Just Your Regular Joe

    So for those unaware, I've decided to indulge my cravings for horror films that are have been building up for a while by dedicating the next 15 reviews or so to that genre. I have plenty of movie lineup, the first of which is director Lucky McKee's mixup of oddball comedy and psychological horror May .     Released back in 2002 to a rather decent critical reception, May has attained more of a cult status over the years. I was introduced to this film by a good friend of mine, and we watched it together with other people, and that was a pretty good time. But having to watch the film again myself has actually help me really appreciate what McKee wanted to tell with this story.     Even though the film contains some rather violent imagery, a lot of the horror in this story is rooted in the concept of loneliness. Our central character May is very much disconnected from everyone else around her. Throughout the film, she desperately tries to make attachments to various characters

      Before we begin, I will warn will that this will contain spoilers for Monster Hunter Rise . If you do not wish to see them, then this article is not for you.     For those who read my Monster Hunter Rise review, you would know that while I'd basically loved everything that game brought to the table, there was this lingering sense that the production got bottlenecked at some point, likely due to Covid unfortunate existence. This meant that a good chunk of content was unavailable for the game's initial release back in March, as that still had to be polished before players could get their hands on it. It's very evident considering that the NPCs talked about facing the game's two elder dragons when it revealed that they are still alive, but players will be unable to slay them properly until the next update in May.     Releasing for all players today, however, the game's first title updates bring several new monsters into the mix of various types.     The Elder Dr

      Grade: B-     The best way to describe the newest live-action take on the beloved fighting game franchise is that it's a pretty neat car commercial. At least good enough to convince you that the car itself might be worth your wallet. And while you're while waiting for this nice shiny vehicle to come out, you can at least rely on that promo to get you through in the meantime.      As someone whose childhood was somewhat defined by the joyous bounty of gore and carnage that the games infamously brought to the table, the film certainly tickles the inner fan in me through various callbacks to the franchise that doesn't get too much in the way of the overall narrative and are just used sparingly enough so that the overall impact isn't diminished.      In comparison to past efforts, Mortal Komabt also gives fans the long-awaited R rating. Watching people's limbs get ripped and twisted will surely be a crowd-pleaser. The action is pretty fun for the most part, with

    Grade: D+     What's the first rule of a comedy? Be funny. What's the first rule of a superhero story? Be exciting. Yet somehow, Thunder Force fails at being both. Starring Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer with the supporting cast-around out by well-known faces such as Bobby Cannavale, Pom Klementieff, Kevin Dunn, Melissa Leo, and Jason Bateman, Thunder Force is another collaboration between McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone who once again is in the director's chair. McCarthy and Spencer played two childhood friends who invent a way to become superheroes to combat criminals who are born superpowered.     If anything is a personal annoyance of mine, it's watching talented actors working with material that is so clearly not up to their level. Without a doubt, the only film that remains in the semi-watchable realm is trying to make the script work. It just that this cast is stuck in a film that feels half-baked. And it such a shame because a pairing such as Me

    Grade: C-      I can recall my first review of Pain and Gain back in the day was one of the few reviews that I've written that had people respectfully expressing their disagreements with my intense dislike of the film at the time. And in some ways, I admit that I was a little bit too harsh on the film.       Despite my many grievances with Micheal Bay as a director, I share his fascination with this true-life story and want to portray it on the big screen. With how tragically absurd the whole situation got, Bay does make some keen observations on the American Dream, hiding one's insecurities through over-the-top displays of machismo and the desire to make it to the top at any cost.       The cast is solid. Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie do a lot of heavy lifting to making Pain and Gain watchable through sheer charisma and energy. Johnson's struggles between wanting to be a good man for God and being a criminal got the biggest laughs out of me. Ed Ha

      Grade: B     Treasure Planet was released in 2002 and is an animated science fantasy action-adventure known for being one of the last few traditionally animated films produced by Disney. Co-directed by Ron Clements and Jon Musker, the film stars Joesph Gordon-Levitt, Brian Murray, David Hyde Pierce, Martin Short, Roscoe Lee Browne, Emma Thompson, Michael Wincott, Laurie Metcalf, and Patrick McGoohan. In the studio's third rendering of the classic novel, a rebellious teen is given a map by a dying pirate, driving him on a grand adventure across the universe to find a planet that promises a neverending bounty of treasure.     While I don't find the film matches the heights of other Disney classics, Treasure Planet offers enough fun swashbuckling adventure and visual splendor to satisfy. Through a combination of traditional and CG animation, the film effortlessly brings this vision to life. I love the combination of futuristic and retro elements that is a keen element in th