Christina Ortega

About Christina Ortega

Writer, bookworm, geek in too many fandoms to name, Indianapolis Colts and Chicago White Sox fan.

Posts by Christina Ortega:

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A Case For Better Action Movies: Shy Of The Original, THE CROW Flies High Enough For Its Own Ambitions

Christina Ortega

“People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can’t rest. Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that soul back to put the wrong things right.” I remember the first time I watched The Crow (1994). I enjoyed everything about the movie: the story, the action, the visuals, the vibe, the music. It wasn’t until the post-movie discussion with my friends that it was explained to me that the movie wasn’t just another revenge movie: it was about love. So I rewatched it and noticed Eric and Shelly’s love (told in flashes since they were murdered before their wedding) Eric explaining a mother’s love to Sarah’s mom, Eric and Shelly helping Sarah out. Love. And some vengeance, too, mixed with gothy vibes […]

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Now Playing: IT’S A WONDERFUL KNIFE – Review

Christina Ortega

Christsmastime is near which means the air is full of holiday music, the trees and homes are full of lights, and oh, there is some freshly splattered blood in the snow. That red across the white looks so festive. Yes, that can only mean one thing: there is a new horror movie set at Christmastime! And if that weren’t good enough to peak your interest, it is following a trend I’ve been seeing of taking something from pop culture and giving it a horror twist (Freaky Friday, The Mean One, Winnie the Pooh, for example). And I have to tell you, I am a fan of this trend. So what am I talking about? Director Tyler McIntyre’s It’s a Wonderful Knife hit theaters today and if you like horror movies like Scream, actors like Justin Long, or want to see a darker version of It’s a Wonderful Life (which I […]

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THE MEAN ONE Review: This Holiday Horror Film Is Full of Gory Trimmings

Christina Ortega

The holiday is in full swing and if you are like most of the people I know who love this season, you’ve probably got a rotation of films that you have to absolutely view each year. Any version of Dr. Seuss’ story of the Grinch may be in there, too. I have always thought the cartoon was cute but enjoyed the in-depth look at the Grinch’s youth in the version with Jim Carey. But, now I have seen an even better version for Grinch and horror fans to add to their yearly rotation of holiday films: The Mean One. The film starts with a young Cindy you-know-who and with the familiar scene of her catching Santa at the Christmas tree and has the rhyming narration that is synonymous with anything Dr. Seuss. But then things go wrong and there is an accident setting both “Santa” and Cindy on very different […]

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THE LEECH Review: Stream This Festive Fright Film Now

Christina Ortega

I have to admit that I am not much of a fan of traditional Christmas movies though there are a select few that I will watch from time to time. But mostly, each year, I find myself watching Krampus or A Christmas Horror Story and searching for a unique Christmas film rather than the same old ones or the new ones with the played out themes. And each year my craving goes unfulfilled. Arrow to the rescue! A couple weeks ago I opened my email and found a notice that The Leech was premiering on Arrow December 5th. What is The Leech? Yup: a Christmas horror film. And man, did this one satisfy my craving. Even if you are not religious, I am sure you are familiar with the Christian story of Christmas: a very pregnant Mary and her husband Joseph are traveling and are looking for a place to […]

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C2E2 2022: FCSyndicate Chats with The Autistic Tiger’s Father

Christina Ortega

This year’s Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) was a lot of fun. I know I already wrote up an article about the event in general, but there was so much at this year’s con that I still have to talk about! While walking around and looking at the art for sale, I came across the Autistic Tiger booth. It looked interesting so I talked with David Villec who told me that the artist was his son. I looked over and saw a small child in a tiger costume happily drawing away. The artist is Tiger. Who is nine years old. Who has autism. Late last year a friend of mine was in a play in a local theater and invited me to watch him perform. The show was unique and, as always, my friend gave a solid performance (I promise I am not biased). The most interesting thing to […]

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THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER Trailer Wields More Epic Epicness To Come

Christina Ortega

If I could open the pages of a book and travel into its setting, visiting Middle-earth would be in my top five destinations. Re-watching the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings movies is one of my favorite things to do and I even enjoyed pieces of The Hobbit films just because I got to go back to Middle-earth. And, come September 1st, thanks to Prime Video, I get to go back again. Unless you are completely oblivious to pop culture and upcoming releases, you should know that The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power series has been happening since 2018. Don’t believe me? Search our website. Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth’s history (thousands of years before The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings), according to the press releases, this series “follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the […]

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NIGHT CALLER Review: Make Sure You Answer This Call

Christina Ortega

If you could have any superpower what would it be? The usual answers include super strength or flight, but even more common is usually some kind of psychic or mental abilities like being able to read people’s minds (after the invention of social media, I think I’ll pass on that one) or being able to predict the future. After watching Night Caller, I think I’ll pass on that one, too. Haven’t heard of Night Caller? Here’s the official synopsis: Telephone psychic Clementine Carter is pulled into a complex web of mystery when she receives a call from a serial killer. Predicting his murders before he commits them puts her into a terrifying game of cat and mouse. Enlisting the aid of her invalid father and clairvoyant co-worker, they must use their unique abilities to stay one step ahead of a maniac whose unspeakable acts in the present are nothing compared […]

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C2E2 2022 in Review

Christina Ortega

You know that scene in Star Wars: The Force Awakens when Han and Chewy step into the Millennium Falcon and says that they are home? That is how I feel every single time I see the “Welcome to C2E2” sign and step onto the show floor. I am at home. I am with my people. Contentment. This year, from my viewpoint, was yet another successful Comic Con and Entertainment Expo held at the McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Each year there are familiar events yet the people at Reed Pop Entertainment always work hard to bring new and exciting things to the con. I was lucky enough to go this year so I can share all the fun with you: The Floor As usual, the floor was full of freebies, vendors, and fun. The main area of the floor is where all the vendors are and each year there are […]

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C2E2 2022: FCSyndicate Chats with Kayden Phoenix, Creator of A LA BRAVA

Christina Ortega

I was in geek heaven this past weekend as I got to attend yet another wonderful Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) held at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. To help keep my fellow nerds updated, I will be posting a few articles about C2E2 covering the event in general and some of the specific fun areas and activities. I picked up some comics, board games, and card games, too, so look for my reviews of those in the coming weeks. One of the top spots to be at C2E2 is Artist Alley which is where my first article will take place. Referred to as “the beating heart of C2E2,” Artist Alley is the spot where the artists and creators are gathered. It is a good mix of local talent and big names in the industry of comics and graphic literature. You can chat with the artists, pick up some […]

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Fantasia XXVI Review: For a Dose of Thrills, Make an Appointment with DR LAMB!

Christina Ortega

Scrolling through a list of available films to review for a film festival can be overwhelming. One should not judge a book by its cover, but sometimes a reviewer has to follow their gut and request films whose posters and titles catch their attention. I can’t explain exactly what drew me to Dr. Lamb at first, but once I read the brief description saying that it was about a serial killer in Hong Kong, I knew I wanted to watch it. Dr. Lamb was written by Kam-Fai Law and directed by Billy Hin-Shing and Danny Lee. It was originally released in 1992 but has been restored and re-released. Let me tell you right now: this is not your typical serial killer movie. For one, there are some humorous parts to it even despite the gore. Dr. Lamb has a balanced ratio of giggles and gags throughout this 90 minutes film. […]

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Fantasia XXVI Review: Short Films Short on Time but Not on Entertainment

Christina Ortega

One of the aspects of covering film festivals that I look forward to most is covering the short films that are shown. This year’s selection of shorts at the Fantasia International Film Festival did not disappoint. My friend and I now have new favorite directors to watch for and we have obscure lines we can quote from these shorts for a laugh. You should try to view these as well: Meat Friend Meat Friend made its Canadian premiere on July 15th. Written by Stephan Johanson and Izzy Lee (Lee also directed), this short is horror and comedy and fantasy and just a meaty good time. A young girl microwaves raw hamburger meat which causes it to become alive. It just isn’t any sentient being though, this Meat Friend has the spirit of an ex-con who loves to teach young Billie lessons he has learned from his life of crime. This […]

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THE LONG WALK Review: A Ghost Story Told Through A Compelling, Emotive Sci-Fi Lens

Christina Ortega

I was recently able to view Mattie Do’s The Long Walk to review. I watched the film two days ago (had to wait several to post this review) and I still cannot stop thinking about it. The film itself has already debuted at the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival but recently hit our theaters here as of the 18th. If you haven’t heard of The Long Walk you can check out my trailer post or you can keep reading. The trailer makes it look much more exciting than the synopsis: An old scavenger living on the fringes of a near-future society exploits a ghostly companion’s ability to traverse time, hoping to prevent his mother’s suffering from a terminal illness. But sometimes the simplest of ideas can lead to the most thought-provoking films. I could not take my eyes away from the screen while watching this film […]

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IFC Films Acquires Austrian Sci-Fi Disaster Thriller, RUBIKON

Christina Ortega

While I do not like real-life disasters (I have had enough of those), I do love a good science fiction disaster film. IFC Midnight has recently announced that they have acquired the North American rights to Rubikon. The film is directed by Magdalena Lauritsch and has been shown in other countries, but now it can be distributed in North America. So what’s the film about? Disaster strikes on earth. In RUBIKON, the crew of a space station, Hannah (Julia Franz Richter), Gavin (George Blagden) and Dimitri (Mark Ivanir) must decide whether they risk their lives to get back home during a global catastrophe and search for survivors or stay safe in the sophisticated station’s algae symbiosis system, which makes them fully self-reliant. RUBIKON questions whether we have the right to seal ourselves off in safety and ignorance from the ongoing problems of the world, as three people with three very […]

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FRESH Trailer Hints At Twisty Chills With Sebastian Stan Front And Center

Christina Ortega

So if you’re a fan of this website, you know I’ve been here for a few years now. Mostly I get to pick my own topics and request what I want to cover, but sometimes the editor in chief will send assignments and I don’t like to say no. So when he sent me a link to a trailer for some movie called Fresh, I had to open it and watch. Let’s watch it and react together, okay? Ten seconds in: this is obviously a first (and terrible) date and why is this loser talking about how his date should be wearing a dress when he is wearing a wrinkled shirt with a plain scarf? Dude, suit up and then tell others how to dress. Okay, let’s keep going… Twenty-five seconds in: one friend talking about the problems of dating and her friend reassuring her that she does not need […]

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Super Bowl LVI: Not Just a Football Game but Full of Trailers Too

Christina Ortega

This past weekend was huge in cultural events: the Super Bowl was played (and Tom Brady was not in it!), there was a hip-hoppin’ halftime show full of some of my favorite artists, and there was a healthy helping of geek culture served in the form of some awesome trailers. I am a geek and a sports fan so when my sporting events include my geek stuff like these trailers, I am super happy. In case you missed it, the following trailers dropped during the Super Bowl: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power I absolutely love Middle Earth. If I could travel there, I would (or I will, since I have put New Zealand on my to travel list). I thoroughly enjoyed watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy in theaters on opening night and have since enjoyed multiple viewings of the extended versions. I even enjoyed […]

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Final Girls Berlin 2022 Review: Short Films Not So Short on Horror and Entertainment

Christina Ortega

Before writing for Film Combat Syndicate and beginning to cover awesome fests like the Final Girl Berlin Film Fest that happened last weekend, I never watched many film shorts. But now, after watching so many as part of covering film fests, I am beginning to really enjoy the art of the short film. It is a tricky thing, to tell so much story in such a short time. As a creative writer, I could compare it to writing a short story instead of a novel or novella; you have to have all the exciting bits but condensed. It truly is a challenging and beautiful art form. For the Final Girls Berlin Film Fest, I opted to view two themed chunks of shorts: medical horror and queer horror. Neither disappointed. The medical horror short films included: Occupational Hazard (directed by Ursula Ellis), Freya (directed by Camille Hollett-French), They Called Me David […]

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Final Girls Berlin 2021 Review: Frida Kempff’s KNOCKING

Christina Ortega

So, not to overshare too much, but I recently moved into an apartment and I have not lived this close to neighbors in many years. I was nervous before moving because I was worried about getting an upstairs apartment and making too much noise for my downstairs neighbors. I’ve seen Friends (so many times) and I didn’t want to be as noisy as Mr. Heckles thought Monica and Rachel were. I exercise, I love my Xbox Kinect, I have an Oculus, I love to play music and dance. All require movement. And would lead to noise. Luckily (or not), I got a downstairs apartment. And now I have to resist the urge to hit the ceiling with a broom when my upstairs neighbors are too loud. What’s the point of this? The Final Girls Berlin Film Fest was last weekend and one of the films I reviewed, Knocking, focuses on […]

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THE LONG NIGHT Review

Christina Ortega

Families can be so complicated, but the complexities of the relationships and the drama make for great storylines in books and movies. In The Long Night, Grace (Scout Taylor-Compton) has never known her biological parents and is desperate for information. So desperate that we great a solid scary movie out of her family drama! Grace has been in contact with someone who lets her and her boyfriend (Nolan Gerard Funk) use his isolated home while she is searching for her family. On the way there they have the obligatory awkward and somewhat sinister interaction with a local gas attention attendant and once they arrive at the home, their host is nowhere to be found. More weird things happen so that the boyfriend wants to leave, but Grace is so adamant about finding her family and understanding her roots that she refuses. The Long Night then continues as they are tormented […]

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Final Girls Berlin 2022 Review: WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR

Christina Ortega

I have a weird quirk that I need to share (I have several, but I’m only sharing this one): I don’t like to watch videos on social media. I am not into TikTok nor do I follow people on YouTube. If I click on an article on Facebook and a video starts playing, I immediately close it; I read quickly and would much rather read and ingest the information faster than the video is serving it. So why am I sharing this? Because we here at Film Combat Syndicate are currently covering the Final Girls Berlin Film Festival and I just watched We’re All Going to the World’s Fair and because of the above quirk, this movie was not for me. It was not a bad movie, but I was not the intended audience for this film. So what’s the movie about? I was excited to view this film because […]

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TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: Leatherface Returns to Torture Today’s Teens

Christina Ortega

I once took a road trip and drove for several hours out of my way to visit both homes that were seen in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre films. True story. My travel companion was not amused (they are not a horror fan), but I was driving so I ignored their protests. What can I do? I’m a TCM fan. But I did not realize that Netflix was making a new movie until I saw the trailer today. Here’s the link to trailer. Watch it then watch it again while reading my running commentary: We start with a car accident then a woman in the car after an accident since she looks pretty rough. Then we go out into a field and … peek-a-boo, I see you! Leatherface is baaack (yes, that was an imitation of the sing song voice). 30 seconds in: now we see a group of maybe friends […]