There’s something not quite right with the Daltons.  That’s painfully evident from the outset, when they choose to wallow in their own misery despite being in a beautiful part of Italy.  They don’t hide their misery, either, wearing it like an irritating jacket wherever they go.  Ben Dalton  (Scoot McNairy) is morose, while Louise Dalton (Mackenzie Davis) is edgy and controlling.  The two are so clenched around each other I imagined they squeak while walking.  Unsurprisingly, the two have unresolved issues between them that will play a consequential role in what transpires. 

Continue reading “Speak No Evil (2024)”

I certainly admire Perkins’ Longlegs, a loving homage to the serial killer genre.  The movie proudly wears its influences on its sleeve, and those familiar with The Silence of the Lambs and Se7en will have fun identifying all of the ways Perkins references them in this film.  Given the movie’s incorporation of encoded messages, I would include David Fincher’s Zodiac in the mix as well.

Continue reading “Longlegs”

After learning that the forthcoming The Strangers: Chapter 1 was basically a remake of The Strangers, I thought long and hard as to whether I should see the original beforehand.  This decision was not as simple as I thought it would be, though.  Since most of the commentary I’d read about Chapter 1 described it as being an inferior remake of the original, I had a conundrum.  Would I be setting myself up for disappointment if I watched the original before seeing Chapter 1?  Or would I enjoy Chapter 1 more if I watched it in a vacuum?  I finally decided to see the original so that I’d have a basis of comparison between the two.  If the two movies are that similar, the viewing experience would present itself as a unique review assignment for myself.  This review will focus only on the 2008 movie.  The next one will be on Chapter 1 and will compare and contrast the two.  I hope you enjoy this little exercise!

Continue reading “The Strangers (2008)”

For those keeping score, The First Omen is the third movie released this year where the Devil plays a significant role.  Previously, Late Night with the Devil and Immaculate reminded us that Old Scratch should never be underestimated.  What does this trilogy of cinematic devilness portend?  While I can’t speak for Immaculate (which I haven’t yet seen), the two movies featuring Beelzebub have been very good indeed.  Perhaps it’s time for someone to revive the Oh, God! franchise to balance things out.

Continue reading “The First Omen”