Here is my honest list. If you wonder why something isn’t here- well I probably didn’t want to watch it.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2: So much fun; so entertaining. The humor and special effects really carry this movie. Idris Elba as Knuckles was a pleasant surprise and just proves that Mr. Elba can do no wrong in any role he does. Jim Carrey once again steals every scene he’s in.  All of the action is fabulous and the Mf’er goes Super Saiyan. Bravo.

Stranger Things (season 4/Netflix): You knew this was going to be high on my list. This recent season of Stranger Things was an absolute monster. It was a recurring topic in every conversation. You can’t name one person that didn’t say or think, “Man, I want to kick Vecna’s ass”. The season was trending for months after the last episode aired and even spiked Kat Bush’s songs back up on the TOP of the charts again. I can’t wait for the next and final season.

Cyberpunk: EdgeRunners (Netflix): The video game that yous casuals all thought was dead in the water. A year after  possibly the worst video game launch ever, based on the innovative and influential table-top role playing gam, the long awaited anime prequel premiered on NETFLIX and immediately became a hit while miraculously rejuvenating the video game and attracting over a million new players and redeeming CDprojekt Red.

Sandman (Netflix series): Based on the classic dark fantasy comic book that saved the comic industry during the infamous implosion of the 90’s and making DC/Vertigo the go-to publisher for mature and adult oriented comic books, THE SANDMAN finally has a live-action adaptation. Anyone that’s in the known of comic books and adaptations doomed to never be filmed – knows how long it took for something like this to be done. Netflix spent the right money and allowed Neil Gaiman to oversee the production of this updated interpretation of his most famous work. Morpheus lives. The casting is stellar. The writing and direction is spot on with this journey into the fantastic, horrific and reality bending wonder of this project. With a much deserved second season already greenlit, The Sandman isn’t going anywhere and here to stay.

Chainsaw Man (2022): The manga that sold millions of copies and was on the top of most Top 10 lists including Barnes & Noble’s being adapted by the uber-talented anime studio that is MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen, Banana Fish, Dorohedoro, Attack on Titan); Say no more.
After waiting over a year for this, I can say nothing negative about it. It excels in every category. The animation is beautiful with seemless transitions of 3D elements. The pacing and beats of the story with music is out of this world. This is a throwback to the gory days of Japanese anime. Body Horror and Infernal terror. Tetsuo the Iron Man had an orgy baby with Hellraiser and Guyver; Best anime of the year. There is only one episode left of the season and it’s bittersweet that I’ll have to wait maybe another year for more. However, I know Hell’s Paradise is just around the corner.

Wednesday (Netflix series): If you took the GOTHAM ACADEMY comic book from DC Comics and blended that with Harry Potter, called it the Addams Family,  gave Time Burton himself the reins to make into a series on Netflix well, you have yourself everything you’d expect from the teasers and trailers you saw months ago… an absolute joy to binge on. Fantastic viewing.

Tokyo Vice (HBO series): I love MIAMI VICE. I love Miami Vice. I was waiting and waiting for this series. I even picked up HBO MAX for it. Tokyo Vice is a Michael Mann produced series based on the memoir of an American journalist that moved to Japan to investigate and report on illicit activities and organized crime. Mann even directed the first episode. All set in the 1990s and filmed entirely in Japan. Much like KATE starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead filmed a nocturnal Japan with all its cityscapes, back alleys, underworlds and night life, Tokyo Vice is that stylized, slick, neon drenched neo-noir that bubbles with the energy of its performances, gritty storylines and direction. Tokyo Vice Stars Ken Watanabe (Last Samurai, Godzilla) and Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver).  As of June 2022, HBO has renewed the series for a second season.

Hellraiser (2022): You didn’t think this movie would happen and you didn’t think it would be good. Well it happened and it’s good. I actually liked it. Best Hellraiser sequel since Hellbound. Jaime Clayton is a superb Pinhead and equally mixes beauty with the grotesque into the sublime and erotic; yeah I said it. Hellraiser (2022) was directed by David Bruckner (The Ritual , Night House) and produced by franchise creator Clive Barker. Available on HULU and I need more.

Vox Machina (Prime series): The second best thing on Prime after THE BOYS. Vox Machina is like watching Dungeons & Dragons written like Porkies. With top notch animation and the best voice over work since the GHOST STORIES anime. Season 2 is set to premiere in 2023.

Maverick: Top Gun 2: This is probably the only compromised I’ll make with you because; I didn’t want to nor care to watch this movie. The only reason it’s on this list is because, everyone hyped this movie and praised it all the way up Jesus’ skirt in heaven. Tom Cruise returns to TOP GUN and is actually flying the planes; not just him, the whole cast got to fly jets. I can’t tell you who dies, who lives, who’s/who and I’ll never know if the homoerotic undertones carry over into this from the original film. I can absolutely give the production points for filming the film and not relying on computer generated effects. The movie made a lot of TOP 10 lists and was even one of Obamas best films of the year. That’s great. Good for them. But, I’ll leave the douchefest to the douchenozzles.

That’s it. Another year in the rear view but, 2023 is around the corner with some interesting things coming down the pipe. The good times aren’t over but, never, never take your friggin finger off that REWIND button.

The cult classic Toxic Avenger was first released in 1984. It’s a campy black comedy superhero film that follows the misadventures of your standard 80s nerd who falls into a vat of toxic waste. He ends up becoming the beloved Toxie – a horribly disfigured crime fighter sporting a sultry new voice, super strength, a heart of gold, and special hatred for evildoers. The original Toxic Avenger gained notoriety for its insane levels of deliciously cheesy gore – and even cheesier one-liners. It spawned The Toxic Avenger Part II, The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie, and Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV. There’s even been a Toxic Avener musical, a kids TV series, and a Marvel comic run!

We reviewed the classic Toxic Avenger a few years ago, (check out this article for even more awesome Toxie history!) So, needless to say, we are totally pumped about the new release! Here’s what we know so far:

Toxic Avenger Reboot Release Date:

• Sometime in 2022
• Principal production scheduled to commence on June 21, 2021 in Bulgaria.

Toxic Avenger Reboot Cast:

• Peter Dinklage as Toxie
• Kevin Bacon as the villain
• Elijah Wood
• Julia Davis
• Jonny Coyne 
• Sarah Niles
• Jacob Tremblay
• Taylour Paige

Toxic Avenger Reboot Creators:

• Production Company: Legendary Entertainment
• Producers:  Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman (The original Toxic Avengers writer (Kaufman) and directors!)
• Writer & Director: Macon Blair (advised by Lloyd Kaufman)

Of course, there’s always a chance that this reboot could be totally bogus like some other 80s reboots that have happened recently…

However, the original directors on board as producers and advisors to the screenplay writing! The production company is also great, with Legendary Entertainment producing awesome flicks like Pacific Rim, The Godzilla Movies, BlacKkKlansman, Krampus, Interstellar, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, and many more fantastic films. So, our expectations are sky-high.

We really hope they stick to practical effects for the gore, but only time will tell if the Toxic Avenger reboot is a flop or a sloppy comedy gorefest!

Watch the Full 84′ Toxic Avenger Film Here (for now!)

Congratulations. 2021 is finally here and it’s gonna be a circus.
Now in my opinion, movie theaters are “done” indefinitely until further notice and streaming will be the future. I understand Hollyweird doesn’t see it this way… because, they(studio execs, producers and some directors and actors) are overfed pigs who are detached from normal life and the perspectives of average people. So, let the piggy’s whine, bitch and moan.
Here is the small list of Retro themed films that are worth of being on a years end list from Me.
In no particular order.

Color Out of Space:

The Richard Stanley adaptation to a story by the infamous and visionary H.P.Lovecraft. Color Out of Space is a surreal and unnerving horror film that is as far away and so much better than the sludge and shit that big studios and more specifically Blumhouse has produced in years. A well made and beautifully photographed film that brings you back to the days of creepy/disturbing horror rather than the, shoved down your throat, hot-topic, horror junk food and jump scares of commercial cinema (Ha! remember movie theaters? seems like a long time ago). Nic Cage churns out an over the top performance that is second, in recent years, to his performance in MANDY .. This is Richard Stanley’s coming out party and a wonderful return to form for the director after walking away from the industry after Hollyweird sabotaged and mutilated his adaptation to The Island of Dr. Moreau.

Wolf of Snow Hollow:

Directed by and starring Jim Cummings. It also stars Riki Lindhome, Chloe East, and Jimmy Tatro, as well as Robert Forster in his final film role. A fresh werewolf story set in a small town in Utah terrorized by one of these supernatural creatures. A funny and entertaining film and the final performance by Robert Forster (Jackie Brown, Delta Force).

. Dorohedoro:

Are you noticing a trend here? Yes. I was quarantined a lot during Covid and lucky for me I had 5G and Netflix. Dorohedoro was something I discovered on instagram, if you must know. A short clip of the weirdest shit I’ve ever seen. If it weren’t for the slight computer animations on illustrations, I would’ve thought this was an anime from a decade ago that I somehow missed on my radar.
Based on a manga by Q Hayashida – this a genreblending masterpiece of cyberpunk, fantasy, body-horror, comedy and visceral action. If you like gyoza, hot blondes, assertive women with muscles, lizards, wizards, witches, knives, alternate dimensions and bizarre shit, YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS.

Altered Carbon : Resleeved:

Cyberpunk 2077 may or may not have left a bad taste in your usb ports but, CYBERPUNK is back.
Altered Carbon was a popular NETFLIX series that had a strong first season and a polarizing second season ultimately leading to the series cancellation by streaming site. Sad, I know. But, they did drop an anime / prequel  in 2020 that was a monster of cg-anime. So friggin good. Everything is here, corporate crime bosses, cybernetic thugs, neon future landscapes and questions of identity and tradition. Resleeved is still on Netflix and worth your attention.

. Da 5 Bloods:

Spike Lee managed to squeeze something interesting here. A poignant depiction of the Vietnam experience from a point of view that isn’t often seen on the screen. Carried by a wonderful ensemble cast with a stand out and award worthy performance by Delroy Lindo. I was not a fan of the previous couple of films by Lee. But, Bloods was such a nice and welcomed effort by its production and all involved.
Still available of Netflix.

. Sonic the Hedgehog:

I honestly didn’t want to watch this. I avoided it at all costs. I told people not to bring it up in conversation because, I didn’t care enough. However, I was in my local FRY’s and I saw it was on sale in the DVD shelf and said, “Fuck it” and purchased it for my girlfriend.
Boy was I surprised. I did not expect to like this at all. I actually liked it. The big grumpy old bastard in me liked this. The effects were good but, the humor and story was good enough to really entertain me. Jim Carrey is awesome in this. It is one of those movies that kids can enjoy along side adults during a family night in front of the television. I hope there is a sequel and the ending of this film sure as shit leaves the door open for a part 2; and when that film premiers online or for streaming, I’m there to watch it.

Once again – there will be some errors in the paragraphs above. And once -again IDGAF, I’ll correct what I can. It’s four in the morning in Covid country.

Stay SAFE. Stay Secored. Save your money. If you got that cheap ass six hundred dollars from the government – bury it. Stay cool and keeep your fingers on that REWIND BUTTON.

NEWS FLASH
SamHaiNe presents: Hainesville
“Natural City” is now playing and still available.
For fans of Joe Frank Radio, Charles Bukowski, Jim Thompson, Jack Kerouac, Jim Carroll, Edward Bunker, Roc Marciano, KA, Gil Scott Heron, Ed Brubaker, Miguel Pinero, Vaporwave, Neo-noir, 90’s hiphop, nostalgia and Trip-hop.
samhaine.bandcamp.com

Bohemian Rhapsody:

The Hollywood biographic film about the the legendary lead singer of the band of the 80’s, QUEEN.

The film is a very well executed and emotionally driven movie powered by some of the music from QUEEN’s catalogue. A lot of pseudo critics on other industry sites have complained about lead actor Rami Malek lipsynching the vocals rather than attempting to sing himself. Which is ridiculous to even entertain the thought of anyone just suiting up and trying to replicate one of the greatest front men in rock history so easily. The nerve of such thinking shows the lack of pop-culture knowledge a lot of higher paid bloggers have these days.

The film is exquisite and a joy to watch and ends at the appropriate crowning moment on a life that was larger than life.

2.) Mandy:

You all already know how I feel about MANDY from my NewRetroWave review a month ago.. It’s a  METAL and Psychedelic wet dream with one of the best Nicolas Cage performances of his career. MUST SEE!

3.)MID 90’s

Jonah Hill’s directorial debut Mid 90’s (also written by Hill) is the nostalgic injection of morale that a lot of us in our thirties needed. It’s a simple straight forward story about being young and finding your place in the world. A journey of friendship that reminds us all of our best of times even when they may seem like our lowest. A gentle mix of Dogtwon & the Z Boys with KIDS. I would even say that lead actor Sunny Suljic will be one to watch from here on into the future.

4.)Suspiria

I know I know. I can see what a lot of people are jeering about with this film. How dare they try to inject an actual plot into Suspiria and change certain things about it.. I mean that is a recurring complaint from the internet about films right? How dare they change things? “oooooo, my childhood”. Well here it is, IT’S NOT the fairytale you remember, much. The time period is different, there’s some subplots that may or may not hurt the pacing and the ending isn’t what you remember.. Tilda Swinton is awesome as always. Dakota Johnson is lovely and in my opinion is a better actress in any film other than that 50 shades. Go Rent it or Buy it.

5.) OVERBOARD

I have reviewed this film already but, you know what I still like it. It’s not perfect with its recurring attempts to recreate the original film (if not refilm). But, I still like the changes it did make and appreciate the bilingual scenes. It’s campy, cheesy and something you can definitely watch during the holidays.

6.)Ready Player One

This film although flawed in some ways deserves to be on the list for its unapologetic fanservice to film audiences obviously older than the intended target demographic. It sounds mean but, how many thirteen year olds are really going to recognize the godzilla theme or point out the AKIRA bike? The effects are great – it is a Spielberg film after all. But, it is one of those Spielberg films were he pretty much just called it in.

7.)White Boy Rick

It’s the story of a SNITCH. A hollywood story about a real life snitch. Can’t sugar coat it. It is what it is. Ruste Cohle is still awesome in anything he’s in (I know that’s not his real name).

8.)ACTION POINT

The boys from Jackass returned to theaters in this comedic production based on the real life New Jersey theme park ACTION PARK. ACTION PARK was notorious for it’s amazingly dangerous rides and attractions that claimed the lives of a few people. Action Point has most of your familiar favorites performing real life stunts and acting as best as they could. It’s actually a shame that Knoxville doesn’t do more serious films. RENT IT.

9.)HOT SUMMER NIGHTS

I love Maika Monroe. Ever since I saw her in ‘IT FOLLOWS’. Set on Cape Cod 1991, the film tells the story of another young white kid getting caught up in drug dealing. Although this film is more or a teen neonoir in the vein of Brick however, Brick was more film noir leaning. There is a very well played scene that is acted against David Bowie’s ‘SPACE ODDITY’, I just really like music and scene mashups. If you liked it then I recommend you also watch Harmony Korine’s BULLY for a full on assault on your moral compass.

10.)Summer of 84

The Canadian film that was advertised as another Stranger Things like thing wasn’t so much Stranger Things but instead Hitchcocks ‘Rear Window’ and ‘Fright Night’. Dark Secrets hidden behind the veil of a sweet little town; sounds like a Hainesville story don’t it? The film won Best Screenplay for Matt Leslie and Stephen J. Smith at Cinepocalypse festival in Chicago. It should be on NETFLIX right now as well as some of these other films. Be sure to go and give them a viewing.

Stay chill during the Holiday season and keep your fingers on that rewind button.