I Watched Beautiful Wave (2012, Dir. by David Mueller)

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

After her father dies in an accident, teenage Nicole (Aimee Teargarden) is sent to Santa Cruz for the summer by her mother.  In Santa Cruz, Nicole meets her grandmother, Sue (Patricia Richardson), for the first time.  At first, Nicole is bitter and angry and doesn’t want a thing to do with Santa Cruz or its culture of surfing.   That changes when she learns about her grandfather, Max (Lance Henriksen).  Max was a legendary surfer who went to Vietnam and never returned.  When Nicole comes across Max’s old map of surfing spots, she and her friend Kayla (Alicia Ziegler) go on a journey that leads to Nicole not only appreciating surfing but also discovering the truth about her grandfather.

Beautiful Wave is pretty predictable and, at first, Nicole is so sullen that she can sometimes be difficult to take even if she does have a good reason for not being in a cheerful mood.  I liked the idea of Nicole and Kayla going on a journey together but I didn’t like that they brought two knucklehead surfers with them.  What could have been a celebration of sisterhood instead became a film about two women having to deal with two idiots.

Beautiful Wave still won me over, with its gorgeous beach footage and its story of paying respect to the past and discovering your own roots.  Even with the two idiot surfers getting in the way, I appreciated the way the film showed the bond between Nicole and Kayla.  The ending was heartwarming, even if it did raise more questions than it answered.  There are some movies that you have to be in the right mood for and I guess my mood was the right one for Beautiful Wave.

MAN WITH A CAMERA (TV Series) – starring Charles Bronson – S1, E8: Blind Spot 

Posted on by Bradley Crain

First, I want to say Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who read this review! I’m so thankful for The Shattered Lens and the opportunity to share my love of movies, TV and pop culture with all of you! Now on with the show…

Originally airing on December 5th, 1958, “Blind Spot” opens with free-lance photographer, Mike Kovac (Charles Bronson), receiving a phone call from his best friend Terry Ross (Norman Alden), who is in Lisbon, Portugal. A very nervous Terry tells Kovac that he will be airmailing him some very important negatives for something “dynamite” that he’s working on. While they’re on the phone, an imposing man with a wide-brimmed, boater hat steps into Terry’s room and shoots him dead. Hearing the shots, Kovac is on the next plane to Lisbon to talk to the police and try to find out what happened. Apparently this is big news as the Lisbon paper even reports that Kovac is on his way. The killer, who we soon learn is named Al Alviella (Mario Alcalde), is waiting on Kovac in front of the police station and through a variety of events, is able to convince him that he was Terry’s friend and can help him in his investigation. It seems the police believe that Terry was working for an underworld espionage organization and that he got killed for it. Kovac doesn’t believe there’s any possibility that his old wartime photographer buddy could be involved in anything dirty. But with the killer Al’s false stories and leads, as well as Kovac’s discovery of Terry’s wife Renee (Chana Eden), when he didn’t even know Terry was married, Kovac begins to question how well he really knew his old friend. When the truth finally all comes to light, will Kovac be able to get out of Lisbon alive?!

After the disappointing melodrama of the previous episode, MAN WITH A CAMERA gets back on track with “Blind Spot.” First, we get a somewhat intriguing crime storyline in this episode. While we know from the beginning that Kovac’s friend was murdered and who the killer is, the story still has a few surprises up its sleeve. The final reveal and fight scenes are very well handled, with Bronson continuing to prove that no one can throw a punch quite like him. Second, the episode has an appealing theme of “friendship forged by fire,” in this case by serving together in World War II. With the circumstantial evidence mounting, Kovac begins to doubt his old friend, and it’s here that the new wife steps in and says “Terry said you were his friend… his best friend!” Kovac knows in his heart that his friend just couldn’t have done these things, no matter how bad it looks, and he keeps pushing to find out the truth. I want to have friends like that! 

Finally, “Blind Spot” contains some solid performances and an interesting guest appearance. Bronson himself is quite emotional and demonstrative in this episode. He yells at the police when they tell him they believe his old buddy is dirty. He yells at the shadowy underworld “man” who tells him that his buddy was on his payroll, and then proceeds to start punching henchmen until they get the upper hand on him. And I’ve already mentioned the coolness of the final fight scenes where he clearly does his own stunts! I also found Mario Alcalde to be charismatic as the killer Al Alviella. There’s something about him, maybe it was his voice, that kind of reminds me of Andy Garcia, an actor I really like. Alcalde appeared on most of the good TV shows of the late 50’s and 60’s, but unfortunately died at the young age of 44 in 1971. One last thing about the casting that I found interesting involves character actor Frank DeKova, who has one scene here as a shadowy, Lisbon underworld figure credited only as “The Man.” DeKova would play one scene as a shadowy underworld figure known only as “The Man” 14 years later in Bronson’s action classic THE MECHANIC! 

“Blind Spot” isn’t a perfect episode, as it does have a fairly slow build up after its entertaining opening scene. However, the excitement of the ending scenes, the more interesting storyline, and the good performances from its main players are more than enough to get a recommendation from me. 

So, We Watched Sidelined 2: Intercepted (2025, Dir. by Justin Wu)

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

Since we had a few hours to kill before the Cowboys game started, Lisa and I decided to watch a movie.  I wanted a love story.  She wanted something with dancing.  We settled on Sidelined 2.

Sidelined 2 picks up where the first Sidelined ended.  Drayton (Noah Beck) is the starting quarterback at USC, even though he’s only a freshman and he’s really scrawny for a football player.  (All of the football players in this movie looked too scrawny to be playing for a top-ranked program.)  Dallas (Siena Agudong) is studying dance at Cal Arts and trying to figure out how to pay for her semester after she learns her scholarship won’t cover everything.

They’re in love but they still struggle because they’re going to different schools and they both have to figure out how to balance their relationship with all of their other responsibilities.  Drayton tears his ACL and becomes bitter.  Dallas gets a job at a coffeehouse and her boss has really messy bangs and keeps singing songs on his guitar.   Dallas and Drayton realizes that there are other possibilities out there.  Will their relationship last?

I thought the first Sidelined was cute for what it was.  The second one was pretty boring and whatever charm the two leads had in the first film disappeared during the sequel.  Drayton’s not much of a boyfriend, even before he ruins his knee.  Dallas says she’s never even been to Dallas, which is weird.  If I was named after a city, I would visit.  It’s a Wattpad movie and all of the dialogue sounds like it was written by an AI that had been programmed to try to sound young by dropping random slang.  Drayton asks Dallas if she’s “hangry.”  Lisa made me go back three times to make sure he actually said that.

James Van Der Beek comes back for five minutes.  He used to be the teenager with a dream.  Now, he’s playing the father of a teenager with a dream.  Feel old, yet?

4 Shots From 4 Film: I Am Thankful

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films is all about letting the visuals do the talking.

On this Thanksgiving, here are four films that I am thankful for.

4 Shots From 4 Films

Dunkirk (2017, Dir by Christopher Nolan)

Nomadland (2020, Dir by Chloe Zhao)

CODA (2021, Dir by Sian Heder)

Top Gun: Maverick (2022, Dir by Joseph Kosinski)

 

A Scene That I Love: Planes, Trains, & Automobiles

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

This scene, from Planes, Train, & Automobiles, epitomizes everything that I love about Thanksgiving.  It’s a reminder that home can be anywhere that is welcoming and that family doesn’t just include those with whom you share a common ancestor.

When John Candy finally admits the truth, that Marie is dead and that he hasn’t had a home for years, it brings tears to my eyes.  That’s great acting.  After everything that has happened, he finally gets to spend Thanksgiving with someone who cares about him.

I hope everyone is having a good Thanksgiving today.  Enjoy it however you celebrate.

Get In The Mood For Thanksgiving With These Thankful Images

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

If you’re having trouble getting in the mood for Thanksgiving, fear not.  Here’s some of my favorite Thanksgiving artwork, from the funny to the poignant.  All of these images remind me why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

(It’s not just because my birthday is sometimes the same day!)

by Bridget Voth

by Natalia Vetrova

by Joseph Christopher

by Norman Rockwell

by Norman Rockwell

by Norman Rockwell

by Norman Rockwell

Review: Thanksgiving (dir. by Eli Roth)

Posted on by Arleigh

“This year, there will be no leftovers.” — Sheriff Eric Newlon

Thanksgiving (2023) is Eli Roth’s ambitious take on the slasher genre, blending elements of gory horror, dark comedy, and social commentary rooted in the holiday’s American origins. The film follows a masked killer, inspired by the historical Plymouth Colony governor John Carver, who stalks the small town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, weaving a path of violence around the Thanksgiving festivities. The movie opens strongly with a tense, chaotic Black Friday mob scene that effectively captures the frenzy of consumerism and sets a sharp tone of societal critique through horror. However, as the film progresses, it drifts more into a conventional slasher revenge plot that lacks the depth expected from its promising premise.

Visually, Thanksgiving is sharp and well-crafted, abandoning the low-budget aesthetic of Roth’s original 2007 fake trailer and adopting a slick, modern horror style reminiscent of recent elevated slashers. The kills are signature Roth—extremely graphic and creatively brutal—offering plenty of gore that will satisfy fans of extreme slasher violence. The cast delivers solid performances, portraying a range of characters that touch on themes from corporate greed to family tension. While some characters feel underdeveloped, the film does maintain a whodunit element that keeps the mystery alive until the later stages, engaging the audience in the killer’s identity.

The film attempts a tricky balance between paying homage to nostalgic slasher films and delivering dark social satire. This tonal uncertainty emerges as its main weakness; the mix of campy horror and dramatic narrative sometimes feels disconnected and uneven. Although the premise hints at a sharp critique of consumerism and the problematic legacy of Thanksgiving, these themes remain superficially explored. The clashing tones—between over-the-top murder scenes and serious town investigations—can disengage viewers, leading to a jarring experience that affects overall cohesion.

The film leans heavily on extreme violence and a parade of signature kills, but it lacks the sharp wit or cohesive satire needed to maintain sustained interest. It tries to balance being both artful and absurd, yet ends up feeling off-balance and somewhat numbing, stretching a brief satirical concept into a 106-minute feature without clear follow-through or a unified purpose. While it delivers plenty of gore and horror moments, Thanksgiving ultimately falls short of being a polished homage or a compelling modern reinvention of the slasher genre. The result is entertaining mainly for fans who appreciate relentless slasher violence but may leave others feeling the film is uneven and overstuffed without fully satisfying either as a tribute or as a fresh take on the genre.

In terms of entertainment value, Thanksgiving offers a chaotic mix of gore, dark humor, and missed opportunities that make it an uneven but occasionally thrilling watch. It delivers a fresh avalanche of horror and inventive kill sequences packed with kitschy Thanksgiving references and humorous touches, especially in its opening Black Friday massacre. Fans of Eli Roth’s style will recognize his penchant for mixing intense violence with comedic timing, and the film does a respectable job reviving the feel of classic ’80s slashers with a modern twist. However, it’s a film best suited for devotees of graphic slashers rather than casual horror viewers seeking strong narrative or thematic depth.

Ultimately, Thanksgiving stands as a gutsy effort buoyed by bold kills and nostalgic flair, but one that struggles to find a fully satisfying balance between homage, horror, and social commentary. Its impact is intense but uneven, making it a film that may carve out a cult following among gore enthusiasts while leaving others wishing for a sharper, more cohesive final product.

Lisa Marie’s Editorial Corner: 10 Things For Which I Am Thankful In 2025

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Well, it’s that time.

Every Thanksgiving, I come up with an even-numbered list of things for which I’m thankful.  I know some people are saying that we shouldn’t be thankful for anything this year.  There are people who say that, because they’re miserable, it’s somehow offensive that everyone else isn’t miserable.

But you know what?

Screw that.

Never be ashamed of being happy.  Never feel like you can’t be thankful.

1) I’m thankful for our readers.  2025 has been the most successful and busy year that Through the Shattered Lens has had in a very long time.  In both October and November, we have set records for the number of site views we’ve received.  Thank you to all of you.  I hope you’ve enjoyed what you’ve found on this site and I hope you’ll continue to read in 2026!

2) I’m thankful for our contributors!  Arleigh, Erin, Jeff, Leonard, Brad, Case, and the music lover by the name of Necromoonyeti, thank you so much for your contributions this year.  Thank you for making this a site of not just one opinion but of many opinions.  Thank you for inspiring me to keep writing, if just to keep up with the great work that all of you are doing!

3) I’m thankful to once again be an American!  A few weeks ago, twitter (or X or whatever the Hell you want to call it) made public where everyone’s account was located.  It was a needed action.  A lot of accounts that have been at the forefront of spreading disinformation and brewing conflict in the United States were revealed to be located in Russia and the Middle East.  However, the process wasn’t perfect.  For four days, due to a VPN that I was definitely not using to watch movies that weren’t available in the U.S., my account was listed as being based in Ireland.  While I am of Irish descent, I am definitely based in Texas.  I’m glad to say that twitter has fixed the error and I can now say “Happy Thanksgiving!” without having to worry about someone saying, “Aren’t you in Ireland?”

4) I haven’t watched a lot of television this year but I will say that I am thankful that the King of the Hill reboot was wonderful and more than worthy continuation.  The show managed to keep up with the changing times while retaining the humor and outlook that made it a classic to begin with.  All reboots should be this good!  I’m thankful for Mike Judge.  (I’m also thankful for Greg Daniels, despite what happened with The Paper.)

5) I’m thankful that I stopped watching All’s Fair after the first episode.  Sometimes, a bad show is just a bad show and there’s nothing wrong with admitting that.  Not everything is camp.  Sometimes, it’s just crap.

6) I’m thankful that the horror genre — thanks to films like Sinners, Weapons, and Frankenstein this year and Nosferatu last year — is finally getting some respect.  I’m less thankful that some of the genre’s new fans still look down on the horror films of the past.

7) I’m thankful for my family. Last year was not an easy one for us.  This year, we dealt with even more loss.  But we were there for each other and we always will be.  I’m happy to be spending this Thanksgiving with them.

8) I’m thankful for American Anthem!  Seriously, I’ve watched that stupid movie seven times this year.  Steve Tevere has thrown a tripus!

9) I don’t care what anyone says.  I liked Happy Gilmore 2.

10) Most importantly, I’m thankful that we’re all still here and we’re all still moving forward.

Happy Thanksgiving!