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”
Tag Archives: review
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”
‘The Wretched’ is Actually Mostly Pretty Un-Wretched
Ben (John-Paul Howard) is a teen delinquent hanging out with his dad Liam (Jamison Jones) while his parents decide whether they are divorcing. His boring summer working at the marina and being hassled by rich assholes is interrupted when his neighbor is possessed by an ancient witch who eats kids. The movie was written byContinue reading “‘The Wretched’ is Actually Mostly Pretty Un-Wretched”
Bryan Bertino’s ‘The Dark and the Wicked’: A Little Conventional, but a Good Solid Watch
Louise (Marin Ireland) and Michael (Michael Abbott Jr.) are siblings returning to the family farm to deal with the impending death of their father David (Michael Zagst). Their mother Virginia (Julie Oliver-Touchstone) is angered to see them, and tries to tell them to leave. A fraught situation only escalates with the manifestation of a sinisterContinue reading “Bryan Bertino’s ‘The Dark and the Wicked’: A Little Conventional, but a Good Solid Watch”
‘Spiral: From the Book of Saw’ is Sorely Disappointing
Zeke Banks (Chris Rock) is a detective who plays by his own rules, which often gets him in trouble, especially after he busts a colleague for shooting a witness. Suddenly a spate of brutal murders leads him to suspect that there’s a Jigsaw copycat out there–and the killer is targeting his fellow officers. I wasContinue reading “‘Spiral: From the Book of Saw’ is Sorely Disappointing”
‘The Call’ (2020): Make The Call to Watch it
Not to be confused with the Korean movie from 2020 that’s also titled The Call. It’s 1987, and awkward kid Chris (Chester Rushing) is adjusting to life in his new high school. He’s befriended by Tonya (Erin Sanders), Zack (Mike Manning), and Brett (Sloane Morgan Siegel), who have a grudge against Edith Cranston (Lin Shaye)Continue reading “‘The Call’ (2020): Make The Call to Watch it”
‘Visions’: Pretty to Look at, but Not Much Substance
Directed by Kevin Greutert, produced by Blumhouse. Evie (Isla Fisher) is a pregnant lady recovering from the trauma of inadvertently causing the death of an infant in a car crash the previous year. She and her husband David (Anson Mount) have just bought a sizable and lovely vineyard, but before they can begin to enjoyContinue reading “‘Visions’: Pretty to Look at, but Not Much Substance”
‘Seconds Apart’ is Worth Watching at Least Once (or Twice)
Twin brothers Jonah (Edmund Entin) and Seth (Gary Entin) are teenage psychopaths with telepathic powers and the ability to make folks hallucinate. As part of a mysterious project, they manipulate people into killing themselves. On their trail is the troubled but dedicated Detective Lampkin (Orlando Jones). About ten years ago, I asked my sister forContinue reading “‘Seconds Apart’ is Worth Watching at Least Once (or Twice)”
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