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‘Wolf Man’ will have you howling in fear – Review

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Talk about perfect timing to release a horror film, right after the first full moon of 2025, which is known as the wolf moon. Blumhouse is known to produce amazing horror movies without the large budget and granting directors the freedom of creativity. Wolf Man has all the right elements for delivering a fantastic terror thriller movie.

Director Leigh Whannell once again raises the bar for the new era of horror films. He knows how to get into the mind of the audience and lures them into a psychological nightmare. Whannell stuck with the Blumhouse tradition with the main plot being set in a home– a place where you typically consider to have a sense of security, a home sweet home feeling. Then, the terrifying atmosphere begins to set in as soon as rug is pulled from underneath you and the warm feeling is gone.

The storyline has a unique approach about a father-son-daughter relationship and mother- daughter relationship that applies the supernatural werewolf theme. Wolf Man has the ideal cast that were able to convert and adapt their characters gradually throughout the scenes. Christopher Abbott as Blake delivered an impressive performance, especially transforming from a subdued father to bring out his inner animal. Julia Garner as Charlotte, Blake’s wife, did well transforming from a city dweller to finding her grit to survive and protect her daughter, Ginger – played by adorable and witty Matilda Firth.

Whannell also used distinctive camera angles and styles that immerses the audience into Blake’s viewpoint when he is transitioning into a wolf man. The slow heavy breathing and deep low vibrating sound effects also added to the chilling experience. The make-up special effects department did an exceptional work with the disintegrating tissue and detaching limbs. There are plenty of gruesome scenes that will have you squirming and popping out of your seat, even pulling your hair. If you are familiar with Whannell’s work, you will even notice some references to Saw and M3GAN.

The ending did leave a bit of a cliffhanger. It will have your mind wondering and forming your own conclusions, a great way to make discussions with your movie companions. Wolf Man will be sure to satisfy the appetite of horror film fanatics.


Sabrina - Kiddo is the newest member of Countdown City Geeks and is a contributor of movie and television show reviews. Her passion for film derived from her college days where her rhetoric-writing professor focused on the aspects of screenwriting and music lyrics. She also has a knack for saying movie quotes.

Movie Reviews

Dangerous Animals –  A Thriller That Takes a Bite Out of Fear!

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Just when you though it was safe to get back in the water at Volente Beach in Austin, Texas, Dangerous Animals celebrates its premiere screening presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Rolling Road Show and hosted by Fons Pr.

Director Sean Byrne and Texas native Hassie Harrison made a special appearance to introduce their film Dangerous Animals. Guests had a fun time floating on the lake in shark themed tubes and while watching the movie. There were even two guys in scuba gear submerged in the water with red lights to set a frightening tone.

Dangerous Animals is the perfect summer thriller on the beach movie. It takes place in Australia where charter boat operator Bruce Tucker (Jai Courtney) takes tourists for shark excursions, but uses them as bait for his sick and twisted sadistic pleasure. Bruce goes on the hunt to seek out his next victim, which happens to be a strong willed surfer Zephyr (Hassie Harrison). To Bruce’s amazement, the situation now becomes predator-prey reversal.

This thriller movie has intense graphic scenes, with many nail biting situations and of course, huge ferocious sharks! It will definitely make viewers jump out of their inner tubes. Yes, Jaws would approve.

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Movie Reviews

Appalachian Dog – An Astonishing Dramatic Indie Film

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If you are a true cinemaholic, you will appreciate this independent film. Appalachian Dog is written and directed by Colin Henning who also stars in his film along with a decent cast: Georgia Morgan (“Interview with a Vampire”, “Penelope!”), Hayleigh Hart Franklin, Brooke Elizabeth (“Dear DIEry”), Colin Henning (“Wild Crime”).

The storyline is intriguing with many plot twists. It takes place post War World II, a young solider, Teddy, returns to his home in the Appalachian Mountains where is wife Marion has set up a small welcoming gathering with two of her female friends, Peggie and Cate. Teddy appears aloof and uninterested in resuming his life as a tailor. He ponders the whereabouts of his dog and how to avoid working.

Teddy learns that while he was away Marion hired Peggie to assist as a seamstress, which seems to bother him due to their finances and expects Marion to just take over. He comes up with several failed excuses to evade from sewing clothes. However, Marion has secretively prepared a plan of her own.

Meanwhile, Cate is having to deal with the challenges of taking over the daily farm chores due to Andrew being mentally, physically incapable of manual labor. It appears he might be suffering from post war trauma, or at least that is what he wants others to believe.

Just like the twisted trails found in the Appalachian Mountains, this film has it’s share of unexpected turns and eerie settings, but one question still remains… What happened to Teddy’s dog?

Appalachian Dog can be viewed on streaming platforms such as Amazon, Tubi, Hoopla and Verizon Fios.

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Movie Reviews

“Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” Will Have Your Heart Fluttering

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Calling all hopeless romantics. This movie will be on your list of favorite foreign love stories. It has a young-quirky single lady, Agathe, who works in a bookstore in France and has aspirations of becoming a writer. She is inspired by her favorite author Jane Austen, however, comes to realize that she has writer’s block. Agathe will have to overcome her fears to liberate her emotions and transfer them onto paper.

Agathe (Camille Rutherford) believes that she is struggling to write due to her love life being nonexistent – ever since the tragic car accident where her parents were inside the car with her, but they did not survive. On the other hand, her friend and co-worker Felix (Pablo Pauly) is the type that is a freedom-loving who is reluctant to commit to a relationship as he reveals to Agathe about the many dates he has been in. Without hesitation, Felix discretely submits some of Agathe’s writings to the Jane Austen Residency and remarkably she gets accepted for a writer’s retreat in England.

This lighthearted movie takes you to the beautiful English countryside, where Agathe is greeted by the handsome Oliver (Charlie Anson), a distant descendant of Jane Austen. They get off to a rough start, but they gradually seem to be drawn to one other. The romantic connection develops when it’s discovered they have been emotionally shattered, but somehow their broken pieces come together and mend their painful past. Then, like getting spit on by a llama, Felix shows up at the mansion for the Residency’s annual ball and Agathe finds herself in a love triangle and discovers material for her novel.

Director and Screenplay Writer Laura Piani magnificently created the essence of the 1800’s literature of a romantic satirical comedy in Jane Austen Wrecked My Life. The cast are amazing and original. Though, the movie is mostly in French, it is easy to follow with subtitles, which adds authenticity to the story.  

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