Erik M.

In a quiet little suburb a cop pursues a kidnapper while his home life falls apart but all is not what it seems in the overly-convoluted I See You, a crime thriller. Various mysteries around pocket knives, Pez dispensers, frog masks, TV turning on and a series of other unexplained happenings finally point to a deranged killer who likes to gaslight people. Helen Hunt stars as a beleaguered wife Jackie, Jon Tenney as the husband/cop Greg. OK for a rainy day at best.

Erik M.

When a young wife gets kidnapped while at a gas station mini mall/rest area and there's no one to help, who do you turn to? In The Vanishing, Keifer Sutherland is Jeff and Jeff Daniels as Barney Cousins are locked in a struggle to find Jeff's wife, Diane (Sandra Bullock), 3 yrs later in this thriller from 1993. Nancy Travis stars as Rita, a waitress who then becomes a fellow searcher after the truth. A very odd movie populated by strange characters. Based upon an earlier movie minus its brain, this version seems to miss the mark by a yard.

Erik M.

Life After Beth is a madcap zombie horror/comedy/romance about a high school sweetheart who is killed during a hike and becomes an undead just weeks later who wants her boyfriend to take her back at all costs, including a zombie apocalypse! Almost from the first moment onward, Beth becomes irrational, powerful, voracious and...well...A ZOMBIE, and all heck breaks loose! Aubrey Plaza stars.

Erik M.

Sinister is about a writer who finds a bunch of snuff movies in the attic wherein prior families are tortured and killed, From the people of Insidious and Paranormal Activity fame. Bughuul, a demon, may be involved. This is not very good but has a scare of two, plus Ethan Hawke.

Erik M.

In the third film of the franchise, antihero Riddick the Furyan has to evade yet more hostile creatures, bounty hunters and the planet itself Better than the second film, but still pretty disjointed. Dave Bautista, Karl Urban and Vin Diesel star.

Erik M.

This is the second movie, after Pitch Black, where Riddick with his strength and shiny eyes have to stop a horde and rescue a friend on another desperate planet. A bit more campy, but then it stars Vin Diesel, Judi Dench, Karl Urban, and Thandie Newton. Good for a look.

Erik M.

Pitch Black is a Sci-Fi action/horror thriller about a group of passengers and crew that crash-land onto a planet and discover voracious and terrifying hammer-headed flying creatures! One among them is a prisoner called Riddick who can see the creatures even in near-total darkness. Notable for Vin Diesel's first appearance, this is a great beginning and captures the desperation of a group being devoured one by one. A good film.

Erik M.

Kick-Ass 2 is the sequel where it's team-ups fighting against each other for the right to rule the city. Just a few years have passed and Red Mist is no longer a teen but a more - (im) mature character who wants revenge for the death of his father by Hit-Girl and Kick-Ass. Jim Carrey, meanwhile, is one of many new and inspired heroes who fights for good despite it being illegal and dangerous. Not the best but certainly not the worst, this one may need a trilogy to complete.

Erik M.

Kick-Ass is movie about the teenage fantasy of becoming a superhero and the frightening consequences of putting on tights and taking on the bad guys. Chloe Grace Moretz is the real star along with Nicolas Cage as Hit-Girl and Big Daddy, a lethal team that assists Kick-Ass (Aaron Johnson). Violent, foul-mouthed and quick, Kick-Ass will leave an impression. See the movie.

Erik M.

World War Z is a fast-paced horror/Sci-Fi drama about a zombie outbreak in the vein of The Walking Dead, 28 Days Later or The Last of Us where an outbreak quickly spells the doom for swaths of humanity and only Brad Pitt figures out a way to at least slow them down and fight back. Interesting if somewhat predictable premise. Sadly, this was meant to be a franchise that never was.

Erik M.

Ghost Ship is a shocking (especially the beginning) yet mildly scary film about an unlucky cruise ship who brings death to whomever board her. Gabriel Byrne, Julianna Margulies, Karl Urban and a young Emily Browning head up the cast. This film seems weighed down by its premise and its release on Halloween.

Erik M.

Secret Window is a horror/thriller about a writer's descent into madness and murder while spending time in a old house by a lake with a cornfield. Johnny Depp stars as the delusional author, while the rest pretty much play his victims. While a modest story by Stephen King, Secret Window still grabs you and draws you in.

Erik M.

Gone Baby Gone is a crime drama about a kidnapping of a little girl and a private investigator who goes to extraordinary lengths to get her back to her mom amid Boston's criminal elements, which include the police and members of her own family. Tense, gritty, realistic and convoluted story about the price of being a good person in a very corrupt world.

Erik M.

Kevin Bacon stars in his standout performance as Henri Young, who was sent to Alcatraz for stealing $5 from a general store/Post Office to feed his sister, then gravely mistreated in prison, including being crippled and sent to the "hole' for over 3 years, who then commits murder of an inmate upon his return back into prison. Christian Slater is his attorney who fights for fair treatment, while Gary Oldman portrays his abusive assistant warden. A top-notch drama.

Erik M.

In this police drama, Ashley Judd stars as Jess, recently promoted to homicide detective. She investigates serial killings that all have a distinct M. O. such as a cigarette burn on the male victim's hand, extreme violence and are connected by being her former lovers. Can it be her partner or her guardian and her father's partner? The police psychiatrist? Another officer? Could the killer be a psycho passing through San Francisco?! What about the date rape drug?! This film throws a wide net-including that strange guy from Seven. Can she figure it out while questioning her own sanity?! Take a look.

Erik M.

In a comedic rip-off Fantastic Voyage, Dennis Quaid is a pilot stuck mostly in the body of Martin Short, miniaturized and on the run from criminals! It's up to Quaid, Short and Meg Ryan as his girlfriend/reporter to stop the bad guys and restore Quaid to normal. Silly but fun per both Joe Dante and Steven Spielberg.

Erik M.

Dumplin' is a sweet comedy-drama about a plus-sized teen who decides to run for the Miss Blue Bonnet beauty crown despite the misgivings of her pageant-obsessed Texas mother. Danielle MacDonald, Jennifer Aniston and Odeya Rush star.

Erik M.

The world is going to end, and it is met with indifference and odd politics in this very strange and a bit funny movie called Don't Look Up! The ensemble cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as two astronomers who discover that the end of the world is approaching, Meryl Steep as the out-of-touch President who's looking towards election year, Jonas Hill as an aide and son to the President, Ron Perlman as an overzealous astronaut, Michael Chiklis as a super-patriotic reporter, Ariana Grande as a disconnected pop star, Cate Blanchette as a sexual TV personality, and Timothee Chalamet as a "normal" teen. Satirical and occasionally fun end-of-the-world romp.

Erik M.

The Bubble is a movie about the trials of filming a dinosaur action film during the pandemic with some weird results. More deranged and cynical than really funny, but it has some light moments and a few cameos. Ensemble with David Duchovny, Karen Gillan, Keegan-Michael Key, Pedro Pascal and others.

Erik M.

Tusk is a body horror/dark comedy about a Podcast host who investigates a lonely old man who has quite a tale to tell concerning his relationship with a walrus he calls Mr. Tusk. What follows is the host (Played by Justin Long) being overwhelmed in Canada and transformed into a monster and fighting for what remains of his life as his friends witness his terrible de-evolution. Sick, gruesome and at times funny, this movie will sink its tusks into you and not let go! Watch for Johnny Depp as an unrecognizable sleuth, Lily-Rose Depp and Harley Quinn Smith as store clerks, and Haley Joel Osmet as a fellow host.

Erik M.