Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson. Written by M. A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller (who may be more well known as an actor from such things as Halloween III, Near Dark and Teen Witch). Starring Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Nina Dobrev, Adam DeVine, Alexander Ludwig, Thomas Middleditch and Alia Shawkat.
Plot: well …… it’s a slasher movie within a slasher movie and Akerman (who plays Farmiga’s mother) is dead, but also not dead and someone named Billy is really pissed off at teenagers in a Jason sort of way, even using similar KiKiKiMaMaMa sounds
Okay, so, let me try to explain the plot in further detail. I don’t even think it’s that hard it’s just going to take more than a few words. You see, Akerman (an actress) and Farmiga are in a horrible car accident (which is very unpleasant onscreen) and Akerman dies. 3 years later, Akerman’s famous horror movie is being screened at a local theater and Farmiga is asked to come. But there’s a fire at the theater and Farmiga and friends get sucked into her mother’s movie. There, they meet up with Akerman and the other actors (who don’t know they’re in a movie) and they all must work together to survive (or not to survive, they decide rather quickly) the horror that awaits them all.
It’s definitely a movie that should be enjoyed during the Halloween season. It’s a throwback to all those great horror movies of the 80’s. It’s also quite hysterical. We laughed A LOT! We also felt like crying in parts. The movie is surprisingly touching and awfully upsetting in certain areas (like the bookcase scene, for example). We also loved the cast. I particularly enjoyed Ludwig who I didn’t know very well before this. And as far as the ending goes, I KNEW IT!! I’m not telling you what I knew, but I knew it!
DJ did not enjoy the movie quite as much as I did. He didn’t find anyone hugely likable, but I liked a lot of them, even if they were strange. I think he somehow had higher expectations that may have been a little unrealistic. Although, I will admit, they totally copped out with boob shots. Nothing was showed. And it was all like, “oh, here comes the gratuitous boob sh… oh, wait, no… they panned away”. Stupid.
However, I thought it was original, loved the dialogue and thought the ending was phenomenal. (DJ didn’t.)
Extra note to look for: the girl who takes all the Aderall is the funniest part of the movie. DJ agrees. Her hyperactive strip tease is amazing. I do not know how she did it, but it was the best acting in the whole movie.
I suppose I could list my favorite movies here, but instead I'll give you a strange glimpse into what makes me TaraRomero.
1. I met George Romero. He was the kindest and sweetest man. He talked to me for longer than he should have with the line getting longer. He also held my hand. And when he noticed the ladybug I have tattooed on my wrist, he said he liked it and asked me it's name. Till then, it had not had a name. Now, I call him George.
2. I love stickers. All stickers. I just adore them. I even ask for stickers for Christmas! As a matter of fact, the birthday that just past, every member of my immediate family gave me sticker packs as gifts. Affordable and extremely appreciated.
3. I have never put much stock in astrology or horoscopes, but I LOVE the magic of the MBTI. Omg. I am an INFP and it actually sounds just like me. Introverted mostly. Creative always. Heart before head and not the most logical. Totally me! For better or worse.
4. It's no surprise I count horror so high up on the list of things that make me, me. However, it's so within my soul that I was part of the Horror Club in college. Interesting bunch. And even took a Horror Lit class as an elective. I got an A.
5. Coffee always makes me happy. Always. I'm particularly fond of caramel macchiatos. But I'll drink black coffee if it's the only thing available.
6. I hate shock for the sake of shock and endings that depress me. I always mention the movies Within (2016) and the Eli Roth produced, written and starred in, Aftershock (2012), as proof of this distate I have. I abhor the idea that just because I like horror, some people think I'd actually praise a movie that lets you think the "Final Girl" just made it through the night, only to slap her in the face with a tsunami.
7. We are big time animal people. I mean, if I could, I'd have an elephant, a bear, a zebra, a penguin, an otter and a meerkat, living with me. Seriously though. We have 2 dogs right now and 2 cats. Both cats we picked up when they each came to our front door hungry. And both dogs we got from 2 different sets of neighbors. Both who, unfortunately, don't know how to care for pets long-term. But they're happy and healthy now!!
8. Revisiting my love of horror, one of the above cats, my cat, is a little black guy named Church. Because Pet Sematary. His middle name is even Pascow. To give credit where credit's due, the name was DJ's idea. But he loves horror too!
9. I'm big into art. Along with movie posters and an Anne Frank quote, I have some actual paintings on my wall. I really think Dali paints beautifully when he wants to. And if I don't get to see Michaelangelo's Pieta in person some day, I will be very disappointed.
10. Lastly, I find Emily Dickinson's poetry intriguing. I took an elective course about her as well. But do you know I injected horror even there? I was given a poem to dissect and I picked one on death, of course. Then, I researched old "Death Photos" and even printed out copies for everyone in the class. They were so interested in looking at them that it stopped them from all looking at me, and I was able to deal quite well with my stage fright. Haha
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