SHE WANTS YOUR CHILDREN. In 1973, social worker Anna Tate-Garcia (Linda Cardellini) accidentally releases an evil spirit, La Llorona, that immediately goes after her two kids. Another entry in the Conjuring universe (with a brief nod to Annabelle (2014)), this time introducing a ghost inspired by an actual Mexican folk tale, a weeping woman who … Continue reading The Curse of La Llorona
PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS. In 1952, a nun hangs herself in a Romanian monastery; the Vatican sends their best investigator (Demián Bichir) together with a young novitiate (Taissa Farmiga) to look into what’s going on there. A spin-off to The Conjuring 2 (2016) where a horrifying ghostly supporting character gets her own story. Much like Annabelle … Continue reading The Nun
TERROR IS BUILDING. In 1906, doctor Eric Price (Jason Clarke) is hired to visit Sarah Winchester (Helen Mirren) and assess her mental state; the widow of a famous gun manufacturer has spent years overlooking the seemingly never-ending construction of a mansion in San Jose, California. The Spierig Brothers may know how to put together an … Continue reading Winchester
YOU DON’T KNOW THE REAL STORY. In 1955, Sister Charlotte (Stephanie Sigman) and six homeless girls arrive at a shelter in the countryside; the house belongs to a doll-maker (Anthony LaPaglia) and his wife who are still mourning the loss of their daughter 12 years ago. A prequel to Annabelle (2014) made by the director … Continue reading Annabelle: Creation
FEAR COMES HOME. In 2010, Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) is contacted by a man who’s living in the house where she grew up; he says it is haunted, and Elise has no reason to disbelieve him… because her childhood memories are very dark. The fourth chapter in the franchise is another prequel that (wisely) focuses … Continue reading Insidious: The Last Key
THIS $*%! AIN’T PARANORMAL! When Kisha (Essence Atkins) agrees to move into Malcolm’s (Marlon Wayans) home, it doesn’t take long until mysterious things begin to happen; maybe it’s a ghost and maybe it can be caught on video? A spoof of the found-footage genre, the Paranormal Activity movies in particular. Lightweight stuff and very silly; … Continue reading A Haunted House
THIS IS HOW YOU DIE. Quinn Brenner (Stefanie Scott) wants the help of retired parapsychologist Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) to contact her dead mother, but finds a much more sinister demon instead. Leigh Whannell, one of the writers behind the earlier films and Saw (2004), made his directing debut with this prequel where Elise finds … Continue reading Insidious: Chapter 3
Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), who’s being chased by an undead pirate hunter (Javier Bardem), joins forces with the son (Brenton Thwaites) of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) in the search for the Trident of Poseidon. The fifth entry in the series, this one also in 3D, has a busy plot but still drags for long stretches… … Continue reading Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
SEVEN DAYS. When Julia (Matilda Lutz) no longer hears from her boyfriend (Alex Roe) who went off to college, she tries to find out what’s going on and learns of a mysterious videotape… This second sequel to The Ring (2002) was belated to say the least and hardly worth the wait. Starts out promisingly on … Continue reading Rings
YOU WERE RIGHT TO BE AFRAID OF THE DARK. Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) is contacted by her young half-brother (Gabriel Bateman); he’s afraid to stay with their mother (Maria Bello) who has a history of mental problems… and now also seems to be in contact with a dark figure. Swedish director David F. Sandberg’s 2013 short … Continue reading Lights Out
BE READY TO BELIEVE US. Five years after the events in the first film, the Ghostbusters have been forced out of business… but a new supernatural threat against New York City catches their attention. The charm from Ghostbusters (1984) is still intact in this sequel thanks to the wonderful cast, with Peter MacNicol adding fun … Continue reading Ghostbusters II
TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE LIVING. When Boston cop Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) is murdered, he is recruited in the afterlife to R.I.P.D. where they hunt souls who refuse to leave the Earth. This 3D action-comedy, that borrows from films like Ghostbusters (1984) and Men in Black (1997), bombed in spite of promising ideas in … Continue reading R.I.P.D.
WHO YOU GONNA CALL? When one of New York City’s oldest buildings appears to be haunted, two parapsychologists jump at the chance to see an actual ghost, and drag a skeptical friend (Kristen Wiig) along. The folks behind the original franchise long tried to get a third movie made, but instead we got a remake … Continue reading Ghostbusters
