New Release Birb- The Strangers: Prey at Night

The Strangers: Prey at Night
Starring: Bailee Madison and Christina Hendricks
Directed by Johannes Roberts
US Release Date: March 9th, 2018
My First Viewing: March 8th, 2018
image credit: imdb.com

Ten years after the release of The Strangers (starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman), The Man in the Mask, Dollface, and Pin-Up Girl are back in The Strangers: Prey at Night.

In an unknown timeframe after the events of the first Strangers, we see at the beginning of the film picking off an older couple. While making a trip to drop their daughter off at boarding school, Cindy (Christina Hendricks), Mike (Martin Henderson), and their kids Kinsey (Bailee Madison) and Luke (Lewis Pullman) stop by a family members trailer park, where they are soon terrorized by the three masked murderers. The reason the trio is going after them, much like in the first film, was because they were there. There are some fun callbacks to the first film, and some of the scares were earned, but the film falls apart in the initial premise and a mind-boggling ending.

While both films do have to rely on jump scares to build tension, the original Strangers was more toned down then Prey at Night. As subtle as getting hit over the head with an axehandle, the film has to rely on jump scares and ramped up violence to garner any form of reaction. The story and acting were all fine, but Prey at Night, unfortunately, fell short of any expectations I may have had, which begs the question why a sequel had to be made in the first place. I really enjoyed The Strangers, but Prey at Night by comparison just seemed adequate at best.

The Strangers: Prey at Night is rated R for horror violence and terror and for language. What are your thoughts on the film? Follow me at twitter.com/moviebirb or facebook.com/moviebirb and leave me your comments on the film.

-birb

Comments

New Release Birb- A Fantastic Woman

A Fantastic Woman (Una Mujer Fantástica) Starring: Daniela Vega and Francisco Reyes Directed By Sebastián Lelio US Release Date: November 17, 2017 My First Viewing: March 2, 2018 A nominee for Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards, A Fantastic Woman stars Daniela Vega as Marina, a woman who is dealing with grief and the prejudice of those around her life after the death of her older partner. This is a beautiful movie that is carried by Vega. She makes this movie so profoundly powerful that you feel with her through her journey, even if this is not something a lot of people can directly relate to. Marina has a difficult enough time in her life dealing with the death of her partner Orlando (Francisco Reyes), but with this being a relationship with a much older man and a trans woman, there are added layers. Between the police, doctors, and Orlando's family, Marina has a lot to deal with, but she is strong and isn't afraid to fight for what she believes ...

Best Picture Birb- Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour Starring: Gary Oldman, Lily James, and Kristin Scott Thomas Directed By Joe Wright US Release Date: November 22nd, 2017 Most Recent Viewing: March 3rd, 2018 Image Credit: movieposter.com Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Gary Oldman) and Best Picture, Joe Wright's Darkest Hour follows the days after Winston Churchill became Prime Minister amidst the pressure of Hitler's advance France and Great Britain during World War II. This is a good movie that is elevated to a great one on the back of Oldman's performance of Churchill. He is unrecognizable in the role, which takes talent. When actors play historical figures, it appears as the actor playing the figure. That is not the case here. From the first time you see him on screen, you see Churchill, not Oldman. The cinematography, score, and costume design also add to the appeal of the film. Joe Wright has a knack for long shots and interesting camera work, and you feel a real ten...

New Release Birb: I, Tonya

I, Tonya Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, and Allison Janney Directed By: Craig Gillespie US Release Date: December 8th, 2017 My First Viewing: September 16th, 2017 Image Credit: Movieposters.com Underneath the surface of the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan story lies the movie I, Tonya. Harding, played by McKenna Grace (child) and Margot Robbie (age 15 and older), is one of many unreliable narrators in this saga of wanting to be perfect at something because that is all you know, and it is a release from her everyday life. Shown in a pseudo-documentary interview style, we see the story of Harding, the abuse she had to deal with, whether it be more mental from her mother (Allison Janney), which turned into psychical once she began dating, and marrying, Jeff Gillooly (Sebastian Stan). All three can not be trusted as to whether or not their side of the story is the truth, which makes this film all the more compelling. Even though you think you know how Harding's story...

Random Movie Birb

Search This Blog