Elba, solid lion action help ‘Beast’ roar along
Movie review: This South African animal-attack thriller is driven by a familiar but intense tale of a dad and his two daughters in peril.
Elba, solid lion action help ‘Beast’ roar along
‘Jeepers Creepers 2’ (2003) more, yet somehow less, of same
Frightening Friday (Movie review): After the 2001 film about the flying Creeper was a slick B-horror hit, this similar sequel got cranked out.
‘Red Water’ (2003) serves up sweaty shark fun on the bayou
Toothy Tuesday (Movie review): At least the premise is somewhat fresh for this genre: Oil drillers and drug runners take on a river shark.
‘Murder on the Orient Express’ (1934) a stone-cold classic
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Poirot is in his element like never before or since in this staple of Christie’s oeuvre.
‘Orphan: First Kill’ silly where ‘Orphan’ (2009) is creepy
Movie reviews: The prequel to “Orphan” asks the audience to accept a major “Just Go With It” scenario, and I couldn’t go with it.
‘Meg’ (2018) combines Vernean adventure, Jason Statham
Toothy Tuesday (Movie review): More of a special effects feast than serious science fiction, “The Meg” at least delivers on its promise of spectacle.
‘Third Girl’ (1966) an old-fashioned take on modern times
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Christie (along with Poirot) reluctantly acknowledges that it’s the Sixties, man, in this suspect-loaded mystery.
Mainstream ‘Last House on the Left’ (2009) still harrowing
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Although it lacks low-budget grit, the remake faithfully reproduces the original’s shocking human immorality.
‘Better Call Saul’s’ ending is more gray than great
TV review: The sixth and final season is frontloaded with thrilling episodes, but it ends in anticlimactic fashion.
‘Open Water’ (2004) might be too realistic for some
Toothy Tuesday (Movie review): Chris Kentis’ film ranks as a classic of shark horror, but for entirely different reasons from “Jaws.”