Set in the vibrant yet gritty landscape of 1987 Oakland, Freaky Tales is an anthology film that blends nostalgia, chaos, and urban folklore into a genre-bending experience. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the film delivers four interconnected narratives—teen punks defending their turf against Nazi skinheads, a rap duo fighting for hip-hop immortality, a weary henchman on a quest for redemption, and an NBA All-Star seeking retribution. With its eclectic mix of action, humor, and heart, the film is as much a love letter to the Bay Area as it is a cinematic mixtape of underdog stories.
Read MoreIn the Lost Lands (2025)
The film’s visual style can best be described as 300 meets Mad Max, with a mix of heavy CGI, sweeping landscapes, and desaturated color palettes that give it an otherworldly feel. The wide shots look impressive, creating the illusion of a grand and immersive fantasy world. However, once the camera moves in for close-ups, the cracks begin to show.
Read MoreCaptain America: Brave New World (2025)
At this point in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, you’re either in for the long haul or you’ve checked out. Personally, I still get excited for these movies. That being said, I’ll be the first to admit that the series has been hit-and-miss since the last Avengers film.
Read MoreRegular Show: The Complete Series (2025)
For years, Regular Show has been a staple in my household. My son, Danger, and I have bonded over its hilarious, offbeat adventures, finding joy in both the moments we laugh at together and the ones we appreciate in our own ways. Now, with the release of Regular Show: The Complete Series on DVD, we get to relive those experiences all over again—this time with all 245 episodes, special features, and even the Regular Show movie included.
Read MoreThe Burden of Nine Lives (2024)
The Burden of Nine Lives, written and directed by Vega Montañez, is a gritty, character-driven journey into the heart of vengeance and survival. The story follows Jimmy Diaz, a man whose life spirals into a deadly quest for revenge after witnessing the brutal deaths of his two closest cousins in a black market deal gone wrong. Montañez skillfully explores Jimmy’s struggle as he grapples with haunting memories and faces off against formidable foes in the city’s underworld, all while battling the pull between revenge and redemption.
Read MoreStargate (1994) #RetroReview
Despite having a fairly large budget for its day, Roland Emmerich’s Stargate from 1994 never feels as big as it should. The script, co-written by Emmerich and frequent collaborator Dean Devlin, is also pretty straightforward and predictable. That being said, I’ve enjoyed revisiting it here and there over the years.
Read MoreOpportunity (2024)
Opportunity is a quirky, indie gem that brings humor, heart, and grit to the table in a uniquely entertaining way. Directed by Rusty Rehl, this film tells the story of Patrick Getty, a 30-something man living in his van, who dreams of owning a home but gets pulled into a chaotic world of crime by his reckless best friend, Donnie. Together, they face off against an unusual gang of Mormon gangsters, making for a wild, unexpected ride.
Read More3 from Hell (2019) #RetroReview
When I heard that Rob Zombie would be making a third film in the series that began with 2003’s House of 1000 Corpses and 2005’s The Devil’s Rejects, I was pretty surprised. Given that the ending of TDR felt pretty definitive for its characters, and in hindsight is an artistic highpoint for the writer/director, returning to that particular well all those years later seemed curious. With 3 From Hell celebrating its 5th anniversary on August 16th, I figured I’d take a look back.
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