Category: Halloween & Horror

REVIEW: Halloween Ends (2022)

Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode eventually goes toe-to-toe with Michael Myers one last time in David Gordon Green’s HALLOWEEN ENDS — PHOTO: Universal Pictures.

Directed by David Gordon Green — Screenplay by Paul Brad Logan, Chris Bernier, Danny McBride, and David Gordon Green.

Do bankable film franchises really end? These days it really doesn’t feel like it. Horror franchises, like other genre franchises, can be brought back to life again and again and again. Heck, these days reboots can just ignore several films that came before and chose to only acknowledge one or two films in the franchise, and audiences will still accept it. So, well, regardless of what happens in this film, does anyone truly believe that Halloween will really end? This skepticism is coming from a guy who thought this franchise probably should’ve ended with Steve Miner’s Halloween H20, which I liked. Honestly, I would’ve been fine with them ending it after the 2018 reboot.

Because let’s be honest, this — 2018, Halloween Kills, and this film — shouldn’t have been a trilogy. It should’ve just been that one ‘Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode a la Sarah Connor’ film to end the franchise with a bad-ass one-on-one confrontation. But then some higher-up probably wanted more, and so we got a pretty awful and aimless middle part, in Halloween Kills, and now, with Halloween Ends, a really messy conclusion that both wants to live up to the promise of the 2018 film and try something new. It doesn’t completely work, but I admire the attempt.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Halloween Ends (2022)” →

REVIEW: Halloween Kills (2021)

Jamie Lee Curtis in HALLOWEEN KILLS — PHOTO: Universal Pictures.

Directed by David Gordon Green — Screenplay by Scott Teems, Danny McBride, and David Gordon Green.

On October 31st, 2022, people all around the world will be celebrating Halloween, the favorite holiday for all horror fans, but if you choose to believe the marketing for the latest film in the franchise named after the aforementioned spooky holiday, Halloween ended last weekend when David Gordon Green’s Halloween Ends (which I have yet to see), the last film in his Michael Myers-focused trilogy, was released. I certainly have my doubts about whether or not they’ll actually let the dust settle on John Carpenter’s stories horror franchise.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Halloween Kills (2021)” →

REVIEW: Midnight Mass (2021 – TV Series)

Hamish Linklater as Father Paul Hill in MIDNIGHT MASS — Photo: Netflix.

Series Created & Directed by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House; Doctor Sleep) — Available on Netflix.

At this point, I feel like Mike Flanagan is becoming a master of horror. I don’t think it happened over night, though. I think his output was fairly consistent in the beginning, but the latest works in his oeuvre are just outstanding. While I think Oculus, Ouija: Origin of Evil, and Hush were all right, I think Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep, and his Netflix shows (The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor) are all great must-watch horror films or shows. I think he has this ability to find beauty in even some of his more frightening works, and that is also true of his latest horror series, Midnight Mass, which I think is pretty much on par with the truly excellent Hill House.

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REVIEW: Halloween (2018)

Theatrical Release Poster – Universal Pictures

The following is a review of 2018’s Halloween — Directed by David Gordon Green.

One of the challenges of being a Star Wars fan is that newcomers to the series, or those unfamiliar with the texts, tend to become confused by the order of the film series. The first film is the fourth episode. The fourth film is the first episode. Sure, the seventh film is the seventh episode, but then you suddenly have to explain where the Disney spin-off films fit in. It can be fun, but it can also be tiring. Halloween fans know this problem all too well. Continue reading “REVIEW: Halloween (2018)” →

Top Ten ‘Horror/Thriller’ Films of the 21st Century – So Far (2016)

ijr-list-horror-21st

Since we just celebrated Halloween, I thought I should do a list of horror films. I thought it’d be a good idea to name my top ten favorite horror films from the 21st century (so far). Now, I ended up using a somewhat loose interpretation of horror. You will also find both horror comedies and select thrillers on this list. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of my favorite ‘new’ horror films and the like. Continue reading “Top Ten ‘Horror/Thriller’ Films of the 21st Century – So Far (2016)” →

Halloween 2016: 5 Horror Films To Watch

halloween-2016

It’s the creepiest time of the year! Halloween is almost always an enjoyable thing to celebrate, and, at the very least, you have an excuse to dress up and watch horror films all day. Today, I wanted to list five films that I think you should watch this Halloween.

It’s way too easy to just name one of the Halloween films, so I’m not going to do that, but these are all films I really enjoy watching, even if horror isn’t my favorite genre at all. So, without further ado, let’s get to it.
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REVIEW: The Witch (2016)

Release Poster - A24
Release Poster – A24

The following is a quick review of Robert Eggers’ The Witch.

Robert Eggers’ The Witch takes place in 17th century New England, and it follows a family that has been banished from a Puritan plantation. They build their new home right outside a giant forest, and soon the mother of the family gives birth to a new child. But, one day, that same child disappears while playing with his big sister, Thomasin (played by Anya Taylor-Joy). Her mother (played by Kate Dickie) blames Thomasin for the child’s disappearance, but it is revealed to the audience that it had been taken by an old witch who lives in the forest. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Witch (2016)” →

REVIEW: Blair Witch (2016)

Release Poster - Lionsgate
Release Poster – Lionsgate

The following is a spoiler-free review of Adam Wingard’s Blair Witch.

This new Blair Witch was a pretty big surprise this year. For quite a while Adam Wingard’s 2016 horror film was titled The Woods. And – I have to admit that – I wasn’t really excited for The Woods. Not only was the Blair Witch reveal a great surprise, it also got me interested in the film immediately.

I’m not a huge fan of the original film, but I enjoy it for what it is, and I really liked the idea of making a new sequel to the horror cult ‘classic.’ I was especially excited when I heard about the plot of the film. And while I don’t think Blair Witch is an amazing found footage horror film, I had a really good time with it.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Blair Witch (2016)” →

REVIEW: Lights Out (2016)

Lights Out Poster
Theatrical Release Poster – Warner Bros. Pictures

The following is a review of Lights Out by David F. Sandberg.

The first job of traditional, modern day horror films is to scare you. The very best horror films can have a paralyzing effect on you. They can frighten you so much that you don’t dare move out of your seat, look behind you, or look into a mirror to see what may be behind you.

Some of the most effective horror films are also very simple. The filmmakers take a very common fear or thought, and they manage to elevate your emotional response to things that maybe shouldn’t be as scary as they seem in daily moments.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Lights Out (2016)” →