Mark McPherson's Blog, page 7

“Death of a Unicorn” Review

As a creature feature, Death of a Unicorn has the rare allure of using killer unicorns in this sub-genre. Of course, there must be more of the violent sight of a unicorn gore humans with its horns, considering that’s more of a 10-second joke in Cabin in the Woods and not a full concept for a feature film. Thankfully, a little bit of heart is thrown in with the blood and guts of this dark comedy that relies more on its absurd energy than brutalizing fantasy creatures to pull it across the finish...

“Control Freak” Review

There’s a better film that is literally itching to get out with Control Freak. The diagnosis is familiar: a horror short given a feature-length extension leads to more expansion by running time than storytelling. It’s a film that repeats itself, hoping the abundance of torture and trauma will fill in the gaps of a one-note self-help satire. It’s the standard package for a horror film that could say more in a few minutes instead of 104.

Despite the setting, Kelly Marie Tran does have a knack ...

“Invincible: Season 3” Review

The third season of Invincible is best described as perfected chaos. Continuing the route of insecurities and gore, the show has a firmer grasp on Mark’s perceptions of justice instead of letting an onslaught of subplots plow through him and slow his growth. While there is still a lot going on with themed supervillains, gang wars, and multiverse threats, every episode still feels like it’s building Mark’s character instead of just giving him more bad guys to punch harder before the Viltrumites ...

“Harley Quinn: Season 5” Review

The central premise and problem of the fifth season of Harley Quinn is that the primary couple is stuck in a rut. After Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy have endured seasons that tested their relationship, marriage, and work-life balance, what more can they do? While the logical next step is to address concerns about the mundanity of the relationship instead of finding a unique comic book way to play off that longing, this season feels more like busywork than a meaningful development for a couple st...

“The Parenting” Review

The Parenting presents a premise that could easily become a melodrama or manic comedy of errors. A gay couple plans a weekend getaway with their family present, debating whether to break the news of their relationship and take it to the next level. That’s complicated enough, but the house they rented turns out to be haunted by a possessing demon. Humor and horror could be evoked from such a formula, and while the film does dabble in both, it adds extra jokes to go the extra mile of absurdity. I...

“October 8” Review

Despite the title, October 8 spends little time talking about the Hamas terrorist attack and more about the fallout felt in America from the perspective of the Jewish and Zionist communities. The motive becomes clear as the topic goes further away from the prickly topic of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and more into the subject of antisemitism. But the antisemitism covered in this film covers a broad umbrella extending from death threats online to protests for a free Palestine. Noticeably mi...

“Black Bag” Review

When I saw that Steven Soderbergh had directed a spy thriller, that was all I had to hear. Sure enough, he doesn’t let down with a film that is slick, sexy, and so effortlessly funny. The eyes remained firmly glued to every mysterious character, biting bit of dialogue, and smooth editing. For a film that feels like the tired territory of trying to stop a MacGuffin of a virus from causing international chaos, Soderbergh makes it feel remarkably fresh.

This movie doesn’t stop to explain itself...

“The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” Review

Perhaps it’s because the title doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but The War of the Rohirrim will undoubtedly be referred to as the Lord of the Rings anime movie. The title is appropriate for more than being helmed by Kenji Kamiyama of Blade Runner: Black Lotus fame or having the look of a typical anime aesthetic. There’s an elongated story that lavishes on the majesty of the high-fantasy setting but rarely veers from its stern tone of thrones and honor. While you won’t need to do your homew...

“Novocaine” (2025) Review

There’s a lot of pressure on a premise as bonkers as Novocaine to be unhinged with its violent slapstick. When hearing the idea of an unlikely hero having the ability not to feel pain, my mind was drawn to Crank and its over-the-top whirlwind of absurdity. This film doesn’t quite go that extra mile of insanity, but it does make up for its lack of gonzo with enough charm to go with its goofy grit.

It was refreshing that the beginning of the film gives plenty of time to get to know and like th...

“Like Tears in Rain” Review

It makes sense that this documentary on references his dying monologue from Blade Runner. It’s not just because of that being his most memorable role, but the words relate to his very history. As the narration begins, Rutger would try to film everything and kept a massive storage of his behind-the-scenes and intimate moments captured on film. Sadly, most of that footage was destroyed in a flood. Water literally made those moments lost in time, but there was thankfully enough footag...