kevin_robbins

I recently watched Deathtrap (1982) on Prime. The story follows an aging writer in desperate need of a payday, struggling with writer's block as he searches for his next big project. When a young, aspiring writer with a brilliant idea lands on his doorstep, he kidnaps him-raising the question: how far will he go to get what he wants?

Directed by Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men), the film stars Michael Caine (The Dark Knight), Christopher Reeve (Superman), Dyan Cannon (Heaven Can Wait), and Henry Jones (Vertigo).

Deathtrap is a dark comedy mixed with drama, suspense, and unpredictable twists. The characters are well-portrayed, with Dyan Cannon bringing a fun, aloof energy and Reeve playing naive and blissful-until he's kidnapped. Caine delivers a solid, diabolical, and unpredictable performance. The film has some fun cat-and-mouse elements that build toward a climactic conclusion.

Overall, Deathtrap keeps you engaged with its characters and twists, but it doesn't quite deliver the impact needed to push it to greatness. I'd score it a 6-6.5/10 and recommend seeing it once.

I recently rewatched The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) on Prime. The story follows a nightclub owner on the moon who refuses to sell out to a crime lord attempting to take over. To stop him-and save his club-Pluto may have to take justice into his own hands.

Directed by Ron Underwood (Tremors), the film stars Eddie Murphy (Coming to America), Rosario Dawson (Sin City), Jay Mohr (Go), Joe Pantoliano (Memento), Pam Grier (Jackie Brown), and Luis Guzmán (Wednesday).

With a cast this stacked, it's baffling how disappointing the film turned out. The sets and costumes had the potential to set up a comedic version of The Fifth Element, but the execution fell flat. Eddie Murphy was cool but overly cheesy, Rosario Dawson was smoking hot, and Randy Quaid's character was just plain awkward. The storyline felt like a bargain-bin version of Total Recall, and while the special effects were passable, they were nothing special. The overall execution felt lazy, making it clear that with a better vision and strategy, this could have been a much stronger film.

I'd score Pluto Nash a 4/10 and recommend skipping it.

I recently watched The Hug (2018) on Hulu. The story takes place at a Chuck E. Cheese-style kids' party and play area, where a spoiled young boy named Aden wanders off alone and encounters an animatronic that just wants a hug...

Co-directed and co-written by Jack Bishop and Justin Nijm (Stan Against Evil), the short film stars Roman Dean George (The Door in the Woods), Nick Armstrong (Bulldozer), Peyton Noga (The Goldfinch), and Circus-Szalewski (Babylon).

At just five minutes long, this short is brilliantly crafted. The setting, costumes, and atmosphere perfectly establish the tone. The animatronic is impressively designed, and the cinematography is sharp and high quality. The film delivers exactly what you'd hope for given its setting and premise, packing plenty of fun into its brief runtime.

In conclusion, The Hug is an outstanding short horror film that's absolutely worth a watch. I'd rate it 8/10 and strongly recommend it.