Locke & Key Episode 1: Welcome to Matheson
Locke & Key is a Netflix series based on the comic series of the same name originally released February 2008. Joe Hill, one of the original creators of the comic, executive produces the series. This series is a long time coming for fans of the comic series who saw a pilot fail to launch in 2010. There was also talk of a film trilogy that never got off the ground.
Locke & Key: Welcome to Keyhouse
The episode starts with a man unknown to us getting a phone call. The call sets the man on a scramble through his home to expose a key. He stabs the key into his heart and sets off an explosion that destroys the house.
We join up with the Locke family three months after the preceding event on their cross country move. After the death of Rendall Locke, the father, the family is looking to make a new life in the old family homestead. They arrive in the town of Matheson at the family estate known as Keyhouse.
The family arrives at the house and Uncle Duncan, Rendall’s brother, greets them. Nina Locke, the mother of the family, questions the upkeep of the house to which Duncan states he’s been consistently neglectful. Duncan makes several remarks about reconsidering staying at Keyhouse and trying to sell it. Nina insists that this is the best situation the family has right now.
Through exploring the grounds, the youngest Locke who goes by Bode, discovers the well house. He begins shouting down the well and when he asks, “are you my echo?” a strange woman’s voice replies, “Yes!”
First Day of School
It is clear that the history of the Locke family has not escaped the school. Even in their own social groups the two oldest Locke children are asked about the death of their father.
The family members will each have their turn of flashbacks of visions to show the events of that day. Nina recalls when the boy, Sam, came asking about the secrets of Keyhouse, brandishing a gun at her husband. After taking a bullet to the leg herself, she watches as her husband dies to his own .
Tyler, in the flashback, watches from the locked front door as his father is shot. He sees Sam in a vision and he mocks Tyler saying, “this was all your fault.”
Kinsey, while watching a video with a small group of horror geeks, has her own flashback. She is hiding with Bode as her father is shot and the helplessness she feels.
The Release
Bode fails to heed the advice about not going in the well house again and returns to talk to Echo. She tells Bode about the various keys around the house and what powers they have. Echo tricks Bode into giving her a key that will let her travel anywhere and while the family deals with their trapped mother, Echo makes her escape.
We end the episode with Sam in a correction institute being told he has a visitor. He is lead to a meeting room where Echo is waiting for him. Sam leans in questioningly to which Echo replys, “I told you I’d come see you.”
Locke & Key Episode 1 in Review…
As an establishing episode, Locke and Key Episode 1 set the stage a little too quickly. Characters like Kinsey and Tyler, who are typical teens, seem to lack a little more depth that would come with the death of a parent. Nina puts on a strong face in front of the kids but lacks the bigger emotions that surely haven’t subsided in 3 months.
Episode 1 gets 3 out of 5 Cthulhus.
(3 / 5)
Movies n TV
Horror Noire, a Film Review
Horror Noire is a horror collection that includes “Daddy,” “The Lake,” “Brand of Evil,” “Bride Before You,” “Fugue State,” and “Sundown.”
Horror Noire is a horror collection brought by the combined efforts of AMC+ and Shudder. The collection includes “Daddy,” “The Lake,” “Brand of Evil,” “Bride Before You,” “Fugue State,” and “Sundown.” Horror Noire boasts Black directors and screenwriters, providing six unique stories.
As this collection explores six stories, I will skip the usual synopsis to assess the genres and ideas explored, albeit limited as needed. Expect to find supernatural horror, creature features, and psychological thrillers. Many short films deal with these genres while exploring Black issues, but this isn’t universal for the collection.
The directors and writers include Zandashé Brown, Robin Givens, Rob Greenlea, Kimani Ray Smith, Steven Barnes, Ezra Clayton Daniels, Tananarive Due, Shernold Edwards, Victor LaValle, and Al Letson.
What I Like
Each story remains unique, holding different strengths and weaknesses that highlight drastically different perspectives. Collections like VHS hold a similar premise to create their collection, but Horror Noire gives more creative freedom to its talent to be independent.
My personal favorite short film is Zandashé Brown’s “Bride Before You.” This period piece unravels a fable set in the Reconstruction Era. The entry feels Fabulistic in approach, which happens to be my preferred niche.
However, the best example of horror goes to Robin Givens’ “Daddy,” providing an existential horror tied directly to the characters involved.
What I Dislike
As mentioned, all have a particular style and idea. The downside of this approach always remains to keep the viewer interested long enough to find their favorite. If you find several underwhelming choices, this becomes a chore. But I imagine that is rare as the variety makes the options refreshing.
Personally, “Brand of Evil” had an interesting premise, but the execution fell short. On paper, it might have sounded like my favorite, which makes the lackluster execution a bigger letdown.
Final Thoughts
Horror Noire gives power and control to Black creators, providing a formula for a unique collection against others in the space. While the various subjects and approaches mean you aren’t likely to love them all, there should be a short film for everyone.
(3.5 / 5)
Episode six of Netflix’s Dahmer was not, honestly about our title character. Instead, it was about one of his victims, a man named Tony. We’ve actually seen Tony a few times during this series. We just didn’t know it was him.
And, well, he wasn’t exactly alive the first time we saw him.
Tony was born into a supportive, loving family. This is good because soon after he was born a viral infection took his hearing. He is black, deaf, and gay in the early 90’s.
Tony has a dream of becoming a model. And he certainly has the looks for it. He is beautiful, body and soul. He has lots of opportunities for romance, but it’s not what he’s looking for. He wants a real relationship.
Eventually Tony moves to Madison, trying to pursue his dream. He gets a job and starts getting modeling work.
Then, he meets Jeff Dahmer at a bar.
At first, we can almost believe that it’s going to be alright. Jeff seems happy. He’s taking care of himself. He’s not drinking as much. He even has his dad and stepmom over for dinner. It seems like his life is getting on track. Even better, he’s treating Tony right.
Then, of course, things go bad.
One thing that has always bothered me as a true crime fan is that we know so much about the killers, but not as much about the victims. Not so much if we don’t know who the killer is, of course. But the names that are part of our pop culture are those of the killers. Dahmer, Manson, Jones, Bundy, Holms. The names we don’t know are Roberta Parks, Beth LaBiancas, Leno LaBiancas, and Tony Hughes. And clearly, we should know them.
If Tony Hughes was half the shining, positive person that the show Dahmer made him out to be, I’m so sad that he isn’t with us anymore. We need so many more people like him. And many of Dahmer’s victims were likely just like him. After all, he was attracted to them for a reason.
This was a significant episode, and I understand why it’s the highest-rated episode of the series. I finished it with a heavy heart, saddened by the loss of a man who should still be with us today.
(5 / 5)
Movies n TV
Mandrake, a Film Review
Mandrake is a 2022 supernatural horror directed by Lynne Davison and written by Matt Harvey, starring Deirdre Mullins and Derbhle Crotty.
Mandrake is a 2022 supernatural horror directed by Lynne Davison and written by Matt Harvey. This film boasts a cast that includes Deirdre Mullins, Derbhle Crotty, and Paul Kennedy. It is currently available for subscribers in DirectTV, Shudder, Amazon Prime, or AMC+.
Cathy Madden (Deirdre Mullins) is a probation officer tasked with the most vilified case in her town, Mary Laidlaw (Derbhle Crotty). When a child goes missing, all eyes turn to the infamous Bloody Mary. Cathy, always believing in the best of people, tries to protect Mary. But evidence begins to mount, and Cathy finds herself in increasing danger.
What I Like
Deirdre Mullins and Derbhle Crotty add weight to the film in their performances. Cathy proves resilient against the challenges she faces, while Mary can make any actions intimidating.
To not spoil anything, the ending is bittersweet in the best of ways, showing Cathy grow and mend relationships.
The atmosphere around Mary Laidlaw brings about the intimidation that earns the nickname Bloody Mary. It becomes easier to see why a town would fear this woman as we find her motives sinister.
What I Dislike
While there may be external magical elements, I found people obeyed Mary Laidlaw a little too easily for a vilified woman. There wasn’t enough for me to be convinced she intimidated them to action or magically charmed them. Or perhaps the performances felt underwhelmingly passive?
There was an irritating moment where a stalker helped save the day. The assistance is minor, but it still irritates me.
The daytime scenes of the film are bland. Perhaps it’s intentional, but the night scenes are stunning, making the contrast greater. While this film focuses on its night scenes, I couldn’t understand why it looked so bland, and sometimes poor quality, in the day.
Final Thoughts
Mandrake can be a frightful enjoyment, especially when set at night where the details work. However, many elements left me wanting more or better. If you’re looking for a witchy tale, I’d say there are better options, but Mandrake can keep you entertained.
(2.5 / 5)
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