So good. So unnerving, and truly horrifying. Sara Gran’s novella does not overstay its welcome, but boy, does it get under you skin. This ended up being an exemplary horror story that wa over too quick, but damn if it didn’t unnerve me throughout. Told from the first person narrative, we are in Amanda’s mind…
Tag: violence
TIFF ’26: Half dir. Samjad
On paper this one sounded like a complete winner to me, and perfect Midnight Madness fare for which it was programmed at TIFF. A Curry Western with vampires, sign me up! I love the sound of it, we know there’s going to be blood and violence – its action sequences were choreographed by Very Tri…
Send Help (2026) – Sam Raimi
Somehow I missed the fact that Sam Raimi directed this film. If I had known that Raimi was involved I think I would have moved this a little higher up on the list (not to mention a score by Danny Elfman as well!). Sure I was partially interested when I saw the casting of Rachel…
Dark Blue (2002) – Ron Shelton
The more I think about it, the more I come to realize that Kurt Russell is one of my favourite actors. He also seems to be someone you just want to hang out with. I didn’t watch Dark Blue when it was originally released, but I remember seeing a whole slew of them on the…
Firefly (2002) – The Message, and Heart of Gold
The Message was broadcast out of order on Fox (nice going dumbasses) after the series had already been cancelled and cut from the schedule (did I mention the dumbass part?). It aired, finally, on 28 July, 2003. It was written by Joss Whedon and Tim Minear. Minear also served as director. This is the episode…
Extreme Prejudice (1987) – Walter Hill
I remember seeing the art for this movie on a vhs copy while I was working in video stores. It never appealed to me. I should have read the pedigree. Directed by Walter Hill, a score by Jerry Goldsmith, a story created in part by John Milius, produced by Mario Kassar and Andrew Vajna, and…
The Shadow of the Gods (2021) – John Gwynne
The Shadow of the Gods, is the first book in a fantasy trilogy, collectively called The Bloodsworn Trilogy, that uses Norse mythology as it’s launching point. The gods are dead, their bones litter the landscape, trapping power within them. It is a world of magic and monsters and introduces the reader to a trio of…
Exit Strategy (2018) – Martha Wells
I love the Murderbot Diaries, I find them entertaining, fun, and funny as hell. Martha Wells has created a character and universe that I love revisiting. And with the size of the diary entries, none of the books so far have been much longer than a novella. This story circles back to check in on…
Wolfs (2024) – Jon Watts
Jon Watts wrote and directed this crime thriller with buddy overtones that shines with the banter and chemistry with its two stars, George Clooney and Brad Pitt. The two leading men play fixers who are summoned to a hotel, Margaret’s (Amy Ryan, who I always delight in seeing, she’s wonderful) Man (Clooney) is summoned by…
The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) – Tony Scott
Tony Scott updated the gritty 1974 classic, The Taking of Pelham 123 with his signature style, and introduced it to the 21st century. Featuring his signature editing, camera work and saturated colors, Pelham rockets along, resting easily on the shoulders of the film’s two leads, Denzel Washington, and John Travolta. Washington plays Walter Garber, a…
