Quick Review: It features a bunch of great cameos by A-list actors and the richly-decorated Salem streets during Halloween are a treat for the eyes, but that's about it, really, as despite its attempts to demonstrate heart and be sweet enough to make you care, there is too much going on in "Hubie Halloween", and none of it is particularly funny, or spooky, not even in fun way, plus, Sandler's goofily-voiced Hubie, although kind and good-natured, is too much of a loser to evoke sympathy.
Quick Review: Filmed in a sleazy docu-style, and feeling like a bunch of randomly thrown in scenes, this "Borat" sequel yet again uses satire and cultural contrasts to tell some ugly truths, and does it in-your-face, but none of its signature profane humor, embarrassing situations and moronic dialogues are as fresh and outrageously funny as they were in 2006, but at least it greenlights the promising Bakalova to stand out as the crazy-ass daughter.
Quick Review: A set-in-the-80s B- level folk horror dealing with African witchery and Indian mythology which underneath its supernatural surface plays it as a social commentary on black pop culture and whitewashed beauty norms, "Bad Hair" is tonally shaky, with a dramatic and realistic first half, and more comically creepy second one, but thanks to its fairly original concept, Lorraine's gripping lead turn, and cool retro visuals, the film works effectively as a metaphor, if never as a scary flick.
Quick Review: The prologue set in Bhutan is sinister as hell, but after it the movie shifts tone and turns into a mumbo-jumbo supernatural teen horror, then transforms into a crime- solving occult thriller, dealing with a multi-layered LoveCraft-ish mystery that gets progressively intricate and twisted, and although the latter is riveting and enhanced by a chilling score and eerie atmospherics, "The Empty Man" is sluggish, draggy, low on scares, and overly esoteric, and its climax -- unsatisfying.
Quick Review: An oddball, subtle in tone 'small town' horror comedy that is neither ghastly or frightening enough, nor particularly amusing to work as either, and too mild to work as a blend of both, this debut film by Jim Cummings, who also stars in it, has his typical quirkiness written all over it, but it fails in its attempt to balance the beastly murders with the 'inner beast' life struggles of its barely likable protagonist, plus, the climax is underwhelming.
Quick Review: Brought to life by del Toro's frisky script and Zemeckis vivid direction, and lit by Spencer's enthralling presence and a few cute CGI mice, this reimagining of Dahl's novel is a wild and enjoyable caper with plenty of kid-friendly frights and cartoony visual effects, which along with the colorful retro imagery, give it a spellbinding Disney feel that fits well with "the Witches"' viciously fun nature, but it's Hathaway's wickedly over-the-top turn that will make you smile ear to ear. In fear.
Quick Review: The whole thing is a bit far-fetched, hence implausible, but that can't change the fact that "Unhinged" is a consistently intense thrill-ride with brutal kills, non-stop chasing, shocking car crashes, and a sympathetic protagonist you root for in spite of her bad choices, but the movie's driving force is Crowe's unsettling turn as the intimidating, vicious, and psychotic stranger, who brings road-raging to another level - one that will make you rethink your entire driving behavior.
Quick Review: Akerman is alluring and likable as the recently divorced movie star devoted to motherhood, Dennings brings a few solid laughs as her eccentric lesbian friend, and Seymour stands out as the naughty mom, but despite its intentions to be a well-balanced dramedy that is as much about fun and games, as it's about complex relations with friends and family, "Friendsgiving" ends up being a busy and crowded holiday movie with little soul, even less wit, and lots of crude humor.
Quick Review: The back-and-forth plot structure is busy and uneven, often choosing to depict instead of display the events, there are far too many characters involved, and the non-stop talking is overwhelming at times, but Aaron Sorkin's fact-based courtroom drama still engages with a timely topic, sharp dialogues with depth, wit, and humor, silky late 60s look, and terrific cast that drives the whole movie from the riveting set-up to the poignant ending.
Quick Review: It puts a fresh spin on Holmes legacy, the missing mom mystery is intriguing, the clues are fun to follow and solve, there are plenty of engaging side characters, and the period production design is absolutely exquisite, as is the warm color palette, but the movie belongs to the sweet, lively, curious, alluring and adventurous Enola, played with such passion and energy by Brown, and watching her blossoming from a country girl to a true detective in the making is a pure delight.
Quick Review: Presented as three shorts twined into one major story, but also made to work on their own, "Books of Blood" is a mixed back of an adaptation, with the first, Jenna's story being the creepiest, nastiest, and most visually slick, the second and most title-related one being too softcore, despite the gore, and too heavy on CGI, but never effective or grisly, and the last, the weakest and most forgettable one, which makes the film inconsistently put together, and sadly, hardly scary.
