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
Birds of Prey (And the Underused Potential of One DC Movie)
2.5 out of 5 stars (Decent) Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is an R-rated cartoon disguised as a superhero movie. Colorful visuals, acidic humor, and energetic action pervade every frame, confidently carried by a rockin soundtrack and dedicated performances from Margot Robbie and Ewan McGregor. Sadly, an underdeveloped supporting… Continue Reading
It Chapter 2: Darker, Bloated Continuation Kept Afloat by Great Scares and Performances
4 out of 5 stars (One of the best of the year) Note: It Chapter 2 opens with a gory homophobic hate crime and contains scenes and discussion of suicide, domestic abuse, and alcoholism. It Chapter 2 is the continuation of the 2017 smash It, a film which combined the coming-of-age and horror genres to… 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