Media Update 2/20/20

Locke & Key

Unfortunately, I never read the comics but I have heard they are excellent and now I definitely want to. This show is so good. It is one part mystery, one part horror, one part fantasy, one part drama, and one part comedy. It blends so many genres together into a really interesting show that ends up being a roller coaster of emotions each episode. I also really like the magic of the world that they built. It feels a bit like a story I worked on years ago called The Key (total coincidence) that I faltered on. It follows a family after a tragedy, trying to put their lives back together in their ancestral home. That is when they stumble upon the supernatural and must make sense of a whole new world. The kids are played by Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, and Jackson Robert Scott and they are instantly likable and I want to know them better and follow their stories. Darby Stanchfield plays the mother and she is just trying to keep it all together. Laysla De Oliveira plays a delightfully fun and snarky villain. I am only a little ways in and I am absolutely hooked. I definitely recommend this show.

Toy Story 4

I was surprised when I woke up on a Monday and heard that this movie had won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. However, now that I have actually watched it, I can see it. Somehow, this franchise actually gets better and better. The previous films’ enormous, all-star voice cast returns and they are all so good. We also get some awesome new additions like Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, and the return of Annie Potts. Tony Hale’s character (Forky) who you may have seen in advertisements seemed like a weird joke but he adds so much life and depth to the movie that I kind of wish he had shown up earlier. Christina Hendricks plays such a good villain and, in the Toy Story tradition, she is not just a blackhearted villain. The movie has such heart and explores even deeper implications to the Toy Story universe. It is such a great way to cap off the franchise if they want to but it also a really good new beginning should they wish to continue. Either way, I feel like I will be content. I definitely recommend this movie.

The Blackcoat’s Daughter

This will be the fifth A24-distributed horror movie that I have seen and I have loved every single one. (Green Room, The Witch, Life After Beth, Hereditary, and this one). Also, fittingly this movie takes place in February. However, the reason why I chose to watch it was Kiernan Shipka who I have grown to love as an actress. The movie is deeply atmospheric and oozing with creepiness. If I had known about this movie, I would have been sure that Shipka could exist in a horror setting before Sabrina premiered. She is so good in this, a quiet but dominating presence. Lucy Boynton is such a delicate flower that I worried for her the whole movie. Emma Roberts is absolutely sinister. James Remar is so kind and peaceful. Lauren Holly is so lost. The movie kind of plays as a mystery. I was so lost through probably the first half until I started to realize what was happening. A24 has such a good ability to pick and distribute atmospheric, slow-burning horror movies that just apply pressure the entire runtime. Director and writer Osgood Perkins did a really good job and it definitely makes me want to see some more of his work. I recommend this movie but it is not for the faint of heart.

Music of the Week:
TOKiMONSTA – Fried for the Night

Elvis Perkins – In the Garden

Squarepusher – Terminal Slam

Beach Bunny – Painkiller

Audrey – Comic Sans

Weekly Update:
– This week’s theme is “Left Behind”
– I watched more Bob’s Burgers Season 9
– I watched more VODs of AGDQ 2020
– I watched more Stumptown Season 1
– I watched more Prodigal Son Season 1
– I watched more The Chilling Tales of Sabrina Season 2
– I watched more Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 3
– I watched more Penn and Teller’s Bullshit Season 1
– I watched more Rizzoli and Isles Season 1
– I watched more Elementary Season 1
– I watched more What We Do In the Shadows Season 1

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