E's

The Empty Man  2020

James Badge Dale  Aaron Poole

A search for a missing girl sends a detective into the realms of an ancient horror waiting to take on a new leader.  The beginning of this film was perfect!  It was unique, interesting and I wish the whole film stuck with it, unfortunately it does not.  The opening focuses on four backpackers hiking through South Africa and one of the men is hypnotized by the curse of the empty man.  Possession takes over and murders and suicide occur and a new leader is born.  After that, the movie becomes generic and mostly predictable.  This film is a bit over 2 hours, which it could have summed things up quicker, but overall not too bad.

I's

Inheritance 2020

Lily Collins  Simon Pegg 

This is a psychological thriller drama hybrid.  Wealthy, well known family deals with sudden death of father.  While the millions are being divided, the oldest daughter Lauren (Lily Collins) inherits a secret prisoner Morgan (Simon Pegg) her father has kept for over 30 years in a bunker not far from family property.  Morgan uncovers stories to Lauren about her father then she falls victim to his plan of escaping and destroying her family.  This film was good, the story moved quickly which is great because if it was any longer that what it is I would have grown tired of it.  The twist the end where Lauren learns Morgan is her real father was clever. 

The Immigrant  2013

Joaquin Phoenix   Marion Cotillard

Ewa is a young woman from Poland traveled to Elise Island with her sister in hopes for a better life.  Her sister has a persistent cough and is admitted to the hospital.  Ewa meets Bruno on the docks and he introduces her into the world of prostitution so she can provide a better life for her and her sister.  Bruno falls in love with Ewa, but she does not feel the same.  She meets Orlando, Bruno's brother.  Ewa and Orlando develop a relationship and he promises her the world if he leaves Bruno's ring and runs away with him.  Ewa is tempted but needs to keep focus of her life with her sister.  This film was interesting and moved quickly.  I would recommend it for a nice night in. 

If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power  2021

Halsey

If you are a Halsey fan you will love this short film.  Halsey plays a queen of an abusive, power hungry king.  One more night is too much for her to handle.  She poisons her husband to end her suffering.  From the evil action that made her kill, also gives her a baby.  This is not a long film, it is more like a long music video.  All the songs, makeup and costume design is prepared by Halsey.  I usually don't care for renaissance time periods but this film is such an art piece!  It holds such a dark gothic feel to it, I was totally digging!  Most of the makeup for this film mirrored Geisha beauty but everything was very creative.  Nudity is a act in this short film, but yet still holds art and beauty.  

 

Original VS. Remake

 

Stephen Kings: It

1990 VS. 2017

First off lets just recognize Tim Curry for being the masterpiece that he is...Thank You!  Now, Stephen King is an amazing story teller.  I cannot figure out why this film was re-made especially when the original is fine just as is.  The only thought that comes to mind is that Hollywood is bored and needs to consider revamp as a money maker-ridiculous.  None the less I will compare and contrast the two films.  

1990: The casting had some great picks for its time, everyone came together and worked well together whether child or adult.  I enjoyed the old time feel when looking back into the thick of it.  The wardrobe was well selected, hair styling, etc. The transition felt natural.  Pennywise is exactly what he should have been as the friendly looking/talking circus clown that carries the creepy unknown but you felt at home.  

2017: I have to say, I went into this version bias and thinking the worst but I was too soon be wiped clean of those notions.  The cast of young kids was amazing.  I had thought talent in this day and age was lost but impressed is an understatement.  This Pennywise was portrayed well, but i just didnt feel the fear as much as I did with the original.  Yes, Bill Skarsgard is a great actor and his makeup was perfect but the creep and initial curiosity was lost for me.  I absolutely hated how they still had 2 parts to this film and made you wait an entire year for the second installment when it was damn near close to the original!  It could have been summed up in one film just made a little bit longer or cut some unnecessary scenes.  If the second installment was in some way different from the original then I could understand the prolong adult transition but it was just as the original.  

All in all they are both great, but you don't need to stray far from the original 1990 miniseries unless you like one of the actors in the remake.  

Pet Sematary  1989 Vs. 2019

I personally grew up with the 1989 version of this story.  I found that '89 has a much creepier tone to it than the 2019 remake.  I do not think I have to break this up into two different paragraph because they are generally the same with small changes.  Louis and Rachel move from city to suburbs to raise their two small children Gage and Ellie, only to find out they live on old haunted Native American burial grounds.  Neighbor Jud, explains that there has been a pet sematary build by sad children the lost their pets.  The cemetery is haunted and any pet that are buried there comes back to life with an evil spirit.  A few weeks into their new home, Gage is killed, Louis feels that mourning his son is too much to bare so he buries Gage in the pet sematary.

Now this is where the original an the remake differ.  Gage the young son gets killed in the original, as where the remake it is Ellie the oldest child dies and is reborn as a demon spirit.  The only other difference is, '89 Jud helps the family beat the demons and tries to keep the family.  '19, Jud is portrayed as a wife beater who does not help the family.

I recommend the original.  Great actor choices and it seems to flow better.  Rachel's sister Zelda is more scary in the original which horror films should stick with you the way Zelda did for me an many other kids who watched it.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre  1974 Vs. 2003

I am sure that the 1974 original was scary for its time but if you watch it these days, it is rather comical.  The acting and edits are amateur but the story great for a good old classic horror film.  I prefer the 2003 version because the flaws from the '74 are not to be taken seriously.  2003 holds the terror and interest you would expect from an on the edge film such as this.  Jessica Biel in the '03 version is incredible.  She holds such natural talent and this version is the best you will find.  I am very disappointed in the film companies giving the okay to continue redos this film, no out of the blue patterns or new discoveries for this story it is the same thing with each remake.  

Halloween 1978 Vs. 2007

With all of the sequels this film has produced it is like a remake each time.  The 1978 original is best but I have to talk about Rob Zombie 2007 version.  With the original it has a good back story and a dynamite creep factor.  I enjoyed Rob's version because it was in the eyes of Michael Myers, his perspective.  I felt that was an excellent take to introduce a side of not only to break up the usual but to actually feel this person turn into a monster.  I suggest the original 1978 version, even though it is dated, it still has you on the edge.  No need to see any of the sequels, they are all the same-Michael always comes back to kill, he himself is un-kill able. 2007, refreshing to see another take on this story.  Rob Zombie definitely knows his stuff when it comes to making horror films.

O's

Overlord  2018
Jovan Adepo  Wyatt Russell

This film takes place 1944, US army parachutes down to destroy German radio tower stumbles upon an underground Nazi experiment lab that creates an injectable serum for super human strength.  This film was filled with action, thrills, startles and some gore from beginning to end.  It is definitely not for the squeamish.  I personally enjoyed this film and was happy if was pact with an entertaining story line. 

On Thin Ice  2003

Diane Keaton  Michael Rooker

Single mom Patsy, juggles jobs, scripping and saving to support herself and her 2 sons.  After finding out her main job is closing down, Patsy gets a job offer from an old friend selling meth.  Even though Patsy knows this job is terribly wrong, the money is making life easier.  The head drug dealer finds out that Patsy's friends have been steeling, she soon finds them dead.  Patsy decided that is was time to cooperate with the police and bring down the whole ring.  This film is based on a true story.  I absolutely adore Diane Keaton, I found her to be perfect for this role. 
 

F's

 

The Free Fall  2021

Andrea Londo  Shawn Ashmore

 

Psychological thriller about a young woman, Sara who witnesses the murder of her father and suicide of her mother.  After spending some time in the hospital, Sara tries to remember her life before the tragedy.  This film has many twists but, the ending was huge.  Sara has been possessed and her body is going through an exorcism, but once the demon is expelled from her it latches onto another soul, her sister!

 

 

Fresh  2022

Sebastian Stan  Daisy Edgar-Jones

 

Steve is a sweet talking cutie who misleads Noa, a girl down on her dating luck. Thinking this can't be real, Steve seems perfect, until he drugs her.  Noa wakes up chained in a room.  Steve reveals he just needed Noa for her flesh.  Steve kidnaps women, removes limbs and sells it on the black market. But that is not the only thing Steve is hiding, he is married, has a family and even uses his wife's body parts on the market.  This film was quick moving and clever.  It does have some cringe and gory scenes so if you are squeamish, skip this one. 

The Fallout  2021

Jenna Ortega   Maddie Ziegler

School shooting forces a popular girl and an average girl huddled in the bathroom and they form a bond from the trauma.  I enjoyed this coming of age love story.  It was well done and beautifully acted. 

 

Free State of Jones  2016

Matthew McConaughey  Mahershala Ali

 

Male war nurse decides to fight the confederates on their politics to regain equal rights for all.  This film held quit a bit of information and kept you up to date through out.  I am not completely sure why so many people hold a negative opinion on Matthew McConaughey, I find his acting to work well with the characters he choices.  

 

Four Good Days  2020

Glenn Close  Mila Kunis

 

A fed up but still caring mother tries to give her heavily drug addicted daughter another chance to be clean.  Glenn plays Deb a broken mother who struggles with how she abandoned her young children for two years may have drove her daughter Molly towards heroin addiction.  Carrying that memory within herself gives Molly countless recoveries and relapses.  I have seen a few films dealing with addiction, but these performances dig up all the raw, unbridled emotions that stem from these sort of situations. I was thoroughly impressed with each of these ladies.  I highly recommend this film. 
 

 



T's

Terrifier  2016
David Howard Thornton  Jenna Kanell

Violent serial killer dressed as a creepy clown murders and mutilates his victims.  This film was predictable but entertaining.  The clown was indeed terrifying and comical at times but I would not recommend it for the squeamish.

 Tracy Morgan: Stayin' Alive  2017
Tracy Morgan

This was such a riot.  Tracy never disappoints when bringing the funny!  This was performed after his horrific accident but that has not changed his genius. I laughed through most of this stand up between his impressions and his stories I don't know which was funnier. 

W's

 

 

Wish I Were Here  2014

Zach Braff  Kate Hudson

 

A Failing actor must figure out how to fix his plummeting financial burdens to save his family.  This film produces many wonderful actors.  The humor can be dry, but still enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

 

The Witching  2016

 

A group of friends gather around a campfire in the woods on the anniversary where a witch was murdered.  The acting in this film was definitely B rated, but the camp fire tales were interesting enough that it keeps you watching. I also felt the makeup of the 'witch' was beautifully done. 

 

 What We Do in the Shadows  2014

Taika Waititi  Jermaine Clement

 

Goofy vampires try to adjust to everyday life and lure new victims.  This film is hilariously written.  How these men act with each other, deal with house chores and their personal back stories you are guaranteed a laugh!  I adore this film and even more so that it was turned into a series for FX.  If you enjoy the satire on how ancient vampire ways adjust to modern times you enjoy this film and the TV show to the fullest. This is a high recommendation.