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Film reviews

Scream VI Review

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“Do you like scary movies?”  Scream (1996)

I do like “scary movies” and many cult classics. Do I like Scream VI? I am neutral on that question. Scream VI is a film where the franchise does not stop its nostalgic and repetitive trends terror. The scary phone calls still come when expected. There is a killing jump in the storyline.  I found this movie to be a blur as it is a continuation of Scream (technically Scream V, but they still call it Scream), with no big changes or shocking realizations. I do not think these films should continue since the original director Wes Craven is dead. Sadly, the originality is lacking given the new direction in Scream VI.

In Scream VI, the survivors from the last film are back. They have gone through trauma, seen  harsh killings, and now they must contend with new terror in Scream VI. Sam Carpenter (played by Melissa Barrera), Mindy Meeks-Martin (played by Jasmin Savoy Brown), Chad Meeks-Martin (played by Mason Gooding), Tara Carpenter (played by Jenna Ortega), Kirby Reed (played by Hayden Panettiere), and finally Gale Weathers (played by Courteney Cox) are all back for a new terror. The new faces in the realm of the killing trail are Ethan (played by Jack Champion), Quinn Bailey (played by Liana Liberato), Detective Bailey (played by Dermot Mulroney), Anika (played by Devyn Nekoda), Jason Carvey (played by Tony Revolori), Danny Brackett (played by Josh Segarra), and Laura Crane (played by Samara Weaving). With returning victims and new characters, the trails of Woodsboro and New York are chilling with deaths by the Ghostface killer once again. But how many of them are there? Scream VI dives into a storyline that tries to add more emphasis on the evolution from the previous films.

There is a considerable amount of boredom with Scream VI as it relies on constant repeats from the franchise. There is a great deal of extended violence, but is it exhilarating? Not to the extent I was anticipating. Without David Arquette as Dewey Riley, the momentum of Scream VI hits a plateau. The previous gems of this franchise which included giggles, shocks, and awes have become a downward spiral resulting in a deteriorating experience.

There are no chills and there are no entertaining realizations in part due to different directors. The plot all comes down to how a film like this sells rather than structuring the storyline. I am sorry, but with horror, there needs to be structure. Some may be excited by numerous kills or creepy moments, but there should be an established progression. I did not experience any rewarding concept in Scream VI.  While it keeps the momentum of twists and kills, believe me, they are not very surprising or worthwhile. There is no poetic approach, and I don’t know how anyone could view this film as revolutionary. Its continuity is as stale as Scream in 2022 which again was really Scream V causing much confusion for audiences in this mess of a franchise.

In all honesty, anyone can be the killer. The line up of characters is not serious and the kills seem to happen at any given moment. The good and bad characters also have secrets up their sleeves.  It is like the director only cares about shock and awe. The enthralling factors in Scream VI are way below my entertainment expectations for a horror experience.

As I elaborate on how this franchise’s continuation is annoying, I still have a small amount of appreciation for Scream VI. It is a horror film franchise that has continued over the years which is somewhat fascinating. It is always fun to learn that characters in films find serious situations to be a joke based on what they see in the movies. The film has a comedic thread and connection between the main characters who are eventually the next target of a killing spree. I do appreciate how the humorous aspect has truly grown as the franchise has evolved. I just hope that somehow  Scream VI becomes a relic, because this film fails to be successful at all with its attempt to deliver horror for its audience. One-half star for Scream VI.

Film reviews

Champions Review

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I am on the autism spectrum and I also advocate for others on the spectrum. Champions is about people with intellectual disabilities, and it is based on a true story, so I really loved it. It also takes place in Iowa, the state where my mom is from, which added to my enjoyment.

In Champions, a coach inspires a team of athletes with intellectual disabilities. The disabilities were confusing for the coach at first, but he turns out to be a great role model. And that is where Champions shines as an inspiration for people around the world who have intellectual disabilities.

The coach in Champions is a minor league basketball coach named Marcus, played by Woody Harrelson. Marcus has a harsh reputation, and his attitude gets him into trouble. After losing his coaching job he gets into a situation that lands him on probation and he’s required to do many hours of community service. To fulfill his obligation he starts coaching a basketball team of people with learning disabilities. In the beginning, Marcus is frustrated and feels that it is not for him. But he adjusts, and he begins to find his coaching jam again. With the help of Julio, a staff member from the school played by Cheech Marin, Marcus strives to be the coach he can be. With many players displaying different traits or routines, Marcus gradually begins to see himself as their role model, and that is one of the things I love about Champions. It shows that even someone who has fallen on hard times can help others go further in life.

Harrelson delivers a very heartfelt performance as Marcus in Champions. He learns to accept his players and how they feel about themselves. He also learns to understand how his errors means he needs to strive to improve as well. Marcus discovers that many of his players are higher functioning than he realized. One player knows many languages, another works in a restaurant, one delivers mail, and many have their own routines that they do daily. I was touched by this aspect of the film because I know that people with disabilities need assistance for some things, but they don’t necessarily need as much help as some people think. They may struggle in some areas, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t capable in other areas. It’s just that their sensitivities must be taken into consideration.

The overall message of Champions is that everyone is a winner, and that despair can turn into hope. The players on Marcus’s team became winners with Marcus’s help and inspiration. And although losing his job and being on probation was very hard for Marcus, he came to realize that although he may not be able to coach a big-league team, it wasn’t the end of the world, and coaching this team could be rewarding.

I have suffered due to my own errors, too. There was a time where I didn’t want to go to events or places with others on the spectrum. Over time though, my mentors and peers helped me find my voice. Now I thrive as a film critic, and I also strive to encourage others like myself to do what they can to live the fullest life possible. Champions reminded me that even something bad can turn into a good thing if you work hard and have the right attitude.

Champions is a wonderful experience and, again, I really loved it. It’s a film that will inspires those with disabilities and those on the spectrum, as well as people who don’t have those issues, to be winners. There is little bit of crude humor, but not much. The film has a positive outlook throughout, and its presentation is spellbinding. Three and a half stars for Champions.

Film reviews

Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre Review

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A heist involving a team of characters with egos results in a film that is a Guy Ritchie joyride. Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre stays in tune with its mission, and with an intriguing cast comes an adventure of grave danger and expected turmoil. Jason Statham is Orson Fortune, Aubrey Plaza is Sarah Fidel, Josh Hartnett is Danny Francesco, Cary Elwes is Nathan Jasmine, Bugzy Malone is JJ Davies, Hugh Grant is Greg Simmonds, and Eddie Marsan is Norman. This elite cast displays many “personalities”—each character with their own unique set of pros and cons.

The introduction of Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre begins by showing authority and critical decisions to be made. The chief in charge of the spy operations is Norman who tells Nathan Jasmine to begin recruiting a team to investigate and put a stop to a new weapons technology that is harmful to the world. The first person recruited is Orson Fortune, a spy at the top of his game who is high maintenance, but gets his jobs done. The second one recruited is Sarah Fidel, and she has a strange sense of humor, but a charming personality. Finally, there is JJ Davies, and he is the quietest, but most tech-savvy of the team. The mission to retrieve information about what deadly threats lie ahead is crucial. With the pieces the team puts together, they realize that a billionaire arms broker named Greg Simmonds is the key to much harm. With the level of protection Simmonds has around him, the team gets Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco to be their asset to gain access to the discreet business of Simmonds. Orson refers to himself as Danny’s manager, and due to that lie, their discreet operation poses a risk.

From the setup alone, Ritchie knows how to add class to his characters. Each person has attributes that benefit the mission. Orson is good at engaging in dangerous fun. Sarah is good at maintaining a misleading sense of humor. JJ and Nathan both excel with the technical sides of their duties. Finally, Danny uses his high-profile name and fame to gain closer access to what the team is looking for. Ritchie’s direction of each character with their many accomplishments adds personality that is a pleasure for his audience to tango with.

The seriousness, however, continues with some giggles here and there as the film stays on point with its mission. Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre is 007 with five people because it involves Statham playing the lead agent with lots of extra assistance. He is kind of like a Bond character, but with an extra number of Moneypenny assistants. Spy classiness at its finest in the eyes of Ritchie.

The film thrives in sporadic joyful moments while remaining serious. The film incorporates its various elements through intriguing characterizations. When the audience hears a song like Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head by B.J. Thomas in a film by Ritchie, they know it is a moment for humor, sarcasm, or surprising action. Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre brings its sarcastic characterizations to the fullest, while remaining a clever adventure. It is wild, twisted, and satirical.

With the film being full of all kinds of unexpected surprises which stay in tune with the different countries which are visited throughout the mission. From the United Kingdom to Turkey to Qatar, each of these locations provides interesting backdrops. However, each location could also be where the undercover operation might find itself “tainted” or on an unpleasant plateau. Despite the quirkiness in the characterizations, the cast is an A-list. The mission being pursued in the film has weak moments, but there are new realizations when that happens in Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre. Ritchie pans out his suspense, while humor and sarcasm fuel the suspicion, and the film never stops until its mission comes to an end. Three and a half stars.