B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - DEAD END (2003)

Made for less than a million dollars, the slightly obscure Dead End is a chilling little indie you don't want to miss. It might just be the best Christmas horror movie no one ever heard of and every dollar is up there on the screen. It's quirky, weird, funny, bizarre, and scary all at once. Black comedy for sure but much more, this would make a nice double feature with The Perfect Host, another movie we're big on around here. So, grab some eggnog and a snack or two and check out the inimitable Ray Wise with legendary Lin Shaye as they take their family down a wrong turn, what's up with this road? Why doesn't it end? After all, they're just trying to make it to Christmas Eve dessert at Frank's mother's house. Tubi, Plex, Freevee, enjoy! 2.75 stars/2.75

Thursday, August 10, 2023

ANNA PAQUIN IS A SINGLE MOM CAUGHT UP IN THE '70's DRUG TRADE, SHE'S JUST TRYING TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR HER TWO GIRLS IN "FREE RIDE" (2013)

 

The one-and-only Anna Paquin looks incredible in this fairly simple druggy tale of a single mom in Florida. This is not necessarily a super challenging part for the women who won an Oscar at age 11. But she makes it hers and let's the presence of her character and charisma (not to mention costuming, which is great in this film) shine through. 

My biggest complaint with Free Ride would be the way it comes to an end. There's really not much to set it up, it's like boom, she's busted, okay. Music's good and the late '70's style is nicely represented throughout. I'd say it's worth a little higher rating than some of the reviews I read, going to go 2.75 out of 5 on this one. If you like drug movies, you should like this, streams on Tubi, Pluto, and Flex.  2.75 stars/5