Thriller | Geekscape

YOU SPOILERS

by Deidra KathleenAugust 14, 2024

Okay, let’s talk about You.
No, not you, dearest gentle reader – the show You on Netflix.
Having just finished the final season, I have to say that my love/hate relationship with this show surely turned toward the latter – yet I could not stop watching the blood-spattered dumpster fire.
Empathically this series was like a malfunctioning garbage disposal. Watching this series, you see more and more what a self-centered psychopath the leading character played by Penn Badgley truly is despite his belief otherwise. And every bit of hope that surfaces that maybe that same protagonist, Joe Goldberg really has changed or might, you see yet another bit float up – showing the audience yet again his true nature remains unchanged.

In the first two seasons, I naively had hope for our obsessive leading man – especially in the second season when it seemed he had found a perfect match in his romantic interest and partner-in-crime, Love. But when that pairing literally went up in flames in season three without any plot twist with the ending, my faith in this series did too – yet, I kept watching. I suppose it was my curiosity for how the writers would keep interest with the same old: he falls in love (read as becomes obsessed with a woman), stalks her, kills, rinse (most often literally), and repeat.

Season four? Let me just say, ugh. I kept wondering why these people were allowing this outsider to remain in their inner circle after their supposed friends were being killed. And as much as I hated some of them and how they treated those around them, I hated this lack of logic even more so. The queen b of the group, Lady Phoebe had a few dozen spoonfuls of naiveté and a big heart all mixed with the fashion of Badgley’s other most well known show Gossip Girl. I suppose that was the reasoning of keeping Joe Goldberg in the inner circle – quite the same logic that Badgley’s character from Gossip Girl, Dan Humphrey was allowed to stay within that elite circle – because a similarly high-ranking kindhearted beautiful blonde believed in his character. I cannot help but wonder now – what is it about Penn Badgley that gives off this seemingly normal guy kept inside an elite circle casting vibe?

Compared to Gossip Girl, I think perhaps this show was a bit too much for me especially during the final season of You. Empathically it felt like getting food poisoning over and over again from the same restaurant and still ordering from there hoping they had decided to up their practices overnight – like that of a toxic relationship. A nonstop sour feeling remained in my stomach and hope that maybe just maybe – someone – maybe even Joe would put an end to the bloodshed. And though he did try, sadly his attempt failed. And after all this I have to say one good thing – the whole The Sixth Sense – psychopath edition ending was interesting but I really feel like this season could have been compressed by a couple episodes.

I did find comfort in The Nightingale (Marienne) being set free but shortly after I was sickened once again for the person who set her free was sent to her own hell. Yes, she got to live but she did nothing wrong and gets imprisoned. And yet Joe gets to waltz around murdering people because his newest “love” is wealthy beyond belief. It gives you a reminder that there are people in similar situations out there. I suppose I find relief in happy endings; color it my want for escapism. In contrast, this show was more a reminder of mental and literal imprisonment without a wanted ending of justice for someone like me.

Geek of the Week: Mars Smith

by Deidra KathleenJanuary 20, 2020

Where are you from originally?
The city of broken dreams… Kidding! Los Angeles!

What is your Hogwarts house and why?
Hufflepuff! I’m super loyal, quirky, and I know all the best food spots!

What are some geeky hobbies you partake in?
Where do I start? I love playing video games, board games, and roleplaying games like D&D…I also like anime!

So I know you went to film school, but can you tell me – what is your main focus/passion in film?
And why did that in particular stick out to you?
Well, I love creating concepts for TV shows. Most of my ideas are for kid shows right now, but other than that, producing is a big focus of mine. It’s like you’re pulling the strings to the show and it’s so satisfying when everything comes together.

***Used with permission from Mars Smith***

You have a podcast called GoreFriends, what’s it about and how did that start? How did you find your podcast partner?
Gorefriends is a horror movie podcast where my cohost and I deeply analyze all types of horror films. I met my partner, Story, on our first day of film school seven years ago. She just called me one day and asked me if I wanted to do a podcast. Since I had experience doing one previously and I love horror films, I said, “Sure!”
Our main drive of wanting to do this is to show that black women have educated opinions on films as well. Most, if not all, of the film podcasts out there are from the perspective of caucasian men and/or women. We just want to give a voice to the film nerds of color.

If you could take the place of any fictional character from any book, TV show, comic, or film – who would you choose? And why?
Haruhi from the anime, Ouran High School Host Club comes to mind! She’s a middle-class scholarship student at a rich school. She ends up working for the Host Club, a group of idle rich boys, possessing exceptional good-looks, who entertain female clients. Her character is super down-to-earth, she is pretty much gender fluid and she gets to be around cute guys all the time. Who wouldn’t want to be her?!

Who is someone you look up to and why?
Feel free to name two or three.
To be honest, I don’t look up to celebrities really because I don’t know them on a personal level. I only know them from what we see in the media. However, I do look up to various friends in my circle. They are all very strong men and women that are aware of social issues and understanding of mental issues, including my anxiety I get from time to time.

What are some current projects and/or goals you’re working on?
Currently, Gorefriends is my main focus. However, in regards to paid work, I’m working producing Instagram videos for an awesome plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills!

What is your dream project to work on?
It might be selfish, but anything of mine. Haha! I mean having the budget to produce a children’s program is a dream. Growing up, Sesame Street and PBS were a big part of my life, so I’d like to pass those same feelings to a younger generation.

Can you tell me about a time you had to pick yourself back up?
Being someone that lives with depression, I’ve definitely had my share of experiences where I wasn’t the fun and positive person people are used to. Being a struggling artist in Los Angeles, everyday can be a battle. But, I try to just focus on today, leaving yesterday’s problems in yesterday, and being grateful for what I do have.

What is your favorite inspiring quote?
“This too shall pass.”*

*This phrase is an old Persian adage used by many around the world.

Where can people find you on social media?
Instagram: @i_am_2eager & @Gorefriends

Geekscape Fantastic Fest Review: ‘A Dark Song’

by AllieHanleyOctober 2, 2016

You can bet the team at Fantastic Fest didn’t have to think hard on including Liam Gavin’s “A Dark Song” in their first round of films for this year’s festival which concluded last week in Austin.

“A Dark Song” begins with Sophia (Catherine Howard), who has suffered a tremendous loss. Her child was stolen away and his body never found. Upon discovery of a six month long ritual that may give her the ability to communicate with her presumed dead child, she enlists the help of an occultist (Steve Oram). He seems like a lost cause and a hot mess, but she’s desperate. Her hope is that he can perform the rituals which may lead to her fondest wish being granted; if that truly is what she desires.

Liam Gavin as writer/director, has created a compelling story that at first glance seems predictable, but it’s actually far from that. It’s deep and brooding, filled with quiet moments that give you time to consider. When a lessor director might have opted to tell his story by more obvious means, like big spooky bangs, or visuals that shock, Gavin goes in another direction. His “Dark Song” makes you wonder by not doing the obvious. What follows is a slow-boil horror/thriller that is more dependent upon the unseen for most of the film, and when the timing is right, it delivers.

The film features only four credited actors but mostly plays to just two, in which you never grow bored of watching. They keep doing activities that strangely captivate. Also, most of the film takes place within one confined area, a home where the spell is being conducted, and again, you don’t get bored with it. The film never feels small and confined. The use of the set, the sound and score, as well as the very intriguing actors portrayals keeps you on the edge of your seat. All done to great affect and brilliance from Gavin. It’s still hard to believe this is his first feature film as a writer/director because the choices he makes, and the visual restraint he practices all point to a much more seasoned story-teller. I still want to know who the dark figure with the cigarette was a week later. His film really has the power to linger on in your imagination far after seeing it.

The main qualification of a film to play at “Fantastic Fest” is that as the end credits roll, you should have a sense of saying or feeling that film was fantastic. “A Dark Song” fulfills that requisite magnificently. It’s original in the best way; in that you think you know what the story is about, and where it’s going to go, but it doesn’t. It takes the genre and bends it into new territory within a genre and that makes it unique where so many movies along these lines nowadays are not. Gavin correctly uses light and tone, sound and visuals to evoke a captivating story that is best viewed without much detail from a critic as the discovery of “A Dark Song” is part of what makes it so fantastic.

Rating 4 out of 5

How to see this film: It was released in Ireland a month ago, and is set to play in London Oct. 7th. It doesn’t have a real US release date yet. Better viewed on the big screen, so stay tuned to Geekscape for the release date coming soon.

http://youtu.be/-uIqunGsziA

Horror Movie Night Episode 5: Frailty

by SaintmortAugust 1, 2015

This episode of Horror Movie Night transports us back to the fantastic world of 2002, when Matthew McConaughey’s career was on fire, Bill Paxton was making housewives quiver, and the abundance of boy bands was a sign of the end-times. Our guest Rich barely gets a word in edgewise and adds us to his God’s Hand Killer list of naughty children; we discuss where we would like those magic hands to be placed. Listen to Horror Movie Night – it’s God’s will!

Feel free to join in discussion at on our Facebook Group, our Reddit page or in the comments below

Also subscribe to our podcast on Soundcloud and iTunes

Kari’s Anime Corner: First Impressions of ‘Another’

by Kari LaneApril 28, 2014

I remember hearing about Another from my anime friends a couple of years ago. I had also seen some of the art and was told it was a weird show. Well, to say anime is weird, is redundant because almost all anime is strange in some way and that’s why we love it! I started Another planning to watch just the first few episodes but I just had to know what happened next and ended up watching all 12 episodes.

The series starts off with Koichi Sakikabara, a ninth grade boy who is soon to be released from the hospital. He had a lung collapse and is now staying in the rural town of Yomiyama with his maternal grandparents and aunt. His mother died shortly after he was born and his father is away on business. Cue the creepiness! While at the hospital, Koichi meets a mysterious young girl who is on her way to the basement to give her “friend” a doll. He is later surprised to see her at his new school (she is even in the same class as him) but no one else seems to notice her. Is she a ghost? What is wrong with class 3-3? Why won’t any of the students tell Koichi what is going on? More importantly, why are students and some of their family members dying in gruesome accidents?

The show starts off as a ghost story then it turns into more of a thriller. Turn off the lights for this one and enjoy the spooky visuals, the moody music and the heart racing series of events. I really enjoyed the Final Destination movies and I think 1000 Ways to Die is fascinating, and the deaths on this show fall into the same category. They are crazy accidents and, after you have witnessed a couple, any dangerous situation makes you nervous. There is a lot of blood but deaths are over rather quickly, until the final climax of the series.

The muted color palette fits the emotionally drained students. Artistically, everyone is drawn in a cute/youthful way which contrasts nicely with the somber environment. Towards the end of the show, when some of the extreme violence occurs, many characters are drawn in an over-exaggerated way which fits perfectly with how crazy they have become.

The horror aspect of the show peaked my interest and the mystery made me watch episodes back to back. The show explains many things, but not enough to answer all of your questions. Also, the last bit of the show is an extremely different vibe though it still has that hair raising suspense. The less you know about this show before you watch it the better. It puts you on the same level as Koichi and you learn the information as he does. This is what happened for me and I feel it improved my viewing of this show. If you want to watch something creepy with an intriguing mystery, you will want to check out Another!

Geekscape Movie Reviews: ‘Abducted’

by S.J. BorgerOctober 20, 2013

Abducted, the new horror/sci-fi thriller from Glen Scantlebury and Lucy Phillips (My Tiny Universe, Steal America) stars Trevor Morgan (Chasing 3000, The Rookie) and Tessa Ferrer (Go For Sisters, Grey’s Anatomy) as a couple who are abducted from Griffith Park by unknown assailants. Together with four other couples they meet in their imprisonment, they must figure out who has taken them–and why.

Tessa Ferrer and Trevor Morgan star in "Abducted." — Tessa Ferrer and Trevor Morgan star in “Abducted.”

Morgan and Ferrer play David and Jessica, a couple visiting Los Angeles from New York. While on a sightseeing hike near the Griffith Observatory, they are taken hostage by spooky figures in orange hazmat suits and gas masks. They wake up, in their underwear, in a dank, dark room where they are held and subjected to intense psychological abuse and strange medical experiments.

Jessice (Tessa Ferrer) attempts to escape in "Abducted." — Jessice (Tessa Ferrer) attempts to escape in “Abducted.”

Numerous escape attempts reveal fellow kidnapped couples, each with their own theories: Justin (Doug Haley) and Summer (Emily Graham-Handley) who reinforce Jessica and David’s believe that they were kidnapped to be held for ransom as Jessica’s dad is a General in Afghanistan and Justin’s is a wealthy producer; Eliot (Aidan Park) and Maria (Vivan Dugre) are scientists who believe it is alien abduction and have been following similar missing people cases across the country. They believe the aliens take couples so that they can create a human-alien hybrid who can take over the earth; and Buzz (Ross Thomas) and Tiffany (Jelly Howie) who believe it’s the government creating super-soldiers.

A spooky, silent child (May Turnure) wanders the halls in "Abducted." — A spooky, silent child (May Turnure) wanders the halls in “Abducted.”

Full of spooky details (hair and nails don’t grow, phones never lose their charge though they don’t get a signal, a pale blonde child wandering the halls) and a complement of red herrings, Abducted does a good job of keeping the audience in suspense (and at times, horrified) and questioning what is going on. While there are a few ‘wait, but why…?’ moments, the film is well-paced, well-written and well-acted and for fans of thrillers/suspense movies, a well spent hour and thirty minutes.

Abducted is a Entertainment One and Hidden Agenda presentation with Pavement Pictures. The film can be purchased on DVD for $19.98 and is also available on Xbox Video. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLyIs-18m1I

New Stills Released For ‘Under The Dome’

by Derek KraneveldtJune 5, 2013

This is going to be a fantastic month. Between Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us, Man of Steel, Dexter, The Killing, and of course Under the Dome, I have no idea where I’m going to find the time to get anything done… and I couldn’t be more excited.

Brian K. Vaughan’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Under the Dome premieres in just a few weeks, and CBS has released a cool batch of images to excite you for it. The images are a mixture of stills from the pilot episode and production photos, and while they reveal little about the series, they still look damn fine.

Take a look at the images below, and let us know if you’re excited for the series! A full-length trailer was released a few weeks back, and should serve to further excite you if you haven’t seen it. Under the Dome premieres on June 24th.

Source: Seriable

Take A First Look At Stephen King’s ‘Under The Dome’

by Derek KraneveldtApril 1, 2013

Brian K. Vaughan’s involved, so you know full well that I’m invested.

CBS today revealed our first peek at Under the Dome, the drama based on the popular Stephen King novel. I haven’t read the book myself, but after taking a look at the synopsis and the following video, it sounds and looks quite intriguing.

Here’s a synopsis (for the novel, who knows how close we’ll get):

On an entirely normal, beautiful fall day in Chester’s Mill, Maine, the town is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into it and fall from the sky in flaming wreckage, a gardener’s hand is severed as “the dome” comes down on it, people running errands in the neighboring town are divided from their families, and cars explode on impact. No one can fathom what this barrier is, where it came from, and when—or if—it will go away.

Dale Barbara, Iraq vet and now a short-order cook, finds himself teamed with a few intrepid citizens—town newspaper owner Julia Shumway, a physician’s assistant at the hospital, a selectwoman, and three brave kids. Against them stands Big Jim Rennie, a politician who will stop at nothing—even murder—to hold the reins of power, and his son, who is keeping a horrible secret in a dark pantry. But their main adversary is the Dome itself. Because time isn’t just short. It’s running out.

It kind of sounds oddly similar to The Simpsons Movie, but in any case, it looks pretty cool! Watch the first look trailer below, and let us know what you think! Under the Dome‘s 13-part miniseries premieres on June 24th, so you’ve got plenty of time to read the source material.

Watch The Trailer For Eli Roth’s ‘Aftershock’

by Shawn MaddenDecember 21, 2012

The first trailer for Eli Roth’s Aftershock has arrived online. The film which is co-written by Nicolás López (who also just happens to direct) and Guillermo Amoedo is a disaster thriller with a twist. Take the February 27, 2010 Chilean earthquake, throw in the fictional story about an insane asylum whose inmates are freed during the earthquake and add some of the usual Eli Roth elements and you’ve got what looks like it could be an interesting horror-thriller to check out.

Source: IGN

Check Out The Trailer For Taylor Hackford’s ‘Parker’

by Derek KraneveldtOctober 3, 2012

On Monday we showed you a cool poster for the upcoming crime thriller Parker. FilmDistrict today has released the trailer for the upcoming film, via Machinima.

Parker is an adaptation of the popular novels penned by David E. Westlake. The movie looks like a ton of fun! Check out the trailer below, and let us know what you think!

“Parker (Jason Statham) is a professional thief who lives by a personal code of ethics: Don’t steal from people who can’t afford it and don’t hurt people who don’t deserve it. But on his latest heist, his crew double crosses him, steals his stash, and leaves him for dead.

Determined to make sure they regret it, Parker tracks them to PalmBeach, playground of the rich and famous, where the crew is planning their biggest heist ever. Donning the disguise of a rich Texan, Parker takes on an unlikely partner, Leslie (Jennifer Lopez), a savvy insider, who’s short on cash, but big on looks, smarts and ambition. Together, they devise a plan to hijack the score, take everyone down and get away clean.”

Parker hits theatres on January 25, 2013.

‘Parker’ Gets A Poster!

by Derek KraneveldtOctober 1, 2012

IGN today premiered a poster for the upcoming Parker: an upcoming crime thriller based on the novels by Donald E. Westlake. This poster looks really cool to me. I love the simplicity of it (solid coloured background, grouped text), and overall I just get a very cool vibe from it.

This is the first I’ve heard of the title, of which the plot synopsis is as follows:

“Parker (Jason Statham) is a professional thief who lives by a personal code of ethics: Don’t steal from people who can’t afford it and don’t hurt people who don’t deserve it. But on his latest heist, his crew double crosses him, steals his stash, and leaves him for dead.

Determined to make sure they regret it, Parker tracks them to PalmBeach, playground of the rich and famous, where the crew is planning their biggest heist ever. Donning the disguise of a rich Texan, Parker takes on an unlikely partner, Leslie (Jennifer Lopez), a savvy insider, who’s short on cash, but big on looks, smarts and ambition. Together, they devise a plan to hijack the score, take everyone down and get away clean.”

Sounds like a fun ride. Check out the poster below and let us know what you think!

Parker hits theatres on January 25th.

X-Men First Class’s Lucas Till In Talks To Star In Werewolf Movie ‘Wolves’

by Shawn MaddenAugust 2, 2012

Looks like we may be getting some non-teenie bopper werewolf movies again! Deadline is reporting that X-Men: First Class‘s Lucas Till is in negotiations to star in the feature directorial debut of David Hayter (X-Men, X2, Watchmen), Wolves. The actor is currently filming the thrill Paranoia and recently wrapped up the indie thriller Crush.

Hayter wrote the script for Wolves, which centers on a young man (Till), who transforms into a werewolf and finds himself falsely accused of murdering his parents. He goes on the run, eventually arriving at a small town named Lupine Ridge that has a history of supernatural happenings. There he finds the secrets to his past.

It looks like Till is going to have a busy year or two here. That’s three movies plus the upcoming X-Men: Days Of Future Past he has lined up. We will keep you updated on Wolves as more news breaks.

The Netflix Instant You Might Have Missed: ‘I Saw The Devil’

by Shawn MaddenJune 22, 2012

It’s the weekend and sometimes we just don’t want to go out right? It’s time to order a pizza, sit back and relax because I’m here with yet another ‘Netflix Instant You Might Have Missed’.

‘I Saw The Devil’ stars Byung-hun Lee (‘GI Joe’, ‘GI Joe: Retaliation) and is directed by Kim Jee-Wooon (‘The Good, The Bad, The Weird’). This movie takes the serial killer thriller and twists it.

The story centers around Soo-hyeon Kim (Byung-hun Lee), a highly-trained special agent whose fiancée goes missing one night after her car broke down on the side of the road. The girl’s father is a local police chief, and after an extensive search the worst is confirmed when her body is found hacked to pieces and scattered in and around a creek. Her father is shattered, but Agent Kim deals with his grief in a different way: by seeking vengeance.

This is a Korean movie so it does have subtitles. So, if you hate subtitles you may want to find another one to watch. It is also extremely violent (I mean…it IS a movie about vengeance) so it may not be the perfect date night movie for everyone. But if you’re a fan of extreme Korean cinema or well…just extreme cinema in general. This one’s for you. One critic has even stated “I Saw The Devil makes Hostel look like a teddy bears’ picnic.”

The movie does have its downsides but the ups far outweigh them.

The film currently stands at a 79% critic rating and an 85% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

My rating? Solid 4/5.