Nia DaCosta’s ‘Candyman’: Not for Everyone, but Beauty is in the Eye of the Bee-holder

A sequel to the 1992 film, it continues the story of baby Anthony as a grown man (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), now a painter living with his girlfriend Brianna (Teyonah Parris). He’s drawn to create an art installation about Candyman, complete with a piece that invites museum-goers to call him themselves. Candyman’s turf Cabrini-Green has beenContinue reading “Nia DaCosta’s ‘Candyman’: Not for Everyone, but Beauty is in the Eye of the Bee-holder”

Scott Derrickson’s ‘The Black Phone’: I Have Mixed Feelings

Based on the story by Joe Hill, who’s credited as an executive producer, and made by Blumhouse. Colorado, 1978. A small town is menaced by The Grabber (Ethan Hawke), a serial killer who targets adolescent boys. Our Final Boy is Finney (Mason Thames), who’s brave but needs to learn to stand up for himself. HeContinue reading “Scott Derrickson’s ‘The Black Phone’: I Have Mixed Feelings”

Netflix’s ‘Choose or Die’: Choose to Watch It!

Kayla (Iola Evans) is a broke wannabe computer programmer. Her best friend Isaac (Asa Butterfield), a broke wannabe game designer, has bought a role-playing video game from the ’80s, Curs>r. It promises a $125,000 reward for anyone who can beat it, piquing Kayla’s curiosity. Once she gets it converted from cassette to her laptop, sheContinue reading “Netflix’s ‘Choose or Die’: Choose to Watch It!”

1988’s ‘Death Spa’ is Objectively Terrible, But I Still Kinda Love It

The Starbody Health Spa: where athletic folks come to sweat, socialize…and die! A vengeful spirit is using the computerized gym equipment to murder patrons, and it’s up to owner Michael (William Bumiller) to stop it before all his members are killed, in increasingly gruesome ways. Oh, where to begin? I first became aware of thisContinue reading “1988’s ‘Death Spa’ is Objectively Terrible, But I Still Kinda Love It”

Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XVII

Ever seen the American Film Institute’s list of movie quotes? Let me sum up: of the hundred, about 25 are Casablanca and Gone with the Wind. Most of the rest are from the other golden oldies that are revered by the writers of film studies textbooks; they may be well-made, but they’re also very muchContinue reading “Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XVII”

Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XVI

Ever seen the American Film Institute’s list of movie quotes? Let me sum up: of the hundred, about 25 are Casablanca and Gone with the Wind. Most of the rest are from the other golden oldies that are revered by the writers of film studies textbooks; they may be well-made, but they’re also very muchContinue reading “Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XVI”

Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XV

Ever seen the American Film Institute’s list of movie quotes? Let me sum up: of the hundred, about 25 are Casablanca and Gone with the Wind. Most of the rest are from the other golden oldies that are revered by the writers of film studies textbooks; they may be well-made, but they’re also very muchContinue reading “Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XV”

Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XIV

Ever seen the American Film Institute’s list of movie quotes? Let me sum up: of the hundred, about 25 are Casablanca and Gone with the Wind. Most of the rest are from the other golden oldies that are revered by the writers of film studies textbooks; they may be well-made, but they’re also very muchContinue reading “Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XIV”

Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XIII

Ever seen the American Film Institute’s list of movie quotes? Let me sum up: of the hundred, about 25 are Casablanca and Gone with the Wind. Most of the rest are from the other golden oldies that are revered by the writers of film studies textbooks; they may be well-made, but they’re also very muchContinue reading “Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XIII”

Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XII

Ever seen the American Film Institute’s list of movie quotes? Let me sum up: of the hundred, about 25 are Casablanca and Gone with the Wind. Most of the rest are from the other golden oldies that are revered by the writers of film studies textbooks; they may be well-made, but they’re also very muchContinue reading “Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XII”