Fear and Loathing in Fool's Paradise... Fast X and Faintly Sadistic... the Predictable Boogeyman... Giving Birth to a Butterfly.

With May coming to a close—shots downed and pints raised—it feels like a winner. This month barely saw anytime away from the keyboard. Still pumping out reviews, but fiction wins weren’t all back burner stories simmering for later. I also made a few inches progress on the latest Beerfinger album.

Plunging right in, I got to see a plethora of films. Advance screenings are getting to be a weird thing. Consider, when I saw Fast X, other critics were talking about movies I had yet to see. There’s this interesting (and if I’m being honest, annoying) spoiler infused quality to going to these things. Granted, doing this more regularly might mitigate that (I’d be seeing all the movies), but I think anyone can get my point—spoilers suck. I’ve also noticed an overall mood shift depending on whether a screening is a mix of press and the public. The latter often adds to the atmosphere in a positive way I’m sure promoters are trying to exploit to improve reviews. And I won’t lie, it kind of works.

But I’ve also noticed the kind of pretentious snobbery I’ve always abhorred in any creative circle. Being Midwestern to a fault, I do my best not to eavesdrop, but the guy sitting right in front of you boisterously talking about how much he plans on disliking a movie he hasn’t seen is telling. There’re also exit conversations overheard on the way to the parking lot, like when I heard one critic condescendingly talk another out of enjoying the movie they just left. Why do I consider this snobbery? Because the main reason for all the dislike was simply this being a horror film.

Look. Objectivity is largely a myth. People can only control their bias so much when it comes to examining art. However, if anyone is supposed to at least be making the semblance of effort, I think it’s the critics. And there are ways to acknowledge a movie, book, music, etc. isn’t your cup ‘o’ tea while admitting someone else may enjoy it. It’s the difference between admitting there’s a world outside of you and shitting in any eyes glancing elsewhere. You don’t have to give it four stars, label it a classic, and smile like a liar, but I don’t want to digress too much. 

​First off, I got to review Fool’s Paradise. It’s a movie from Charlie Day, better known for his role as Charlie on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The flick is a curious throwback to older styles of comedy. Those enamored with the hilarious sitcom Day is more famous for may not find the humor they’re looking for in Fool’s Paradise. While it has its charms, the movie ran too much on one note. However, why it might be worth watching is in the article below.

More Charm than Chuckles in Fool's Paradise | Film Obsessive

Next, I rode along with Fast X. This may shock folks familiar with me, but I actually enjoy the unflinching dumb fun of this series. The review outlines why exactly, so I’ll leave that for you to read in disbelief. There’s something to be said for an unabashedly bad action flick that leans into stupid so well. What exactly? Click the link.

Fast X Furiously Fuels Delightfully Dumb Fun | Film Obsessive

The same day, I watched Giving Birth to a Butterfly. This was the cinematic equivalent of doing a J-turn at top speed. I went from over-the-top action defying the bounds of logic and physics to a quiet indie drama with surreal elements softly sharing views on escape. It’s not for everyone, but I think there’s an audience for the film. More on why in the review below.

Giving Birth to a Butterfly: A Soft Sledgehammer | Film Obsessive

In the middle of the month, I penned a retrospective review looking back at one of my favorite flicks Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. One would think that’d be an easy article to write. However, loving the material as well as doing the research left me with material well beyond the word limit. The problem became pairing things down, and I still think there’s more I should’ve said. Yet, the main point I wanted to convey came across. Not only is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas a cult classic, but it’s a dark comedy about two sad figures blazing towards oblivion. I don’t think a lot of fans see the latter. Perhaps it’s only in youth people see reckless rebels heroically indulging in excess, and I’ve aged out of seeing madness as something disconnected from pain.

Feed on the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas | Film Obsessive

Shortly after, my review of Aseptic and Faintly Sadistic: an anthology of hysteria fiction went up over at Horror Obsessive. This book hit me a lot of ways. Not all of them comfortable, but each of them worthwhile. The stories I enjoyed don’t need much more explanation, but the ones I disliked were too focused on making a message rather than a narrative. Basically, they bluntly drove a point home with the subtlety of a hammer. That said, Aseptic and Faintly Sadistic often offered messages worth hearing, but it didn’t always do so in the best way possible. A more detailed explanation is in the review. 

What Awaits Reading Aseptic and Faintly Sadistic - Horror Obsessive

Finally, I closed this month seeing The Boogeyman. The movie is the latest adaptation of a Stephen King story, specifically a short from, I believe, 1973. It’s a solid enough horror movie. Fear flick veterans looking for something fresh won’t be disappointed. However, The Boogeyman isn’t likely to become a classic. Still, it’s better than 90% of the trash pumped out, smothering the horror genre in sewage. Check out the review linked below and even if now doesn’t strike you as the time, keep this in mind for a future Halloween.

The Boogeyman Is Enjoyably Predictable | Film Obsessive

That’s all for now. More reviews coming soon in June. In addition, a fresh paranormal article will go up over at Horror Obsessive. This time exploring Chicago’s Rosehill Cemetery. Meanwhile, revisit my old pieces on Cuba Road, Bachelor’s Grove, and The Congress Plaza. Otherwise, as work progresses on other ventures… stay safe, stay weird, and never forget, you only fail when you stop trying.