Scary Movies to Binge This Weekend

There’s a lot of viewable content out there which is why a watch list is so important. With Halloween on Sunday, time is of the essence, we need scary movies and we need them now. Here are 6 movies to binge this weekend that may or may not have been on your radar.

1. Werewolves Within (2021)

A fun twist of a werewolf movie. Full of delightful comedy and scary bits, it is perfect for anyone looking for a werewolf who-done-it or just a great comedic horror movie.

2. The Birds (1963)

Hitchcock got it all right with this suspenseful slow burn. So right that it still holds up today. Despite having some dated moments that may get a chuckle more than when it was released, The Birds still builds anxiety like a true horror should and is definitely worth a rewatch or a first viewing this time of year.

3. Arachnophobia (1990)

A spider, ew! Or yay, depending on your taste. But what if there are a lot of them? Like, way too many? This may be a movie forgotten, but one viewing and you’ll see why you’ll never forget it again. John Goodman plays an exterminator who is hired by arachnophobe Jeff Daniels to help clean his new house of, well, more than a few deadly spiders.

4. Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)

They came from outer space and they aren’t here to make friends. Another fun, creepy movie that will have you enjoying every minute. Unless you are deathly afraid of clowns, then… then this movie might be too much.

5. Nightbreed (1990)

From legendary Clive Barker and Danny Elfman, this fantasy, monster mash-up will hit all your light-hearted horror needs. And if after watching it you need something scarier, there’s always Hellraiser (1987).

6. The Faculty (1998)

School is scary enough but this school is ridiculous. Somewhere between From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) and Spy Kids (2001), Robert Rodriguez brought you The Faculty which follows a group of kids who band together to try and figure out what’s coming over their school. It features an amazing cast and promises to offer some spooks and chills!

In addition to this list there’s always the great Halloween staples and their sequels: Halloween (1978), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and Friday the 13th (1980). What scary movie(s) should we add to our watch list? Let us know below or on our social media: IG @Blastftp, Twitter @BlastFTP, or on Facebook @blastfromthepastinc.

6 Bad A** Women Lead Movies to Watch

As Black Widow hits screens everywhere we took a look at what other women lead movies to recommend. If you are looking for fun, bad a** women movies, we decided that these are the six to start with. Do keep in mind they may not be suitable for all ages, after all, it’s hard to be a lady all the time when you’re kicking butt.

Black Widow (2021)

Just released, we love the strength and feisty attitude of Scarlett Johannson as Natasha Romanova, aka Black Widow. What’s even better is that there are many women making their mark in this movie which shows that not only one woman can take names but many.

The Hunt (2020)

This movie was a surprise hit for me. It is subtle, funny, full of action, and features Betty Gilpin who, since I love Netflix’s Glow, is everything. Keep in mind this is a movie with people being hunted so it’s not for every age, but if you are in the mood for a strong female lead with dark comedy and blood, you are golden.

Cruella (2021)

The animation style of the 1961 One Hundred and One Dalmations is one of my favorites and has a special place in my heart. Watching Cruella de Vil careening down the road with her crazy hair and maddening eyes made me scared and excited. That’s why I was over the moon to see Emma Stone hunched over the driver’s wheel just like the animation in the Cruella trailer. The movie also didn’t disappoint. Have some punk fun and root for the girl who doesn’t apologize for being bad.

Atomic Blonde (2017)

Atomic Blonde is a non-stop thrill ride of woman bad-a**ery. Charlize Theron did her own stunts in this movie and they are incredible. Also a movie not suitable for youngins’, this movie is packed with ’80s dressed spy-ness. So grab some pink lipstick because this ride is going to be killer.

Wonder Woman (2017)

When DC’s Wonder Woman hit theatres in 2017 we were unprepared. Suddenly a blockbuster action movie that did well in the box office featured a strong female lead. Now it’s not like female leads didn’t exist before 2017, but it was the first time a whole world of strong women didn’t rely on another sex to tell a story. Despite the story falling into the realm of love stories, Diana Prince and her Amazonians showed that if you believe in truth and love you can kick meanies butts. After all, besides an invisible jet isn’t that what most of us want anyway? If you’ve been waiting to watch this movie, do it now. And if you’ve already seen it, watch it again. Then go back and watch some Geena Davis movies, women film education people.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Speaking of Geena Davis, if you want a powering women duo, Thelma & Louise is a must-see. I can never get enough of this movie. It is quirky and familiar, strong and unapologetic, it’s the right actors with the right dialogue and story, and yes, even has the famous Brad Pitt abs. Though the dynamics between Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis is enough a reason for me.

You may be asking yourself, “This is July? Shouldn’t this be a list of 7 Bad A** Women Lead Movies?” The reason for there being no #7 just as there are no numbers marking this list, is that any film that features a powerful lady is #1 in our book, and we want to know what your favorite movies are to watch! Let us know which movies we missed below or on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Stay classy collectors. Your bad a** blogger,

Diane

6 Disney Animated Movies That Scream Summer

Summer is officially here and we want to know, what are 6 Disney Animated Movies that just scream summer? Luckily for us, we have this list.

1. Lilo + Stitch

If you read no further, this one movie will have you summer wooed. Lilo + Stitch features Hawaiian beaches, loveable aliens (Homer not included), and a heartwarming story. It will make you want to surf, turn your backyard into a luau, and remind you why Elvis is king. This movie is summer.

2. The Little Mermaid

While our minds are on the ocean, nobody sings the summer waters better than Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Swim with the fishes in a good way by diving into this movie. And even after 32 years (yikes. I know, right!?), Ursula is still one of the best Disney villains of all time.

3. Finding Nemo

Keeping with the ocean theme, you can’t mention the high summer seas without talking about Finding Nemo. This movie takes us down under which always brings to mind warmer weather and sunny days. We also love the “road trip” feel which hollers summer vacation, and if you forget… just keep swimming, because that’s what summer is for… swimming.

4. The Lion King

After all that water, we should dry off on land. A movie that has plenty of sandy land, sun, and beautiful plants is The Lion King. It will leave you feeling the heat (hopefully in an air conditioned room) and with no cares in the world. Just keep repeating, “Hakuna matata,” while tapping your heals three times… oh, wait.

5. Moana

That’s enough dry land, let’s jump back into the water, and back to Hawaii, with Moana. Moana hits the summer vibes hardcore. Tropical inviting beaches, warm Hawaiian waters, and a blinged out crustacean. It even has a cute volcano and was originally accompanied with the short film Lava. A volcano falling in love in a tropical paradise? Hello summer!

6. A Goofy Movie

Bringing our list to an end is A Goofy Movie. This may seem a little bit different then our other picks, but it fits in like a rubber duckie in water. A personal favorite, we can all recall that feeling of the last day of school before summer vacation, having to go on a road trip with our strange yet loveable father, detouring it to fit our needs and win the hand of our high school crush– did I mention there’s a life-size opossom? This road trip movie will have you laughing and singing just like a real summer road trip would all from the comfort of your own home. Hello staycation!

No matter what your prefered Disney Animated Summer Watch List, we can all agree that summer vibes need to be had. So why not live it up Disney-style? What are your must-watch Disney animated movies for the summertime? Let us know in the comments or hit us up on social media: IG @Blastftp, Twitter @BlastFTP, or Facebook @Blastfromthepastinc.

Sipping on our pink lemonades,

Your Friends at Blast From the Past

10 Movies That You Can Watch for Halloween and Christmas

​The pumpkin is lit, the lights are dimmed low, the popcorn is in hand… now, what movie to watch? With so many options to choose from nowadays, we thought we would help you out. Here are 10 movies that work for Halloween and Christmas because why not double down, am I right?

1. GREMLINS (1984)

GREMLINS (1984) always holds a place in my heart. It’s funny, it’s weird, it’s spooky, and jolly all rolled into one. I almost always forget how dark it is, which makes it perfect for Halloween. The mom cooking the gremlin in the microwave– classic! Yet, it’s hard not to feel a warm, soft spot for little Gizmo when he’s singing along in a Santa hat. Though the first on our list, I would be so bold to say it may reign supreme for Christmas horror movies in my book.

2. KRAMPUS (2015)

What a pleasant surprise KRAMPUS (2015) was when it came out in theatres. It hits all the seasonal buttons: family, snow, presents, and the mythology of Krampus. As someone who was always wary of toys coming to life in a PUPPET MASTER (1989) tone rather than a plucky Disney one, KRAMPUS gives me chills just thinking about it. The special effects are spot on and the story doesn’t disappoint.

3. SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT (1984)

A joyous, timeless romp in all 80s splendor. SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT (1984) shows how taking a symbol like Santa and turning him deadly can have negative effects later on in life. That’s putting it mildly, but hopefully, it gets your mind churning.

4. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)

For a bit of a lighter touch on the holiday, you could opt for Tim Burton’s THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993). A beautiful stop-motion film, this movie brings Christmas together with the darker, twisted stylings of Tim Burton. It’s engaging, spooky, and will leave you humming the songs all season long!

5. BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974)

This movie still gives me the creeps. I suppose it’s that feeling that you should be safe somewhere but really anything could happen. That’s what makes BLACK CHRISTMAS so disturbing and wonderful for Halloween. Yet, with all the Christmas decorations you’ll be yelling, “Where’s the eggnog?”

6. RARE EXPORTS (2010)

This Finnish movie is one of the scariest takes on Saint Nick. It will have you repeating to yourself, “I am good. I am good.” It will stick in your mind like any great story does and will leave you haunted well past Christmas.

7. CHILD’S PLAY (1988)

There’s a reason CHILD’S PLAY (1988) and its demonic doll, Chucky, are cult classics. This movie punches all our childhood fear buttons. Chucky is the perfect present for any boy, unfortunately, this one just happens to be possessed by the soul of a serial killer. Want to play? Um, not really, but we’ll watch the movie over and over again!

8. EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990)

Another story on the lighter side of Halloween, but fitting nevertheless. EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990) brings Tim Burton’s knack of odd and unique characters into the heart of a suburban neighborhood. It’s one I always love watching and one I always forget how wonderful it is until I watch it. Dianne Wiest as the mother– I mean, come on– genius!

9. THE SHINING (1980)

Stanley Kubrick’s THE SHINING (1980) may not seem like a Christmas movie to you but it meets our requirements: family, snow, well wishes… What is more endearing than the love of a father who allows his family to vacation at an incredible resort while he works? Sure he’s going to cut them up into little bits, but it’s not like it’s going to hurt. His love will go on forever, and ever, and ever…

10. CRONOS (1993)

Guillermo Del Toro is a master of monsters and CRONOS (1993) is no exception. It brings a 600-year-old monster to the surface in an incredible visionary dance. As always, Del Toro combines the macabre and dark with a childlike wonder that is delicious for Halloween and magical enough for Christmas. Just watch it and let us know what you decide.

There are many other wickedly horrific Christmas-centered movies that we sadly could not fit on this list. What’s your favorite? Let us know below or give us a shout out on social media! @Blastftp

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Debate

It feels like they’ve been threatening to release BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE on us forever, and ready or not, it’s finally here.  Fans of Marvel and DC have been more divided than ever over this first-time cinematic showdown between two of the biggest icons of comic book history.  Marvel fans have been enjoying a nice 8-year stint of popular, ground-breaking motion pictures featuring their favorite characters, most of which hadn’t seen the silver screen until now.  Batman and Superman, on the other hand, have been around movie theaters for decades, and even their most devoted fans are left wondering if they can expect something new and fresh.

 

The reviews are in, and while they are not kind to the Caped Crusader or the Man of Steel, the fans have voted with their wallets and brought in record-breaking box office numbers.  This blogger has been left in the in-between, struggling to reconcile love for the characters and desire for fun and exciting cinema.

 

You may have argued as a kid about which hero would win in a fight, but director Zack Snyder’s vision is much more complicated than that — giving us a star-studded lineup of actors each delving into a new role with one purpose: setting up sequels.  Will each individual franchise stand on its own?  Could a Wonder Woman origin movie be as successful as Captain America?  Would Aquaman perform as swimmingly as Thor?

 

Let’s give it some time and see if Batman V Superman hasn’t planted the seeds for some great movies in the future.  What are your thoughts?

 

Movie Review May 2014

The Amazing Spiderman 2: Although the general population identifies The Amazing Spiderman 2 as a bad film, I still have to say that I really enjoyed it. And I don’t mean that I feel the pros are just barely able to outweigh the cons. I have seen this movie twice and both times found myself thoroughly impressed with the film. I found it just as good, if not better than the first film. I personally love the way that Andrew Garfield portrays Peter Parker. Emma Stone is fantastic as Gwen Stacy. I really enjoyed the moral and emotional dilemma that Peter and Gwen have to deal with in order to continue with their relationship in the wake of the death of Gwen’s father. I thought that it was a very compelling story because I found myself able to agree with both sides of the argument. On one hand, continuing their relationship would put Gwen in danger constantly, as well as the disrespect it shows towards the final wishes of her dead father, yet on the other hand, ignoring the feelings that both Peter and Gwen feel for each other would be a tragic waste of a potentially fantastic relationship. I enjoyed this film’s rendition of Electro (possibly a bit too cliché at times, but I wouldn’t say it’s enough to make the film bad in any way) and found the casting choices of both him and Green Goblin were extremely impressive. And another thing that I constantly find extremely impressive and fun with both of these films is the positions that spider man takes during his swinging sessions. It’s blatantly reminiscent of the classic comic art and I love watching the swinging scenes because of the visuals.

!!!!Spoiler Alert!!!: And when it comes to the execution of the last part of the film with the death of Gwen Stacy, I thought that was one of the most beautifully well done scenes of any comic book film ever made. I’d put that scene up there with the moment when Pepper Potts tries to quit working for Tony Stark when she finds out he’s Iron Man. And I thought that changing the cause of death from whiplash to her head hitting the ground made the whole scene deliver that much more of a gut punch.

Neighbors: I found Neighbors to be a hilarious movie. Maybe it’s not noteworthy enough to go down with the greats of comedy. However, it should definitely be a candidate if you’re looking for a movie to laugh at with friends. I can’t say I was expecting much of a story to justify and explain the shenanigans of the film outside of the simple hatred the characters have towards each other shown in the trailer, but I was pleasantly surprised that the plot was quite a lot deeper than than I suspected without trying to be too dramatic. Seth Rogen can obviously feel right at home in a comedy role, and Dave Franco has been around the block, but I was quite pleased to see that Zac Effron was able to hold his own in the role. Although I refuse to see most of Effron’s most popular films, I still feel like he is an actor with a lot of potential in the spotlight of Hollywood and I feel like he is making the transition to more mature roles extremely well. Overall, I would definitely recommend Neighbors if a crude comedy is what you’re in the mood for.

Godzilla: I thought Godzilla was fantastic. I am always happy when a movie can shock me with a plot detail I didn’t see coming. And (SPOILER ALERT) having Bryan Cranston’s killed of in the film and having it happen so early on left me absolutely dumbfounded. And the fact that there were multiple monsters in the film other than Godzilla also surprised me. I really enjoy Aaron Taylor-Johnson as an actor and I enjoyed his character overall, however, I definitely hear the complaints that his character seemed to lack good direction. However, I found the most amazingly exhilarating and exciting portions of the film were the fights between the monsters. I rarely scream in excitement the way I did when Godzilla shot energy out of his mouth. I had an absolute blast seeing this film on the big screen. And even if it isn’t an extraordinary film (I recognize that I’m usually an incredibly forgiving critic) it’s still an incredible Godzilla film.

X-Men: Days of Future Past: I find the new direction that the X-men franchise is taking to be extremely intriguing. Ever since the credits began to role on the midnight showing of X-men: First Class, my faith in the franchise has been restored in a very big way. And Days of Future Past has done more to renew my faith in the franchise than any other X-men film has. Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender turn in wonderful performances. Time travel often times leads to very intricate and intellectual story telling. I enjoyed getting to watch Wolverine having to deal with the difficulties and surprises of time travel, and getting to witness the major effects of his actions had on the overall timeline of the entire franchise. It’s safe to say the X-men franchise is heading in a new and exciting direction because of this latest installment.

Maleficent: Ever since I first heard about the concept of the Maleficent movie, I had my concerns, and when I found out that she was not only going to be the main character, but the protagonist, I had low expectations for the film. However, I still went and saw it and I’m glad I did. It’s a delightful and fun film. I found myself enjoying the chemistry between the characters as soon as they were introduced.  Now, something to recognize about this film is that it is trying to identify certain plot details of the original Sleeping Beauty story as lies that were told in order to paint Maleficent as an evil, cold-hearted, demon. At first, there were times when I found these changes to be a bit odd, but I then recognized that both stories are completely made up, and getting offended as soon as someone calls one story a lie and the other truth would be silly and disliking the film because of that would be ridiculous. Angelina Jolie was fantastic in the role and her interactions with Aurora were absolutely adorable. On top of everything else, the film was visually stunning. The flight sequences were on pare with the flight scenes of How to Train your Dragon.

This in only the reviews of the movies I saw in May. Next time we’ll be discussing June. Let us know what you thought of these movies. If you disagree, tell us why (be polite). If you agree, tell us why (still, be polite).