The Hate U Give Calls For Change

Amanda Stenberg as Starr Carter

I knew going into George Tillman Jr.'s adaptation of the Young Adult novel by Angie Thomas would be great but I didn't expect it to be phenomenal.

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 4): 'Insidious'

Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson)

James Wan had three movies down but none reached the success of his first film. In a genre where spilled blood, gross guts and teenage stupidity made for quality entertainment, Wan refused to be part of that and wished to do an old-fashioned horror movie that didn't rely on those tropes. Working once again with Leigh Whannell, the two conjure up a ghost story that took viewers to the other side.

Micheal Myers Returns in Halloween

John Carpenter's Halloween has been regarded as the granddaddy of slasher films and laid the groundwork for future flicks like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th. Despite good performances from Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence and Nick Castle, I found the original Halloween trashy and dated that even the kills were boring to watch. Seven schlocky sequels and a repugnant reboot later, director David Gordon Green and co-writing partner Danny McBride give their take on the silent killer in what is now the eleventh Halloween movie.

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 3): 'Death Sentence'

Like any Horror director, there comes a time when one must try something new. For his third outing, James Wan decided to adapt one of Brian Garfield's novels; the very same that inspired the Death Wish movies starring Charles Bronson and the 2018 remake with Bruce Willis. After viewing this movie, I wonder if the Bronson and Willis versions are any better or worse.

Triple Review Vol. 1

Which of the three do you wish to see? Perhaps a stroll on main street where an evil dummy brings Halloween to life. Check in at the El Royale hotel where nothing can go wrong or travel with first man on the moon. Whichever you choose, I guarantee you won't demand a refund.

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 2): 'Dead Silence'

Mr Ratburn: Since scary books and videos are so popular, lets talk about things that scare us. Anyone want to name something that scares them? 
Arthur: Ventriloquist dummies. I mean, what’s all that about anyway? Weird.

From the Arthur episode, "Night Fright"

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 1): 'Saw'

If you don't know the name James Wan, you definitely have heard of his work. Born in Malaysia, but raised in Australia, Wan began his movie career at RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) where he met his screenwriting partner and best friend Leigh Whannell. They brainstormed many ideas, one of them involving a freaky doll saying "Wanna play a game?"

Sony Tries Again with Venom

After two underwhelming Spider-Man movies, Sony once again pushes the reset button only this time focusing on the rogues gallery. Since fans were none too pleased on the portrayal of fan favorite villain Venom in Spider-Man 3, what better way to appease them than by giving him his own movie. Will this gambit pay off or should Sony call it quits while they still can?

Lady Gaga sees stars in A Star is Born

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga singing a duet.

The story of the artist going from rags to riches has been told time and time again. In the case of A Star is Born, the story of a young woman aspiring to be a singer and falls in love with a fading star only to have her career skyrocket while his continues to dwindle, has been told not once but four times. The original starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. It was remade in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason and again in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.