Movie Review: Don't Breath (2016)

It's been a while since horror movies that didn't rely so much on the supernatural or unexplained came around... But then comes that one film that dares to try ground that has often been skipped and underestimated because it looks "far too simple" to be considered terrifying. We get just that with "Don't Breath" - a film directed by Fede Alvarez who got his start with 2013's "Evil Dead" remake and now takes horror to another level - by situating three unwittingly daring teenaged crooks on the house and domain of a seemingly helpless blind man who has millions to his name - only to realize they have totally entered uncharted territory that could mean the end of their young and dangerous lives as thieves and swindlers.


Don't Breathe International Trailer
Set primarily in a neighborhood somewhere in Detroit, "Don't Breathe" centers on three kids named Rocky, Alex, and Money, who break into people's homes and steal money, possessions, and just about anything to make a quick buck in life. Rocky aims to uproot herself and her little sister to California and away from her uncaring mother and her live-in boyfriend.

They then decide to take their prospects on a seemingly helpless blind army veteran, who lives alone with his dog and has a $300,000 dollar cash settlement after losing his daughter in an accident. After convincing a hesitant Alex to join in (and doing so because of his feelings for Rocky), the trio break in and set out to do the theft.

Unfortunately their underestimating of "The Blind Man" leads to severe consequences and discoveries inside his house, as his handicap serves more as a horrifying wake up call that these teenagers have walked into the last crime they'll ever commit.

Walking into this one without any expectations at all, I was certainly surprised at how terrifyingly nasty and brutal a blind guy with issues can be in "Don't Breath", and that performance is credited with "Avatar" actor Stephen Lang - who is just a menacing Blind Guy who is protecting what he owns yet harbors a dark side and secret as well.

Jane Levy, who was in Fede Alvarez's "Evil Dead" remake, returns as the heroine who's doing the wrong things for the right reasons, and she discovers the grim truth that if you do crime on unsuspecting folks - something will bite back and that happens to her and her companions because of The Blind Man. It's that kind of movie that doesn't have spooks, demons, or  monsters as the evil baddie - rather one sightless guy who's just going to kill you in the name of keeping what's his away from those who dare to take it.

Don't Breath is now showing in theaters! A definite must watch for those who enjoy thrillers with suspense and shock value! Special Thanks to Columbia Pictures PH for the special screening and distributing this home invasion turned horror flick sleeper hit to our shores!

Rating - 4/5

Movie Review: Suicide Squad (2016)

It's been one heck of a summer blockbuster season for the year 2016, with plenty of movies that showed heroes flying high and kicking each other's ass when conflict and tension pitted them against one another. While there's still plenty of films to look forward to as the year continues, one of the most anticipated ensemble cast films and the second film in the growing DC Extended Universe finally sees release with director David Ayer's "Suicide Squad" - a film that literally sees the bad guys forced to do some good in exchange for lighter sentences and their lives intact.

After all the hubbub and criticism lashed at last March's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", the opening weekend of Suicide Squad also saw critics lash out at the newest addition to the growing DC Extended Universe that Warner Bros. Pictures is building. Despite this, the movie has earned $247 Million on opening weekend, and becoming the HIGHEST GROSSING FILM to open on August - a huge feat for an R-Rated film... And a superhero film no less. That's not to say the movie doesn't have its flaws, but it does entertain in SPADES too.

That being said, here's my review for the film featuring the so-called "Worst Heroes Ever" and officially designated "Task Force X". Special thanks goes to Warner Bros. Philippines for inviting me, as well as my friends who cosplayed the "Squid Squad", to the premiere last week and the other screenings on Squad Week!

Movie Review: Star Trek Beyond (2016)

It's an amazing time to be a Star Trek fan in 2016, especially one that grew up watching "The Original Series" and its sequel-esque film series that includes the epic cult classic "Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan" and the political conspiracy driven finale that is "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country".  The Trek franchise celebrates 50 years come September 8 this year, and much has come past the voyages of the original starship Enterprise - including a "Next Generation" manning a new legacy ship, the exploits of a space station called "Deep Space 9", and the journey of a lost ship called "Voyager". These are just some of the well-known spin-offs that have turned Gene Roddenberry's small science fiction idea into a mega popular franchise - which is honored with the timed release of a new installment in the semi-rebooted "Alternate Reality" film series that began with 2009's "Star Trek".

When Paramount Pictures pushed for production of what would eventually become "Star Trek Beyond" to meet the deadline of 2016 - the franchise's 50th Anniversary, there was plenty of changes and moves that began to make fans wonder how the film would fare under the command of a new director. J.J. Abrams, who directed the 2009 film and its 2013 sequel "Star Trek Into Darkness", would not return as director since he was helming Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Instead, he and his production Bad Robot would serve as producers for the new sequel. Eventually, directorial duties would fall on the hands of Taiwanese American director Justin Lin - best known for his involvement in the Fast and Furious film franchise.

Production soon went as schedule, and when the first teaser arrived - it was met with mixed reactions from the fanbase. Eventually better suited trailers (like the one embedded below) were released and felt more appropriate for a "Star Trek" film... But the question was would Beyond meet expectations and serve to catapult more interest for new fans as well as honor longtime Trekkies at the same time? Check after the jump for my thoughts!