The Lone Ranger (2013) – Gore Verbinski

Gore Verbinski is a vibrant visual director, but the casting of Armie Hammer as John Reid aka The Lone Ranger, doesn’t do the film any good, and the whitewashing of Tonto with the casting of Johnny Depp makes things worse. There are some wonderful sequences, some great images, and some fun comedic moments, as the…

Renfield (2023) – Chris McKay

Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, and Awkwafina star in Chris McKay’s bloody, hilarious, and over-the-top love letter to the supporting character of the original Dracula story, Renfield, including some wonderful homages to the original 1931 film. It’s modern-day America and Renfield (Hoult) has relocated Dracula (Cage) yet again to hide him from those who would hunt…

The Equalizer (1989) – Lullaby of Darkness, and 17 Zebra

McCall (Edward Woodward) tries to saves the lives of a young girl, Mindy (Ellen Latzen) and her mother, Rebecca (mary-Joan Negro) from her abusive father, Joseph (Stephen Lang!) and her own imagination in Lullaby of Darkness. The episode was written by Coleman Luck and originally aired on 30 March, 1989. McCall is contacted by one…

TAD 2022: Evil Eye dir. by Isaac Ezban

Spookiness abounds at Scotiabank Theatre tonight as Toronto After Dark continues. Having its Canadian premiere this evening Is the Mexican film, Evil Eye, a creepy entry that blends childhood terror with fairy tales and family. The fear of being in a big house that has memories that aren’t yours but is connected to your family,…

Fringe (2009) – Momentum Deferred, and Dream Logic

Olivia (Anna Torv) recalls more of her visit to the other side, and her encounter with William Bell (Leonard Nimoy) in Momentum Deferred. Written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, this episode first hit the airwaves on 8 October, 2009. It seems there are a number of shapeshifters stalking the world. They are known as…

Fear (2017) – Dirk Kurbjuweit

Hitting trade paperback on Canadian book shelves this week is this engrossing thriller penned by German author Dirk Kurbjuweit. A captivating tale the novel explores themes of love, family, perceptions of masculinity, and the rule of law. The novel opens with a murder. And a confession. For months Randolph Tiefenthaler and his wife, Rebecca and…

Rebecca (1940) – Alfred Hitchcock

I dive into another classic Hitchcock film that I am sad to day I had never seen until now as the recommendations from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book continue. This one walked away with two Oscars, Best Picture and Best Cinematography, and stands up beautifully. The story sees Joan Fontaine starring…