story devices Archives - Page 2 of 3

Despicable Me 4 is Messy, But Fun

The Despicable Me and Minions movies deserve high praise for their blend of heartwarming storytelling, vibrant animation and infectious humor. Gru has an endearing transformation from villain to loving father and the mischievous antics of the Minions consistently deliver charm… Continue Reading →

Film Masters Gets a Hankering for Some Hicksploitation

What’s a couple of black-and-white stories involving a Lolita-style romance, a lustful farmhand, a vengeful farmer, a bayou moonshiner, a shady policeman, a small-town floozie and a gold-digging stripper all have in common? They’re the latest feature films included in… Continue Reading →

June 22, 2024

On Top of the World with the Emotions of Inside Out 2

The 2015 film, Inside Out, painted a vivid picture of the human experience while focusing on the emotions of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. It resonated deeply with my own life as a 46-year-old single dad caring for my… Continue Reading →

June 17, 2024

C. Thomas Howell Takes a Slow Ride

As a father, certain movies resonate deeply, often pulling me into their stories as I imagine myself in the scenes — especially ones that deal with kids and cancer. I can’t help but think about what I would do if… Continue Reading →

June 14, 2024

Star Wars Anoints a New Era with The Acolyte

Family bonds run tight throughout the Star Wars Universe, beginning with the Skywalkers within the Original Trilogy, later stretching into the prequel trilogy and the Solos and the Palpatines wrapping up the Sequel Trilogy. Those ties continue, possibly even stronger,… Continue Reading →

June 4, 2024

Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever is the Sequel No One Asked For

A bad movie simply doesn’t deserve a sequel. When a film fails to captivate its audience with a compelling story, engaging characters or even basic entertainment value, the idea of continuing its narrative feels more like a punishment than a… Continue Reading →

May 31, 2024

Pandemonium Offers a Glimpse Into Hell

Contemplating the mysteries of life after death evokes a profound curiosity within me, stirring questions that linger on the boundaries of human understanding. Do we swiftly journey to realms of heaven or hell, as some believe, our fate determined by… Continue Reading →

May 25, 2024

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines Should Have Stayed Buried

Pet Sematary, the iconic Stephen King novel that inspired both a 1989 film adaptation and a 2019 remake, explores the depths of human grief and the consequences of meddling with the boundary between life and death. While King’s novel remains… Continue Reading →

November 7, 2023

Eli Roth’s Urban Legend Harvests Familiar Terrors

The Travel Channel Takeover is nearly complete. Eli Roth has upped the quality of horror on the network during Ghostober and beyond with not only one program, not two series, but three TV shows for the spooky season… and then… Continue Reading →

November 26, 2022

Cobra Strikes Swiftly in G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout

Per Matt The G.I. Joe franchise has brought me a lot of joy throughout the years. Growing up, I first noticed the cartoon (along with The Transformers) airing weekday afternoons, once I returned home from school. The show sparked my… Continue Reading →

August 27, 2021

Geek Culture, Zombies... and Other Monsters

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