Late Night with the Devil (2023) Review

A live television broadcast in 1977 goes horribly wrong when its host, determined to make a comeback, invites guests on his show, including a psychic, a young girl, paranormal expert, and a skeptic. Writers and directors Cameron Cairnes and Colin Cairnes offer supernatural horror, a nostalgic atmosphere, and memorable performances. Even if it feels at times like an episode of Tales from the Dark…

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Blackout (1985) Review

A police officer begins to suspect that a local husband and father, who recently underwent facial surgery due to injuries from a car accident, might actually be the same man responsible for a quadruple murder several years prior. Director Douglas Hickox’s made-for-TV offering deserves revisiting despite its notoriety following the tragic murder of pregnant wife Ellen Sherman on August 3, 1985,…

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Life (2017) Review

As the crew of the International Space Station begins to conduct research on recovered samples from Mars, they discover evidence of extraterrestrial life that proves more intelligent and dangerous than anyone ever expected. Director Daniel Espinosa with a keen eye and discipline offers a solid addition to the sci-fi genre. The visual effects are impressive, from the crew’s weightlessness and the…

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Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) Review

Hunt and his IMF team face off against old acquaintances and “the Entity,” a powerful rogue artificial intelligence system. Director Christopher McQuarrie’s vision and execution are commendable, ensuring that every moment on screen is filled with excitement. McQuarrie and co-writer Erik Jendresen offer a film that doesn’t skimp on thrills, with each scene meticulously crafted for maximum impact.…

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The Abyss (1989) Review

When an American submarine sinks in the Caribbean, a team of US Navy SEALs and a civilian oil platform crew is enlisted to recover the sub. With the threat of World War III looming, tensions are high with the Soviets due to the military’s activities. During the perilous mission, they face danger when they encounter an alien aquatic species that has the potential to change humanity’s…

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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) Review.

When the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to save the world. Based on Ghostbusters by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, director Gil Kenan delivers high production values, solid setups, and staging. There are great special effects, fantastic cinematography from Eric Steelberg (especially the sweeping cityscapes), and a first-class…

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Mimic (1997) Review

A cockroach-spread plague threatens to destroy New York’s children. Trying to stop it, entomologist Susan Tyler creates a mutant breed of insect, but unwittingly unleashes a mutant type that can mimic humans. Despite some infamous behind the scenes wrangling with the producers director Guillermo del Toro’s craftsmanship in this 1997 offering is commendable with him masterfully creating an…

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Cheerleader Camp (1988) Review

A group of spirited cheerleaders finds themselves in the crosshairs of an enigmatic killer amidst the isolation of a remote summer camp. Cheerleader Camp, also known as Bloody Pom Pom, is a spirited romp through the realm of slasher cinema. Director John Quinn offers a competent mishmash of horror elements, drawing inspiration from A Nightmare on Elm Street with its many dream sequences, Friday…

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Dune: Part Two (2024) Review

Spurred on by revenge as Paul embraces Fremen ways, he must battle against all odds while wrangling with a Fremen prophecy that could change Arrakis and its people forever. Director Denis Villeneuve’s meticulous attention to detail and his ability to balance grand spectacle with intimate character moments elevate the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s work to new heights. Although Dune didn’t stand…

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One More Saturday Night (1986) Review

Life on a Saturday night in St. Cloud gets wackier with hijinks and shenanigans as the evening progresses.Written and starring Al Franken and Tom Davis (known for ‘Trading Places’ and ‘SNL’), director Dennis Klein does his best with a script that required just a little more polish. Surprisingly, Dan Ackroyd also produced this coming-of-age drama comedy, which is a broken-up tale. The main…

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Alligator (1980) Review

Chicago police officer and a reptile expert track an enormous, ravenous man-eating alligator flushed down the toilet years earlier. Alligator, the 1980 creature feature, emerges as a delightful amalgamation of suspense and wit, borrowing elements from the iconic Jaws franchise, Grizzly (1976), Orca (1977) and Piranha (1978) while carving its own niche in the realm of creature horror. Director…

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Link (1986) Review

An American student takes a summer job at a doctor’s cliffside seaside house where he keeps apes; however, she finds herself trapped and in danger when one of the apes, due for destruction, turns bad. A young Elisabeth Shue, as Jane Chase, effectively carries the film along with the lead chimp Imp (Jed) and antagonist killer ape Link, played by Locke, an Orangutan (dyed black). Terence Stamp’s…

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Masters of the Universe: Revolution (2024) Review

Possible Spoilers… After a death changes Eternia forever, further unlikely alliances must rebuild and bring balance to Eternia.In Revolution Kevin Smith and company again offers a great written series with an outstanding voice cast and fantastic animation.Again, the story tone is dark, with a main character’s death in the first episode! Season 2’s episodes, like its predecessor, are not…

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Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires (2018) Review

Chuck Steel, a no-nonsense maverick renegade cop, is pitted against a horde of vampire-like beings who feast upon the blood of those who are drunk. Writer and director Mike Mort offers vibes reminiscent of Lethal Weapon, Last Action Hero and Kung Fury in this stop-motion animated action comedy horror film. In addition to the aforementioned, the film parodies and pays homage to a slew of…

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Uninvited (1987) Review

A criminal multimillionaire, passengers, and crew bound for the Cayman Islands are terrorized by an escaped test subject mutant cat. Director-writer Greydon Clark offers a novel idea that may have been better set at night, as the daylight scenes take away some much-needed atmosphere, if only to hide some of the dodgy practical special effects. What starts off as hopeful B-fodder, becomes very…

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Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023) Review

A settlement on a distant moon finds itself threatened by a tyrannical ruling army, strangers from across planets band together to stop them. Director Zack Snyder hodgepodge draws inspiration from ancient Rome to Old English epic poems, real-world history, and more, echoing Westerns, Seven Samurai, Tolkien, and Frank Herbert, among others. Borrowing elements from Star Wars, Chronicles of…

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Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas readers! Bookworms – Thank you for all your support. A. M.

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