Movies: J – GhoulieJoe

‘Jacob’s Ladder’ (2019) is Not Without its Charms

Jacob (Michael Ealy) is a former Afghanistan war medic who suffers from PTSD, which is exacerbated by the fact that he saw his brother Isaac (Jesse Williams), also a soldier, die on his operating table. In his current job at a veteran hospital, he bumps into guys who are on HDA, also known as “theContinue reading “‘Jacob’s Ladder’ (2019) is Not Without its Charms”

‘Ju On: The Grudge’–I Wuvs!

Japanese movie, directed by Takashi Shimizu. This is the film the 2004 American remake (also directed by Shimizu) draws the most from (there is also Ju On: The Curse), and I’m not counting the Japanese sequel. A woman named Kayako (Takako Fuji) and her son Toshio (Yuya Ozeki) are killed by her husband Takeo (TakashiContinue reading “‘Ju On: The Grudge’–I Wuvs!”

‘Jeepers Creepers’: Eerie, Yet Ludicrous

Darry (Justin Long) and his sister Trish (Gina Philips) are driving home from college when they’re menaced by a guy driving a big truck. They later see the same guy dump what looks to be a body in a drainpipe. Darry has the brilliant idea of looking to see what’s down there. He finds aContinue reading “‘Jeepers Creepers’: Eerie, Yet Ludicrous”

‘Jacob’s Ladder’: Rich in Biblical Goodness (and Creepy AF)

Jacob (Tim Robbins) is a friendly postal worker who is also a Vietnam veteran. His fairly comfortable life with his girlfriend Jezzie (the wonderful, late Elizabeth Peña) is disrupted by sudden hallucinations: he has war flashbacks and also horrible visions of monsters. One night he wakes up in bed with his ex-wife Sarah (Patricia Kalember),Continue reading “‘Jacob’s Ladder’: Rich in Biblical Goodness (and Creepy AF)”

‘J-Horror Anthology: Underworld’–Gore on a Limited Financial Plan

Japanese movie, organized into six segments. “Chain Mail” shows three snobby teens getting their comeuppance from a girl they accidentally killed; “Left Behind in the Mountain” features a cruel prankster being taught a lesson; “Tattoo” is about a prostitute with a supernatural ink job; “Lost in Memory” concerns three young men and their ethereal friend;Continue reading “‘J-Horror Anthology: Underworld’–Gore on a Limited Financial Plan”

‘J-Horror Anthology: Legends’–Scares and Campy Fun

Japanese movie, AKA Inagawa Junji no shinjitsu no horror. It consists of six short films. “Peony Lamp” concerns a young samurai and his ghostly paramour; “She Bear” shows two girls and their run-in with a monster; “Yamamba” is about two reporters looking for a legendary creature; “Nurarihyon” deals with a friendly ghost and the family heContinue reading “‘J-Horror Anthology: Legends’–Scares and Campy Fun”