Film Review: Oddity

Love is blind. This sentiment rings truer than ever in Oddity, when a blind, psychically-inclined curio shop owner seeks to find out the truth about her sister's death.

Part paranormal, psychological horror film, part mystery, Oddity combines a lot of classic horror ideas like a spooky house, creepy doll and psychiatric hospital. On paper, it's a cliche enough combo to make you roll your eyes, on screen it makes you cover them and scream. Oddly enough, it works.

The movie sets its tone right from the start when it opens with Dani (Carolyn Bracken) alone, or so she thinks, in an old house when she's interrupted by a knock on the door. Through a peephole she has an unnerving conversation with an unsettling looking man who tells her she's in terrible danger and demands to be let in. Damian McCarthy keeps us here long enough to get lost in the panic before immediately transitioning to a whimsical title screen that gives us the chance to laugh off the stress of the scene–a pattern that continues throughout the film.

After such a suspenseful opening, the film fast forwards a year leaving us in the most horrific place for someone to be–void of closure, wishing for answers. Darcy, Dani's sister, has been living in this place for a while when she arrives at Dani's widowed husband's home with a strange wooden man and an ambition for answers. As the pieces fall together, we're reminded that the real monsters walk among us.

With eerie visuals and perfect pacing, Oddity succeeds in scares, even eliciting screams from viewers where the scare itself isn't actually happening. The dialogue felt a bit off at time, but given the tension you're placed in for the entirety of the film, the potentially accidental comic relief is welcome. 

Film Review: Longlegs

Longlegs is the latest film to be added to the list of movies I've spoiled for my therapist. I wish she was more of a movie lover so that she would see things at a similar time as me, but if there's one thing I've learned from her it's that you can't change people, so as they say in Rugrats in Paris, c'est la vie! 

This is the story of psychic FBI agent Lee Harker, who is pulled onto a case that revolves around a series of murders that seem to be happening without the murderer ever being in the house. Fathers are killing families. Coded notes are found at the scene of the crimes. However, any source of unusual DNA is not found, leading Harker to begin brainstorming how this could be by reflecting on past popular cases leading to the line, "Manson had accomplices, he had family."

Family is a dark source of anxiety for Harker, a daughter of a single mom who relentlessly begs her to come home more adn asks if she says her prayers. As Harker begins to put together the pieces of the case, she's also forced to investigate her past.

When watched through a therapeutic lens, you start to see Oz Perkins weave a story of how it feels to come to terms with childhood trauma and how it's affected you. Disassociation and the acknowledgment of memories your brain pushed away to keep you safe parallels well for me with the doll who "told Harker where to look" so that she wouldn't be able to understand the evil happening around her. Her psychic abilities deriving from the devil dolls doubling as a hindrance in some ways and a superpower in others, much like hyper vigilance can be for those who needed it to survive when they were young. Despite what was or wasn't held in her present memory, it was there in her body, it kept the score. Her own family trying to ignore the bad and convince her it didn't happen because they can't handle it or their part in it themselves. We could wonder if Harker even became an FBI agent in the first place because she spent her whole childhood potentially wondering what was going on around her, trying to connect the dots on an absent father, a mother who is difficult to connect with and a God she's afraid to pray to who clearly doesn't save. This is the case of her life.

When watched through a horror movie lens, it's simply scary.

In the end, Harker's gun is unable to fire at the little girl's doll in the living room meaning she'll have to carry the effects of this with her, but she also won't be able to remember what surely would've been the worst day of her life. Maybe this is good, maybe Harker is protecting her. Or, maybe she's repeating the cycle of selfish saving? Or maybe, it's just the devil.

Film Review: The Fall Guy

There’s just something about a movie about making movies and whatever that something is, The Fall Guy has it all. Goofy, glamorous, gorgeous, it’s directed by David Leitch and written by Drew Pearce, but feels like it was given notes by the ghost of Billy Wilder. It’s able to reach its wildly fun heights due to the fact it’s taken so seriously, especially by Ryan Gosling. One near-death scene from him deserves a standing ovation on its own purely for the genuine fear that flashes across his face. It’s actually kind of life-affirming to watch someone else take give so much to something so silly.

In The Fall Guy, the jokes are fresh, the plot twists are tight and while we know what this movie is and how it has to end, we’re not totally sure what the road taking us there looks like. It’s familiar, but not predictable making it impossible not to stay locked in.

As you might expect, the stunt work is stand out. In a world filled with CGI, AI and deep fakes it’s refreshing to be reminded of just how insanely good, and honestly, better, art is when made entirely by human effort. There’s danger in doing stunts, but there’s also danger in “doing it in post” all of the time. Creating is hard work, and The Fall Guy puts that work from stunt people front and center. There can be no short cuts, they’re driven, as most artists are, by pure passion (clearly definitely not money or fame), and it’s exciting to get good look at everything that goes into pulling it off. Seeing a car fly from one hunk of land to another while we slouch in theatre seats and pause from picking popcorn kernels out of our molars to whisper “damn” is the stuff going to the movies is made of. It’s all part of the movie magic, and in this movie, it’s gloriously real. 

It’s the perfect combination of comedy, chemistry, action and mystery. To quote Taylor Swift (whose song is used perfectly in the film) quoting Gladiator, are you not entertained?

Pitches Night In!

This post was sponsored by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. However, all content and opinions are my own. :)

By now, you guys are probably pretty aware that my favorite thing to do on the weekends is simply to watch movies. Going out is fun and all, but it’s kinda hard to beat wrapping up in a blanket with a box of Chinese take-out and getting lost in a good film. Or, even more fun, having friends over to join you in all of that, which is exactly how my last weekend was spent. Grey and Nen are the two lovely humans you see here with me. They’re both awesome nerds and fans of the previous two Pitch Perfect films, so inviting them over for a pitches night in with the final installment of the series was kind of a no brainer. Yeahhhh, that’s right, the Bellas are back for one last call in Pitch Perfect 3. It’s now available to own on Blu-ray, and even includes new musical performances, gag reel, and extended scenes not seen in theatres. It’s super funny and filled with soooo many true to life female characters, which is always aca-awesome to see. Honestly, I’ve loved most everything that Elizabeth Banks has done, and Pitch Perfect 3 is certainly no exception. So yeah, if you’re looking to make some weekend plans that don’t involve yelling over loud music in a bar (like who reallyyyyy wants to be doing that?) then I totally suggest getting together all your BFF’s for a night in with this flick right here. Pop some popcorn. Make some Bella-inis (peach juice + champagne + fresh blueberries). And really, just be prepared to have a good time.

Walking in Memphis

Ask me "what've you been up to". Really, go ahead, ask me! Because, I finally have an answer other than work or "you know, the usual", and I'm so excited about it. A couple of weekends ago, Nicole (Instagram: @darlingindots) took a short trip to Memphis. Mostly, because Elvis. Anyway, it was seriously so much fun getting to see all the history that the city holds, snap some fun photos, sip milkshakes, and just hang out together in general since we don't get to very often! I'm going to run you through our trip day by day, and I know that this is all on a blog, but just pretend that it's a Kodak Carousel projection and I'm holding a clicker. Also, I want to mention that this trip was made possible, and better than we could've planned on our own thanks to Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Peabody Hotel, Graceland, Sun Records, and The Rock 'n Soul Museum. 

Where We Stayed:The Peabody Hotel

The Peabody is one of the most historical spots in all of Memphis. It's been around since the 1800's and is filled with stories. So many stories, that they actually have a historical tour you can take through it. However, what The Peabody is most famous for, is their ducks. Yeah, I said it, ducks. What started as a practical joke back in the 1930's has turned into a tradition they continue today. There are a group of literal lucky ducks that get to live there free of charge in their own "Duck Mansion". And every day, they march behind their Duckmaster, down to the lobby fountain where they swim until the late afternoon. It's suer adorable, and the place gets packed out daily by visitors coming to watch.

Nicole and I in our blue suede shoes holding a couple of Sun Record vinyls. We are SoOoO Memphis. 

Oh! And The Peabody has these really cute telephone booths, which I still believe should still be a thing everywhere even if we just use our cellphones in them. Or maybe for free wifi connection or something.

What We Did: 

1. Beale Street

Lucky for us, our hotel was just down the road from Beale Street, which is filled with bars, restaurants and live music. We walked down there several times during our trip for BBQ, milkshakes, and to visit the Lansky Brothers Store, which is famous for dressing Elvis.

2. Graceland:

Okay! This is what we came for! Elvis overload! I'm serious when I say we spent hours here, and probably could've just made a whole day of it if we'd had the time. We saw the entire house which is a midcentury lovers dreammmm. Each room is so different and unique in it's own way, that I was surprised by every one. I also learned that Elvis loved TV and in one room had 3 in row, and in another that we couldn't go in, we were told had a TV installed in the ceiling above the bed. It was seriously so cool to walk in the exact footsteps of Elvis and Priscilla and imagine what it must've been like back in the 50's and 60's. Also, at Graceland you get to tour soooo many exhibits. You get to see his cars (a pink Caddy!), clothes (jumpsuits on jumpsuits on jumpsuits), and even some home videos. Oh, another thing I loved was a theatre that is just playing all of Elvis' movies all the time. He made like 33, which still blows my mind. Our tour guide also told us that John Stamos is there like 6 times a year soooooo if any of ya'll happen to be Uncle Jesse fans, visit Graceland and there's a chance you could run into him. 

3. Sun Studio

Being a lover of past era's music and a collector of vinyls, Sun Studio was high on the list of things we needed to do. But besides all of that, I feel like it's a must do for anyone who is passing through. SO MANY PEOPLE GOT THEIR START HERE IT'S CRAZY. Not just Elvis, though you do get to hear his swoon worthy first recording. But also, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Barbara Pittman, and so many more. One of the coolest parts of the tour is getting to sing into the same microphone as all those greats!

4. The Arcade Restaurant 

Please, no one tell Waffle House I cheated on them. We ate here one morning and fell in love with the decor immediately. It's so retro. Like true retro. And that always melts my heart. I ate pancakes while Nicole had an omelet and I think we can both agree it was the best food we had all trip.

5. The National Civil Rights Museum

Sooooo, as you can see here, towards the end of the trip it snowed pretty unexpectedly.We braved some of the icy weather to visit the preservation of the place where MLK was shot. We actually were in Memphis for MLK day, so getting to be here during that time frame was certainly impactful. He was such a great man who set so much change in motion and I hope we never forget it. I also hope that we continue moving forward in the ways he would have wanted.

6. The Rock 'n Soul Museum

Just another place I would call a "must do"! I learned so much here about so many different artists and the evolution of blues and rock 'n roll. Pus, it's filled with a ton of cool jukeboxes, radios, and at one point, a bunch of Elvis movie posters which you can see me dancing around here...

Lastly, we had heard there was some good vintage shopping in Memphis, but due to the snow and the stores closing for the day we sadly didn't get a chance to visit. But, if you do, you should definitely let me know what they're like and what you find! Overall, I would 100000000% go back to Memphis. There was so much we just didn't have time to do, and so much that I would also do again. OH AND they have amazing hot chicken too! Now that I have said that I feel comfortable ending this post. Memphis, I <3 you!