REVIEW: Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities – Season One (2022)

Tim Blake Nelson and Sebastian Roché in ‘Lot 36’ from GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S CABINET OF CURIOSITIES — PHOTO: Netflix.

Series Created by Guillermo del Toro.

Just in time for All Hallow’s Eve, Netflix released a spooky four-day event with eight episodes (two released each day) of the brand-new horror anthology series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. The Oscar-winning filmmaker has assembled eight directors and had each of them direct their own hour-ish-long episode. Admittedly, not every one of them is an outright hit, but, as a collection of horror curiosities, del Toro’s anthology series definitely does its job, and, if you follow the two-a-day release schedule, then you may find that their spot in the season wasn’t entirely random. Horror aficionados gather around because this one is for you.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities – Season One (2022)”

Additional Bite-Sized Reviews, Mar. ’21: ‘The Empty Man’ and ‘Servant’

Tony Revolori and Toby Kebbell in “Servant,” now streaming on Apple TV+.

In this edition of my monthly movie and television catch-up article series titled ‘Additional Bite-Sized Reviews,’ I recommend an underseen horror film that I, however, have mixed feelings on, and then I tell you about my experience of watching the second season of Apple TV+’s Servant, which, I thought, didn’t advance the plot all that much.

Continue reading “Additional Bite-Sized Reviews, Mar. ’21: ‘The Empty Man’ and ‘Servant’”

REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two (2011)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two.

In 2004, The Lord of the Rings film series was recognized at the Academy Awards in a big way. The Return of the King was nominated for eleven Oscars, and it, somehow, managed to win every single award it was nominated for. That was a big deal. It was a big moment for the Oscars, the Tolkien films, and all genre films.

In 2011, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two was released. The Academy, however, chose not to recognize the Harry Potter film series in the same way. That is a shame. Because the Harry Potter film series actually ended on such a high note that it deserved a similar treatment. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two is fantastic. Continue reading “REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two (2011)”

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One (2010)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled retro review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One, Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (played by Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (played by Emma Watson) are unable to return to Hogwarts and, instead, go on the hunt for Horcruxes and ways to destroy them.
Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One (2010)”

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled retro review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

With the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Warner Bros. and Mike Newell made sure that we were ready to lose people. Cedric Diggory’s death was very sad, but it didn’t come close to being as devastating as what happened in David Yates’ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)”

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled retro review of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

After Cuarón’s excellent Prisoner of Azkaban, the Mexican film director left the franchise. The next man up, so to speak, was film director Mike Newell – known for Donnie Brasco & Four Weddings and a Funeral. Newell made a surprisingly fun film, considering Goblet of Fire was the first Harry Potter film to be rated PG-13. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)”

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled retro review of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe) finds out that Sirius Black (played by Gary Oldman) – a man who supposedly supports Lord Voldemort – has escaped Azkaban prison and is on his way to kill our protagonist.  Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)”

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Theatrical Release Poster - Warner Bros.
Theatrical Release Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled retro review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Dobby (voiced by Toby Jones) – a house elf – is trying to stop Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe) from reaching Hogwarts. At Hogwarts, a message has been written in blood: “Chamber of Secrets has been opened, Enemies of the Heir beware.”
Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)”

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

Release Poster - Warner Bros.
Release Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a retro review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – directed by Chris Columbus

The Harry Potter franchise is huge. The books are incredibly important to a lot of people, and the films are too. I really loved the Harry Potter films, and I would always look forward to them – at least until someone spoiled future events for me. Philosopher’s Stone was the first chapter in the story of Harry Potter, and it introduced you to the wonderful world of magic. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)”