Author Archives
My name is AJ Friar. I am a critic and journalist wanting, wanting to expand my horizons rather it be written reviews or conducting interviews showcasing filmmaking.
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“Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” arrives in a 4K UHD home release.
Lee Cronin’s The Mummy arrives on physical media after its theatrical run, which was met with mixed criticism from fans and critics alike. While some enjoyed this new take on The Mummy, it seemed to divide audiences by being too… Read More ›
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“Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” is a comedic breath of fresh air worth pursuing this summer season.
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass is one of the best light-hearted comedies in a very long time and a nice send-up of The Wizard of Oz (1939). At a time when so many comedies rely on recycled jokes… Read More ›
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1988’s “Sunset” gets a release as part of Mill Creek Entertainment’s Retro VHS/Rewind Collection.
Sunset (1988) isn’t a bad movie, but it isn’t a great one either. It comes early in Bruce Willis’s career and is often forgotten about while discussing his filmography. Most people immediately bring up films like Die Hard (1988), The… Read More ›
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Susan Sarandon and James Spader’s chemistry in “White Palace” is well preserved on the Blu-ray release into the Retro VHS/Rewind Collection.
The Blu-ray release of White Palace from Mill Creek Entertainment’s Retro VHS/Rewind Collection offers us a hidden gem within a fascinating point in the filmographies of James Spader (Secretary) and Susan Sarandon (Bull Durham). Spader was coming off a string of memorable performances… Read More ›
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“Night After Night” is a thriller dessert blend of genres and influences. [Chattanooga Film Festival]
Night After Night is an indie horror fan’s fever dream. Just as he did in his earlier directorial effort, I Trapped the Devil (2019), which impressed genre audiences, Josh Lobo proves that atmosphere and tension can be just as effective… Read More ›
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A Conversation with “Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul” director James Keach and producer Michael Lehman.
On this latest episode of EoM Presents, EoM Contributor AJ Friar sits down with director James Keach and producer Michael Lehman to discuss documentary Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul, coming to select theaters on June 17th. A four-year… Read More ›
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Shark horror film “Chum” contributes to the on-going dilution of the genre.
Chum feels like one of those shark movies that crawled out of the direct-to-video section of the ‘90s and somehow made its way into the modern release calendar. It follows nearly every familiar beat that fans of bad B-horror have… Read More ›
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“Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” finds its way into your home via Searchlight Pictures.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is an exceptional exercise in crafting a worthy horror sequel, something that has become increasingly difficult in a genre oversaturated with reboots and lifeless follow-ups. Much like the original film, this sequel understands exactly… Read More ›
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“G.I. Samurai” gets a worthy Blu-ray edition release via Arrow Video.
G.I. Samurai (1979) feels like one of those movies that was accidentally sealed away in a time capsule (no pun intended) only to be rediscovered decades later by the exact audience ready to appreciate it. Thanks to Arrow Films and… Read More ›
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“Blue Thunder” roars in with an Arrow Video 4K Blu-ray release.
Blue Thunder makes its way back home with a stellar 4K Blu-ray release from Arrow Video, delivering exactly the kind of jam-packed collector’s edition that reminds people why physical media still matters. In a time where so many catalog titles… Read More ›
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Solid B-actioner “Hellfire” drops for home release without any special features.
Hellfire finally releases on physical media after a short stint in select theaters and on Premium Video on Demand, and it’s a reminder of the kind of mid-budget, character-driven action films that used to be far more common. It stands… Read More ›
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“Psycho Killer.” Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away.
Actress Georgina Campbell (Lovely, Dark, and Deep) has been on a quiet but undeniable hot streak over the past couple of years, carving out a strong presence in the indie horror scene, most notably with her standout performance in Barbarian… Read More ›
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“Lurker” delves into the parasocial relationships of fame and fanatics.
Lurker is one of those rare films that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. Much like The Surfer starring Nicolas Cage, which also dropped earlier this year, it’s a film that demands repeat viewings, not just for… Read More ›
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A Conversation with “Over Your Dead Body” director Jorma Taccone.
During SXSW 2026, director Jorma Taccone premiered his latest feature, the action horror comedy Over Your Dead Body, starring the fantastic ensemble cast comprised of Samara Weaving, Jason Segel, Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, Paul Guilfoyle, and Keith Jardine. On this… Read More ›
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“We Bury the Dead” home release offers little incentive to purchase as it lacks special features.
We Bury the Dead features a strong central performance from Daisy Ridley (Ophelia), but, unfortunately, that standout performance is not enough to elevate a film weighed down by familiar genre problems and uneven storytelling. While Ridley brings emotional commitment and… Read More ›
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A Conversation with “Mermaid” filmmaker Tyler Cornack.
Led by Johnny Pemberton and featuring Robert Patrick, Kevin Nealon, and Avery Potemri, writer/director Tyler Cornack’s horror comedy Mermaid is an ode to Florida Man. In a brief five-minute conversation for EoM Presents, EoM Contributor AJ Friar chats with Cornack… Read More ›
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“The Man with the Big Hat” mirrors the style of its focal point, Steven Fromholz. [SXSW]
Documentarian Austin Sayre’s The Man with the Big Hat reintroduces audiences to the independent legend of country music, Steven Fromholz, name that, for many, has lived just outside the mainstream despite a songwriting legacy that quietly shaped the genre. Having… Read More ›
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“The Yeti” brings perfect creature feature excitement and personality for an entertaining venture.
The Yeti feels like a lost midnight movie discovered in a vault and somehow rebuilt for modern audiences without losing any of the raw, unpredictable energy that made grindhouse creature features so memorable in the first place. It plays like… Read More ›
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“Heritage” utilizes creativity in the found-footage genre to create an atmospheric experience. [Unnamed Footage Festival]
Heritage is a strong example of how found-footage filmmaking can still feel fresh when handled with restraint and intention. From its opening moments, the film carries a quiet confidence that immediately recalls the tonal playbook of the Coen Brothers, not in… Read More ›
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“Crash Land” embraces the messy improv of life. [SXSW]
Crash Land can easily be pitched as Jackass with a ton of heart, but that shorthand barely scratches the surface of what makes the film resonate. Beneath its chaotic, stunt-driven exterior lies a surprisingly tender coming-of-age story that uses absurdity,… Read More ›