Tag: Streaming Movie

28 Days Later

2002   Fox Searchlight Pictures

Rated:  R

Length:  1 hr  53min

Drama ~ Horror ~ Post-Apocalyptic ~ Sci-Fi ~ Thriller

Directed by:  Danny Boyle

Starring:  Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, and Brendan Gleeson.

The Days Are Numbered….

28 Days Later throws viewers into a hauntingly familiar yet utterly transformed world where a devastating “Rage” virus outbreak has brought civilization to its knees. The story begins with Jim (Cillian Murphy), a bike courier who wakes up in an abandoned hospital after a coma, only to find London eerily deserted and plagued by violent infected creatures. As he steps out into this nightmarish reality, Jim embarks on a tense journey to survive and understand the chaos that has consumed the country, meeting other survivors along the way who each bring their own fears and agendas to the fragile group.

What drives the movie beyond standard zombie thrills is its focus on the evolving dynamics between characters who are pushed to their limits. Jim’s transformation from helpless wanderer to protective leader is matched by the struggles of those around him, exposing themes of trust, morality, and desperation in a world where society’s rules no longer apply. The film explores not just the physical horrors of the infected but also the psychological challenges of facing an uncertain future while grappling with loss, betrayal, and the instinct to survive at all costs.

Danny Boyle’s direction masterfully blends high-intensity action with quieter, emotionally resonant moments that capture the vulnerability and resilience of humanity. The chilling visuals of deserted London streets, punctuated by sudden bursts of violence, create an atmosphere of constant suspense. Alongside gripping performances, especially from Cillian Murphy as Jim, the film’s pacing keeps audiences on edge, delivering scares that feel earned rather than gratuitous.

As the first film in the 28 Days Later franchise, this entry sets a powerful tone that the sequels 28 Weeks Later and the upcoming 28 Years Later build upon, expanding the story of a society struggling to rebuild after collapse. For viewers planning to dive into the whole trilogy, this original remains a must-watch for its raw emotion, innovative take on the infected genre, and unrelenting suspense that still resonates years later.

Before I could watch 28 Years Later , which is streaming on Netflix, I had to go back and watch the original 28 Days Later last night on AMC+. Tonight I am watching the sequel 28 Weeks Later , also on AMC+, then Monday night I’ll watch 28 Years Later on Netflix. See you tomorrow with a review on 28 Weeks Later !

28 Weeks Later

28 Years Later

Arcadian

2024   RLJE Films

Rated:  R

Length:  1 hr  32min

Action ~ Drama ~ Horror ~ Sci-Fi ~ Thriller

Directed by: Benjamin Brewer

Starring:  Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins.

Family Is Stronger Than Fear

Arcadian drops us deep into a world where every night is a fight for survival, and every day is a fragile respite from the terrors that lurk outside. Paul, played by Nicolas Cage,, hunkers down with his twin teenage sons, Joseph (Jaeden Martell) and Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins), on an isolated farmhouse, their lives strictly organized around a nightly lockdown to keep out mysterious, predatory creatures. The film wastes no time throwing viewers into this tense routine, where every sunset brings dread and the comfort of family is tested by the constant threat from just beyond the barricaded doors.

Thomas, outgoing and impulsive, often pushes the boundaries of their father’s rules, sneaking away for brief encounters with Charlotte, a resourceful neighbor from the next farm. Meanwhile, Joseph plays by the rules and quietly studies their world, even daring to trap one of the nocturnal creatures in hopes of understanding it better. Arcadian skillfully builds drama by focusing on these sibling differences, revealing how each boy handles fear, isolation, and the flickering hope for connection in a world that’s lost its sense of safety.

A single brash decision shatters their carefully curated routine, plunging the family into a series of harrowing confrontations. As the threats evolve and old alliances fracture, the tension ratchets up, leaving Paul and his sons struggling not only against the monsters outside, but also against their own insecurities and doubts. Arcadian is less about explaining what caused the apocalypse and more about exploring how these survivors cope, adapt, and search for meaning and hope—even when the world grows darker with each passing night.

Arcadian drops you into a tense, post-apocalyptic world where survival means daylight refuge and nightly battles against terrifying creatures. Nicolas Cage quietly anchors the story of a father trying to keep his twin sons safe as the monsters evolve new ways to attack. With sharp creature design and sibling drama at its core, Arcadian offers a fresh take on the creature feature genre that fans of atmospheric horror won’t want to miss. Perfect for viewers who crave suspense and a story about family fighting to hold onto hope in a dark, dangerous world. Well worth a watch!

New on Netflix & Prime Video this coming week September 21 – September 27, 2025

NETFLIX:

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Sara Giraudeau and Omar Sy in French Lover (2025)
2025     Unrated
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Ruth & Boaz (2025)
2025     Unrated
Modern-day retelling of one of the most iconic love stories in the Bible. A young woman escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an elderly widowed woman and in the process finds the love of her life and gains the mother she never had.
Serayah     Tyler Lepley     Phylicia Rashad
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Andrew Keegan, Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Gabrielle Union, Susan May Pratt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Krumholtz, and Larisa Oleynik in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
1999     PG-13
A high-school boy, Cameron, cannot date Bianca until her anti-social older sister, Kat, has a boyfriend. So, Cameron pays a mysterious boy, Patrick, to charm Kat.
Heath Ledger     Julia Stiles     Joseph Gordon-Levitt
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Idiocracy (2006)
2025     R
Corporal Joe Bauers, a decidedly average American, is selected for a top-secret hibernation program but is forgotten and left to awaken to a future so incredibly moronic that he’s easily the most intelligent person alive.
Luke Wilson     Maya Rudolph     Dax Shepard
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Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
2002     PG-13
A young woman who has reinvented herself as a New York City socialite must return home to Alabama to obtain a divorce from her husband after seven years of separation.
Reese Witherspoon     Patrick Dempsey     Josh Lucas
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PRIME:

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That’s all we can find for this week,

See you next week!

 

The Luckiest Man In America

2024   IFC Films

Rated:  R

Length:  1 hr  31min

Drama ~ True Story

Directed by:  Samir Oliveros

Starring: Paul Walter Hauser, Walton Goggins, Shamier Anderson, Brian Geraghty, Patti Harrison, Haley Bennett, Damian Young, Lilli Kay, James Wolk, Shaunette Renée Wilson, David Rysdahl, Ricky Russert, David Strathairn, Johnny Knoxville, and Maisie Williams.

Brains Beat Luck….

The Luckiest Man in America tells the incredible true story of Michael Larson, who stunned the world in 1984 by outsmarting the game show Press Your Luck and winning a record-breaking $110,237. Played by Paul Walter Hauser, Larson was an ordinary ice cream truck driver who spent months studying the game’s unique board patterns and discovered a secret to beating it. What looked like luck was really the result of careful planning, focus, and a clever brain.

Larson realized that the game’s “Big Board,” which determined prizes and “Whammy” losses, wasn’t random. By watching hundreds of hours of past episodes, he uncovered that the board repeated five specific patterns of lights. Knowing this, Larson memorized the order in which the prizes and Whammies appeared. This gave him the power to hit the big cash prizes again and again while avoiding the dreaded Whammies that would wipe out a player’s earnings. This method, known as the five pattern, turned the game, usually driven by chance, into a predictable challenge Larson could master. The movie shows how this secret strategy amazed the host, the crew, and the audience, making Larson’s winnings unbelievable and raising tough questions about fairness.

Hauser’s performance shines as he portrays Larson’s determination and focus, blending his nervousness with confident skill. The film also captures the tension behind the scenes as the show’s producers debate whether to stop Larson or ride the ratings boost his wins create. The movie’s pacing slows a little at times, but the story’s excitement and the ’80s vibe, enhanced by an energetic soundtrack, keep viewers engaged. The film goes beyond just the game, exploring how Larson’s cleverness and guts pay off against the odds and the challenges of playing against systems that don’t want to be beaten.

Life After the Big Win

The real Michael Larson’s life after his famous win was far from lucky. He lost much of his money in a real estate Ponzi scheme. On top of that, he withdrew $100,000 in $1 bills for a radio contest, but about half of it was stolen during a burglary while he was at a party. These events deeply affected Larson, even leading to personal conflicts. Larson drifted through jobs, including working as a Walmart assistant manager. Later, he got involved in a shady multi-level marketing scheme that defrauded thousands of investors. Facing federal investigations, he fled to Florida, where he lived away from the public eye until his death from throat cancer in 1999 at age 49.

The film doesn’t shy away from this darker side, showing that Larson’s life was a mix of brilliance and tragedy, where a historic win didn’t guarantee a happy ending. Even if you already know the ending, The Luckiest Man in America puts you right in the middle of this thrilling and thoughtful true story about luck, skill, courage and the harsh realities that sometimes follow.

Worth a watch if you love True Stories and this one is a Doozy!

The Real Michael Larson on the left and Paul Walter Hauser as Michael Larson On The Right.

Dangerous Animals

2025   Shudder

Rated:  R

Length:  1 hr  38min

Horror ~ Survival ~ Thriller

Directed by:  Sean Byrne

Starring:  Hassie Harrison, Josh Heuston, Rob Carlton, Ella Newton, Liam Greinke and Jai Courtney.

You’re Safer In The Water

Jai Courtney stars as Bruce Tucker, a boat captain on the Gold Coast of Australia who runs Tucker’s Experience. a shark cage attraction. As he is returning to his boat with supplies he finds Tourists Greg and Heather waiting to be taken out and experience the shark cage experience. After talking to them and realizing that know one knows where they are, Tucker is more than happy to take them out to sea for the shark cage experience. After taking them out and throwing out chum to attract the sharks, Tucker lowers Greg and Heather into the ocean in the shark cage. After bringing them back up, Tucker promptly stabs Greg repeatedly with a knife and kicks him overboard for the sharks to feast on. Heather screams and Tucker smiles wickedly at Heather and says, “Welcome Aboard!”

Zephyr (Hassie Harrison) is a free spirited American surfer living out of her van and travelling the Gold Coast of Australia. She is running from her past and searching for solace in the sun and the waves. She meets Moses (Josh Heuston) one day as he is looking for someone to help him start his car. Reluctant at first, Zephyr agrees to help him after she realizes that he is also a surfing enthusiast. They get his car started and then form a bond which leads to a one night affair. Zephyr, afraid of any kind of commitment and being a solitary creature, sneaks out as Moses is sleeping. She heads to the beach to do some early morning surfing but realizes she has lost her fin key for her surf board. She notices Tucker’s truck parked behind her and thinking he was probably an early morning surfer like her, rummages through the back of his truck looking for a key. Tucker shows up and she explains that she wasn’t breaking into his truck, only looking for a fin key. He has one and gives it to her. and when she turns her back to go to her van, Tucker ambushes her and knocks her unconscious.

When Zephyr comes to she is laying on a bed handcuffed to a metal railing. Frantic she tries to break free and realizes there is another girl laying in the same situation as her. It is Heather the Tourist who calmly tells her they are on Tucker’s boat and that there is no chance of escape. Tucker eventually shows up and gives the girls bread and water. Zephyr quickly realizes that Tucker has drugged the water and passes out. When she comes to, Tucker has Heather attached to the shark cage crane in a harness. She is drugged and Tucker has thrown chum into the water. As he starts to lift Heather up it becomes clear that he is about to feed the sharks with Heather that she is about to witness “The Greatest Show On Earth!” Tucker lowers Heather into the water and videotapes the whole episode for his perverse viewing later. When Zephyr comes to again she is back handcuffed to the bed in the boat. She frantically tries to escape knowing that she will be the shark’s next meal.

And what follows is a frantic thrilling and desperate journey to survive the psychotic serial killer Tucker and his perverse fascination with feeding people to the sharks. Moses is so taken with Zephyr, he tries to find her and eventually figures out that she is on Tucker’s boat and that Tucker is a “Dangerous Animal”. Like the solitary creature the shark, Tucker looks for his victims and attacks them when they least expect it with no mercy. Moses and Zephyr have grown very fond of each other and both realizing the other is in danger, they team up to escape from Tucker’s madness. Dangerous Animals is like Jaws, Hannibal and American Psycho all rolled into one. It is more terrifying than Jaws, more evil than Hannibal and more devious than American Psycho. If you love the Horror genre or Thrillers in general, this is a must watch! Jai Courtney and Hassie Harrison are fantastic in this, I absolutely loved it and would definitely watch it again!

Turn off the lights and devices,

Make some popcorn,

Grab a beverage,

and Scream,

I mean Stream This Movie

on Amazon Prime and Shudder