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Cult of Chucky (2017)
It runs out of gas
I was having a pretty good time with "Cult of Chucky" for the first hour or so. The last half hour, however, isn't nearly as good. The movie loses much of its humor and slides into some pretty standard gross-out territory. "Cult of Chucky" works a lot better when it's funny. That said, "Cult of Chucky" is worth watching. The movie looks good and the cast is likeable. The standout being the very appealing Fiona Dourif. I'm not an expert of the Child's Play franchise. (I think I've seen them all but I can't remember.) I can't honestly rank this one with the others. I'm guessing it's middle of the pack, which isn't bad for a Part 7.
The Changeling (1980)
Top-Notch Ghost Story
"The Changeling" is as quiet as it is tense. It does a slow burn until it reaches its very satisfying conclusion. George C. Scott gives an excellent performance. His supporting cast also does a nice job, with the standout being Melvyn Douglas, but this movie belongs to Scott. "The Changeling" is a good looking movie with very good music. The tension builds and builds. I've seen "The Changeling" quite a few times over the years, including in the theater when it first came out (Bellerose, NY). It never fails to hit the spot. (IMDB has a six hundred character minimum. I have thirty to go. Now eight)
Poltergeist (1982)
An 80's Classic
Tobe Hooper/Steven Spielberg's "Poltergeist" is a big time 80's special effect extravaganza. What goes on in this movie is completely off the wall. It has little or nothing to do with what poltergeists really are but that doesn't matter. The movie looks great. The cast is very likeable. And, most importantly, the special effects are outstanding. There's nothing better than pre-CGI specials effects and there are few movies that top "Poltergeist" in that department. I saw "Poltergeist" in the theater when it first came out (New Hyde Park, NY) and I've seen it many times since. It always hits the spot.
Night of the Living Dead (1990)
Solid Remake
I should take the blame for being late to the party with Tom Savini's "Night of the Living Dead" but I won't. I'm going to blame film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. Gene and Roger really blasted this movie when it first came out. I didn't see it in the theater or even rent it. I used to stumble across it on cable every once in a while but I was never really interested. For some reason I used to think it was a shot for shot remake with the only difference being that it was shot it color. Well I wasted my youth. This "Night of the Living Dead" is a worthy remake to the original classic. George Romero's script is very good. Tom Savini's direction is tight. The cast is likeable with the standout being a dreamy Particia Tallman. This "Night of the Living Dead" is one of the best of the series.
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
On par with the first one
I gave "Joker" a 7/10. I saw it once in the theater when it first came out and I haven't seen it since. I don't want to call "Joker" overrated but I will say it's overpraised. I saw "Joker: Folie a Duex" today (AMC Raceway 10 Westbury, NY) and I ended up also giving it a 7/10. It's as strong a sequel as I could have expected. The musical numbers all worked for me. The performances were all good. The movie looks great. However, "Joker: Folie a Deux" does run out of steam a bit during the last half hour or so. The movie ends up being about fifteen minutes too long. Writer/producer/director Todd Phillips and company deserve a lot of credit for aiming high. Honorable mention: Leigh Gill.
The Wolf Man (1941)
Classic Stuff
"The Wolf Man" is a great looking movie. It looks great in its glorious black & white. It also has a good story and tells it well. The cast is top-notch with the standout being Lon Chaney Jr. Chaney has never been better. "The Wolf Man" comes in at a very friendly seventy minutes. You get a lot for your money with this one. It's a classic. (I watched this on Turner Classic Movies.) (IMB has a six hundred character minimum so I have to ramble on for a little while more. So how was your day? Mine is going pretty well. My shoes are off and I hope they stay off for the rest of the afternoon. Almost there...)
The Children (1980)
Worth the watch
"The Children" is a fun early 80's horror movie. It's not that scary but it is pretty well done (for what it is that is). The cast is likeable. Early in the movie there is a bikini scene and some welcome nudity and that kind of stuff never hurts. "The Children" does wear out its welcome a little bit. It takes a little too long to get to its "see it coming down Broadway" ending. The movie clocks in at an hour and thirty three minutes. That's not bad but it should have been ten minutes shorter. Many years ago film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert used have a "Dog of the Week" segment on their show. One week Roger (I think) selected "The Children". Simmer down Roger, it's not that bad. (I watched this movie on Tubi.)
Megalopolis (2024)
Better than I expected
I wasn't expecting much when I went in to watch Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis". I thought it would be a challenge not to leave early. As it turned out, I didn't even go to the bathroom. I didn't want to miss anything. "Megalopolis" is a great looking movie. The cast does a nice job with the only real weak link being Shia LaBeouf. LaBeouf gives a fearless performance but it's also a bit much. A little of LaBeouf goes a long way in this movie. The problem with "Megalopolis" has to do with Coppola's script. It's not confusing but it doesn't build up to a satisfying conclusion either. Coppola's last film (most likely) isn't the failure some people say it is. It's just not that great either. Dishonorable mention: LaBeouf and Aubrey Plaza's "love" scene.
Carrie (2002)
Ruined by its shoddy production
As I watched "Carrie", I kept thinking how shocked I was this was originally aired on NBC as a three hour movie event. (I do remember it ever being on.) It's shocking because the cheap production values are way below network television standards. If fact, "Carrie" looks worse than a lot of I see on The WB and SyFy. It was a major distraction. On the plus side, the cast was pretty good with the standouts being Angela Bettis as Carrie and Patricia Clarkson as the mom. Unfortunately, Clarkson and Bettis can only carry the movie so far. And as far as the big prom night finale goes, the cheap efforts ruin any chance it may have had.
Tarot (2024)
It's an easy watch
There's nothing I like less in movies than "check all the boxes" casting. It's usually an instant turn-off for me. (Exhibit A: "Alien: Romulus"). So I got off on the wrong foot when it comes to "Tarot". However, the cast won me over after only a few minutes. The cast was very likeable and lifted the kind of goofy material into a enjoyable night. Now, "Tarot" is a PG-13 horror movie so...they are what they are. That said, those kind of movies are my 22 year daughter's wheelhouse. She jumped a couple of times. She closed her eyes hiding from gory moments that don't happen in PG-13 movies. Sitting with my daughter with an appealing cast made "Tarot" a good watch.
Carrie (2013)
Weak by comparison
In Brian De Palma's "Carrie" (1976) the mother had an important role but the movie was about Carrie. I didn't have a stop watch but if I did, I'm guessing that a glammed down Julianne Moore (as the mom) has almost as much screen time as Carrie. In the original "Carrie" Piper Laurie played the mom and she earned an Oscar nomination. Moore is in full Oscar fishing mode in this movie. She does a nice job but her scenes end up being a bit much. Chloe Grace Moretz is in over her head as Carrie. She's an appealing actress. She's fine for the most part but when the big finale comes, she's as unconvincing as they come. Oh bye the way, the big prom scene ends up being less than thrilling. "Carrie" ends up being a hard pass for anyone who's seen the original.
Smorgasbord (The Movie) (1983)
Silly but very funny
I don't know if I was laughing with "Smorgasbord (The Movie)" (that's title under which I watched this movie) or laughing at it but it doesn't really matter. All that matters is that I was laughing. "Smorgasbord" is a funny movie. It's very silly but I laughed a lot. I laughed out loud more than a few times. Writer/director/star Jerry Lewis really delivers the goods with this movie. Lewis gives a very funny performance and he gets fun performances out of his supporting cast. Even Forster Brooks' cameo is pretty funny. "Smorgasbord" is a funny movie that I need to watch more often. (I watched this movie on Turner Classic Movies.)
The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)
It crashes and burns
I was okay with "The Rage: Carrie 2" for quite a while. It wasn't great but it wasn't that bad either. For the first hour or so it was a watchable 90's horror movie. I kept wondering why it was rated R because it was all pretty tame. However, the cast was likeable and that goes a long way for me. "The Rage: Carrie 2" is barley a sequel. It's more of a remake that tries to sell itself as a sequel. Whatever, I was fine with that until the movies fell apart on its way to Carrie's, I mean Rachel's, big flip out. The finale we've all been waiting for ends up being really stupid. "The Rage: Carrie 2" really drops the ball during the last half hour.
Carrie (1976)
The bloom is off the rose
I've seen "Carrie" a bunch of times. I guess I always liked it but watching it tonight it kind of left me flat. "Carrie" has been copied/ ripped off (often by its own director Brian De Palma)/ parodied so much over the years that the impact of the film has been diminished quite a bit. It's classic De Palma style over substance. As far as 1970's low budget horror movies, "Carrie" is better than a lot of them but it hasn't aged that well. Sissy Spacek gives a great performance. The supporting cast is good including the forever dreamy Nancy Allen. De Palma's direction is standout stuff at times but also very show-offy. That said, "Carrie" is still worth watching. (I saw this movie on Tubi.)
Identity Thief (2013)
A lot of laughs
"Identity Thief" is a lot of fun. Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy both give terrific performances. Their supporting cast is also very good. There are a bunch of big laughs in this movie. Now, there a scene or two (one in particular) that I could have done without but none of that is a deal breaker. The movie is also a little too long. An hour and fifty minutes is too long for a movie like this. I 've seen "Identity Thief" a few times now. I always get a kick out of it. (This time I watched "Identity Thief" on Netflix. I know you don't care where I saw this movie but IMDB has a six hundred character minimum so...)
Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland (1989)
Goofy Fun
"Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland" is a goofy movie and it knows it. It also has a certain charm. The cast is appealing with the standout (non-naked standout that is) being the very likeable Pamela Springsteen. I don't think I'd call "Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland" a comedy but it does have a lot of fun with the material. This movie also has a scene that made me feel uncomfortable. The wildly dreamy Stacie Lambert has a great nude scene where she looks stunning but, unfortunately, she has to spend it making out with Michael J. Pollard. Yikes. That's cruel and unusual punishment for both Lambert and the audience.
Spooks Run Wild (1941)
It's a long hour (and five minutes)
Back in the glory days of VHS I used to see "Spooks Run Wild" in the bargain bin all of the time. A bunch of different companies released this public domain movie. Without fail it was always a crappy looking copy. "Spooks Run Wild" used to show up once in a while on late (late) night television but it was also always a lousy looking copy. When I saw that Turner Classic Movies was showing this movie I had hopes that I would finally get a chance to see a decent copy. No such luck. TCM's copy of "Spooks Run Wild" is just a crappy as all of the others. Bummer. The poor quality of the video plus the cheap production values and almost zero laughs make "Spooks Run Wild" a very difficult watch.
Crime School (1938)
Worth Watching
Now, I must admit when it comes to prison movies I prefer the chicks-in-chains kind. Movies like "Caged Heat", "Chain Heat" and "Jailbait" are more my speed but I can watch guys in jail movies too. They're just not as much fun. That said, "Crime School" is a pretty good watch. It has the Dead Kids/Bowery Boys/whatever you want to call them playing it straight, for the most part. There is only one scene that is played for laughs and that scene is probably the weakest in the movie. "Crime School" clocks in at a friendly hour and twenty five minutes but would have been better if it was a little shorter. Taking that goofy painting the room scene out would have helped the movie out quite a bit. (I watched "Crime School" on Turner Classic Movies.)
Hardcore (1979)
An Unpleasant Watch
I've seen "Hardcore" more than a few times including once in the theater when it first came out (Floral Park, NY). It's not an easy watch. George C. Scott gives a terrific performance in this movie. His supporting cast is pretty good too with the standout being Peter Boyle. "Hardcore" has more than a handful of good moments. The problem is that the movie is relentlessly downbeat. "Hardcore" is too much of a drag to be really enjoyed. Write/director Paul Schrader tries to lighten things up by throwing in the funny porn producer scenes but those parts don't really work. The scene with Scott wearing a wig and fake moustache gets a couple of laughs but at Scott's expense. He looks ridiculous. It's borderline camp. That said, "Hardcore" is worth watching.
Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987)
Worth Watching
"Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II" is a pretty nutty movie. The last half of this movie is off-the-charts. Throw in some nice nudity and you end up with a pretty easy watch. I didn't watch many slasher movies during their glory days in the 1980's. Over the years, I've softened up a little. I'm still not the biggest fan of the genre but I've been watching them more and more. As far as 80's horror goes, "Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II" is pretty good. The cast is likeable and the scares are pretty good. For a low budget slasher, the special effects are rather impressive at times. (I watched this movie on Tubi.)
Which Way to the Front? (1970)
Not as bad as Leonard Maltin says
Leonard Maltin is a Hall of Fame film critic but he's way off when it comes to Jerry Lewis' "Which Way to the Front?". Maltin gave it a BOMB. That's his worst rating. Lighten up Leonard. It's not that bad. It's not that good but it's not a bomb. It does have quite a few laughs. Jerry seems to be enjoying himself. He seems to be having fun with his supporting. The problem with "Which Way to the Front?" has to do with the script (which Jerry didn't write). So what happens is that the movie ends up having Jerry stretch things out. A lot of the stuff is funny but it ends up being too much of a good thing. The last twenty minutes or so has a few laughs but it's mostly Jerry screaming. I'm a fan of Jerry Lewis but I won't be watching this one anytime soon. Honorable mention: Jan Murray.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
The weak cast hurts more than it helps
I don't know why but I fell for the "Alien: Romulus" hype. I don't want to say that I was disappointed but I guess I was. I should have know better. It is a Part 9 after all. "Alien: Romulus" is a good looking movie but it suffers from a "been there, done that" script and a weak check-all-the-boxes cast. The cast works hard but they're in over their heads. They range from bland to annoying with David Jonsson and Aileen Wu being the annoying ones. (I'll give Jonsson a slight break because his character isn't a good one.) "Alien: Romulus" gets off to a bad start but gains its balance during the middle hour. Unfortunately, it spins out of control during the last half hour or so. (I saw this movie at AMC Raceway 10, Westbury, NY.)
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)
Better than UHF
I'm a big fan of "Weird Al" Yankovic. I don't have all of his albums but I have most of them. I've seen Al live in concert at least six times (the last time being at Radio City Music Hall in NYC). So I put my Weird Al fandom up against anyone's. "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" is a lot of fun. There are big laughs all over the place. The cast is very good. The story is off-the-wall but really clever as well. The major problem with "Weird" is its length. It's too long. A movie like this clocking in at 1 hour and 48 minutes is just to long. "weird" would have been a lot more enjoyable if it came in at less than an hour and a half.
Robot & Frank (2012)
It's really good
I was shocked by how much "Robot & Frank" hit the spot. It's really good. It is both sharply written and directed. It has a great flow to it. There is almost zero downtime in this movie. (I mean, it took me a couple of minutes in the very beginning but the movie just started so that stuff doesn't count.) The cast is top-notch. Frank Langella is terrific. Langella has never been better than he is in "Robot & Frank". Langella's supporting is also really good. Peter Saragaard give the voice performance of a lifetime. Even though in real life Susan Sarandon is a very unlikeable person, she hasn't been a movie star for years for no reason. Sarandon is very good in "Robot & Frank".
The Silencing (2020)
Good but it fumbles on the five
I was really digging "The Silencing" for quite a while but it ends up dropping the ball. It's a tightly directed thriller. The movie looks great and the music is perfect. The cast is mostly really good. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau gives a terrific performance. Coster-Waldau alone makes "The Silencing" worth watching. I thought "The Silencing" was top-notch stuff but a couple of things happened along the way that makes me bring its overall rating down quite a bit. The first thing was the filmmakers thought it was a good idea to show a big sign saying "Clean Needles Save Lives". That's a sick, distorted message that doesn't belong in an otherwise main stream movie. Shame on them. The other demerit has to do with the villain's big reveal. It's ridiculous.