Category Archives: Film reviews

Resident Evil Review


Terror strikes with madness when writer and director Zach Cregger tests the bounds of horror with new twists and allies. Resident Evil is compounded with sinister entertainment. At the same time, it has some witty kicks. The action plays out in scenes that are funny and creepy which is the perfect recipe for more surprises. A new era is born in Resident Evil. This time, the franchise is captured by a director who knows what he is doing.

My mind was spinning at first because the film begins in a hospital setting. It follows a medical courier who is working all hours of the night. The courier is Bryan, played by Austin Abrams. As he wraps up his shift, he’s given a new assignment.. He must deliver a package to a remote hospital. Getting to that hospital though is a challenge as evil dooms keep the chills coming throughout Bryan’s journey to deliver the package. He hits someone with his car who comes back to life. After that, he loses access to his car and soon realizes different types of creatures are following him

The atmospheric aspect of Cregger’s direction is heightened by the way he causes audiences to ask questions throughout the haunting ride. Why is Bryan going deep into the middle of nowhere? Why is there such a plague of monsters? Is he holding an item that may bring salvation to the crisis that he is facing? The evil monsters scurry in different directions, but Bryan is one man for himself. Abrams delivers one of his bravest performances. He went from the high-school nerd from Brad’s Status to the courier fighting his way through an apocalyptic masterpiece.

Sinners came to my mind while watching Resident Evil. The variety of moving parts coming together fuels the suspense in both films which Cregger directed. He continues to test the waters of what causes terror in particular environments. Sinnerstook place in evil territory with gangsters and supernatural elements. In Resident Evil, zombie creatures are mutating on a farm and in a corrupt city…Cregger creates amazing scares if audiences dare. 

I truly loved Resident Evil and kept wanting more. The suspense built around a package for medical purposes spoke to me. Since I have a sibling who works in the medical field, I kept thinking of a zombie scenario leading to a crisis. The outcome had many surreal surprises for me. Cregger’s vision is new, inspiring, daring, and scary. If audiences feel creeped out, then Cregger knows he has been successful in making this film bumpy and unforgettable. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Resident Evil.

The Uprising Review


Written and directed by Paul Greengrass, he dives with realism into the medieval era. Greengrass  directed the films in The Bourne series as well as films based on actual events ranging from United 93 to Captain Phillips. His writing is strong and surreal as it builds momentum as it delves into peril and corruption while oozing with vengeance. The Uprising brings the audience to England in the year of 1381, a time when there are unfair wages and taxes so living is not up to par. One peasant stops at nothing to find the light. Andrew Garfield plays the hero, Ploughman. He is the king of a rebellion who stands up against a young King with a disgusting ego.

The young King is King Richard II, played by Woody Norman. He is cynical and full of arrogance. Norman thrives in the role of the pompous King well and dazzles with the wrath of vengeance. Garfield’s Ploughman wants justice for the people in the rebellion. His friends John Ball (Jamie Dornan), Wat Tyler (Cosmo Jarvis), and Alyce (Thomasin McKenzie) stand with him. They travel through political tides and try to work out plans to get King Richard II to offer a form of freedom, but there are many hurdles and lots of lies. There is war waiting regardless of the outcome. Greengrass knows how to write about preparing for an attack and how to create the anticipation for his audience to know a battle is coming. 

The momentum for anarchy spiraled in a similar fashion to United 93. Both films have signs that there are elements which are not right, and that fighting must be taken into consideration. In United 93, it involves the passengers versus the ones who have taken over the aircraft. In The Uprising, it is the peasants fighting for peace and a better life. The Uprising is about an unforgettable alliance. Once a war begins, there is no going back.

What fuels the film is Norman’s two-faced performance. He plays a King who wants to appear benevolent while refusing to suppress the power-hungry demons within him. He also feels a need to impress the lady by his side, Countess (Katherine Waterston). As Ploughman continues down the path to help his people talk the King into better resources, Greengrass’s writing reminds viewers that there is the chance of blindsiding to come. Just when it seems like positivity might abound, there is ravaging violence. Betrayal has a wicked aftermath leading to a climax with a spellbinding redemption.

What makes The Uprising so dazzling is not only how the conflict is written, but the amount of counsel that surrounds the King. His team fills his mind with anticipation. He finds moments to try to convince the peasants he is destined to change lives, but his team reminds him otherwise. Greengrass is the master of spiraling personalities.. I found The Uprising to be one of the best medieval-era films of the year. Four out of four stars.

Practical Magic 2 Review


A sequel twenty-eight years later in which the magic goes up a couple of notches. There is more meaning and seriousness related to the powers and curses. Also, the lives of witches expand. Normalcy enters their lives, but there is still a curse. Directed By Susanne Bier, Practical Magic 2 is here. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back as Sally and Gillian Owens. Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing are back as Jet and Franny. The lives of the witches do not change much. There are still morals, ethics, and respectful matters. However, it does not stop karma from happening and the exhilarating level of honor lingers in Practical Magic 2.

The twist in Practical Magic 2 is that now Sally is a mom. Her daughters are Kylie and Antonia (Joey King and Maisie Williams). Sally tries to protect her daughters from magical spells.  However, Kylie is in love with a boy named Gideon, played by Xolo Mariduena. Gideon suffers an injury that could impact his life. This is Kylie’s first love and she realizes she is cursed like her mother and aunt were. Someone she loves is facing death and she is under an inevitable spell. Therefore, Kylie goes to London to solve the mystery of the spells. 

It is not long before Sally and Gillian open their doors to the witch world again. They follow Kylie to London and hope their powers can help make a difference. They find the assistance of another mentor of magic named Ian Wright, played by Lee Pace. Soon more magic comes along, and there may be a chance for Kylie to save the man she loves. However, given all the  disagreements related to the sisterhood dynamic—the shield keeps appearing and the performances of Bullock and Kidman take over the central conflict. While this works, it sometimes felt like it dominated the writing. The film still has scenes where there are enchanting themes but then there are times where the themes cross into sad territory.

The film has momentary flaws, again involving magic. Despite the nonsense, it is still an enjoyable sequel that is slightly better than the first film. More modern subject matter was woven into Practical Magic 2. Not too much, but enough to be worthy including spells cast in many different directions. Bullock, Kidman, and King are the witches representing three modes of awesomeness. They spice everything up and play up the sisterhood vibe until it boils with magic seeking good. The curse may come and go, but that does not stop elements of positivity from shining in  Practical Magic 2. The film has a faithful context of wonder yet the writing could have been improved. In the end, there are layers of happiness to be found in Practical Magic 2. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.