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IR Film Review: OTHER MOMMY [Universal]
Ron Savage directed a zoom based horror feature during the pandemic followed by a found footage film with very good results. With his new film "Other Mommy" as his first foray into studio features, he ups the game under the auspice of Atomic Monster and Blumhouse.. "Other Mommy" has its issues but it also has its strengths to be sure. Jessica Chastain plays dual roles in a way and understands the assignment without overdoing it.
IR Film Review: THE EXORCIST - BELIEVER [Universal]
The aspect of innocence lost is sometimes based in the context of ignorance. The original "Exorcist" painted in the lines of the proponent of purity versus the conservative nature possibly of the church. With "The Exorcist: Believer", the filmmakers try to take a similar approach but with not enough narrative backbone and delivery to create the stakes.
IR Film Review: THE BLACK PHONE [Blumhouse/Universal]
The setting and tone of “The Black Phone” seems to be a interesting quandary. The trailers painted it as a really dark horror film and with the Blumhouse label, that also means approaching it under a specific budget constraint. Add to the fact that this is directed by Scott Derrickson who made the first “Doctor Strange” with Ethan Hawke here as the antagonist.
IR Film Review: FIRESTARTER [Universal]
With the new remake of "Firestarter", there is potential and a necessary possibility of doing it in the more low budget Blumhouse tradition. But the reality is that the pull of the story never feels wrenching and particularly well-executed
IR Film Review: HALLOWEEN KILLS [Universal]
There are some moments of textured brilliance in "Kills" but it does have to play to a certain denominator and set up which is does adequately despite some shoddy structure, questionable dialogue and barely flushed out characters save for the core.
IR Film Review: THE FOREVER PURGE [Universal]
The Purge has always been a story of terror rather than horror and what human beings can reflect in their behavior, both in the best of times and the worst of times. The movie doesn't pull punches yet it is also aware it is entertainment which is a difficult balance.
IR Film Review: YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT [Universal]
"You Should Have Left" is an apt film but it is neither exceptional nor bad. It is effectively entertaining and a film that definitely has re-watch value, not because there are new aspects to discover but because the mechanics are smooth.
IR Film Review: FANTASY ISLAND [Sony]
Overall the film though maintains its pace while getting slightly sloppy at the end because all details can ride together…but "Fantasy Island" knows its audience, still wanting to give them scares but without creeping or goring them out too much