Review: Iron Lung (2026)

Iron Lung marks an impressive milestone in Markiplier’s journey—his feature film debut after three long years of anticipation.

Originally released in 2022, David Szymanski’s indie game quickly gained a following, with many YouTubers embracing it. Markiplier was one of them. I deliberately avoided the game, the playthroughs, and even most of the trailer once the adaptation was announced. I wanted to go in as blind as possible—and that decision paid off.

Seeing the film felt like an event. We dressed up and treated it like a premiere, which added to the fun. These days, it’s rare for me to experience a movie with no prior expectations, but Iron Lung allowed that.

Set in a post-apocalyptic future after “The Quiet Rapture,” the story follows a convict exploring a blood ocean on a desolate moon aboard a claustrophobic submarine known as the Iron Lung, searching for missing celestial bodies.

The more I reflect on the film, the more I appreciate it. Mark accomplished a lot with limited resources, especially in sound design. The audio work was exceptional—some of the most immersive I’ve experienced in a theater, with sound coming from all directions.

The setting deserves special praise. Much of the film takes place inside the Iron Lung itself, and the space feels fully realized—physical, worn-in, and tangible. In an era dominated by heavy CGI, this grounded approach was refreshing.

I was thoroughly engaged from start to finish. I didn’t always know where the story was heading, and while there were one or two moments of mild confusion, they didn’t detract from the overall experience. The performances across the board were solid and convincing.

I highly recommend Iron Lung. It’s a strong and memorable addition to the horror genre, and I’m excited to see what Mark does next.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

23 Years Later...We Got "28 Years Later"

 

The zombie genre first clawed its way onto the screen in 1968 with George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, and it’s refused to stay buried ever since. Time and again, it’s been resurrected, each time reflecting our deep-rooted obsession with survival and what it means to be human. But not every era has been kind to the undead. In the early 2000s, the genre hit a bit of a lull—zombie films still popped up here and there, but few made a lasting impact. 

But things started to shift in 2002 with the release of 28 Days Later. Much like Night of the Living Dead in ’68, it was lightning in a bottle—a game-changer that breathed new life into the genre. No question—28 Days Later blew the doors wide open for the genre.

It gave filmmakers room to break free from the slow-shuffling zombie formula and explore something bigger and bolder. This was a modern, visceral take on the genre.

Back then, I used to lump the infected in 28 Days Later in with traditional zombies. But they’re so much more than that. They're fast, relentless, and completely unhinged—driven by pure, unchecked fury. They’re not just another take on zombies; they’re their own beast entirely. Looking back, I can say I was wrong to label that first film as just another “zombie flick.”

What 28 Days Later really exposed wasn’t just the horror of the infected—but the far scarier truth: what humanity becomes when we let rage and fear take control. 

The success of 28 Days Later cracked the door wide open, inspiring a new wave of filmmakers to dive into the genre. It marked the rise of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost with the genre-blending brilliance of Shaun of the Dead. We also saw a bold reimagining of Romero’s Dawn of the Dead in 2004, thanks to James Gunn and Zack Snyder. And perhaps most fittingly, Romero himself returned to continue his iconic saga with Land of the Dead.

It also inevitably paved the way for a sequel - 28 Weeks Later, released in 2007. Watching it again recently, back-to-back with the original during a double feature with my wife, I was struck by just how star-studded the cast was—something I’d completely forgotten. But almost immediately, the shift in tone was obvious.

This film had a bigger budget, no doubt about it. The increase in gore, the wider scope, and the more polished visuals made that clear. But what it gained in production value, it lost in emotional weight and thematic focus. 28 Weeks Later lacks the raw urgency and intimate terror that made 28 Days Later so unforgettable.

That’s not to say I dislike it—far from it. When viewed as a standalone entry, it’s a solid, adrenaline-fueled thriller. But it trades in the haunting questions about human nature for more conventional spectacle. The infected, for the most part, are treated more like high-speed zombies than the horrifying mirror of humanity they were in the original. The one exception is Robert Carlyle’s Don, whose arc brings back a flicker of that unsettling human darkness—but it’s not quite enough to recapture the original’s bite.

With the wave of successful requels and legacy sequels fueling audience appetite for nostalgia, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland have timed their return perfectly with 28 Years Later. Fans eager for a fresh chapter in the series have been rewarded with the original creators stepping back into the story, balancing respect for the past with new perspectives.

28 Years Later hit theaters on June 20th, 2025. Made on a $60 million budget, it went on to earn $150 million at the box office. And recently it has hit digital streaming services. 

The Film

Set 28 years after the original Rage Virus outbreak, 28 Years Later follows a remote community living on the island of Lindisfarne, off England’s coast. The story focuses on 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams), his father Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and his mother Isla (Jodie Comer), who is suffering from a mysterious illness marked by violent episodes and confusion. Desperate for a cure, Jamie and Spike set out for the mainland—still ravaged by the lingering effects of the Rage Virus.

As they navigate this dangerous new world, they encounter mutated infected and hostile human factions, including a cult led by Sir Jimmy Crystal (Ralph Fiennes), whose eerie resemblance to the disgraced British TV figure Jimmy Savile adds a chilling layer to the story. The film delves deep into themes of survival, resilience, and the dark undercurrents that emerge when society collapses.

This past weekend, my wife and I finally sat down to watch 28 Years Later. We’ve both been big fans of the first two films in the series—they really left a lasting impression on us. So, we were genuinely excited about this new installment. To keep the experience fresh, we avoided any trailers or spoilers and went in completely blind.

Right from the start, the opening grabbed our attention. It felt like a seamless continuation of the story from the previous two films. The film quickly established the nature of the infected and revealed what had become of key characters from the original outbreak—especially Jimmy, the young boy introduced in the opening scene. That scene packed a serious punch. I was genuinely impressed; it was both powerful and unforgettable.

After that gripping opening, we got the iconic 28 Years Later... title card—always a highlight. One thing I’ve always appreciated about these films is how they skip traditional opening credits, jumping straight into the story.

We’re quickly introduced to Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), his son Spike (Alfie Williams), and his wife Isla (Jodie Comer). Right away, they come across as relatable and grounded—an ordinary family trying to live in extraordinary circumstances. But it doesn’t take long to sense something deeper going on with Isla. She’s forgetful, distracted, and has unsettling flashes of anger. I couldn’t help but feel for them—their dynamic really pulled me in.

At this point, I wasn’t entirely sure where the story was headed. I even found myself wondering—was Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s character supposed to be the young boy from the opening? I kept waiting for some kind of reveal, some clue about what happened to young Jimmy. 

It eventually became clear that this wasn’t Jamie’s story—it was Spike’s. We follow him as he journeys to the mainland with his father and embarks on his first so-called “hunt.” Looking back, it didn’t feel out of place within the series. In fact, it echoed the way the military was initially portrayed in 28 Days Later—seemingly helpful at first, only to reveal something far more sinister. That same arc applies to Jamie: what starts as a protective father figure slowly shifts into something more complex—and far more unsettling.

The first act zeroes in on Jamie and Spike’s relationship, framing the story around their father-son bond. It’s a solid foundation, and it gives us a clear sense of Jamie through Spike’s eyes—a father he admires, even idealizes, and is desperate not to disappoint. On that level, it works. The emotional beats land, and the setup is engaging enough.

But as the act wrapped up, I couldn’t help but wonder if the film was playing it too safe. It started to feel a little too familiar—like we were just watching a post-apocalyptic road movie with a family twist. I kept asking myself: is this all there is? Is the goal just to get back to Isla on the island? For a franchise that’s always pushed boundaries, this early stretch felt a bit restrained. It was effective—but it left me hoping the film had more to say than just, “get home.”

As we moved into the second act, the tone began to shift. If the first act was about Spike’s innocence—his sheltered view of the world—then the second act is where that illusion starts to break. He’s forced to confront the harsh reality of the world around him, starting with his own community.

The townspeople, once seen as survivors, begin to resemble something closer to a cult—rigid in their ways, disturbingly eager to celebrate Spike’s first kill. What should be a sobering moment is instead treated like a rite of passage, and it’s jarring.

Spike also sees his father in a new light. Jamie, once the strong and steady protector, is revealed to be far more broken and morally compromised than we—or Spike—realized. It left me questioning how many times he’s crossed lines like this before. Was this just one instance... or part of a pattern?

Then the film pivots again, sending us back to the mainland. Only now, the dynamic has changed—it’s no longer a father-son survival story, but a mother-son journey through a devastated world. The genre shifts with it, becoming a more familiar post-apocalyptic road movie. And while the emotional core remains, I started to feel the weight of the film’s structural repetition creeping in.

The second act dragged. Sure, the goal was clear—get Isla to Dr. Kelson—but the journey felt padded and slow. We got a few glimpses of the infected, but they lacked the impact or urgency of the first act.

There were a couple of memorable scenes, but not enough to keep the energy up. By this point, the film was starting to lose steam, and it showed. The tension dipped, the pacing sagged, and it felt like the story was just spinning its wheels. A new military character was introduced—then immediately reduced to comic relief and written off just as quickly. It felt like a missed opportunity and added little to the story beyond a brief tonal shift.

Then we hit the third act, where Isla and Spike stumble upon a baby—and suddenly, the film throws a dozen new questions into the mix. Was this meant to suggest an evolution in the infected? A commentary on the thin line between humanity and rage? Are we supposed to believe there’s a possibility of coexistence between the infected and the uninfected? It’s hard to say, because just as these ideas are introduced, the film barrels forward without exploring any of them.

The pacing in this final stretch is jarring. It shifts into overdrive, rushing through plot points without giving them time to breathe. One moment you’re trying to process what this baby might symbolize—and the next, the credits are rolling. It felt like the third act was in such a hurry to reach the finish line, it forgot to make the ending land.

The lead-up to the ending was a tough pill to swallow. Without giving too much away, there’s a moment that feels completely out of character and doesn’t make much sense within the story’s context. It disrupts the flow and throws the film off course in a way that’s hard to ignore.

While the intention might have been to deepen the mother-son dynamic, the execution falls flat, adding little emotional or narrative depth. For me, this misstep seriously undercut the film’s impact, to the point where I’d caution viewers about it—because it can be jarring and disappointing in a way that lingers.

When the film finally reaches its conclusion, the reveal about what happened to young Jimmy comes as a surprise—but sadly, it feels like a missed opportunity. By that point, the earlier missteps had already eroded my investment in the story. The payoff was too little, too late, leaving me emotionally distant and uninterested in where the sequel, The Bone Temple, might take things next.

The ending underscored a larger issue: the film struggled to build meaningful momentum or depth throughout, and that final reveal couldn’t repair the disconnect. Walking away, I felt a profound disappointment—not just because of what the story was, but because of what it could have been.

Rating: 1 out of 5. If you enjoy the earlier installments, I highly caution to avoid. 

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Welcome Back To BlazinBlue's Review

     

Hey everyone, Matthew here from BlazinBlue's Review—how’s it going? It’s been a while since my last post—actually, nearly two years! The last one was way back in September 2023, so I figured it was time to check back in.

If you’re new here, welcome! I’m Matthew, and this is BlazinBlue’s Review (formerly BlazinBlue’s Horror Review—still working on a new logo, so hang tight). This all started from a simple love of movies. One day, I decided to take the leap and start talking about the films I loved—and to my surprise, it actually took off. Since then, I’ve had the chance to connect with some amazing people, including an early interview with David Howard Thornton (aka Art the Clown) about Terrifier 1 and 2. I've also covered some really unique and offbeat films along the way, like Weird Things and the Slumber Party Massacre remake.

Wanting to keep things exciting, I made the choice to branch out from horror and dive into a wider variety of films.

So, what’s happened since our last check-in? Quite a bit, actually. I found my way into the world of education—and I absolutely love it. On top of that, we found our forever home and started embracing the joys (and chaos) of farm life. There’s always something happening around here, and it’s never boring!

Still, something felt like it was missing. I kept thinking back to the blog—something I’m incredibly proud of. It played a big part in helping me build confidence and find my voice.

Which brings me to this—I’m ready to return. I’ve watched plenty of films since we last connected, often catching myself analyzing them more deeply than before. It just felt right to start sharing those thoughts again.

I’m not sticking to the same release schedule I had before—honestly, that was a bit too much and led to some serious burnout. This time, it’s gonna be way more laid-back. Reviews will pop up here and there whenever it feels right. No set plan, just going with the flow. And honestly? That feels pretty great. It’ll keep things fun and fresh.

So, come along for the ride as we kick off this next chapter at BlazinBlue’s Review.

Welcome to My Nightmare: A Review of Dylan's New Nightmare

Hello all, it feels so good to be able to bring you a new review. A lot of things have happened during the hiatus. The biggest thing is that moved into a new house and set up a small farm. Also will be starting a day job as a substitute teacher. 

Back in 1994, I remember my mother coming home from the local video store. It was one of those days where I didn't have a say if I got to go or not. However, my mother was actually excited with what she had chosen. At this point, I had seen a few of the Elm Streets. The one that I remember vividly of watching continuously is Part 4 - The Dream Master. I had also rented Nightmare on Elm Street on the NES. This week's horror selection was Wes Craven's New Nightmare. When I was told that, I honestly didn't get it. I mean I was 6 years old. But then, she explained it had Freddy in it. 

New Nightmare quickly became one of my favorite entries in the Elm Street series. It was a welcome return from Wes Craven. It brought things back to its horror roots. It returned Freddy to a much scarier state than Freddy's Dead did. It also felt a little more grounded. But Wes being Wes, New Nightmare approached the series in a very meta light. One could say it was the prelude for what Scream would do for the genre. But between the parallels of Hansel and Gretel and Heather and Dylan, it just had so much heart to it. To this day, New Nightmare remains one of the big highlights of the series for me.

At this point, I do my best to cover all the fan films I can. I really love and appreciate all the hard work that goes into them. Here at BlazinBlue's Review, we've covered Never Hike Alone to It's Me Billy to Ghost Face. Imagine my surprise when I found out that someone had given us a new Elm Street fan film. But the cherry on top of it all was that it wasn't going to be a standard Elm Street fan film, but a New Nightmare fan film. 

I was absolutely ecstatic. I was through the moon. Then, I started putting up a slight guard. What if this couldn't work? What if this just didn't feel at-home alongside the franchise like Never Hike Alone and It's Me Billy did with their respective series. 

Never at one point though did I question if someone else could be Freddy Krueger. At this point, Robert delivered fantastic performances. All the problems I have with the 2010 film aside, I dug Haley as Freddy. It was just the not doubling down on things that still gets me with that film. But it helped show that Freddy is Englund's legacy not Englund himself.

Last Friday, I finally had time and powered on YouTube. It was time to see what everyone had been talking about. Plus, I was going to see Elm Street '84 at the local theater. So it felt like a natural way of just getting into the Elm Street vibe again. I have to say that I was absolutely impressed and won over. 

To kick things off, Dylan's New Nightmare was brought to us by YouTuber turned Writer/Director - Cecil Laird and Producer - Vincente DiSanti. It stars Miko Hughes reprising his role as Dylan Porter and has Dave McRae as Freddy Krueger. If you've been with BlazinBlue's Review for the journey we've been on, you'll remember that we've gotten to chat with DiSanti about Never Hike Alone. Honestly, everyone in this film, onscreen and behind the scenes, delivers. 

It honestly feels extremely natural for us to revisit Dylan Porter and see where his life is at after all these years. Especially given with the love of Hollywood producing legacy sequels for franchises. It also makes sense that he would be trying to make something of himself as an actor. The story being told is just fantastic. It honors what came before and feels like such a natural progression of the story. Sometimes, people try to deliver a sequel and it can feel a little off. Part of me would say I felt that way regarding Scream VI upon first viewing. It's like trying to recapture the magic and it's just not the same. However with Dylan's New Nightmare, it beautifully sidesteps into being a fantastic next chapter. 

Dave McRae as Freddy is fantastic. He delivers such a performance that feels so natural. Never once did I find myself wishing that it had been Robert in his place. This was a performance that felt very at home playing between 'Reel' Freddy and the 'Real' Freddy. The makeup also is so well done. It is Freddy Krueger in this film. The glove is also wonderful in the glimpses we are given. Though, I do wish there was a more close look at it. 

Miko Hughes is absolutely extraordinary. Growing up, I have had the absolute pleasure in seeing all his performances. He always delivers fantastic performances. And we definitely need more Miko Hughes in the genre. With this film, his performance as Dylan is nice. Its familiar with a lot more gravitas behind it. It kept my attention the whole run time. 

Now, I could go further with details about the film. But doing that would be a disservice because this is definitely a must-see. It's such a fantastic film that left me wanting to see where the story is headed. 

Score: 10 out of 10.

Go check out Dylan's New Nightmare on YouTube.

*Sorry for the formatting, produced on my phone.*

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Tales From The U.S.S. Horizon - Episode 2: "Botanical Intrigue"

*For those that missed Episode 1, You can check that out here

Tales From The U.S.S. Horizon

Episode 2: "Botanical Intrigue"

Security's Log, January 25th, 2368:

Chief of Security, Lieutenant Commander Maxwell Phillips reporting. After things went quiet on Korvex Prime, Captain Reynolds was ready to send a recovery team. Our mission is to discover what happened, along with continuing the investigation of the Research Station.

Upon touching down, it’s amazing to see the beauty of Korvex Prime - a blend of majestic mountain ranges, lush forests, and vast open plains. It’s clear as to why the Xyranthians settled here. 

The research station was nestled in a Forest Valley. We managed to discover the first team was within, but had been rendered unconscious. Ensign David Carter was still conscious, but in a slight catatonic state. Very peculiar. What happened here? Why was Carter the only one to remain, for all intents and purposes, unharmed? 

Dr. Patel was able to verify that the team was relatively unharmed. They had some scrapes as if there had been some kind of scuffle.  There was also a slight hint of citrus and spice in the air. 

I was tasked with attempting to communicate with Carter. I try my best, but he doesn’t seem to be all there anymore. There is something in his eyes though. It’s like somehow he’s been locked away within himself. How can we reach him? Maybe someone else will have better luck. 

After checking in with Crewman Jackson regarding the perimeter’s status, I find Captain Reynolds and Commander Chen talking privately. What are they talking about? Why are they talking in private? Did something happen?  They also seem to be close. 

I’ve been with the U.S.S. Horizon for a month now, I’ve had time to see how the crew interacts with one another. But this time, it seems different. Is there something more going on that they’d like to tell us? 

I shake the thought away. Nonsense, Phillips. Got to get back to the here and now. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice something in the distance. I can’t quite put my finger on it. There’s nothing there when I looked in that direction head on. But I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something watching me right there. 

Perhaps I should talk to the Captain after all. 

As I was approaching Captain Reynolds and Commander Chen, Carter seemed to snap back to himself. He was stuttering and shaking. The man couldn’t seem to get a word out, but it was extremely evident that he was here with us right now. The only thing that he could do is stare at me. 

No not at me, His hand raises and points in my direction, Past me. 

I spun around and dropped to the ground as a plasma blast shot past me. With a thud, the air was knocked out of me. Good, take in that feeling. It’s what reminds you that you’re still here. 

I look up as I hear Dr. Patel shouting to Captain Reynolds. Carter was hit. 

Security’s Log, Supplemental: 

After the attack on us, the Captain deemed it necessary to have Dr. Patel send the team back onto the Horizon. Carter’s loss was too much for this mission. 

We still are at a loss as to what the hell happened here. Why was our team attacked in the first place? Was it a Xyranthian that had attempted a second hit on us and killed Carter? There are still too many unknowns here. I hope that we are able to uncover something here that can provide some sort of answer. One thing is absolutely clear - there is something here that someone doesn’t wish us to find. 

Captain Reynolds thought that it might be best to keep the numbers of our remaining team to a minimum. I honestly don’t disagree. We cannot have any more casualties. 

I took it upon myself to look into exactly where the shooter fired the killing shot from. With the aid of my tri-corder, I was able to detect a spot in the clearing where the blast may have come from. On the ground, there was a series of branches that look to have fallen out of the tree. There was a series of large footprints as well. 

“Commander Chen”, I called out using my combadge, “I think we may have where the shot came from.”. 

Commander Chen and Captain Reynolds came over and confirmed my thoughts. 

“We have the where. But we still don’t understand the why.”, Captain Reynolds explained. 

“Do we have anyone working on gaining access to the computer records inside the station?”, I asked. 

“Crewman Mitchell arrived down some time ago," Commander Chen answered, “They are in the process of downloading the server. Apparently, it’s been encrypted.”.

“Maybe there’s something in there that this attacker doesn’t want us to find.”, I mention as I scan the surroundings with my tricorder. At that moment, it hit me that the only sound in the area was the chime of the tricorder.  “We can track the signature of the plasma blast. I’m assuming it’s a plasma rifle.”. 

Suddenly an alluring and enchanting sound begins to emanate in the distance. We followed the sound and the plasma signature to a nearby clearing. 

Upon entering the clearing a beautiful melody could be heard. There was also that smell again - citrus and spice. It was the same smell that we had encountered earlier. 

Following Captain Reynolds and Commander Chen’s lead, I drew my phaser in one hand and tricorder in the other. 

The stronger the plasma signature got, the stronger the smell got. A faint rustling could be heard now. 

“I don’t think I need this anymore.”, I holstered the tricorder. 

With each step, the smell began to take a turn almost as did the sweet melody. Stopping in our tracks, we located the source of the rustling. 

“Oh my…” Commander Chen said. 

The sight is something I will never forget. It was our Drakallian Attacker, there was no doubt about that. 

“Are those..” Captain Reynolds began to ask. 

It was being held down on the forest floor by vines with big red flowers on them. The Drakallian’s limbs were bent at different angles. The vines appeared to be slithering their way as they were enveloping the creature. 

One word could be heard as if it had been said directly into our minds. 

Klavor. 

To Be Continued…

 

*This was a Solo RPG session from the Star Trek: Captain's Log*

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Tales from the U.S.S. Horizon Episode 1: "Infectious Origins"

 

Ta;es from the U.S.S. Horizon

Episode 1: "Infectious Origins"

Security's Log, January 25th, 2368: 

Chief of Security, Lieutenant Commander Maxwell Phillips reporting. That's something that I still haven't gotten used to. Hard to believe that it's only been a month since I was assigned to the U.S.S. Horizon. 

The U.S.S. Horizon has been sent on a critical mission in the Lysara Sector. It's a sector that not much has been known about. Uncharted territory for the Federation, if you will. I can confirm that there are five planets in this system - Lysaria, Drakalus, Xyria, Aquilon, and Zenthia. There have been rumors of feuds between two of the species, the Xyranthians and the Drakillians. The status of this sector's Federation approval is dependent on this mission.

Upon entering the sector, we received a request to dock at Harmony Station for a meeting- a space station that serves as their neutral ground between the different polities. Captain Reynolds made the decision to split the team - one's objective would be to attend the diplomatic meeting and the other's to investigate the research station. 

I ask myself 'Why Starfleet deemed it necessary to send us on this mission?'. But one thing is clear - this sector's Federation approval is dependent on what transpires. To be honest, it feels like a weight has been placed on my shoulders. I don't envy Captain Reynold's responsibilities. But I must stay focused.

Security's Log, supplemental:

The meeting didn't go according to plan. The positive is that we made contact with the different polities: the Lysarians, the Drakallians, the Nalorians, the Xyranthians, and the Zenithians. It's clear that the Lysarians are the peacekeepers as the tensions between the Drakallians and the Xyranthians was very evident. We learned that Korvex Prime had been colonized recently by the Xyranthians. While the Xyranthians viewed this as a sign of their species strength and adaptability, others viewed it as a sign of power and force. Ambassador Valeer of the Lysarians was quick to remind Captain Vosran (of the Drakallians) and Commander Nalos (of the Xyranthians) of what the Lysara Sector was attempting to accomplish - proving to the Federation that they were ready to join them.

Captain Reynolds attempted to reach the away team down on the surface to no response…

To Be Continued...

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If this interested you, check out Captain's Log over at Modiphius. 

Star Trek Adventures: Captain's Log

 

    Hello all, welcome back to BlazinBlue's Review. It's been a while since I've posted last. There's been a lot that has been going on. We've been working on finding and preparing time to move. That's something that has taken quite a bit of time. But once we get everything squared away, it'll all be worth it. 

I've also been working on finding something for my son and I to do. He loves getting to play tabletop rpgs. We've spent time working on finding a Star Wars RPG cause he loves Star Wars. It's been a bit of a miss trying to find something to work for that Galaxy Far, Far, Away. We've also played some Dungeons & Dragons. But it's been the two of us. So it's a bit difficult to find a system that works for the two of us. 

Lately, I've been on a bit of a Star Trek kick. When I first was introduced to Star Trek, it was thanks to my Dad. We spent weekend afternoons watching reruns of Star Trek: The Next Generation. It was just one of those things that clicked for me. So, I decided to check out Star Trek: Picard. It's been a pretty awesome show so far. I know that there are those that may disagree on that and that's okay. Seeing where the returning characters are at in their lives has been pretty cool, and the new characters were pretty solid. It just managed to work in such an interesting way. 

Well, I had the pleasure of keeping that tradition going. My son sat down and watched an episode or two of Star Trek: Picard and then wanted to see more. At that point, I introduced him to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Strange New Worlds is just pure Trek. It's everything that love bout the franchise. It manages to hit all the right notes. While Picard felt a bit Firefly-ish in its approach, Strange New Worlds was 100% that vibe of The Original Series. And so, I took the time to start looking into Star Trek Adventures. 

Star Trek Adventures was really everything that could hope for in an RPG. It lets you play in the sandbox that Roddenberry created. I can definitely say that this places the franchise where it has never gone before. The flood gates were absolutely open because there was at least 5 years worth of awesomeness to look through. It felt a bit daunting. Overwhelming. But the thing was that it still required a group to play. And with us, it's just the two of us currently. 

So, I decided to look into if there was a solo option. By using the solo option, it'd allow us to create our own characters and be able to have our own sandbox that we could play in without a GM. There was Starlogs and Beyond the Stars. These seemed to be able to emulate slightly that feeling of going GM-less. But it just wasn't right for us necessarily. 

Then last week on the 11th, imagine my surprise when I discovered a YouTube interview that was discussing the breaking news for Star Trek Adventures - Star Trek Adventures: Captain's Log.  Immediately my son noticed that I was grinning from ear to ear and asked what was it. 

The very next day, I put in my pre-order to Modiphius. 

For those that are wondering, Star Trek Adventures: Captain's Log is everything that I was looking for. 

Captain's Log is an absolutely amazing tool. It's an all in one standalone book from the rest of the Star Trek Adventures line. It can be used in conjunction with the other books. It can also be used just for the information within it. 

Are you new to Trek? This book is for you. Are you new to RPGs? This book is for you. Are you looking for something that will help you craft stories? Again, this book is for you. 

At first, I was a bit hesitant to what I could do with the Captain's Log. I hadn't really dived into solo rpgs before. This was all new territory for me. I had played a session or two of Dungeons and Dragons and GMed a session or two. But I wasn't sure if I could do it. 

After the time I've had with it, I can definitely say that anyone can play Captain's Log. Really sky is the limit. Do you have to know your Trek? Absolutely not. The first two chapters of this book alone sets the groundwork for anyone coming into Trek for the first time. And it does it all magnificently. 

The roll tables in this book are called Probability Matrixes. There is a table for absolutely everything. Locations, build NPCs, Encounters are just a small tip of the iceberg. It helps with just about any aspect one could ask for. 

Now you may find yourself wondering 'What era can you play in?'. Absolutely any, all, or none of them. Literally I say that the sky is the limit. If you want to play an Enterprise campaign of the Rise of the Federation, it's in here. The Original Series or Discovery, it's in here. Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, or anything else you can imagine is in here. This is a completely Era-agnostic book and that's just so amazing to see. It provides you plenty of information for those Eras though. 

Could I have wished for just a little more information of the different eras? Possibly. But everything that is covered is absolutely awesome. 

Heck, I always wondered if could run a campaign involving the '09 Trek. With this tool, I probably could with a few adjustments here and there. There isn't specifically any information of the Kelvin Timeline, but that's probably down to licensing. And yes, I will say 100% that I enjoyed the hell out of those films. They reignited my love for Trek after I had stepped away from the franchise for a time. 

There are so many stories that can be told with everything contained within. It honestly is going to allow for years and years of content. I mean I'm never going to find myself bored of playing in the Trek sandbox. And with this, it helps one scratch that creative itch of creating something whether you spend 15 minutes or a few hours in a session. It really can be that easy. 

I'd absolutely highly recommend getting this book. I recommended it to my friend, who isn't a Trekkie. He literally told me that he hadn't really watched anything Trek. And then the other day, he told me that he had stumbled across a Star Trek audio drama. That's pretty cool. And he might even be up for playing in our campaign. 

Rating: I'd give this an absolute 5 out of 5. Such a well put together tool that just has so much limitless potential. And that's amazing. 

*Stay Tuned as I'll be sharing stories of the U.S.S. Horizon*

You can find the Captain's Log at Modiphius for Purchase. There are four different covers to it (The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Discovery). They are featured at the top of the article. I ended up with The Next Generation cover. 

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Review: SCREAM VI (2023)

 

    Hello everyone, BlazinBlue's Review has returned once again with a new review. This is one that I know some have been waiting for. It's time to talk about Scream VI (or Scream 6). 

    When Scream '22 (Scream 5 or 5cream as the internet had decided to call it) released, it was very nostalgic. It was like coming home to a warm blanket that had just been taken out of the dryer. Cozy. It was an interesting re-quel. It was familiar. The first part was very much in the vein of the original film. But then when Dewey's Last Stand happens, the film hit differently. It showed and expressed that it wasn't afraid to not pull some punches. I know for me, I kept hoping that Dewey was going to come out the film on his feet. But then that scene, it knocked the wind out of me. And I wasn't sure what was going to happen next. I didn't know if any of the legacy characters were exactly safe. And that third act is still pretty great. 

    With Scream VI, I went to see it for my birthday. It's one of those times where the movie gods seemed to shine down as everything had lined up. I went into the theater with a large Root Beer and a medium popcorn. It's honestly something that I don't do very often anymore. Ever since the pandemic, theaters have kind of changed. But there was still that small little spark of being able to escape from the worlds problems and get lost in the story. 

    After that initial watch, I left the theater floored. I didn't know what I had just watched. Well at the very least, I knew it was a Scream film. But it wasn't what I had expected. I guess I was expecting something more in the vein of Scream '22. But Scream VI is far from in the vein of Scream '22. I knew it was going to be very difficult to try to express my thoughts. And it was going to take time and a few times of rewatching it to fully get it. It honestly put my brain on the back burner with movie reviews for a little bit. First time I had found myself a bit flabbergasted like this. 

    When first had heard that Scream VI was moving to New York, I was really intrigued. It's always interesting to see the filmmakers take Ghostface and move the story out of Woodsboro. As much as I love Woodsboro, there's only so many times we can have these things happen there. So seeing our survivors of Scream '22 in New York was pretty welcoming. Then there was mention of them being in college. Cool. It firmly established that Radio Silence was gunning for a Scream 2 to their Scream '22. 

    Then, something interesting happened. They completely subverted expectations. That's honestly one of the best things that Scream VI does, to an extent. It subverted expectations. The kids are going to be in college? Nah, it'll be there for a moment. But just don't let yourself get attached to the idea of seeing them in college. It's going to be set around Halloween? Sweet, nice throwback to Halloween '78 in a way. But don't expect anything too far out of a sequence here and there. Though, if one keeps a keen eye out, there are some small little glimpses that it's Halloween time. Do wish that there would have been more with it though. 

    The opening was something that definitely caught me off guard. It firmly establishes that this won't be the same type of film that Scream '22 was. Yes, we get Samara Weaving in a fun little homage to Drew Barrymore. She's a fish out of water in the big city trying to meet people. It's our first little play of the idea with the college trope as she's a professor. But then that final slash happens leaving us with Ghostface standing there and staring at what they'd done. At that point, we usually would have had our title credit. But it keeps lingering and then unmasking, were we going to get our first audience known Ghostface? I was very intrigued by this concept. Then the rest of the opening played out. 

    On a recent rewatch, the opening hit very different this go around. It felt a bit Hitchcockian. Think about it, the first part of Psycho establishes that we were going to be following Marion Crane then twists it with that shower scene. This opening played very similar to me. 

    The rest of that first act then is fast and loose with re-establishing characters and establishing the newer ones. One of the new characters that I found myself really liking is Danny Brackett, Sam's new love interest. He just felt like a really solid good guy. He understands where Sam's at with everything and wants to be there to help. He never felt like a red herring to me. Then there's "I had econ!" Ethan, Chad's quiet roommate. Ethan never left much of an impression unfortunately. I'm guessing that he may had left that in Econ as well. Quinn, Sam and Tara's roommate, was interesting as she was the embracing her wild side in a sense trope. Then there's Annika, Mindy's love interest. She sadly didn't leave much of an impression either, on me or the ladder scene. Oh, is it too soon? And then we have Detective Bailey. During that initial watch, I felt it too easy for him to be involved. In a sense, it still is but now knowing how the story plays out, it feels a little more natural now. Especially as he quickly lays out the cards in one scene, "You mess with my family. You pay.". 

    I know that there have been quite a lot of people talking about the story. There are some gaps in logic and may be one or two small spots that feel misplaced. But for the most part, it plays things fast and loose. It hits the ground running and just doesn't look back. It's meant to be a fun thrill ride. It also hit me that the previous Scream films are firmly love letters to the Slasher genre. This film is a love letter to Giallo. It's very much evident with how the film plays against the audience's expectations. Radio Silence had a lot of fun with subverting expectations. This is also the first Scream film to have a lot of set pieces: (the Bodega, the Ladder, the Train, and the Shrine). Each one of these sequences are pretty damn memorable. I know, I'm leaving out Gale's sequence and the opening. While Gale's sequence is pretty great, to me it never felt like they could pull the trigger on killing her off. They were pulling their punch after killing off Dewey in the previous film. It'll be interesting to see if they bring her back and how this experience had effected her. 

    In this recent rewatch, the film didn't feel scary during that first act. It felt fun and lacking suspense. But then that apartment and ladder scene arrives, and the film switches gears amazingly. The tension and terror arrives in full force. There are two shots in that sequence where Ghostface felt so different to how he'd been shown in the film so far. The stabbing of the knife into the window sill before grabbing the ladder and the last look before walking away. Both of them are pretty incredible. With that first trailer, I honestly was shocked that they had decided to show part of the train sequence. I mean it makes sense as it firmly established we would see Ghostface in New York. But when the scene arrived, I was shocked cause for the most part it didn't play out like it had been shown. There was a lot more tension to it as we find our group separated. It may be one of my favorite, if not my favorite sequence, in the film. 

    The idea of the Shrine was one that I was all geared up for. It felt different than anything before. In one way, it's very operatic in its approach. It's bold and grandiose. It showcases so many easter eggs so naturally. It's very much a visual representation of the Scream franchise. I originally didn't know how it was going to be used. I just knew it was cool cause it gave us a lair in a sense. Upon rewatches, it's pretty cool discovering more of the easter eggs that originally missed. But by the end of the sequence, it kinda tears down what came before to establish something new. Something fresh. And shows that wherever the story takes us next, it'll be different. 

    When they revealed who was behind everything, I wasn't as surprised about at least one of the killers. But with the rewatch, it's very clear that wasn't the point. This sequence was more about the motive than anything else. I'd say that it's a great sister counterpart to Scream 2's reveal. It also further builds on Richie's backstory. Though one thing that's pretty interesting is how Bailey and Ethan's performances are. They both had some Stu-isms with how gleeful they were. It immediately reminded me of Matthew Lillard's performane at the end of the original, "I always had a thing for ya Sid!". 

    Scream VI definitely got better for me with some rewatches and time to think on it. It continued to be entertaining each time. Yeah, there may be a moment here and there that wish we'd get more time. More time with Gale. More time with some of these newer characters. But it plays lean and mean with the time it has. It further establishes the Core Four as well. And I anticipate that Scream 7 will further build on the character of Danny Brackett. This is a film that definitely felt like a reinvention of the films that makes it new and fresh. And I honestly look forward to seeing where they go next.

Rating: 4 out of 5. 

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Review: EVIL DEAD RISE (2023)

 

Welcome back to BlazinBlue's Review with a new review. Today, I have the pleasure of getting to talk about Evil Dead Rise. Now as you may know if you've been following around here long, Evil Dead is one of my all time favorite franchises. Yes, I grew up watching the Elm Streets among other horror franchises. But it was the Evil Dead series that really landed for me alongside the Scream series. 

I mean what is there not to like about this series? The first three films and TV show had a kickass hero with Ash Williams. He is a Michigan made hero. When you look at the horror genre, it's cool seeing all of the variety in terms of our heroes. But when it's someone from your home state, it's just even cooler. 

At this point, this franchise has had five films now, a successful TV series, and multiple video games. That's pretty dang good track record. What's even better is that if you look at the films, there isn't one that's not enjoyable. There is always something that helps make the film solid. And honestly a lot of that is down to the characters. 

After the success of 2013's EVIL DEAD from Sony, I was ready for more. Ash Vs. Evil Dead was a nice, don't get me wrong. I really appreciate it for what it did. But I wanted to see more Evil Dead films. Sadly, we weren't able to get more of a straight forth sequel to that 2013 film. But honestly, that's okay. 

Evil Dead Rise was written and directed by Lee Cronin. The absolute nice thing is that with this installment, it brings the franchise back home to New Line Cinema. Originally, this film was to be directly sent to HBO Max. But after some very successful screenings, Warner Discovery realized that they had something on their hands. I won't lie I do have some various issues with HBO Max, but at least with this installment it alleviated my doubts that they'd screw things up. 

With this go around, we have a twisted tale of two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable. 

Just reading that synopsis alone with no spoilers, it honestly brings Resident Evil 7 vibes to my mind. With that game, there was an absolutely large part of it that just oozed Evil Dead vibes. It's probably why it was the first entry that I played all the way through. 

This is a film that definitely does not need spoilers. It makes one go into the film and judge it on its own merits. It's also one of the reasons that I decided to forgo the theater experience. When I went and seen the 2013 film, it was in a packed theater. It was a great experience. But it did pull some weight on my thoughts for that film. With sitting down and watching Rise on a 70 inch screen, it still was able to give me a bit more of a theatrical experience than I've had before. 

First off, I will say that I really dug Evil Dead Rise. I had no idea what to expect. I had managed to stay away from anything on social media regarding it. I even went as far as staying away from trailers for the film. I knew that I was going to give the film a watch no matter what. I wanted to be surprised. Would it have Campbell return in some fashion as Ash? I know that Campbell, himself, has said that he was ready to move on from the character. But he's still heavily involved behind the scenes. And honestly that's something that helps the film. 

Lee Cronin has delivered an extremely solid film. I applaud the approach that was taken. It caught me off guard quite a bit. One of the big swings that was taken was the focus on a family. Yeah, we get a small little taste of what we usually have for an Evil Dead experience. Cabin in the Woods, Check. Evil creepy clock from Evil Dead II, check. But then, things shift to the more urban setting of the apartment building. This is the Die Hard of the Evil Dead films in a sense. 

The characters that we are introduced to in this film are all pretty solid. The largest focus is on the family - Beth (Lily Sullivan), Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland), Bridget (Gabrielle Echols), Kase (Nell Fisher), and Danny (Morgan Davies). It's incredibly ballsy to have a horror film with children in it. Now, I definitely think the film hit a lot different for me than the 2013 film. As a parent, I definitely found myself wanting to protect everyone. If I had to make one nitpick with the film, it's that we are not given enough time with the characters. But that may also be a strength because with what time we are given, I was able to still care about what happened to them. 

The setting of the apartment building is something incredibly interesting. It's a bit of a breath of fresh air. I do wish that we could have seen more with it. How many other tenants are there? I know they establish that the building is going to be closed down in a month. But it just feels like that may be there to keep the character count down. However, the use of the peephole throughout the film is incredibly cool. There's one sequence that will literally go down in this franchise as one of my all time favorites. It's just so damn cool seeing events unfold in the hallway. 

Oh yes, there is blood. Buckets and buckets of blood. This is a film that is not for the squeamish. I tend to not be squirm while watching a film. But there were some sequences that I couldn't help but do so. The transformations that happen in

 the film are definitely different. There's one that I found myself repeating "No, No, No.".  It worked so well. 

The best thing that happens is that Lee Cronin plays up on the fact that there are three Book of the Dead's. This was something that originally set up in Army of Darkness. It felt like a complete throw away then. But now, it firmly establishes that EVERYTHING IS CANON. Every single installment. Hell, I'll even throw Ash Vs. Evil Dead in for good measure. So, we have Ash's Book of the Dead, the 2013's Book of the Dead, and this film's Book of the Dead. Each one adding more of a different flavor to everything. It's honestly making me want to have a replica of each book for my collection. The Deadites in this film do feel a little similar to the 2013 ones. However, Cronin delivers a delightful curveball in the final act. 

EVIL DEAD RISE is a film that delivered in spades. It surprised and made me squirm. Would I be interested in seeing another installment? Yes, I absolutely would. This firmly establishes that the Evil is Everywhere now. So the possibilities on where things could go next is pretty endless. It kind of blows the doors wide open for the franchise. And that's delightful to see as a fan. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Chainsaws. 

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