GhoulieJoe

Book Quote of the Day

[Five-year-old Mel Brooks is having an argument with his mother to close the window, despite the heat, because he saw Frankenstein in the theatre and got scared] ” ‘Mel,’ she says, ‘let’s say you are right. That Frankenstein wants to come here and kill you and eat you. But let’s look at all the troubleContinue reading “Book Quote of the Day”

Book Quote of the Day

“A small smile touched Death’s lips. ‘What are you afraid of?’ Jeremy wiped his eyes with his hand. ‘Pain, mostly.’ ‘But not just pain, am I right? It’s never just a fear of pain that makes any of you hesitate.’ Hot anger burned at Jeremy’s core. ‘Stop lumping me in with other suicides. I’m notContinue reading “Book Quote of the Day”

Top 25 Movie Quotes: Part XVIII

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 XVIII”

‘Smile’ is Worth Your While

Rose (Sosie Bacon) is a therapist at an emergency psychiatric unit. Her tightly ordered world is upended when she meets a patient named Laura (Caitlin Stasey), who has visions of unholy apparitions smiling at her. Shortly after, she cuts her own throat. When Rose starts seeing the grinning specters herself (the curse is passed toContinue reading “‘Smile’ is Worth Your While”

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”