- The Conjuring: Last Rites
The Conjuring: Last Rites is said to bring the movie franchise to a close the way this case did for the actual Warrens. This is the fourth Conjuring movie with the first – and scariest IMO – coming out in 2013. For the last decade we have also seen many spin off films as well….
- The Roses
The Roses is a retelling of the novel The War of the Roses by Warren Adler. Many may remember the 1989 film The War of the Roses starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito. I rewatched the 1989 film before seeing this one as a comparison. The Roses is a more modern version for…
- EDEN
EDEN is a look at what happens when people have to live near one another. We try and teach toddlers to share and play nice, but when adults are asked to do the say thing their actions are far worse . If Eden does anything it makes us question why “love your neighbor as yourself”…
- Weapons
WEAPONS will check off most boxes for horror/thriller fans as it comes in hot at the end of the summer blockbusters. Enough humor to balance out the intense jump scares but not so much that it takes away from the edge of your seat chills. Several smart decisions by the writers keep the story moving…
- SHAMAN
SHAMAN is a slow burn possession film that uses an Ecuadorian village as a backdrop for horror. Plenty of jump scares to keep the heart pumping along with well used sound and visuals. It was smart to offer this one to viewers on digital as well as in theaters. Many will welcome the streaming option…
- Oh, Hi
Oh, Hi is a quirky, dark comedy driven by the organic performance of its leading lady. A look at relationships and how far people go to save them. I had the benefit of going into this one with no idea what would happen. It made the twists and crazy turns that much more hilarious –…
- M3GAN 2.0
M3GAN 2.0. She is taller, stronger, and a whole lot bitchier. Just when we thought we had seen the last of our favorite unstable bot, she is back in action with not only Cady, but the whole world at stake. Forget Superman and Ethan Hunt. My money is on this broad. Synopsis: Two years after…
- 28 Years Later
28 Years Later from Danny Boyle is next after 28 Days and Weeks Later, and said to be kicking off a new trilogy. I love Danny Boyle but I went in to this one wanting more rage virus, zombie attacks, and if possible, answers. What I got was more a survival story of mother and…
- From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina. For the sake of this review I am simply calling this film, BALLERINA. Obviously the full title helps people know what they are in for, and pulls in the John Wick fans. Ana de Armas plays Eve, a young woman we didn’t even know we knew from John…
- The Life of Chuck
The Life of Chuck. Never has a film begged us to take a moment to just dance. Literally or metaphorically life is meant to be danced through. This one journey can be a beautiful one even in the midst of heartbreak. The Life of Chuck is a reminder to take a breath, engage with those…
- Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is supposedly the final film in the Tom Cruise led franchise. This one leaves no stunt undone as Ethan Hunt (Cruise) goes all out to save the world from ChatGPT. There is never any doubt when it comes to the action expected in the MI films. Land, air, and…
- The Assessment
THE ASSESSMENT gives us a dystopian, futuristic plot with nods to retro sci-fi film making. In the 1970s and 1980s it was not farfetched to think we would be living in such a society as this. Watching now we can even easier buy into the concept of automation and a bleak, soulless culture. There is…
- Final Destination: Bloodlines
Final Destination: Bloodlines is the finalist of destinations yet. Fans of this franchise will love every gory and cringy moment. Was fourteen years worth the wait? Absolutely. Synopsis: Plagued by a recurring violent nightmare, a college student returns home to find the one person who can break the cycle and save her family from the…
- Clown in a Cornfield
Clown in a Cornfield is one of those goofy, more comedy than horror, slasher films that could be forgotten after the first watch or end up becoming a genre cult classic. This one leans more toward the one and done, but that one watching will be entertaining for fans of teen driven stab and grabs….
- The Ugly Stepsister
***THE UGLY STEPSISTER WILL BEGIN STREAMING ON SHUDDERFRIDAY, MAY 9TH (AVAILABLE IN US, CA, AU, NZ, UK&I)*** The Ugly Stepsister is a unique – and grotesque – twist on the classic Cinderella story. With gothic undertones and organic body horror, this film is not for the light of stomach, or those wanting singing mice. What…
- Thunderbolts*
THUNDERBOLTS* could be the B-team Avengers in more ways than one. How fun would it be if the future of the MCU was all hinged on how audiences respond to two sets of hero’s. There are certain endearing qualities to this rag tag crew, and regardless how you feel about this film in particular, there…
- The Accountant 2
The Accountant 2 is one of the best action films this year. Mainly because it is more than just action. It is about family, loyalty, bending the rules, and at the end of the day; taking out bad guys. Synopsis: Christian Wolff applies his brilliant mind and illegal methods to reconstruct the unsolved puzzle of…
- On Swift Horses
On Swift Horses. A completely disjointed story with zero depth or character exploration. Will Poulter and Daisy Edgar-Jones do what they can and at times even elevate the performance above the dismal script. Not sure what the point is with this film. It could have been about a lot of things but as thin as…
- A Minecraft Movie
A MINECRAFT MOVIE is a fun whether or not you can tell the difference between a Creeper and a Villager. That said, the humor is very selective and might not be everyones block of tea. If the words Jack Black, Napoleon Dynamite, or Nacho Libre bring about some internal giggles you might be in good…
- DROP
DROP is an intense, fun, and at times creepy film that reminds us that less is often more. You can put two characters in an extreme situation and the audience is instantly right there with them. Add in a unique use of digital interaction and the rest will take care of itself. For the most…
- The Amateur
The Amateur is zero percent plausibility and eighty-five percent entertainment. That is not a bad combination for a trip to the theater. No film is perfect and this one has just enough right things going for it to make up for the flaws. If ever there was an underdog our main character here is the…
- Death of a Unicorn
Death of a Unicorn is a dark comedy that will hit all the right notes with genre fans who love to see despicable people die in horrific ways. Granted the Unicorn direction is a bit odd and ‘shroom induced, but if you go in with the correct mindset it will be a fun trip. Synopsis:…
- The Woman in the Yard should go home
The Woman in the Yard is a mess of a story that tries to go deep in the psyche world, but ends up just being a shallow swim into chills. Blumhouse used to be the go to for horror and unique thrills. Lately they have been quantity over quality, and it is the movie goers…
- THE PENGUIN LESSONS
THE PENGUIN LESSONS is a delightful story that finds a way to touch on the basics of human emotion. There is nothing remarkable about it or the characters, but like all wonderful stories this one uses the most simple and subtle elements to draw us in and make us smile. SYNOPSIS: Inspired by the true…
- The Monkey is apeppaling
THE MONKEY has the honor of being my first 1-star film of 2025. I am not sure what I was expecting, but it was not this. Not even the over the top and campy gore could over shadow the embarrassing script, and idiotic characters. If anyone tells you this movie is good your first question…
- Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World is another reminder that somehow the Marvel Cinematic Universe lost its ability to wow us. The MCU had a wonderful synergy that made each film a piece of a larger puzzle. When watched in chronological order they took us on a spectacular journey. Brave New World is the next to…
- Cleaner is in theaters
CLEANER is in theaters. Daisy Ridley swaps a lightsaber for a squeegee as she tries to thwart a high rise crime. SYNOPSIS: Set in present-day London, a group of radical activists take over an energy company’s annual gala, seizing 300 hostages in order to expose the corruption of the hosts. Their just cause is hijacked…
- Dog Man
Dog Man leaps from animated page to big screen as Dav Pilkey’s beloved characters come to life. All of your favorites from the 13 books are in this adventure that moves a lot like the books; for better or worse. Synopsis: Dog Man, half dog and half man, he is sworn to protect and serve…
- Flight Risk
Flight Risk is an intense, 90-minute, check rational at the door, fun ride at the theater. Part drama and part action comedy, it will elicit a few eye rolls but also keeps you on the edge of your seat. Synopsis: A pilot (Mark Wahlberg) transports an Air Marshal (Michelle Dockery) accompanying a fugitive (Topher Grace)…
- Wolf Man
WOLF MAN releases in the month where movies go to die. Not all films have fallen into the stereotypical January and February box office bombs. But for every M3GAN there is a MADAM WEB. Sadly WOLF MAN is a poster child for everything that can go wrong in early year films. Synopsis: A family at…
- The Damned
THE DAMNED is a bleak, isolated thriller that takes full advantage of location, folklore, and fear of the unseen. I am not sure horror is the word I would use for this one, but fans of gothic styled ghost stories should enjoy its eeriness. Synopsis: a tense psychological horror film that follows 19th-century widow, Eva….
- September 5
September 5 is a slow, meandering film that is saved only by its clever use of real, archived footage. It offers only a few edge of your seat moments, and an ending that is simply a sad remembrance. Synopsis: During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, an American sports broadcasting team must adapt to…
- The Last Showgirl
THE LAST SHOWGIRL is a testament to aging out of the thing you most love to do. It is about fighting for relevance in an evolving culture. Pamela Anderson gives us a beautiful and emotional performance of a character struggling to just hold on to anything. SYNOPSIS: A seasoned showgirl must plan for her future…
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 speeds into theaters at just the right time! This Holiday season has plenty of adult films to offer but very few for the kiddoes. Luckily this one is kid approved and family friendly with enough smart humor to make up for the over the top Jim Carrey moments. Synopsis: Sonic (Ben…
- Baby Girl needs to go to her room
BABY GIRL needs to go to her room and never come out. Easily the worst film of the year, and not for the reasons you might think or expected. Watching movies this bad will make you angry. Angry that they took your hard earned money, and angry that you wasted valuable time that could have…
- Nosferatu
NOSFERATU is in theaters this Christmas. Not the film you would expect during your yuletide celebration, but certainly one for award season. If you have had your fill of traditional love stories via Netflix and the Hallmark Channel this might be a pallet cleanse for sure. SYNOPSIS: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted…
- A Complete Unknown
A Complete Unknown hits theaters on December 25th. Timothée Chalamet takes on the role of a young Bob Dylan during Bob’s rise to fame in the world of Folk music. Fans of Bob Dylan know much of this story already, yet there are still plenty of iconic moments from the early days of Dylan’s journey…
- The Order
THE ORDER is a familiar plot point that will attract fans of domestic terrorism, the FBI, and small town crime. Jude Law leads an apt cast as an FBI agent trying to flush out a white supremacy group before they can build an army, and do more damage. Synopsis: A series of bank robberies and…
- Gladiator II – I didn’t hate it
Gladiator II. “I didn’t hate it” seems to be a compliment for this film as it has been panned by critics and audiences alike. I talked on my radio show that there are possible theories as to why. High expectations and box office costs cause viewers to demand a lot. Going in super low and…
- Angelina Jolie hits the high notes as MARIA
Angelina Jolie hits the high notes as MARIA in Pablo Larraín’s final “Lady with Heels” trilogy of female-led biopics. Like his other two offerings – JACKIE and SPENCER – this one is so beautifully shot. Each frame is like a painting. A still life to be displayed. But sadly this one is just as slow…
- Wicked: Part I
Wicked: Part I is just about as close to a perfect stage to screen adaptation as you can get. Director Jon M. Chu handles the content and characters with respect and consideration. Fans of the musical – which I am one – are protective of this property. Seeing it done so well was a relief…
- Nightbitch
Nightbitch is the new drama based on the 2021 novel by Rachel Yoder. A look at motherhood and the stress of keeping another human alive as you have never imagined. More importantly it stars Amy Adams in what could and should be an award garnering performance. Adams plays Mother – yes it is one of…
- Conclave
CONCLAVE is my first 5-star rated film this award season. This PG rated drama proves that an engaging narrative and strong performances are the cornerstone for powerful movie making. When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center…
- The Apprentice
The Apprentice is now in theaters. Two solid performances from Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong aid in the watchability of this new film about the early business days of Donald Trump. Synopsis: The story of how a young Donald Trump started his real-estate business in 1970s and ’80s New York with the helping hand of…
- Salem’s Lot (2024)
The Max Original film SALEM’s LOT debuts THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 on Max. The adaptation of Stephen King’s 1975 bestselling novel reunites the producing teams behind the record-breaking horror franchises “The Conjuring” universe and the “It” films. Gary Dauberman writes, directs, and executive produces the film. Producers are James Wan and Michael Clear for Atomic Monster;…
- Monster Summer
MONSTER SUMMER kicks off October with a creepy tale. In a season of family un-friendly slasher and gore films it is nice to have a spooky story crafted for the younger movie goers. Though rated PG-13 it is pretty tame and – depending on the kid – fine for your older tweens as well. Synopsis:…
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the followup to the 1988 cult classic, Beetlejuice. Some films need to distance themselves far from the original in order to properly be embraced. The characters have to be fondly missed, and the films memory better than the movie actually was. Synopsis: After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family…
- Greedy People
GREEDY PEOPLE is a hilarious – in that dark Fargo type of way – crime comedy full of eccentric characters, zany action, and plenty of twists and turns. Hands down one of the craziest films you will see this year. GREEDY PEOPLE will arrive in Select Theaters & On Demand this Friday, August 23rd. SYNOPSIS:…
- Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus is a sci-fi lovers dream when it comes to more tentacles, caustic drool, and dark space peril. But what does it give the rest of the movie realm? Who cares? This is an alien movie for the alien fans. On that note it delivers where needed. In this ninth (if you count the…
- It Ends with Us
IT ENDS WITH US was on my radar because it was on my wife’s radar. Based on the best selling novel by Colleen Hoover, this story of brokenness and family violence is a powerful narrative brought to life by a very pretty group of men and women. Having not read the book I can only…
- TRAP is a lot of Shyamalan
TRAP is the new suspenseful tale from the mind of M. Night Shyamalan. Night has hit his stride of late with the films he has given us. Split was a great look at how he can bring about unhinged characters. TRAP elevates the creep factor and gives us a character I would actually like to…
- The Instigators
The Instigators is the film we needed all summer long. A super stacked cast, hilarious hijinks, and easily one of Matt Damon’s most fun-to-watch roles. Apple TV+ is always quality over quantity, and this is another example of them delivering the goods! “The Instigators” will debut in select theaters on August 2, 2024 before streaming…