Pet Sematary (2019) (Review)

Title: Pet Sematary
Directors:  Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer
Writer: Matt Greenberg (based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King)
Cast: Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow, Jeté Laurence, Hugo Lavoie, Lucas Lavoie
Min: 101
Year: 2019

Louis Creed (Jason Clarke), a doctor, and his family (wife Rachel, youngest son Gage, daughter Ellie, and her cat Church) move to Ludlow, Maine. They soon see a procession of masked kids taking a dead pet to the "Pet Sematary". They also meet their nice, old neighbor Jud Candrell (John Lithgow) who warns them that the woods are dangerous. The next day, Louis is left haunted by the death of a young man named Victor Pascow (Obessa Ahmed).

Oh Halloween, Jud shows Louis that Church is now roadkill having been hit by a truck. That night they bury it beyond the pet cemetery, which results, a little bit after, in Church coming back to life much to Louis' surprise. Jud lets him know that he did that cause he felt heartbroken for Ellie's (Jeté Laurence) loss. Even though those that comes back are turned bad, clearly evident by Church's nasty and aggressive, new behavior. But, when Ellie gets creamed by a truck, Louis buries her in that evil ground, despite the warnings by Jud. Soon she comes back, too, and to say she is no longer a nice, little girl would be a fucking understatement.

As you can tell, this adaption of one of Stephen King's best and darkest novels covers a lot of the same territory that Mary Lambart's 1989 movie already did. Save for the twist of having Ellie get hit instead of Gage. Now, I would say that this is an important twist, but the morons who cut the trailer decided to let you know this in advance. Making this be no longer a spoiler, that I care to acknowledge as one. It completes robs the movie of that moment of shock to anyone in the audience. But, this is just one of many problems that the film faces.

The aforementioned 1989 version is a good, albeit flawed movie, but after seeing this one I think much more highly of it. The parts of the film that cover the same territory are such a beat by beat rehash (with only the slightest of changes), that it feels boring and pointless this time around. In fact, I cared so little for this segment of the movie, that it took me three viewings of the screener to get through the film. Well, there is one upgrade that is made: Jason Clarke is a huge improvement over Dale Midkiff who was flat as fuck in the '89 version.

Now, after the whole Ellie gets smashed by a truck thing, the movie does become interesting. Suddenly, it takes a wild change and manages to catch my interest. The directing here by Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer is suspenseful and involving. The film suddenly feels fresh, and I actually began to give a fuck about what was happening.

And, then the ending comes... Whatever good had been accomplished by the movie is quickly thrown out the fucking window. It takes a turn for the rather cheap and dumb as fucking hell. This part didn't shock me, cause I kind of figured out where it was going. And, the fact that it did got that silly route, made me roll my eyes at this crap.

To its advantage, the acting from the cast is really good. I already discussed how much better at being Louis, Clarke is, but I think it is little Jeté Laurence who really steals the show. She is amazing in her role and makes for a great villain. John Lithgow is quite good and likable as Jud, though my heart will always prefer Fred Gwyne from the earlier version.

There is some violence, but ultimately it's Jud's death that is the best kill in the movie. And, the movie certainly looks nice. In its closing credits, it has a cover of the classic title track from the Ramones done here by Starcrasher. It's an OK version, but at that level is still better than this actual film.

The 2019 take on Pet Sematary is a really fucking pointless waste of your time. The acting is excellent though, especially from little Laurence. And, sure the last third of the movie takes some exciting risks, even if it is somewhat hampered by the twist being revealed in the trailer. But, even if that wasn't the case, what really undoes any of the good is the stupid as fucking hell ending. This flick will make you really appreciate that '89 version a whole lot more. As a matter of fact, just watch that again and let this shit get buried and rot away, cause sometimes not being made is better.

1.5 out of 4

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ADRIENNE BARBEAU, GIANCARLO ESPOSITO AND TOBIN BELL CAST IN CREEPSHOW ADAPTATION OF STEPHEN KING’s “GRAY MATTER”

Picture comes courtesy of Shudder

From the Shudder press release:

Showrunner Greg Nicotero Will Direct the Story for Series Premiere

April 3, 2019 — Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, today announced initial casting for its upcoming horror anthology series,Creepshow, based on the iconic 1982 film written by Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero. Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog), Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul), and Tobin Bell (Saw) will star in the Stephen King story “Gray Matter,” adapted by Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi (The Commuter) and directed by series showrunner Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead).

“I feel I’m in great company getting the opportunity to direct a story written by Steve,” said Nicotero. “Between Salem’s Lot, Pet Sematary and The Stand, I’ve always found his stories rich in relatable characters forced into supernatural situations beyond their control—the everyday person’s primal fears. To visualize ‘Gray Matter’ for Creepshow with the help of Adrienne, Giancarlo and Tobin was about as good as it gets for a horror fan from Pittsburgh!”

In “Gray Matter,” Doc and Chief, two old-timers in a small, dying town, brave a storm to check on Richie, an alcoholic single father, after encountering his terrified son at the local convenience store. The story, first published in 1973, is part of King’s best-selling 1978 collection, Night Shift.

For Barbeau, “Gray Matter” represents a return to the Creepshow franchise more than 25 years after her unforgettable portrayal of “Billie” in the 1982 segment, “The Crate.” Barbeau also serves as the host of the Shudder Original podcast, She Kills.

“I was thrilled when Greg asked me to join the Creepshow world once again,” said Barbeau. “And then working with Tobin and Giancarlo, with Greg as our director, well, that was the icing on the cake — no, not that cake. Oh, you know what I mean.”

The DNA of the original movie is firmly embedded in the new series: in addition to Barbeau and King’s return to the franchise, fans will recall that writer Joe Hill (who has also contributed a story this season) played comic-book-loving “Billy” in the film’s wrap-around segments. John Harrison, who was 1st Assistant Director on 1982’s Creepshow and composed its iconic theme, is back to direct several segments of the series. And executive producer Greg Nicotero visited the first film’s set as a teenager, and contributed make-up effects to its 1987 follow-up, Creepshow 2.

With “Gray Matter,” Shudder has confirmed eight of the twelve segments that will make up Creepshow’ s six-episode season. Previously announced segments include “By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain” by Joe Hill, “House of the Head” by Josh Malerman (Bird Box), “The Companion” by Joe R. Lansdale, Kasey Lansdale, & Keith Lansdale, “The Man in the Suitcase” by Christopher Buehlman, “All Hallows Eve” by Bruce Jones, “Night of the Paw” by John Esposito, and “Bad Wolf Down” by Rob Schrab. Additional titles and casting will be announced soon. The series is scheduled to wrap production later this week in Atlanta, GA.

Shudder’s Creepshow is produced by the Cartel with Monster Agency Productions, Taurus Entertainment, and Striker Entertainment: Stan Spry, Jeff Holland, and Eric Woods are executive producers for the Cartel; Greg Nicotero and Brian Witten are executive producers for Monster Agency Productions; Robert Dudelson, James Dudelson and Jordan Kizwani are executive producers for Taurus Entertainment; Russell Binder is executive producer and Marc Mostman co-executive producer for Striker Entertainment. Creepshow will premiere on Shudder later this year.

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ABOUT SHUDDER

AMC Networks’ SHUDDER is a premium streaming video service, super-serving fans of all degrees with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. SHUDDER’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, and Germany on most streaming devices for 4.99/month or 49.99/year. To experience SHUDDER commitment-free for 7 days, visit www.shudder.com.

ABOUT THE CARTEL

Founded in 2011 and run by partners Stan Spry, Jeff Holland, Evan Corday, Geoff Silverman, and Eric Woods, the Cartel is a feature film and television production, management, and financing company representing top-tier showrunners, show creators, writers, directors, producers and production companies in film, TV and new media. The Cartel has also been involved in more than 50 movie and television productions since inception, including the upcoming animated series “Twelve Forever” for Netflix, the upcoming unscripted series “Hunting Abroad” for A&E’s FYI, and previously production for the series “Ties That Bind” for Up TV, and “A Place in the Sun” for Discovery as well as several recent feature films, including “Switched for Christmas,” “Jeepers Creepers 3,” “Christmas Connection,” “Love at the Shore,” “Sun Sand and Romance,” “Love at First Glance,” and “Wrong Nanny,” to name a few. The Cartel recently signed a co-production deal with Reel One Entertainment to produce and co-finance 40 films over the next three years. In 2013, the Cartel purchased and renovated Tamarind Lithography Studios, which is their Los Angeles headquarters, as well as a full-service production and post-production complex. The Cartel also has offices in London, England and New York, NY. www.CartelHQ.com

ABOUT MONSTER AGENCY PRODUCTIONS

Monster Agency Productions is Greg Nicotero's production company run by Brian Witten. 

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Funko Pop! Movie Moments: "It" Pennywise in Gutter (Toy Review)

Movie Moments is the newest series from Funko's line of Pops. They depict classic scenes in movies, represented in the Funko Pop style and look. This review is for the Funko Pop Movie Moments It Pennywise in the Gutter. It is based on a now classic and famous scene from last year's phenomenal It, based on, of course, the Stephen King book of the same name. 

In this depicted scene, Georgie meets Pennywise who is in a gutter. This happens after Georgie has chased down his paper boat that his brother made for him. Pennywise talks to the kid, and then, ultimately, kills him. It is a great and chilling moment that is wonderfully captured in this amazing Pop figure.

It is a Hot Topic exclusive, albeit one that has already sold out of stores and online. Unless, they get new shipments, you will probably be paying $55 and up for it, as opposed to the $32 price at the store, itself. I was fortunate enough to get it at Hot Topic this past Sat, as it was literally flying off the shelves. In fact, I got the last one!

You can see the front packaging at the top of this review. I love that the bottom front of the design of the box has the little paper boat about to go down the gutter. The window allows you to see the figure from the sides and top, as well as the front.

Once you take out the figure out you will get a good look at the background, a beautiful painting of Pennywise and Georgie that was used in the movie's poster artwork.

The figure, itself, is amazing. One that can only be fully appreciated by taking him out of the box, I feel, as the detail is jaw-dropping. It is thick and sturdy and has some real weight to it. 

The colors on the pop really, well, pop, especially on Georgie's yellow raincoat and the blue rain water.

Georgie looks particularly adorable. He also has the only articulation on this toy, as you can move his head around. I also love the positioning on him, with one of his hands pressed on top of the wet ground.

Pennywise does not have any articulation, but then you can only see his head and, and as such, isn't necessary. With his large, light blue eyes he is the perfect mix of creepy and cute!

As I mentioned earlier, the detail is incredible. From the look and feel of the grass to the little ripples made by the falling rain, this piece is beautiful and cool to look at. 

The following pics you will be able to see the other sides of the figure.

In short, the Funko Pop Movie Moments It Pennywise in the Gutter is flawless. As a matter of fact, it may very well be, the greatest Pop ever made! If you collect Pops, and are into horror, Stephen King, and/ or It/ Pennywise, it is an absolute must have. But, if you missed it, you will have to be willing to pay the above mentioned second market price. If you are OK with this, or are lucky enough to find him at a Hot Topic, then get him immediately! 

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Funko- Toy Fair 2018, Part 1

Ahh, the Funko booth at Toy Fair, it always brings such joy to my life. As well, as knowledge that I will be bleeding my wallet dry in the days and weeks to come! There was so much awesome shit, that I had to break this article into two parts. Anyway, here are some of my favorite things that I saw this year, at it.

Let's start with some Game of Thrones Pops, all of which I need! These figures already out.

 The "Riverdale" (above) figures, exclusive to Hot Topic, are already out.

Sasha Banks is already out. I NEED Jake "The Snake" Roberts!

There is A LOT of Stranger Things stuff coming out! Fuck yeah!

For the DC fans:

For my fellow metalheads, the following Pops will surely rank among the coolest ever and must haves! They are, in fact. in my top toys that I saw in all of Toy Fair!

 "Shout at the Devil" era Motley Crue!

Alice Cooper!! Holy shit! This rules!!!

My fellow The Nightmare Before Christmas fans will love these!

Let's end this part with a look at the awesome It stuff that we will be getting. This batch should especially make you happy if you wanted to have the Losers club to go with all the variants of Pennywise (of which we are getting more) that we got last time. Stephen King fans rejoice!

To be continued! 

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The 10 Best Movies of 2017

Another year of great movies draws to a close. Making this list took a lot of redoing and re-configuring, cause there were so many awesome and wonderful movies that were released. Most kick ass of all was just how great a year for horror movies this was! I believe this is the year when the most amount of horror movies have made this list. And, while there were some good superhero movies only one made the top 10, while the latest Star Wars did not. In fact, that movie is not even getting an honorable mention (good movie but not great by stretch of the word). Anyway, without any more time being wasted here we go:

Honorable Mentions:
Return to Return of Nuke 'Em High AKA Vol. 2
Happy Death Day
Wonder Woman
War for the Planet of the Apes
The Void
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
John Wick Chapter 2


10. The Devil's Candy- Perhaps the most chilling horror movie of the year, this masterpiece of metal and terror further cements Sean Bryne as one of the new masters of the genre. My full review: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-devils-candy-review.html







9. Get Out- A smart and timely horror movie that is rightfully being hailed as a future classic. It racked a killing at the box office and earned much deserved critical acclaim. By adding the voice of writer/ director Jordan Peele, the genre earned itself the type of social commentary that hearkens back to the days of George Romero. The smart, contemporary, socially aware, and, at times funny, script is one of the best in the genre this year. The excellent acting from the whole cast manages to bring it all to excellent, cinematic life.





8. Raw- This smart and excellently acted horror flick is one of the year's finest foreign movies. It may not be as graphic as some other French horror movies, but it still manages to shock and, at times, repulse. The intelligent script produces a movie that is dramatically pleasing, eye raising, and, even a little sexy. In all, the finest European horror flick, in the last few years.




7. Better Watch Out- This horror flick turns the home invasion movie on its ears and the results are one of the best Christmas horror movies ever made. It also happens to have one of the best final girls of the year in the form of the lovely Olivia DeJonge playing Ashley. This is one I will be adding to my yearly holiday viewings, for sure!







6. Baby Driver- Fun, exciting, stylish, and, even romantic, this action flick is one of the coolest movies in many a moon. The plot moves along wonderfully and it is filled to the brim with great characters and the priceless interactions between them. Our hero is especially likable and the added babedom of Lily James and Eiza Gonzalez makes this one even nicer to look at. Edgar Wright's finest movie since Shaun of the Dead.






5. Logan- Calling something one of the best superhero movies of the year, at this point sounds like hyperboyle. But, in the case of Logan it is not. Smart, moving, and compelling, this violent and bloody take on the now old in age  Wolverine excites and gets the blood going. It is also prone to make you cry. With wonderful performances by Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart, this is the perfect ending to this version of the character.






4. Blade Runner 2049- Making a sequel to one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made is one hell of a task to take on. Thankfully, this movie very satisfyingly delivers on that front, giving us the one of the finest science fiction movies in the last few years. It is also the most beautiful movie released this year. It did not do well at the box office, but then, this movie never really was going to. Regardless, it is the film we Blade Runner fans have wanted for decades. In all, a true modern masterpiece.

3. The Shape of Water- Guillermo del Toro's beautiful, moving, and romantic monster/ love movie is the Creature from the Black Lagoon movie that we have always wanted to be made. Created with love and reverence and featuring flawless fx and acting, this is one his finest movies. A film that will surely get better with age, and that teaches us that the worst and scariest monster is man.

2. Gerald's Game- A masterfully acted and directed adaptation of one of my favorite Stephen King books that might be the greatest Netflix movie, ever. It is certainly one of the greatest King movies. My full review: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2017/10/gerald-game-review.html








1. It- It is one of the absolute best adaptations of a Stephen King book, ever, and as such, caused a killing at the box office. With plot and characters that hold your attention and grabs your fucking throat throughout, it is easy to see why. It is a near perfect film, one that will surely hold its place in horror classic cinema in the years to come. With some of the finest acting from a cast of kids ever, and an excellent villain in Bill Skarsgard's Pennywise, it has already given itself a piece in modern pop culture. I was blown away after seeing it and that feeling has not changed one fucking bit. With two Stephen King flicks holding the top and second spot, this is the year that King came back, baby!

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Gerald's Game (review)

Title: Gerald's Game
Director: Mike Flanagan
Writers: Jeff Howard and Mike Flanagan, based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King
Cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas, Carel Struyken, Kate Siegel, Chaira Aurelia
Min: 103
Year: 2017

Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) and his beautiful wife, Jessie (Carla Gugino), try to save their flattering marriage by spending time at a remote vacation home. He handcuffs her to the bed, and begins a sex with her. It quickly segues into a rape fantasy. She is, understandably, uncomfortable and turned off , by this. This leads them to having an argument. He, soon, suffers a heart-attack and dies. She kicks off of her, and he lays lifeless on the floor. Thing is now, she is cuffed to the bed, unable to break free.

Making matters worse, is a hungry, stray dog that has come in and lays on the floor, in the same bedroom. As her mind begins to fracture; haunting, deeply scarring, and horrific memories of her dad come to her. Which are further augmented by visions of a terrifying figure that comes and goes, in front of her.

Gerald's Game is a brilliant adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name. I read the book many years ago in high school, and it immediately became one of my favorite novels of all time. I long wondered if they would ever make into a film. I wanted to see it happen, but I often feared if it ever got made they would fuck it up. I am happy to say that co-writer/ director Mike Flanagan has more delivered the goods. In fact, this one of the finest King movies ever made!

The film, itself, takes a smart approach to adopting a book that is heavy on being inside a character's head, and while having little action is undeniably intense. The result ing movie is a faithful adaptation that is truly frightening and is filled with white knuckle intensity.

Flanagan keeps upping the intensity and makes it all truly terrifying, in what is the most intense King movie since Cujo. It also manages to be very unnerving and disturbing. The theme of rape and abuse is a terrifying and lies in the undercurrent and in full visibility. The horrors of child abuse, representated in what is perhaps the most disturbing and chilling aspect of the book, is bought to life in a truly haunting flashback.

There is some violence and gore but not a lot. Up and until, one moment that is. This scene was hard for even me, to watch, and I consider myself a very hardcore fan. It is perfectly setup and realistically and delivers the stomach churning goods. You will know what scene it is when you see it!

In a piece like this acting is extremely important. And, it delivers in spades. Bruce Greenwood is excellent as a husband whose creep and control factor bubbles to the surface. The supporting cast is also flawless. But, it is Carla Gugino who delivers on all cylinders. I have been a fan of hers forever. Many times, she had been in sexpot roles, but here she proves she more than just that. This is not just her best performance, that I recall, but one of the finest in modern horror, period.

Gerald's Game is a masterpiece. It is scary and incredibly and unmercifully intense. Smart and with one of the finest female characters in recent horror history,  she's portrayed by Gugino in way, that is deserving of much adulation, as well as awards. It is hard for me to tell you if it is better than the other great horror movie of the year (which also happens to be based on a King book), It. But, it may very well be. With movies like Oculus and Hush, Flanagan already made solid horror films. However, it is with Gerald's Game that he has truly joined the rack of the masters of horror. A Netflix exclusive, Gerald's Game just started streaming there this past weekend. Do not miss it, under any circumstance!

4 out of 4

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