Lacking imagination in almost every department, I can’t think of a reason to watch Afraid. Hoping the culmination of events will deliver a worthwhile payoff is a fools errand. Only more unimaginative nonsense awaits.
Categories: Movie and Series Reviews, Mystery
Fallen (1998) 2.5/5
Carried largely by an idea and a stellar cast, Fallen is unable to bear the weight of talent. People like to do hypotheticals about movies that could use a remake, and this is a high candidate in my opinion.
Despite its failings, its uniqueness make it still an enjoyable watch and I am a sucker for its vibes. If only it were a little tighter in its writing, rethought its camera tricks, and came across just a bit smarter.
The Black Phone (2021) 4.5/5
Categories 4.5/5, Horror, Movie and Series Reviews, Mystery, Thriller 
Derrickson hits a home run here with a chilling performance by Hawke and surprising newcomers.
Enemy (2013) 3/5
Categories 3/5, Drama, Movie and Series Reviews, Mystery, Thriller 
A subconscious roller coaster that is more interesting to ponder after the viewing.
The Cabin in the Woods (2011) 4/5
Categories 4/5, Horror, Movie and Series Reviews, Mystery, Thriller 
Not poking fun at the horror genre but celebrating it. Horror and comedy move entangled almost seamlessly.
Caddo Lake (2024) 3.5/5
Categories 3.5/5, Drama, Movie and Series Reviews, Mystery, Thriller 
Clever film with an interesting setting. Maybe break out pen and paper afterwards to make sense of it, if that is your jam.
Woman of the Hour (2023) 2.5/5
Categories 2.5/5, Crime, Drama, Movie and Series Reviews, Mystery 
Woman of the Hour tries to tackle a real life story, and in that regard it falls on its face. In trying to tell a specific story, the film makes up characters, completely reinvents others, and ultimately ends up downplaying the serial killers degeneracy and, like so many of these, give him a smoothness that is inaccurate to history. (the real life character Kendrick played never went anywhere with him, noting he was “creepy”)
The other issue is that Anna Kendrick herself comes across very contemporary and feels out of place. Wardrobe, dialogue, and acting choices could have done a lot to make the character more believable to the period.
I get what the goal was with focusing around Kendrick’s character, her relationship with men at large, and the show, but I think the movie would have been better served without her prominence. It all felt a bit heavy handed and like it took up too much space. There is a more gripping story here, and it is the real one.