Movie Stakeout Reviews 04/10/19-10/10/19

All the latest Movieland investigations from detectives Dick Japowski & Joey Arizona.

The Many Views of Detective Dick JapowskI
Midsommar (2019)
A group of friends are invited to Sweden to join in with the local customs.. There will be dancing.
Ari Astar's follow up to Hereditary is just as dread filled, if not more so, this time played out in glorious sunshine.
If you look for beautiful, uncomfortable, unease in your movies, this could well be your movie of the year. The spiritual successor to The Wicker Man.
First watch: 4.5 Doughnuts

The Arizona Case Files
The Dungeonmaster (1984)
A scientist with an unhealthy relationship with his super computer is challenged by an all powerful wizard, to use his new magic to complete seven challenges and rescue his girlfriend from certain death, with each section written and directed by different filmmakers.
What a concept for a movie, it's like someone did a spider diagram entitled 'what's cool?' and then literally threw every suggestion at the screen. Unfortunately the budget doesn't allow for the grand idea to become the wondrous creation it could have been. But it's definitely got heart. In a world of remakes & reboots this is ripe for the picking, imagine what you could pull off with today's effects, and the directors who'd be up for the job.
First watch: 3 Doughnuts

The Arizona Case Files
Child's Play (2019)
Young boy with no friends gets an interactive doll designed to his best friend to the end. Unfortunately Andy got one which a disgruntled employee tampered with, so his new buddy picks up some bad, bad habits.
I love the Chucky movies (except the third one...that one sucks) so I was keen/weary to see the Child's Play remake, and unlike most remakes of classic eighties movies it doesn't suck, it's actually pretty enjoyable. It's a great choice to go for a completely different origin story. There were even points with this one where Mrs Arizona actually felt sorry for newwave Chucky.
First watch: 3.5 Doughnuts

The Arizona Case Files
The Wrestling Women vs The Aztec Mummy (1964)
A non-distinct 'oriental' crime lord is after a codex which will help him find an ancient Aztec power, which he doesn't want for himself but to bestow on his two Judo expert sisters. Unfortunately one of the scientists standing in the way has a nephew...who has a fiancé...who is part of a wrestling tag team. But it's all back and forth, hypnotised double agents and sanctioned exception matches to decide the fate of the universe...and not so much as a mention of a mummy Aztec or otherwise for the first hour.
First watch: 2 Doughnuts

The Arizona Case Files
A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)
Freddy uses the dreams of Alice's unborn child to pull her friends into his nightmares.
Not one of the best from the franchise, but I think Mark the artist's death/nightmare may be my favourite of the series.

Something that also occurred to me while watching this is how much easier it would be to stay awake nowadays, in a world of energy drinks, or alternatively if they really needed to crash they could just get stoned first, helping to suppress their dreams. Freddy can't get into your dreams...if you don't have any, and I looked, medical Marijuana is legal in Ohio, so easily attainable. Unlucky 80's Elm Street kids.
Rewatch: 3 Doughnuts

**Have you witnessed any of the movies we've investigated? What's the verdict? ;et us know in the comments below?