Shudder Sunday Double-Feature: The Lair (2022) and Boar (2017)

 No Shudder stuff last Sunday on account of Holiday, so let's make up for it with the Film I watched around then and a bonus Film.

Two newer Films, so less to discuss without SPOILERS.

Let's dive right in...

A British Pilot is shot down over Afghanistan and has to flee.

Unfortunately, the only sanctuary is an abandoned Russian Bunker.

The insurgents- does that term still apply?- follow her in.

Things look bleak, before, well, they look even more bleak for both sides!

While she manages to get out of there (the Film would only be 30 minutes long if she didn't), she will of course have to go back once the scope of the danger is discovered.

Can she and her fellow fighters save the day?

A fun Creature Feature, but also one with a bit of nuance to it.  While his output has been mixed, Director Neil Marshall has lots of experience with this kind of Film.  After all, he made it big with Soldiers vs. Werewolves.

So, him and the rest of the people involved managed to get more out of this than you might think.  Everyone has an Arc, motivation and pay-off.  Not all of them are great, but they are all there.

The big appeal here is the Creatures, which I made sure not to SPOIL for you.  They are what you'd expect from Marshall, using freaky Practical Effects as much as possible.  They aren't the most unique things in the world, but I liked them quite a bit.

The Lair sounds pretty generic- especially with that Title!- but it still delivers lots of what you'd hope for, while adding a little bit of depth and pathos.

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

In Australia, a large Boar is on the loose and he's hungry.

You probably guessed that from the Title, right?

Can a family visiting for vacation be the ones to stop it?

How about the many Australian Character Actors?
Maybe the guy from Wolf Creek?

Nope- it's clearly Nathan Jones' job.  He's undefeated at WrestleMania, you know.

To find out, stream the Film.

Another fun creature feature, even if the Pacing is all sorts of weird.  For instance, our Leads appear pretty early in the Film (the first fifteen minutes).  After their one Scene, they vanish for *checks watch* 40 minutes?!?

That said, I enjoyed the Practical Effects quite a bit.  Early on, they tease it like Jaws (or Razorback).  As time goes on, they show more of it and it looks like a big, bloody Boar.  Good job.

This is even less about Plot than The Lair and much more about setting up people to be killed by the Boar.  Sometimes not even that, as we randomly meet Australian Kevin James and his girlfriend...just in time for them to be killed.  Good enough.

If you're not expecting more than Boar kills people, this is a winner!  If you want more, well, it's a Film about a Boar that is named Boar.  What did you expect?

Tubi Thursday: Mazes & Monsters (1982)

 After seeing a D&D Film that didn't suck, it's worth going back to seeing a hit piece on the game made before I was born.

Is it as bad as I thought?

The Film begins In Media Res with people searching for a missing Student in a Cave.

The Reporter blatantly editorializes about M&M (do I need to explain?) being 'a psycho drama' and an 'outlet for sad kids.'  Classy.

The Film's story ACTUALLY begins with us meeting 4 Students arriving for College, getting a taste of their melodrama.

Of course, the main draw is Robbie...

He is transferring in because he was 'too into M&M' at the expense of his Schoolwork.

Our Heroes, of course, don't know this and entice him to join their game.

He does it for the girl, but this guy has *all* of the hats.

The MC (Maze Commander) is depressed and wants to kill himself.

When he finds a cave, he does the less bleak thing- kill his Character off.

He takes the game to a new level- playing in a Cave.

What could go wrong?

Robbie- who was already messed up from past experiences, including his brother running away from home- freaks out and starts to think of himself as his Character.

This makes him act weird- mostly offscreen- and do things like give his money away and break up with his girlfriend/fellow player (to be chaste).

He is obsessed with finding 'The Great Hall' and runs off.

* Kudos to the Guy who put this Poster together, to be fair. *

That leads to the Cold Open...only he's not in the Cave.  Yep, that was a complete waste AND we saw the Scene twice!

He runs off to NYC- subconsciously, he's looking for his brother.

While there, he defeats a Monster...which means actually stabbing this Mugger (whom he sees as a Monster).

Hi, Kevin Peter Hall.

They really drag things out here- gotta hit 2 hours with commercials for that TV Movie spot- but the group finally finds him atop one of 'The Two Towers.'  This is 1982, so you know where that is.

The irony, of course, is that some people called on the Lord of the Rings Producers to retitle the 2nd Film since it was 'referencing the building.'  
It was not and they didn't.

They tease a Happy Ending where they meet up with Robbie...but he's had a full break and thinks that he's his D&D...I mean M&M Character.

One last bit of melodrama.  Sigh.  The End.

This is not great.  Even for propaganda, it's not that great.

The Film is very heavy-handed at the beginning with that Reporter, but then tries to tell a semi-nuanced tale of Robbie's mindset leading to his break from reality.  Mind you, it's a TV Movie and Hanks isn't that great of an Actor yet, so it doesn't work too well.

The big issue is all of the filler.  So much time is spent of nothing much important and Scenes just get dragged out.  On top of that, the accidental hilarity of them running around in the Cave in their hand-made outfits is pretty minimal.

If you're going into this for ironic viewing, you won't get as much out of it as you'd expect.  It's really just lots of melodrama, punctuated by a VERY over-the-top Soundtrack with try-hard Songs trying to dictate the emotions of the Scene.

This, by the way, is built on obviously false reporting of a real incident in 1979, which was covered properly in a 1984 Book called The Dungeon Master.  It was just an excuse to blame D&D for a sad event and nothing more.

Speaking of Dungeons, check out this REAL bit of box art that was made for the Film when it was dumped onto DVD to exploit the release of The Da Vinci Code.

* Zero props to this Graphic Designer *

FYI the version on Tubi atm is NOT the HD Remaster.  It's still a bad Movie, but it would be nice to see it in HD, at least.

Fiction vs. Fiction (vs. Fiction!)- The 3 Versions of Red Dragon

 After seeing both Films and reading up on the Book, it's only fitting to do a full comparison.

It would only be a normal version of this Segment, but things were added for the 2002 Film, so it is...

**VS**

**VS**

What's the Same?

The basic Plot doesn't change between the three versions.  

It is still about Will Graham working briefly with Lecter to try and catch the Tooth Fairy.

His motivations are the same and he's ultimately killed.

What's Different?

In the Book and the 2002 Film, we read/see him capture Lecter.  However, in 2002's Red Dragon, he says that it is due to DNA evidence...which was not a plausible thing in 1980 when the Scene is set.

In Manhunter, we just are told (by Lecter) that he caught him.

In all 3 versions, Lecter uses trickery to get Graham's address and give it to the Tooth Fairy.  In Manhunter, that doesn't pay off like in the other 2 versions, as he just stops Dollarhyde before that could mean anything.

In all 3 versions, there's a Scene with Dollarhyde letting his blind girlfriend touch a knocked-out Tiger.  However, in the Book, she touches the animal in a more...intimate way, for some less than subtle foreshadowing of what would happen with her and the killer.
Both Film versions understandably cut that, at least implicitly.  The 2002 Film does keep the bit that relates to that moment though, so...weird.

In both Red Dragons, Dollarhyde does an elaborate trickery to fake his death, wait a week (give or take) and try to kill Graham at home.

Also excised from Manhunter is an odd Scene where Dollarhyde goes to see the real 'Red Dragon' painting, attacks the staff and EATS IT.
I can see why Mann cut it.

In 2002's Red Dragon, Lecter appears WAY more than he does in either version.  He has multiple meetings with Graham and we see more of Dr. Chilton as well, since they were doing retroactive world-building here.

In the final battle in the Book and Manhunter (despite location changes), Graham is beaten up quite a bit.  He doesn't quite get the graphic face wound from the Book though.
In 2002's Red Dragon, he's beaten up a bit, but no face wound.

Final Thoughts

While I haven't read the Book, so I'm not going to recommend it (yet).  If I go back and read it, I'll Edit this.

Manhunter is a fun, stylish Film that I absolutely recommend.
Red Dragon (2002) is good, but weirdly paced and bizarre.

For me, the better Film is Manhunter.
Fight me.

(Almost) Immediate Response: Dungeons and Dragons- Honor Among Thieves (2023)

 I went to see this one on Easter.
Seemed appropriate.

I then got busy on Monday and forgot to write this up.
Oops.

The Good

* The Film has a great Cast of Characters.  You get cocky folks, serious folks, mean folks and straight up evil folks.  The Paladin is on point too, being super serious and unwavering.

* The Plot is pretty simple in theory, but does play with conventions a bit.  Nothing quite plays out as simply as you would expect.

* Credit where credit is due- they could have made a straight, but boring D&D Adventure led by a Paladin and a bunch of brave adventures finding Object X.  Instead, they had it led by a sneaky Bard and did things differently.

* They make sure to namedrop as many D&D locales as you could hope fur and show off many of the great Bestiary finds.

* The Story has more depth than you might expect, as well.  Characters are 3-Dimensional in personality and everyone has a nice, little Arc.

The Bad

* The big compliment given to this one is that it is compared to the original 'Guardians of the Galaxy.'  That is true to a fault, to be fair.  It is not a direct copycat, but you can't unsee it once you read it.

* All of the namedropping of places will probably ring hollow to non-fans.  It's a little thing, mind you.

* As fun as the Film is, they never quite break new ground and it is as CGI heavy as the cliche of Hollywood Blockbusters.

* The Creators of D&D- Gary Gygax and Dave Ameson- are not credited here.  Boo.

In summary, the Film is a real fun time for non-D&D fans and a richer one for fans.  I don't know how much I'll think of it in, say, 10 years, but it was good.

'00s Class?: Red Dragon (2002)

 There's no property that can't be mined for more gold like it is the Old West!  In this case, it is Red Dragon, the 1981 Book written by Thomas Harris.

In case you somehow don't know, Dragon came out in 1981 and was made into a Film called Manhunter.  In 1988, Harris wrote Silence of the Lambs and that became a Film in 1991.  In 1999, Harris wrote Hannibal and it too became a Film in 2001.

Dino De Laurentiis said 'Let's make Red Dragon again...because money.'  I'm paraphrasing, of course.

Will this (definitely) final Film about Hannibal Lecter be the best?  Is it too much too late?

To find out, read on...

In 1980, Hannibal Lecter is confronted by Will Graham and stabs him, only to stabbed by a bunch of arrows (don't leave those lying around) and gets shot.

In the Book, this happens in 1975.  Obviously, sliding time scale here.

That said, do you buy that 2002 Anthony Hopkins is A DECADE younger here than he was in Silence?

The opening credits proceed to tell us- Tell Don't Show- a whole bunch of things that we'd kind of like to see, like Lecter's Trial, Graham's recovery and even the bit where the rich lady faints in court.

Sure- why not?

At least this lazy exposition dump is also The Tooth Fairy's Diary, so that's...something.

Graham is, of course, called in to try and figure out who the killer is.

Curiously, his Boss is the same one that later recruits Clarice Starling in Silence, but he's not played by Scott Glenn here.  I guess he said 'no.'

In an odd little change, we don't see The Tooth Fairy/Dollarhyde until nearly FORTY FIVE MINUTES into the Film, in stark contrast to an early first appearance in Manhunter.

This version wears fake teeth, which should be a Plot Point...but never comes up.

Understandably, they change the Prison- which was in an Atlanta Art Museum in Manhunter- to look like the one in Silence.

They even got the original Dr. Chilton Actor to come back and it sure is seamless.

***He's definitely the same age here as he was then***

Don't worry- the Blind Lady Pets the Tiger Scene is still here.

To this Film's credit, it's set up better (as her company makes the bulbs that the Zoo uses).

On the flip side, they weren't allowed to actually use a knocked-out/drugged Tiger in 2002, so they just have a Hollywood-trained Tiger play asleep here.

So while Lecter is a minor character in Manhunter, he pops out in at least 4 lengthy Scenes that are spattered throughout the Film.

Do they add anything?  
Not much.

***Again, this 2002 Lecter is definitely younger than the one below***

This one takes an odd turn, at least if you only know Manhunter.

In both Films, he kills a romantic rival of his would-be love.
In this Film, however, he follows that up by SETTING HER HOUSE ON FIRE and killing himself with a shotgun!

...except he didn't do that last part.

He actually shot the already dead guy- feel free to picture the logistics of him dragging the body in, doing his big monologue, stopping to prop up the body and then shoot it- to do his master plan.

Show up at Will Graham's House- since Lecter gave him the address- and try to make him the *real* next victim.

Of course, he wasn't there to see this Film's Chekhov's Gun in the form of Graham teaching his wife to shoot in one Scene earlier.

As such, he's unprepared for her to straight up shoot him, saving the day.

Graham and company go out on their boat some time later and the Film ends with...

F**k you, Movie!

Ahem.  Sorry about that.  I just had to get that one out.

**********

The Film is good, but not great.  Did the Series peak with Silence?  Yes, obviously.

They tried to capture lightning in a bottle again by literally hiring the Screenwriter of Silence AND its Cinematographer to boot.  They also, as noted, got a few Actors to return to make the connection.

How does the Film work on its own merits?  Well, it is really weird pacing-wise as we spend so much time hearing about what the killer might do and think before seeing him far later than you might think.

People talk about how Batman and The Joker don't actually meet until long into The Dark Knight.  Now just imagine if we only ever saw the aftermath of his crimes- like the robbery- for over forty-minutes of screen time.

That's not to say that Fiennes isn't good here.  While I never buy that he has this massive presence (he's still called a body builder), he's good at playing what this Film (and the Book) think an insane serial killer would be.  He's a bit melodramatic, but, again, it is what the Film wants.

I'll say this- setting this in the '80s (for the timeline) doesn't excuse them STILL using the 'calling him gay to provoke him' Plot Point in 2002.  You couldn't re-word it?  Calling him impotent isn't enough? 

My only real gripe here is how much they lean on Lecter at the expense of everyone else.  You didn't have 'the balls' to adapt the Story straight?  Oh well.

Red Dragon is good, but it could be so much better.  It is a Brett Ratner Film, so...that's probably it.  At least the tattoo finally got on-screen this time!

Next time, I keep this theme going by looking at the *actual* last Hannibal Film (until the ineviatable Remake).  Is this one worth a bite?  Stay tuned...

Tubi Thursday: Underground Monster (2022)

 Another trip to China and their seemingly endless supply of Syfy Channel-style Films.

This time, it is less of a rip off and more of a...

In the Cold Open, a company accidentally blow a hole into a cave full of trash.

Also inside is the titular monster, who seems to go on a rampage as the hole is sealed...for now.

We meet a junk-collecting Dad as the Title appears...as 'Underground Monstrer.'  
Oops.

He ends up with the creature's egg- Monster Movie Cliche #273- and it attacks the house- after plenty of melodrama to pad out the runtime.

Oddly, they stay in the House...and it attacks again, this time taking the son.

The parents- who are divorced- must team up with the Grandfather- aka Old Drunkard- and two Monster Hunters, one of whom has a past with the Grandpa.

Have I mention that this Film is chock full of melodrama yet?

Meanwhile, the kid learns that the titular monster may not be so evil after all.

Mind you, it still makes Marvel's Mojo look like a Supermodel...but still.

Can the family get their kid back?

Can other people get to the creature for revenge?

Will the fact that they keep showing CGI Spiders and Butterflies ever pay off?

To find out, stream the Film now.

It's alright, but it is certainly all over the place!

As noted, the Film is FULL of melodrama, be it about family, health, danger or even a sudden turn to Environmentalism at the end.  It's not a SPOILER, so relax.

The big draw here is the Monster, right?  It's honestly pretty creative.

The CGI can get a bit spotty at times- mostly the tentacles that never match the lighting- but I can't fault the design as a whole.

The Plot is pretty sparse, even stalling the main Heroes so long that they have a character complain about 'taking too long to act.'  I'm going to pretend that is META, at least.

Speaking of META (I think), they actually reference the Snow Monster, so that's random and neat...I think.

This one is clearly more creative than last week's copy-pasted Film and has more of a pay-off than the one about 'killer bees.'  It's the longest one as well, actually *almost* hitting 90 minutes.  

It's better than 70, so take what you can get.

It's not the most fun of them, but it definitely is one where the put in the wrong, even if it was in odd places.

As noted, tons of melodrama slow this one.  When it actually is about the Monster, however, it's actually kind of alright (high praise for these Films).

Shudder Sunday: Train to Busan Presents Peninsula (2020)

 After a break-out, international hit, what do you do?

The answer is another Movie or two...and then a Sequel, at least in this case.

To see what's new here, read on...

In our Intro, we see what it was like as South Korea was evacuated and, eventually, locked off from the rest of the world.

Our Hero tries to save his Sister and her Family...but, as you can see, things get complicated.

In the Present, him and other refugees don't live a great life in nearby China, as they are seen as outsiders (which they are) and carriers of the plague (which they are not).

Just to note: this one was supposed to come out Theatrically in 2020, so all of this stuff about a virus is just super awkward.

Four of them, including our Hero and the Brother in Law, go back to South Korea to retrieve some money left behind.

In the 4 years since, things have been really bad there.

The Zombies fill up the land, making simple traversal very dangerous.

As you can imagine, things go very poorly there as well and the survivors are separated.

One finds friendly survivors- with a surprising link to him...

...while the other finds some of the less-friendly ones living in the Peninsula (hey, that's the Title!).

They are just the worst.

Can the pair reunite?
Can they find redemption for their past?
Can they save themselves?

To find out, stream the Film (exclusively on Shudder) now.

A good Film, but it sure is different.  If you want to see more of the same as Busan, you don't quite get that here.  I'm sorry?

The Film- like the Resident Evil Games for a while- pivots allot more to Action.  Unlike, for instance, RE6, I don't think that this is a mistake.  Is it different?  Again- yes.

The Film is oddly both bigger and smaller in scale.  Without being stuck on or around the Train, they have more to expand things.  That said, the Budget seems to be a bit of a restriction for them, as they have lots of CG backgrounds and other Green/Blue Screen work to make things look big.

Is it a coincidence that this Film is a Heist Film involving going into a city full of Undead just like Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead?  Yes, yes, it is.  Spare me, Snyder Bros.

Peninsula is a big pivot, but I think it works.  If you like/can stand all of the CG- especially in the Third Act with all of the Car Stunts- and don't mind how it kind of turns into Mad Max, I highly recommend the Film.

The Film still has what you expect- just with something more.  You guys might want to clean up...

A good, but quite different Sequel.  Admittedly, it is hard to match up to Busan, so make of that what you will.