Tag Archives: horror

Movie Review: Beckinsale’s a CIA agent blackmailed into killing her way to “Canary Black”

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Roger Moore

The main draw of a genre film is the promise of cinematic comfort food. A faintly Byzantine plot, some solid action beats delivered by genre veterans in front of and behind the camera and a few pithy turns of phrase … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: “Heretic,” or “Hugh Grant’s Theology Lesson”

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Roger Moore

“Heretic” is a simple but smart thriller about faith, a horror movie of ideas that is as sinister as it is cerebral. The writers of “A Quiet Place” and writer-directors of “65” keep our focus on two young women, Mormon … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: More Teased than Terrified by What’s Behind that “Cellar Door”

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Roger Moore

“Cellar Door” is an attempt at the thriller-as-parable, a suspenseful story about a troubled couple tested by temptation and the ugly “answers” they might find by peeking behind that which they’ve been warned to never open, the cellar door of … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: Actress fights cancer, heartbreak and career setbacks, including “Your Monster”

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Roger Moore

What manner of miscalculated meshuggagh mashup is this? “Your Monster” is a “personal demons” rom-com take on “Beauty and the Beast,” one with the beast willing to offer to “eat” the creep who jilted fair Laura when she was diagnosed … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: Little Boys on the Run “Beyond the Wasteland” of Macedonia

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Roger Moore

The child of about nine lives with his father in the forest, hidden from “the evil outside” world, off-the-grid, with hints that there might be no grid left. They hunt and forage, set traps and makeshift alarms and hole-up in … Continue reading →

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Classic Film Review: Boris and Bela in Old Edinburgh — “The Body Snatcher” (1945)

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Roger Moore

Censored and edited to death and long thought “lost” in its original form, “The Body Snatcher” is a 1945 horror tale that retains its ability to chill you to the bone. Produced by horror impressario Val Lewton (“Cat People”), directed … Continue reading →

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Netflixable? A French “Jumanji” with time-travel and werewolves — “Family Pack”

Posted on October 26, 2024 by Roger Moore

“Family Pack” is a slick, silly, hot-mess of a fantasy comedy, a French “Jumanji” based on a French board game. A French family — including aged, forgetful Grandpa (the great Jean Reno) — tempts fate by playing an old, carved … Continue reading →

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BOX OFFICE: “Smile 2” underwhelms with $23, “Wild Robot” clears $100

Posted on October 19, 2024 by Roger Moore

“Smile 2” arrives in theaters to excellent reviews, a little name recognition in its cast and a proven “brand” whose previous installment opened at $22 million, but soared onward and upward and cleared $105 million in North America alone. Paramount … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: The last word in horror sequels — “Smile 2”

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Roger Moore

“Smile 2” is a genuinely horrific plunge into terror. Writer-director Parker Finn revives his 2022 creation with a sequel of real ambition. Dude spent a LOT of Paramount’s money on production values for an authentically artistic, high-minded, lowdown and gory … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: “Found Footage” gives us a glimpse of the witch they call “Beezel”

Posted on October 17, 2024 by Roger Moore

The 60 year witch-haunts-a-house story “Beezel” seems to have been kicked around a bit before Epic got hold of it and gave it a streaming release. That’s a shame, because this creepy, low-budget horror tale certainly passes the “Well, I’ve … Continue reading →

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