Watcher (2022)

Released June 3rd in the US.

Filmed entirely in Romania.

The story : American Julia has followed her husband Francis to his native Bucharest because his job has sent him there.

They take up residency in a lovely , furnished apartment.

Quickly , Francis is working many long hours.

Julia makes due by learning to speak Romanian , exploring around town and meeting the neighbors.

Then , one day , Julia notices a man , in the next building over. He seems to be watching her...

She tells Francis about the man , but just shrugs it off.

After a night out about town , Julia and Francis witness a crime scene.

Not knowing much of the language , Julia has to rely on Francis to tell her what is going on.

But she doesnt learn much.

The next day , Julia sees that same crime scene on the news and asks Francis about it once again.

He just explains that a woman was murdered.

At dinner that same evening with friends , Julia learns that there is a serial killer roaming the streets on Bucharest.

The killer has apparently killed three woman and one of his victims had survived a similiar attack.

While looking into the murders online , Julia watches a video by the surving woman.

She explains all the things that led up to her attack.

This really bothers Julia , just as much as the guy in the next building over from her , constantly watching her through the window.

When Julia is at the movies on day and believes the killer is behind her , she flees into a local market.

There , Julia thinks the same man from the movies has followed her inside the market.

The more she thinks about the situation , the more worried she becomes.

Julia believes the man who is watching her is also the serial killer stalking Bucharest but she cannot be certain.

Stars Maika Monroe , Karl Glusman , Tudor Petrut , Burn Gorman , Gabriela Butuc , Lucian Ionescu , Madalina Anea ,  Cristina Deleanu , Flaviu Crisan , Ioana Abur , Bogdan Farcas , Stefan Iancu , Florian Ghimpu , Alexandru Ion , Radu Bunescu , Ciprian Chiriches , Ionut Grama

Directed by (& story partly written) Chloe Okuno

Rated R
MYSTERY

Terrifer 2 (2022)

Released October 6th in the US.

Filmed in New Jersey and New York.

The story: Just when everyone thinks Art the killer clown is dead, those chances cannot be counted on.

While his body is taken to the coroner's office, it is somehow resurrected and Art is back, with a vengeance.

He makes his way back into town, not being noticed at all.

At the same time, Sienna and her younger brother Jonathan are getting ready for Halloween.

Sienna is busy making her costume from scratch. A perfect replica of a character her deceased father had created only on paper.

Another inspiration for the costume is a treasured sword her father had once given her.

Meanwhile, Jonathan has his fathers sketchbook and is heavily thinking of going as Art for Halloween.

When Sienna and their mother find this out, they highly advise against the idea.

But what neither one of them know is ,  Jonathan having his fathers' sketchbook is the reason he has even considered Art as a costume.

While Sienna is tormented by strange nightmares starring Art, Jonathan believes their father was onto Art when no one else was connecting himself and his sister to the killer clown.

Stars David Howard Thorton, Lauren LaVera, Sarah Voight, Elliott Fullam, Casey Hartnett, Kailey Hyman, Amelie McLain, Charlie McElveen, Jonathan Davis, Samantha Scaffidi, Leah Voysey

Directed by (& story written) Damien Leone

Not Rated

SEQUEL/HORROR/MYSTERY

IF (2024)

Released May 17th in the US.

Filmed in New York.

The story: As a little girl, Bea found nothing more exciting than being with her parents and creating magic through play and imagination.

Now, Bea is 12. 

Her mother has passed away and her father is in the hospital for a minor surgery.

Bea will be staying with her grandmother, who she hasn't stayed with in years.

But Bea is a very responsible 12-year-old who believes she is no longer a child and can handle what gets in her way.

When returning back to her grandmother's apartment after going to the store one night, Bea believes she has seen a child run into an apartment upstairs.

Bea tries to talk with the child, but is told to go away and that she didn't see anyone.

She persists, but another tenant tells her to go, and she does, so thats that.

Yet the next night, Bea sees what looks like a child follow an apartment tenant out into the street.

She quickly follows them and when they enter another apartment building, Bea watches from outside.

What she sees, she cannot believe. 

But continuing on back to the apartment and following the child, the man, and what looks like a giant purple monster back into their apartment, Bea has to find out what is going on.

The child that Bea thought was a child is not a child at all! She is in fact an imaginary friend, or an IF, as she is taught...

She, along with the big purple monster.

They are IF's who have been forgotten due to their children growing up.

These IF's , which there are many more, are looking to find new best human children friends.

Stars Audrey Hoffman, Catharine Daddario, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Ryan Renyolds, (voice) Phoebe Waller-Bridge, (voice) Louis Gosset Jr, (voice) Steve Carrell, Alan Kim, Liza Colon Zayas, Bobby Moynihan, Laquet Sharnell Pringle, Ed Herbstman, Barbara Andres, Alexander Rivero, Shauna Pinkett, SaRaya Paris Johnson, (voice) John Krasinski

Directed by (& written) John Krasinski

Rated PG

FAMILY/FANTASY/COMEDY

"In loving memory of our friend Louis Gosset Jr."

Children of the Corn (2020)

Released March 21, 2023 in the US.

Filmed entirely in Australia.

The story: The quiet town of Rylstone in Nebraska is a town corn made...

The most popular livelihood in Rylstone is the growing of corn.

When the townspeople are losing money due to their crops dying on account of GMOs, they have to make a choice fast.

At a meeting, the town's farmers are advised that the only way to solve their problem is to destroy their crops and sell their land.

The decision is made by a vote but the children in town disagree with the vote and want to be heard as well.

Instead, the children are laughed at and ridiculed for thinking they should have that right.

One older kid who will soon be off to college has a plan to save the corn, but no one wants to hear that either.

On the night when there is supposed to be another meeting about what can be done to save the corn, the children of the town have a much better, more sinister plan to get what they believe is right.

Stars Kate Moyer, Bruce Spence , Elena Kampouris, Jayden McGinlay, Callan Mulvey , Stephen Hunter , Joe Klocek , Orlando Schwerdt, Ashlee Juergens, Sisi Stringer, Rory Potter, Andrew S Gilbert, Brian Meegan, Connor Burke, Julian Garner, Tom Wilson, Alyla Browne, Rafferty Grierson 

Directed by ( & story partly written) Kurt Wimmer

Rated R
REMAKE/HORROR/SCIFI

Gimme Shelter (2013)

Released January 24, 2014 in the US.

Filmed in New Jersey.

Based on truths.

The story: 16-year-old Agnes AKA Apple has had a tough life.

Bounced around from foster home to foster home.

Being done with that all and seeking out her biological mother, only to learn that she is an addicted prostitute who just cares about Apple for the welfare check.

Apple is now done with all of it.

She runs out on her mother to find her real father, whom she has never met.

Apple meets her father but he now has a wife and children.

Her father is trying to get to know her but his wife is not, making things hard as well.

When her father's wife realizes Apple is pregnant, she wants Apple to get rid of the baby.

But she refuses.

Out on the streets, Apple is just doing what she can to survive.

But when she steals a car and wrecks it , her life finally begins to change for the better.

Stars Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson, Peter Epstein, Brendan Frasier, Stephanie Szostak , James Earl Jones,  Ann Dowd, Emily Meade, Dascha Polanco , Candice Smith, Tashiana Washington

Directed by (& story written) Ron Krauss

PG13

DRAMA

Late Night with the Devil (2023)

Released on Shudder, March 22, 2024 in the US.

Filmed entirely in Australia.

The story: It's 1977 and the hit nighttime show host most watched is Johnny Carson.

Jack Delroy, host of another competitor nighttime show, wants to be just as famous as Johnny.

For years, Jack's show had been a favorite of many a late-night television fanatic but after the passing of his wife, his ratings began gradually declining.

Jack wants those ratings back.

For Halloween, it seems Jack has compiled a show that will surely make his ratings finally skyrocket.

A survivor of a satanic cult, a psychic, and a conjurer are the guests.

Unfortunately, the show doesn't exactly go as planned.

Stars David Dastmalchian, Georgina Haig, Rhys Auteri, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss, Fayssal Bazzi, Ingrid Torelli, Josh Quong Tart, Steve Mouzakis, Paula Arundell, Tamala Shelton, Christopher Kirby, John Leary, Gaby Seow, Elise Jansen, John O'May, Clare Chihambakwe, Amelie Mendoza

Directed by Cameron Cairnes &Colin Cairnes

Rated R
HORROR/SCIFI

Reptile (2023)

Released on Netflix, September 29th in the US.

Filmed in Georgia and New England...

The story: Summer is a real estate agent.

Her boyfriend Will is also a real estate agent.

When Summer is found dead in one of the latest homes she's selling, any one of the people in her life are suspect.

Veteran detective Tom Nichols along with his partner Dan Cleary are assigned to the case.

At first, it looks like Will is guilty , but there is no substantial proof.

There are a few other people who could have committed the murder.

When it seems like they have finally figured out who the murderer is, the case should be closed.

But Tom cannot and will not stop looking into it.

Stars Justin Timberlake, Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Frances Fisher, Benicio Del Toro, Alicia Silverstone, Michael Pitt, Ato Essandoh, Domenick Lombardozzi, Eric Bogosian, Karl Glusman, Mike Pniewski, Catherine Dyer, Thad Luckinbill, Michael Beasley, JC Capone, Sky Ferreira, Amy Parrish

Directed by (& party written) Grant Singer

Rated R

MYSTERY/THRILLER

The Passenger (2023)

Released August 4th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Louisana.

The story: Bradley is a quiet, withdrawn young man.

He is employed at a local burger joint and he is a very dedicated worker.

But Bradley is battling some pretty tough demons...

One morning while at work, a nasty fellow employee belittles Bradley and he allows it.

Benson, another employee watches this until he can no longer take it.

Benson proceeds to take out everyone working at the burger joint except for Bradley.

He takes Bradley along with him in a sort of hostage situation but that's only because Benson has a plan for Bradley.

Benson is going to force Bradley to stand up for himself once and for all.

Stars  Carson Minniear, Johnny Berchtold, Billy Slaughter, Kyle Gallner, Matthew Laureano, Jordan Sherley, Sue Rock, Kanesha Washington, Lupe Leon, Angie Dillard, Brooks Ann Hayes, Pete Marinovich, Morgana Shaw, Merah Benoit, Rob Eubanks, Audree Nack, Steven Skipper

Directed by Carter Smith

Not Rated

MYSTERY/THRILLER

Mama's Boy (2007)

Released November 30th in the US.

Filmed in California.

The story: 29-year-old Jeffrey lives with his mom , still.

When he was younger, he lost his dad.

Since then, Jeffrey has been clinging to his mother and his current mentality is that of a much younger person than himself.

But he is perfectly happy with how he lives his life.

When Jeffrey's mother finds a guy she really likes, this doesn't sit well with Jeffrey.

Things only get worse for him when his mom's new boyfriend moves right in.

When Jeffrey can no longer take his mother being taken away from him, he looks for ways to ruin his mother and new boyfriend's relationship.

Stars Hank Doughan, Eli Wallach, Jon Heder, Diane Keaton, Mary Kay Place, Jeff Daniels, Anna Farris, Simon Helberg, Adam Devine, Dorian Missick, Laura Kightlinger, Sarah Clarke

Directed by Tim Hamilton

Rated PG13

COMEDY/DRAMA

Stardust (2020)

Released November 25th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Canada.

Based on truths.

The story: It's 1971. 

David Bowie has been struggling to have a big hit for years.

Marc Bolan of T Rex is at the top of the charts.

David just released a new album and the first single never even charted.

His record label wants to drop him but his manager has convinced them to give him a chance.

David believes that if he can reach American audiences, there is hope for his music.

His manager decides to send David to America to work with Mercury record label publicist, Ron Oberman.

Ron is a fan of David's work and believes in him. Ron thinks that if anyone can help, he can.

David spends many months traveling around by car with Ron, looking for any way they can get him noticed without actually getting him a gig showcasing his music to a large audience.

Unfortunately, while in America, things get heavy for David. 

He has many bad experiences, enough so that any music artist would give up on pursuing a music career.

But David carries on and by 1972, while back in England, David finally invents the onstage persona which truly and finally made him famous.

Stars Johnny Flynn, Julian Richings, Jena Malone, Lara Heller, James Cade, Derek Moran, Aaron Poole, Ryan Blakely, Marc Maron, Monica Parker, David Hubbard, Anthony Flanagan, Richard Clarkin, Annie Briggs, Olivia Carruthers, Geoffrey MacGivern, Paulino Nunes, Gord Rand

Directed by (& story partly written) Gabriel Range

Not Rated

BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/DRAMA/MUSIC

Look Away (2018)

Released October 12th in the US.

Filmed in Canada.

The story: Maria is a quiet lonely high school senior.

Neither her mother nor father get her and the one girl she can call a friend , really isn't one.

One evening, Maria sees her reflection in the mirror, but her reflection is doing other things than she is.

At first, this scares her, but then Maria begins talking with her reflection.

Her reflection seems to have a lot more confidence than Maria and convinces her that she can help her.

Maria agrees to trade places with her but she soon finds out that her twin has it in for almost everyone in Maria's life.

Stars India Eisley, Penelope Mitchell, Harrison Gilbertson, John C MacDonald, Mira Sorvino, Jason Isaacs, Kristen Harris, Kiera Johnson, Michal Bernstein, Glenn Odero, Adam  Hurtig, Ernie Pitts 

Directed by (& story written) Assaf Bernstein

Rated TVMA

THRILLER/SCIFI

Peacock (2010)

Released on DVD,  April 20th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Iowa.

The story: In small-town Peacock, Nebraska, lonely, quiet, and quite broken John Skillpa resides...

Growing up, John was constantly emotionally abused by his overbearing mother, which has left its scars.

His mother, who lived with him in the home he grew up in has recently passed away.

Now John spends all the time he isn't at work portraying his alter ego,  Maggie.

But no one who knows him actually knows about Maggie.

While Maggie is hanging laundry to dry one day, a train plows through the yard.

To her rescue are many neighbors, with many questions about who she is.

As time passes, people begin questioning John about Maggie, assuming she must be his wife.

John does not refute the assumption and days go on as normal , only now people actually get to know Maggie.

When the town mayor wants to use John/Maggie's yard, John refuses while Maggie agrees, due to the mayor's kind wife.

Then, a woman from John's past arrives with their child needing money.

John was unaware that his mother was paying for his child but with this knowledge, he begins thinking of ways Maggie can help without ruining his child's life.

Stars Cillian Murphy, Bill Pullman, Eden Bodnar, Keith Carradine, Susan Sarandon, Graham Beckel, Josh Lucas, Ellen Page, Flynn Milligan, Chris Carlton, Virginia Newcomb, Jaimi Paige

Directed by ( & story partly written) Michael Lander

Rated PG13

DRAMA/MYSTERY

Boyhood (2014)

Released August 15th in the US.

Filmed in Texas.

The story: Mason is a young boy living with his older sister and single mother.

His mother relocates them due to wanting to attend college to make a better life for them.

Where they land is closer to their maternal grandmother.

Their father is also back in their life after being in Alaska for a while.

Soon Mason's mother is marrying her college professor and Mason and his sister find themselves with a new stepfather and two step-siblings.

But before too long, that marriage breaks up and they are living on their own again.

Now Mason's mother is teaching at a local college.

After a small get-together at their house for Thanksgiving, Mason's mother is on marriage number two.

But just like the last, things don't work out and the small family is living on their own once more.

While spending time with his father and growing into his own, Mason falls in love, sees his older sister off to college, and watches as his father gets married and starts a new family.

Stars  Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, Patricia Arquette, Elijah Smith, Steven Chester Prince, Ethan Hawke, Libby Villari, Marco Perella, Jaime Howard, Andrew Villarreal, Ryan Power, Charlie Sexton

Directed by (& story written) Richard Linklater

Rated R
DRAMA