simplylove101

[simplylove101]

[simplylove101]

OH I’M SICK. BEST FRIEND ACTIVITIES 😭🫶

[simplylove101]

HEATHERS (1988) dir. Michael Lehmann

[simplylove101]

2025 Horror Challenge: [5/?]

↳“I didn’t know that murder was a love language.” Heart Eyes (2025) dir. Josh Ruben

Plot: For the past several years, the “Heart Eyes Killer” has wreaked havoc on Valentine’s Day by stalking and murdering romantic couples. This Valentine’s Day, no couple is safe.

Starring: Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, Yoson An & Jordana Brewster

Another movie I’m finally reviewing even though I totally watched this one back in March. Oh well. lol Anyway, I think this is the movie that got me most so far just because of my Olivia Holt bias. Also, I was mostly able to appreciate the genre-bending it was attempting - a horror rom-com. it’s not gonna work for everyone. The tone is probably a lot lighter than most true slasher fans are going to dig, but then the movie definitely delivers on the gore along with the romantic vibes thrown throughout so it felt like it was really trying to touch all its bases imo. Is it pretty cheesy and ridiculous plot-wise? Yes. Do I care? No. lol The cast was really good. Olivia Holt is officially one of my fave final girlies. She truly delivered as I expected. Mason continues to be a pleasant face in horror and be super charming so yay. His chemistry with Olivia was sooo good imo. They really hold the movie together. Gigi Zumbado was really cute with what she had to work with aka not too much. Devon Sawa wasn’t in here enough either but he’s a horror icon so it was nice seeing him anyway. And well, Jordana Brewster definitely went all-out with her performance so gotta give her that, Like I said, it’s not gonna be for everyone since it’s doing so much genre-bending that it can’t possibly please all audiences but it can appeal to some people. Thankfully, I was one of them. Not too surprised though since I did also mostly enjoy Josh Ruben’s Scare Me. And again, it has Olivia as the lead so yeah. lol

[simplylove101]

2025 Horror Challenge: [4/?]

↳“There is an excellent man inside of you, Tyler. I would love to see him soon.” Presence (2024) dir. Steven Soderbergh

Plot: A family becomes convinced they are not alone after moving into their new home in the suburbs.

Starring: Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, West Mulholland & Julia Fox

Another movie I'm finally typing up a review for, despite having watched this one when it became available digitally months ago. Oops. lol Anyway, I remember going into this one pretty apprehensive because the concept sounds intriguing and different but also something that easily could be boring and too try-hard. Somehow it's kind of all those things in one? I mean, I wasn't totally anti it being a slow movie. That's pretty much what the vibe this type of movie is selling you from the get-go. It's not too far off from what In a Violent Nature was attempting last year. For better or worse, it committed to its vision. I respect that. That being said, the most interesting part of the movie is like the last 20 minutes of it when things actually go down. lol Like, it truly goes 0 to 100 real quick. XD But then when that part comes, it just sparks so many questions because there's plot holes. If nothing else though, that part is a conversation starter. I wish the rest of the movie had my attention the way the ending did, but at least the run time was short, so I didn't mind it as much as I thought I would. I do admire that they were really trying to approach this narrative in a different way. A pretty ambitious promise that doesn't completely deliver but I get what they were trying to pull off. It's why I can't say I totally hated it. It did feel worth watching at least once but that might be all I needed cuz I didn't love it. I will say I'm not surprised Neon distributed this one since feels right up their alley. They like their quirky, innovative ideas. Overall, I just think it's a pretty flawed movie that tried to be something new but the story/characters needed to be fleshed out a lot more for this to work better. Also, the pacing needed some tweaking. Again, respect the vision but let's not alienate the audience either. We want to be entertained. lol Certainly won't be a fave but not the worst watch either.

[simplylove101]

2025 Horror Challenge: [3/?]

↳“There were two times I felt truly happy. First, the day I met Josh; second, the day I killed him.” Companion (2025) dir. Drew Hancock

Plot: A weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin turns into chaos after it's revealed that one of the guests is not what they seem.

Starring: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén & Rupert Friend

Okay, it's officially embarrassing how behind I'm letting myself get with these reviews this year. Like, damn. With the actual watches themselves, I'm not necessarily slacking off. Definitely been trying to keep up with at least certain big releases, but it's just the review part that I've let myself get really lazy with. It's normal for me to get behind every once in a while during the challenge, but never this bad (at least more recently), especially since we're past the halfway mark to Halloween. Anyway, I watched this movie I think the day it became available to check it out at home. I remember hearing the buzz for it beforehand and being really intrigued. I knew to stay away from the trailer. I do remember watching the first teaser and deciding that was enough for me because of spoilers. I kept hearing people say that the trailer gave away the big twist, so I'm definitely glad I steered clear of it. But then it's not as if it was groundbreaking or anything, but it is weird that the movie's first 20 minutes are spent as if it wasn't already spoiled in the trailer. People gotta market movies better, man. lol Anyway, I did enjoy the movie for what it was though. The major selling point for me was the cast. It's a really good one. Sophie Thatcher was phenomenal as expected. I'm also a sucker for Jack Quaid, probably my fave nepo baby. I did also enjoy the humor throughout. The tone is not gonna be for everyone, but I do think I was the right audience for it. The plot itself is kinda predictable, but I was fine with that I guess?? lol Idk overall it mostly worked for me. I will say so far 2025 hasn't really delivered movies that are instant loves of mine to be perfectly honest but this is certainly one of the watches I can say I appreciated more than most. So, there's that.

[simplylove101]

[simplylove101]

Elmo Balloon Haunting House?! | Podwatcher 69

[simplylove101]

Mystery Files | DB Cooper: The Latest Evidence Unpacked | ๋࣭ ⭑

[Shane:] “I think we just gotta let this one be a mystery.”

[simplylove101]

Shane: Yeah. But I hope, you know, there's some context.

Ryan: Gonna be a big ass shadow for your head.

Mystery Files | The Most Paranormal Animal Encounter of All Time

[simplylove101]

HEART EYES (2025) dir. Josh Ruben

[simplylove101]

2025 Horror Challenge: [2/?]

↳“You are my affliction.” Nosferatu (2024) dir. Robert Eggers

Plot: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson & Willem Dafoe

Well, here is the actual first horror movie I watched this year (at least I think so lol) and it only took me how many months to type up a review for it. Oh well XD Anyway, I think I'll start off by saying I can safely bet that if I had been able to watch it in time for last year's challenge, it would have easily found a place in my Favorites category. It wouldn't have knocked down The Substance or anything but I did enjoy it. That cast was amazing. The visuals were *chef's kiss* The Oscar noms it got were so deserving. As a big fan of the original silent film and considers it still to be so effective to this day, this was a worthy remake imo. That ending shot will stay with you. At least it did with me. I think Bill did a fine job as Orlok but it's really Nicholas & Lily that hold this whole thing for me. I've been a fan of Nicholas since Mad Max: Fury Road so any time he has a movie that gets my attention, I'm there. He was so good as always. Now, Lily was definitely the unexpected MVP. I think a lot of us doubted her (I'll admit it, I did) knowing that she was the replacement for Anya Taylor-Joy but I think it actually worked out the way it was meant to because she really impressed me with just how game she was for all the outlandish stuff that she had to do. I completely believed her being under Orlok's control. Some really striking moments in there. It's not gonna be for everyone but it worked for me. I'm just grateful Harry Styles was not cast in this because I already know this review would not have been so positive if that had been the case. LOL Anyway, yeah, liked this one a lot.

[simplylove101]

2025 Horror Challenge: [1/?]

↳“You lost the moment you walked into this restaurant. I'm always two moves ahead… I'm playing chess while you're playing Yahtzee.” Drop (2025) dir. Christopher Landon

Plot: A widowed mother's first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she's bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone during their upscale dinner.

Starring: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane Jacob Robinson, Reed Diamond, Gabrielle Ryan, Jeffery Self & Ed Weeks

Okay, first of all, this definitely is not the first horror adjacent movie that I have watched this year. I've just been too lazy to type up any reviews until now. lol Gonna have to rectify that. Anyway, as soon as this movie got on my radar, I knew I was gonna be watching it. Maybe not in the theater on opening weekend like I casually decided to do a little bit ago, but eventually for sure. Mainly because I watched The Bold Type and adored Meghann Fahy as the iconic Sutton Brady (tho boy did they try to taint her character towards the end but that's another story XD) I just think she's great and I love that she's really been getting her chance to shine lately with The White Lotus & now this. I thought she was pretty fantastic from start to finish. Regardless of any choices she made throughout, I still was rooting for her character. I do appreciate that they chose to give us a dramatic opening because it did pull me in from the jump. It was also a smart choice since after that it takes the shift into a proper slowburn as we try to figure out who is harassing Violet and learn more about her past as well. I didn't mind that too much because I am a sucker for a one location thriller if the concept fits the vibe. Also, the cast aside from Meghann is a good one. Violett Beane is the face I know the best since I've watched a decent amount of her stuff after The Flash. She's not utilized in the strongest way sadly but then she gets a couple fierce moments in the finale so that was nice to see as a fan of her. I also know Ed Weeks, another person not really used in the way I would have expected him to be, but then I guess he's more of a subtle comedian than I thought. Jeffery Self was the true comic relief as the waiter Matt having to deal with Violet's chaotic behavior tbh. lol And ofc Brandon Sklenar (It Ends with Us) as the love interest. I think they had pretty good chemistry when you consider what they were given to show it. I think where the movie really delivered was the wild finale though. That's the part where I was glad I came to the theater to watch it just because a certain part was really effective and had me on the edge of my seat. I feel like I left after watching it the same way I did after seeing Red Eye 20 years ago (!!!), which is knowing that it was gimmicky and a little absurd but it had a heroine I rooted for and I had fun watching it. It certainly had some Hitchcock vibes in there. So, I was certainly biased going in, but I was still pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it for what it was. Blumhouse can really go either way but sometimes you just gotta remind yourself that you can't always generalize movies by the production company. A24 & Neon have their bombs too. Anyway, I think if you enjoy slowburn thrillers or are just a fan of Meghann really, this is worth checking out.

[simplylove101]

MoonCovey + Hugging | S1 vs S2 ♡

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [95/?]

↳“Oh my friend, you haven't changed a bit.” A Different Man (2024) dir. Aaron Schimberg

Plot: An aspiring actor undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance, but his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare.

Starring: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve & Adam Pearson (with an appearance by Michael Shannon)

Okay, it's official now. With less than two hours left in 2024, it can be said that this is gonna be the last horror adjacent movie put on here for this challenge. If anything, this year really made me realize I'm just gonna have to stop trying to end it on Halloween when the reality is, horror doesn't stop coming out just because it's past October. lmao Anyway, I have been somewhat curious about this movie for a while. A24 movies generally stay on my radar now simply because, while not every movie of theirs works maybe, I do appreciate how unique a good handful of them feel. I did find this movie to feel very original with how it was executed. Now it's probably not necessarily a horror movie in the traditional sense because it's not actually scary at all, but it is a body horror. Also, any time someone labels something a psychological thriller, that always seems to then bring up the debate whether if that's them calling it a horror movie without saying it's a horror to make it seem more credible. That said, it does play off as a comedy/drama as well, so really it's just an interesting blend of genres imo. I rather enjoyed most of it. It's a little slow at parts, but I got why it was, so I'm not totally hating it. The cast was definitely great. Sebastian Stan is the familiar face ofc so it's notable for that reason sure but it's gotta be said that Renate Reinsve was wonderful and Adam Pearson was simply charming. Now I will say the second act took a bit of an unexpected turn for me, so I'm a little sure if I totally liked that or not, but maybe it's just because I think I expected something bigger. Then again, it also felt on brand for this kinda storytelling so I don't know maybe it's just me. lol I do kinda agree with the people who say this might be interesting as a double feature with The Substance though since they have some similiar themes in much different ways. Probably not for everyone but I do think it's rather worthwhile to watch.

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [94/?]

↳“Do you ever feel like the big secret is that we are gods? We fucking create life. We make life. We are so powerful. I bet men are terrified of us. I mean, look at you. You are this miraculous goddess growing bones as we speak.” Nightbitch (2024) dir. Marielle Heller

Plot: A woman pauses her career to be a stay-at-home mom, but soon her domesticity takes a surreal turn when her maternal instincts begin to manifest in canine form.

Starring: Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Arleigh Snowden, Emmett Snowden, Mary Holland, Ella Thomas, Archana Rajan & Jessica Harper

The fact that I had truly meant it when I had called Y2K the last horror adjacent movie I was gonna be watching for the year... but then this became available for me to watch the other day. lol Not because I was excited for it (it didn't even get a mention on my Still to Watch chart) but because there was a small curiosity about just how weird they were gonna take this one and if there'd be any value to it beyond seeing Amy Adams being unhinged in a way we'd never seen her before. Well, the jury's still out on that tbh, at least in my opinion. I guess I didn't realize it was based on a movie beforehand, so maybe it'll have some shooters who will come to its defense, but I genuinely didn't vibe with most of it. That being said, I do think I can still see the intent behind all of it, despite not caring for the execution itself. Firstly, it does feel generous labeling it a horror comedy because it's not remotely scary and while it is about her realizing she may be transforming into a dog, it's also very focused on her coming to terms with motherhood. Which, okay, that's fine. It adds some nuance to the whole thing, but I almost wish they had gone a little bigger so I could at least say I found it interesting. For a concept that sounds completely bonkers (I think that's the main reason alone, besides Amy being attached to it ofc, that it was really on anyone's radar this year), it actually went almost too conventional at times narratively for me to really make an impression. It certainly had campy moments though, so that was something. Naturally, Amy was wonderful since she's always fantastic no matter what, but it does make me kinda wonder why she chose to do this (not just as a star but a producer as well) but I think it's because she loves taking risks and probably enjoys offbeat stories. I respect the move, I just wish I could say I enjoyed it. :/ Oh well. Thankfully, this wasn't my last horror adjacent movie of 2024 though, since I ended up watching one of the movies I still had really been meaning to earlier today. (Sadly, it was not Nosferatu tho. lol That will be in 2025 unfortunately)

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [93/?]

↳“Fuck it. Let's break stuff.” Y2K (2024) dir. Kyle Mooney

Plot: Two high school nobodies make the decision to crash the last major celebration before the new millennium on New Year's Eve 1999. The night becomes even crazier than they could have ever dreamed when the clock strikes midnight.

Starring: Jaedan Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian Dennison, Daniel Zolghadri, Lachlan Watson, Eduardo Franco, Kyle Mooney, Mason Gooding, The Kid Laroi, Miles Robbins, Fred Durst, and Alicia Silverstone

So, this one is gonna turn out to be the last watch I can include under the challenge this year I guess (I'm excited to watch Noseratu but I don't see me going to the theater for it tbh) And well, at least it was better than F Marry Kill?? lol And more properly horror adjacent as well, despite it not remotely taking itself seriously at all in a way that one could find anything scary in it, but hey, that's the point here. Now, I love a good horror comedy, so I was down to give it a chance. Also, you've got one of the biggest names in production companies (A24) right now releasing it, so I was bound to get curious. The thing I've found that I really like about A24 is that it seems to generally let the creators of said movies to just go for it because they believe in their vision, which is admirable. A lot of successful movies have come out of that. But even they have their flops (ex: this year's The Front Room) For me, this one wasn't so much a flop (tho it definitely tanked at the box office unfortunately) as it was just not one of their true gems. I think it kinda starts with me knowing I don't always vibe with Kyle Mooney's humor from what I've been exposed to. He's a little corny for me. lol But even with a weak script, I enjoyed the cast and thought they really gelled in a way where they made it work enough to be entertaining. It's kinda crazy how many people in this cast I recognized. Naturally, people will most likely know of the leads Jaedan Mitchell (the It movies/Knives Out, etc.) & Rachel Zegler (the Hunger Games prequel/West Side Story) and they were both good. Their romantic storyline was cute enough. Trying to picture Jenna Ortega in the role since it was originally hers but she had filming conflicts, and while I do think she would have been just fine since she's a super game horror girlie, it all worked out imo cuz Rachel suited it well too. But yeah, I found the side characters to be rather fun, even if the writing was very stoner humor (Not necessarily an insult btw since I love Idle Hands & Judd Apatow movies & the like but it could have been better), especially since so many of them were familiar faces. Ngl seeing Kid Laroi was in the cast made me do a double take cuz I was like, what is he doing in here?? XD But he did good too, I'd say. Certain kills did annoy me only because spoiler alert: I get why they had to have his bestie die story-wise, but I was hoping we were getting a buddy horror comedy (aka something Simon Pegg/Nick Frost-esque) and losing him so early felt weird to me. Definitely was odd to see Fred Durst in this. His inclusion felt a little try-hard for me to be quite honest but some of the jokes worked I guess. lol The actual climax was kinda lame tbh but then that goes back to the script and its flaws. Overall, I still found it fun enough to watch though. As I said, I liked the cast and the music choices, and the wacky humor occasionally appealed to me, so I wouldn't consider it a total loss. But yeah, it could have been better.