What to Watch This Weekend: May 15, 2020

Redbox: Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey is a triumphant breakout for Harley Quinn, a wild celebration of this character filled with bold style, entertaining action, a wonderful cast, and plenty of craziness.  For more information, check out our review!

Redbox: Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island is a creative and different remake of the 70s TV series, one that takes the general idea and puts its own dark twist on it.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: All About Who You Know
All About Who You Know offers a fresh perspective, with complicated characters and enjoyable writing in this unconventional anti Hollywood rom-com.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: Castle In The Ground
Castle in the Ground is a painful, deliberate descent into addiction that is fueled by a stellar cast, complex characters, and a powerful story.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: The Trouble With Wolves
The Trouble With Wolves is a thorough and balanced look at one of the most heated conservation issues in America, with in-depth interviews, compelling information, and beautiful nature footage.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): Trial By Media

Trial By Media provides viewers with a program that is equally entertaining and informative, providing a true crime documentary that highlights the social, cultural, and historical relevance of these cases.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): Angel Has Fallen

Angel Has Fallen is a fun action movie that suffers from summer movie ridiculousness.  If you can get past the story and just enjoy the action, then hop onto Marine One to see how far this angel has fallen.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (HBO): Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey delivers the fan service that those hoping for a movie want, with plenty of period appropriate pieces and keeping the core of what made the series such an enjoyable phenomenon. 

Streaming (Amazon): The Hustle

The Hustle is a genuinely funny remake / update of a classic film, with a promising start but an ending that will leave you feeling slightly conned.  For more information, check out our review!

Review: Fantasy Island

Release date: February 14, 2020
Running time: 110 minutes
Starring: Lucy Hale, Maggie Q, Charlotte McKinney, Portia Doubleday

Fantasy Island is a remake of the 70s TV series of the same name.  As you would expect from a Blumhouse film, the 2020 remake has a strong horror aspect.  In the film, five strangers win a trip to Fantasy Island, where their deepest (and darkest) fantasies can come true.  However, they quickly realize that their fantasies are going farther than they thought, and many have a decidedly dark turn to them.  

I don't think anyone was clammoring for a Fantasy Island remake, but I appreciate what Blumhouse did.  They took a property that was not on many people's minds and remade it in their image.  It reminds me of Visceral Games and their attempt to make an action game centered on Dante's Inferno.  Fantasy Island is creative and different, and has some solid suspense for the first part of the movie.  The five strangers each have very different desires, and it is fun to see their different fantasies come to fruition.  The fantasies also begin to cross into each other, and seeing this chaos is enjoyable.  

And these fantasies are all beautifully shot.  The tropical scenes are gorgeous and the island scenes make you feel like you are on a tropical paradise.  Additionally, the fantasy scenes are imaginative and varied.  One fantasy is in a giant party, another is in a torture dungeon, and another is at a high end restaurant.  Each of these is different enough that it adds variety to what could have been a fairly homogeneous film.  However, as with many horror films, Fantasy Island takes an unexpected turn late in the movie.  It pivots very quickly and leads to an unsatisfying ending that seems rushed.  I understand the story, but some of the decisions don't seem to fit with earlier choices the characters make.  It is definitely a surprise ending, but it doesn't make much sense as a wrap up.  However, despite the generally poor reviews, it is still a fun journey and one that I would recommend you see at home.

Fantasy Island is a creative and different remake of the 70s TV series, one that takes the general idea and puts its own dark twist on it.  

Rent It