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‘The Toxic Avenger’ Remake Review by Tony Farinella

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

“The Toxic Avenger” franchise has always held a special place in my heart as a horror fan. The films have heart, humor, and some fantastic practical effects. When I heard that they were going to remake the film, I was interested in seeing how it would all come together. I’m not one of those horror fans who thinks all remakes are sacrilegious and should never be done. To me, a lot of the great horror films from the 1980’s could use a fresh coat of paint and some reimagining. It’s about taking the original concept and adding a unique perspective while keeping the spirit of the film alive. The remake of “The Toxic Avenger” is finally being released in theaters after being delayed the last couple of years.

This time, our hero Toxie is played by Peter Dinklage as a single father who is trying to provide a good life for his stepson, Wade, played by Jacob Tremblay. Toxie is doing the best he can after his wife passed away, but he’s recently discovered he has serious health problems of his own. Since he’s a janitor for the corrupt BT Healthstyle, a Big Pharma-type company, it isn’t exactly like he’s rolling in dough. It also doesn’t help that the company’s CEO, Kevin Bacon, is a selfish and corrupt individual who is only concerned about his company’s bottom line. Bacon is terrific at playing these slimy greaseballs, as he played a similar character in 2024’s “MaXXXine.” He seems to really relish the chance to play an asshole with zero redeeming qualities.

When Winston, aka Toxie, ends up finding himself submerged in toxic waste, his life is going to change in ways he never thought possible. Now, he’s a hero to everyone around him, as he’s on a mission to get revenge for those who have been wronged by BT Healthstyle, including a young whistleblower played by Taylour Paige, who lost her mother due to the harmful ingredients of this evil company. She knows their dirty little secrets, and she wants to make sure the truth is out there. Along the way, there is some violence which is going to be unleashed by Toxie, as he’s a man of the people, despite the fact he’s horribly disfigured.

I really wanted to fall in love with “The Toxic Avenger,” but the whole experiment felt like it was a movie where there was too much going on all at once. With a horror film like this, I’m looking for gruesome kills, goofy and outlandish set pieces, and gut-busting, wink-at-the-camera genuine laughs. This film goes back and forth between being a serious melodrama and an R-rated horror flick, but it’s not as ridiculous as it needs to be.  The spirit of Troma is to be offensive, nasty, and in-your-face. I’m not going to say the film is a PG-13 horror film, but they didn’t go for the all out, balls-to-the-wall insanity one would expect. Another bright spot out of the cast is Elijah Wood, as Fritz Garbinger, the hunched over and grotesque brother of Bob Garbinger (Kevin Bacon).

One of the biggest problems with the film is the performance of Peter Dinklage as Toxie. He does the voice work and the acting scenes while Luisa Guerreiro is behind the suit and prosthetics, and the performance is too serious and earnest for its own good. When the film does call for him to have some fun with the overall silliness of the premise, he doesn’t seem to be willing or able to participate in the proper way. This film needed to play things bigger, badder, and more over-the-top. Instead, it fluctuates in tone, and none of them work well enough to make a memorable impression on the audience. After a while, I found myself bored and disinterested by “The Toxic Avenger.” It made me wonder why it took so long to get released as nothing in the final cut was terribly offensive or gory. From people who have seen both cuts of the film, they have said not a whole lot was cut since they first saw it in 2023.

If you are going to commit to remaking a Troma film, there are two ways you can do it: You can either take it one step further than your predecessor, or you can take it in an entirely different direction. This film didn’t go in either direction. Troma films never cared about being accessible to a mainstream audience. They just wanted to make films which were low-budget schlock for B-movie fans who enjoyed horror that was big on creativity and low on budget.  I also don’t think you can make a “Toxic Avenger” movie in 2025 or even in 2023, when the film was originally supposed to be released. Times are different, and you have a tough job as a studio trying to make a gory and goofy horror movie that will make money at the box office for a mainstream audience. I wouldn’t call the film a total failure, but it’s a big disappointment.

* * out of * * *

Should You See It?

This is a film without a true audience. I don’t believe fans of the original franchise and character will find a whole lot to like with this updated version. If anything, it made me want to watch the original all over again and enjoy it for its raunchy goofiness. As far as modern audiences, you will get the horror fans who will see any horror movie because of the upcoming spooky season, but I don’t think they will connect with it as it’s not an established character for mainstream audiences. “The Toxic Avenger” has never been Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers. Tonally, the film is all over the place, and it doesn’t do one thing particularly well. The cast is fine, it looks good and it’s not a terrible movie, but it’s very underwhelming as a finished product. For diehard horror fans, they might want to check it out when it hits digital platforms for streaming. For everyone else, there isn’t a lot to like here.

“THE TOXIC AVENGER” will be released In Theaters on August 29, 2025

‘The Conjuring’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

When it comes to horror movies, you look for them to be written and directed by fans of the genre, as they bring a sense of passion and enthusiasm which might be missing by someone who is just doing it for the paycheck. James Wan burst onto the horror scene in 2004 with his directorial debut, “Saw,” which was written by his college best friend Leigh Whannel. He could have easily coasted with the “Saw” franchise and continued to keep cranking out sequel after sequel with it. Instead, he decided to get in touch with a different side of the horror genre with 2013’s “The Conjuring.” He also directed such films as “Insidious,” “Dead Silence,” “Death Sentence,” “Furious 7,” and “Malignant.”

Our film opens by introducing us to the Perron family, as they move into a farmhouse in Rhode Island which needs a lot of work. The Perron family consists of Roger and Carolyn (Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor), their five daughters, and their dog Sadie. As they are exploring the ins and outs of the house, they discover a boarded-up cellar, and that is when all hell breaks loose for this family. Their sanity, peace of mind, and sleep start to become disrupted, and it’s clear there is something in this house which is working against them. They need to fix it if they ever hope to stay together as a family. At this point, they decide to call Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. When you have a malevolent presence, they are the couple to call as they are the expert demonologists.

One of the biggest things “The Conjuring” gets right is the idea that even if they leave the house, this presence will still follow them. I’ve seen so many demonic movies where I ask myself, often out loud, “Why don’t they just leave the house?” It seems like the logical response to this type of activity, but oftentimes horror movies and smart characters don’t go together. Farmiga and Wilson bring humanity, warmth, and intelligence to their characters, as they are playing real people. It would have been easy to portray them as goofy, over-the-top, or silly. While the film has moments of lighthearted humor, it’s done during moments where the story needs levity, such as the introduction of Brad Hamilton and Drew Thomas (John Brotherton and Shannon Kook), a cop and investigator who have worked with the Warrens in the past.

It also helps that the Perron family are likable and grounded in reality and humanity. “The Conjuring” takes its time in allowing the audience to get to know them, spend time with them, and understand their dilemma. They are not just random lambs to be led to slaughter. The film is directed with style, mood, and dread by Wan.  It’s clear he knows how to create a sense of anxiety and uneasiness on screen. He doesn’t rely on jump scares either. Don’t get me wrong, jump scares are effective when done right, but they are like any other gimmick out there: If you rely on them too much, it’s clear you don’t have a solid screenplay. You are creating a haunted house or an amusement park, not a true movie.

“INT PERRON HOUSE – CELLAR Carolyn flips upside down and shoots up to the ceiling John Brotherton (Brad), Vera Farmiga (Lorraine), Patrick Wilson (Ed), Ron Livingston (Roger)”

It blew my mind to discover “The Conjuring” is now 12-years-old. They are set to release the fourth film in the franchise, “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” on September 5th. This is in addition to “The Nun” and “Annabelle” films, which are all part of “The Conjuring” universe. While not all of the films have been great or even good, more often than not, they have been well-made and have proven to be intense thrill rides. You have to give credit to Wan for being able to put his trust in other directors and other writers to showcase their abilities with these films. He has no ego, and he knows the key to remaining fresh is to have new voices in front of and behind the camera. With the original “Conjuring,” the groundwork was created for atmospheric fun, and scary horror movies have been staples of spooky season which is right around the corner. If you are looking to keep your horror movie collection going on 4K, “The Conjuring” on 4K is sure to satisfy the horror community this Halloween season. I hadn’t seen this film in a number of years, and it held up incredibly well on my recent viewing.

* * * ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “The Conjuring” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It has a running time of 112 minutes and is rated R for sequences of disturbing violence and terror. The film comes in either a 4K slipcover or a 4K steelbook, both of which come with a digital copy.

4K Video Info: This is an impressive 4K release with the HDR really popping during the dark and brooding moments of the film.  The presentation is crisp and vivid without looking too perfect. With a horror movie like “The Conjuring,” it is not supposed to look flawless. It is supposed to represent the vision of the director and the heart and soul of the movie. In every possible way, “The Conjuring” is a homerun.

4K Audio Info: While I would have certainly enjoyed a Dolby Atmos track for this flick, the audio is still noteworthy during the jump scares and the more intense moments. It’s a good audio track, but it could have been a great audio track. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish, and French.

Special Features:

Scariest of Them All (NEW)

Reflections on the Conjuring (NEW)

The Conjuring: Face-to-Face with Terror

A Life in Demonology

Scaring the “@$*%” Out of You

Should You Buy It?

HELL YES! I’ve been waiting for this film to get the 4K treatment for a long time now. I own “The Conjuring 3” on 4K, and I hope this will also inspire Warner Brothers to release the second film on 4K in the near future. I imagine the upcoming “Conjuring” film will get a 4K release after it’s done with its theatrical run. I absolutely love these films that encompass “The Conjuring” universe. It’s interesting because I’ve never really connected with the spooky horror films which involve an evil presence or things that go bump in the night. Slasher films have always been my preferred cup of tea. This all changed with the first “Conjuring” film, as I discovered when it was done the right way, they can be just as entertaining as the slasher movies I grew up with, if not more entertaining. This is a top-notch 4K release that also includes new special features in addition to an A+ visual experience. A horror film like this is perfect for the 4K format. This is a day-one purchase for horror fans who love to collect 4K’s on physical media.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

Daniel Franzese Talks About ‘Bully’ at New Beverly Cinema

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

On August 12, 2025, New Beverly Cinema presented a Larry Clark double feature of two of his films: “Bully” and “Another Day in Paradise.” Before “Bully” unfolded on the silver screen, actor and filmmaker Joel Michaely brought out a special guest: Daniel Franzese who played Derek Dzvirk. “Bully” was Daniel’s film debut, and it quickly earned him his SAG card. Daniel thanked Joel for being there and remarked how he killed Joel once in a horror movie entitled “Cruel World” where he shot him in the head.

Daniel said “Bully” was the first time he ever got to hold a screenplay in his hands, and he talked about meeting the casting director, Carmen Cuba, at his audition.

Daniel Fransese: She was like, “Do you wanna see who you are going to play?” I said okay, and she opened up the true crime novel (written by Jim Schutze), and I looked exactly like the guy. And I was just like, oh shit! I can actually get this! So, it was very scary and nerve wracking.”

Rumors are that the set of “Bully” was a crazy one, and being that this was Daniel’s first film as an actor, you can understand and appreciate his feelings at the time.

DF: I’m a pretty easy-going guy, and I am also a theatre guy and a standup comedian. I’m used to being around other people, and I am good at getting along with different personalities. But this movie was next level. we are getting ready to do fittings and start our first day of this movie, and Larry (Clark) is screaming because Brad (Renfro) was in jail for trying to steal a boat. He’s screaming, “This was three years of my life! This kid’s not going to ruin it!” He’s throwing papers and I was like, whoa! That was day one and you can just imagine how the stress level got worse from there.

From there, the discussion went to the late Brad Renfro who played Marty Puccio in “Bully.” Brad first gained worldwide attention at the age of 12 years old when he was cast as Marcus “Mark” Sway in Joel Schumacher’s cinematic adaptation of John Grisham’s “The Client.” Like many people on this planet, let alone actors, he died at far too young an age He was only 25 years old, when he passed away after a drug overdose. Daniel talked about working with Brad.

DF: Brad was great. I think he was like one of those golden retriever type people. Not evil, but dangerous. We were doing the table read for the first time, and Brad showed up wearing a white tank top completely soaked in lighter fluid. He came in saying, “I’M TRYING TO GET THE BARBECUE TO GO!” It was like, whoa! He was from Knoxville and had like that “Jackass” sensibility where you didn’t know what he could do, but I don’t think he ever had a mean bone. His intentions were always nice. If anything, he partied too much, and he once told me that at 12, he made hundreds of thousands of dollars to do “The Client,” and he was getting a lot of his drugs and stuff from family members as a kid. I don’t think he got a fair shot. If anything, the reason why I advocate for younger people in Hollywood or talked about my experiences on this movie which were crazy, I was never speaking from a victim place. I was speaking from a place of advocating for people like Brad who didn’t have anyone saying anything for them. I just think, we’re making art. It doesn’t have to be that crazy. We don’t have to be stealing boats or going nuts on sets to produce good material.

After “Bully,” Daniel went on to appear in many films, but he may still be best remembered for playing high school social outcast Damian in 2004’s “Mean Girls.” Like Joel and myself, I wondered what it was like going from an independent film to a studio movie where everybody is expected to be on their best behavior.

DF: I just don’t think the 2000s will be looked upon as a time where it was easy for people on movie sets. I really don’t. People always ask me all the time how to get their kid in Hollywood, and I say don’t. I waited until I was at least in my 20’s (before going to Hollywood), and that’s the only thing which might have saved me. A lot of our contemporaries are not around with us anymore or are in a crazy state. It was a rough time. I can’t say it was easier or better, but I think it’s better now.

Regardless of the crazy set, Daniel made it clear to the New Beverly audience what the experience of making “Bully” was like, and of how the filmmakers strived to capture the spirit of the true story it is based on.

Bully (2001) Directed by Larry Clark Shown in foreground: Bijou Phillips

DF: On a positive note, though, this movie was awesome. It was so fun to make. Larry was cool, the people I was working with were all like people from Thrasher Magazine, it was just like bad ass people. They did shoot in the real locations; it was the real apartment complexes, and it was the real Pizza Hut (we shot in).

Daniel also made it clear how he was the only local hero for hire in Larry Clark’s “Bully.”

DF: They were scouting locations for the gay clubs, and I was just a young kid just figuring that stuff out and performing at the clubs with people I was in musical theatre with and stuff like that. They were like hey we’re making a movie, and I’m like I’m an actor! I had no idea it was going to turn into this. Carmen Cuba, she discovered a lot of people, and I give her all the credit for plucking me out of obscurity and putting me with these people.

An audience member told Daniel that he was from South Florida, and this led Daniel to talk about when he worked at The Gateway Theater in Fort Lauderdale as a kid. a year later, “Bully” premiered there. Daniel found his road from being an usher to a working actor to be honestly insane.

DF: I was there at the theater going, would you like the popcorn combo? I am a movie lover. I worked at Blockbuster (Video), I worked at movie theaters, that’s all I did. Until I was able to support myself as an actor, I was either an usher in theatre or worked at movie theaters. It (“Bully”) was shot in Fort Lauderdale and the whole crew got their premiere at the movie theater where I worked at. So, whoever served me popcorn today, keep writing your scripts.

Like many, Daniel Franzese considers New Beverly Cinema to be one of his favorite places in Los Angeles, and that it was extra special for him to see “Bully” being screened there on 35-millimeter film. To see films presented there in their original format, something often not available to movie buffs in most places, means a lot to him.

‘The Accountant 2’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must confess I do not have a vivid recollection of the 2016 film “The Accountant,” which starred Ben Affleck and Anna Kendrick. I know I watched and reviewed the first film, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me in either a positive or negative way. Because of this, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from a sequel that was taking place nine years after the original.  I didn’t go back and watch the first film, but I was still able to follow along effortlessly with the sequel. The more I watched it, little bits and pieces from the first film started to come back to me. Plus, with an action/thriller, in most cases, you start to understand the gist of it: These guys are good, these guys are bad, and they are going to have a big shootout before it’s all said and done.

“The Accountant 2” opens up with a bang as Raymond King (J. K. Simmons) meets up with a quiet yet deadly assassin, Anaïs (Daniella Pineda). Raymond tells her he needs her help in tracking down a missing family. Before long, there is bedlam at their meetup location, which leaves Raymond, the former FinCEN director, dead. On his dead body, he wrote “Find the Accountant.” This message finds its way to his protégé and the current deputy director, Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). She gets in touch with The Accountant, Christian Wolff, played by Ben Affleck.

Christian is not only an accountant, he’s an autistic assassin. I don’t remember if it was clearly stated in the first film, but they hint around at it here, as I don’t think they wanted to hit the audience over the head with it. It would have felt like they were exploiting this if they reminded the audience of it time and time again. Instead, the film shows his difficulty expressing himself while also highlighting his strengths, such as when he goes line-dancing and is able to pick up the moves by watching other people and their rhythmic movements. With his help, Marybeth will be able to find out what happened to her mentor and also find out what got him killed.

“The Accountant 2” does not even mention the Anna Kendrick character, but it does bring back Christian’s brother, Braxton, played by Jon Bernthal. Affleck and Bernthal have terrific chemistry together on screen, as they have a real Oscar and Felix “Odd Couple” dynamic. Braxton is direct, in-your-face, and blunt. Christian is more subdued, thoughtful, and precise with his actions. Along with Marybeth, they are committed to finding answers when it comes to the death of Raymond King along with the missing family. The three of them all bring something unique and different to the table with their strengths and weaknesses.

This sequel is a tale of two movies. The first half is entertaining, funny at times, and fast-paced. It focuses on relationships, characters, and story. I was captivated and enjoyed the story and its various twists and turns along with the interactions between the characters. Bernthal, in particular, is a real standout amongst the cast. He’s funny but also has a softer side to his character. There is one scene in particular where he’s talking to his brother and he’s wondering why they aren’t closer. He wonders if it’s because of Christian’s challenges or if there is something more to it. Affleck also does a good job of not overplaying his character or turning it into an over-the-top and showy performance. He brings humanity and heart to the character.

Overall, “The Accountant 2” is way too long at 132 minutes, and after a while, there are one too many bad guys to be found here. Once it turned into a shoot-’em-up action flick, I was ready for the credits to start rolling. It turns into a live-action version of “Call of Duty.” I also feel as though films which use sex trafficking as a major storyline are becoming commonplace in Hollywood, and they are starting to feel like a copout when the screenwriter doesn’t know what else to do with the story. Overall, I enjoyed a lot more of this sequel than the parts I didn’t, and it’s a fun action flick until it loses itself in the final 40 minutes.

* * ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “The Accountant 2” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The film has a running time of 132 minutes and is rated R for strong violence and language throughout. The film comes with a crisp looking slipcover along with a digital copy that can be redeemed online.

4K Video Info: The Dolby Vision transfer is a thing of beauty. The colors are vivid and the film has a crisp and flawless look to it. Action films, in particular, are some of the best films to watch on 4K, and “The Accountant 2” is no exception.

4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track is loud, in-your-face, and it really thumps in your living room. At times, I found the film to be a little too loud, but that might just be my personal preference. For others, they might find it to be perfect for enjoying this film to the fullest. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish, and French.

Special Features:

None

Should You Buy It?

I try to keep my finger on the pulse of physical media when it comes to collectors and their buying habits, and if there is one genre they are always looking for on 4K, it is action flicks. Because of this, if you are a physical media enthusiast, I’m going to recommend you purchase “The Accountant 2,” but I’d maybe wait for it to drop in price a little bit. I don’t think you need to rush out and buy it on release day. The film is an above average film, and I did enjoy it, but it did lose me near the end with its endless shootout scenes. The film is also about 30 minutes too long. For filmgoers who aren’t as into action flicks as others, it’s worth watching one time as it’s a fun flick with some interesting characters.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

It has been a while since I’ve sat down and watched a good old-fashioned horror flick that was gory fun from start-to-finish. The last movie which comes to mind, for me, is 2023’s “Saw X.” Now, I know there have been other horror movies which have been critically acclaimed since then, but I like my horror movies, most of the time, to be rather straightforward without any underlying message or heavy-handed agenda. I’m looking to laugh, see some gruesome deaths, and have a good time. “Final Destination: Bloodlines” was a movie that allowed me to sit back, shut off my brain, and have a good time.  I had a blast with this movie, and the filmmakers, cast and crew delivered beyond my wildest expectations.

The film opens up in the late 1960’s at a high-rise restaurant tower, which hasn’t been properly built to house the number of people that are dancing and having a good time. Before long, the shit hits the fan and everyone is fighting for their lives. This sets the tone for the entire film, as it’s clear its directors, Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, understood the assignment given to them. They do a masterful job of building up the anxiety of what will happen next. If you are familiar with this franchise, you know anything and everything could lead to a possible death. They build up the suspense while also winking at the camera in a way that isn’t too cutesy or silly. It’s the perfect balance of comedy and terror.

We are then introduced to a struggling college student, Stefani Reyes (Kaitlyn Santa Juana), who keeps having a dream about that night in the 1960’s where mayhem and death were on the menu at this high-rise restaurant. She’s been having this recurring dream for over two months, and it’s causing her to almost flunk out of college. Because of this, she decides to go home and look for answers to what is plaguing her dreams. She discovers that one of the women in her dream is her grandmother, Iris (Gabrielle Rose), who messed with Death’s plans that night by saving everyone at the restaurant. However, Death doesn’t take too kindly to those who mess with its plan, so everyone who was supposed to die that night has now perished slowly but surely.

Iris has survived by being ultra paranoid and knowing how to plan and look for any signs of danger. She lives off the beaten path and doesn’t let anyone get too close to her. She’s on high alert, and her family sees her as a loon who has lost her mind. Stefani doesn’t know what to believe, but after seeing more and more signs, it’s coming into focus for her–she needs to follow her grandmother’s advice and save her family, who isn’t supposed to be here. Because Iris lived, everyone in her bloodline is in danger of having Death knock on their door. Using her grandmother’s years of meticulous planning and her research into Death’s plans, Stefani’s going to try her damnedest to save her family, which includes her brother, mother, uncle and cousins.  It will be even harder to convince all of them to believe her.

“Final Destination: Bloodlines” is a near-perfect horror film as it is terrific at building genuine suspense. At every turn, you never know what will happen to someone or how it will happen. I’m a professional wrestling fan, and the film utilizes what is known in the wrestling business as “false finishes.” When you think someone is down for the count in the ring, they kick out. In movie terms, when you think someone is going to die, they end up living.  As soon as you are lured into a false sense of security, they die in a gruesome way. However, it’s all about the build-up, the anxiety, and dread that is on screen.  When it finally does happen, it means that much more because you have been played like a piano. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

My one issue with the film is the CGI deaths. While they are creative, clever and a lot of fun, they look very bad visually because they are filled with CGI. If they used more practical effects and less CGI, I would have given the film four stars. However, the CGI deaths are hard to take seriously, as they end up looking like they were done in 3D. It reminded me of “Saw: The Final Chapter” which was done in 3D.  When you watched the film without 3D, the blood looked pink, and the effects didn’t have the same impact. Here, the gore and the blood looked like cranberry juice. The film is still a great horror movie, but this detail is impossible to ignore.

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Kaitlyn Santa Juana, left, and Rya Kihlstedt in a scene from “Final Destination Bloodlines.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Overall, “Final Destination: Bloodlines” is a throwback to when horror films were fun, over-the-top and kept you guessing. The way the film uses comedy during the gotcha moments is absolutely perfect. This is a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it respects the audience enough to blend comedy and genuine terror together without leaning too much in one direction. It’s a tightrope act for the filmmakers, but they pass this test with flying colors. This is the best installment the franchise has released in a long time. The acting is solid, the kills are unique (minus the bad CGI), and the story makes sense. Tony Todd also makes its final appearance in the franchise in a moving and poignant cameo.  It is clear this was not just a cash grab sequel. This is a film that was made with love and respect to the franchise.

* * * ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “Final Destination: Bloodlines” is being released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. You can purchase the film with either a 4K slipcover or a 4K steelbook, and both come with a digital copy to redeem the film. The film has a running time of 110 minutes and is rated R for strong violent/grisly accidents, and language.

4K Audio/Video Info: The 4K has a fantastic Dolby Atmos soundtrack that lends itself perfectly to this film. Its use of music is essential to the suspense and uneasy feeling that is permeating throughout the entire film. It’s a big soundtrack with a lot of bass to it, and the film’s soundtrack is a thing of beauty, as you hear it all perfectly. The Dolby Vision visual transfer is slick, clean, and vivid throughout. This is an A+ home theater experience for 4K movie lovers.

Special Features:
Death Becomes Them: On the Set of “Final Destination Bloodlines” – featurette
The Many Deaths of Bloodlines – featurette
The Legacy of Bludworth – featurette
Director’s Commentary

Should You Buy It?

I’m grinning from ear-to-ear as I’m writing this review. This is 4K at its finest in so many ways: The film is really good, the audio and visual elements are top-notch, and there are special features included here as well! There is a director’s commentary! I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard a director’s commentary on a new 4K release. This is a welcome addition, and it’s a lot of fun to hear their passion and energy for the project while watching “Final Destination: Bloodlines.” This is a great horror film, and it made me excited about the horror genre after feeling disappointed by it for two years. I watched it with my wife, and it was a great at-home horror movie to watch as we were laughing, screaming, and hooting and hollering during the crazier moments. I can’t recommend this film enough. They have put so much care into not only the movie but also its 4K release. This one comes highly recommended. It was so close to getting a full four-star rating if not for the bad CGI.  Other than that, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable film to watch this year. This was old-school horror done in 2025.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

Favorite Opening Titles: ‘Superman – The Movie’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

With James Gunn’s long-awaited “Superman” now arriving in theaters everywhere, I am eager to find out if this iteration of the Man of Steel will have any opening credits. And if it does, what will the music to them sound like? The score for the 2025 film is credited to John Murphy and David Fleming, and they both have quite a legacy to live up to which makes the challenge given to them all the more daunting.

Look, it is still impossible to top Richard Donner’s “Superman: The Movie” which brought this symbol of hope to an iconic high, but it will be even harder to top that classic’s opening credits which remain some of the best ever created. Being hurtled to the edges of outer space as the titles stretched out towards the audience was ever so thrilling to me as a youngster, and it has been said that they cost more money to make than most movies back in the day.

And yes, all the visuals were elevated by the opening theme composed by John Williams, a man who has composed so many iconic musical cues and probably still has a couple more left in him. It remains one of my favorite movie themes of all time, let alone one of favorites of Williams’. All of this comes together to create an exhilarating opening to what has long become one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. While this opening could have been “Superman: The Movie’s” peak, something which can result in what I call premature cinematic ejaculation, it instead sets you up and makes clear you are about to watch one of the most entertaining motion pictures you could ever hope to see.

These titles were created by Richard Greenberg of R/Greenberg and Associates (R/GA), and they proved to be his breakthrough into show business. I have included a link for an interview with Greenberg from the Art of the Title website down below in which he describes this opening’s creation, and it can tell you much more than I can in this article.

And, of course, please feel free to watch the high-definition edition of the “Superman: The Movie” opening titles down below.

Art of the Title Superman (1978) article.

‘Lethal Weapon’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

Hollywood has long been a fan of buddy cop movies, as people love to see big action, memorable villains and witty repartee between the polar opposite main characters.  “Lethal Weapon” is a film I’ve heard about ever since I started watching movies, especially the famous line, “I’m too old for this shit,” delivered perfectly by Danny Glover. Now, thanks to the 4K release of this film from Warner Brothers, I’ve finally had a chance to sit down and watch it in its entirety.  It is certainly one of the better buddy cop movies to have ever been released in Hollywood, thanks to the tremendous on-screen chemistry shared between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.  They make it look effortless. I’m happy to report I’m not too old to sit down and watch “Lethal Weapon” for the first time. 

The film opens with a naked young woman snorting a line of cocaine and jumping off her balcony to her impending death.  This occurs on the day of Roger Murtaugh’s (Danny Glover) 50th birthday, as we see him trying to navigate through his happy yet chaotic homelife. He’s been assigned a new partner, Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), an unhinged and wildly unpredictable cop who has unconventional methods, but you can’t argue with his success. It’s been 11 years since the death of his wife, and he struggles every day with thoughts of suicide. Indeed, it’s easy to see why Murtaugh feels like he is too old for this shit, as the two of them are as opposite as fire and ice.

Murtaugh and Riggs must put their heads together and find out the real reason why this young woman, Amanda Hunsaker (Jackie Swanson) committed suicide. Murtaugh gets a call from an old war buddy Michael (Tom Atkins), Amanda’s father, and Michael reminds Murtaugh that he saved his life when they were in battle. There are definitely some nefarious individuals behind this, and Riggs sees the complexity of these cases and isn’t afraid to dig deeper or get his hands dirty. Murtaugh, on the other hand, looks for the simplest and easiest solution to these cases. He has too much at stake because he’s married and has children at home. Riggs, on the other hand, has nothing to lose and doesn’t care if he dies, so he will do what needs to be done, consequences be damned.

“Lethal Weapon” was directed by the legendary Richard Donner (“Superman,” “The Goonies,” and “The Omen”), and was written by Shane Black (“The Nice Guys” and “The Monster Squad”). They collaborated with Gibson and Glover to create a memorable piece of cinema.  I do think the first hour of the film is absolutely perfect as it moves quickly, introduces the main characters and the villains, including a memorable performance by Gary Busey, and it’s a lot of fun.  It’s clear they are comfortable taking their time in allowing these characters to grow on screen, as we get to know them, inside and out. Because of this, the stakes matter that much more when the shit hits the fan.  The comedy is also effortless and never forced.

I did feel like the second half hit a bit of a lull when the good guys met up with the bad guys.  Of course, it was the 1980’s, so there needed to be big action (in addition to big hair and big outfits) and special effects, but they could have done probably half of what they did and it would have been even more effective.  There is also a wild karate battle between Busey and Gibson, which made me laugh but for all the wrong reasons. It seemed odd to go in that direction at the very end. The film starts out by letting the audience know it’s going to be a different type of action comedy, and I enjoyed the balance of seriousness and comedy. I was hoping the film would have kept that tone a little bit more in the second half, but it turns into a bit of a silly action movie. Still, “Lethal Weapon” has a good script, a top-notch cast, and skilled direction. It’s a good movie, but I don’t think it’s a great movie because of the issues I’ve mentioned.

It should be noted that I watched the director’s cut of “Lethal Weapon,” so I’m not sure how much of a difference there is between it and the theatrical cut, as this was my first time watching the film. The director’s cut is 117 minutes, and the theatrical cut is 110 minutes. I’d be curious to hear from those who have seen both cuts as to how much of a difference there is between them. I think the film should have been around 100 minutes, and it would have been just about perfect. I can’t speak for the sequels, but I can see why audiences wanted to see more of these two, as they had some of the best onscreen chemistry I’ve seen in a buddy cop comedy. Glover is smart, tough, and vulnerable while Gibson is crazed and determined, but there’s also a method to his madness. I loved these two characters.

* * * out of * * * *

4K Info: “Lethal Weapon” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment in either a 4K slipcover or a 4K steelbook. As mentioned in my review, the 4K comes with both the theatrical cut and the director’s cut. The film is rated R for strong violence, strong language, brief drug use, and some nudity. There is also a digital copy included.

4K Video/Audio Info: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound, and wow, this is quite a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The film is LOUD, and I do mean LOUD. At times, I found it to be a little too loud, which must mean I’m too old, but in all seriousness, if you enjoy your action flicks loud and in-your-face, you won’t be disappointed with the audio here. I did enjoy the 1980’s saxophone that was present throughout the movie. It’s a jaunty soundtrack that stayed in my head. As far as the video here, the HDR is splendid on this release, and it makes the film look sharp, vivid, and lively without losing its 80’s aesthetic. Hey, I was born in the 80’s, and I appreciate that decade very much, especially the music that was released then!

Special Features:

·   A Legacy of Inspiration: Remembering Richard Donner

· “I’m Too Old for This…”

Should You Buy It?

Yes! Personally speaking, I’m a big fan of a crisp 4K slipcover, and the slipcover release of Lethal Weapon is a thing of beauty. I really enjoyed the home theater experience of watching this movie, as it left me drained in the best possible way. The film presents a multitude of elements to the viewer, and while not all of them resonated with me, they were more effective than not. The film is memorable and stands out because of the performances of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. In some ways, they look at one another and they see what they are missing in themselves. Murtaugh sees Riggs as someone who is not afraid to think outside the box, take risks, and find his man. Riggs sees Murtaugh as having the family life he wishes he could have had if his wife hadn’t died. The film is, at times, heartfelt, without trying too hard or being sugary sweet. Gary Busey is a kick-ass bad guy because he’s as cold as ice and doesn’t flinch. I wish the film was about 10-15 minutes shorter, depending on the release you watch, but it’s still a good flick. Warner Brothers also includes two new special features on this release, and they are one of the only studios that is releasing classic Hollywood films with new special features. I think physical media collectors will be VERY happy with the 4K release of “Lethal Weapon.”

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Review and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

“A Minecraft Movie” is the highest grossing film of 2025 so far, and it’s easy to see why.  It’s based on a popular video game, so it has a built-in audience with teens, and even young adults who grew up playing the game.  It’s a family-friendly movie which is inoffensive, harmless and silly. For someone like myself, who is nearing his 40th birthday, I understand I’m not the key demographic. I never played the video game, and I’m not at all familiar with the source material. The jokes are also not my cup of tea, as they seem to be aimed at a younger demographic who find things such as “Chicken Jockey” hilarious. This became mainstream news when teenagers would lose their minds throwing popcorn in the air and making a mess in local theaters. This was another reminder of why I prefer to watch my movies from the comfort of my couch.

“A Minecraft Movie” was directed by Jared Hess of “Napoleon Dynamite” fame, and his sense of humor is on full-display here. The humor is juvenile, goofy and over-the-top. Jack Black stars as Steve, a doorknob salesman (is that a thing?), who is looking to make up for lost time by breaking into a mine. When he was younger, kids were forbidden from doing this sort of thing. While in the mine, he discovers the Orb of Dominance and the Earth Crystal. When they are put together, a portal is created to the Overworld where cubes can be molded to your desire, and Steve creates three houses for himself in the process.

We are also introduced to a World Champion Video gamer from 1989 by the name of Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, played by Jason Momoa. He looks like professional wrestler Randy “Macho Man” Savage, and he’s struggling to stay relevant with his video game store, which is about to go out of business. In an effort to keep his business afloat, he tries to win the contents of a storage unit which he believes houses Atari Cosmos. Instead, he gets his hands on the Orb and the Crystal, which once belonged to a young Steve. Garrettt doesn’t know what he has his hands on, but he’s in for quite a rude awakening.

During all of this, Garrett befriends a young boy named Henry (Sebastian Eugene Hansen) who has moved to Chuglass, Idaho with his sister Natalie (Emma Myers) after their mother passed away. Henry is looking to fit in at school, and Natalie is looking to keep a roof over their heads. Little do they know that they are about to enter a world which is beyond their wildest dreams when they are sucked into a portal and enter the Overworld. They must team up with Steve in order to fight off Malgosha, a piglin ruler of an evil world known as the Nether. Henry is very creative and full of ideas which he will need to use in order to help them fight off various creatures and obstacles along the way.

Even though my rating of this film will be harsh (ONE STAR), my overall review is not that harsh because this film isn’t poorly made or a waste of time.  Instead, it’s just not for someone like me.  The audience for this movie is young boys who are looking to laugh, have a good time and be entertained without thinking too much. They are also familiar with all the jokes, characters and the world in which those characters inhabit. For me, I understood what was going on and the rules of the world, but I didn’t connect with it as I simply didn’t care about what was happening on screen from a story perspective. I found Jack Black to be loud throughout, and I found it very grating and tiring after a while as this was Jack Black on steroids and screaming throughout. Momoa was an aloof goofball who was in love with himself, and he does provide a few laughs.

I liked the brother/sister relationship and how close they were after the passing of their mother, and I wish the film would have given this storyline a little more time on screen. Jennifer Coolidge also appears as the vice principal, and she does her best, but the material doesn’t do her any favors. Even with Jason Momoa, he seemed to know the assignment, and he was game, but before long, everything and everyone got lost in the world of Minecraft. I know that is what the audience is paying for, and they give them plenty of goofiness, silliness, and wild action. If that is what you are looking for, I imagine “A Minecraft Movie” will be right up your alley. If you are looking for a little more to the story and to the film, you won’t find it here. 

* out of * * * *


4K Info: A Minecraft Movie is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The film has a running time of 101 minutes and is rated PG for violence/action, language, suggestive/rude humor and some scary images. It also comes with a digital copy that can be redeemed online.

4K Video/Audio Info: This is, so far, the best-looking 4K of the year. Wow. The colors are bright and full of life. This is a terrific transfer that features eye-popping visuals. The Dolby Vision transfer gets an A+. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack also gets an A+, as this film is a true theatrical experience in the comfort of your own home. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish, and French.

Special Features:

Building the World of Minecraft: Block Party – featurette (14:19)

Creepers, Zombies, and Endermen Oh My!  – featurette (13:14)

A Minecraft Movie: Block Beats – featurette (9:01)

A Minecraft Movie: Pixel Pals – featurette (14:02)

Marlene + Nitwit – featurette (5:07)

Should You Buy It?

If you enjoyed this movie in theaters, and plenty of people did, you couldn’t ask for a better home video release than Warner Brothers has put together for “A Minecraft Movie” on 4K. I couldn’t believe how amazing it looked and sounded in 4K. Even though what was happening on screen wasn’t connecting with me, I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen, as it was so colorful. There are also some interesting special features included on this 4K release. Again, this falls under the category of “This was not my cup of tea.” However, I can acknowledge this was a labor of love and people enjoyed the film. Who am I to be the Grinch and ruin their good day? I’m just here to tell you that this film is only for Minecraft fans and for families. For everyone else, there is little to like here and a lot that will annoy, especially Jack Black’s boisterous performance.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

Exclusive Interview with Michael Patrick Jann about ‘Alma & The Wolf’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

Michael Patrick Jann is best known for his work in comedy and as a cast member on MTV’s sketch comedy show “The State.” In 1999, he made his feature film directorial debut with “Drop Dead Gorgeous” which over the years has developed quite the cult following. With his second feature film as a director, “Organ Trail,” he got out of his comedy safety zone to enter the horror genre. Michael now returns to that genre again with his latest film, “Alma & The Wolf,” which stars Ethan Embry as a troubled police officer who investigates a mysterious wolf attack which happened to a high school classmate of his, Alma (played by Li Jun Li). The investigation becomes even more intense, however, when his son goes missing, and it puts him a collision course with an unbearable truth that can only stay hidden for so long.

I got to speak with Michael one-on-one recently about “Alma & The Wolf,” and we talked a lot about how comedy and horror deal with the various forms of suffering. Also, he discussed the challenges of filming on the Oregon Coast when the weather was really bad and cold, working with animals, and of working with his son, Lukas Jann, who plays Ethan Embry’s son here. In addition, this film also co-stars a classmate of mine from my University of California, Irvine school days, Beth Malone, who plays a rather nosy neighbor. It was great to talk with Michael about what Beth brought to her role and the movie, and it is always great to see her in anything and everything.

“Alma & The Wolf” is now available to rent and stream on select digital platforms. Please check out my interview with Michael down below, and I have also included a trailer for the film as well.

Exclusive Interview with Ethan Embry and Li Jun Li on ‘Alma & The Wolf’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

One of the many horror films coming to us in 2025 is arriving this week, and that’s “Alma & The Wolf.” Directed by Michael Patrick Jann, it stars Ethan Embry as Deputy Ren Accord, a very troubled man who has been thrust into a horrifying investigation he may not be fully prepared for. One day while driving on his usual route, he comes across Alma, played by Li Jun Li, who is walking alone in the rain while clutching to what is left of her dog. Alma tells Ren a wolf killed her dog and begs him to kill the wolf for her as an act of revenge. Wolves, however, are protected wildlife in the state of Oregon, so Ren tells Alma he cannot help her that way. But when his son goes missing in the Oregon coast, Ren comes to believe it may have everything to do with the wolf that killed Alma’s dog, and he becomes infinitely determined to find his son and kill the elusive wolf.

I was lucky enough to speak with Ethan Embry and Li Jun Li who are the main stars of “Alma & The Wolf” this past week. Ethan started off his career as a child actor, and he starred opposite Ed O’Neil in the John Hughes written and produced film “Dutch,” and he is best known for his roles in “A Far Off Place,” “Empire Records” and “That Thing You Do.” Li got her start as an actress in the theatre, and she later became known for her role as Iris Chang in the television series “Quantico.” In addition, she has received critical acclaim for her roles as Lady Fay Zhu in Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon” and Grace Chow in Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners.”

Much of my talk with Ethan and Li Li, as she likes to be called, was about acting and their choices. With “Alma & The Wolf,” they were involved in a cinematic production which had a very short production schedule, and I was curious how the speed of it affected their performances overall. Being an actor myself, I found their answers to be deeply informative and fascinating.

“Alma & The Wolf” will be dropped on streaming services starting on June 20, 2025. Please check out the interview below, and I have included a trailer for the film as well.