Carlisle Cult Cinema Club presents its monthly film recommendations, by Paul PD Donaldson.
Attention all film and TV lovers! The Carlisle Cult Cinema Club is excited to bring you our new monthly films review column.
PD will be scouring the streaming services to find the hidden gems and must-see titles that you won't want to miss.
From the latest releases on Netflix and Amazon Prime to the classic films on Disney+ and beyond, we'll do the searching so you don't have to. Get ready to discover your new favorite show or movie as we bring you honest and insightful reviews every month.
NETFLIX
BECKY (2020)
First up is Becky, starring Lulu Wilson as the titular character and Kevin James as the menacing villain, Dominick. It takes a simple concept of a teenager and her father spending a weekend at a lake house and turns it into a thrilling and bloody ride.
The group of convicts that invade their home is led by Dominick, a neo-nazi with a gang of thugs who will stop at nothing to get what they want. Kevin James is Fantastic as Dominick.
He really goes dark in this role, shedding his comedic persona and showing his range as an actor.
He’s Brutal, it’s got some fantastic practical effects. As Becky takes out the bad guys one by one, it's like a gore-drenched Home Alone. It's satisfying to see her outsmart and take down the villains in creative and brutal ways.
If you enjoyed the 2012 film The Aggression Scale, then you'll definitely want to check out Becky. It has a similar concept of a teenager defending themself against violent intruders but with a unique and fresh twist.
Becky is a thrilling and bloody ride with standout performances from its lead actors and some fantastic practical effects. It's definitely worth a watch.
NETFLIX
FREAKY (2020)
Up next is this wickedly entertaining 2020 body swap comedy horror flick called "Freaky." With the talented Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton leading the charge, this film takes the classic concept of "Freaky Friday" and gives it a deliciously dark twist.
A high-school senior finds herself trapped in the body of a deranged serial killer after a freaky incident involving a special knife. And here's the kicker: she only has less than 24 hours to reverse the switch before it becomes permanent.
What follows race against time to stop the killer and swap back. Vince Vaughn is Cracking in this film, effortlessly portraying both the terrifying serial killer and the teenage girl trapped in his body.
His comedic timing and ability to switch between these two contrasting roles is fantastic to watch.
The same can be said for Kathryn Newton, who perfectly captures the essence of a typical high-school girl thrust into this horrifying situation. What makes "Freaky" such a standout is its ability to seamless.
AMAZON PRIME
DEADLOCH (2023)
As an avid fan of dark Australian humor, I was thrilled to dive into the twisted world of DEADLOCH, a gripping murder mystery series set in the charming coastal town of Deadloch, Tasmania.
From the very first episode, I was hooked by the unique blend of suspense, comedy, and a cast of delightfully quirky characters. The heart of the show lies in the dynamic duo of Senior Sergeant Dulci Collins, portrayed brilliantly by Kate Box, and the sharp-witted Detective Eddie Redcliffe, played by the talented Madeleine Sami.
Together, they make up an unlikely team of crime-fighters, determined to unravel the mystery behind a serial killer targeting the local men.
As the bodies pile up and the list of suspects grows, it becomes a race against time for these fearless ladies to prove that they are more than capable of cracking the case, defying the skepticism of their male counterparts.
Set against the backdrop of the Winter Feastival, the atmospheric setting of Deadloch adds an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative. The small-town charm is contrasted with the dark secrets lurking beneath the surface, making for a captivating viewing experience.
The writing is sharp, with cleverly crafted plot twists and an abundance of witty dialogue that had me both laughing out loud and on the edge of my seat. DEADLOCH is an eight-episode series that will keep you engaged and entertained from start to finish.
Each episode builds upon the suspense, constantly leaving you guessing and questioning the motives of the quirky characters populating this tight-knit community. The pacing is spot-on, never losing momentum and ensuring that you'll eagerly anticipate the next installment.
The show effortlessly weaves in dark comedic moments, injecting levity into the otherwise macabre subject matter. It's this distinctive blend of wit, sarcasm, and absurdity that truly captures the essence of Aussie humor, making DEADLOCH a refreshing addition to the murder mystery genre.
As of July 7th, all episodes of DEADLOCH are available on Amazon Prime Video, and I highly recommend immersing yourself in this captivating series. With its engaging storyline, compelling performances, and a delightful dose of dark comedy, DEADLOCH is a must-watch for fans of murder mysteries and lovers of Australian humor alike.
DISNEY +
UNDERWATER (2020)
I’ve just watched the 2020 action horror film Underwater and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
I'm watching it and a few other action horror films for an upcoming podcast and couldn't help but notice the similarities to the Alien franchise, as well as other films like Leviathan and DeepStar Six.
The film centers around a group of oceanic researchers who find themselves in a desperate situation after a mysterious earthquake hits their deep sea drilling facility located at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.
As the survivors try to make their way to safety, they soon realize that they are not alone - strange creatures lurk in the water, taking out the crew one by one. The creatures have a very Lovecraftian look to them, and there are some really good jump scares throughout the film.
The claustrophobic feel to the film really adds to the tension, making it a real nail-biter. I can't believe it's taken me this long to watch it, but I really enjoyed it.
TREASURED FILMS/HMV
SATAN’S LITTLE HELPER (2005)
Last up we have this hidden gem from 2004 called "Satan's Little Helper." Directed by the talented Jeff Lieberman, the mastermind behind classics like "Squirm" and "Just Before Dawn," this darkly twisted comic tale takes you on a wild ride that will leave you both disturbed and entertained.
The story revolves around a young lad named Dougie, who becomes obsessed with Satan after playing a computer game. He believes he's meant to be Satan's little helper. When his sister brings her new boyfriend, Alex, home from college, Dougie's world is turned upside down.
He runs off in a fit of jealousy and stumbles upon someone he believes to be the Devil himself. As Dougie witnesses this supposed Satan committing gruesome murders, he boldly approaches him, seeking to assist in any way possible. And so, the dark and chaotic adventure begins, with the duo wreaking havoc across the unsuspecting suburbs of Bell Island.
Now, let's talk about the release of this cracking little film. It's finally getting the recognition it deserves from the New Boutique Label, TREASURED FILMS. This is their second release, and once again, they've knocked it outta the park. The Disc is jam-packed with extras, and if you buy it directly from their webstore, you even get some exclusive goodies thrown in.
Trust me, it's an absolute bargain for what you're getting. Satan's Little Helper is a twisted and darkly humorous ride that will leave you both disturbed and thoroughly entertained. With Jeff Lieberman's skillful direction and Amanda Plummer's Cracking performance as Dougie’s Mam Merill, this film is a must-watch for fans of Quirky and offbeat cinema.
So, grab a copy of this fantastic release from TREASURED FILMS and buckle up for a devilishly good time.
Limited Edition Contents * Double-walled slipcase with exclusive artwork by Mariano Mattos. * Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Jon Towlson and Justin Kerswell. * Webstore exclusive double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Mariano Mattos (first 1,000 units only). * Webstore exclusive 3 double-sided art cards (first 1,000 units only).
Special Features: * High-Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation. * Uncompressed Stereo English audio. * English SDH subtitles. * Audio Commentary from Director Jeff Lieberman. * Audio Commentary from The Hysteria Continues! * Behind The Mask, a 15-minute video essay by film critic and author Jon Towlson. * Home Invasion, a 48-minute online interview with Director Jeff Lieberman. *
Behind-the-Scenes footage. * Trailer. * Image Gallery. * Reversible sleeve offering two original artwork choices.
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