Category: Horror

“Nosferatu” (2024) written & directed by Robert Eggers; starring Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult and Bill Skarsgård / Z-View

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Nosferatu (2024)

Director:  Robert Eggers

Screenplay: Robert Eggers; based on Nosferatu by Henrik Galeen; inspired by DRACULA by Bram Stoker

Stars: Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Ralph Ineson and Willem Dafoe.

Tagline: Succumb to the darkness.

The Plot…

Thomas Hutter (Hoult) is sent to Transylvania to finalize an estate purchase with Count Orlok (Skarsgård).  Hutter is unaware that his employer is involved in the occult and that Orlok is a vampire infatuated with Hutter’s wife, Ellen (Depp).

Orlok intends to leave Transylvania for his new manor in Wisborg, Germany. In this new metropolis Orlok will be able to feed without fear of discovery.  Orlok will also take possession of Ellen.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The exteriors of Orlok’s castle are an actual Transylvanian castle.  Vlad Dracula was once imprisoned behind the castle’s walls.

Count Orlok is often surrounded by rats.  Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz (Dafoe) and Ellen (Depp) are often seen with cats.  Cats kill rats.

This is Willem Dafoe’s second movie in regard to Nosferatu.  In Shadow of the Vampire (2000) he played Max Schreck, the actor who played Nosferatu in the original film.

Eggers’ Nosferatu has the feel of a creepy old black and white film thanks to use of a computer to remove the red and yellow color spectrums.

I like the idea of keeping Orlok/Nosferatu’s appearance a mystery in ads and much of the movie.  Sadly, I was disappointed in the look of Orlok/Nosferatu when we finally see him.  The big bushy mustache makes no sense if the rest of his body is decaying.

The solution to killing Orlok is found in an ancient text.  If the method to his demise is so well known, how come Orlok isn’t aware?

Eggers’ Nosferatu is a scary character study that slowly builds tension.  Settle back and enjoy the ride.

Nosferatu (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Smile 2” (2024) written & directed by Parker Finn; starring Naomi Scott / Z-View

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Smile 2 (2024)

Director: Parker Finn

Screenplay: Parker Finn

Stars: Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Roberts Jekabsons, Sean Stolzen, Jon Rua, Christopher Bailey and Drew Barrymore.

Tagline: It’s the last thing you’ll see.

The Plot…

Skye Riley (Scott) is just days away from her comeback concert.  A year ago Skye was in a car crash that killed her boyfriend and left her badly injured.  The crash led to public knowledge that Skye was suffering from substance abuse.  The path back was long and hard.  Now Skye is clean.  Everything rides on the upcoming concert.

When Skye re-injures her back during rehearsal, she reaches out to an old friend for some painkillers.  She sneaks away to her friend’s apartment.  When Skye arrives, her friend appears to be on something.  He’s having terrible hallucinations.  Suddenly he stands and smiles at Skye.  He picks up a weight and beats himself to death.  Skye quickly leaves.  She tells no one what she witnessed.

Over the next few days Skye begins to have memory loss and horrible visions.  People around Skye worry that she’s using again.  A stranger contacts Skye and describes the episodes she’s having.  He tells her she’s been cursed…

But he has a plan that could save her.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

As Skye thumbs through her cell phone contacts the names include: Adele, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.

Naomi Scott is excellent as the famous pop star on the comeback trail.  Naomi Scott co-wrote several of Skye Riley’s songs with producer Alexis Idarose Kesselman.  A “Skye Riley” mini-album was released in conjunction with the film.

Writer/director Parker Finn comes up with an ending that I have to applaud.

Smile 2 (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Best of 2024: FILMS / BOOKS / Posts

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As we start 2025, let’s take a look at the BEST OF 2024. I hope you see something that you enjoyed or gets you interested to check out. Here we go…

Movies and Television Series

In 2024, I watched 396 movies and tv series. That number is down 13 from last year. My favorite films and limited series released in 2024 included (in alpha order):

  • American Nightmare
  • Apollo 13: Survival
  • Arnold
  • Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons
  • Carry-On, The
  • Cross: Season 1
  • Fargo: Season 5
  • From Darkness to Light
  • Greatest Night in Pop, The
  • Interview with the Vampire: Season 2
  • Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (A)
  • Mr. McMahon
  • Reacher: Season 2
  • Rebel Ridge
  • Shogun
  • Stallone Family, The Season 2
  • Sugar: Season 1

Books

In 2024, I read 46 books (up 25 from last year) My favorites from this year included (in the order I read them):

  • A Seance for Wicked King Death by Coy Hall
  • Racing the Light by Robert Crais
  • Ways of the Wolfe, The by James Carlos Blake
  • There and Back by Eric Beetner
  • The Wake-Up by Robert Ferrigno
  • The Amateurs by Marcus Sakey
  • Blood Grove by Walter Mosley
  • Scarecrow Returns by Matthew Reilly
  • The Man Who Came Uptown by George Pelecanos
  • Bright Orange for the Shroud by John D. McDonald
  • Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker

My Most Popular Posts of the Year

I continue to find some surprises in what became my most popular posts each year. Here are the top ten for 2024 and some thoughts for each…

  • 10. SYFY’s 2023/2024 Twilight Zone New Year’s Eve Marathon Schedule is Up! -– Who doesn’t love the Twilight Zone?
  • 09. Top 10 Most Iconic Horror Movie Villains – After two years in the 10th spot, it moves into 9th place.
  • 08. Dracula Through the Ages – Fell from the #3 spot last year.
  • 07. Steranko’s Concept Art for “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” – New to the list!
  • 06. Philip Marlowe – Who Played Him Best? Ranking the Actors Who Played Him! – New to the list.
  • 05. “Arcadian” starring Nicholas Cage – The Poster and Trailer are Here! – New to the list.
  • 04. Louis Meyers: Evidence He was the Zodiac Killer. – Same spot as last year (and the year before.)
  • 03. Batman – “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night” by Snoopy (Charles Schulz), Len Wein & Walt Simonson! – Came in at #3 for the first time on the list.
  • 02. New Evidence Points to Gary Francis Poste as The Zodiac Killer! – Jumped to the #2 spot in for the first appearance on the list.
  • 01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk”. – Returned to the #1 spot. It was #2 last year.

My All-Time Most Popular Posts

  • 10. Joel Osteen in Jacksonville – held on to the 10th spot for three years in a row.
  • 09. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – in the 9th spot for the last four years.
  • 08. Steve Reeves as Superman – No change.
  • 07. TOP 10 MOST ICONIC HORROR MOVIE VILLAINS! – No change.
  • 06. New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered – Moves down from 5th.
  • 05. Dracula Through the Ages – Moves up to the 5th spot.
  • 04. SYFY’s 2023/2024 TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Up! – No change.
  • 03. Zodiac Killer Code Cracked? – No change!
  • 02. Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer – No change!
  • 01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – was #1 for the last two years and continues to be our most popular post of all-time.

It’s always interesting to see which topics resonate with fans and continue to be popular long after their initial post.

“The Monster” (2016) written and directed by Bryan Bertino / Z-View

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The Monster (2016)

Director:  Bryan Bertino

Screenplay:  Bryan Bertino

Stars: Zoe Kazan, Ella Ballentine, Aaron Douglas, Christine Ebadi and Scott Speedman.

Tagline: Stay in the light.

The Plot…

A divorced mother and her young daughter are driving through remote woods one stormy evening.  When a wolf crosses their path, they wreck.  The wolf is killed.  The car axel is busted.  Stranded and alone, they call for a tow truck.

They don’t know that a monster is watching and ready for his next meal.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Monster was originally titled There Are Monsters.

I made it through the film.  Barely.  I’m giving it a two star rating for that reason, but it almost earned a 1.  As always, your mileage may vary.

The Monster (2016) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Maxxxine” (2024) written & directed by Ti West, starring Mia Goth / Z-View

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Maxxxine (2024)

Director:  Ti West

Screenplay:  Ti West

Stars: Mia Goth, Charley Rowan McCain, Simon Prast, Deborah Geffner, Elizabeth Debicki, Uli Latukefu, Moses Sumney, Ned Vaughn, Kevin Bacon, Marcus LaVoi, Sophie Thatcher and Giancarlo Esposito.

Tagline: Hollywood is a killer.

The Plot…

1985.  Video is all the rage.  Now it is easy to rent a movie and watch it in the privacy of your home.  Maxine Minx is an adult film star.  She dreams of making it in mainstream films.  Despite all odds, Maxine auditions and gets a starring role in Puritan 2.

It is also a dangerous time to be in the adult entertainment.  A serial killer who tortures and mutilates his victims is stalking women in the industry.  Shortly after two of Maxine’s friends are found dead, branded with satanic symbols, a sketchy private eye shows up.  He tells Maxine that unless she meets with his employer, the mystery man will ruin her.  Maxine sees that he knows something about her that could end her dreams.

As Maxine decides what to do, the serial killer now has her in his sights.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Maxxxine is the third in a trilogy.  The first two films are X (2022) and Pearl (2022).

Kevin Bacon owns every scene he’s in.

Maxxxine (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“From Darkness to Light” written & directed by Eric Friedler, Michael Lurie / Z-View

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Director:  Eric Friedler, Michael Lurie

Screenplay: Eric Friedler, Michael Lurie

Stars: Jerry Lewis, Mel Brooks, Martin Scorsese, Harry Shearer and Sarah Silverman.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

In 1971, producer Nat Wachsberger, approached Jerry Lewis about directing and starring in an adaption of THE DAY THE CLOWN DIED by Joan O’Brien.  Lewis knew the story of Helmut, a once famous clown now a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp.  Nazis see Helmut entertaining the children.  The Nazis then use Helmut to lead the kids to the gas chamber.  Lewis was intrigued.  It would be a fine line to walk — finding humor in a dark story and at the same time present a film that said something about the human condition.  Lewis was told he could tweak the script and would have full control of the film.

Lewis agreed.  He lost 35 pounds preparing for the role.  Lewis cleared his schedule and threw himself fully into the project.  With just a couple of weeks of filming left, Lewis learned the producer’s rights to the film ran out.  The producer couldn’t (or wouldn’t) come up with money to re-secure the movie rights. Further money to complete the film wouldn’t be coming.  Lewis reportedly paid $2 million of his own money to cover costs.

The Day the Clown Cried became a thing of legend.  Never completed. Never released.  A rough cut was seen by just a very few people.  In fact, most folks didn’t know the story behind the story… until now.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I always wondered if The Day the Clown Cried would be released.  Now I know why it wasn’t.  Lewis was questioned about the movie from 1972 to his death.  He refused to show footage and would only say he wasn’t happy with the job that he did.

In August 2015, it was reported that Jerry Lewis donated a copy of The Day the Clown Cried to the Library of Congress.  Lewis stipulated that the unfinished film not be screened until 2024.  In August 2024, a limited screening was held.

From Darkness to Light is a wonderful documentary.  With vintage interviews, footage and stills from the film, viewers are treated to answers to the many mysteries of The Day the Clown Cried.

From Darkness to Light (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane” (2007) / Z-View

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Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane (2007)

Director:  Scott Thomas

Screenplay: Scott Thomas, Mark Onspaugh, Sidney Iwanter

Stars:  David Chisum, Kristen Kerr, Kevin J. O’Connor, Richard Tyson, Todd Babcock, Derek Webster, Siena Goines, Mieko Hillman, Raymond J. Barry, Serah D’Laine, Brian Ames, Ashley Bashioum, Laura Cayouette, Dale Midkiff, Brian Thompson, Tucker Smallwood and Erick Avari.

Tagline:  If it’s in your blood, you’re just plane dead!

The Plot…

The Concorde is full of passengers flying from LA to Paris.  Also onboard in the cargo hold is an armed guard sitting by a refrigerated tank.  The scientists responsible for the experiment in the hold are topside.  These renegade researchers have created a virus that reanimates the dead.  Once revived the corpses are stronger, faster and more durable.  The idea was to create a super-soldier who could fight even after dead.  The scientists succeeded with one drawback.  Once the dead come back, they have an insatiable thirst for human blood.

What could go wrong.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane was originally titled Plane Dead.  Both aren’t bad titles considering the film.  I prefer the one they went with.

Flight of the Living Dead is a low budget fun ride that throws logic out the window (with some of the victims).  I’ve never seen so many people firing guns, setting off explosions and starting fires on a plane.  Also the air vents are large enough to easily crawl through.  Even the airplane bathroom ones.  If you’re willing to just sit back and go with the flow, Flight of the Living Dead might be for you.

Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane (2007) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (2024) directed by Tim Burton, starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe & Monica Bellucci / Z-View

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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

Director:  Tim Burton

Screenplay: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar; story by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Seth Grahame-Smith based on characters by Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson

Stars: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, Santiago Cabrera, Burn Gorman  and Danny DeVito.

Tagline: The ghost with the most is back.

The Plot…

Thirtysix years ago Betelgeuse, a vulgar, prankster ghost attempted to marry a teenager named Lydia Deetz.  Although unsuccessful, Betelgeuse hasn’t given up.  Confined to the underworld, he still has hopes to escape.

Lydia and her mother struggle to have a healthy relationship.  Lydia and her daughter, Astrid, don’t get along much better.  Astrid doesn’t believe her mom can see ghosts.

When Lydia, her mother and Astrid return to Winter River for a funeral things take a turn.  Astrid accidentally frees Betelgeuse.  Now he can finally force marriage to Lydia.  Meanwhile Betelgeuse’s first wife has “pulled herself together” and has plans for Betelgeuse (and anyone who gets in her way).  And don’t get me started on Astrid’s problems.

The juice is loose indeed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

While not as fun as the original, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is still a fun ride.  The film is best when Keaton is on screen cutting up.  Jenna Ortega is an excellent choice to play Winona Ryder’s daughter.

My favorite scene was the MacArthur Park wedding scene.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Carriers” (2009) starring Chris Pine, Piper Perabo, Lou Taylor Pucci and Emily VanCamp / Z-View

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Carriers (2009)

Director:  Àlex Pastor, David Pastor

Screenplay: Àlex Pastor, David Pastor

Stars: Chris Pine, Piper Perabo, Lou Taylor Pucci, Emily VanCamp, Kiernan Shipka, Mark Moses, Josh Berry, Tim D. Janis, Dylan Kenin and Christopher Meloni.

Tagline: The rules are simple. You break them, you die…

The Plot…

A highly contagious virus has wiped out most of the human race.  Brian, his girlfriend Bobby, along with his brother Danny and Danny’s friend Kate have joined for a trip.  They hope to make their way to a remote beach house that they know will be empty.  Once there the four plan to enjoy the beach and wait until the virus dies out.  Or a cure is found.

Getting there will be dangerous.  Breathing the air or contact with an infected person means sure death.  Uninfected  people are just as dangerous.  Food, water and gasoline is scare.

Not everyone will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I liked that Carriers had a virus that didn’t turn people into zombies.  THAT was a different angle from most movies.

Carriers was filmed in 2006, but the studio held it from release.  Then when Chris Pine hit big with Star Trek, it was released.  Pine ended up getting top billing, even though Lou Taylor Pucci’s character was the first lead.

Christopher Meloni (who plays the father of an infected child) and Mark Moses (who plays a doctor who has lost all hope) have characters/scenes that will stay with you.

I saw Carriers when it was first released and again yesterday.  I liked it better the second time.  I wanted more action on my first viewing.  The second time, I realized that Carriers should be seen as more of a psychological thriller.

Carriers (2009) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“28 Years Later” – The Second Poster and First Full Trailer is Here!

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The second poster and first trailer for 28 Years Later is here!

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland reunite for #28YearsLater – only in theatres 6.20.25.

Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle and Academy Award®-nominated writer Alex Garland reunite for 28 Years Later, a terrifying new story set in the world created by 28 Days Later. It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.

Directed by:​​ Danny Boyle​​​
​Written by:​​​​ Alex Garland​​​
Produced by: ​​​​Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, ​​​​​Bernard Bellew, Danny Boyle, Alex Garland
Executive Producer:​​​ Cillian Murphy

Cast:​ Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams and Ralph Fiennes