Author: Matt Vetrano

Living on Netflix: Texas Chainsaw 3D

~ Matt Vetrano ~ 1 Comment

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A few years ago, the good people over at Lionsgate felt that at least one more film could be cobbled together from the remains of one of the original slasher killers, but didn’t think that making another remake this soon would be a very good idea.  Not one to NOT beat a dead horse, they decided to make a SEQUEL to the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre instead.  The strangest thing about this one though is that Tobe Hooper who directed the original and its sequel came out and supported this film during its initial release, claiming it to be a true follow up in both story and quality to his horror masterpiece.  Has Tobe Hooper sold his soul in order to pump up the sales of a subpar film, or does this really capture the spirit of what made the original so iconic?  Considering the title ends in 3D, I’m gonna guess the former, but the only way to find out for sure is to keep on reading!!

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Living on Netflix: VHS 2

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Can’t really escape it can I?  The first one was a flawed mess, but had some potential that a sequel could easily improve upon.  Not only that, but there’s a third movie coming out soon which makes this review quite relevant.  So then, do they improve on the mistakes made in the last one, or are they just going to make the same mistakes that every other horror sequel makes by making it bigger but losing the spark of originality that made the previous one noteworthy?  There’s only one way to find out and that’s to keep on reading!!

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Living on Netflix: VHS

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If I’m gonna spend the month of October reviewing horror movies, at some point I’ve got to talk about anthologies.  Horror is by far the most prolific genre when it comes to combining short films into a movie with classic examples like Creepshow, Three Extremes, and Trick ‘r’ Treat.  I imagine that the reason why horror is the preferred genre is that it’s probably the easiest one to still work effectively in a shorter time frame.  The fear of death or harm is easily conveyed, and an audience doesn’t need as much backstory to root for characters to survive as they would for say, a tragic romance or a story about revenge.  V/H/S has been on my radar for a while now and has generally been well received for the creative way it was able to combine several tropes of the horror genre (found footage, anthologies, etc) with a format that many fans believe was the best way to experience these kinds of films.  So does this movie actually succeed in being a throwback to a period in horror that’s fondly remembered, or is it a mishmash of poorly done short films held together by a shaky premise?  Only one way to find out, and that’s to keep on reading!!

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Super Recaps: Sailor Moon Crystal (Episode 7)

~ Matt Vetrano ~ 1 Comment

We’re back with another episode of Sailor Moon Crystal!  The last one ended with quite a bit of intrigue involving Tuxedo Mask and Usagi’s relationship, as well as the introduction of Sailor V as a character in the ongoing story.  Let’s see how well they can work with these new elements as the story begins to expand in its cast as well as its scope!

The episode begins with Usagi waking up in Mamoru’s bed and realizing that he is Tuxedo Mask.

“I mean, it’s not like your mask actually covers your face.  They’re only slightly bigger than Clark Kent’s glasses.”
“I mean, it’s not like your mask actually covers your face.  They’re only slightly bigger than Clark Kent’s glasses.”

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Living on Netflix: The Cabin in the Woods

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The horror genre of films is interesting because of how aware its fans are of the problems inherit in it, while still celebrating those flaws in ways that many people find incomprehensible.  I’m a pretty big horror fan myself, but I understand the frustration that some people have with the overreliance on tropes and that tend to appear in some of the weakest examples of the genre.  However, this dichotomy between the quality of the tropes and the love of them that fans have has led to some great examples of genre spoofing and exploration that’s been hard to match in other film genres.  Movies like Scream and You’re Next have been able to walk that line between honoring what came before while also subverting and improving in ways that a lot of horror films fail to do.  The Cabin in the Woods (written by Joss Whedon and directed by Drew Goddard) is the current reigning champ of these kind of self-aware horror films, and yet or some reason I haven’t gotten around to seeing it yet.  Well what better way to fill that gap in my viewing history than to watch it for my MONTH OF HORROR MOVIE REIVEWS!?  Can the movie possibly be as good as the hype has promised it is, or is it another overrated horror flick that’s inexplicably beloved by fans of the genre?  Only one way to find out and that’s to keep on reading!!

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Super Recaps: Gotham (Episode 1)

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You gotta feel sorry for Warner Bros sometimes.  In 2008, they ruled the world with The Dark Knight, but since then Marvel has been dominating them at the box office.  Even their 52 reboot, while good in the short term, ended up being a flop among the fans.  The one area they’ve had a bit more success has been in television, with Green Arrow becoming a surprise hit, and a new Flash tv show on the horizon.  That said, how does their dip back into the Batman well work out?  Is it a hit for the shaky DC empire, or is a spectacular failure?  There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to keep on reading!!

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Equestria Uncovered: Lyra and Bon Bon Revisted! Piano Playing is Magic!

~ Matt Vetrano ~ 1 Comment

AUTHOR’S NOTE:  I’m a straight white dude, so anything I say here should probably be taken with a grain of salt.  If anything in this piece is incorrect or offensive, then I sincerely apologize and will take steps to correct it.  There are so many great resources to look at (several I’ll list at the end of this) which should be taken into consideration along with what I’m saying here. Rainbow Rocks has just come out in theaters and is generally receiving positive reviews.  However, I’m not here to talk about the quality of the film (look forward to that!), but instead to talk about one moment in it.

Who wants to guess what they’re playing?  Ebony and Ivory?  Your Song?  Wind Beneath My Wings?
Who wants to guess what they’re playing?  Ebony and Ivory?  Your Song?  Wind Beneath My Wings?

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Living on Netflix: Silent Hill Revelation

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Video games have always had a hard time making the jump to movies; yet one genre that’s had some decent success with its adaptations is horror.  The Resident Evil movies are reliably fun zombie flicks, and the original Silent Hill was pretty well received at the time.  So we now get a sequel several years after the original came out that no one was really expecting or even asking for.  Will it follow the trend and be another decently made horror film based off a world-renowned video game series?  No.  No it’s not.  Keep reading if you really want to find out why.

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Super Recaps: Dragon Ball Z (Episode 203)

~ Matt Vetrano ~ 1 Comment

Welcome back to my in depth look at the best season of Dragon Ball Z!  Today’s episode is called… Rescue Videl.  Huh.  I was kinda hoping they’d avoid this annoying cliché.  Oh well, maybe it won’t be that bad.  Let’s find out!!

The episode begins with Gohan flying to school dressed as Saiyaman.  Along the way though, Videl sees him while flying her sci-fi plane, and refuses to leave him be.  Because he’s being followed, he can’t land at school and has to find some way to lose her.

“I’m pretty sure this counts as stalking!”
“I’m pretty sure this counts as stalking!”

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Super Recaps: Dragon Ball Z (Episode 202)

~ Matt Vetrano ~ 2 Comments

So far, Gohan has had to fight bank robbers, dangerous drivers, and gravity, not to mention all the galaxy destroying tyrants he’s faced in his past.  Still, does any of this prepare him for his toughest challenge yet!?  Gohan’s about to dive head first into the dating pool, and hopefully he doesn’t get eaten alive in the process!

The episode begins with Gohan checking himself out in the mirror and trying to come up with badass lines.

“You talkin’ to me?  Are YOU talkin’ to me?”     “Gohan!  Dinner’s ready!  And Taxi Driver is really played out!”     “…thanks ma.”
“You talkin’ to me?  Are YOU talkin’ to me?”     “Gohan!  Dinner’s ready!  And Taxi Driver is really played out!”     “…thanks ma.”

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