Utterly dreadful and unnecessary sequel to the 2018 Halloween sequel-reboot. Michael Myers carves up more scared people in Haddonfield including the dregs of the 1978 original film cast. So unbelievably stupid it beggars belief. Painful even for hardcore fans.
Month: October 2021
The Night House (2020, Dir. David Bruckner)
A grieving widow discovers dark secrets about her deceased husband while strange things start to unravel all around her. Impeccably shot and well acted, this has some interesting things to offer. A lovely creeping menace keeps you on your toes. Worth your time.
Don’t Hang Up (2016, dir. Alexis Wajsbrot & Damien Macé)
Teen online pranksters are menaced by one of their victims. Okay and at times stylish and confident mashup of Scream and Joyride. Doesn’t really add much new, but works well within its limitations, not least in its focusing on a central male friendship.
Here’s the trailer.
And here’s another viewpoint.
Escape Room: Tournament of Champions [AKA Escape Room: No Way Out] (2021, dir. Adam Robitel)
![Escape Room: Tournament of Champions [AKA Escape Room: No Way Out] (2021, dir. Adam Robitel)](https://255review.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/escape-room-2-poster.jpg?w=405)
Two survivors of a murderous escape room decide to take on the corporation masterminding the games. Okay sequel that does much the same as before, though which seeks to expand on the franchise. Not all of it works, but this is brisk and sometimes creative fun for subgenre fans (an extended version adds another subplot).
Here’s the trailer.
Dune (2021, Dir. Denis Villeneuve)
A spectacular new version of the Frank Herbert novel. The planet Dune is the source of Spice – a substance with profound properties and insatiable galactic value. As a new regime assumes control over spice production, they find themselves under attack from all sides as they discover the secrets of their new world.
The Circle (2017, dir. Peter Callow)
A university field trip to a remote Scottish island encounters a previously-unrecorded stone circle. Low-budget horror that starts well, and which looks great throughout, though which falls apart once multiple story complications are bundled in. A shame, as there’s promise here.
Here’s the trailer.
Big Legend (2018, dir. Justin Lee)
A bereaved veteran returns to the woods to hunt and kill the creature that killed his fiancé. Straightforward but solid low-budget Bigfoot feature, maximising decent locations and effective though sparse gore effects. A third act drawing on Predator and some fun cameos make this a decent, unpretentious flick.
Here’s the trailer.
Black Narcissus (1947, dir. Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger)
Nuns newly-arrived in a remote Himalayan convent struggle with erotic impulses. While at best dated in some respects (brownface, some attitudes) this is a beautiful, technically-compelling and at times mesmerising movie. More a tone poem than overly concerned with narrative cause and effect, so may not be for all contemporary audiences.
Here’s the trailer.
The Manor (2021, dir. Axelle Carolyn)
A new resident in a nursing home believes the establishment has a horrifying secret. Brisk, unfussy supernatural horror with a Twilight Zone episode feel: maybe needs more meat on its bones, but it nevertheless tells a straightforward story with minimum fuss, while offering Barbara Hershey a welcome lead.
Here’s the trailer.
I Am A Hero (2015, Dir. Shinsuke Sato)
A gleefully gory and refreshing black comedy Japanese zombie film. Hideo the cowardly Manga artist needs to find his ‘hero’ mettle as a virus turns everyone into crazy killers. Refreshing, witty and sometimes poignant – this comes highly recommended.
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