2013 * R * 1h 44m If you’re looking for a horror film that’s a bit different, you might enjoy this one. I liked the fact that there was little actual blood, violence, or swearing in it. But it did manage to scare me to pieces nonetheless.
At the heart of the story is a mirror, known as the Lasser Glass mirror. It’s 400-years old and some folks believe it’s responsible for countless mysterious deaths over the years. We meet Tim (Brenton Thwaites, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”), who’s just been released from a mental institution. He was accused of murder and had been institutionalized for the past 10 years. His sister Kaylie (Karen Gillan, “Avengers: Endgame”) takes him back to their childhood home, which was witness to the murder of their parents. She has the alleged haunted mirror delivered to their home and is out to prove there’s an entity living in the mirror that caused the deaths.
The film jumps back and forth from the present day to when they were children, and we see their parents’ lives descend into madness. It’s a bit confusing at times, but by the end of the movie, it all makes sense. I thought the acting was excellent, especially from Annalise Basso (“The Life of Chuck”) and Garrett Ryan (“Insidious: Chapter 3”), who played the younger versions of the siblings.
Streaming on Kanopy (free with your library card), Netflix, and Prime, and to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango, and Prime.
2023 * PG-13 * 1h 38m This film is based on a short story by the master of horror, Stephen King. I can’t recall any movie based on his writings that wasn’t totally creepy. Just the first couple minutes of this film alone are a good indication that you’re in for some disturbing events. Watching it on my laptop was spooky enough--I can’t imagine seeing it on the big screen.
The story is about two young girls Sadie (Sophie Thatcher, “Heretic”) and Sawyer (Vivian Lyra Blair, “Bird Box”). They’re being raised by their father Will, a therapist played by Chris Messina (“Argo”). Their mother recently died in a car accident and the family is in total denial. Then one day, Will gets a visit from Lester (David Dastmalchian, “Oppenheimer”) who was blamed for the deaths of his three children. After he hangs himself in their house, a mysterious creature begins haunting the two girls.
The rest of the story involves the sisters investigating the boogyman and then plotting to destroy it. As you’d expect from a Stephan King project, it’s well written and has great production values. Rob Savage (“Host”) did a commendable job directing the film. My only negative comment is a lot of the movie is dimly lit, making it hard to see what’s going on on a small screen.
***1/2 stars
Streaming on Netflix and Hulu, and to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango, and Prime.
2025 * PG-13 * 1h 12m What an interesting take on a horror film—a story as seen through the eyes of a dog. It’s from a dog’s perspective and not told in his voice. And what a great performance. If there were Oscars for animals, Indy, the star of the movie would get it hands down (or should I say, paws down?).
Todd moves into the family’s rural home with his loyal dog. There he encounters a mysterious entity lurking in the shadows. Being his trusted companion, the dog does what it takes to protect his master. It turns out to be your basic Good vs. Evil plot, and lets the viewer try to figure out the details of the story. The excellent camerawork and slick editing of Ben Leonberg added to the overall tension of this award-winning movie. Leonberg also directed.
If you’re a horror movie buff and are in the mood for something unusual, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
Streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (with your library card), and Hulu. Also to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango, and Prime.
2025 * R * 1h 44m I've seen quite a few horror films in my days. But this recent film from A24 has to be among the scariest and most disturbing movies I've ever witnessed. Warning: "Bring Her Back" is pretty much guaranteed to scare the living bejesus out of you.
Two young kids Andy (Billy Barratt) and his sister Cathy (Mischa Haywood) are sent to live with their new foster mom Laura, played brilliantly by Sally Hawkins. She vascilates between a sweet mother and a terrifying possessed she-devil. Also at the home is a super creepy, bug-eyed kid Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips) who doesn't say a word. Laura recently lost her daughter and we suspect she's in some dark magic to bring her back.
There's a scene near the beginning where Andy cuts a piece of melon for Oliver. He hands him a knife with the fruit on it. He turns his back for a minute, and when he turns back. Oliver has sliced his mouth to pieces. It's a gruesome scene that hints at what's to come.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Streaming on HBO and to rent on Apple TV, Fandango, YouTube, and Prime.
2024 * R * 2h 2m Talk about a film that wall-to-wall action! This movie starts with a bang and never lets up. It's a remarkable WWII tale that's based on true events. When it's over, you'll be shaking your head in disbelief. But since it's from the director Guy Ritchie ("The Gentlemen" "Snatch"), you just know you're in for one wild ride!
During the Second World War, the Germans controlled the Atlantic Ocean, thanks to its extensive fleet of U-boats. Prime Minister Winston Churchill commanded a group of generals to assemble a team of ruthless soldiers to disable the supply line to the German boats. This was done in secret and if they failed, his career would be over.
What took place is so over-the-top, it's almost hard to believe. I'm sure Mr. Ritchie took some liberties with the actual events. But it sure makes for some great movie viewing! And as per usual, he's assembled a great cast for the film.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix. And to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango, and Amazon Prime.
2016 * R * 1h 40m I was a huge fan of the show "Key & Peele." If you've never seen it, I urge you to check it out. At least look for the doorman scenes on YouTube. They've compiled a series of some of the most outrageous comedy bits ever. When this movie popped up on Netflix, I had to watch it, since they both star in it. And I was not disappointed. Some very funny stuff indeed.
Clarence (Keegan-Michael Key) and Rell (Jordan Peele) are cousins. They're just a couple of decent, normal Joes. One day, a cute little kitten enters Rell's life. He adopts it and names it Keanu. Soon after, Rell's apartment is broken into and his adorable kitten gets into the hands of a New Orleans drug lord. So the two cousins have to act like gangstas and confront the criminal and his henchmen. They have to do a couple jobs for him in exchange for getting the cat back. Seeing them fake being badasses is absolutely hilarious.
As expected, all kinds of crazyness goes on before they succeed. If you're looking for some zany comedy, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Prime, and other services.
2019 * R * 1h 35m This is one of those over the top outrageous horror films. I'm not a huge fan of the genre, but every once in a while I like a good scary movie. And this one was so crazy, it was almost comical. And I thought the plot was pretty unique.
Grace (Samara Weaving), is a young woman who marries into an ultra-rich family. On her wedding night, she has to partake in a special ritual. At midnight, she has to draw a card from a special deck. She draws the card "Hide & Seek". In this version, she has to hide in the mansion, and the family has to find and kill her. As you'd expect, absolute mayhem ensues. This one will keep you guessing right until the end. If you up for some good bloody fun, you'll probably enjoy this one.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix and Hulu, and to rent on YouTube and Apple TV.
2013 * R * 1h 13m I'll be the first to admit I'm a huge fan of Saoirse Ronan. I've loved everythng she's appeared n. For some reason I missed this early film of hers. I must say, it's well worth watching. Here she plays Daisy, a young American girl who is sent to England to stay with her cousins. When WW3 breaks out, they flee but are soon rounded up by the army and separated. She escapes the work camp and spends the rest of the movie trying to get back home.
I thought Saoirse's performance was excellent and although there wasn't much to the story, I found myself captivated by the beautiful English countryside. One of the only beefs have with the movie is the fact that she falls in love with her cousin. I thought that was a bit weird.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla and Kanopy, Youtube, Prime and Tubi. Also to rent on Prime Apple TV, Prime, Youtube, Fandango and other services.
2025 * R * 1h 14m I'm a big fan of sci-fi movies, especially ones about time travel. I've seen tons of them and after a while, they get fairly predictable. Well, this one's a bit different. It deals with a common topic, needing to make a few changes so the world isn't destroyed. But it's an irreverent and totally whacky take on the theme.
An unhinged "Man from the Future" (Sam Rockwell) shows up at an L.A. diner and announces he needs recruits to alter the future or an evil AI will take over the world. He's done it several times before but hasn't been successful. He's tried numerous combinations of people to join him but they've never worked out. He's hoping this mission will be the one that gets the job done. The journey is one crazy ride, but it's a ton of fun.
Sam Rockwell does a great job, plus he has an excellent supporting cast which includes Juno Temple, Haley LuRichardson, and Michael Pena. If you're looking for some zany fun, be sure to check this one out.
Currently streaming on Hulu and to rent on Apple TV, Prime, and YouTube.
2025 * Not Rated * 1h 53m I'm a huge Olivia Coleman fan. If she's in a film, it automatically goes in my queue. Add John Lithgow and you know you've got a winner on your hands. And that's exactly what you have with the film "Jimpa." It's an interesting film that deals with sexuality, family, and discovering who you are.
Hannah (Coleman) is a filmmaker working on a movie that chronicles her relationship with her father Jimpa (Lithgow). He left her, her mother and her siblings in Australia when she was a young girl to live his life as a gay man in Amsterdam. She goes to visit him with her husband and their non-binary son Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde). Before they leave, Frances announces that he's planning on staying with his grandpa for a year.
It's quite an entertaining movie that will keep you on your toes. About the only negative criticism is the seemingly endless discussions involving the various terms for different kinds of sexual identification. It gets tired after a while. But overall, I really enjoyed the film.
4 out oof 5 stars
Streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla with your library card. Also on Hulu and to rent on Prime, Apple TV, Youtube, Fandango, and other services.
2024 * PG-13 * 1h 39m I'm a big fan of sci-fi/horror films, and I enjoyed the original "A Quiet Place." This is the latest installment in the franchise and I thought it was quite suspenseful. The acting was excellent, and it had a very engaging storyline.
Like the title suggests, it's day one after the aliens take over the planet. As you know if you've seen the original film, the aliens are essentially blind, but have hyper-sensitive hearing. And if you make a sound, you're instantly killed. Here, the action takes place in NYC. A young, terminally ill woman Samira (Lupita Nyong'o) is trying to evade the aliens and just wants to get a pizza from her favorite place up in Harlem. She has her precious service cat with her. Then she meets Eric (Joseph Quinn), an Englishman who's here studying to become a lawyer.
The two strike up a friendship and together travel the mean streets of the destroyed city. I thought the special effects were great. And there's a scene that really hit me. The couple end up in a bar where her father, a jazz pianist used to perform. In total silence, they pretend Samira is on stage performing in front of a packed house. After she's done singing, Eric presents her with some invisible flowers. It's quite a moving scene. You could sense how much they meant to each other, even though they'd just met.
If you're looking for a sci-fi thriller with a lot of heart, check this one out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango, Prime, and other streaming services.
2022 * Not Rated * 1h 30m I’ll freely admit I’m an old hippie at heart. I came of age in the late 60s and early 70s, but was more into the music and politics than the alternative lifestyle. As much as I would have liked to, I was far too young to move out to San Fransisco and settle down in Haight-Ashbury. However, one of my few regrets in life was not hitchhiking out east with my lifelong pal “The Hawk” to attend Woodstock. Oh well, I’ll just have to settle for watching the documentary about the historic event. These days, whenever I hear of a film involving hippies, it goes right in my queue. I’m glad this film was recommended to me—what a delightful find it is.
“North of Normal” is based on the best-selling 2014 autobiography by model and fashion entrepreneur Cea Sunrise Person. It covers the writer’s formative years growing up in communes in Western Canada and the Yukon. The film is directed by writer Carly Stone, best known for her wonderful television series “Kim’s Convenience.” She assembled a strong cast for the movie which includes Sarah Gadon (“Ferrari” “Enemy”), Robert Carlyle (“The Full Monty” “Trainspotting”), and Amanda Fix (“Orphan Black: Echoes” “High School”).
Young Cea, played by the talented River Price-Maenpaa, is living an idyllic life out in the woods. It’s the early 1970s and she’s part of a hippie commune living off the grid. She spends her days exploring her surroundings and practicing archery. Cea’s grandparents “Papa Dick” (Carlyle) and Grandma Jeanne (Janet Porter) are loosely in charge of the group. Her mother Michelle (Gadon) is a free spirit who loves to get high and sleep around. Certainly an interesting role model for the young girl. Early on, her grandpa teaches her a valuable lesson. He asks her what she’d do when encountering a bear on the trail. “Don’t give in to fear,” he tells her. Then they both raise their hands in the air and roar. It’s something she’ll carry with her as she wends her way through life.
One day Cea is shocked when her mother tells her she’s leaving her and moving to the city and she’ll be looked after by her grandparents. But she’s in good hands and they give her all the love and attention she needs to mature. The film jumps ahead six years to Cea who’s now a teenager. There’s a joyous reunion as she and her mom start their new life in the big city. Just when you think things are going to be stable, Michelle continues her habit of falling for one disastrous boyfriend after another. At one point they even resort to squatting at summer homes of city folk.
A telling scene occurs when Cea and Michelle spend the day at the beach. While her mom is off frolicking in the water, she’s approached by a talent scout who tells her she’s beautiful and asks her if she’d like to audition for a modeling job. It could end up with her working in Paris. During flashbacks, we learn that one of their dreams is to travel to Paris together, and her prized possession is a snow globe of the Eiffel Tower. Even though it goes against the anti-establishment mores of her upbringing, the job sounds very intriguing to her.
Another amusing scene is when Cea is being interviewed by the school principal and he inquires about her living situation. She tells him that she appreciates the fact that she now has her own bedroom, and doesn’t have to sleep with her mom and her boyfriends. Realizing what it sounds like, she has to clarify that she doesn’t actually sleep WITH the boyfriends, they were just there. Even still, her living situation has an awkward ring to it.
The film was nominated for a number of awards and I can see why. It’s a moving portrayal of a young girl coming of age in an interesting time and environment. I really enjoyed the performances from both Amanda Fix and River Price-Maenpaa. Maybe it’s the teenager in me, but I got a kick out of hearing the younger Cea swearing like a sailor. There’s just something innately funny about an innocent kid cussing. That’s not to take away from her acting chops—I think we’re going to see a lot more from this talented girl. I also thought it was interesting that while Robert Carlyle is Scottish, he somehow totally lost his accent. That takes talent!
The cinematography was also outstanding. David Robert Jones did a commendable job capturing the stunning beauty of the Canadian wilderness. Shot after shot could be easily turned into postcards. Overall, one of the things I especially appreciated is that this is one of those movies where almost nothing really bad happens. Sure, there are plenty of emotional scenes but they’re all in keeping with the narrative. And the ending, while a bit abrupt, sort of sets the stage for a sequel. Fingers crossed that that’s in the works.
Note to parents: The film is unrated but I’d says it’s in between a PG-13 and R, mainly due to cussing and drug use.
Currently streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (with your library card). Also on Tubi, Prime, and the Roku Channel, and to rent on YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango, and Amazon Prime.
2016 * R * 1h 38m I don't think Tom Hanks has ever made a mediocre movie. When This one popped up as a rec on Kanopy, I immediately put it in my queue. I finally got around to watching it and I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't great, but it was quite entertaining. I thought the plot was a bit rambling and didn't know quite where to go. But I thinks that's half the charm of this little indie flick.
Alan (Hanks) is a bit down on his luck. He has a daughter who's taking a break from college because he's running a bit low on money. So he takes a job as an IT sales rep and goes to Saudi Arabia to sell a new presentation software program to the King. While there, he runs into a couple characters who are destined to change his life. The first is his driver Yousef (Omar Elba) who's a fun-loving, wacky guy, who gets him involved in all sorts of adventures. Then there's the beautiful doctor Zahra (Sarita Choudhury) who he goes to for a medical problem.
While all this is happening, he and his team are constantly being blown off by their Saudi point man. As I mentioned, the plot is all over the map, but ultimately, I thought it was a fun ride. The film is based on the book by Dave Eggers, best know for his novel "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius". If you haven't read this breakthrough book, I highly recommend it.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Currently streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (with your library card, and the Roku Channel. And to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, and Prime.
2012 * PG-13 * 1h 12m I've never cared for the music of Neil Diamond. But people kept telling me what a wonderful movie this is. After watching it, I still can't stand his music. That said, the film is about a lot more than just another cover band. It's based on a true story and features great performances from Hugh Jackson and Kate Hudson. And the two have great chemistry together, which makes up for the over-abundance of Neil Diamond's irritating songs.
At the beginning of the film, "Lightening"(Jackman), a talented singer and guitarist is urged to form a cover band and perform the music of Neil Diamond. He's reluctant at first, since Diamond is a personal hero of his and he thins it would be almost sacrilegious to perform his music. But he eventually agrees and teams up with a singer Claire (Hudson) and perform as "Lightening" & "Thunder." And they become a huge hit.
It's not long before the two get married. They each have children from previous marriages and they're soon one big happy family. Then tragedy strikes. Claire is hit by a car while gardening in her front yard, and loses part of one of her legs. It throws her into a deep depression that seems like shell never recover from.
I won't give anything more away. I'll just say I enjoyed this film way more than I thought I would. My only negative comment is that at two hours and change, I thought it went a bit too long. Otherwise, it's well worth watching.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix, and to rent on Apple TV, Prime, YouTube, Fandango, and other services.
2026 * TV-14 * 1h 58m This one is described as a rom-com but it's really more of a romance. It's stars Zoe Deutch and Nick Robinson who both do a decent jobs here. One of my only beefs in the film is that there's a bit of a lack of chemistry between the two. But the story is refreshing and keeps you rooting for the couple.
Jill (Deutch) and Isabelle (Ciara Bravo) are about as close as two sisters can be. Unfortunately, Isabelle is suffering from a long term fatal disease and so has to live her life vicariously through her sister. Isabelle passes away while Jill is in culinary school in San Fransisco. Unable to let go of her sister, Jill constantly leaves messages on Isabelle's voicemail. But there's a catch. Unbeknownst to her, Isabelle's number has been transferred to another phone--in this case, to a young Austin real estate agent Wes (Robinson). He ends up falling for her and eventually arranges to run into her in San Fransisco. The stalking aspect is a little creepy, and when Jill discovers what was happening, she naturally freaks out. I won't give away the ending, but you pretty much know how it's going to turn out.
Some of the scenes where she's in culinary school are hilarious because their teacher is none other than the great Nick Offerman. I didn't recognize him at first, but his voice is really distinctive. He plays a total tyrant to perfection.
Overall, I really enjoyed this little film. I hope you do too.
2026 * R * 1h 53m The movie starts out as a workplace drama. I had to check to make sure I was actually watching a Sam Raimi movie. Then things begin to get a bit weird and I knew it was going to get good. Rachel McAdams plays Linda Liddle, a sharp analyst who works her butt off. However, due to an undermining co-worker, she doesn't get credit for all she does. Then she gets passed over for a promotion she richly deserves thanks to the bro-politics at the office.
Well, that's all about to change. On the way to a business meeting in Bangkok, the plane she's on crashes and the only survivors are her and her arrogant, obnoxious boss Bradley, played to perfection by Dylan O'Brien. The couple wash ashore on a remote jungle island off the coast of Thailand, and it's here that Linda comes into her own. It turns out she's an expert at survival. She hunts wild boar, catches fish, knows what fruits and vegetables are edible, and even builds a shelter--much to the consternation of her boss.
The film takes a number of plot twists and has an ending I never saw coming. I've never seen McAdams play a total bad-ass before and she does a great job here. If you're looking for something fun, be sure to check this one out.
4 out of 5 stars
Streaming on Hulu and to rent on Apple TV, Fandango, Youtube, Prime, and other services.
2021 * Not Rated * 1h 31m This is an indie gem from the Duplass brothers that came out during the early stages of the pandemic. I think, partly by necessity, there are only two actors, each pretty much confined to their living spaces. But it isn't due to Covid, it just happened that way. The film stars Mark Duplass and Natalie Morales who co-wrote the film. Morales did the directing and what a fine film she produced.
Adam (Duplass) has been gifted Spanish lessons for his birthday by his husband. The lessons are to be given via Zoom and are taught by Carino (Morales). Soon after the lessons begin, Adam's partner dies. So the lessons are put on hold for a bit. When they resume, it's like an awkward first date--they're both uncomfortable talking about themselves. Eventually, they begin opening up about their personal lives and a true friendship develops.
Adam's Spanish is pretty good right from the start--he earned it when he was a child. And at one point, Carino wants to improve his grammar, while he wants to learn more about her. There's a split second scene where she accidently turns on her camera to reveal some bruises on her face. Adam just can't let it go and he makes some assumptions about how she got the bruises.
The two actors did an amazing job and I was sucked in right from the beginning. You sort of know where the movie is heading, but it's such a joy to watch, you don't mind it a bit. After watching this fine film, I'm definitely going to search out more movies by the Duplass brothers.
4 out of 5 stars
Streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card), Tubi, and Plex, and to rent on Apple TV, Prime, YouTube, and other services.
2018 * PG-13 * 1h 42m Talk about a nail biter! This thriller will have you on the edge of your seat right until the very end. It's a well made drama that's been compared to the film "Missing".
The movie starts out with a series of home movies that tell the story of the Kim family--mom, dad, and their daughter. We begin with happy times and follow them through the mom's cancer and eventual death. This leaves the dad David (John Cho) to raise his daughter. Everything seems to be pretty normal until his daughter Margot doesn't come home one night. At first David makes excuses for her. Eventually, after doing some digging, he discovers she's missing. She hasn't gone to her weekly piano lessons and has withdrawn a bunch of money.
The more he searches on line, the more mysterious things become. He's aided by Detective Vick (Debra Messing) who's very sympathetic to his case. Then, slowly things take a dark turn. Like I said, it sure keeps you guessing and there are a couple plot twists I sure didn't see coming. If you're in the mood for a good thriller, check this one out. About the only negative comment I can make is, due to the nature of the film, a lot of screen time is spent reading texts and screens. It gets hard on the eyes after a while.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix and Paramount. And to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango, and Prime.
2026 * R * 1h 47m When Vince Vaughn started out, he played in a lot of goofy, comedic movies. He was perfect for the part. But lately he's been cast in more sinister roles. Like the evil character in "True Detective." And he's pretty nasty in this quirky film as well--but he ends up having some good qualities too.
This is what I'd call a time-travel/gangster film. It's hard to follow at times but it's very entertaining. Nick (Vaughn) is a hit man for a crime syndicate. One day he discovers a time machine that Symon (Ben Schwartz) has created. He fiddles around with some controls and ends up 6 months in the past. This is perfect because he can work on helping his friend Mike (James Marsden) avoid getting bumped off. He also knows Mike is having an affair with his wife Alice (Eiza Gonzalez). To further complicate matters, there are two versions of Nick, the present day Nick and the Nick from the near future.
The film also has a great cast of supporting actors including Jimmy Tatro, Stephen Root, and Keith David. All in all, it's a whacky, fun movie that'll keep you guessing right until the end. If you're up for a couple hours of zaniness, check this one out!
2022 * R * 1h 53m If you're in the mood for something unusual, be sure to check this film out. It's one of those haunting films that'll you think about, days after seeing it. I can't say I loved it, but it did make me ant to learn a little bit more about the main characters.
Apparently "The Silent Twins" is based on a true story about a couple of very different twin girls. It takes place in England in the mid 1970's, and the Gibbons girls June (Letitia Wright) and Jennifer (Tamara Lawrance) have a problem communicating with anyone but each other. They're totally silent to the outside world. But between themselves, they're open and free. They're both very creative and write poetry, fiction, songs, and more together.
After getting caught stealing and setting fire to a building, they're sentenced to life in a mental institution. There they continue their silence. The film is interlaced with little claymation vignettes, based on their writings. It adds an extra bit of weirdness to an already odd tale. It's a hard film to describe. Let's just say you'll have to see it for yourself and draw your own conclusions.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime, Apple TV, and YouTube.
