Tubi Thursday: The Final Level- Escaping Rancala

 As far as Reboots go, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was fine.

Since it made lots of money, they made a Sequel in 2019.
The Asylum made a rip-off that same year...

In 2012, a kid goes missing inside of a video game.

Oh, so this is just Tron?

10 years later, his Sister reopens the Arcade he disappeared inside of.

They activate a game called Rancala and see that he's apparently trapped inside.

They agree to enter the game, since he's listed as Player One and the game is seeking Players 2-4.

They appear on a Beach.

Despite two of them being Gamers, they somehow forget how Games work.

We also get an NPC like Rhys Darby, but worse.

Can they get a hang of things?

Could they have made her look more like Karen Gillan?

Asking for a Lawyer.

Many fights occur, complete with on-screen graphics.

If only they were really good.

They're...alright...I guess.

Remember how Bai Ling is Credited on the Cover?

She finally appears at 58 minutes in the Film.

They find her at the Final Level (oh, I get it!) and she helps them fight the Super Boss.

Can they win?
To find out, stream it now.

This sure...exists.

Positives- this is a bit more like Tron, at least with the Setup. 
How the Game works without it being semi-alive like in Jumanji though...is anyone's guess.

I can also appreciate focusing on an all-Female Cast in place of getting a guy who looks like The Rock or Kevin Hart.

With that said, the Action is pretty underwhelming, the Productions Values are minimal, the Acting is only so-so and they don't do much with the Setting.

We get a few teases of what Jumanji did, but that's it.

In exchange, we get a bunch of so-so Fights, melodrama and that's about it.  Maybe that's why they rebranded it for other releases...

She fights a tiny T-Rex once, so...

A pretty underwhelming Film that feels far more like Cosplay.  I'd love for someone to do something fun with this Theme...but this isn't it.

Is It Bad?: Jaws 3-D (1983)

 A Film that I just barely pre-date.  

The Film is a punchline.  It is just seen as a bad Film with an '80s Gimmick.

It is...

This one is infamous.

The Film was shot in 2-D, but has some 3-D Sections used to accentuate some key moments.

A Sequel to the previous Films, its only connection being two new guys playing the now-Adult Sons of Sheriff Brody.  

It was Directed by a guy who apparently worked on the previous Films- as an Art Director and Production Designed- and was (probably, but not really) the last guy to say 'Not it' when they said 'Who wants to Direct this Film?'

This is his only Directing Credit.

Thankfully, he worked on a pair of John Carpenter Films too.

According to Roy Scheider's Biographer, he said that 'they knew better than to ask' when it came to the 3rd Film.

Putting aside its history, let's find out if it is bad...

Pro: They set up a decent Story, with a new branch of SeaWorld getting targeted by a shark.

Con: SeaWorld.

Con: As noted, the connection is that Brody's Sons both end up at the park, with one working there and one visiting.

What are the odds of them both being there when this happens?  Can I count that high?

Pro: They really set the Scene nicely.  
Granted- this is just filler, as the Shark never *actually* attacks the Pyramid.

Con: Why set this up and not pay it off properly?

Pro: Lea Thompson.

Do I need to explain this one?

Pro: Another good setup comes in the form of SeaWorld's new Tunnel exhibits, which let you walk 'underwater.'

Con: Not much comes from this either.

The Shark attacks it, it floods and... that's it.
In a modern Film, it would swim through it- as a CGI abomination- eating people up.

Pro: Manimal's Simon MacCorkindale does a decent job as a guy brought in for publicity at the Park.

He's sort of the Film's Quint.

He also introduces Chekhov's Grenades in for the finale.

Con: His Arc isn't really that much, as he doesn't die heroically or learn a lesson.

I was expecting more.

Yes, from Jaws 3-D.  Shut up.

Pro: This Scene of him being swallowed by the Shark is actually kind of freaky.

A rare off-putting scare in this one.

Con: These poor Actors had to be slow-motion scared by the worst F/X shot in the Film.

A young Zack Snyder took note.

Con: FYI the Shark actually roars in this one too.  Right as it goes to attack Quaid and his lady the second time.

Pro: This shot of the 3-D Shark smashing through the glass is hilarious.

Con: It is also terrible.  I've only seen it in 2-D, but...come on.

Pro: A memorable (if silly) death for the shark.  It isn't the worst one.

Con: A tonally dissonant Ending shot with jumping dolphins that is somehow played as 'triumphant' after a bunch of people just died at the, well, teeth of a giant shark.

What Is Good?

There's the bones of a good Plot here as, no joke, Richard Matheson worked on it.  There's some decent tension with the Shark at times.

It can actually look good sometimes too.

The 3-D gimmick does make it more (but not well) remembered than Jaws 2.

What is Bad?

The mucked up Plot, which constantly sets up and doesn't properly pay off Characters/events.
The 3-D effects in the Finale.
The fact that so much is copy-pasted from Jaws.

The lack of proper connection to the Films.

Wasting a good Lea Thompson.

All of the Shark physics.

The fact that this Film features a legit-looking dead body and was somehow rated PG.

So...

Is It Bad?

Yes.

The Film has some good moments, to be fair.  It is just so silly and so disconnected from the other 2 Films.  When Jaws: The Revenge does a better job of world-building, you're hurting.

This still isn't the worst Shark Film I've seen, thanks to the glut of terrible ones in the last 20 years.

Plus, this Film and I 'debuted' at nearly the same time, so I have a weird sort-of connection to it.

A Film that is about as bad as you remember/heard.  It's more generic than it is silly- that's the next one.

My Crazy Youth: The Time(s) That Metamorpho and Guy Gardner were 'Brave' and 'Bold'

 As a Fan of DC Comics, I loved Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

I miss that Show.

Let me look at two notable Debuts in the wake of Superman (2025)

In 'Enter the Outsiders' (Season 1, Episode 6), Batman and Wildcat team up to bring some bad guys to justice.

In this case, it is The Outsiders- Metamorpho, Black Lightning and Katana- who are attacking Malls and other Businesses.

As it turns out, they are being manipulated by a bad guy in the Sewers named Slug.

They, of course, turn on him and join the side of Justice!

In the Comics, Batman famously forms a team called The Outsiders (who let him work without government oversight in the Justice League).

Other members included Geo-Force and Halo (appearing once in Episode 41).  Looker- a literal Vampire- was understandably NOT on the Show.

****

In 'The Eyes of Despero,' the titular Villain takes out what seems to be the entire Green Lantern Corps.

Hal's ring flies and pulls Batman to Oa to help out.

Here he teams up with G'nort, Sinestro and Guy Gardner (who were all in Holding at the time).

Naturally, they eventually stop the Villain.

Before that, however, they reenact the most famous Guy Gardner/Batman moment. 

Naturally.

Two very enjoyable, but also very different Episodes.

'Enter' is a more grounded Episode with a throughline Plot about Wildcat dealing with getting older and how Batman treats him.

'Eyes' is a space-based tale with Comedy, betrayal and a literal Planet-sized Green Lantern Corps Member!

The beauty of this Show is that Batman is the only connective tissue in each adventure, be it the Opening Segments or the Main Plots.  
He could be teaming up with Guy, Firestorm, Wonder Woman, Shazam or even B'wana/Freedom Beast.

As such, the Show managed to go three full Seasons and always keep things fresh.

Hell, my only gripe when I watch any Episode is one Credit that was legally required of them.

That said, I don't work for DC, so...

Two fun Episodes in a Show that was full of them.  Any more First Appearances worth highlighting?

Immediate Response: Superman (2025)

 After far too long of a delay, I got to see this before anything major was SPOILed.

Let's take a quick look at...

The Good

* The Film looks great, giving you bright colors, impressive visuals and everything you'd hope for in that department.

* The Plot is good.  It skips the stuff we all know and goes right into a different version of Superman and Luthor's first face-off.

* They seem to juggle the multiple Characters quite well.  Newcomers like Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner and Metamorpho get enough moments to make you want to see more.  The focus is still on Superman an company.

* Corenswet makes a great Superman, giving him more depth than you might think, while still being the beacon of hope that he needs to be.

* Krypto.  He's a good dog. He's also a bad dog (in a fun way).

* Michael Ian Black in a Blockbuster.  About time!

* The Film has more Easter Eggs than an Easter Bunny Farm!

The Bad

* A moment or two made me wonder whether or not Peacemaker is Canon anymore and that's a bit distracting.

* The Film has a few uses of 'shit' and some moments that aren't kid friendly.

* The Film briefly makes mention of the fact that Superman is an immigrant.  I'm sorry if that offends you.

* I do have to ask random Comic Book nerd questions (that will likely be answered later) like where is Hawkman if there is a Hawkwoman? 
Also, isn't she an Alien? 
Guy literally works for Aliens, but nobody seems to care- why?

DC makes a good Film that really needs to be celebrated.  Regardless of what happens next, this Film is great!

'90s Class: Gods and Monsters (1998)

 A Film about a famous Director- that's pure Oscar bait.  Is it good though?

Gods and Monsters is sort of a Biopic of Director James Whale...albeit mostly fictional.  The broad strokes are true, but this 1998 Film is actually based on a Book.

The Film follows Whale in his (literal) final days as he struggles with his declining mind and health.  Can a new person in his life be the spark that brings him back?

I mean, no.  Did you not read the previous sentence?

The Film actually won an Oscar, which is a rare thing on this Site!  Sadly, it also was not a hit in Theaters.

Before Ian McKellen was Magneto and Brendan Fraser fought a Mummy, they teamed up in this very different Film...

It is 1957.  Famous Director James Whale has been retired since 1941 and living his final years in retirement.

Notably Whale did not hide his sexuality, back when people very much lived in the closet.

As such, his 'open secret' is one that he can deploy at will.

However, his body is failing him.

He had a stroke (IRL it was in 1956) and it has been causing his old memories to overtake him.

In function, it is a creative way to include the Flashbacks.

He sets his eyes on his new Gardener- a man named Clayton (Brendan Fraser)- and says that he'll pay him to let him draw him.

All above board, of course.

His stroke is also causing him to see things, which can't be good.

I'm also not a Doctor, but is that how they work?

Whale continues to befriend Fraser and obviously has some sort of feelings for him.

That seeps into his dreams, where he begins to see himself as the Monster and Fraser as the Doctor.

Fraser eventually learns Whale's open secret and tries to be calm about it.

In the next drawing session, however, Whale really pushes him and they have a big argument, ending with him storming out angrily.

Fraser realizes that he overreacted and they reunite.  Whale takes him to a Garden Party to meet his former friends and gets depressed when he realizes that he and his contemporaries (like Elsa Lanchester and Boris Karloff) are seen as relics.

He makes Fraser sad and he agrees to pose nude for him.  Whale gets very aggressive and tries to incite Fraser into kill him, explaining that his mind is going and he wants to die!

He doesn't, so Whale drowns himself in his own pool the next morning.

In the aftermath, Fraser moves on and makes a family, showing off his one piece of memorabilia from Whale- a signed copy of his original Frankenstein Monster drawing.

The End.

A really good Film that is not that much like what I usually see.  Have I even done another Bill Condon Film here?

Well, yes, apparently, but not the ones you'd hope (Candyman 2, Twilight: Breaking Dawn 1 and 2).

Everyone does a really good job here.  Ian McKellen is obviously the Star attraction here and he really disappears into the role.

To his credit, Fraser does a great job reacting, which is arguably the hardest job as an Actor.  Redgrave also walks a fine line between being too dramatic and too silly.

Just know that this is a highly fictional version of Whale's final days, as it is an adaptation of a fictional account.  His real ending was less dramatic, but still tragic.

It was fun seeing them recreate the Bride of Frankenstein set/make-up.  They did a good job all around.

Do note that the Film can get pretty intense at times and does deal with subjects that some people- even 27 years later- are still shy about.

So long, Boris.

Next up, let me changes things up again.  I never gave the bad Jaws Sequels a proper review in 2009, so let's do it right!

Tubi Thursday: House of the Wolf Man (2009)

 I enjoy watching Old Movies, trying to relive Classics or just to enjoy the cheesiness on display.

While I'm in a Universal Horror mood (see tomorrow's Review), let me check out a new(er) Film that intentionally tries to look like an old one.

My history with those is very mixed, so here's hoping for the best...

A Castle.
A storm.

A creepy guy opening the door.

This is The Old Dark House, a different James Whale Film...but still Universal.

A bunch of strangers all invited by a Mr. Reinhart to come to his Estate.

The winner of some sort of contest will get it all.

The Master is played by Ron Chaney, the Grandson of Lon Chaney and son of (obviously) Lon Chaney Jr.

He's up to something, but we'll get to that...eventually.

After some watchful paintings, some banter and some foreshadowing, the most forthcoming of the group explains what she has figured out.

They are all related, each one sired by a man/monster that killed their Mother(s).

This isn't Universal Horror- this is The Howling V!

Kudos for the cheap looking Model Castle though.

It's only missing a great shot of lightning striking in front of it to be Universal.
Well, that or a Roger Corman Film.

The Film FINALLY gets to the point as the group has dinner with Reinhart after more foreshadowing (specifically about someone named Bella and the Frankenstein Family Crest).

Reinhart turns into a Wolfman (and obvious double) and kills most of the group.

He's stopped by...the Monster.

At least he looks cool.

Sure- why not throw him in with almost no setup or teasing?!?

I guess that 'Bella' mention is going to lead to Dracula showing up and...yeah, alright then.

Sadly, the Film just kind of ends shortly after that.  The End.

A Film that...I can't recommend that much, sadly.

A Movie like this can work.  Copy the look and feel, but make a new, interesting Film with it.

Barring that, make a good Comedy.

Here's a little secret- not every Universal Horror Film was created equal.  The Classics are considered that for a reason.  Some of the Sequels that are just alright are just old Films also made by Universal.

I wish that this was a good use of the look and feel, but that's really all there is to it.

The final Segment of the Film is fun, even if it does kind of break the Universal illusion with how the action plays out.  If the other 45 minutes or so were half this good, I'd be all over this one.

House of the Wolf Man is a well-meaning, but not that great Film.  It's also not above marketing to, ahem, a different demographic...

A Film that knows what it wants to look and feel like.  If only the same dedication went to making the Film interesting as it did to making it look grainy in black and white.

Shudder Day: The Taking of Debra Logan (2014)

 After watching that Documentary on Found Footage, I decided to give a few Films from that one a chance.

In this case, it is a much-lauded FF Film from 2014 that blends Story Genres...while still playing all of the hits.

A young woman decides to make her PhD Thesis on the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and how it affects people.

Sarah Logan- in need of money and help- gets her Mother Deborah to agree to the Documentary.

Notably, this one doesn't give us the 'Their Footage Was Found and they were Lost' kind of text.

As such, we can see stuff clearly added in post, like a B-Roll about how said Disease is so deadly.

For instance, it made this lady look like she just saw Samara crawl out of her TV.

This is either fake or someone consented to put this in a Film, so I'm good.

Due to how the Disease is affecting her, Deborah is alternately friendly and wary of the Crew (of 3 people).

Her behavior is unpredictable, but not dangerous...yet.

Since this is a 'Documentary,' we, of course, have to watch them set up Cameras.

That's a key part of every Documentary and not just an excuse for not at all subtle foreshadowing.

As the days go on, Deborah gets stranger and stranger.

Weird stuff happens to her and around her, but, you know, they don't call anyone but Doctors (when she hurts herself).

Windows that are nailed shut just fly open and the lady levitates on camera...but just keep shooting, gang!

Is Deborah going through the sad and often sudden slide from a brain disease/disorder OR is there more at play?

As they learn more about her past (and that of the area), questions are raised.

Is she...possessed?

Things get freakier and freakier.

Deborah seems to mutate and become quite violent.
Secrets about her family's past come to light.

Lots of running around and doing everything at night.

Can they figure out how to fix things or is it too late for everyone involved?

To find out, stream it now (also on Tubi, apparently).

A Film that is actually quite good, when it is not doing all of the usual cliches.

I'm not a fan of the 'Run Around in the Dark with just a Flashlight' bits in any of these Films.
It is a cheat.  A way to not show things.

I won't SPOIL the finale of the Film for you, but I will say that it would have been far less annoying to watch if it happened during the daytime.

So much happens in the dark when it doesn't need to (save for cutting the Budget down).

When you do get to see stuff, it is effective, creepy and usually quite good.

More of that please!

It is a tentative recommendation from me here.

The good stuff is really good.
The annoying stuff is...quite present throughout.

At this point, you're probably sick of me and my big mouth...

A Film that is genuinely upsetting and freaky throughout.  If they had just made this like a normal Film, I'm 100% on board.