Erik M.

The original tale of the dreaded, haunted Overlook Hotel where underemployed Jack Torrance chases young Danny and wife Wendy while strange visions scare them! While now an old film, Jack Nicholson still puts in a stellar, over-the-top performance as the tormented Jack, who just wants to kill his family. A cautionary tale about the effects of isolation, mental illness, and alcoholism as well as an effective ghost story. Don't watch it alone.

Erik M.

Doctor Sleep is a sequel to 1980 horror film The Shining where we find psychic child Danny, now an adult alcoholic drifter, teaming up with a young girl named Abra verses the murderous Rose the Hat and her evil band of "vampires" who suck the life out of tortured souls. This film takes great pains to explain what happened to the boy and how he must finish putting to rest the other ghouls of the Overlook Inn Hotel. Interesting characters and a few plot twists make it memorable.

Erik M.

The Thing (1982) is a Science Fiction/Horror film by John Carpenter about a group of men who find an alien life form while dong research in Antarctica. Said monster can become anything, including your closest friends...deep paranoia and an uphill battle of survival follow. Practical effects, gruesome scenes and an intense atmosphere combine to make The Thing one of the best of its time and well beyond. Kurt Russell stars. Enjoy.

Erik M.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is a very funny and fun action Kung-Fu fantasy about a struggling band led by a meek boy who meets a girl...and then has to fight her seven exes to keep her! The comebacks are unexpected and quick, the music is good, and the martial arts are amazing! Watch this!

Erik M.

The New Mutants (2020) is a story set in an old hospital where Dr. Cecilia Reyes (Alice Braga) studies five extraordinary young people in order to learn more about them for a mysterious benefactor. Rayne Sinclair (Maisie Williams), Danielle Moonstar (Blu Hunt), Samuel Guthrie (Charlie Heaton), Illyana Rasputin (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Roberto da Costa (Henry Zaga) star as the patients gifted with strange and formidable powers in this dark, small, confused 20th Century Fox film venture that occurred during their purchase into Disney Studios. It has some potential here and there, but ultimately it's a sad, muddled end. There's also a giant demon bear as well as killer smiley guys. See this and Dark Phoenix (2020) for completion. It's strange.

Erik M.

Leprechaun is the first in a short series of movies where the angry sprite is looking for all of its gold, and is willing to kill for it. Jennifer Aniston is an upset teen girl named Terri who has an once of brains and decides that she's had enough of this macabre prankster. Warwick Davis is hardly recognizable. One liners and awful effects barely make this a shlocky fest. You have been warned.

Erik M.

I Am Legend tells the story of Dr. Robert Neville and his dog, Sam, who are trapped and virtually alone behind quarantine after a cancer "cure" turns into a dangerous virus in this Action Thriller. Up against bald, shrieking Vampire/Cannibal creatures that are the result of the virus, Dr. Neville desperately seeks a cure while killing as many of the Cannibals as he can. Things change when they seem to grow smarter and two refugees appear. A desperate survival story emerges, and hope becomes desperate. OK acting by Will Smith as Dr. Neville as Alice Braga as Anna, one of the survivors. Give this 2007 movie a watch.

Erik M.

Major Payne stars Damon Wayans in the title role as a gun-ho Marine who, once peace is declared in South America, is sent home to start over. He arrives at a school to teach JROTC to a bunch of unlucky kids and, in a few short weeks, makes it miraculously work! Some silly moments here and there along with some violence and degradation, but the plot sticks with the tough soldier guy until the end. It's OK if you enjoy barracks, salutes, etc. with a dash of humor. Fall in, people.

Erik M.

Bruce Lee stars in the Martial Arts action drama Enter The Dragon as a Shaolin Master who seeks revenge on evil, one-armed Master Han and his many goons on an island base that's hosting a tournament. John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Shih Kien, Bolo Yeung, Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung star. Great Kung-Fu throughout, along with revolutionary editing and a James Bond flair. This movie will keep on breaking records for as long as there are viewers. The only drawback is the antiquated stereotypes here and there, otherwise enjoy.

Erik M.

Case 39 is a supernatural horror movie that doesn't deliver on really any level. Renee Zellweger, Ian McShane and Jodelle Ferland star...the story focuses on Renee as Emily, an idealistic Social Worker who takes in Lilith, who is a demon. Some weird murders occur, but the improbabilities overreach to the point of stupidity, and Renee's whispery childlike voice gets a tad grating. Not a great film by any stretch, I'm afraid.

Erik M.

Gothika stars Halle Berry, Robert Downey Jr. and Charles S. Dutton in a wild and twisted ghost story ala One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest about a young psychiatrist who's accused of murdering her husband. She is locked up with other women, including Penelope Cruz in a supportive role. Things quickly go downhill from there as she's seen as insane from visions assaulting her. She must try to figure out the meaning of it all before things get worse. Halle Berry tries to cry, scream and make it through this movie, but she can only do so much to save this sad film.

Erik M.

Rango is a CGI cartoon about a modern-day acting chameleon who's suffering from an identity crisis. He comes across the old western town of Dirt and befriends a lonesome iguana named Beans. Dirt is dying and it is up to Rango to solve the mystery of why its water is running out. Funny and smart, Rango will keep you generally entertained, teach you about animals of the dessert, and maybe leave you whistling a tune while thinking about the west awhile. Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin and more fill in the cast.

Erik M.

Her is a film about love in the ever-changing digital age when Theodore meets Samantha, an advanced A.I. who's evolving to care for him. Questions of self, feelings of worth and togetherness combine in a romantic comedy/drama. Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Scarlett Johannson star in this understated, sometimes overlooked movie that's a bit more than your average boy-meets-computer tall tale.

Erik M.

The Midnight Sky is a science fiction survival film where George Clooney stars as an older, sickly man andprominent physicist watching over the last radio station on Earth during the apocalypse when he discovers that he is not alone. Meanwhile, an exploratory spaceship with 5 crew members finds that it is the last vessel, leading each to take actions to contact and save one another. Felicity Jones stars as Sully, a pregnant astronaut who longs to go home. Engaging, poignant and sad, The Midnight Sky showcases the necessity of human connection in the face of great challenges.

Erik M.

In 2000's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the dreadful green creature robs the Whos gleefully until young Cindy Lou Who has a crisis of faith and rescues the Grinch from himself. More of the backstory and his odd complications come to light in this live-action retelling, and the Whos themselves are painted as a bit less special. Watch for the holidays as Jim Carrey and his antics chew the scenery. Considering Ron Howard directed this for release on Christmas, it should have been much more funny.

Erik M.

In this cartoon holiday classic, the Grinch is an irascible and belligerent green creature who hates the holidays (and everything else) almost as much as he hates himself. With his downcast dog, he manages to pilfer practically everything in one single night...until he meets adorable 2-year-old Cindy Lou Who. She restores his shrunken heart and together they enjoy a Merry Christmas together with her friends and family! This is nearly a must-see and can cheer even the most heavy of spirits.

Erik M.

Monster House is a strange, animated CGI Halloween tale about 3 preteen kids who discover that the house across the street is very haunted and wants to consume everything! The children ultimately have to overcome the possessing spirit-in this case, the obese wife of the often-cranky neighbor-to rescue Halloween once and for all! Creepy, spooky but entertaining, Monster House will become one of your holiday films for some time to come. Stars include a memorable Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kevin James, and Kathleen Turner.

Erik M.

Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey is a drama based upon the true story about the famed Primatologist who goes to Rwanda to study the gorillas she discovered while stopping at nothing to protect them, often to escalating violence between herself and the poachers. At times hostile but passionate, Dian nevertheless will engross watchers with her passion and fearless outlook along with the rich cinematography and spellbinding scenes of her interactions with the great apes. A overall good film with a very sad end.

Erik M.

Underwater (2020) is a Science-Fiction thriller about a team of ocean miners verses unspeakable horror in the depths of the ocean in the way of horrible, humanoid mer-things and Cthulhu itself! It's up to poor Norah, played by a bikini-clad and pixie-cut Kristen Stewart, to save the day, between panic-attacks and fleeting moments of adrenaline. Owing much to such classics as Alien, this fish tail just keeps its head above the waters with drowning, implosions and a doomsday script.

Erik M.

Beowulf is a horror-adventure movie based upon the ancient poem about a hero who comes in time to stop a marauding troll and then destined to slay his dragon son. Great CGI and decent performances by all give life to this timeless story.

Erik M.