Nightmare Alley (***1/2) Life is a Carnival
There are no surprises. Just misery in waiting.
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark (***1/2) hits its target
“The two I was with enjoyed it with no amount of cynicism someone older might acquire with a larger history of horror films. If they weren’t exactly scared, they were creeped out. There are a few jump scares, a few inevitable stalkings, an exorcism and and other things that go bump in the night. None of these are overdone, and it makes each more effective. “
Adams and Jefferson on Pan’s Labyrinth
Two old friends dissect the best del Toro film and discuss the career of the great modern master.
The Shape of Water (****1/2) holds you completely
If you like Del Toro, this is the best work he’s created since Pan’s Labyrinth. It’s regrettable that he’s not received more resources to create with, but seeing what he’s done here with such seemingly limited funds, I really don’t know if it matters. He just needs to bring more of his universe to ours.
Crimson Peak (**1/2): Feeding on Butterflies
Crimson Peak – 2015 Director Guillermo Del Toro Starring Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam, Jim Beaver Screenplay Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins, Lucinda Coxson Full disclosure: I am a fan of Del Toro. I […]
The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies (***1/2) – So it ends…
The Hobbit – The Battle of Five Armies Director Peter Jackson Starring Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, Orlando […]
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Opportunity Lost and Exhausted
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – 2013 Director Peter Jackson Starring Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, Orlando Bloom, Aidan Turner Screenplay by Fran Walsh, Phillippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, […]
Pacific Rim: Where do you want to die?
Pacific Rim – 2013 Director Guillermo Del Toro Starring Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Robert Kazinsky, Max Martini, Ron Perlman Screenplay Del Toro and Travis Beacham Once Guillermo Del Toro decided to forego The Hobbit […]
Puss in Boots rises well above the tired Shrek dreck
Puss In Boots – 2011 Directed by Chris Miller Starring the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, Amy Sedaris, Zeus Mendoza, Constance Marie, Guillermo Del Toro, Bob […]
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is very nearly a classic
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark – 2011 Directed by Troy Nixey Starring Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Bailee Madison, Jack Thompson Written by Guillermo Del Toro, Matthew Robbins based on the […]
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 