Speak No Evil

 

       With a screenplay written and directed by James Watkins, this is an American remake of a 2022 Danish thriller.

        An American couple and their young daughter meet a British couple and their son while on holiday in Tuscany. They all hit it off and the "Brits", Paddy and his wife Ciara invite Louise, Ben and their daughter, Agnes to visit them at their farm in the English countryside. Once they arrive, all is not what it seems.

        Paddy is played by James McAvoy and he is incredible. Friendly and inviting one second, he turns sinister with just a simple raised eyebrow, slight twist of a lip or simply a sneering smile. His wife is played by Aisling Franciosi and their son is played by Dan Hough. The American couple are well played by Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy (who were both terrific in the great AMC show "Halt & Catch Fire"). Alix West Lefler plays Agnes, wise beyond her years. The film also co-stars Kris Hichen as Mike and Motaz Mulhees as Muhjid.

        Mr. Watkins builds the suspense  slowly as little cracks start to appear in Paddy and Ciara's behavior. His screenplay alternates between suspense, touches of humor and eventually horror, as the truth is revealed.  At that point, the tension becomes palatable as things escalate into a life and death situation. 

         It's a rollercoaster of a film, touching all the right buttons of it's audience.  If you are looking for a much darker and even more sinister version of the story, check out the original Danish film, now streaming.

          

Caveat

 

        Directed and written by Damian McCarthy, "Caveat" is Mr. McCarthy's directorial debut and the predecessor to "Oddity", a terrific horror film, I recently reviewed.

        While I didn't find this film quite as scary as "Oddity", it certainly has it's moments. The story itself, is strange to begin with and only gets stranger as it goes on. Mr. McCarthy is an original voice in horror and creates stories and situations that can totally give you nightmares.

         Amnesiac drifter Isaac is hired by one Moe Barrett to watch over his niece, Olga, who lives alone and is prone to sudden fits of catatonic states. What Moe doesn't reveal to Isaac is the job's caveat and thus sets off  Isaac's descent into near madness.

         The film stars Johnny French as Isaac, Leila Sykes as Olga, and Ben Caplan as Moe Barrett. The film also stars the scariest toy rabbit I've ever seen. 

          Currently streaming, it's a film that may haunt you for days.

Reagan

 

         What a great love story between Ron and Nancy Reagan and what a great love story for all Republicans. And released close to Election Day, coincidence? Although in fairness, it does instill a bit of patriotic pride, the way President Reagan stood up to the Soviet Union.

          Dennis Quaid does a fairly good impression of President Reagan but it's Penelope Ann Miller who steals the film as Nancy Reagan. She is spot on and the chemistry between the two is wonderful. They do a great job conveying the love "Ronnie" and Nancy Pants"  had for each other.

           The film is framed by a Russian "spy" narrator, played by Jon Voight explaining to an unnamed Russian official how Ronald Reagan came to power. He claims to have studied everything about Reagan going back to when he was a boy, which we then see as the story unfold in flashbacks.

            Co-starring are C. Thomas Howell, Kevin Dillion, Mena Suvari, Lesley -Anne Down, Alesksander Krupa, Robert Davi, Xander Berkeley, and Dan Lauria among others.

            The film covers a lot of ground but many significant events are glossed over as the writer, Howard Klausner's main focus is on communism and how President Reagan was instrumental in the fall of the Soviet Union. His screenplay is based on the book, "The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism" by Paul Kengor so it makes sense that the screenplay is heavy on the subject. Of course little mention of the Iran-Contra scandal, the invasion of Grenada, the bombing of Libya, his lack of response to the AIDS epidemic, and “Reaganomics” while focusing on primary standing up to the Russians paints an unequal weight on his legacy. 

             No president has ever been perfect but Ronald Reagan's legacy will stand the test of time. The film is entertaining and provides some insight into the man. But if you are more interested in a complete picture (and not just all this flag waving), hit the history books.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

 

    Director Tim Burton, with his singular visual style, reunites Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara to create a funhouse sequel to the original "Beetlejuice".

     Despite a few visual marvels, the film takes a minute to really take off, especially when a plot point you may think unnecessary takes an important turn.

      In addition to the three returning leads, the film also co-stars Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, Arthur Conti, Burn Gorman, and in a cameo, Danny DeVito.

      The art direction and visual effects are fantastic, as you would expect from a Tim Burton Film, and as in most of Mr. Burton's films, Danny Elfman composed the score.

       Mr. Keaton is at his madcap best and is a shot of adrenaline every time he is on screen. Ms. O'Hara and Mr. Dafoe, chew the scenery (in a good way) in their respective roles. Ms. Bellucci is the very sexy ex-wife of Beetlejuice who's shapely figure is put together very well...literally. Ms. Ortega is an actress that continues to impress and Ms. Ryder slips back comfortably into her character, Lydia Deetz, albeit with an adult sensibility now.

       The film doesn't break any new ground since the original (although Beetlejuice's shrunken head employees are a hoot) but is lots of nostalgic fun throughout. 

    

      

Strange Darling

 

       A one night stand becomes a twisted game of cat and mouse in this dark thriller from writer/director JT Mollner.

       The film is broken into six "chapters" and an epilogue but told in a non-linear fashion which is only one of the more interesting things that sets it apart from films of this ilk. 

       It stars Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. Both leads play well against each other and Ms. Fitzgerald, in particular, is absolutely terrific as "The Lady". Barbara Hershey and Ed Begley Jr. have small but significant roles.

       The actor Giovanni Ribisi makes his behind the camera debut as the cinematographer, as well as one of the producers and the actor Jason Patric does a voice over narration. 

       Violent and clever, "Strange Darling" will definitely hold your attention. 

Oddity

 

      Finally, a horror movie that lives up to its genre. This new film written and directed by Damian McCarthy is creepy, unsettling, and actually dare I say it, scary. 

       Mr. McCarthy has written a very weird but accessible story line and directs with an assured hand that knows exactly where and when to jolt you out of your seat. It's the first horror film I've seen in a long time that actually gave me goosebumps.

       The film stars Gwilym Lee, Carolyn Bracken, Tadhg Murphy, Caroline Menton, Steve Wall, and Jonathan French. It was filmed in Ireland and despite accents, you can easily watch without subtitles. I recommend watching it in the dark and not alone.

       The less said about the plot the better but from the moment it starts until the very last frame, it will have you on edge. Streaming now, as video on demand, on multiple outlets.