Through the Door (2024) | Fans of low-budget genre films and time travel conundrums, this may be worth a watch to see how creative choices can outshine flashy effects. #jackmeatsflix

My quick rating - 4.9/10. In Through the Door, director Matt Kincses proves that you don’t need a massive budget to deliver a compelling sci-fi narrative. Set almost entirely inside a cryptic warehouse, the film follows a content creator documenting what initially seems like a fringe experiment but quickly spirals into a mind-bending time travel tale. The setup is minimal, but the ambition is clear, and more often than not, it pays off.

The film explores the concept of a mysterious time portal, one that gives desperate souls the chance to be reborn, starting life over again from birth with no memory of their previous selves. It’s a bold and thought-provoking premise that flirts with science fiction and metaphysical questions about identity, regret, and second chances. The script doesn’t go as deep as it could in exploring these themes, but it lays enough groundwork to make the viewer stop and ponder: Would you do it?

Lola Claire stars as Jane, a 23-year-old grappling with whether her life is already beyond repair. Her motivation to reset her existence might seem a bit forced or underdeveloped, but her performance carries enough emotional weight to keep the character grounded. The supporting cast, while not spectacular, is serviceable and fits the stripped-down nature of the production.

What really stands out to me is how the film embraces its limitations. Rather than relying on cheap visual effects to represent the more surreal elements—like the enigmatic, power-wielding “guard” who tries to prevent interference in the timeline—Kincses leans into suggestion and performance. A simple raised hand from this mysterious figure speaks louder than any bargain-bin CGI. Sure, it's a little hokey at times, but it's also strangely more effective than the alternative.

That said, Through the Door isn't without flaws. The pacing lags in sections, especially when the characters are just meandering through the warehouse and interacting with the overly cryptic “gatekeeper.” The tension never quite escalates the way it could, and there’s a feeling that the film is one or two rewrites away from something truly impactful. Still, there are enough twists peppered in to maintain interest, and the film's central question keeps the narrative afloat.

Is it pure time travel? Is it multiverse theory? The film doesn't draw clear lines, and while that might bug some viewers, others may appreciate the ambiguity. Either way, the ideas at play are interesting enough to elevate the film beyond its budgetary constraints.

Through the Door isn’t a home run, but it’s a commendable indie sci-fi effort that respects its audience's intelligence and doesn't try to overreach. For fans of low-budget genre films and time travel conundrums, it’s definitely worth a watch—even if just to see how creative choices can outshine flashy effects.

Through the Door (2024)

As of now, Amazon is your go-to streamer but I'll link Justwatch for future reference.

https://jackmeat.com/through-the-door-2024/

The Monkey (2025) | Stephen King brings us an entertaining horror/comedy with a toy monkey that is just taunting us with "Who dies next?" #jackmeatsflix

My quick rating - 6.5/10. Stephen King is really all I need to hear to check out a horror flick, and The Monkey delivers a fun, twisted time, even if it comes with a few annoying strings attached. The premise is delightfully simple and plays out with the gory rhythm of a Final Destination movie: there’s a creepy toy monkey that beats a drum, and every time it stops, someone dies. You’d think that would get old fast, but the filmmakers keep the kills inventive and tongue-in-cheek enough to keep you watching. There's even a mid-movie death montage that feels like the writers going, “We know, we’re behind, let’s catch you up real quick.” And it works.

Theo James pulls double duty as adult Bill and his twin, Hal—both of whom, at both ages, are just wildly frustrating characters. Not because of the acting, which is perfectly serviceable, but because of the way they’re written. Adult Bill in particular is infuriating. The guy refuses to clue his kid in on what’s happening, again and again, and it's hard not to scream at the screen. His stubbornness and refusal to cooperate undercut some of the fun, and it started wearing on me pretty early.

Still, even with my frustrations, I had a good time. The kills are creatively gory, the humor lands, and there's a consistent creepy charm to the monkey itself. Adam Scott pops up early on, and it was great to see him away from the corporate Lumon hellscape of Severance and into something a little more deadly.

There’s a bonus trailer after the credits—more of a tease for a new film than a sequel. (Screenrant has the breakdown if you're curious.) I’ve never read King’s original short story, but something tells me that ending went in a very different direction on the page.

Despite some annoying character choices and a plot that felt a little too one-note by the end, The Monkey still manages to entertain. That says a lot because if not for Bill being the human version of a wet blanket, I might’ve rated this even higher.

The Monkey (2025)

This one is making the rounds on most streamers, including Amazon, for theater pricing at home.

Anyone read the short story? Curious how the source material handled it.

https://jackmeat.com/the-monkey-2025/

The Forest Clown (2025) | A clowny campfire tale if you're a fan of horror movie clichés and don’t mind a little self-aware chaos. #jackmeatsflix

My quick rating - 3.0/10. So, here’s the deal with The Forest Clown: It’s one of those horror films where you can practically hear director Lukas DiSparrow giggling behind the camera. A camping trip turns into a bloodbath as a group of strangers encounters a mad clown. But don’t let that premise fool you—this isn’t just your average slasher. It’s a playful wink to all the classic horror clichés that we love to roast.

Right off the bat, the group of characters make the cardinal sin of horror movie survival—splitting up—after literally just saying, “We shouldn’t split up.” And you know what? They do it anyway. You could almost hear DiSparrow facepalm through the screen. Classic. The horror comes quick and brutal, with the killer clown popping up just when you think you’re safe, like some kind of twisted game of “Where’s Waldo?” But instead of looking for a red-and-white striped sweater, you’re searching for a forest-dwelling clown.

The acting is surprisingly decent at first—natural, even. But then, once the bodies start piling up, it’s like they all took a crash course in How to Act Like You’ve Never Seen a Horror Movie Before. I’m talking about the kind of “stupid” that makes you think, “Are these guys trying to get killed or is this a clever satire?” Spoiler: It's both.

Now, credit where credit’s due—they’ve got budget constraints, but they hide them well. Instead of relying on cheap CGI gore, they cleverly use blurring and dodgy camera angles to give us the horror without all the goo. It’s so subtle, I was almost impressed. And honestly, this little bit of sleight of hand made the movie unintentionally funny... but maybe that was on purpose? Who’s to say?

The pacing, however, is a whole different story. It’s like they took a scenic route through the forest and then got lost for 30 minutes. The characters are doing the “oh no, we’re gonna die” thing while the obvious plot twists fly right over their heads. You’d think they’d get it after the 20th time the killer clown shows up, but nope, they’re still scratching their heads.

Now, let's talk about the killer forest clown. Is he supernatural or not? Who cares, honestly? At some point, I stopped asking questions and just let the madness take over. The lack of clarity only adds to the chaotic fun. By the time the credits roll, you're almost certain the filmmakers were just messing with us. The final moments are the best part of the movie, as it feels like the cast and crew realized they were in on the joke too. Respect for that and bumps the rating up.

Forest Clown credits

The Forest Clown is the kind of film that misses almost everything you expect from a good horror flick, yet still manages to avoid being a total disaster. It’s not a masterpiece by any stretch, but it did escape from being a #turkey. If you’re in the mood for a laugh and a killer clown who might be supernatural (but who really cares?), then this one's for you. Or maybe you saw Horror Stories, which this is an offchute of. I missed that one and don't intend on trying to find it.

Would I recommend it? If you're a fan of horror movie clichés and don’t mind a little self-aware chaos, give it a watch. Just be sure to leave your common sense at the door and don't expect much.

The Forest Clown (2025)

Amazon does have this one to rent, not sure about other streamers since Justwatch didn't have any.

https://jackmeat.com/the-forest-clown-2025/

Y2K (2024) | A fun throwback with some great moments, but ultimately too scattered to be memorable. #jackmeatsflix

My quick rating - 5.3/10. Y2K kicks off with a bang, riding the nostalgia wave straight into the heart of 1999, but somewhere along the way, it forgets to keep the party alive. The setup is solid—two high school misfits crashing a New Year's Eve bash on the brink of the millennium, only to get swept up in some wild, tech-fueled chaos. The opening scene even flirts with horror, making you think you’re in for something in the vein of Maximum Overdrive meets Superbad. But by the time the credits roll, it's clear the film couldn’t decide what it wanted to be.

Let's talk performances. Jaeden Martell as Eli is… well, bland. His shy, awkward demeanor doesn’t add much beyond making him forgettable. Julian Dennison, on the other hand, is a blast as his best friend Danny, stealing every scene he’s in. It’s a shame he’s not in more of them. Rachel Zegler and Lachlan Watson round out the main cast well, each embodying their Breakfast Club archetypes (popular girl and geek, respectively) without overdoing it. Then there’s Kyle Mooney, who pulls double duty as a stoner character and the film’s director. His comedic bits mostly miss the mark, but since he was juggling multiple roles, I’ll cut him some slack.

The real wildcard? Fred Durst. Playing himself, he’s fully in on the joke, letting the movie poke fun at him in ways that’ll either have you rolling or cringing, depending on your tolerance for late-’90s music references. (If you ever rocked out to Limp Bizkit, you’ll probably get a kick out of it.) The best moment? The kids’ brutally honest first impression: “WOW, you look like shit!” (2021 Durst is hilarious, Click for a full show in Chicago.)

The film’s biggest issue is its identity crisis. It teeters between satire, sci-fi horror, and raunchy comedy but never fully commits to any of them. The tech-apocalypse angle is a fun nod to Y2K hysteria, but it leans too much into parody without fully embracing the madness. It’s self-aware to a fault, constantly winking at the audience instead of building real stakes.

If you were in your 20s around the turn of the millennium, there’s enough nostalgia here to keep you entertained—though younger viewers might be left scratching their heads. And while the movie’s references hit home for me (especially the Family Values Tour shoutouts—one of the best concerts I ever attended), it doesn’t do enough to resonate beyond its target audience. Y2K is a fun throwback with some great moments, but ultimately too scattered to be memorable. It’s got the vibe of a mixtape with a killer opener that just sort of fizzles out by the end.

Y2K (2024)

There are quite a few streaming options for this one including Amazon.

https://jackmeat.com/y2k-2024/

Renner (2025) | A bold but uneven indie sci-fi that takes a predictable premise and pushes it somewhere worthwhile with strong performances and a gutsy finale. #jackmeatsflix

My quick rating - 5.2/10. It's refreshing to see a film with some guts again, and Renner certainly doesn’t shy away from its bold finale. The story follows a computer genius who designs an AI life coach to help him navigate love, only to realize too late that he’s unknowingly programmed his manipulative mother into the system. While the setup is highly predictable, the film manages to redeem itself with an unexpected swerve that adds real weight to the narrative.

As an indie sci-fi drama, Renner never quite explodes into something extraordinary, but it flirts with that potential thanks to strong performances and an engaging second half. Frankie Muniz has evolved into a well-balanced actor, delivering a nuanced performance that carries much of the film. It was also a nice change of pace to see Violett Beane in a role outside of the superhero genre as she brings charm and depth to the nosy neighbor/love interest.

The real standout, however, is the sheer audacity of how the story plays out in the end. Whether it was director Robert Rippberger’s choice or the writers crafting multiple possible outcomes, the finale delivers a rare sense of commitment that's worth appreciating. Be warned, though—the last half-hour goes all in, making for a chaotic and gripping finish.

That said, Renner isn’t without its flaws. There are moments where you will be yelling at the screen, frustrated at the characters’ obliviousness to the obvious. But if you can roll with that, the film serves up some solid indie sci-fi entertainment with an edge. It's a bold but uneven indie sci-fi that takes a predictable premise and pushes it somewhere worthwhile. Worth watching for the performances and its gutsy finale.

Renner (2025)

Amazon leads the limited streaming choices here.

https://jackmeat.com/renner-2025/

Val Edward Kilmer (December 31, 1959 – April 1, 2025) | An absolute tragic loss today of a man who I was a huge fan of. Might pop on Real Genius tonight. RIP Mr. Kilmer. #jackmeatsflix

I wish I was making an April Fools joke, but unfortunately, this exceptional actor has lost a battle to pneumonia and passed away. To say I am a fan is an understatement. I believe half of my sarcasm in high school came from the movie Real Genius (clip below) Kilmer was a part of just so many great movies. I would rehash his amazing career, but I think the Hollywood Reporter does a nice job of it for me.

An absolute tragic loss today of a man who I was a huge fan of. I might have to pop on Real Genius tonight and watch my personal favorite role of his and smile. RIP Mr. Kilmer.

Val Kilmer

What was your favorite Val Kilmer movie?

https://jackmeat.com/val-edward-kilmer/

Forest of Death (2023) | If you are gonna watch this flick, get ready for a weekend getaway all the way to the land of bad decisions! #jackmeatsflix

My quick rating - 3.5/10. The classic horror trope with a group of friends heading to a remote cabin for some much-needed R&R. Cue the ominous forest, the skinwalker lurking nearby, and, of course, the "splitting up" moment that happens in record time—literally less than 10 minutes in! Seriously, I thought they were trying to set a new world record for the worst decisions. But hey, at least they got the clichés out of the way early, right? Well, let me just put it like this. If someone told you an insane sounding story that seems very implausible to ever happen, AND the next thing you know, the EXACT thing that was just described starts happening, wouldn't you give that warning story some creed? Not these folks, nope, not at all.

Let’s talk about the acting—because, oh boy, it's a rollercoaster. At some points, I was convinced I was watching a community theater production where everyone forgot their lines. In fact, I’m pretty sure I saw one actor glance down at a cue card mid-scene. That said, it gives the movie this charmingly awkward vibe, like you're rooting for them to survive just because you're watching a blooper reel unfold in real time.

Now, this film actually has some potential. The creative camera work and eerie shots of doppelgangers are the real MVPs. These moments are genuinely unsettling, but they’re too few and far between. Instead of indulging in their budget-friendly, freaky visuals, they decided to throw in some not-so-convincing practical effects that felt like they were trying to be too ambitious. Spoiler alert: When the "creature" does show up, you’ll be wishing they stuck to what worked: spooky shots of people who aren’t who they say they are.

As for the horror… well, there are a couple of chills here and there. But overall, it’s like a haunted house with too many plastic skeletons. You’ll find a few moments that actually make you jump, but not enough to keep you glued to your screen. It’s the kind of film you’ll watch if you’re a hardcore horror fan who’ll take whatever is handed to you… or if it’s just on in the background while you do other things (you know who you are).

In the end, Forest of Death barely scrapes by with a rounded-up 4 out of 10. It's not a complete disaster, but it’s not a gem either. It’s like that weird snack you regret buying—it’s not terrible, but you’re probably never going to finish it.

Forest of Death (2023)

If you are gonna watch this flick, get ready for a weekend getaway all the way to the land of bad decisions! That being said, there are some streaming options for you, including Amazon.

https://jackmeat.com/forest-of-death-2023/