Late Night With the Devil “Review”

Release date: March 22, 2024 (USA)

Directors: Cameron Cairnes, Colin Cairnes

Box office: $4.4 million

Cinematography: Matthew Temple

Produced by: Mat Govoni; Adam White; John Molloy; Roy Lee; Steven Schneider; Derek Dauchy

For a movie that wasn’t on my radar. Then the amount of buzz surrounding opening week put this film on my radar. I’ll have 2/3 different reviews for this feature from non spoiler to somewhat spoiler.

Non Spoiler Review: – The setting wasn’t for me but I’m glad I stuck with it.

Non Spoiler with more info Review: – The 70’s look of the film. The biography style intro to the host and his Night Owl passed before getting into the main show was off putting for myself. I was honestly ready to leave if it wasn’t for the first act of the main late night show bringing my attention back to the film.

Honestly I don’t want to say to much with this title for those on the fence as to not influence your experience. I’m glad I stuck with it and the first 20minutes (Guessing time frame) were the most slow / dryer parts to get through.

Before going into some spoiler info in the next section I came out with this feature for myself is a 6.5/10. I class this as a niche film like that of Lisa Frankenstein which I’ve yet to review. This could be someone’s most favorite movie of the year however not for all, specially those having a hard time getting into the beginning of the film. Which is important mind you for the show itself.

Spoiler ish Review: – Late Night With the Devil is set in the 70’s and focuses on Jack Delroy played by David Dastmalchian (Poker dot man from suicide squad) hosting a late night talk show and aiming to grow his numbers and beat the top competition.

The parts at the beginning setup his past / history which is used later for the film. It did drag me out of the film and needed some time to cook for me to get back into the experience.

The premise of Jack Delroy late night show is around a Halloween episode and focuses on proving a skeptic of the supernatural wrong in his skeptic beliefs.

I won’t go any further than that as I want you to experience the film and make your decision. I personally went from a 4 up to a 5 and slowly climbed to a 7 before settling at a 6.5/10 for my rating. Which is slightly below that of Lisa Frankenstein which got a 7/10 but fits in that niche horror/comedy genre.

March 30, 2024 0

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire “Review”

Release date: March 22, 2024 (USA)

Director: Gil Kenan

Distributed by: Sony Corporation

Based on: Ghostbusters; by: Dan Aykroyd; Harold Ramis

Box office: $7,521 (Iceland)

Budget: $100 million

Is 2024 picking up? Well it’s definitely improving with our new contender Ghostbusters Frozen Empire. The opening to this film was such a fantastic setup. Loved the mood, the atmosphere the scene created and the tension felt entering 1904 within a very familiar location ;).

Walter Peck is back and still hates the ghostbusters finding any little thing to bring them down and destroy their ghost corp. 40 years later and still gunning for them 😛 gotta love William Atherton.

I have to give it to Gil Kenan for being able to navigate between Ghostbusters of the 80’s and weaving in the modern story that Afterlife setup. At times this felt so ghostbusters in areas and I love it! So many throw backs and returning characters to enjoy and discover along the way.

If Ghostbusters is PG13 horror then Imaginary was a G rating in comparison because there was so many good spooky tension and ghosts in this movie. Thoroughly enjoyed the expanded world, almost felt like I just watched the first movie and jumped forward in time to 2024 and seeing how this Ghostbusters universe had grown since saving New York city.

I’d compare the universe being that of GB 1 being Jurassic Park and GB Frozen Empire being Jurassic World. Maybe this will pay off down the road if more sequels get created? Will the series have an end point or left open to continue exploring? As long as the story is good I’m down to keep watching.

This title explores and develops lore for 4000 years which you can imagen many stories can be told if their going back that far. Did it weaken the ending? I felt so, bringing down something that felt like a potential 8 to a 7/10. The wrap up of the conflict was kind of weak sauce and didn’t feel right with how quick things progressed.

Ghostbusters Frozen Empire was a fun ride and I’d return for another or a repeat viewing for sure. Hopefully this family continues and maybe give room for other characters to be allowed to be developed going forth?

If you’re still sitting in the theatre past the first end credit scene then save yourself some time and leave already. Nothing at the end of the credits just a mid credit scene.

Enjoy yourself a spooky fun ghostbuster time and I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments.

March 21, 2024 0

Drive Away Dolls “Review”

Release date: February 23, 2024 (USA)

Director: Ethan Coen

Distributed by: Universal Pictures, Focus Features

Box office: $3.2 million

Cinematography: Ari Wegner

Music by: Carter Burwell

Drive Away Dolls was an over the top fun road trip with a highly sought after brief case. When Jamie, our overly sex positive lead has been caught sleeping around by her partner. Jamie finds herself getting kicked out and joining her friend Marian on a road trip of random sexual events to their destination Tallahassee, Fla.

For such a short movie it’d be hard not to cover a lot of what the trailer attempts to avoid showing. The main focus is on these two best friends on a sexual journey of self discovery and finding a lot of heart through the endless bouts of raw sexual need.

On the other hand, with such an epic intro to this film before the very R rated sexual nature of Jamie kicks in. We find ourselves on a search for a briefcase at the pivotal point of this film with our (The audience’s) friend Curlie whom gives away the car stowing away said briefcase to the wrong party (Our 2 lady friends) rather than these “mafia” style men.

They to had grown very much on me over this hour and 20 minute film as the writing and development of each of the characters was such a delight to follow and be apart of this long journey.

If a solid R rated sexual, bloody, and raunchy title is suited to you packed with sex and violence then this title is a fun watch. For the length invested I’d suggest this movie if you’re looking to discover yourself, wanting to watch something with a lot of heart or a crazy over the top road trip packed with shock after shock moments. The trailer does keep things well under wraps to leave room for surprise if you’d like to check it out first or go in blind.

A solid 7/10 would be my rating for this fun feature that I could find myself watching again down the road. (Just maybe avoid watching with family members unless this content doesn’t make that awkward).

The only thing I still don’t understand is the trippy psychedelic expositions between scenes that randomly occurred. I’ll let you explore that for yourselves.

February 29, 2024 0

Reviews in bound!

Good afternoon popped readers and I wanted to start with apologizing for the massive delay in reviews. With the lull in February with not such great movies draining my excitement I hadn’t been typing up reviews promptly. Then I got sick with several things which I’m feeling better now and despite awaiting appointments I’m raring to go to get back on track.

Yakuza Infinite Wealth also got in the way along with the upcoming FF7 Rebirth haha so lots and lots. That being said Dune Part 2 is this weekend so I’ll have that up in the next day and I’ll catch up with Argylle, Madame Web & Lisa Frankenstein. Possibly depending on timing I’ll have Drive Away Dolls also. P.S Does Demon Slayer Movie count? Okay maybe I’ll type one up for that also haha.

Now I’ve mentioned before this site is more so for my records of memory to look have and reflect on the year with movies I’ve watched and rated. However the community of popped enjoyers is growing and I’d love to hear from you on movies you’d like me to see or for movies I may have missed and you recommend I catch up on.

Some recommendations I’ve been suggested: The Beekeeper, Ordinary Angels & Anyone But You.

March movies I’ll be watching: Kung Fu Panda 4, Ghost Busters & Godzilla X Kong. – Anything missed I should be keeping an eye on?

Possible list I have in mind are the following – (Click for Poll): Imaginary, The American Society of Magical Negroes, Arthur the King & Problemista.

It’s a juicy month for movies and totally has me excited to get back to the theatre and eat some delicious POPCORN :D. April is a little like so I’ll be able to catch up with my possible list. Movies looking ahead for April: The First Omen, Monkey Man & Civil War. Possible list: Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, Sasquatch Sunset & Challengers. (Click for April Poll)

Thanks for reading to the end and again apologize on the delay but kept the reviews page to start being flooded :D. Let me know if you like the addition of Popped Updates and I’ll catch you next time in the next batch.

February 28, 2024 0