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.

Snuff videos of families show up at a house with bickering twins and lead to ever-increasing hostility in this dreary part 2 to Sinister. Somewhat spooky little ghosts have taken up residence in this dwelling, which includes the chapel where prior murders took place. OK to watch once, but don't recommend a second viewing.

Erik M.

The Smurfs (2011) takes you back to the village and then off to New York City in this predictable kid-friendly romp via CGI effects. Neil Patrick Harris and friends play along. It's OK, but don't expect much from this movie based upon the old show.

Erik M.

Smurfs 2 is a 3-D/CGI movie about some of those wacky creatures once again entering our world, but this time encountering the Naughties, similar creations to Smurfette. Together they cause havoc in Paris while teaching about family and friendship. The movie is OK, but uninspired.

Erik M.

Apollo 18 is a Sci-Fi film where three astronauts are headed to a two-day mission to collect moon rocks and do something for the DoD when things go horribly wrong...this movie being it! Lame creature effects, interference aplenty and techno-babble combine to make a stew of lukewarm scares. Ignore this.

Erik M.

Full of twists and fun scares, Sleepy Hollow is a supernatural who-done-it wherein Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) tries to find out who is behind the frightening murders in that old town and putt the ghost to final rest. Christina Ricci portrays his love, who happens to be a witch. Entertaining and lavish, make Sleepy Hollow part of your Halloween tradition.

Erik M.

1922 is a horror drama by Stephen King involving a man and son who kill his wife and the horrible results of that murder. It has a bit of a slow burn as it explains the insidious backstory but rats, the winter's cold and some grisly dead things start to remind the farmer of his terrible deed. It stars Thomas Jane as a conniving and tortured Wilfred Leland James, Dylan Schmid as his son, Henry, and Molly Parker as wife, Arlette. One of the scarier of King's films to date.

Erik M.

Monster (2003) is a look into head of psychotic Aileen Wuornos as she quickly goes from an abused sex worker in Florida to a murderer and thief. In between, she falls in love with Selby/Tyria Moore and plans to run away until Selby sells her out. Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci star in this no-holds-barred account of their tragic time together. Not for the faint of heart.

Erik M.

The Monster (2016) is a gory horror tale about a young mother (Zoe Kazan) and her 10-year-old daughter (Ella Balletine) who take a bad road trip that gets far worse than either had imagined when their car gets wrecked by an unseen, predatory force. It's a fight for survival when the beast ravages through a tow tucker worker, EMTs and mom, who tries desperately to give her daughter a chance to live. While the monster is gruesome and the situation dire, the film is also about the train wreck of lives we lead as parents and children, just as awful. Great performances by all involved.

Erik M.

In an update of such horror films as Hollowman and various incantations of The Invisible Man comes this version from 2020 staring Elisabeth Moss and both Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Michael Dorman as the title character (s), who uses a novel way to become her nemeses. They together destroy her life and friendships until she fights back. Sometimes both scary and thrilling, The Invisible Man will keep your attention throughout and set up for the next, revised classic monster.

Erik M.

The Willoughbys is a silly-yet-heartfelt CGI animated family adventure that's somewhat of a cross between
the Addams Family, a certain chocolate factory, Lemony Snicket stories and a zany fantasy ride in the crazy mobile! Horrible and selfish parents get thrown into an awful adventure while the kids experience far worse, and it's up to a voracious newborn, a friendly candy-loving soldier and a kindly nanny-plus their own wits-to save the day and find them a new home. Colorful, fun, dark and contemporary, the Willoughbys entertains and resolves all the loose ends within 90 frenetic minutes-quite an accomplishment! There's even a sweet song that hardly wears out its welcome for those who detest music. Watch and enjoy.

Erik M.

The Recall (2017) should have been called "The Rerun" as this Sci-Fi film is about as derivative as it comes insofar as alien takeover films are concerned. Wesley Snipes plays the snarling, tattooed ex-abductee called "The Hunter" who rescues what's left of vacationing younger adults in a cabin in the woods. Exponential nonsense between killing rubbery creatures does little to save this film.

Erik M.

Godzilla (2014) is a monster bash between the toothsome, nuclear-powered predator and the MUTOs, strange creatures that also eat power, people and whatever else they want to. Soldiers, children and more get in the way of their attacking one another, including an inconvenient pairing of Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The bad news is that Godzilla doesn't have much screen time and feels as if too much time is wasted on its human players.

Erik M.

Flatliners is a dreary remake of the movie of the same name where a group of student doctors confront mild visions of death head-on and then fall into individual nightmares involving wrongs demanding righting. Each must own up to their mistakes before it's too late. This is not an a great film, and Ellen Page can't escape the cliches, overall bad plot, or ultimately poor reception. Not even Kiefer Sutherland, who was in the original, can rescue this from its sad demise.

Erik M.

Virus is a 1999 Science Fiction thriller starring Jaimie Lee Curtis as a female seaman aboard an American vessel Sea Star who locates a Russian vessel dead in the water days after an unusual and deadly space lightning attack. They soon discover grotesque human-machine hybrids that want to add the new crew to their list of dead sailors in this waterlogged clunker. Cheesy dialogue, poor SFX and a sinking tone that hits you between the eyes with a dud torpedo wear thin right away. Just don't see this film. One star.

Erik M.

Harley Quinn is back, and she along with some female friends are out to beat up on some male badness in this Birds of Prey movie that's like Suicide Squad meets Deadpool plus a big heaping of grrl-powered RAGE! An impulsive little Asian girl thief named Cassandra steals a prized diamond and Black Canary, Huntress, ex-cop Montoya and Harley all get a chance to beat up everyone! Forget the subplots and the Warner Bros. Silliness-That's the story! Margot Robbie is the main character! The film is fine for a little bit until improbable acting and action wear it down to just another Feminist tale. 2 stars.

Erik M.

IT (2017) is a nightmare-ride with an evil clown at the wheel as the latest version of Pennywise slices and tortures the town of Derry once more in Part 1 of this film. He is met by The Loser's Club, who are again in opposition to his murderous schemes. Action, gore and mayhem along with some genuine laughs combine to make IT last.

Erik M.

The War of the Worlds is a classic tale of man's conceit over all other life as visitors from Mars first take over with air-ships, then probes, spacemen and even vampire devices (!) until Humanity is crushed! Only a few, brave souls stand a chance against them in this science fiction film. Decent special effects buoy up this movie from the rest, where people mostly die from vaporization. Watch this before taking in the others.

Erik M.

Dark Phoenix is the last Fox installment into the superhero franchise that has the famous mutants battling Jean Grey, ruthless aliens and each other as she is all but consumed by a powerful cosmic force and becomes enraged, lashing out! Elements of the prior attempt at this story are recycled and, while new characters are introduced (including a wasted Dazzler), much is lost in the chaos that strangely underwhelms in the end. Sad to see the series end; sadder still seeing it limp away in a bright puff of CGI fire.

Erik M.