Popcorn Zombies

Graham Craycraft The Green Knight is a 2021 movie adapted from a 14th century legend about an Arthurian knight on Christmas day. The movie is directed by David Lowery through the now extremely successful arthouse production company A24. With movies such as Midsommar, The Witch, Uncut Gems, and many more it has become a reputable company worthy of instant respect and consideration for any films they release.  Dev Patel plays Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, who is lost in the shadow of the knights of the round table. He has no reputation and is desperate to prove his worth to his mother, his king, the realm, and himself. The Green Knight is a supernatural figure who offers a game to gathering of royalty and knights. Someone may strike a blow on the knight, but in one year the knight shall return it. If the promise is upheld all will be well, if it is broken, well, the opposite.  The plot is very well done and the cast is great. But, like most A24 films, the real magic is in th...

  By Michael Momper     Few series in the horror genre have a reputation as solid as The Conjuring , which as a series has been terrifying audiences for years with its chilling true stories from the cases of exorcists Ed and Lorraine Warren. Unlike other sloppily made and cheap-shock exorcism movies in recent years (see horrendous movies like The Devil Inside or Deliver Us From Evil  for examples), The Conjuring movies are made with a sort of reverence- the effects are plenty spooky and certainly elaborate at times, but the deliberate pacing and sense of dread are what really create the chilling paranormal atmosphere. When these movies are really clicking, the palpable dread is so thick that it almost makes you want to look away or catch your breath. James Wan, who directed the first two movies, captures these true stories with a reverence not only to the real people at the heart of the story but also to the paranormal things they witnessed- these are earnest retell...

  By Michael Momper     It is so exciting to be back in the theaters finally for some action flicks. Nowadays, every trip to the theaters is even more of a treat than it was in the past, and has become sort of a special occasion (luckily, it sounds like that will change shortly). No matter how cinema-starved we have become though, it is important to keep a level head and fairly review the movies we see just as we always would have in the past- we must be honest about both disappointment and satisfaction. Guy Ritchie's newest film, Wrath of Man,  exists somewhere in between. That being said, even a less-than-stellar Ritchie action film is worth seeing, and maybe seeing again. If you have followed Guy Ritchie at all in the past, you are no stranger to his gleeful profanity and cockney humor, which stand out in all 3 of his gangster films, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and The Gentlemen (perhaps you read our review of the latter, which came out only a ye...

Graham Craycraft Parker Millsap's new album ‘Be Here Instead’ represents his fourth full length record. Although he began Gospel-Influenced Americana his third album, ‘Other Arrangements,’ shifted into a more alt-folk-rock-esque sound that really worked. Songs like ‘Fine Line’ and ‘Let a Little Light In’ brought an energetic electric sound to already great songwriting. Millsap in his newest album ‘Be Here Instead’ shifts again although this time not in the best way. Some songs like ‘Rolling’ and ‘Dammit’ are reminiscent of his old sound in a great way. ‘Rolling’ is a smooth song with a good back and is a solid start to the album. It is even more applicable considering the time it was recorded and released (Covid-19 pandemic). ‘Dammit’ is the energetic pop that most albums need in at least a couple songs. A song about perspective and a reevaluation of one’s current point of life. You can’t see the forest for the branches You can’t see the ocean from the bottom of the waves Y...

By Michael Momper Do you like the John Wick movies? You will love Nobody , the latest brutal action film from John Wick screenwriter Derek Kolstad. Do you hate the John Wick movies? You will hate Nobody . It really is that simple. I will elaborate a little further just in case you haven't seen John Wick  before, but suffice it to say that the formula I laid out has to be nearly 100% accurate and perhaps the easiest recommendation I've ever had to create. Nobody  stars the effortlessly charming Bob Odenkirk, and this movie is certainly his vehicle to command. Odenkirk is so concretely identified with his scheming character Saul Goodman from AMC's Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul that at first many fans of these shows might be curious about the casting of this middle-aged comedian for an action movie that demands crazy fighting stunts and bruising battles. Nevertheless, Odenkirk absolutely shines. Because of his charm and every-man suburban look, he is instantly sympathetic ...

  By Michael Momper Squandered talent is one of life's greatest tragedies. It's one thing for a bad artist to make bad art- it's to be expected. No one is surprised when Michael Bay makes a bad movie. No one is surprised when Imagine Dragons makes a bad album. No one is surprised when Clayton Kershaw chokes a playoff game. These are par for the course. No, the real tragedy is when a good artist or established talent phones it in. When you know that greatness is just around the corner, but it slips away or is left unnoticed... that is the real tragedy. All this to say that my dramatic start to this review is not a total and unequivocal indictment of Paul Greengrass' latest film News of the World , but I can't help but wince at the fact that all the pieces are here for a thought-provoking and touching movie, yet they don't fall into place in the slightest. The premise is familiar enough- an old and soulful drifter, played by Tom Hanks, is burdened with the presenc...

  Graham Craycraft J.T. I don’t know where I’m going no more I don’t know and I don’t care The opening of Steve Earle’s tribute album to his late son begins with the song “I Don’t Care.” Steve begins the album with a song, with a line, and maybe a lie of Justin Townes Earle.  Justin lost his life to accidental overdose on cocaine laced with the deadly fentanyl in late 2020. Steve released this album on January 4th, the birthday of his son. Let us all hope that Justin cared about where he was going in this life and the next. Steve is no stranger to tribute albums (previously recording “Townes” and “GUY” in honor of Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark). Steve has made it clear that he values good music and good musicians. Once estranged from each other they began to reconcile in the recent years. While I am sure “Townes” and “GUY” were painful and cathartic for Steve to record, there is no doubt that they could even come close to the pain he felt while recording this album. ...