Author: Mark Salcido

The idea of using a doll as a homicidal horror antagonist in film had been done to death for some time. Chucky has pretty much cornered that market for decades, but Blumhouse Productions and creator Akela Cooper decided to come for the king. Cooper’s creation, M3GAN, was a massive hit released in 2022 and warranted the return of an AI doll. M3GAN 2.0 promised to step from the horror element into more of an action thriller and succeeds in some parts. The movie goes hard in the “silly” factor, yet the new direction almost makes it forgettable. New Zealand director…

The Predator franchise has had its ups and downs over the decades. The first movie was the embodiment of 80s action films that still hold in high regard for film fans—snobby or not. Recently, the story of humans versus the perfect hunter has experienced a resurgence, thanks to Dan Trachtenberg’s Prey. The director is knee-deep in production on his highly anticipated next installment in the Predator series. Still, he decided to take a little detour with the animated movie Predator: Killer of Killers. Thankfully, Trachtenberg continues to prove that he understands what works for these blood-soaked movies and even opens…

Much like the films’ main character, the John Wick franchise won’t die. That’s not necessarily a bad idea for anyone who enjoys action set pieces that feature gun fights, realistic hand-to-hand combat, and even the thinnest of plots. John Wick 4 showcased the completed arc of Keanu Reeves’s character to a somewhat satisfying degree. However, the series created by Derek Kolstad brought us a short-lived TV show, and now Ballernia, starring Ana de Armas. The hope is that Armas will carry the franchise and that the movie will open the door for other stories to be told. What’s presented is…

Few horror films make a cultural impact like the classic ones. Everyone knows the serial killer of nightmares, the hockey mask-wearing zombie, the guy with pins in his head, and the dude with the William Shatner face. Yet, newer ones have affected horror, such as Candyman, Art the Clown, and Ghostface. Although the Final Destination franchise has no physical figure that stalks its victims, the kills have been legendary. Thankfully, that continues with Final Destination: Bloodlines as Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein bring the series back to life. Final Destination: Bloodlines, directed by Lipovsky and Stein, brings back Death…

Lorcan Finnegan is an intriguing director, to say the least. The filmmaker uses surreal storytelling to convey levels of tragedy, self-discovery, and just plain f**ked situations. Yet, the man knows how to make what’s on-screen visually pleasing without dropping LSD. Finnegan decided to continue his trademark style and combine it with the wildcard acting of Nicolas Cage for his recent movie, The Surfer. For the most part, the film works and can be a serious mind trip; however, that doesn’t completely cover up the movie’s faults. The Surfer, directed by Finnegan, follows The Surfer, which Cage plays. Written by Thomas…

Ben Affleck has proven himself to be a competent action star. 2016’s The Accountant was just another flex for the actor/director/writer who answered a hypothetical question: “What if Bruce Wayne was autistic and raised in a middle-class home?” The film was entertaining enough to warrant a sequel, though it took 9 years, with the aroma of trying to build a franchise. Whatever the good intentions were from the studio or the creative team, the result of The Accountant 2 is a reminder that some sequels don’t need to be made, and this one should’ve been taken out back and shot.…

Andor arrived on Disney+ at an interesting time in the Star Wars franchise. The finale of the Skywalker saga ended with an embarrassing splat, but the IP was showing some promise with The Mandalorian. The success of Andor presented that Star Wars could step away from Jedi, Sith, The Force, and lightsabers to exhibit there was so much more in a galaxy far, far away. The success of Andor warranted a second season, and thankfully, the series sticks the landing and should instill in us that Star Wars still has life in it. Andor season two sees the return of…

Ryan Coogler has been on a trajectory that many filmmakers wish to achieve. The director, writer, and producer made his presence known with 2013’s Fruitvale Station. He brought back to life the Rocky franchise with his hard-hitting and emotionally driven movie, Creed. Then Marvel came knocking with Black Panther and its sequel, which Coogler would make the movies a cultural and blockbuster touchstone in cinema. Now Coogler returns with his most original idea, Sinners, and the film can cement the artist as one of the most innovative storytellers currently working today. Sinners, written and directed by Coogler, follows twin brothers…

Horror and thrillers are nothing new to Christopher Landon. The filmmaker has been at since the late 90s, and the man just knows how to roll with the times. His script for Paranormal Activity showcased how to bring horror back to its Blair Witch roots, and Landon decided to leap into director to realize fully his creative voice. Drop, the latest film from Landon, is another example of the director taking a simple premise and making it a wild ride. Drop, directed by Landon and written by Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, pits a widowed mother against the wall with…

You know what you’re getting with a Fox Searchlight-produced or disrupted film. The studio is primarily known to bring independent and often unique films that generally do well during the film festival circuit. Slumdog Millionaire, Juno, Suburbia, and Slums of Beverly Hills are just some of the bangers cinephiles have connected with, and another is around the horizon. Although filmmaker Michael Angarano’s sophomore film, Sacramento, may not be a Fox Searchlight movie, it certainly earns the respect that many of those films have garnered over time. Yet, it still has several glaring issues. Sacramento, directed by Angarano and written alongside…