Blink Twice - Review
Blink Twice - Budget of $20 million - 1 hour and 42 minutes
Frida will waitress at the KingTech Gala and cyberstalks the host, Slater King on her phone. Her roommate, Jess, asks Frida for Jess's favorite lighter and the rent. Frida hands Jess the lighter but wants more time for rent money. She used it to buy a gift for Jess.
Frida drools over Slater while working. After her shift, she pulls out dresses from a bag. Frida gives Jess the dress as a gift and blends into the guests. Frida sees Slater across the room and builds the courage to talk to him. Frida knocks down a server, breaks her heel, and cuts her hand while falling. Slater rushes over to help Frida, and they talk all night. Slater says goodbye to Frida and Jess. Jess asks Frida if Frida got Slater's phone number, but Frida forgot. Then, Slater returns and asks Jess and Frida if they want to vacation on his private island. They say yes and get on a private plane with Slater and his friends.
After they arrive, Slater remembers Frida doesn't have luggage. So, he assures Frida that there are clothes in her room. He opens the back door and invites Frida to the pool after she changes. Frida changes in the bathroom, finds a Desideria perfume, and spays herself. She finds lipstick, but it's expired. A maid enters Frida's room and calls Frida Red Rabbit. The woman smiles and leaves.
For days, everyone drinks, eats, does drugs, and laughs. While lounging poolside, everyone hears Jess's screams. A viper bit her. Slater kills the snake and tells Jess she will be okay. He told everyone the island has a viper problem, and this staff kills them daily. He assures everyone that Jess doesn't need a doctor for the venom, and they continue the festivities.
Frida pulls Jess aside after breakfast because she can see Jess is upset. Jess wants to leave because she thinks something is wrong. Frida doesn't understand. They are with wealthy people on a private island with gourmet food and endless champagne. Jess should be having the time of her life. Jess begs Frida not to disregard her feelings. Frida sighs and promises to leave with Jess.
Frida tours the island alone and finds a room full of red bags. Each bag has a bottle of the perfume inside. Frida opens a door and frightens the maid. The maid gives Frida a bottle of green liquid and tells Frida to drink. Frida happily swallows and begins to choke. She questions the maid about the drink's contents. The maid points to a dead snake in the sink. Frida drank snake venom.
The men go fishing while the women have spa treatments in the morning. Frida sees one of the women pull out Jess's lighter. She asks them for Jess's whereabouts, but no one remembers Jess. Frida runs to Jess's room to find a storage space. Frida's memory flashes back to assaults the night before. She remembers Slater killing Jess. Then she hears a knock at the door. It's Sarah with Jess's lighter. Sarah admits she doesn't feel comfortable on the island but doesn't know why. Frida remembers she gained her memories after drinking the venom. Frida gives it to Sarah to drink. Sarah recollects the horrors she endured. They must get off the island before Slater discovers they have their memories back.
This movie starts with a necessary trigger warning for sexual assault survivors and resources. The scenes are hard to watch as the women's memories flood back but deliver the needed anger for the impending revenge. The audience will see this island has a cult vibe. The women are dressed the same and say a similar phrase, 'I'm having a great time.' You will lose track of the days as the women frolic, eat, and laugh. This repetition is a necessary slow burn to disorient the viewers and put you in the women's state. Also, the set designers made some items red to signify evil or a warning. The last 20 minutes is the bloody and brutal revenge. The plot asks questions that feel insignificant but return in the twist later. For some viewers, this movie won't be a thriller. It will be a horror with a slow build. The film has a second twist, which is the ultimate payback. While this movie is intriguing, one viewing is enough to stick with you.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I need a vacation - Frida
That'll open up nicely - Sarah
There is no forgiveness. There is just forgetting - Slater
What's the first rule of fight club - Vincent
Do you have my lighter - Jess
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The Forge - Review
The Forge - Budget of $5 million - 2 hours and 5 minutes
Cynthia returns home and summons her son, Isaiah, to the kitchen. He hasn't cleaned his room, taken out the trash, or done his laundry. Isaiah, 19 years old, decided to forgo college. Cynthia tells Isaiah to get a job and pay rent if he's not attending school. She gives him one month to do this, or he must move out. Isaiah leaves and sulks in his room.
Isaiah enters Cynthia's hair salon and asks for her car keys. Stores have job openings, but they are too far for him to bike. Cynthia tells Isaiah he must bring the car back by 5 pm. A supplier is keeping their shop open late so she can get items at a discounted rate. If she isn't there on time, she could lose the discount and look irresponsible. Isaiah agrees. When Isaiah drives to the store, it's closed. His friends call to play basketball, and Isaiah goes to the court. He loses track of time and arrives at the salon at 5:30 pm. Cynthia is furious, and her anger grows when she sees sweat on Isaiah's clothing. He was spending time with friends, not looking for work. Cynthia tells Isaiah he's acting like his father. Isaiah jumps out of the car, and Cynthia drives away. Cynthia calls her sister, Elizabeth, for prayer support.
Elizabeth arrives at Cynthia's hair salon with her prayer warrior, Miss Clara. Cynthia wants them to pray for Isaiah because he is following a path of irresponsibility. She wants Isaiah to follow Christ and be the man Christ wants him to be. Cynthia understands it's hard for a woman to call out the man in their son. So, she asks the warriors to pray for Isaiah to find his way.
Isaiah walks into Moore Fitness and asks for an application. A man, Joshua, enters and asks Isaiah why he's there. Isaiah snaps at Joshua and demands to know why Joshua questions him. Joshua explains that he is the president of Moore Fitness. Isaiah rips up the application and sulks to the door. Joshua stops him and asks Isaiah to lunch. Joshua offers Isaiah a part-time job and discipleship. He asks Isaiah to come to work 30 minutes early for breakfast and mentoring. Isaiah agrees.
Cynthia cooks dinner, and Isaiah gives Cynthia the great news. He got a job with Joshua Moore. Also, Joshua wants to mentor him. Cynthia knows Joshua because he has discipled Isaiah's uncle, Tony. Cynthia hugs and congratulates Isaiah. After Isaiah leaves, she thanks God because their prayers worked. She knows the impact Joshua had on Tony. Joshua will show Isaiah the true meaning of a man, leadership, and being a disciple.
The Forge is a force. It's unnecessary to see War Room, but this film makes a heartfelt reach to the previous picture (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). This movie is faith-based, but that should not stop anyone from seeing it. The script doesn't place blame on any parent but recognizes both play a significant role in Isaiah's development. Cynthia states she leans on Tony for assistance, but he lives an hour away. Joshua needs male figures he can reach and see daily for guidance. This plot talks about forgiveness, sacrifice, commitment, and the power of prayer. Miss Clara states that people treat prayer like a spare tire. They only use it when they need it. They should consider it a steering wheel for their lives. Isaiah's change has challenges. He has personal and professional setbacks to test his faith. This movie is a teaching tool for mentorship and discipleship, especially amongst men. This funny, spiritual, and thought-provoking piece deserves a second watch.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Be a fountain, not a drain - Joshua
I never prayed for robots before - Miss Clara
You are my father - Isaiah
You need to come to church with me - Cynthia
I'll be praying for you - Janelle
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The Crow - Review
The Crow - Budget of $50 million - 1 hour and 51 minutes
Shelly gets a call from Zadie. Their friend, Dom, recorded their last night together and texted it to Zadie. Zadie wants to use it against the CEO of ROEG, Vincent. However, Zadie sees someone following her and believes Shelly is in danger, too. Shelly panics and runs out of her home. She sees someone tracking her on the street and flees to the subway. Shelly bumps into a cop, and drugs in her purse fall out. The judge sends Shelly to a rehab center.
She sees a young man, Eric, and sits with him. She recognizes him as a broken person, and they spend time together. Shelly glances through Eric's art and hears her name over the P.A. system. No one knows Shelly is there. Eric checks the visitors and believes they are lawyers. Shelly peeks at them and hides. It's her mother, Sophia, with Vincent's right-hand woman, Marion, and several other goons. Eric helps Shelly escape them and the rehab center.
Shelly and Eric hide out and continue their intense love affair. Eric asks Shelly to play the piano. She does but has a horrific flashback. Sophia had Shelly perform for rich people, and they made Shelly do horrible things. Since then, she couldn't stomach playing.
Shelly and Eric dance at a club, and Shelly goes to the bar for a drink. Dom tells Shelly someone murdered Zadie. He believes the killer is coming for them next. He wants Shelly to go with him, but Shelly won't leave without Eric. Shelly tells Eric they must leave, but she must retrieve her phone first. They go to the loft, and several men attack them. They put bags over Shelly and Eric's heads and make them face each other. They watch each other suffocate.
Eric wakes up in a trainyard with a spirit guide, Kronos, watching over him. He explains that Eric is dead and Shelly is in hell. Their killer made a deal with the devil to send innocent souls to hell. And, in turn, their killer will remain immortal. Eric can fix this. If Eric kills his murderer, then he will reset the balance and get Shelly back. However, his love for Shelly must remain pure. Kronos says the crow will lead Eric to his killers. Can Eric save the love of his life?
Viewers should not see this movie if they expect a remake of the 1994 film (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Based on The Crow by James O'Barr, this plot focuses on the love story between Shelly and Eric for the first half. They bond over art, trauma, and love. Also, this picture is more supernatural than its predecessor. The first was purely about revenge, but the second was about supernatural love. The fight scenes are a bloody, gruesome cringe-fest reminiscent of Blade. This film is perfect for a matinee viewing but will turn off fans who desire the cult classic with better graphics.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
If I'm ever hard to love, love me harder - Shelly
You can go - Vincent
The crow will guide you to make the wrong things right - Kronos
Why didn't she tell me - Eric
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