Malaria is a simple country, where the people are poor and sell evil inventions to support themselves. It’s populated mainly by mad scientists and their assistants, called Igors, who are second-class citizens. One particular Igor (John Cusack) is our protagonist. When his master Dr. Glickenstein (John Cleese) dies unexpectedly, he sees his chance to pursueContinue reading “‘Igor’: My Kind of (Re)Animation Movie”
Tag Archives: monsters
1982’s ‘The Dark Crystal’ is Terrifying but Ultimately Optimistic
Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, acted by puppets. In a dying world, the only hope is to repair the cracked Dark Crystal. The task of doing so falls to Jen (Stephen Garlick), a Gelfling (they’re kinda like elves) who was raised by the kindly Mystics (a cross between a horse and something withContinue reading “1982’s ‘The Dark Crystal’ is Terrifying but Ultimately Optimistic”
‘The Deaths of Ian Stone’ is Pretty Okay
Ian (Mike Vogel) has a rather odd existence. One day he’s a hockey player with a girlfriend named Jenny (Christina Cole); another day he’s an office worker and Jenny is only an acquaintance—his girlfriend is a woman named Medea (Jaime Murray). One day he’s driving a cab and Jenny is his passenger; another day he’sContinue reading “‘The Deaths of Ian Stone’ is Pretty Okay”
‘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”
‘Nightmare Man’ is a Hot Mess
Ellen (Blythe Metz) has just bought a fertility mask, hoping it will put some spice in her marriage to Bill (Luciano Szafir). Unfortunately, it just brings her bad dreams—so bad that she has to take medication and eventually needs to go to a mental hospital. On the way there, Ellen and Bill’s car runs outContinue reading “‘Nightmare Man’ is a Hot Mess”
‘Boogeyman’ (2005) is Safe for the Faint of Heart–and Easy on the Eyes
Tim (Barry Watson) is haunted by his past, figuratively and literally. He’s disturbed by memories like his dad (Charles Mesure) locking him in a closet, but he’s also bothered by the fact that his dad was killed by the boogeyman. (Kids! You never know what’s gonna set em off.) When his mother (Lucy Lawless) dies,Continue reading “‘Boogeyman’ (2005) is Safe for the Faint of Heart–and Easy on the Eyes”
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