Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) – Colin Trevorrow

Jurassic World: Dominion is the sixth film in the Jurassic franchise, and it seemed very intent on wrapping up lots of plot threads that ran through, or surfaced in the series. I’ve watched it twice now, and I will say this, enjoyed it much more the second go round. I will also say this. We’re…

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) – 4K

Tom Cruise returns as IMF agent Ethan Hunt in his seventh Mission: Impossible outing Dead Reckoning Part One which comes home on 4K and physical media today from Paramount Canada. It’s epic and brings in a number of story and character threads from the entire franchise and, of course, looks absolutely stunning in 4K. This…

The Pope’s Exorcist (2023) – Julius Avery

For something that claims to be based on the actual documented cases of the Chief Exorcist of the Vatican, Father Gabriele Amorth, one would expect something smarter, scarier, and perhaps not as trope-ridden as what viewers are given with The Pope’s Exorcist. The film gives us Russell Crowe as Amorth, not quite chewing scenery, but…

Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny (2023) – James Mangold

James Mangold is not Steven Spielberg. No one said he was. But stepping into a film series whose other four instalments were directed by Spielberg, comparisons will be drawn as Harrison Ford grabs his whip and fedora and settles into the iconic role of Indiana Jones one last time. There are lots of things to…

The Frighteners (1996) – Peter Jackson

Michael J. Fox takes the lead in what was Peter Jackson’s first big studio film, with Bob Zemeckis serving as executive producer. While some of the special effects have not stood the test of time, it remains a fun film, trying to walk that balance between horror and comedy. Frank Bannister (Fox) is a con…

Cliffhanger (1993) – Renny Harlin

Somehow I feel this actioner from the early 90s doesn’t get enough love. In fact I think it can honestly be looked at and said it has improved with age, while some 90s action flicks should be better left forgotten. Directed by Renny Harlin, who had two big successes already at the time, Nightmare on…

Star Trek: Enterprise (2002) – Minefield, and Dead Stop

Captain’s log: date unknown John Shiban pens this episode that first debuted on 2 October, 2002. The Enterprise triggers a cloaked mine, planted by Romulans, and it’s up to Reed (Dominic Keating) to work another one free of the hull plating. The explosion causes a number of injuries, and it all seems a bit of…

Toronto After Dark 2019: The Furies (2019) – Tony D’Aquino

Australia brings their horror game to the Toronto After Dark film festival tonight with their bloody and violent The Furies. A riff on the Final Girl trope as well as a mash-up of Battle Royale and Halloween the film is deliciously gory and excitingly paced. When Kayla (Airlie Dodds) is abducted and wakes up in…

Miami Vice (1988) – Baseballs of Death, and Indian Wars

Vice detectives Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Micheal Thomas) have more cases to investigate this week, as season four of Miami Vice continues. Written by Peter Lance, Baseballs of Death first aired on 19 February, 1988. The vice squad is investigating a series of murders, and find out their prime suspect is…

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Blu-Ray Review

Hitting blu-ray and DVD today from Disney is the latest instalment in the Skywalker Saga, The Last Jedi, director/writer Rian Johnson’s follow-up to 2015’s The Force Awakens. Johnson delivers a strong film that has proven divisive with some fans, but for yours truly, it’s up there with The Empire Strikes Back, it sends characters in…