Metal singer Eric (Brandon Lee) and his fiancée Shelly (Sofia Shinas) are brutally murdered in their home by a gang of thugs. But, as legend goes, “when someone dies a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with them andContinue reading “‘The Crow’: Maybe it’s Nostalgia Talking, but the Film is Haunting and Memorable”
Category Archives: Movies: C
‘Coraline’: Stop-Motion is Just About Guaranteed to be Unsettling
Stop-motion film, directed by Henry Selick. Coraline (Dakota Fanning) has just moved into a new apartment building, and is perpetually bored. Her workaholic parents (Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) have no time for her, and are generally annoyed at her presence. She discovers a new world inside a wall, a whimsical place where flowers tickleContinue reading “‘Coraline’: Stop-Motion is Just About Guaranteed to be Unsettling”
‘Club Dread’ is a Sly Slasher Spoof
Sun. Sand. Fruity drinks. Murder! Pleasure Island, Costa Rica, is home to Coconut Pete’s Coconut Beach Resort, which is dedicated to decadence. Unfortunately, someone is running around killing off the staff. Further unfortunately, there are no boats, phones, or radios, so everyone is trapped. It’s up masseur Lars (co-writer Kevin Heffernan), aerobics instructor Jenny (BrittanyContinue reading “‘Club Dread’ is a Sly Slasher Spoof”
‘Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh’: There are Worse Sequels
The second movie in the series. It picks up not too long after the first one left off, with the officious Purcell (Michael Culkin) lecturing on the history of Candyman (Tony Todd returns). He’s approached by Ethan (William O’Leary), whose father was killed by Candyman. After Purcell is killed (also by Candyman), Ethan confesses toContinue reading “‘Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh’: There are Worse Sequels”
‘Candyman’ (1992) is Captivating, Disturbing, and Absolutely Dated
Helen (Virginia Madsen) and her friend Bernadette (Kasi Lemmons) are working on a sociological study of urban legends and graffiti and stumble across the story of Candyman (Tony Todd), a hook-handed murderer who lives in an underserved community in Chicago. Unfortunately for them, Candyman is more than just a local legend. Helen in particular attractsContinue reading “‘Candyman’ (1992) is Captivating, Disturbing, and Absolutely Dated”
‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ is a Classic, but not Universal’s Best
A group of scientists looking for fish specimens in Brazil get more than they bargained for when they encounter a half-man, half-fish (Ricou Browning). Unfortunately he has the nasty habit of killing minor characters and absconding with Kay (Julie Adams), the only woman in the movie. Her fiancé David (Richard Carlson) has to chase theContinue reading “‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ is a Classic, but not Universal’s Best”
‘Crazy Lips’ is Bizarre but Compelling
Japanese movie, AKA Hakkyousuru kuchibiru. Satomi (Hitomi Miwa) is a young woman whose brother Michio (Kazuma Suzuki) is a fugitive suspect in a murder case. She goes to the Psychic Research Center and enlists the help of wacky psychic Mamiya (Yoshiko Yura) and her assistant Touma. They show up at her house and do aContinue reading “‘Crazy Lips’ is Bizarre but Compelling”
‘The Conqueror Worm’ is About as Raunchy as You’d Expect, Given the Title, but Not Scary
English movie by way of good ol’ American International Pictures. It’s also known as Witchfinder General, but that’s not nearly as entertaining to write about. Vincent Price is Matthew Hopkins, the town Witchfinder in 1645 England. Basically he’s in charge of accusing people of witchcraft and seeing them punished. Too bad he’s also corrupt, andContinue reading “‘The Conqueror Worm’ is About as Raunchy as You’d Expect, Given the Title, but Not Scary”
‘Cello’ is Subtle but Powerful
Korean movie, AKA Chello hongmijoo ilga salinsagan. Mi-ju (Hyun-Ah Sung) is a music professor recovering from a car accident in which her friend Tae-yeon (Da-an Park) was killed. Her life takes a turn for the worse after listening to a cassette tape of Tae-yeon and her playing music. Her family is disintegrating, from her sister-in-law Kyung-ranContinue reading “‘Cello’ is Subtle but Powerful”
Kasi Lemmons’s ‘The Caveman’s Valentine’ is Gorgeous and Intense
Romulus (Samuel L. Jackson), also known as the Caveman, is a homeless schizophrenic man. In another life he was a brilliant concert pianist, but he now lives in a cave in Central Park. After coming across a dead body, he decides it’s the work of his phantom enemy Steiberson, and vows to solve the case.Continue reading “Kasi Lemmons’s ‘The Caveman’s Valentine’ is Gorgeous and Intense”
GhoulieJoe 