Author Archives: Felix Vasquez

Roger Corman (1926-2024)

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Hollywood, filmmaking, horror, indie film, pop culture, the language of film, the understanding of art, the understanding of filmmaking, none of it would be the same were it not for Roger Corman. He’s a juggernaut that’s left behind a massive legacy and imprint on how we view movies. He will be very sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife Julie and children Catherine, Roger, Brian and Mary, and the countless legions of fans, film buffs, and aspiring filmmakers that he’s inspired with his enthusiasm for film, and love of storytelling.

Thank you, Roger Corman.

Rest in Power, sir.

Murdercise (2023)

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“All those girls out there are perverts, strippers and communists!”

It’s amazing that Kansas Bowling isn’t a bigger star. She’s become one of the most recurring faces in indie and horror film, only really appearing every so often to deliver some of the most hilarious characters put to screen. Working with Paul Ragsdale again, Bowling delivers a fun take on a character that’s not so much a villain and not so much a hero, but is just someone dealing with their own insanity. Director Ragsdale delivers a silly nonsensical horror comedy that’s centered on the Reagan-era aesthetic to where even Bowling’s main character is an uptight Reagan fan.

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The Red Ball (2022)

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George Morgan’s “The Red Ball” reminded me a lot of “If Anything Happens, I Love You.” It’s a powerful animated short about grief, pain, and attempting to start over after a horrible loss that’s shaken up someone’s innocence. In this instance, George Morgan focuses on a family’s efforts to move on and find some kind of restart despite the lingering pain of their former lives.

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War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

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Available on Physical Media and For Streaming.

I highly doubt this was ever planned to be the end (as nothing really ends in Hollywood), but if anything “War for the Planet of the Apes” is a stellar end to the Caesar saga. This new series’ timeline of the “Planet of the Apes” saga has proven to be filled with surprises and epic drama that once was anchored by the humans. Thanks to the amazing motion capture and excellent performance by Andy Serkis, it’s refreshing to see the series pivot finally over to the apes’ point of view. “War for the Planet of the Apes” is a downright fantastic epilogue to the journey of Caesar who went from animal victim to messiah of the new dominating race of apes. 

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Gunslingers (2024)

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Director Jacob Thompson’s “Gunslingers” is a great modern ode to the classic movie western that explores the universal idea of the gunslinger. Although it might be a badge of honor to be considered the best gunslinger in the west, there will always be someone coming around challenging you. And that is a curse to bear that will end with someone buried underground.

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Every Bugs Bunny Ever: Bowery Bugs (1949)

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Bowery Bugs (1949)
Directed by Arthur Davis
Written by Lloyd Turner
Animation by Emery Hawkins
Music by Peter Burness

Steve Brody is one of the more forgettable of Bugs Bunny’s foils as he feels a lot like a carry over from Tex Avery and his MGM stint. In fact, the majority of “Bowery Bugs” feels a lot like it brings the formula over, relying on a short that is so much less about the chase, and more about various skits involving Steve Brody in search of good luck. He’s constantly set off his path by the prankster Bugs, who makes it his mission to drive him crazy. The set up is pretty bizarre, as Bugs seeks to sell the Brooklyn Bridge to a potential buyer, and tells the story of Steve Brody and why he jumped off the bridge in 1886.

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Orphan (2009): Collector’s Edition [Blu-ray]

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Now Available from Scream Factory.

Director Jaume Collet-Serra’s horror film still remains a devious and twisted little gem that continues to be celebrated and rightfully so. It’s not only one of the sharper films of its ilk, but it also wields a twist ending that is so completely out of left field, you’ll be left with your jaw agape through the closing credits. “Orphan” is a movie punctuated by its great supporting cast but it’s mainly a great showcase for newcomer Isabelle Fuhrman.

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