Tag: Dan Aykroyd

Zombie Town

“Zombie Town” is 2023 Hulu original Family/Horror based of R.L. Stine’s book with the same name. It stars Chevy Chase (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation), Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters), Henry Czerny (Ready or Not), Marlon Kazadi (Riverdale), and Madi Monroe (Attaway General).

Two teenagers (Kazadi and Monroe) try to get a sneak peek at a brand new horror movie from a legendary horror director (Aykroyd) by sneaking and watching the reel in the town’s movie theater the night before the big premiere. They unknowingly unleash an ancient curse turning the entire town into zombies besides themselves and the director. They must now figure out a way to break the curse before it’s too late.

I was born in the late eighties, so growing up, R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” series was huge. Everyone, including myself couldn’t get enough of them. I read the entire series and went on to his other works. So, when I heard a movie based on one of his books was premiering, I had to check it out.

It’s aimed at young teen/teenagers, and as an adult you will probably find most of this movie corny. The first half is pretty good, but once the town turns into zombies, it’s like the movie hit its breaks. It just becomes dumb, and not very good. The acting becomes bad as well. The story line also doesn’t make sense. It’s an ancient reel found in the tomb of an Egyptian Pharaoh by Thomas Edison that turns people into zombies. Like what? That’s the beauty of kid/teen movies, they won’t question it. Not to mention Chevy Chase is in the movie for maybe thirty seconds total. If you have young teens, I say watch it. It’s a good movie for spooky season. If you’re an adult thinking of watching it, just give it a pass. Overall, I give it a 5/10.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is the 2021 comedy/adventure sequel to the original Ghostbuster franchise. This one stars Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Mckenna Grace (Gifted), Logan Kim (Home Movie: The Princess Bride), and Celeste O’ Connor (Freaky), and for all you Ghostbuster fans out there, they also have the original Ghostbusters who make a cameo which includes Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson.

A broke single mom and her two kids move to a deserted small town, into a run down farm house that her estranged dad left them. Strange things begin to happen in the small town, and they soon discover that her father was Dr. Egon Spengler, one of the original Ghostbusters. Now it’s up to them to save the town.

I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while, it was pushed back a couple of times due to COVID, luckily it finally came out. I originally thought this was a reboot, but it’s more of a continuation of the originals and a homage to Harold Ramis (Egon Spengler), who is the only one of the original four who isn’t alive. It’s quite touching really, they do a great job of honoring him and tying it into the originals. They pick up 30 plus years later with the ghostbusters faded into obscurity. They bring back all the original gear, car, etc. from over 30 plus years ago, all farm fresh and covered in dust, it’s pretty cool really. It is also chalked full of references to the originals, including the main ghost they are after. Casting is great, who doesn’t love Paul Rudd, and they did a great job with Mckenna Grace as the granddaughter. She even looks like Harold Ramis. Overall this is a must see movie for any Ghostbuster fan, it’s even better than I anticipated. I give it a 9/10.