Kristamw

Writing Quality: Unoriginal script, but it works well. Great acting by the MC. The villain is one of those typical extremely fixated on "bad behavior" villains. That is, even though James, the villain, has a good woman, Alison, a beautiful home to live in, etc,. he chooses to hone in on anyone he deems unacceptable or in the way of his relationship with Alison. Which makes his behavior, of course, creepy and unpredictable.

Scare Factor: There are a few kill scenes in this one, and they happen suddenly. The scariest part occurs in the finale, where everything comes to a head.

Content (sex, language, & violence): A sex scene that shows just the implication of something about to happen. Mild language. Violence is swift except in the end where there is a lot of tussling between James and Alison for an amazing and captivating showdown.

Values & Themes: Sexual harassment, protecting from harm, second chances, best friends looking out for each other

Best Part: An intense satisfying ending

This isn't a horror movie in the vein of A Nightmare on Elm Street or Halloween, but in its own hybrid branding, Christmas Evil takes a look at the psyche of a forty year old man who, in two months time, finds his "calling" while simultaneously suffering a mental breakdown.

When little Harry finds out that Santa isn't real, all his hopes and dreams come crashing down. Discovering that his dad is dressed as Santa, Harry sees him fondle his mom's leg and becomes so shocked by both discoveries that he runs upstairs, breaks a snow globe, and deliberately cuts open his finger.

FLASH-FORWARD 30 something years to a Christmas factory worker who sleeps in Santa pajamas and whose home is resplendent in Christmas decorations, but it isn't until he finds out that his co-worker fooled him into taking his shift that he starts to further unravel and become Santa. Haunted by flashbacks of his parents in their intimate moment, Harry has decided that he must fulfill the role of the iconic giver in order to find purpose in his life. The "mirror scene" shows us the start of his decline and brings us in for a close look at the psychological tears that have followed him into adulthood, mental fractures that must have existed before his discovery that Santa was played by his dad since finding out that Santa isn't real doesn't by itself lend to psychotic tendencies.

Brandon Maggart plays the misguided Santa Claus so well that it's easy to believe we are truly watching a lonely and misunderstood man in his desperation to make people believe in Santa while becoming convinced that he is the man behind the beard.

Writing Quality: Unique and astounding in a multiplicity of ways. Aside from two kill scenes, the plot is laced with a middle-aged man whose tidings of joy become quickly spoiled by his own delusion and his inability to tolerate or ignore those who take the Christmas spirit seriously or who playfully tease him for donning the suit. Never mind that there are a number of people, mostly children, who adore him and appreciate him playing Saint Nick. Then there is his younger brother, Phil, who during the discovery scene when they were children, told Harry Santa was their dad. Harry blames Phil for telling him that, for not believing that Santa was real, unable to cope with life's truths. I think if we were able to see what became of his parents, how they treated him over the years,we would have a better grasp as to why Harry couldn't function well in life. We do get a few seconds of their mom sitting with them as they secretly watch Santa put presents under the tree and she is clearly excited by her husband and not so focused on the moment for her kids' sake. Perhaps Harry was never equipped with the necessary skills to cope in life. But since the writer only allows us to see that one intimate moment, it seems that Harry was always deranged and that nothing and nobody could change that.

Scare Factor: The two kill scenes happen very suddenly and are violent, though the director quickly moves on to the next moment, diving back into Harry's psyche. What is particularly eerie is the screeching scratchy synthesizer notes that punctuate Harry's descending mentality.

Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex, only the scene where the dad is caressing the mom's leg. Maybe one bad word. Aside from the two kill scenes, a man suddenly chokes another man.

Values & Themes: Desiring for others to want Christmas. Desperate to believe in something.

An interesting ending that is both surreal and supernatural while suggesting a sort of magical realism. This is quite the original movie where we are never quite sure what Harry will do next as he is easily swayed to do good or bad depending on how others treat him. A thought-provoking look at mental illness and its rapid descent into despair.

A typical obsession story containing a psychotic villain, David, with a twisted plan. The best part of this movie: Arianne Zucker (Nicole on Days Of Our Lives).

Writing Quality: OK, but the focus was on the protagonist, Suzanne, and her anger issues and stress rather than on the psycho and his plotting, which would have made for a better story. The husband needed to step up as a father and defend his wife, Suzanne, who the daughter constantly disrespected. Between the one night stand and the next day at the office, there needed to be a transition as Suzanne went from enjoying the fling to being cold and distant for no reason. Had David's questionable behavior showed up right then, she would have had a valid reason for her sudden behavior switch.

Scare Factor: The psycho assistant isn't really scary until near the end when he surprises another character by killing them and then his tactics in the finale as the truth of who he is becomes revealed. Again, seeing him behind the scenes, putting his plot points into place, would have compelled us more into the story.

Content (sex, language, & violence): There is a long scene with a couple engaging in a sexual rendezvous that is erotic, though no nudity. Mild language. One scene of quick brutal shocking violence. The end scene contains violence that is moderate.

Values & Themes: The wife is desperate to be believed (about David's instability) and to bond with her family. A married couple getting help for his past indiscretions. A mom protecting her daughter from making bad choices in boys.

A decent script that could have benefited from seeing the killer assistant stalking, watching, video taping, etc, instead of discovering it all in hindsight later.

Writing Quality: Good and solid with Whitney, a psychotic teen who can't control her impulses and allows her inherited and learned self-entitlement to determine her own fate as well as those who are "less deserving". The acting is well done. Especially engaging is Whitney's home life where we learn that she comes from a long line of mentally disturbed, greedy women.

Scare Factor: Whitney, the MC, is very obsessed about winning at everything. Her mental imbalance shows up in in deranged and cruel ways in her plotting against anyone who gets in her way. Her maniacal laugh will rattle you as much as her self-entitlement that pours from her veins as her insanity drops into full plummet, her selfish motives fully encouraged and pushed by her own mother and grandmother, who are equally disturbed.

Content (sex, language, & violence): There is a sex scene between two adults though no nudity and the scene is cut short and shown at a distance. There is also a quick reveal of a woman in lingerie. A couple instances of bit**. Violence is localized and minimal, with one instance of a character stabbing another with a syringe, a character throwing her head into her fists, and scenes where a character smashes things and throws things in a verbal rage.

Values & Themes: Getting to the truth. Protecting one's child.

A horror/thriller mystery that follows a formula that works and works it well!

Writing Quality: Superb. A good tight story that keeps rolling--no dull moments. Awesome inviting interaction between the group of friends. This story has a bit more mystery than most scary movies, so be prepared for a surprising reveal later on. Though similar in plot to Wish Upon, Polaroid does it one better by giving us a main character that is very likeable (instead of foolish or wishy-washy). She cares about her friends and is committed to solving the puzzle as to why people die after their picture is taken.

Scare Factor: The film has a couple of jump scares, but it relies more heavily on chilling you with a solid musical score and deepening suspense. The image of the shadow man is spooky and the deaths are executed quickly and mostly off screen, so no gore here (which I appreciate).

Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex, mostly mild language with 2-3 instances of s*** and one f*** you, violence is short-lived and mild.

Values & Themes: Friends looking out for each other, getting to the truth, doing what is right

A good thriller with exciting plot points, creative effects, and a great cast!

Writing Quality: Very mysterious and serious. This is a well-written script with a dark psychological edge. Characters are fascinating, especially "Candyman", a dark menacing presence that unsettles your stomach. Scare Factor: Most of the film focuses on grad student Helen and her partner Bernadette on their mission to uncover the truth behind the legend of Candyman to complete their thesis. But there are a few sudden jump scares that rip your heart out of its nice resting place. Content (sex, language & violence): No sex, but we see Helen's breast (a non-sexual side shot) and a girl's nipples through her shirt. A few curse words uttered, but hardly noticeable. Violence is swift and at times gory, though the gore is shown in the aftermath and the actual kills are heard rather than seen, but still quite violent in nature and terrifying. Values & Themes: Seeking truth and earnest pursuit of validating research. Vengeance is a heavy theme.

Dr. Jill, a psychologist radio personality, wrestles with guilt when one of her listeners, after receiving her advice to "end this pathetic life" of allowing a man to cheat on her, takes it as a message to end her life instead and proceeds to kill herself on air. With suicide being a fashion trend or an issue that is glorified these days, I thought it timely for Lifetime to create a premise such as this one. Writing Quality: Good original story line with incredible twisty turns. A year later and we are faced with these questions: Did the girl actually kill herself? Is she the one leaving threats? Or is someone else behind them? The pool of suspects is large and figuring out who the culprit is proves impossible because the plot is so intricately woven with plenty of red herrings and plausible reasons for everyone in Dr. Jill's circle. Scare Factor: Not too scary, more of a psychological mystery. Threatening messages are the scariest part of the film as we know that they are all leading to a climactic moment. Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex or language. One act of violence is shown on-screen and a bit frightening. Another act of violence zooms in on only a character's reaction to it, a look of shock, and then the body falls to the ground. Overall, mild violence. Values & Themes: Regret over bad choices/the desire to better one's self. Taking responsibility for someone's suicide, even though the person is not at fault. Ending: Very good, but too suddenly ends. Acting: Superb. Georgina Haig as the MC is larger than life, deserving to be on the big silver screen.

The nature of this "psycho" feature is pretty decent. A lonely overachiever feels entitled to earn entrance to a college but fails to get accepted. Somehow, she learns that another girl from her school did get in, and from there, she plots her revenge. Writing Quality: The story is strong, though it would have made sense to show the villain, Nikki, interacting with Lacey at high school so that we could better appreciate the tension between them. Nikki only has her father and we learn how she's apparently a "disappointment" to him because she doesn't get accepted into the college. This aspect comes full circle at the end, but I thought the writers could have played more with this idea and how it interlinks with Nikki's nature. I'm not sure if it was the actors or the director, but all of the stars played their roles with such gravity and monotony. The mom, for instance, displays the same expression for everything, like she would in a soap opera role (apparently she's on The Young & The Restless). But hers and Nikki's flat-faced expressions don't work here. Too bad, because the story is pretty good. Scare factor: Nikki hurts herself in the beginning in a shocking way. Probably what is most scary is how unhinged she is and we are just waiting for all of her deception to culminate into a final vengeful act. Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex or language. Violence is startling but not graphic. Values & Themes: Protecting a family member. Again, the script was well written, but the acting was subpar.

A very well done Lifetime suspense with one of those believable young psychos who is out for revenge. Writing Quality: A plot that drives along at just the right pace with an adopted 20-year-old who comes looking for her biological mom. Bree is not as sweet as she seems, of course, but her real intentions aren't realized until much later. The plot isn't terribly new by any means, but it does hold its own with stellar performances by all the main characters. My two pet peeves: Bree and Jessica look cookie cutter that I honestly thought I'd seen them in other films (I hadn't) and the two cops are cocky irritating smugs (smugs isn't a word, but it should be). Scare Factor: Bree is swift at being menacing and wastes no time in either threatening others or killing those who get in her way. The kills are creative but all that is shown are her quick reflexes as she utilizes her weapons of choice. Bree is good at coming across as a nice devoted daughter and sister, so it is easy for her to get away with things. . .at least, for a while. Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex. Very mild language. Violence shown with the focus on Bree swinging a weapon of some kind, but more so when she physically bullies two different girls--she's so good with these attacks that she must have professional experience in self-defense. Values & Themes: Mom accepting the daughter her parents made her give up for adoption. Two new sisters forming a close bond. This was a pretty good movie that keeps you engaged throughout and has a satisfying ending.

The Warren's ten-year-old daughter, Judy, has no friends because they know all about her paranormal investigating parents and the evil artifacts they keep locked safely in the basement (to protect society). While babysitting Judy, teen Mary Ellen invites her friend Daniela over to celebrate Judy's birthday. Daniela turns out to be one of those nosy teens whose curiosity about the afterlife leads her to literally unlock the evil in the basement. Writing Quality: Good, though a lot of the common tropes are used. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but because the producers are so used to these films, it seems that they gloss over the special effects when they should zoom in and linger a bit longer to give it that more frightening feel. At first, Daniela's actions are annoying; of course, if you open the door to trouble, it will find you, as it does here. But it's her need to find peace with her dad (he died in a car accident and she was driving so she feels responsible for his death) that allows you a little bit of empathy. Just a little. The focus expands from just the Annabelle doll to a plethora of other demon-possessed artifacts, so it feels a little out there as we dive into other universes with new "villains", making this film feel a bit different than its predecessors. Scare Factor: It is a scary movie with a couple of places that might startle you, but because so many of the same tropes are used, most of them don't scare. What I found really odd is that we only see "Bee" for a few seconds. Because she possesses the doll, one would think she would be shown more, like in "Creation". Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex. Mild language, if any. Violence occurs when someone pushes a knife into someone and when a girl is tossed to the wall. Values & Themes: Containing evil, protecting loved ones, befriending loners. I do wish that Ed and Lorraine were shown more; we get to see them only in the opening scene and then at the very end.

A well done story that is both realistic and exciting all the way through. Writing Quality: Strong. The script focuses on the wavering bond between a daughter and her father that is quickly strengthened and secured in this tense action thriller. Both dialogue and action are realistic given the dangerous circumstances. Instead of resorting to frozen fear, the two main characters use wisdom and quick reflexes to survive. Scare Factor: The whole premise is frightening and mostly realistic: a local hurricane that plummets a Florida town into a rising flooding zone and alligators that get washed away from their nearby farm. father & daughter must think fast as the water levels rapidly submerge their home and a swarm of alligators look for their next meal. There are a few places where you will jump. Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex, a few instances of harder curse words, but not for shock value, and violence is a bit intense though mostly quick from alligator attacks and people defending themselves against them. A few shots of graphic bloody wounds. Values & Themes: Survival. Looking out for others first. Close father/daughter bond. Bonus#1: There are some really cool slow closeups of the alligators. Bonus #2: A HEA ending.

A very exciting thriller with great acting by the main characters. Lori, the jilted almost-bride, is crazy; Hannah Barefoot plays the role perfectly. There is nothing more you want to do than warn the newly engaged couple, Ian and Miya, to watch their backs!

Writing Quality: Pretty solid. Definitely engaging throughout. Scare Factor: Not so much as the film focuses on the disturbing psyche of the villain rather than jump scares. There is one moment that really surprised me, when Ian and Lori are talking in her house--totally unexpected! Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex. Mild violence--more threatening like behavior than actual physical violence. Values & Themes: Relationship trust & commitment. Getting to the bottom of the truth. The penultimate scene is creatively chaotic. The ending is very happy, which I appreciate.

No cookie-cutter acting here. The actors breathe real life into their roles and leave you with a convincing and believable thriller. Quality of Writing: Good strong story line with engaging characters and a believable plot. The mom is amazingly patient with her daughter when she stops listening to reason and surfs on her emotions instead. An early scene is sad, but thankfully there's a satisfactory closure to it later on. Scare Factor: The opening hook is scary as a man grabs a young woman and she screams. A man is physically and verbally threatening to women. David Fumero, who plays the villain, performs his role quite effectively; he leers, he whispers invasively--his mere presence is threatening. Content (sex, language & violence): No sex, though one scene shows a man's unbuttoned shirt; the daughter stays out late, so an intimate relationship is suggested. No language. Moderate violence in opening and ending scenes as well as a few scenes throughout. Values & Themes: Mom & Daughter relationship is solidly developed. If you are a mother, you will especially appreciate this dynamic and how very real their closeness and then later tension is. Themes: Looking out for a child's well-being, protecting the family, compassion for the loss of someone. One of the better Lifetime thrillers with a mom & daughter team you root for and an incredible twist that proves to be both logical and credible.

So, another good story line, though quite predictable. Quality of Writing: Generic writing, though a good plot that works well. Just would have been nice to see better acting ("Jack" plays his role quite convincingly, but Molly isn't very intriguing to watch). Scare factor: "Jack" is at first overwhelming with his pushy display of affection and omnipresence, then he turns controlling and threatening, which is first done through a physical distance and then becomes more intense when he is physically present. Content (sex, language & violence): No sex shown, but MC is seen in her underwear and bra several times (mostly to show a scar). No language. Violence is mild and physically shown only in one instant at the end. Values: Seeking truth, friendship, friends looking out for each other, using good judgment The main character is okay as an actress, but she didn't bring much to the role, especially for someone who's in danger and whose life is being taken over; she remains too meek and non-reactive. The supporting cast was more exciting to watch.

This is a good script. The casting job, on the other hand, wasn't so good. The actress for the main role (Katie) didn't seem to fit the part well. In fact, I think she would have played the villain more effectively. The woman playing the villain (Katie) doesn't act unhinged, not even when no one else is looking. And the actor playing Nick seems shifty. Writing Quality: Pretty decent for the most part. I was a bit confused by Nick at times; he seemed suspicious. At one point, he addresses Jess a little too cheerfully about an awful event and then later secretly talks to Katie as though they are conspiring. I think it was both the writer's fault and the actors' fault that Katie didn't seem obsessive with her best friend like she was supposed to. I will say that near the end there is a twist that is totally unexpected, a twist that is very well done. Scare factor: The death scenes, the impending danger when Katie and Nick are together (somebody snooping on them) is a bit edgy. Content (sex, language & violence): No sex, mild language (if at all). Violence is moderate with the death scenes. Values: The search for truth and desire for loyalty. So, an engaging plot that would have benefited from more suitable actors.

A psychological thrilling mystery that has your heart pounding and your brain guessing at every second. Writing Quality: Very good. This is a well put-together plot that advances slowly and thoughtfully at first with parallel time lines. There is no figuring out the mystery in this one as Uncle Jack does everything he can, after praying to God for a second chance (to save his niece and her family from being murdered). Scare factor: A few moments catch you off guard with the popping sounds of guns. Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex, 4 uses of language, extreme violence at the end. The film speeds up (your adrenaline) in its final showdown. Values: Heavy on the unity of family. The quest for truth. The story is quite intricate, and in the end, you won't be able to keep your pulse rate down.

Far better than the first non-sequel, this one "dives" right into the Mayan caves, holding nothing back. There's a lot more at stake too with four girls as main characters instead of just two as in the first film. Plus, the stakes are raised with not only a lurking great white to contend with, but a handful of natural disasters. The girls must remain calm while fighting against unknown waters; not an easy feat in this dangerous underwater venture. Writing Quality: Good and engaging. The camaraderie among the friends works well as they explore an ancient temple. The plot is filled with unexpected turns, literally, with events rapidly culminating into an intensified situation. Scare factor: A few jump scares throughout. I screamed, my eyes cowered. It was great! The death scenes were non-gory and nicely captured with stunning cinematography; at one point, you see the reflection of blood as a red glow in the ruins--visually captivating. The great white is terrifying. The director rewards us with many close-up shots of its massive face and eerie albino eyes. One of the more effective moves, though, are the shots where we see the shark silently drifting behind its next victim. . .and when you think the shark is done surprising you, think again. Content (sex, language & violence): No sex. No language (but some girls flip off another girl). Violence occurs when the shark thrusts its body through the water unexpectedly and takes its victims. Values: The dueling sisters learn to be there for one another. Friendship and family bonds are highly prized. As a bonus, we could feel the vibrations of the sound effects through our seats!

The remake of the '94 A Friend To Die For with Tori Spelling is not as engaging as the original truth-based story.

Aubrey Peeples (Bridget Moretti) plays the starring role, but she brings very little convincing to the part. Kellie Martin played the villain in the original and played the part far better (interestingly, she plays the agent in this one). In this remake, Peeples looks like she's wearing a wig and she displays all the wrong emotions, like she's trying too hard to get them right, and not in a good way. The other actors are okay. And the updated version is voiced over by Nina, another student, bringing in another angle. Writing Quality: This version goes a bit more in depth about the real life tragedy and adds layers to the original. The writing is pretty solid. Scare Factor: When Bridget stabs Kelly Locke out of jealousy and ends up killing her. It's a sudden act of madness. Content (sex, language & violence): No sex. Some language. One act of violence. Values: The small town works together to uncover the villain. The cheerleaders are a tightly knit group. It takes months for Bridget to finally confess to the murder. Too concerned with what people will think of her and the humiliation she will face, she kept the deadly secret to herself up to that point. The whole story is such a terrible tragedy and all because Bridget envied Kelly's life and looks, even though Kelly's life was far from perfect. But jealous people never appreciate their own lives. Jealous people think other people are better than them and aspire to be like them. Jealous people think others are perfect. Jealous people are dangerous.

The movie starts off with a good premise. A newly widowed woman and her family is put in danger when they are held hostage over her late husband's secret that none of them know anything about. Unfortunately, two factors ruined the movie: bad acting and a cynical ending. Writing Quality: The plot is actually decent with the family's lives becoming more endangered as the two masked men are convinced they must know something about Brenda's late husband's secret. There are a couple of slow motion shots that are well executed. The voices of the two villains come off as deep and mechanical, sending out a chilling vibe. The setting of the home is absolutely gorgeous and visually pleasing. But the acting by Tasha Smith (Brenda) is atrocious. First, just after her husband dies, she shows no sadness or much emotion and instead consoles her friend, her husband's work partner, who is shedding many tears of sorrow. Smith proved her acting prowess in Why Did I Get Married and Daddy's Little Girls, but here she barely shows any reaction to her situation. It's awful. And RonReaco Lee's (Cain) acting is just as stale. Scare factor: The masked men's voices give you goosebumps. There are several situations where the family's lives are at stake. Content (sex, language & violence): Brenda is seen standing in bra and panties for no particular reason. Some language. Lots of violence. Values: None really. The ending could have saved this movie. Instead, it plunges it into a dark cynical and vengeful hole.

**A few spoilers lie ahead This is a predictable film that lovingly embraces all the Lifetimeesque tropes, but in an honoring way. Brenda Song (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody) plays Jennifer, a sweet young woman who is pursued by a knife-wielding mad man and then is "saved" when a car hits her instead. Unfortunately, she wakes up in the hospital with amnesia. This works against her when a nice young man claims to be her husband, producing family photos and the knowledge of her back tattoo. Too bad that's enough for the hospital to let her go home with him. It isn't long before we question who this man really is. Writing Quality: As I said before, the plot is a bit predictable. Netflix isn't trying to break any new ground here. But that doesn't mean the film is not enjoyable. Brenda Song and Mike Vogel (Lee Strobel in The Case for Christ) are both excellent and intriguing actors; they certainly play their parts in a way that draws us into this chilling nightmare. There are a few things, however, that aren't answered: who is the mysterious guy in the leather jacket who brings flowers to Jennifer in the hospital? How does "Russell" (Vogel) know about Jennifer's back tattoo? And, whose house are they living in? Scare Factor: Not too frightening. What Russell does to Jennifer, of course, is horrific, pretending to be her husband and then making it nearly impossible for her to escape the house. Content (sex, language, & violence): A flashback scene is shown twice where we see Jennifer's face only as it's implied that her husband is pleasuring her. Minimal language. Some violence when Russell kills or attempts to kill people. Values: Dennis Haysbert (your favorite Allstate guy) plays a likeable detective. Because his daughter went missing years ago and was never found, he does everything he can to get to the truth of who Jennifer is and to find her and protect her, as "Russell" gave him and the hospital false contact information. So, an easy-to-watch thriller with just enough mystery to keep you entertained throughout, and it even ends on a positive note.

Wow! A superb scary movie that tastes a bit like Misery, but with its own special flavor. Writing Quality: Excellent. Though not entirely original, the script keeps you enthralled throughout. Sharon is the protective mother who instantly despises her daughter Amber's future mother-in-law, Jill, because they share a carefree close relationship that makes Sharon feel threatened. At times, Sharon's insecurity is understandable: Amber and Jill have been planning the wedding together, without Sharon's input. Jill loves Amber like the daughter she never had, and she definitely robs Sharon of the whole wedding arrangements (she selects the menu, buys Amber's wedding dress, etc,.). Unfortunately, nobody realizes how much this sets Sharon off as she tries to remain composed and stiffly polite. There is such a great casting choice here too with the two moms; they complement each other in their very diverse physiques and levels of self-confidence. Jill is slim, beautiful, and sophisticated while Sharon is frumpy, bland, and serious. Scare Factor: Sharon is a fright. You can't be sure what evil she will brew next as she devises clever plans for Jill. If you remember Annie from Stephen King's Misery, you will have a good idea of this kind of insane. Content (sex, language & violence): No sex or language. Some violence. Values: Jill's art partner tries to protect her, recognizing later on that something is amiss about Sharon. Such a good scary movie with excellent acting that takes you into the crazy corners of a psycho's mind.

A great family story that pulls in all elements of humanity and insanity at their best. The acting in this film is some of the best I have ever seen; that goes for Haylie Duff, who plays the MC, Jen, Jacy King (her insane sister, Cassie) and Grace Van Dien (the twins). I honestly thought the twins were real life twins, and it wasn't until I looked at the credits that I discovered otherwise; that's how well the director filmed the scenes and how well Dien was able to balance both roles--just, wow!

Writing Quality: Stellar. A gripping story with slow suspense builds because you never know what the evil twin is about to do. The things she does are so personal and deathly that you are in for one surprise after the next; most of these are not trite death attempts, nothing you've seen in similar films. Scare Factor: Two things are scary here: Cassie, Jen's (Haylie Duff) psychotic sister, who verbally and physically lashes out at Jen for no reason other than she's insanely jealous of her sister and has been their entire lives. She lunges, roars, and laughs insanely, and it's all so scary that you wonder how Jen put up with this madness for so long. And then there's the "bad twin", who lurks around every corner of Jen's life, plotting the next way to hurt her. Content (sex, language & violence): No sex. No language. Violence is shown only with Cassie lashing out. Values: There are many. Preserving a family unit. Doing good. Trying to help someone turn from their evil ways and do good. Loving and forgiving even those who have wronged you your whole life. This film shows how deeply evil can run through a family, but also how we have choices and can make good ones, as the good twin does. And it also shows that no matter how nice you are to someone evil, how very giving and sacrificial you are, that person will defiantly remain evil.

SPOILERS ABOUND After not watching the original Child's Play for thirty years and then recently finding a new appreciation for it, I was interested in giving this reboot a try. I wish I hadn't. The movie takes the idea of a murderous doll in a whole new direction. This "Chucky" is not possessed by a serial killer, but has been deprogrammed by a disgruntled employee. This means that the doll has no inhibitions. So when Andy's mom essentially steals the doll, Andy believes he has found a reliable 'friend'. Wanting to name him Han Solo (an insulting humorous wink to Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker, as Hamill voices Chucky), he insists that he hears himself named "Chucky". The first part of the film focuses on Andy and Chucky becoming friends, with Andy continuing to ask, "Are we having fun now?" it is clear that the doll is childlike, learning about the world and trying to understand it. Unfortunately, he responds in gruesome ways. For instance, when Andy complains about his vicious cat, he soon finds Chucky trying to choke the cat. It seems that Chucky gets the message fast, but then he watches Andy and his friends laughing as they watch a sick scene from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. (Let me pause here: I refuse to watch these films because of their basis on a real-life disturbing situation; there is no entertainment value to these, only a sick descent into evil that should never be shown, much less glorified). At this point, I was feeling queasy and upset because I never wanted to be exposed to that franchise. So then, Chucky sees them enjoying the film and decides to stab Andy, adding that he thought he would find it funny. Clearly, the writers are sending this idea of a nature vs. nurture message, where we mimic what we see and must be guided. Once again, Andy makes it very clear that such actions are in no way okay. Again, it appears that Chucky understands. But then the movie quickly accelerates into a sick bloody mess. Chucky is no longer naive, he is brutal with murderous intentions to kill everyone associated with Andy because nobody should be his friend, but him. Now he has no excuse for the brutality he sheds as he is very well aware of right from wrong and has decided (pun intended) to join the dark side.

Writing Quality: Lame. There is no plot here and poor Andy has practically no role models. We don't have a clue where his father went and his mom is too busy enjoying her boyfriend to see how bad he is to Andy. He is deaf in one ear, but we don't get any explanation for it. Also, they don't use his deafness, which would have been perfect in a film like this; a scary scene where he has trouble hearing Chucky, where the audience is also deaf--now that would have been cool. Instead, the writers, outside of the moral message and destroying Chucky at the end, dive into a disturbing overly graphic bloody kill spree. We see almost every kill in great detail and realism. Scare Factor: The scene in the car with the cop's mom is nicely staged with lots of tension. it's unclear when Chucky will pop up, though we hear him chanting. Hamill does do a good job sounding spooky as he sing-songs his way through the action. Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex, but one scene where Andy walks in on his mom heavily making out with her boyfriend. Another scene shows the maintenance guy looking lasciviously as he watched Andy's mom take off her bra (we only see her back). Tons of language, mostly by Andy and other teens, presumably because they live in the ghetto and have picked up on bad habits. Horrifying violence numerous times throughout the movie. A maintenance man is hanging onto a pipe that Chucky keeps increasing its heat; the man is also dangling over a whirring table saw. The man's hands become so hot that he loses his grip and is chopped into pieces on the saw. Andy's mom's boyfriend is on a ladder as he manages a strand of Christmas lights when Chucky shakes the ladder, causing him to fall where we see a closeup of his ankles break and then his face is fed into a roto tiller with tons of blood spewing. These, along with the Texas Chainsaw scenes, are the most gruesome and sick kills. Values: A son protecting his mom and friends and taking responsibility for not stopping Chucky after he first choked the cat (he later kills the cat) and then his mom's boyfriend. He becomes a willing martyr to keep everyone safe. A cop also uses himself as a human shield. The idea that we mimic what we see is evident, but so is the reminder that we all make choices and can choose to do good, as everyone does, instead of bad, like Chucky. Gabe Bateman (Andy) performs his role well. When he crys, be it in shock, agony, or remorse, we empathize. The cop and his mom are endearing characters as well and they add a bit of reprieve from the gore. Hamill's voice is unnerving, which works here. But overall, a disturbing movie whose entertainment value and endearing qualities diminishes due to the unnecessarily realistic and excessively bloody violence that ensues.

When I saw the first Child's Play, I was just a kid, and I absolutely HATED it. It terrified me. That was over 30 years ago. I refused to rewatch it, until a few months ago. I was surprised by how much it didn't freak me out. In fact, I was impressed with how well it was put together. So, I watched the second one a little later. And tonight, the third. Like the first two, this sequel holds a lot of promise. It's fun, crazy, and the action progresses before you can blink. The actor playing Andy this time around seems like he could be a double for the original actor. Great casting there. And "Chucky" is as wacko fun as ever. Writing Quality: An interesting setting--a military academy, where Andy presides, and where Charles Lee begins his hunt to re-enter Andy's body by using the naive Tyler to get to him. The atmosphere actually works well for the dysfunctional Chucky and his games, with a plethora of characters that add flavor to each pivoting plot point. Scare Factor: There is one scene that made me scream. Can you guess what it is? Otherwise, Chucky isn't really scary as much as he is just plain insane. Content (sex, language & violence): No sex or nudity. One kiss and a shot of a ""Playpen" bikini model. A crude crotch gesture. A bunch of language, primarily from Chucky (that's his style). Lots of kill violence. Values: Looking out for others.

I first saw this in 1988, but all I remember was a clown face popping up in a window or something, and the movie leaving me with a strange impression. So, Vudu has it on for free right now, and I thought, "Why not?", wondering how strange it could get. Well, it does a good job at being stranger. . .and stranger. . ., but this is no "Stranger Things" type of strange. This is just weird strange. So, there are killer aliens in the form of "Klowns" that come to destroy everybody in this small town. Debbie (Weird Science) and Mike (New Years Evil) , a young couple, find themselves caught up in this wacko mystery as they try to get help from the police and from anyone who will listen. Of course, when you tell someone that scary-looking clowns are killing people with laser guns and cocooning them in cotton candy, who's gonna believe you? Writing Quality: But even though the "klowns" are bizarre, like shooting popcorn out of guns (the popcorn turns into a scary surprise later), making impossible shadow puppets, and offing people with acid-filled pies, the script actually has decent dialogue and two good lead actors. You even get the Dean from Animal House playing the sheriff. Scare Factor: So, the movie is a comedy horror sci fi parody (yep, that's right). It's not really scary; maybe you'll jump when Debbie opens the laundry basket, but the real scare comes from how eerie the klowns look with faces that don't seem painted on, wicked yellow teeth, and a vocabulary of electronic grunts. I must say, the makeup artist did an amazing, although creepy, job. Content (sex, language & violence): No sex. Minimal language. Some violence with one man's head getting punched into the air (obviously for comic effect) and weird klown guns, but nothing too serious. Values: Preserving people's lives; looking out for others.