Blumhouse took over Halloween too! :O Bold move, but they did it well.

It's not directly a reboot either - in difference from the last time this franchise was brought back, but rather a follow-up to the original from exactly 40 years back. Ignoring Rob Zombie's trademark attempt a 2007, it instead breaths new life into the Michael Meyers myth by bringing the viewer into the asylum he's been housed in for a full lifetime following the dreadful first event, and all this time without speaking a single word.

They build up his image via the words of those around him, most strongly uttered by his previous doctor, who came to the conclusion that he was truly evil incarnate, and that there was no other choice but to kill him, and to destroy the body. His new doctor - one who has devoted pretty much his entire life to the study of this morbid man, who happens to look a bit like Einstein, has a whole other kind of interest in his patient...

The survivors from the original movie are there too, and of course it just so happens after this atmospheric introduction that Michael is about to get transferred to a new facility and... doesn't make it all the way. All of a sudden he's roaming the streets again, on Halloween, wielding his trademark mask. He has a knife. His adversaries have guns. But what does that do, really? He's Michael Meyers.

It's a pretty atmospheric movie! Not so scary as suspenseful, and a welcome new take on the original franchise. It brings it all back in a both familiar and respectable way. Not distorting things from the original. Not trying to modernize everything too much. It keeps it close and personal, and bloody. Some of the screams were a bit excessive, and some encounters a bit too basic, but overall it's got a good thing going. Blumhouse. Another work of horror under their belt done well. I'm hopeful about a sequel too.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald's plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, though he's unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

These movies really are something! Cinematic magic. True fantasy - albeit taking place in all the more darker and dystopian times - even with the refreshing change of scenery. The last one was in the US, and this time it's Paris: city of love.

Things don't always go as you expect them too, though. The last one might've ended with happy relations, but here they darken again, and all the people of the past are back once more - to victor or to perish - or lose someone they love, with one big twist for Dumbledore.

It feels like saying more about anything here might be a spoiler, but it was definitely one more fierce segment of the franchise! Great watch, and I'm looking forward to the next one already. I'm intrigued about that alchemist in particular. Hope we might learn his story next.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Now this is how you do special effects! Take note, Marvel.

It's another part of the Harry Potter franchise, and a new beginning, this time detailing how things went down before the great wars, both the World War and that Magic War they detail later on... or wait, was it just after?

Whichever the time it was the old times, the place was New York City, and the main character was Newt (played by Eddie Redmayne) - caretaker and savior of magical beasts... which the world of magic is still somewhat adverse to the need for preservation of.

It's an inspiring tale, with a little comedy and a little love and a little darkness and good and evil, just like the Harry Potter movies, but not with as youthful a focus.

If possible it felt even more magic this time around, and their choice of a main character certainly was a wise one! He's an oddball with charisma, this Newt dude.

I'm looking forward to where this new pentalogy will lead. Though some of it's familiar I'm impressed with the bits that aren't, both the acting and the effects, and the only one I was expecting more from was Colin Farrell.

Looking forward to wherever Newt's new adventures take us next.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

I really wasn't prepared for this one.

The son of a contract killer: a contract killer, has a change of heart. He goes to see a shrink, and meets a young woman in the waiting room whom he falls for, but he already has a wife and kid. He wants to stop killing, but his dad gives him a new job (IOW a person to kill)... and it's his shrink.

It might be a premise set for action, but it turns out to be mostly talk. A lot of existential stuff. Not so heavy; more slice of life stuff. The movie feels melancholy more than dark, and heartfelt in authenticity. It ends so simply, but it's not an all bad, and not all a good ending either...

But it was unexpectedly direct! And complicated... in a simple and easily understandable way. Props William H. Macy and Neve Campbell on really doing something special here. Well done. Donald Sutherland too.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Honor among Samurai? Yes. Bring me back to those days. Bring me back to when the world was vile and cruel... but honorable. When there was something to live for even when we had less. When people pledged their lives for loyalty. When life was beautiful and true... at least in the movies!

It's refreshingly pure, the female version of Zatoichi, and though there are bits where the blindness seems to come off, and the choreography isn't quite as polished, it did leave me feeling a lot more than with the former.

I miss the dance scenes and music but... this wasn't bad. The violence is just as classy, the script similar, and the main character looks better too.

Think I just might get into another Asian movie phase after this.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

When Ghost Shark returns to terrorize Auckland, Mayor Broody calls in an expert ghost shark hunter to protect the citizens and finally defeat the creature.

Yes indeed, it's another lousy Ghost Shark movie. Well the first one wasn't, but with a main actor you just can't take seriously, wholesomely bad filming, and what appears to just be a total lack of budget to boost the scenes - this one certainly is.

The darkness and parody... it just doesn't mix either. It has its moments, like the eye-darkening effect when people choke on a shark, and not bad actors, but generally just very low-budget filming that doesn't bring out anyone's true potential. Too few extras, a lack of authenticity and a crisis that just doesn't feel like it. That's what the sequel had to offer.

It entertained a little but... not worth the time.

 rated 1/5: shit shit shit