After an insane week that prevented me from even throwing on a movie in the background while I work, I finally fired up some streams again yesterday. Got a few trials/promos I want to milk for all their worth before they expire.
Started with Afflicted (2013) which was alright enough that I'm surprised the creators haven't done anything else. Found footage horror/action with a twist.
Then cued up one of the numerous recent moves with the name The Retreat. This one was the 2021 queer thriller on Showtime. It was fine. A lesbian couple takes a trip and becomes the target of a murderous troupe of rural serial killers. Standard fight for survival ensues.
Turned next to an A24 blindspot with mid90s which good. Enjoyed this slice-of-life period piece, navigating the social gray space of a newly turned teenager in LA.
Followed up with the Hungarian film The Turin Horse (2011) on MUBI based on a reco my partner received when looking for moody movies. This one was a winner. Gorgeously shot. Spacious script. Super oppressive chamber piece. I figured out the what was going on about halfway, which was pretty satisfying in its own rights because the movie doesn't go out of its way to explain much.
And to end the night with total whiplash, we threw on Sonic the Hedgehog 2 which did not work for me at all. Everything except Jim Carrey felt downgraded from the first film, and the script was a total unfunny mess. Won't be bothering with the third installment.