3 out of 5 stars (average) The Saw franchise is one of Hollywood’s strangest phenmena. From 2004-2011, audiences went in droves to see what devious devices the Jigsaw Killer would drop upon morally dubious degenerates. Ignoring an attempted revamp/continuation with 2017’s Jigsaw, Chris Rock has entered the kill ring with Spiral: From the Book of… Continue Reading
Freaky: Forgettable Slasher Doesn’t Make The Cut
2 out of 5 stars (has some good moments, but is overall bad) I wanted to love Freaky. Released by Blumhouse Pictures and helmed by the director of the enormously fun Happy Death Day franchise, it’s being pitched as a slasher film mixed with a wacky body-swap comedy a la Freaky Friday (likely the origin… Continue Reading
Brightburn: Superhero Subversion a Bloody Good Time
3.4 out of 5 stars (slightly above average) Brightburn is Not a Superhero movie. It may be about a young boy who crash-lands on Earth from an alien spaceship to two well-meaning farmers, but this kid is no Superman. He’s a ruthless killer with superhuman abilities. Brightburn is a fun, bloody horror spin on the… Continue Reading
Child’s Play: Creepy Reboot Has Good Gore, Dark Humor
3 out of 5 stars (average) Child’s Play is one of the better modern horror remakes. A reboot of the ongoing slasher series about a kids’ toy possessed by a serial killer, this film trades in the supernatural for technological horror and has unexpected dark humor. Add iconic voice actor Mark Hamill as Chucky and… Continue Reading
The Babysitter: Sufficiently Gory Horror-Comedy Won’t be Called Again
2.5 out of 5 stars (Decent) This review was requested by Michael Deak. Thanks for keeping the laughs coming. Growing up, I had two fabulous babysitters. They would play action figures with me, dress up barbies with my younger sister, and keep us entertained until our parents got home from Bunco. I can almost assure… Continue Reading
Jennifer’s Body: Fun But Flawed Feminist Horror Comedy
2.5 out of 5 stars (decent) Note: My opinion on this film has shifted more positively since this post. I now appreciate that the film is more about the friendship between its leads and feel the jokes and scares have aged well. My current rating would be 3.5/5 stars (above average). I recommend this. In… Continue Reading