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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

Paddington in Peru is Sweet Enjoyment, Like Orange Marmalade – Review

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Paddington in Peru delivers heartfelt warmth and kindness and sends the message of embracing risk and change, especially when family is involved. This is the third film in the Paddington franchise that sends our cuddly marmalade eating bear, along with his British family, off in search of his Aunt Lucy who has gone missing from the Home of Retired Bears that is managed by Reverend Mother.

With the support from his family by his side, the adventure takes Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) back to his roots trekking the dangerous Amazon jungle. During the quest, they encounter a river boat captain Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas), who communicates with his ancestors in his visions and seeks their guidance in search of legendary treasures hidden within the rainforest. His daughter Gina (Carla Tous) knows her father can be challenging but does her best to keep him grounded. Henry Brown (Hugh Bonneville ) also realizes that he has to overcome his challenges and face his fears head on. With all the commotion happening, the Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) has a covert agenda that could put everyone at risk, but Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) has a greater treasured secret to share.

Although Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Brown was missed, the role was not significant in the film to impact Emily Mortimer. On the contrary, Academy Award winner Olivia Colman, known for best drama performances, adds the witty sweet and sour to Reverend Mother. Then there is Antonio Banderas that was remarkably hilarious taking on multi-characters with eccentric mannerisms.

While the approach to Padding’s journey felt a bit lost amidst the whirlwind chaos in the jungle, it delivered a strong ending with a charming note that audiences of all ages would enjoy. Be sure to stick around for the post credits. It will surely continue the smiles and laughter.

Paddington in Peru will be released in theaters February 14, 2025. A great Valentines date for the family!

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Love Hurts is all Love Bombing Action and Comedy – Review

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Love Hurts is Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan’s first leading role as Marvin Gable, an unexpected hero after leaving his brother’s crime family. Things get crazy when Rose Carlisle (Ariana DeBose), former partner in crime and love interest, tracks him down working as a real estate agent. However, Marvin’s brother Alvin ‘Knuckles’ Gable (Daniel Wu) has his crime associate The Raven (Mustafa Shakir) get to him first.

Quan delivered the laughs with impressive martial arts skills. However, the storyline was weak and got lost inside the saturated comedy and exaggerated bloody fight scenes along with the lack luster characters. It almost felt like watching a tacky sitcom or cheap version of Rush Hour.

I did find it exciting to watch Drew Scott from the most popular tv show Property Brothers make a cameo in this film. There was no disappointment here, since Scott’s character Jeff Zaks is also a real estate agent and is the competitor to Marvin.

It was rather nostalgic seeing Quan and Sean Astin reunite, but it was a shame that Astin’s character Cliff Cussick did not have a larger role. Perhaps we will see these two again in a much anticipated Goonies 2.

If you want to see a silly, outrageous action film with your Valentine, hold your potatoes, a nice romantic dinner for two will suffice.


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Invincible Season 3 is Packing Superpowered Punches – Review Episodes 1 and 2

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At the end of season 2 of Invincible, Mark Grayson/Invincible (Steven Yeun) was left distraught after killing Angstrom Levy for threatening his family. In this new season Mark is now fueled with anger and rage and allows his emotions to take the best of him, especially when seen feuding with Multi-Paul and violently splattering each multiple. It also appears Mark is gaining massive strength.

The second episode of season 3, did some flashbacks into the dark past of how Cecil Stedman (Walton Goggins) got his scars and how he came to be the head of Global Defense Agency (GDA). It also highlights on Cecil’s first encounter with Omni-Man/Nolan Grayson (J.K. Simmons). I anticipate season 3 will have more deep dives on these two characters.

It goes without saying there will be tensions and riffs amongst the superheroes within the GDA and even some unlikely hook-ups. Also, Mark’s little brother Oscar is growing up sooner than expected and is showing signs of possessing superpowers. With a glimpse of the first couple of episodes, it seems this season will be certainly fast paced.

The series stays consistent with presenting great post credits after the ending of each episode, which helps bridge over to the next saga of the astronomically chaotic drama of Invincible. I am eager to learn if a friendship will transpire from Omni-Man and Allen the Alien (Seth Rogen) as they are still imprisoned inside a Viltrum Empire. More so, if and how Omni-Man will reconcile with his wife Debbie Grayson (Sandra Oh).

Invincible adult animated superhero television series is like a sandbox for sci-fi artists. It allows performers from different productions to partake in the excitement – Steven Yeun, Ross Marquand, J.K. Simmons, Walton Goggins and Seth Rogen to name a few – having a blast and losing themselves to their childhood vivid imaginations, back when they played with their action figures. It also gives them leeway to contribute their own flare to unique characters, which I am super keen to it.

I had a wonderful opportunity to attend a prescreening of the first couple of episodes on the big screen, which enhanced the experience. It would be a fantastic idea to have this type of anime become available to view at a movie theater. Season 3 of Invincible is absolutely extraordinary and will definitely accelerate high ratings far beyond this world.

Invincible season 3 streams on Prime Video on February 6, 2025.

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