100 WORD FILM REVIEWSAnnihilation

Drunk Monkeys Film Department
Film

It pains me to imagine how many great sci-fi movies we'd have from writer/director Alex Garland if he escaped Danny Boyle's grasp sooner. Ex Machina set the standard, but Annihilation is a much more ambitious beast. The film's genetic makeup is all kinds of screwy. It's H.R. Giger fused with Joseph Conrad. For each intellectually stimulating sequence, there’s a terrifying one closely on its heels. It’s a thrilling ride that hits a few bumps towards the end, but Garland deserves massive praise for bringing this much audacity to the mainstream. It’s hard-nosed, adult Science Fiction with a capital "S".

100 WORD FILM REVIEWSBlack Panther

Drunk Monkeys Film Department
Film

Ryan Coogler has proven time and time again that he understands the delicate relationship between a black man and their son. An otherworldly connection, sharing both the strengths and demons throughout the bloodline. This aspect of parenthood is explored in Black Panther. Aside from the nuances, amazing plot twists, and sheer entertainment of the film, there are several call backs for the trained eye: a brief Lion King moment, Angela Basset giving us Storm vibes, and jokes that only the Black community would appreciate. Surpasses all expectations. History in the making. Top five Marvel film of all time. Wakanda forever. 

100 WORD FILM REVIEWSThe Cloverfield Paradox

Scott Waldyn
Film

There’s a reason why The Cloverfield Paradox, the third entry in the Cloverfield franchise, was dumped onto Netflix. It’s not that The Cloverfield Paradox is necessarily awful, either. This sci-fi adventure about a team of scientists trapped in another dimension is simply too forgettable, employing a bag of sci-fi tropes and moments of “unexplained weirdness” to fill its hour-and-42-minute runtime. The Cloverfield Paradox does have moments of competency, but it strives to go nowhere. Once the bag of tricks runs out, so does the film.

I believe it was Virgil who once said, “Beware of [movie producers] bearing gifts.” 

100 WORD FILM REVIEWSWinchester

Drunk Monkeys Film Department
Film

Winchester commits the ultimate horror movie sin: it’s boring. So, so, so, so, so boring. I walked out at the end of the climax because I couldn’t bare to sit through any more of the film. Nothing can save it, not even Helen Mirren herself. I’m not going to talk about the movie anymore because it’s terrible and I feel asleep trying to write the synopsis. Go read about the Winchester Mystery House on Wikipedia, then watch any other Helen Mirren movie (except RED2) and pretend Winchester never happened. You’re welcome. 

FICTIONOfficer Henry WakeJoshua Hampel

Drunk Monkeys
Fiction

Alice looked at Henry for one long moment before nodding, and when she did he could hear her teeth clicking against the barrel of the gun and he shivered at the sound. He closed his eyes for a second and forced himself to swallow. He opened his eyes and looked at Alice. “Do you know why you want to do this?”

Load More