Movie Review: Cold Storage

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

This sci-fi horror flick is pure B movie fun. 

In this film, two young security guards (Georgina Campbell, Joe Keery) at a storage facility find themselves in over their heads as they witness a dangerous fungus that turns people (and animals) into zombie-like creatures until they throw up a lot and explode from the inside. Assistance comes in the form of an old Army scientist (Liam Neeson) who has dealt with this fungus before. 

Yes, the story is pretty corny and silly, but the filmmakers are completely aware of this. This is no attempt to make this into the type of horror movie that tries to make the supernatural horror feel like it could really happen to us. Instead, the filmmakers embrace the over-the-top nature of the story. The result is a film that is simply a joy to watch. The gross-out moments and the gore are so over the top that instead of repelling us, they are a lot of fun to watch. Yet this does not mean that it is low on creepiness. There are some very effective jump scares here and some well-made moments of suspense. The film also benefits from a cast that simply seems to be having a blast making this movie, a great soundtrack and some pretty funny moments. 

If I had to fault this movie, it would be on that it relies a little too much on supposedly intelligent characters making dumb choices (one of my least favorite movie clichés) and the familiarity of many of the story points. 

Despite these flaws, this is really a fun and wild ride.    

Movie Trailer: Forbidden Fruits

 

Movie Trailer: Pillion

 

Movie Trailer: Obsession

 

Video Link: The Justice League DESTROYED Their Teen Mascot! - Causally Comics

 

Movie Review: Solo Mio

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A very charming rom com. 

In this film, a man (Kevin James) is left at the altar and unable to get a refund on his honeymoon trip decides to go on it by himself. There he falls in love with a woman at a coffee shop in Rome (Nicole Grimaudo).  

While this movie may not offer much of anything we have not seen in other rom coms, it tells its familiar story quite well. Kevin James is perfect as a romantic lead. He perfectly captures this character who felt he finally found love in his 50's, only to be left at the altar. He can capture the hurt the character is feeling quite well Yet he also captures the joy of him finding love again as well as the humor and charm needed for a classic rom com. Nicole Grimaudo is excellent as the new love he finds and the two have excellent chemistry. The supporting cast is also excellent. Their characters may be a bit underdeveloped, but the performers make up for this (plus it is nice to see Alyson Hannigan in a movie again). On top of this the Roman setting is simply lovely and perfect for a romantic movie. Plus, rare for a modern romantic comedy, the comedy is actually pretty funny. I was surprised by just how much I laughed watching this.

This may be a very familiar and cliché film, but it is also a lot more charming and fun than many recent rom coms. 
 

Movie Review: Nirvana The Band the Show the Movie

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C+

A sporadically funny comedy. 

In this film (based off a TV show, I wasn't aware of) an unknown band is trying various crazy schemes to a get a concert at a well-known Canadian venue. Unfortunately, one of these crazy schemes accidently has them travel back to 2008 in a Back to the Future inspired way. 

The storyline is completely over the top and silly. However, it is the dedication to this over-the-top silliness that gives the story its charm. It is hard not to appreciate a silly movie that dedicates itself so completely to silliness, especially when these types of comedies have sadly been too rare in recent years. Yet as silly as the story is it has a surprising amount of heart to it. We actually really like our main characters and the relationship between them is very well fleshed out and kind of touching. 

I also very much appreciated this movie's mockumentary style of filmmaking. This film perfectly captures the look and feel of a documentary. I was impressed by just how great from a technical standpoint this was achieved, even to the point of using older cameras for the part that took place in 2008. 

 The main problem is that for a film that is first and foremost a comedy, it is only sporadically funny. There were some moments that made me laugh out loud here that they were too few and far between. A lot of the humor simply falls flat. This is most of all because it seems to try so hard to be funny that it can come off as a little off-putting and occasionally annoying instead. Matt Johnson as the main character can often be too over the top in his delivery of gags as well.

This movie has its charms but for such an over-the-top comedy, it is never as funny as it should be.