Fantasy & Apocalyptic films reviewed
@gabecrate.bsky.social
Writer, director, filmmakers, and punk rock musician casually attempting to #review every # fantasy #swordsandsorcery #postapocalyptic and #PA adjacent film ever made. yes. even that one. #moviereviews
☢️#76. Five, 1951. A neatly constructed, if a bit antiquated, #postapocalyptic drama. Shot on a low budget using USC grads, there’s a more artful approach to the camera work and editing than your standard studio picture of the era. A nice little surprise. #Five 3/5 ☢️
November 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
☢️#76. Five, 1951. A neatly constructed, if a bit antiquated, #postapocalyptic drama. Shot on a low budget using USC grads, there’s a more artful approach to the camera work and editing than your standard studio picture of the era. A nice little surprise. #Five 3/5 ☢️
☢️#75. Stalker, 1979. A gorgeous nightmare likely to be appreciated by only the most patient. Three men explore palpably toxic and radioactive industrial remains in search of a magic room that manifests your hearts desire. The film that killed director #Tarkovsky. #Stalker 4/5 ☢️
November 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
☢️#75. Stalker, 1979. A gorgeous nightmare likely to be appreciated by only the most patient. Three men explore palpably toxic and radioactive industrial remains in search of a magic room that manifests your hearts desire. The film that killed director #Tarkovsky. #Stalker 4/5 ☢️
☢️#74. America 3000, 1986. Despite an over reliance on narration and #postapocalyptic vocab lessons, this ones a silly self-aware blast. A bunch of dopey guys and a mutant Sasquatch fight the matriarchy with hand-grenades and rock and roll. Hurry up and watch it already! 3.5/5 ☢️
November 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
☢️#74. America 3000, 1986. Despite an over reliance on narration and #postapocalyptic vocab lessons, this ones a silly self-aware blast. A bunch of dopey guys and a mutant Sasquatch fight the matriarchy with hand-grenades and rock and roll. Hurry up and watch it already! 3.5/5 ☢️
☢️#73. 9, 2009. Often feeling like strung together video game cutscenes, its bare bone familiar storytelling can be excused for its exquisitely creative design. Like a Disnified #QuayBrothers, this mini #steampunk adventure is as grotesque as it is compelling. #notforkids #4/5 ☢️
November 23, 2025 at 5:58 PM
☢️#73. 9, 2009. Often feeling like strung together video game cutscenes, its bare bone familiar storytelling can be excused for its exquisitely creative design. Like a Disnified #QuayBrothers, this mini #steampunk adventure is as grotesque as it is compelling. #notforkids #4/5 ☢️
☢️#72. Road Wars, 2015. When clone company #TheAsylum decided to make their own #FuryRoad they should have ripped off the minimal speaking as well. Not entirely without effort considering what it is, but the dialog is deadly dull and constant. Shut up movie! #RoadWars 2/5 ☢️
November 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM
☢️#72. Road Wars, 2015. When clone company #TheAsylum decided to make their own #FuryRoad they should have ripped off the minimal speaking as well. Not entirely without effort considering what it is, but the dialog is deadly dull and constant. Shut up movie! #RoadWars 2/5 ☢️
☢️#71. Equalizer 2000, 1987. So creatively bankrupt I had to check my list twice to make sure I wasn’t repeating a review. Title doesn’t help either. Like watching a never ending group of scruffy neighborhood kids playing army in a rock quarry. #sobaditsbad. 1/5 ☢️
November 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
☢️#71. Equalizer 2000, 1987. So creatively bankrupt I had to check my list twice to make sure I wasn’t repeating a review. Title doesn’t help either. Like watching a never ending group of scruffy neighborhood kids playing army in a rock quarry. #sobaditsbad. 1/5 ☢️
For further insight on today’s flick - check out my conversation with Movie Matt and Todd on their TV/Movie rewind podcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tv-…podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...03
Dawn of the Dead (1978) with guest Gabe Crate
Podcast Episode · Tv/Movie Rewind · 05/26/2024 · 2h 42m
podcasts.apple.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:47 PM
For further insight on today’s flick - check out my conversation with Movie Matt and Todd on their TV/Movie rewind podcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tv-…podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...03
☢️#70. Dawn of the Dead, 1978. A zombie film high-water mark from the director who started the genre. Social commentary that doesn’t get too preachy and zombies that don’t move too fast. Wonderful gags, gore, and whip-smart humor. Let’s go to the mall! #DawnoftheDead 4.5/5 ☢️
November 20, 2025 at 7:18 PM
☢️#70. Dawn of the Dead, 1978. A zombie film high-water mark from the director who started the genre. Social commentary that doesn’t get too preachy and zombies that don’t move too fast. Wonderful gags, gore, and whip-smart humor. Let’s go to the mall! #DawnoftheDead 4.5/5 ☢️
☢️#69. Panic in Year Zero, 1962. A parable exploring the collapse of society ultimately becomes a NRA recruitment video as 50s dad instantly leads the “Everyman for himself” charge. Nothing too mind blowing, but certainly an interesting time capsule. #PanicinYearZero 2.5/5 ☢️
November 19, 2025 at 6:34 PM
☢️#69. Panic in Year Zero, 1962. A parable exploring the collapse of society ultimately becomes a NRA recruitment video as 50s dad instantly leads the “Everyman for himself” charge. Nothing too mind blowing, but certainly an interesting time capsule. #PanicinYearZero 2.5/5 ☢️
☢️#68. Cyborg, 1989. An impressively overserious tone considering how much of the budget was dedicated to wigs and body oil. Very standard stuff elevated by some quality stunt work and #Vandamme’s trademark anti-charm. Some nice PA production design. #Cannon #Cyborg 2.5/5 ☢️
November 18, 2025 at 5:46 PM
☢️#68. Cyborg, 1989. An impressively overserious tone considering how much of the budget was dedicated to wigs and body oil. Very standard stuff elevated by some quality stunt work and #Vandamme’s trademark anti-charm. Some nice PA production design. #Cannon #Cyborg 2.5/5 ☢️
☢️#67. Wizards, 1977. Like most #Bakshi productions, it veers wildly in quality from masterful to awkward to unbelievably awkward. A jumbled allegory striking out against the rise of fascism. Well intentioned, but best enjoyed with blotter acid forty years ago. #Wizards 3.5/5 ☢️
November 17, 2025 at 6:10 PM
☢️#66. The Sisterhood, 1988. It’s a battle of the sexes and neither side has heard a human speak in their entire lives. A #sobaditsgood sword and sorcery #madmax mashup with endless waves of pointless sloppy action. Incompetent in all the right places. #TheSisterhood 2/5 ☢️
November 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
☢️#66. The Sisterhood, 1988. It’s a battle of the sexes and neither side has heard a human speak in their entire lives. A #sobaditsgood sword and sorcery #madmax mashup with endless waves of pointless sloppy action. Incompetent in all the right places. #TheSisterhood 2/5 ☢️
☢️#64. Aftershock, 1990. Squinting for 92 minutes might convince you that you are watching an action film costarring #EddieMurphy and #DarylHannah. Or keep your peepers open for a cheapie crap fest about a naive sexy alien on the run. Dumb fun and definitely #sobaditsgood 2/5 ☢️
November 15, 2025 at 6:38 PM
☢️#64. Aftershock, 1990. Squinting for 92 minutes might convince you that you are watching an action film costarring #EddieMurphy and #DarylHannah. Or keep your peepers open for a cheapie crap fest about a naive sexy alien on the run. Dumb fun and definitely #sobaditsgood 2/5 ☢️
☢️#63. I Am Mother, 2019. Despite derivative ideas and telegraphed influences, an impressively natural performance by #ClaraRugaard against a wonderful #Weta creation helps this #scifi thriller land. #RidleyNot. 3.5/5 ☢️
November 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
☢️#63. I Am Mother, 2019. Despite derivative ideas and telegraphed influences, an impressively natural performance by #ClaraRugaard against a wonderful #Weta creation helps this #scifi thriller land. #RidleyNot. 3.5/5 ☢️
☢️#62. Radioactive Dreams, 1985. A pair of sheltered (literally) private dicks live out a noir fantasy despite finding themselves in a #newwave #postapocalytic nightmare. Inventive and hilarious, though hampered by standard PA beats and choppy editing. Big fun overall. 3/5 ☢️
November 13, 2025 at 6:07 PM
☢️#62. Radioactive Dreams, 1985. A pair of sheltered (literally) private dicks live out a noir fantasy despite finding themselves in a #newwave #postapocalytic nightmare. Inventive and hilarious, though hampered by standard PA beats and choppy editing. Big fun overall. 3/5 ☢️
☢️#61. When Worlds Collide, 1951. More apocalyptic than post, this planetary ark tale is a quaint charmer coming at you in glorious #technicolor! Fun models and matte paintings abound. An #Emmerich equivalent right down to the forced romantic subplots. #WhenWorldsCollide 3/5 ☢️
November 12, 2025 at 5:38 PM
☢️#61. When Worlds Collide, 1951. More apocalyptic than post, this planetary ark tale is a quaint charmer coming at you in glorious #technicolor! Fun models and matte paintings abound. An #Emmerich equivalent right down to the forced romantic subplots. #WhenWorldsCollide 3/5 ☢️
☢️#60. Glen and Randa, 1971. A uniquely fascinating artifact. A pair of often nude innocents traverse a #postapocalyptic world knowing only what they’ve pieced together from superhero comic books. #BlueLagoon meets the 2nd act of #thunderdome. Slow for some. I was riveted. 4/5 ☢️
November 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM
☢️#60. Glen and Randa, 1971. A uniquely fascinating artifact. A pair of often nude innocents traverse a #postapocalyptic world knowing only what they’ve pieced together from superhero comic books. #BlueLagoon meets the 2nd act of #thunderdome. Slow for some. I was riveted. 4/5 ☢️
☢️#59. Dune Warriors, 1991. With mandatory trips to Supercuts and Kmart, these are the least convincing #postapocalyptic villagers yet. #DavidCarradine sleepwalks through a cheap #SevenSamuria clone with a budget spent entirely on dynamite. #sobaditsgood? Not exactly. 1/5 ☢️
November 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
☢️#59. Dune Warriors, 1991. With mandatory trips to Supercuts and Kmart, these are the least convincing #postapocalyptic villagers yet. #DavidCarradine sleepwalks through a cheap #SevenSamuria clone with a budget spent entirely on dynamite. #sobaditsgood? Not exactly. 1/5 ☢️
☢️#58. Mortal Engines, 2018. Cannibalistic mobile fortress-cities battle across a #postapocalyptic landscape. Gloriously silly #steampunk fun until bogged down with relentless exposition and thinly drawn characters. Though I did enjoy #DoombotDad. #sogooditsbad 2.5/5 ☢️
November 9, 2025 at 8:50 PM
☢️#58. Mortal Engines, 2018. Cannibalistic mobile fortress-cities battle across a #postapocalyptic landscape. Gloriously silly #steampunk fun until bogged down with relentless exposition and thinly drawn characters. Though I did enjoy #DoombotDad. #sogooditsbad 2.5/5 ☢️
☢️#57. The Omega Man, 1971. The fun and funky entry in the trinity of #IAmLegend novel film adaptations. By day #CharltonHeston cruises #postapocalyptic LA gunning down cloaked beatniks - then by night retires to the swankiest bachelor pad of all time. Groovy. #classic 4/5 ☢️
November 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
☢️#57. The Omega Man, 1971. The fun and funky entry in the trinity of #IAmLegend novel film adaptations. By day #CharltonHeston cruises #postapocalyptic LA gunning down cloaked beatniks - then by night retires to the swankiest bachelor pad of all time. Groovy. #classic 4/5 ☢️
☢️#56. Quintet, 1979. Fascinating depictions of a #postapocalyptic ice age shot on the frozen remains of the Montreal worlds fair are hampered by an ever-present vignette blur. Worth watching for #Altman or #Newman diehards, but ultimately a draining exercise. #Quintet 2.5/5 ☢️
November 8, 2025 at 2:24 AM
☢️#56. Quintet, 1979. Fascinating depictions of a #postapocalyptic ice age shot on the frozen remains of the Montreal worlds fair are hampered by an ever-present vignette blur. Worth watching for #Altman or #Newman diehards, but ultimately a draining exercise. #Quintet 2.5/5 ☢️
☢️#55. Damnation Alley, 1977. A largely story-free #postapocalyptic road movie aimlessly drifts through sad looking optical effects in a sweet armored truck. Despite some mutant insect sequences and #JanMichaelVincent on a dirt bike - it’s still not bad enough to be good. 2/5 ☢️
November 6, 2025 at 10:06 PM
☢️#55. Damnation Alley, 1977. A largely story-free #postapocalyptic road movie aimlessly drifts through sad looking optical effects in a sweet armored truck. Despite some mutant insect sequences and #JanMichaelVincent on a dirt bike - it’s still not bad enough to be good. 2/5 ☢️
☢️#54. 2020 Texas Gladiators, 1983. Gun toting hillbilly marauders in cowboy hats battle shirtless bandolier wearing studs in a nonstop orgy of dreary violence. A hauntingly accurate prediction of 2020 Texas considering it was made forty years ago in Italy. #sobaditsgood 1.5/5 ☢️
November 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
☢️#54. 2020 Texas Gladiators, 1983. Gun toting hillbilly marauders in cowboy hats battle shirtless bandolier wearing studs in a nonstop orgy of dreary violence. A hauntingly accurate prediction of 2020 Texas considering it was made forty years ago in Italy. #sobaditsgood 1.5/5 ☢️
☢️#53. The Last Woman on Earth, 1960. Expecting a cheapie #Corman B flick, I was surprised by the nimble quality of the screenplay - that is until I realized #RobertTowne of #Chinatown fame was the screenwriter. That being said, It’s still a cheapie #Corman B flick. 3/5 ☢️
November 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
☢️#53. The Last Woman on Earth, 1960. Expecting a cheapie #Corman B flick, I was surprised by the nimble quality of the screenplay - that is until I realized #RobertTowne of #Chinatown fame was the screenwriter. That being said, It’s still a cheapie #Corman B flick. 3/5 ☢️
☢️#52. Terminator Salvation, 2009. After waiting 25 years to finally witness the #postapocalyptic Skynet resistance, I was disappointed to find Michael Bay had apparently gotten there first. Visceral action and nonstop intensity eventually give way to charmless tedium. 3/5 ☢️
November 3, 2025 at 7:37 PM
☢️#52. Terminator Salvation, 2009. After waiting 25 years to finally witness the #postapocalyptic Skynet resistance, I was disappointed to find Michael Bay had apparently gotten there first. Visceral action and nonstop intensity eventually give way to charmless tedium. 3/5 ☢️