Oh The Horror! "The Final Girls"

The Final Girls

Rated PG-13

Starring Taissa Farmiga, Malin Ackerman, Alexander Ludwig, Nina Dobrev, Alia Shawcat, Thomas Middleditch, Adam DeVine

Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson

The Story:

Max (Farmiga) is the daughter of a famous B movie scream queen (Ackerman) who was tragically killed in an auto accident years earlier. Reluctantly attending a viewing of her mom's most famous role, Max and her friends find themselves somehow sucked into the film. At first, Max is thrilled that she gets to spend time with her mom, but as the killer comes calling, none of them may make it out of the movie alive.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love entries into the horror-comedy genre, especially when they are very well done and exceed any and all expectations.

That would be this film.

Not a spoof like the Scary Movie films, but smart and fun like Cabin in the Woods or Scream, this film makes you like it just on the merits that you've enjoyed the genre before and they can take all the obvious clichés and have fun with them and still make an enjoyable film.

I won't say too much about the film to avoid giving away much of the fun that they have making it, but if you like the horror genre, or specifically the slasher films of the 80s, you're really going to like this film.

Or so I hope.

:)

And like those films, I wouldn't even mind the eventual sequel that can't live up to the promise of the original but still brings back a bit of nostalgia.

Final Grade: B+

Your Life Could Change "At Middleton"

At Middleton (2013)

Rated R for language and drug use

Starring Andy Garcia, Vera Farmiga, Taissa Farmiga, Spencer Lofranco

Written and Directed by Adam Rogers

The Story:

George (Garcia) is bringing his son, Spencer (Hartman) to Middleton for the day tour.  Spencer has no desire to attend Middleton.  Edith (Farmiga) is bringing her daughter, Audrey (Farmiga) to Middleton.  She's super-stoked, it's the only college she's been dreaming of for years.  All four are going to experience Middleton, and it is going to change their lives.

Forever.

Here's an unusual little film.  I had no idea what to expect when I rented it, but hoped for the best.

It was interesting.

Not great. Not earth-shattering.

But for the most part, engaging.

I'll leave that mostly to Garcia and Farmiga who played their roles as ordinary parents with a little bit of fun, and much less drama than they usually have to bear in their chosen profession.

It's the closest to comedy you might see from either!

That's not to say there's not some dramatic tension.

Naturally the oil and water first meeting disappears over the course of the day and the two bond in the most remarkable way.

When they finally are forced to "act" onstage, it is some pretty good dialogue, and you can feel the years of anger and pain coming from them.

Good stuff.

Meanwhile, the kids storyline which brought them to the college sort of gets the short end of the stick, but in a way, it's for the best.

They end up having their ideas of adult life changed and shaped forever after a simple day in the life of a college.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it, but I wouldn't be opposed to watching it again.  Garcia really made this one work for me.  Good job.