Title: Little Shop of Horrors

Director: Frank Oz

Released: December 19, 1986

Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes

Available to stream on: MAX

IMDb synopsis: A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.

Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis) is a florist at Mushnik’s Flower Shop located in the Skid Row district of New York. Due to poor sales, Mr. Mushnik (Vincent Gardenia) decides to close up shop. As a last-ditch effort to try and save their jobs, Seymour’s co-worker Audrey (Ellen Greene) suggests displaying Seymour’s new plant in the window.

This might seem like a bizarre way to try and save the shop, but Seymour’s plant isn’t just another average plant. He bought the plant, which he named Audrey II (voiced by Levi Stubbs), during a solar eclipse from a Chinese flower shop. Audrey II is a hit and Mushnik’s Flower Shop is once again filled with customers.

After a period of time, Audrey II begins to wilt. Seymour tries everything from fertilizers, water, minerals, to sunlight, but nothing seems to bring nourishment to Audrey II. That is until one day Seymour inadvertently pricks his finger and draws blood. Seeing Audrey II come to life, Seymour begins to wonder if blood is what Audrey II needs. Against his better judgment he gives the plant a few drops, Audrey II’s health improves almost instantly.

Audrey II’s remarkable recovery and subsequent massive growth spurt gives Seymour his time in the spotlight. However, Seymour can’t reveal the true secret to Audrey II’s success. But he also can’t keep feeding the plant blood forever. Someone is bound to catch on to what is happening, and the growth of Audrey II is already out of control. This doesn’t stop Audrey II though; having formed the ability to speak, the plant demands more blood from Seymour.

How does Seymour deal with a sentient plant’s demands for human blood? Will he give into Audrey II’s demands and murder someone? Can Audrey II even be stopped at this point?

Going into Little Shop of Horrors (1986), all that I knew was that it was an adaptation of a Broadway play (which itself was an adaptation of a 1960 film), that it was a cult classic, and that Rick Moranis was in it. Honestly, I was a little worried that it would be one of those instances where you try to watch something heralded as a “cult classic” and you just don’t see what the hype is about.

Luckily that is not the case here as I had an absolute blast watching this. The musical numbers are campy yet catchy. The use of horror without the use of blood and gore is effectively done. And with Frank Oz at the helm, you knew you were in for a treat with the visual effects, specifically with Audrey II. That’s not to mention that the production design and the way Little Shop of Horrors (1986) is shot makes it feel like you’re watching a Broadway play, but I mean that in the best possible way.

But you can’t praise a movie like this without also heaping praise onto the cast. Yes, Moranis and Greene are great together. However, the cameos that we get arguably steal the show. We’re treated to John Candy, Jim Belushi, Bill Murray, and Steve Martin in a role I don’t hear discussed enough. No, I didn’t get into these at all earlier. But that’s because if you’re like me and haven’t seen the movie before, you’re in for a treat and I don’t want to spoil anything for you.

While I don’t have the nostalgic ties to it that some may have, I still found Little Shop of Horrors (1986) to be a fun and enjoyable watch.

If you’ve already seen it, give it a rewatch. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and seek it out.

Just be careful. Don’t feed the plants.

Well, those are my thoughts on Little Shop of Horrors (1986), but what are yours?

Give me your thoughts in the comments below or by reaching out on social media including my account on Threads! While I will still post updates on Twitter, Threads is where I will be the most active moving forward.

Next week brings us the letter “C”. You know the drill. Get suggestions for crew members whose name starts with “C” in by Wednesday morning. Wednesday evening I’ll announce on Instagram, Twitter, and Threads who the person is and what film of theirs we’ll be looking at next Sunday.

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Title: Scarecrow

Director: Jerry Schatzberg

Released: April 11, 1973

Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes

Available to stream on: HBOMAX

IMDb synopsis: An ex-con drifter with a penchant for brawling is amused by a homeless ex-sailor, so they partner up as they head east together.

Max (Gene Hackman) just finished up a six-year sentence in the slammer. His goal is to get himself to Pittsburgh where he plans to open his own car wash called Maxy’s Car Wash. On his way, he wants to stop in Denver to visit his sister.

Meanwhile, Lion (Al Pacino) has spent the last five years at sea. Now that he’s back, he plans to head to Detroit to see his wife, Annie, and their child. He abandoned Annie when she was pregnant, so he has never met his child and doesn’t even know if it’s a boy or a girl. To try and make up for abandoning her, Lion has sent Annie all of his paychecks while he was at sea.

Max and Lion happen to meet each other rather early on in their travels. As a result, they decide to travel together and even go into business together on the car wash in Pittsburgh. Their journey brings with it plenty of heart, plenty of hijinks, and even some laughs along the way.

The plot is very straightforward and very thin. You can get away with that though when you have Pacino and Hackman turning in performances that don’t get talked about enough. Pacino showing his lighthearted comical side and Hackman being a quick-tempered fighter.

What hurts the story though is that we know almost right away what’s going to happen. Lion’s story of the scarecrow all but spoils the emotional mirroring that unfolds between Lion and Max. Granted, we don’t know how it’s going to happen. So, kudos for that I suppose.

Before this viewing, I had no idea that Scarecrow (1973) even existed. It’s a film you rarely hear mentioned in conversation despite the names that are in it. That’s a shame. More people should know about this movie and make it a point to watch it at least once. No, it’s not a movie that’s going to knock your socks off. But it is worth an hour and fifty-two minutes of your time simply for the performances given by Al Pacino and Gene Hackman.

Well, how about you? What do you think of Scarecrow (1973)? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below or by reaching out on social media!

You know what’s next. Next week we’ll cover the letter “T” in our challenge. You’ve got until Wednesday afternoon to get those suggestions in. Keep your eyes on Twitter and Instagram Wednesday evening for a sneak peek at what the movie will be.

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Title: Black Legion

Director: Archie Mayo

Released: January 30, 1937

Watched via: Streaming on HBOMAX

IMDb synopsis: A hard-working machinist loses a promotion to a Polish-born worker, he’s seduced into joining the secretive Black Legion, which intimidates foreigners through violence.

Frank Taylor (Bogart) is your average white male factory worker who learns of the foreman role becoming available. He is irate when the role of foreman goes to Joe Dombrowski. Is it because Dombrowski always has his nose in a book? To an extent, but not ultimately. Because Dombrowski doesn’t socialize with coworkers as much as others? Possibly, but again, not exactly. Then why is Frank so angry that Dombrowski received the promotion to foreman instead of him? Because Joe Dombrowski is a Polish immigrant.

So, what’s a man to do? Well, if you’re Frank Taylor you buy-in to the fear mongering messaging spread by the Black Legion, a hate group that intimidates foreigners through violence. After completing the initiation process, Frank wastes no time in getting “revenge” on Dombrowski. He does so, with the help of the Black Legion, by burning down the Dombrowski’s chicken farm. This cowardice act scares Joe Dombrowski and his family into leaving town thus opening the foreman position once again.

Now as foreman at the factory, Frank continues to pulled deeper and deeper into the depths of the Black Legion and their actions. The Black Legion now takes precedence over everything in Frank Taylor’s life. So much so, that he is ultimately demoted from foreman in favor of his Irish neighbor, Mike Grogan. If you think you know what happens next, you’re exactly right. The Black Legion attack Mike Grogan the same night of Grogan’s promotion.

Ed Jackson, Frank’s co-worker and the husband of Mike Grogan’s daughter, has his suspicions that Frank is involved in the recent attacks against immigrants. He approaches Frank’s wife, Ruth, who then approaches Frank herself. After a violent confrontation, Ruth leaves Frank which sends him spiraling even deeper out of control. When Ed approaches Frank to voice his concerns over his friend’s current state of affairs, a drunk Frank spills the tea on his actions with the Black Legion. When Frank informs the leaders of the Black Legion of his loose lips, the Legion calls for Ed’s head.

Despite being captured, Ed Jackson still threatens to go to the police. This leads to a worried Frank shooting and killing Ed. Now faced with the consequences of his actions, Frank tries to be remorseful and goes as far as to give up everyone else in the Black Legion while on trial for murder. After a heavy handed “America is better than that” speech from the judge, the film ends with all members of the Black Legion in the courtroom found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in the State Penitentiary.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Looking at Black Legion (1937) without any historical context, it’s a perfectly okay movie with glimpses of what would make Humphrey Bogart a star in just a few short years. But, when you do a bit of research and learn that the Black Legion was a real off-shoot of the Klu Klux Klan, the heavy-handed messaging becomes a bit depressing as it is impossible to ignore the eerie similarities between the “America first” rhetoric, white privilege, and fragile egos on display here with what is still all too present some eighty-six years later.

With a runtime of only eighty-three minutes, Black Legion (1937) feels properly paced until we reach Frank’s arrest. From there on it feels like a rushed sprint to the finish. However, the “America is better than that” speech from the Judge is the highlight of the final act, even if history has managed to just keep repeating itself. If there is a “feel good” moment in the end, it is seeing Frank Taylor held accountable for his actions despite his remorse in the face of consequences.

Black Legion (1937) deserves at least one viewing and is currently streaming on HBOMAX.

Have you seen Black Legion (1937)? What did you think of it?

If you have thoughts on Black Legion (1937) tell me all about them in the comments below or by reaching out on social media!

The letter “B” is now officially in the books. Next week we’ll tackle the letter “C”. The movie selected will be revealed on social media Wednesday evening.

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Title: Birds of Prey

Director: Cathy Yan

Released: February 7, 2020

Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes

Watched via: Streaming on HBOMAX

IMDb synopsis: After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroines Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord.

I remember seeing Birds of Prey when it first came to streaming. The general consensus seemed to be that it was a lower-tier DC film. I disagreed then and disagree even more so after rewatching it for the first time. Margot proved in Suicide Squad that she could carry her own in the role of Harley Quinn, so I was excited to see her get her own movie.

Birds of Prey is bright, flashy, and a lot of fun. Not only do we get a story that helps to establish Harley Quinn as a main player in the DCEU, but she’s also surrounded by a cast that elevates her while carrying their own as well.

Jurnee Smollett as Black Canary made me want to see a Black Canary film. In what might be my favorite role of hers since Ramona Flowers, we get Mary Elizabeth Winstead as The Huntress. Rosie Perez and Chris Messina turn in great performances as well, but Ewan McGregor as Roman Sionis fully commits to the over-the-top persona of the role and does his best to try and steal the show.

Margot Robbie really grabs the role of Harley Quinn by the horns here and just has fun with it. The humor mixed and action sequences mixed with Robbie’s ability to go through the full range of Harley’s emotions helped to make Birds of Prey an upper tier DC film that gets bonus points for trying something different and taking chances.

But, what about you? What are your thoughts on Birds of Prey (2020)? Let me know in the comments below or you can tell me on social media!

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So, what are we doing next? Well, I think this will be the last Margot Robbie filmography watch through installment of 2022. I’ll pick it back up in January and will decide in late December what the film will be.

Between now and then though, I’ll be giving updates of my progress in the yearlong T&BA scavenger hunt challenge, I’ll give a review of one of my recent non-Margot Robbie watches, and December will kick-off with a Top 10 of favorite holiday movies.

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Title: Suicide Squad

Director: David Ayer

Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes

Watched via: HBOMAX

IMDb synopsis: A secret government agency recruits some of the most dangerous incarcerated super-villains to form a defensive task force. Their first mission: save the world from the apocalypse.

If you came here and expected me to bring a fresh take with this one, I apologize in advance. Everything that one could possibly say about this movie has already been said, both the good and the bad.

I will say though, even after a rewatch, I don’t think this is anywhere near as bad as some claim it to be. Is it a mess? Absolutely. But, it is a fun mess. Could we have done without Boomerang (Jai Courtney) and benefited from a larger focus on Diablo (Jay Hernandez) and Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje)? One thousand percent, yes. There is plenty to enjoy about this movie though.

Jared Leto is an incredibly polarizing actor. There seems to be no one who says, “Yeah, he isn’t bad.”. I tend to fall into the camp who enjoys his work but can also call a dud a dud (looking at you, Paolo Gucci). While the portrayal of Joker he gives us is over the top in a bizarre way, isn’t that what the Joker is supposed to be? I’m not saying he should have won awards, but credit for trying something different with it.

Will Smith as Deadshot did a fair amount of heavy lifting throughout this movie. Say what you will about him after “the slap”, but the guy can act. The wit that he brings to the character helps save a fair number of the scenes he’s in. And when he needs to come across as the caring father, he flips a switch and goes full The Pursuit of Happyness.

But who are we kidding? The real MVP of Suicide Squad (2016) is the one and only Margot Robbie. As we have been working our way through her filmography, she has had a few somewhat prominent roles. However, none of them come close to her performance here. Talk about a coming out party. She is easily one of the best comic book to silver screen adaptations. You could sit and fantasy recast a lot of characters in the DC universe but you would be hard pressed to come up with someone better to play the role of Harley Quinn. Whether she loves it or hates it, Margot Robbie will always be known for this role.

Yes, there is a supposed Ayer cut of the film that exists. Would I watch it if it were ever released? I absolutely would. But you won’t catch me being all toxic cultish fanbase about it. If it comes out, great. If it doesn’t, hey at least we found positives in this one.

Where do you stand on Suicide Squad (2016)? Do you love it? Can’t stand it? Let me know what you think in the comments below or by reaching out on social media!

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So what is up next? Well, next up in the Margot Robbie filmography watch through will be 2017’s I, Tonya. Currently, I, Tonya is available to stream on Hulu.

But that’s not all. Since we are now in October, that means it is prime time for all things scary. I am going to try my best to bring a weekly review of a recent horror movie I have watched starting this week. This will most likely begin with the new Hellraiser. I will also be keeping you updated on my progress in the #150DaysOfHorror challenge as we approach the finish line.

Do you have any favorites that you plan to rewatch for Halloween this month? Is there anything new coming out that you are excited to see?

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Title: The Legend of Tarzan

Director: David Yates

Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes

Watched via: VOD rental

IMDb synopsis: Tarzan, having acclimated to life in London, is called back to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment.

I would say better late than never that we finally get to The Legend of Tarzan, but that would be a lie.

Tarzan is a character that you could build a million different stories off of and around. Yet somehow we managed to get a story with no structure. With a cast including the likes of Alexander Skarsgård (Tarzan), Margot Robbie (Jane), Christoph Waltz (Leon Rom), and Samuel L. Jackson (George Washington Williams) one forms a certain set of expectations for what they’re about to see. A very long one hour and fifty minutes later, you realize that expectations do not always equal reality.

With an estimated budget of $180 million, what we are given in terms of CGI is downright atrocious. It looks like a cheaply made video game and laughably distracts you from what is happening onscreen. Also, why is it that every other shot required a closeup? The camera work was borderline nauseating throughout. Add to that the wooden performance turned in by Skarsgård and you’re in for a rough ride once you hit play.

However, it wasn’t all completely negative. The last time we saw Margot in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, she made the best of her limited screen time. Here as Jane she has a substantially larger role and, for me, is one of the two bright spots of the entire film. She is able to get you to invest in the character of Jane, even when everything around her is doing its best to get you to turn the movie off.

The other bright spot, which should not come as a surprise to anyone, is Samuel L. Jackson. While he isn’t quite the “comedic sidekick”, I’m not sure how else to describe him in this role. You could almost argue that his character was borderline unnecessary, or at the very least that he didn’t need to make the journey to the Congo. Although you wouldn’t be completely wrong, Jackson as George Washington Williams makes The Legend of Tarzan (2016) slightly tolerable. He brings just the right amount of fun and funny to the table to make you want more of him.

Overall though, this is a hard avoid. Since it is not currently streaming for free, save your money and wait until it is. Even then, maybe checkout something that’s been rotting in your watchlist instead.

So, what did you think of The Legend of Tarzan (2016)? Are we on the same page? Did you enjoy it? Let me know in the comments below or by reaching out on social media.

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What’s next? Next up in our Margot Robbie filmography watch through will be 2016’s Suicide Squad. I have seen it once before and remember it not being as bad as everyone claimed. Curious to see how it holds up on a re-watch. You can currently stream Suicide Squad for free with an HBOMAX subscription. It is also available to rent for $3.99 through most major platforms.

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Before I dive into the trailer, a quick crash course on who the Black Adam character (created by Otto Binder and C.C. Beck) is. Once known as “Mighty Adam”, he became corrupted by his own powers and is now an archenemy of Shazam. A more in-depth backstory directly from DC’s website:

“One of the world’s foremost wielders of magic, Black Adam has been both hero and villain over a life that’s spanned thousands of years. Thousands of years before Billy Batson became a magically empowered hero, the wizard Shazam selected another champion. Teth-Adam or “Mighty Adam” began as a hero of humanity, but then allowed his power to corrupt his ideals and desires. Now labeled Black Adam, he was exiled by Shazam, but returned in the modern day. A frequent enemy to Earth’s heroes, Black Adam believes he is the right person to lead humanity and any action he takes is necessary for the greater good.”

Now let’s dive into the trailer…

We open with Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan) pointing out to Adam (Dwayne Johnson) that his powers have brought him nothing but heartache. From there, Adam gives us a brief history of his past and how he got to where he is. The rest of the trailer is multiple scenes of Adam not putting up with anything from anyone. Dr. Fate reminds Adam that he can be either the destroyer or savior of this world…but which will he choose?

Yes, on the surface it looks like another run of the mill superhero move. While superhero fatigue is easy to succumb to, “lesser known” characters getting their time to shine goes a long way to keep said fatigue at bay. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson seems like a good fit for this role and I am curious to see how he handles a darker character such as Adam.

Overall, the trailer seemed to show a lot while not revealing too much of what is to come. But it did do enough to pique my interest even more so than the DC FanDome reveal back in 2021.

Black Adam will also feature Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), and Hawkman (Aldis Hodge). Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Black Adam is scheduled to soar into theaters October 21st.

What were your thoughts after seeing the first trailer? Did it hype you up for the film? Did it have the opposite affect? Let me know in the comments below or on social media!

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