time update of that Film.
That and having Chambers here is a big upgrade.

This one has her loose in Montreal and she targets lots of people.

Does she somehow not realize what she's doing?  Weird, no.

If you let the Film build up and deliver, it is a good one.  You get a clear example of the freaky stuff that Cronenberg (and his kin now) were going to share with the World.

Plus, it is a Film in pristine(ish) HD with Marilyn Chambers, so...what was I just talking about?

A freaky Film that takes a bit of time to get going.  Once it gets going, you get some freaky Cronenberg stuff!

'80s Trash: Jaws the Revenge (1987)

 At last, a Film so infamous that even its Tagline is a joke.

'This Time Its Personal!

Yes, this one is personal.  This is Jaws The Revenge, the 1987 Film that finally ended the Franchise...for now!
You just know that there's a Universal Executive (or two) that pitches a Reboot every Year.  It will happen one day- mark my words!

The Plot involves Ms. Brody and only her returning.  Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss are still not back.  Dennis Quaid and John Putch are also not back as the Sons, although their Characters do appear.

A new Shark makes things 'personal' and actually follows the Brody Family to the Bahamas!  Can they keep anyone else they know from dying?

To find out, dive in...

It is Christmastime in Amity.  So, is this a Christmas Film now?
Let's not start another one of THOSE debates.

A Shark blocks a buoy so that someone will go to clear it and kills them.  They just happen to be Sean Brody (the younger Brother).

Of course, as the Film goes on, it becomes more and more clear that the Shark targeted him specifically!

Ms. Brody is upset, having lost her Husband to an off-screen heart attack about a year earlier and now her youngest Son.

She's convinced to go with Michael, his Wife and Daughter to the Bahamas.

Michael is studying Snails with his partner Jake (Mario Van Peebles).

While the latter is down in the Water, a Great White Shark shows up and attacks the ship, seemingly going right after Michael.

Elsewhere, Ms. Brody is trying to move on with her life and makes a connection with Hoagie (Michael Caine).

He takes her to a local Festival, which is fun until she suddenly gets a vision of the Shark.

Yep, she's psychic now!

Since they're behind on cash, Jake suggests that they spend a few days studying the Shark.

After all, Great Whites never travel to warm water environments (although they technically can).

Michael agrees, but makes sure not to tell his Mom.

Speaking of Mom, is she falling for Hoagie?

This Story was the entire appeal for Caine and Gary.
He said that he appreciated being paired up with someone his own age.

I guess he hated being in Blame it on Rio a few years earlier.

Cutting past all of the melodrama and shmaltz (like literally redoing the Son Copies Dad bit AND then saying that they did), the Shark changes tactics and goes after other family members.

During a presentation of the Wife's Sculpture, the Daughter is nearly eaten by the Shark whilst on a banana boat.

Gary takes the son's boat and goes after the Shark...which I guess just left.

Jake, Michael and Hoagie fly over to her.

Jake rigs up a device to antagonize and draw the Shark in.

Granted- the Shark is already targeting them, so it is a bit like Furios 7's Plot with Statham.

The Shark seemingly kills Jake, so the family changes tactics.

Michael uses the device on the Shark, which makes it roar!

In the original Ending, they impale the Shark and it drags the boat down.

In the redone Ending (shown in Theaters later and the official one now), they impale the Shark...and its head explodes like Scanners.

...but why?!?

Oh, and the Test Audiences hated Jake dying, so he just survives...somehow.

Note how he's floating in an obvious Tank and not the Ocean.

Whatever- happy Ending!

A Film that is both really good and really bad.

Like the guys in Ted talking about Flash Gordon- it is a walking contradiction.

Positives- Gary and company mostly do a really good job Acting here.  It is strong stuff.

You see their emotions clearly and they almost never overact.

Even the young Actress playing the Granddaughter is good.  Just don't Google her- it is depressing!

The Shark does look pretty good sometimes.  Note the qualifier- 'sometimes.'

The negatives are pretty big here.
This Shark is apparently super-intelligent (a la Orca) and can psychically track the Brody Family.  Otherwise, how else would he know to follow them to The Bahamas?!?

This whole idea is something that can work as an independent Story told within the right parameters.  As a Jaws Film though, it is super dumb and ridiculous.

The Ending is worth a watch- it is so freaking stupid (both Versions)!

No need for an Is It Bad? here- we all know the answer already.

Next up, let me take a dive into my random Flash Library.  In this case, a strange Italian Film which is the belated swan song of a famous Actor.  Stay tuned...

My Crazy Youth: The Fantastic Four vs. Galactus from 1967

 I came around at the time when Shows that were 20 years old were 'retro' and in syndication via Channels like Boomerang.

As such, I saw this Cartoon before the 1994 Fantastic Four Cartoon.

Unsurprisingly, the Hanna Barbera Cartoon also featured the famous fight against Galactus.

Let's see how the original animated showdown went.

...um, phrasing.

A strange effect happens on the Earth.  Rocks form a barrier in the sky.

Is this Reed stretching his neck or an animation error?
You decide!

The Watcher shows up and warns them that they must stop the Herald of Galactus- the Surfer- from signaling him.

There'd be no conflict if they did it in time, so they fail.

Time to punch out the...wait- that's Silver Surfer?!?

Galactus shows up...and he's green.

Coloring in this Show is sure a choice!

This angle also nearly gives us an intergalactic upskirt shot!

As always, Watcher sends Johnny to retrieve the one weapon that can give Galactus pause.

Since this is still in the Kirby Era (he left in 1970- well, the first time), we get some trippy (but also cheap enough for animation) visuals.

Meanwhile, Susan finds the beat-up Surfer and asks him to turn against Galactus to help the Earth.

That or she's giving him therapy.

Tell me about your Space Mother.

The group fight Galactus, essentially just stalling to keep him from getting his machines (which will drain the Earth) running.

Can they stall long enough?

Yes, obviously.

They give the Ultimate Nullifier (in a lovely gift box) to The Watcher who negotiates a deal for Galactus' exit.

Is THIS your card?

In a change from the Comics, Galactus just threatens reprisal against the Silver Surfer.

In the Comics, he put a restriction on him that didn't allow him to leave the Milky Way.

In a bit of pure coincidence, this is the SECOND Fantastic Four content in a row I've covered that ends with Reed waving.

A fun, if very copy-paste version of the famous Comic Book Trilogy.

On one hand, why change what Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created here?
On the other hand, are you just getting paid to do the exact same thing twice?

This is the early days of Saturday Morning Cartoon Animation, so I give i a pass (with a joke) on the little errors, hiccups and the like.

Why make Galactus green?
Why make Surfer look like Iceman?

I guess I can't complain about this one regard, as this isn't like those early Marvel Cartoons which were literally just reused Comic Book Panels (and they didn't pay the Artists again)!

Speaking of payment, I should note that Jack Kirby would go on to work for Hanna-Barbera around 1979, even creating HERBIE for an FF Show (and also Thundarr the Barbarian).

If you were of a certain age to see this new or in syndication (like me), there's a fun charm here.
It's also free to watch and download, so there's that.

Talk to the hand- the Devourer of Worlds isn't listening!

An Episode that fights against the limitations of its day and weird choices made.  A must-see for fans of Retro Animation.

Shudder Day: Nightbeast (1982)

 With everything going on in the World right now, I want to watch something dumb and fun.

As such, I decided to watch...

A space ship crashes on Earth in a random, small town.

It immediately starts killing folks.

Within the first 20 minutes or so, he zaps a bunch of people.

The laser effect of them being zapped/disintegrated is constantly changing.

It feels like they just kept trying out new ones and never went back to change the others.

Early on, we follow these 2 kids being chased by the Alien.

They run to a Cabin, where it kills a Couple (after some Nudity).

I wonder what else will...

...oh, they got vaporized.  Never mind.

Our two Cops battle the Alien to no avail at night and then face it again.

It doesn't go well...again.

They do destroy its gun, so now it can just rip you apart.

Baby steps.

We get a random Jaws rip-off as the Mayor won't evacuate the Town from his Pool Party on account of the rampaging Alien.
Given that this is an update of a 1978 Film...

The Sheriff was also Bozo the Clown from 1972-1977.

After all of the Extras leave (literally the Pool Party Guests are all credited separately), they try to finally kill the Alien.

Even though they know their guns don't hurt, they won't stop firing at it- of course!

They eventually save the day- naturally.
The End.

It is exactly what you probably expect...and nothing more.

A big, old Alien shows up and kills people.  We get a little bit of Character Backstory and motivations.
Lots of people die.

This one doesn't aim to be much.  It achieved that.

The Film does include some random Nudity, which apparently the Director was against...but also needed to sell the Film.  I guess it worked- I'm watching it over 40 years later!

As a Drive-In Film, this one is oddly paced.  It front loads a whole bunch of silly Action, laser effects and gore.
They kill more people in the first 20 minutes than most Films do in the entire runtime!

After that, it wisely slows down.  If not, they would have run out of Cast before the 40-minute mark!

A random Scene- added in post-production- involving this lady being introduced just to be killed by her Boyfriend sure didn't belong though.  What was even the point?!?

The craziest thing about this Film is that one man went on to do a much more successful Sci-Fi Film.
You see, the Film was Scored by a 16-year-old J.J. Abrams!

No, really!

A Film that promises you an Alien killing a bunch of people for about 90 minutes.  It gives you exactly that.