Predators (2025)

 

'Predators' is not to be confused with the Sci Fi/horror franchise (I'm looking forward to viewing the latest release 'Predator: Badlands') , no this is a whole different ball game. Based on the US hit show from the early 2000's 'To Catch A Predator', where controversially honey traps were set to catch pedophiles using actress's. Initially you have no pity for the hideous crimes these Men plan, but beneath the surface it's the Familys destroyed by the outing of the guilty, like a Victorian freak surface where the guilty are paraded for entertainment. It's a tough watch, the guilty need punishing but serious help, when interviewed many of them have no idea why they wanted to go through with a crime so hideous as what they planned.

"This is a law enforcement business, not show business"

4/5

Nuremberg (2025)

 

Nuremberg is a stark, absorbing historical drama elevated by a commanding ensemble cast, with Russell Crowe delivering a chilling performance as Hermann Goring. Despite its lengthy runtime, the film never drifts; instead, it methodically reconstructs the prosecution’s case and the unimaginable atrocities inflicted on Jewish people during the Holocaust. The inclusion of real archival footage adds a sobering authenticity, reminding viewers that the horror depicted is not cinematic invention but documented reality. Nuremberg succeeds as both a courtroom drama and a vital history lesson, maintaining its intensity and purpose from start to finish.

4.5/5

Ten Movies to watch out for in the next few months.....

 

Here's ten movies on my hit list for the coming few weeks/months..

*The Housemaid  (already out)

* Soulm8te  (9/1/26)

* Mercy (23/1/26)

* Return To Silent Hill (23/1/26)

* Primate (30/1/26)

* Shelter (30/1/26)

* Send Help (6/2/26)

* Cold Storage 6/2/26)

* The Bride! (6/3/26)

* Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come (10/4/26)

Krampus (2015)

 I hadn’t watched this in years, but I always remembered it being a belter — and bloody hell, it still delivers. The opening third plays like a full‑on National Lampoon Christmas meltdown, all chaotic family nonsense and sharp comedy, before the film slams into gear: an unknown creature, an army of evil little bastards, and that grim, dark‑fairy‑tale European horror vibe I’d totally forgotten about.

Visually and sonically it’s a treat from the off (crank up the goggle box for this one). The families are great fun ,equal parts wholesome and redneck‑repellent and David Koechner is, as ever, a comedy legend. “I just got my ass kicked by a bunch of Christmas cookies” still cracks me up.

When things go wild, it has that glorious Gremlins‑style chaos: gingerbread men shrieking and firing nail guns like deranged sugar‑coated psychopaths, practical effects that look fantastic, and then… "the elves. Oh, shi........." 

Utter madness and an absolute Christmas horror classic.

(And........... shussh...a cool fun ending)

4.5/5

Christmas Horror!

 

You really can't beat a good Christmas horror flick, fuck 'Its A Wonderful Life' give me 'A Wonderful Knife', here's 10 more belters to upset the Family and kiddywinks!

*Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)

*Better Watch Out (2017)

*Gremlins (1984)

*Terrifier 3 (2024)

*Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022)

*Krampus (2015)

*Violent Night (2022)

*Christmas Evil (1980)

*Silent Night (2021)

*Silent Night (2023)

 (same title, two very different movies!)

Click on the hyper links for more info "you filthy animals......"

The House That Jack Built (2018)

 

The House That Jack Built flirts with being a genuinely gripping serial‑killer horror, and at times you can see the sharper, nastier film it might have been. The park shooting scene in particular is nasty and brutal,  showing Lars von Trier can still craft real dread when he wants to. But the movie quickly sinks into the director’s trademark pretension, weighed down by rambling philosophical detours and sequences that are utter nonsense and will have you staring at the screen thinking "what the fuck?". What could have been a lean, vicious thriller with a great performance from Matt Dillon, is stretched into an overlong, self‑indulgent slog. Trimmed by 45 minutes, it might have delivered the brutal, unsettling horror it promises.

2/5

The Roses (2025)

 

This new release is a remake unless you didn't know of the classic late 80's comedy "War Of The Roses" starring the brilliant Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, this time we get the 'same' scenario of a marriage breakdown featuring the equally talented Benedict Cumberbatch and the awesome Olivia Coleman, who I've loved especially in comedy since her early days in the awesome "sit-com" 'Peep Show', so how does it bare up, I mean this one just seemed to pop up out of nowhere...oh yes!

"You're so dry"

"Only when I look at my Husband"

It's a hugely funny movie but of course, as you see the marriage slowly collapsing, ultimately heart breaking, but humour, with it's massive injections of British sarcasm is just brilliant. Scenes such as the worst dinner party ever ("Hey baby, can you get get me a Negretti? You already have one! That's why God gave me two hands") The  gun range scene is a blast, their best friends played by Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg as Amy and Barry are just a hilarious, but a mention to Alison Janney as the most ferocious divorce lawyer ever, what a scene! The final 15 minutes when their hatred explodes is just brutal, what a movie from the off!

"Fuck you and your suicide note attention seeking Whale friends!!"

4.5/5

The Voyeurs (2021)

 

A couple, played by Justice Smith and Sidney Sweeney (who of course had no influence on me viewing this ;)  obsessively spy on their very randy, exhibitionist neighbours from their apartment opposite (don't these people bother with curtains or blinds??) triggering jealousy and a twisted obsession.. This is trashy, yes, but good entertainment, it's mad, daft especially the mad dark tone it hits in the final third, but good solid no brainer "fun". It's available on Amazon Prime but only for the next week or so.

4/5

Turbulence (2025)

 

Turbulence is daft but undeniably enjoyable, the sort of breezy adventure that never lets logic get in the way of a good time. The central couple become expert balloonists in about five minutes, which only adds to the film’s charming absurdity. The scenery looks gorgeous, even when the occasionally dodgy green screen sneaks into the frame. One moment they’re drifting through what looks like Mordor, the next they’re basking in bright sunshine, and the film never pauses to explain it. Still, it delivers an excellent, gloriously messy death scene with a satisfying bucket of blood, sealing it as a fun no brainer for 90 minutes.

8/10

Frankenstein (2025)

 

The classic story of Frankenstein has been told in over 60 movies, from the classic Boris Karloff release in the 1931, the superb sequel, 'Bride Of Frankenstein' four years later, and of course the Hammer era of films such as 'Curse of Frankenstein' in the 60's, but in recent years the releases have been nothing to really shout about, the rather weak 1994 release with Robert De Niro springs to mind. So, when it was announced there would be a new telling of the classic Mary Shelley tale, directed by none other than Guillermo del Toro, horror fans expectations were high, so, does it deliver?

Oh yes. From it's very first minute the story is captivating, the film an absolute work of art, great performance's all round, the film builds and builds adding a final third story addition of the Monster's hunt for revenge on Victor, quite easily one of the movie highlight's of 2025 and a must watch on Netflik.

4.5/5

Top 10 Movies of 2025

 

Movie of the the year has to be 'Weapons' what a movie and to see it on the big screen was such a bonus, as was 'Final Destination: Bloodlines', always loved the series , but the late update is finally getting round to seeing Del Torro's 'Frankenstein', just magnificent from the very first minute up until it's engrossing two and a half hour finish. The best of the rest below in no order...

*Roof Man

*Bring Her Back

*Warfare

*Companion

*Together

*Dangerous Animals

*Good Boy

*One Battle After Another

*Nosferatu (released on New Years Day, so now added)

*A House Of Dynamite

*All The Devils Are Here

*Beast Of War

*Nuremberg

*The Roses

Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025)

 

The 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' series have always been an off the wall, the original a cult classic, followed by a hit and miss run of sequels, and this nut job of 'remake' doesn't fail to disappoint. Part slasher, with a supernatural twist, it's bloody and bonkers with a real grimy 80's feel throughout. Death by axes, chainsaws and even an Uzi at the hand's of a white supremacist during a Santa get together party, yep, in its 90 minute run time the madness prevails!

It's definitely flawed but worth a watch this "holiday season"

3.5/5

Best Horror of 2025!!!!!

 It's been a belter of a year for the most important genre in film ;)

Horror movie and movie of the year for me is the utterly bonkers and bloody 'Weapons', but this is now tied with the magnificent 'Frankenstein' which I've finally got round to watch, so here's my cream of a great, gory, scary, bloody Top 10...

1.Weapons/Farnkenstein

3.Final Destination: Blood Lines

and in some order...

4.Companion

5.Bring Her Back

6.Dangerous Animals

7.The Ugly Stepsister

8.Clown In A Cornfield

9.Heart Eyes

10.Nosferatu (released stupidly on NY Day1)

All must watch's but here's some more flicks well worth your time

The Monkey, Prescence,  Sisu:Road To Revenge, Silent Night, Deadly Night, Novocain, Locked, No One Lives, Beast Of War, Hollow Road, Until Dawn, The Gorge, The Woman In The Yard, Wolf Man, the last four I thought were all criminally under-rated.

Rest In Piece Rob Reiner 15/12/25

 

Shocking news hearing about the murders yesterday of Rob Reiner and his Wife Michelle, 'Stand By Me' is an all time classic, and one of the greatest 'growing up' movies ever.

11/10

I don't really want to talk about Trump, but this sums up his vile X post the VERY SAME DAY.

Megan Is Missing (2011)

 This movie is rightly in a lot of peoples most brutal films ever, the fact it is based on actual child abduction makes it more chilling. The acting from the teenage cast is exemplary, especially the notorious final third which will chill your bones to the core, even myself a hard core horror fan found this soul destroying, especially what has to be one of the most horrendous shock scenes ever of one of the victims. Brilliant, brutal film making but watch with extreme caution, especially any Parents, as this really is adults only material.

4/5

Wake Up A Dead Man (2025)

 Got to be said I'm a big fan of the previous two "Knives Out" movie, love a cryptic whodunnit with a great cast, but this one, well what a let down. First thing is the godawful title, it hardly leaps at you, then there's the run time, an excruciating two and a half hours, the pacing doesn't help as it drags itself through the gears, Daniel Craig is excellent as usual it must be said, as is Glen Close, and nice to see 90's babe Mila Kunis too, but this really is average, and something anyone would struggle to rewatch.

2.5/5

Sisu: Road To Revenge (2025)

 It's hard to believe the original Sisu movie came out 3 years ago, and what a belter it was, mega violent, no fucking around hard core action, one of my movies of that year, so when a sequel was announced my tail was wagging, does it live up to expectations? Of course it does. Minor criticism first, it does have a slow start, but once you hit the 'chapter' "Revenge", strap your self in as the bloodshed begins, and there's buckets of it, brutal, bloody, head cracking fun, grab a beer and your snacks, enjoy!!!!

4/5

The Bayou (aka Gator Creek) 2025

 

I just love a creature feature and crockygators are probably top of my list so when you call a movie 'The Bayou' that's just not a great idea, a Bayou is a "marshy body of water", it's about killer Alligators FFS! So it was given a second title asking things a bit more obvious, though any promo posters let you know what you're in for, and what do you get? Well a thoroughly enjoyable creature feature, the teens in the movie aren't too annoying, decent plot and acting, but most of all the Alligators, though CGI, look great, all the scenes are in broad sunny daylight, the final scenes of the creature look really good,, lots of teeth and angry snarling, thinks do slow down in the final third a little, but it has a cool Jaws style finale, it left me with a Crocodile smile, well Alligator, but that doesn't work!

4/5

Shelby Oaks (2025)

 I've got to admit I don't mind a 'found footage' horror flick, there's been plenty of good ones, 'Blair Witch' obviously springs to mind, of course the most infamous being 'Cannibal Holocaust' and some good recent ones such as the excellent 'Unfriended:Dark Web' from 2018, I was willing to give this new one a go, a directorial debut for Youtuber Chris Stuckmann, so is it any good? Well it's not bad, it's just, well a little bit seen it all before and offers nothing new to the slightly bloated genre, with the final 30 minutes a slightly confused mess, not knowing which direction to turn. A not exhausting 90 min runtime, give it ago, but don't expect nothing you haven't seen before.

3/5

Jack Frost (1997)

 It's Christmaaaaaaaaaaass!

Yep, Shocktober and Halloween have sadly come and gone, but worry not, there's plenty of Christmas horror to fill our stockings ,so lets go back to one I have to admit, I'd never seen, some horror cheese (and crackers?) from almost 30 years ago!!

This really is a comedy/horror with it's tongue firmly in its frozen cheek, I say frozen, the movie was obviously filmed out of season and the fake snow is hysterical, in one scene a sheriffs boot lifts up a small carpet of the white stuff! It's the late 90's so kids have bowl head haircuts, Parents are angry and teen wear check shirts. The budget is low, the killer snowman, literally no expense spared, but its delightful fun. The (few) kill scenes are a giggle, a woman gets strangled and hung up in a Christmas tree, "you don't think we should leave her up for the 12 days?" asks one of the dimwitted Cops. The funniest scene though is when the movie teen hottie spends 10 minutes or so drying her hair, only to get fully submerged in a hot bath, get murdered in a very compromising position, in which our killer proclaims "looks like Christmas came early, how was it for you?"

 It's a low budget Christmas cracker.

4/5

Turkeys of 2025

 

It has to be said 2025 thankfully was quite low on the stinkers, the following I rated a 1 star on IMDB:

*Scissors (piss poor 70s'80's slasher wannabe)

*You're Cordially Invited (dreadful Prime comedy, not even Reece Witherspoon and Will Ferrell can save this mess)

*Into The Deep (it's a bad shark movie, unforgivable)

*Fear Below (and another one!!)

Amazon Prime released 'War Of The Worlds' starring the zero acting ability of Ice Cube which deserves a mention for being so bad I really enjoyed it, as I did the ridiculous 'Deathstalker', but dishonorable mentions to three movies for being massive disappointments:

*Black Phone 2

*28 Years Later

*M3gan 2.0

Deathstalker (2025)

 

Now cards on the table I've never seen any Deathstalker movie, I vaguely remember the original only because of it's slightly saucy poster. So when this remake was online my interest was zero until I found out the director Steven Kostanski directed the awesome 'Psycho Goreman', so I had to give it a watch...sweet jubus! This film is so bad, that yes, its so good, wooden acting, ridiculous plot, just what the fuck is going on, and the most OTT practical effects you can imagine, goblins, pigmen, a flying screaming head, a giant eyeball with legs. Utter rubbish, should have had at least 15 mins shaved off the runtime, but the film went from boring to leaving a smile on my face.

2.5/5 (4/5 for so good it's....)

A Woman Scorned (2025)

 

I love a good revenge movie so my expectations weren't high for this, low budget, straight to Amazon Prime, but I had to give it a go. Well it all starts off promising, two sisters on a vacation, run into some local fucknuts, all goes pear shaped, other Sister goes out for bloody revenge, and boy she does. Loads of stabbing, shooting, chainsaw and axe action you can't fault, but with a running time of 90 minutes it gets really silly in very little time, our heroine turns into Rambo, she 's dispatching bad guy after bad guy, she kills four or five then another truck turns up with reinforcements! Silly nonsense, worth a watch? yeah, why not.

3/5

Inside Number 9: The Devil Of Christmas (2016)

 

I have to admit I've hardly watched any episodes of "Inside Number 9", something on my list to do next year, but I thought I'd start off with one of the Christmas specials. It's a Krampus story but with the director giving an occasional voice over on the making of, it's a cheap and cheesy low budget show he's making which he relish's in, the classic Krampus is the core of the story, but being 'Inside Number 9' created by the brilliant Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton (and in this episode starring the wonderful Rula Lenska) you just know there will be  a dark denouement, great stuff, and I'm looking forward to further exploring this show.

4/5

Exhibit A (2007)

 

Exhibit A is a chilling descent into domestic chaos, charting the transformation of a father from comical, almost childish antics (staging fake video's for prize money) into seething rage and borderline madness. What begins with lighthearted humor quickly unravels as his web of lies tightens, exposing cracks in his fragile facade. The shift is both unsettling and compelling, with each moment of denial pushing him closer to collapse. By the end, the film delivers a brutal gut wrenching finale that will linger in your memory ...

4.5/5

Violent Ends (2025)

 Got to admit I'd never heard of this straight to stream flick, but with reading favorable reviews I though I'd give it a go, and it's well worth your time. Violent Ends is a deliberate slow-burn thriller that rewards patience with strong performances and unsettling tension. The acting anchors the story, giving weight to its brooding pace. Just when the atmosphere feels almost too restrained, sudden bursts of shocking violence will erupt, reminding us of the danger simmering beneath the surface, these sharp contrasts elevate the film, making it a solid thriller.

4/5

One Battle After Another (2025)

 

When a movie has a running time of over 2.5 hours you know you're in for the long haul, many, many movies have had these big run times, The Shawshank Redemption (142 mins), The Departed (151 mins), Pulp Fiction (154 mins) all great movies and well worth every minute but some, well the recent Running Man weighing out at "just" 133 minutes was stretching it a bit. So when this flick got all the rave reviews I thought I'd get my Welsh ass up to Vue for a, um, viewing but then I saw the run time....nah, I'll wait to see it on my sofa in front of the 65" OLED...so does it justify your time? Oh yes. Absolute quality from the off, the movie never slows down, I absolutely love De Caprio and Sean Penn, who is a legend, and these guys are firing on all cylinder's throughout. The plot thunder's along, some great action set pieces, the film just sparkles with life, top 5 of the year easily.

4.5/5

The Running Man (2025)

 

The original "Running Man" movie from back in the late 80's I did watch, just once, all I can remember is that it starred Arnie, was written by Stephen King and that's about it. So when a remake was announced I can't say I was that excited, until I heard Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, The Cornetto Trilogy) was directing. So on a 2 day trip in London with two free Odeon tickets I thought I'd give it a go on the big screen, and 2 hours 15 minutes (!) later what did I think? Well it's bloody long, I mean 2hrs + of a bloke being chased around, in all honesty it's not really thrilling or exciting, I thought it might have some Robocop style political satire with some ultra-violence thrown in (there is some which got my attention) but the main Character Ben played by Glen Powell is rather unlikeable so it's hard to get involved in a movie that seems to go on for ever. You'll watch it once and forget about it sadly.

3.5/5

The Woman In Cabin 10 (2025)

 The movie boasts a good cast of Keira Knightley, Guy Pierce and Hannah Waddington as a pissed up lush, but the movie sails along (pun intended) gently and you get no real feel of actual tension, it's the type of movie Channel 5 or Hallmark would show at 3pm on a Winter's Sunday evening when you could cozy up with a cup of tea and a blanket. It's not a bad film in all fairness but not one that will have you on the edge of your seat.

3.5/5

The Price We Pay (2012)

 Don't judge a book by it's cover, or it's Movie poster as I did with this one. I was expecting a run of the mill heist movie goes awry, and that's how it sets its stall out for a good half hour. Three thugs rob a Pawn shop, take a hostage (the lovely Gigi Zumbado) then on the run, take refuge in a remote farm house...then it's take the most about turn you can imagine. Think Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets Hostile "horror torture porn", I really wasn't expecting this, the final third is batshit bonkers with an utterly insane Hellraiser inspired finale all played out in the unforgiving bright sunny daylight. Available on Amazon Prime this is a twisted, bloody gore soaked surprise.

4.5/5

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) Classic video clip

 One of the hottest horror clips ever.

The Thing (1982) Classic Spider Head scene clip

 

One of the greatest sfx moments in Horror, incredible practical effects from the legend that is Rob Bottin, and quite easily an all time classic genre movie.

10/10

Beast Of War (2025)

 

Set during WW2 a group of soldiers are stranded in the middle of the Ocean after their Ship is sunk by the enemy, now they must survive without water and limited food....and a Great White hunting them with a terrible attitude! I didn't really have high hopes for this but the reviews were quite positive and it turns out to be a real tense well made thriller. Filmed with a dark misty "damp" look, there's some great humour throughout, almost Jaws meets Crocodile Dundee with it's quirky Aussie cast, and the shark, no CGI, looks pretty good and there's ample lashings of the red stuff with blood, guts (literally) and body parts getting sliced open and apart. Great fun!

       4.5/5

 

Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now (2025)

 What can you say about Sabbath, but particularly John 'Ozzy' Osbourne that hasn't already been said before? Well it changed my life musically forever the first time I heard the killer doom and riffs of "War Pigs" back in 1979 aged 12 years old. Ozzy was THE madman of rock, out drank, out snorted every Band, even going to sniff piss covered Ants off a sidewalk to outdo Motley Crue. But beneath the Prince Of Darkness persona he was deeply loved, Sharon pretty much saved his life and endured great, and dark bad times with him, but they both got stronger through numerous health scares etc. This heart warming, and equally heartbreaking, 2 hour programme documents what hell they endured, Ozzy almost paralized by a fuck up American Surgeon, his fight to play the "Back To The Beginning" show, and the fact it was an enormous success, his performance far exceeding what fans and critics feared, would he play just a couple of tracks, or none at all?  He passed away just weeks later, I'm sure the roar of the crowd still ringing in his ears as he took his final bow....10/10

Black Phone 2 (2025)

 

The original Black Phone release back in 2021 was an absolute blast, a nasty down and dirty eerie horror thriller, this release is a sluggish, disappointing sequel that panders its original premise with a painfully ponderous downright boring first half. The pacing drags, the tension ponderous, only when 'The Grabber' finally shows up does it kick into life with two good scenes, oh and a decapitation, during another bloody dream sequence of course, but this is far to late to save this bore-fest. One of the most disappointing releases for many a year, and one I thankfully didn't waste good money on at the Cinema for.

       2/5

 

Coyotes (2025)

 

This flick is pure popcorn mayhem horror fun. A movie with it's tongue firmly entrenched in it's bloody toothed cheek, great likeable characters, yeah the Coyotes are CGI but look great and fantastically menacing with their yellow evil eyes, teeth like razor blades, dribbling drool then blood, in a way this reminds me of 90's horror flicks such as the wonderful 'Tremors', no pretentions, just a a film maker who wants the viewer to have a bloody (pun intended) good laugh!

4/5 

Rec 3:Genesis 2012

 

The original 'Rec' film released way back in 2007 is a  21st Century horror classic, it was followed up by a few sequels which for some reason I just ignored, that is  until watching a youtuber  ( I think it was The Flick Connection) highly rated this one, and boy was it worth it. It's a blood soaked Wedding massacre, brutal, stylish and darkly funny, the Spanish know how to make nasty horror, this is a gory gem well worth a watch during these dark long nights.

(oh and it's a available on the wonderful Shudder Channel)

4.5/5

The War Game (1966)

 

In 1966 the BBC produced a grim horrifying docu-drama on the depicting the aftermath of a Nuclear attack on the UK, it had a limited Cinema release but won an Oscar the following year for best documentary, though it was never given a TV broadcast, the BBC saying it was "too distressing for viewers, especially Children and the vulnerable", in reality the Government stepped in citing it pro Left/CND and essentially put pressure to have it 'banned' (not much has changed then). I have to admit I'd never heard of this until it was featured a few months ago along with an accompanying short intro from Michael Asple (who featured in the original doc) and also a welcome broadcast of the stunning 'Threads'. So, was it worth the near 60 year wait? Good giddey god, this is a soul breaking, devastating piece of film, with a running time of just under 50 minutes it packs the same visceral punch of the aforementioned 'Threads', it's an incredible punch in the throat, the acting just superb, the real life terror unimaginable.

5/5

A House Of Dynamite (2025)

 

'A House Of Dynamite' is Kathryn Bigalows first feature length movie since the superb 'Detroit' back in 2017, yes we've had to wait 8 whole years for a new movie from this superbly talented lady. Her back catalogue is pure class, the aforementioned 'Detroit', 'Zero Dark Thirty', 'The Hurt Locker' and of course one of the great Vampire movies of the modern era 'Near Dark' which wipes the blood soaked floor of 'The Lost Boys' pretty boy/girl alternative. This of course is chock full of talent, Ibris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Clarke etc. The story is told through three scenarios of Ministers, Military big wigs and ultimately the President of the USA. Like I said the acting is top notch, the dread and impending horror for the future of mankind slowly builds, but some "critics" complained about the ending....we're dealing with Nuclear assured destruction, this isn't a Roland Emmerich ('Day After Tomorrow') movie, stick to your popcorn movies and leave stuff like this for the grown ups!

4.5/5

All The Devils Are Here (2025)

 

Four thieves hide out after a robbery that's resulted in a violent unnecessary murder, sitting a on a pile of money, they await instructions from above,  as the days slowly pass by, and tempers and sanity start to crack. Anything starring the fabulous Eddie Marsen is always worth a look and this is no exception, a claustrophobic setting, brooding characters with time to do nothing, just wait for orders in an isolated cottage in the middle of nowhere, this is a classy grim gangster thriller with a wicked sinister  twist, a solid quality Brit Flick.

4.5/5

The Jester (2023)

 

Two Sisters Emma and Jocelyn, reunite in a small Baltimore town after their father's death. On Halloween night, they’re stalked by a sinister figure known as The Jester..It has to be said this flew well below my radar, even The Guardian reviewed it, so when a sequel popped up and a mate gave it a thumbs up I'd thought I'd dive in at the beginning. Sadly what we have here is a very weak ass Art The Clown (Terrifier) flick, the villain wears a mask (it's good, but compared to the superb makeup for Art it's Poundland) The horror is weak, as is the plot, much of the acting and dialogue, and what gore there is, is cheap, plus the pacing of the whole movie is at time's laborious, with a Hallmark channel cheesiness.

2/5

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (2025)

 

Now I've seen the 1992 original, so being over 30 years ago, I can't remember much about it, only it involved a nutcase Babysitter (Rebecca De Mornay) and that's about it, no reason for a rewatch. So the prospect of a remake all these years later didn't really excite me that much, but reading some good early reviews, I thought on a miserable wet day, I'd give a go. Well it must be said it's pretty good in all fairness, Maika Munroe and Mary Elizabeth Winstead are both excellent as the 'leads', it's a good solid story with a very interesting twist, quality production values etc throughout. My only niggle is the cliched  'Fatal Attraction' finale, and the fact that certain characters turn into human Terminators no matter what injuries they sustain (broken bottle in the stomach anyone?), but all in all, it's definitely an easy to watch, slightly bad ass, thriller.

4/5

The Perfect Neighbor (2025)

 

This is a chilling all-footage documentary of a devastating "tragedy" which occurred in a Florida neighbourhood  in June 2023, when an innocent Wife and Mother was shot dead (through a locked door) by her neighbour over a minor dispute. All the footage is from Police body cams and original interviews, the documentary is so well edited you would think it was a found footage drama, the scenes when the terrible event occurs is quite shocking and harrowing. This is a heart breaking immersive piece of film-making and highly recommended.

4.5/5

A House on Bayou (2021)

 

A Woman discovers her Husband has been cheating on her, rather than end the Marriage, she is 'happy' with the comfortable life she has enjoyed, and decide they, with their Teen daughter, should go on a weekend vacation to a mansion in the middle of nowhere!

On arriving the the owners of the local store turn out to be..well slightly dodgy rednecks, then things get really weird. With a nice slim 88 minute running time this is a very enjoyable curioso, who are the rednecks, do they want to rob them, then half way through there's a real 'supernatural' twist, well worth a watch, with a strange creepy finale.

4/5

Screamboat (2025)

 

It's what we've all been waiting for, a Mickey Mouse horror flick, or should I say Steam (scream) boat Willy! Is it worth a watch, humm...it's a hard slog even for me being a "so bad it's good" horror movie fan, this is generally just bad. The villain is a quite ridiculous cross between a Rat, Leprechaun and an Ewok. The characters (bar a few) and dialogue are pretty awful, a prime example being..

"Who you calling asshole, dicknose?"

"Hey fuck you!"

"Fuck me?

"Fuck all three of you!"

Things do pick up a little when the majority of the cast are killed off, including the most excruciatingly  annoying women on a birthday trip (on the Statten Island Ferry?!) There's an amusing kill involving a tv set and a severed penis, but it really needed a good 20 minutes trimmed off it's 1hr 40minutes bloated running time.

2/5

Scarred Shitless (2025)

 

"Sometimes...shit happens"

Any horror flick that dares to call itself "Scared Shitless" deserves a watch and with a slim running time of 1hr 15m why not.

When a 'genetically modified' creature escapes into the plumbing system of an apartment building it reeks havoc attacking the residents minding their own business having a 'Brad Pitt'

Utterly ridiculous, but with likeable characters, decent practical effects and a nice 80/90's low budget horror tone and with it's tongue firmly in it's (ass) cheek,  its well worth your time.

3.5/5