REVIEWS
Cinema, Blu-ray/4K, Streaming and VOD Releases - Reviewed By Fans For Fans
UNDERTONE
UNDERTONE - Debut director attempts to make podcasting spooky and terrifying in this tale of a female host trying to discover the truth behind a batch of sinister audio files. Iain MacLeod however finds nothing more to look at or listen to than a woman on her laptop and listening to spooky noises in a disappointingly thin attempt to update familiar ghost story tropes for the 21st century.
THEY WILL KILL YOU
THEY WILL KILL YOU - A young woman takes a housekeeping job at the sinister, foreboding hotel unaware that it’s run by a bunch of evil Satanists. Unfortunately for them she has her own secrets and a big bag of weapons to back them up. Iain MacLeod reviews a film packed full of action beats that feels all too familiar and far too thin when it comes to the plot.
READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME
READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME - The long, long awaited sequel finally arrives on cinema screens. Once more Samara Weaving returns to do battle with the forces of darkness who ruined her wedding night and now threaten not only her life but her little sisters too.Iain MacLeod reviews a fun sequel which also features the added bonus of Sarah Michelle Gellar to the genre that made her name.
THE BRIDE!
THE BRIDE! - Time for a re-evaluation? Steven West springs to the defence of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s recent revisionist take on Mary Shelley and her immortal creations and finds much to admire in a film that hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
SCREAM 7
SCREAM 7 - The delayed sequel arrives onscreen after losing its two main stars from the previous two films, hoping Neve Campbell’s return will appease longtime fans. Iain MacLeod reviews this uninspired and pedestrian entry in a long running franchise that splutters onto the screen with none of the verve or wit that made the first film so entertaining and fun.
GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE
GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE - Stop looking at your phones! Gore Verbinski returns to directing duties with Sam Rockwell travelling back in time to stop a lethal AI from taking over the world with the help of a mismatched group of diners. Iain MacLeod reviews a film packed full of familiar tropes and beats but still finds much to be amused by.
SEND HELP
SEND HELP - After 17 years, Sam Raimi returns to horror with SEND HELP. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien play the put-upon worker and alpha-bro boss stranded on a deserted island, finding themselves stuck in a bloody, gory battle for survival. Iain MacLeod reviews this gleefully cruel return to form from one of the genre’s most recognisable directors.
IRON LUNG
IRON LUNG - Another week, another video game adaptation, this time with the added bonus of being directed by and starring a YouTube personality. IRON LUNG however bucks the trend with its oppressive location and hints of cosmic horror that leaves reviewer Iain MacLeod impressed by Mark Fischbach’s debut.
RETURN TO SILENT HILL
Christophe Gans returns to the much loved horror video game franchise with this adaptation of the second game in the series. Iain MacLeod reviews and struggles to engage with a film that amounts to little more than a replication of the feeling you have watching someone else play a game while you wait for your own turn.
28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE
One more trip to the ravaged lands of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s infected UK, courtesy this time of new director Nia Dacosta. Iain MacLeod reviews the massively entertaining entry that brings Ralph Fiennes’ kindly Dr Kelson and Jack O’Connell’s evil Sir Jimmy Crystal face to face in a film which while only being released in the second week of January could end up being one of the best of the year.
SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT
SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT - You better watch out, here’s another remake of the Xmas stalk n’ slash “classic.” Iain MacLeod reviews the latest iteration that tries to do something new with the murderous Santa premise but fails to deliver in this underwhelming and muddled remake.
SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE
Aatami and his canine sidekick are back in this gleefully gory sequel that amps up the outrageous and cartoonish action and violence in fun style. Iain MacLeod reviews a sequel that throws in enough wrinkles, such as Stephen Lang’s sadistic villain, that it remains fresh enough while still retaining the elements that made the first film so memorable.
THE RUNNING MAN
Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Stephen King’s prescient novel struggles to match the tone not only of its source material but also finds itself lacking in comparison to Schwarzenegger’s daft 80’s actioner. Iain MacLeod reviews this missed opportunity that is also Wright’s least satisfying film to date.
PREDATOR: BADLANDS
Everyone’s favourite breed of alien hunter returns in a story which twists the formula, with a cast out Yautja battling for his honour on the deadliest planet in the galaxy, with a severely damaged, yet very cheerful Weyland Yutani synth providing help. Iain MacLeod reviews Dan Trachtenberg’s eagerly awaited new entry in the PREDATOR saga.
BUGONIA
Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone re-unite for BUGONIA, a remake of the South Korean black-comedy SAVE THE GREEN PLANET. Jesse Plemons plays an unhinged beekeeper who kidnaps a high flying CEO, convinced she is an alien destroying the planet. Iain MacLeod reviews and finds himself underwhelmed by the laidback direction that fails to compare to the original
FRANKENSTEIN
Finally, someone decided to adapt Frankenstein into a film! Guillermo Del Toro’s long in the works passion project arrives briefly on cinema screens before it shuffles onto Netflix. Iain MacLeod reviews the lavish spectacle that aims to be the definitive adaptation of Mary Shelley’s immortal classic but somehow comes up short.
BLACK PHONE 2
The Black Phone rings once more as The Grabber returns to wreak vengeance on teenagers Finney and Gwen as they investigate a series of disturbing murders from the past. Iain MacLeod reviews the sequel that delves fully into the supernatural and proves to be more satisfying than its predecessor.