Shudder Day: Founders Day (2023/4)

 From a Scream to a Whisper?

This is a 2024 Slasher Film that technically came out in Theaters (so Wikipedia says), but I have zero memory of it.

Since America is in a Slasher mood, let's check out...

The Film begins with establishing a few things.

A small Town is nearing a contentious Mayoral Election.
The Daughter of one of the Candidates is dating...a girl?!?  Gasp.

As they talk about how the girlfriend is going to leave, a masked man shows up and attacks the Daughter!

She's thought dead after being tossed off of a small bridge.

In the aftermath, the ire between the Candidates grows even greater!

As tensions rise, so does the body count!

People connected to the Candidates are targeted.

Things take a big turn (which I won't SPOIL) and now things are even more complicated.

Who are the killers?

Things get really tense as everyone is a suspect.

Well, not the dead people- of course.

As the finale approaches, who is behind the killings and why?
In lieu of a SPOILER, here's one of the many Character Posters for the Film that I totally picked at random.

The End.

A Film that doesn't feel all that original...but does have some stuff to say.

This one is interesting in many ways and very generic in others.

This straight-up feels like a Modern Slasher, coming out after Scream's return.  This one really focuses on the mystery over the body count, which is at least nice.

Thankfully, this is one of those Slashers where there are still a few likable/redeeming Characters and not just assholes.  There are obviously SOME, but having less of them means more.

Day has some decent kills, complete with obvious setup and a few that subvert expectations.  The Masked Killer reminds me of the last Episode of Batman: The Animated Series though.

Without any SPOILERs, this one has quite a few twists in the last hour or so and keeps you guessing somewhat.

Considering that I've seen so many low-Budget Slashers on Tubi, seeing this one rated at 4 on IMDB sems a bit low.  I'd say that a high 6 or low 7 is more accurate.

Take us away, Japanese Poster!

A Film that appeared and disappeared into Streaming Purgatory very quickly.  Even so, I think it is pretty good and definitely better than its online Rating would suggest.

2025 Catch Up: Predator- Badlands (2025)

 After Prey revitalized the Franchise and proved doubters wrong, we got an Animated Film.

After that, we got this Film by the Director of Prey.

Do the hits keep coming?

Let's find out...

Dek is a Yautja (aka Predator).

As the smallest of Clan, he is designated as worthless and supposed to be culled.

Instead, his Brother sends him on a last chance mission.

Survive a super-deadly Planet and kill an Apex Predator OR never come back at all.

Some choices!

The Planet is full of deadly plants and animals.

It is like a much more interesting version of After Earth.

As things look bleak, he finds an unlikely ally.

An android/synth named Thia has been stranded there as well, separated from her group to boot.

The Weyland-Yutani Corporation has interests in this Planet too.
As luck would have it, the same thing that separated Thia from her legs is the creature he's after.

Team-up!

Good news- they find the Kalisk.

Bad news- this is the Kalisk!

Of course, I won't reveal all of the twists and turns that happen in this one.

To find out how this all plays out, stream it now!

A very enjoyable Film that definitely feels like a fresh experience.

I love the Predator Films.
The Alien vs. Predator Films are...sometimes a different Story.

How do you make the Franchise feel exciting again?
You make it from the point of view of said Predator, as opposed to them being the Villain/Heavy.

It is so simple and yet no Film (obviously the Books did) did it until now!

The Film looks amazing, making the alien worlds feel real.  The creatures are vibrant and lively.
This version of the Predator/Yautji is a great use of CGI as making his mouth...um, spikes move constantly in wide shots would be next to impossible.

I like that the Film has depth to it- like featuring the Weyland-Yutani Corporation- but also feels inviting.  If you don't know what said company is, the Film gives you a simple explanation that doesn't require 'homework.'

Predator fans will love this.
And yes, it is PG-13 since all of the blood is green and the 'people' are synths.

Try not to get hung up on it.

A Film that proves that switching owners from Fox to Disney didn't neuter the Franchise.  If you missed it in Theater, give this one a watch!

Tubi Thursday: TNT Jackson (1974)

 Let me hit two events at once here!

In honor of Black History Month and the beginning of Chinese New Year, I present...

In a Cold Open, a black man is killed by some bad guys and ends up onstage during a Show!

TNT Jackson comes to Hong Kong and pretty much immediately finds trouble!

She meets up with a guy named Joe Wong, who agrees to help her.

This Film was originally Written by Dick Miller to be made in China, but was then rewritten to be shot in The Phillipines.

As such, Joe actually gets TOP BILLING on that version- Dynamite Joe Wong and TNT Jackson.

He'd also hold Elected Office in his hometown of Makati!

Jackson reveals to him that the dead guy from the beginning was her Brother.

He agrees to help her get close to the bad guys, since they were likely the culprits.

Said bad guys include Charlie (left) and, of course, the Token White Bad Guy.

They deal in drugs, but are running into issues.

All but Charlie immediately blame TNT for this...for no good reason!

She proves herself to Charlie in a fight and he agrees to hire her.

However, she's then not there for the next drug drop (at Charlie's request).

Lots of chopping.
Lots of shooting.

It all comes down to TNT Jackson vs. Charlie again and she basically reenacts how Darth Maul killed Qui-Gon- just with her fist alone.

Also, as these usually go, the Film just immediately ends right there.
Kind of like this.

A fun time, even if it is shallower than a puddle.

Long stretches of this Film are people circling each other and fighting.
It is fun.  There's just SO much of it.

They occasionally stop for the Plot- which involves the blonde lady being a Cop- and then it is back to fighting.

Our Lead- Jeanne/Jeannie Bell- looks good and bad here.  Her fake fighting looks very fake, but she does look good while doing it.  
She's apparently an Instagram Fitness Influencer going into her 80s, so good for her.

This is pure exploitation fun for 42nd Street or to watch between making out at a Drive-In.  Don't expect anything complex or deep her.

Thems the breaks.

A fun bit of exploitation and mindless violence.  Lots of real fighting, lots of fake fighting and everything you'd expect from a Movie from this time and with this Title.

Oscar Flix: Sinners (2025)

 At last, I check out the Film that set a new record for Oscar Nominations.

Time will tell if it sets a record for wins.

This is...

A pair of twins- Smoke and Stack- are back home from time away serving in the World War and working for Al Capone in Chicago.

They buy a Sawmill to turn into a Juke Joint (aka Dance Bar).

Their return gets the attention of many people in Town.

That includes Hailee Steinfeld's Mary, who used to be with Stack.

Smoke has his own B-Plot with Wunmi Mosaku's Annie.

The crowd is gathered.

The booze is poured.

The only thing that could ruin their night is if a bunch of People Who Aren't Vampires showed up.

Thankfully, these People Who Aren't Vampires can't enter without permission.

Well, that seems easy enough, right?

Wrong.

As the bodies pile up, the drama escalates and tension mount, who will come out of this whole thing in one piece?

To find out, stream or rent this one now.

A Film that absolutely lives up to the hype!

This one is good for so many reasons.

The Plot is strong.
The Characters have depth and agency.
The Special Effects- especially the makeup- are well done.

At worst, you can say that the Film takes part in some obvious conventions of the Genre.  Maybe make a From Dusk Til Dawn comparison or too.

Speaking of which, this does become a full Horror Film by the 3rd Act, so don't go in expecting the usual Oscar fare.

The Film is just so dynamic, so engaging, so complex and so full of subtext that I love it.

As folks 'across the pond' might say, it is a 'bloody good.'

A Film that was hyped as something amazing and entrancing.  It is- it really is!

Shudder Day: The Boy Behind the Door (2021)

 As the last Shudder Review for Black History Month, let me find something a bit different.

Kids in peril is always good for creating emotional resonance.
Does it work for...

Bobby (left) and Kevin (right) are young boys just running around before they have to go to Baseball Practice.

What could go wrong?

They are both kidnapped by an unseen person and driven away.

Kevin is taken inside, while Bobby is left tied up in the trunk of the car.

He manages to break free of it and survive.

He goes to escape...but knows that he can't leave Kevin behind.

Tough decisions ahread.

His attempts to free his friend don't go as well as planned.

One person at the House is able to be disposed of, but the other returns.

Here's...Johnny?

To find out how it all plays out, stream the Film now.

A Film that might not be for everyone, but that worked pretty well for me.

The Plot is nothing super unique, but at least the approach feels different.

This might remind some people of The Black Phone, but I should note that this came out a year prior.

When it works, the Film makes a House and its surrounding area feel very claustrophobic.  You really root for Bobby and Kevin!

It is certainly a minimalist Film.  The Cast is less than a dozen people in total and the singular Setting is apparent.

I haven't been a kid for a long time (except for at heart), but I really empathized with them and thought 'What the hell would I do here?!?'
Thankfully, I never had to find out.

The Boy Behind the Door doesn't do much, but it does it really well.

In fact, it has already- no joke- gotten a Remake from Indonesia!

A tense Film that really hinges upon your ability to follow these 2 kids in peril.  If the Film hooks you, it will keep you through the whole journey.

Rip-Off Cover Art: Feed (2022)

 A recent search of Films on Tubi (as part of the weekly Review Series), gave me some deja vu.

This is the US Poster for the 2022 Film called Feed.

It is a Swedish Horror Film.

Does this look familiar?
You feel it in your gut, don't you?

Well, if you're a big Horror Fan, there's a reason.

I present to you a DIFFERENT Horror/Slasher Film also released in 2022.

Now you see it.

I get it.  US Distributors wanted to remind you of a bigger Film to boost sales.
It happens.

That said, here's the original (honestly better) Poster...

Simple.  Effective.

Not a rip-off.

As you can also see, they took this Poster and just did the Lazy Slasher Film Poster treatment.

Sigh.

Tubi Thursday: The Last Dragon (1985)

 Let's make up for not watching some Cult Classics, especially the ones who just celebrated a big Anniversary last year.

How does this Musical Comedy-Action Film stand up in 2026?

This is Sho'nuff (Julius Carry).
He thinks of himself as the baddest man in Harlem and wants to prove it!

Our Hero Leroy (Taimak) is trying to reach the Final Level and become The Last Dragon.

Hey, that's the Title!

He refuses to fight Sho'nuff, since there's no reason for him to do so.

He gets caught up in a scheme involving a bad guy named Arkadian who wants to use our Heroine's Show.
Vanity keeps needing Leroy's help...and clearly wants more.

Can he become The Last Dragon and find the glow?

Will he finally live up to his true potential?

I mean...duh, right?

You all know how this is going to end.

Even so, don't you want to see the funky journey?

Of course, you do.
Stream it now.

A fun, funky and pretty familiar journey.

The Film doesn't aim to be some major event or have some super deep meaning.

Produced by Berry Gordy, the Film features lots of Music from people he knew and who were part of his label.  The Soundtrack is great.

Taimak, as our Lead, is much better at the fighting- with multiple black belts- than he is at Acting.  He tries.
Vanity does too.

Julius Carry as Sho'nuff is the real draw here as he chews up the scenery at every chance.  He's so much fun and he's really missed.

This Film is dated as hell, but so much fun. 
No matter how silly you may think you look in your old pictures, you've got nothing on William H. Macy here...

A Film that is the true example of a Cult Classic.  It is silly, vibrant and a must-see!

Shudder Day: Horror Noire (2021)

 I love Horror Anthologies.

This is Black History Month.

I'm out of Tales from the Hood Films, so let's do this!

In "The lake,' a woman with a vaguely dark past moves into a new home with a titular lake next door.

She's warned about going in it, but will she listen?

In 'Brand of Evil,' a man must make a choice between profit and people.

When he gets paid, will everyone else suffer?!?

In 'Bride Before You,' a post-Reconstruction household is rocked by a secret that refuses to stay quiet behind the walls.

Will the truth come out while anyone of them is alive to tell it?

In 'Fugue State,' a man investigates a local Church while strange attacks are going on.

These two things are obviously related, but will they make the connection?

In 'Daddy,' a man who has recently married a woman with a young child of her own struggles to do his best.

Can he find the power he needs?

Lastly, we have 'Sundown.'

A bunch of Campaigners end up in a small Town that doesn't want them to stay after dark.

When they have to, what happens?

To find out, stream it now!

************

A fun, if uneven collection of Horror Shorts.

That's always the case with these, isn't it?  Unless it is ones by a singular team- like, say, Creepshow- there's bound to be a variety in quality and tone.

Some of them- like The Lake and Brand of Evil- have not so subtle Themes to discuss.

Others- like Fugue State- try to muddy things a bit.

Thankfully, we have some more simple ones- like Sundown- which just take a real concept- Sundown Towns- and put a good, Horror spin on them.

The ones that tried to be vague and, to be honest, a bit preachy, were not my favorites.
That said, none of them were outright bad or disgusting.

Hell, even ones that I was mixed on, like Fugue State, have their obvious upsides...

A bunch of Tales that will make you shriek and also make you think.  The best tales can do both...and many of these only do one OR the other.