Short Attention Span Review - Ma (2019)

Short Attention Span Review - Ma (2019)

Ma is an offbeat horror movie born of an offbeat premise.  No zombies, no killers sporting masks, no vampires, werewolves, or witches.  Just a lonely woman who offers up her home as a safe haven for some fun-loving teens looking for kicks in small-town America.  Only there's more to Ma than meets the eye, and this alleged safe haven is actually anything but.  Octavia Spencer is fully invested in the title role, and it is her devotion that makes this Blumhouse production from 2019 as effective as it is peculiar.  Spencer isn't alone, with a talented crop of youngsters ably supported by skilled vets like Juliette Lewis and Luke Evans.  This is one of those methodical yarns that slowly builds to a crescendo, but it entertains from the start.  In fact, by my estimation, the first third dishes out as many laughs as jolts.  However, as things grow more ominous and our unlikely host's gonzo ways veer toward a surprising darkness, Ma emerges as an innovative horror film with a lot to say.  It is a safe bet that anyone looking for a body count or a potent gore factor won't find much to enjoy here.  It is also fair to question much of the character logic, though need and convenience often breed such naive choices, particularly where youth is concerned.  All that said, fright fans who want to watch something off the beaten path that isn't some sort of surreal essay in dementia may just have a blast with Ma.  I think it's neat to see something fresh and utterly devoid of the staples we know and love, and even if Ma is no masterpiece, it is a lively left turn.

Final Grade: B

In a strange movie, Octavia Spencer makes the most of a strange part.   The end result is fun, and, well, more than a little strange.

Short Attention Span Review - Sweetheart (2019)

Short Attention Span Review - Sweetheart (2019)

Running a scant 82 minutes, Sweetheart plunges the viewer into a desperate situation in the opening shot, and steadily increases the stakes until a blistering finale.  A survival opus married to a creature feature, the production values are sound if not spectacular, and the script is razor-sharp.  Most importantly, as this is largely a one-woman show, star Kiersey Clemons reveals herself as a force to be reckoned with.  Vulnerable, plucky, determined, desperate, and ultimately quite the badass, Clemon brings her character to life in stunning fashion.  This is what elevates Sweetheart, as being lean and mean, and even a bit innovative, honestly doesn't amount to much without a spark.  Clemons lights a fire, and as a result, Blumhouse has provided horror fans with another winner.  Victim to a relatively quiet release, this is a picture that could emerge as quite the sleeper.  I, for one, would love to see multiple elements of this riveting thriller explored in greater detail, though I never felt anything less than satisfied with this script or the director J. D. Dillard's no-frills dedication to shipping the freight.  The creature design is a bit more of a success than the effects work, though there are numerous instances where the effects stand tall.  Yes, there are a few mishaps on that front as well, but a top-shelf monster movie is seldom without blemishes.  The setting is as beautiful as the action is frantic, and the score is most certainly an asset to this production.  It is possible, if not likely, that Sweetheart hasn't pinged on your radar yet, but just take this horror aficionado's word for it: this unheralded descent into survival horror is a wicked little jaunt with an awful lot of juice.

Final Grade: B+

Sweetheart is the very epitome of a lean, mean chiller.  And I'm cool with that.

Short Attention Span Review: Happy Death Day (2017)

Short Attention Span Review: Happy Death Day (2017)

Shoot me.  I'm very late to the party here.  However, with the sequel opening to rock-solid reviews, I decided I should finally give Happy Death Day a look.  What can I say?  Shame on me for putting this off for so long.  Happy Death Day is a big winner on every front.  You know the premise: it's basically Groundhog Day by way of Scream.  Sounds cool, right?  Well, as so many of you already know, it is entirely possible that this film represents the perfect realization of that marriage.  The picture is packed with thrills, chills, and chuckles.  It also has some surprising depth, and may even pluck at your heartstrings a bit.  The direction from Christopher Landon is remarkable, the cast is game (particularly Jessica Rothe, who is nothing short of sensational as the lead), and the script is clever as hell--the big fear with this premise is that it will grow tiresome, but it only becomes more innovative as it progresses.  Bear McCreary's score is top shelf stuff, and the killer design and the effects work all hit the mark.  Happy Death Day has everything going for it, and it offers slasher fans a damn good time at the movies.  I am suddenly VERY eager to scope out the sequel.  Well done, Blumhouse!  Between this and the new Halloween, this production company is giving those of us who grew up watching Michael, Freddy, and Jason do their thing a lot to howl about.  And the new kids?  Well, they might finally be getting their own worthy addition to this vein of filmmaking.  It's about time.

Final Grade: A+

Honestly, I don't know how far they can stretch this premise, but the sequel is getting rave reviews and this may just be the start of a stellar franchise.