But this new Black Christmas is a heck of a lot more than a talented filmmaker beating a socially-conscious drum. Takal has manufactured a monstrously entertaining horror riff that intelligent audiences of all backgrounds, races and genders will hopefully find just as much fun to watch as I did, this merry little not-really-a-remake remake a gleefully malevolent horror gift I’m happy I took the time to unwrap.
This new Rabid definitely has bite, and while that it fails to draw any more blood than that produced by a pinprick is undeniably a problem, it’s not a big enough on that I can entirely dismiss what it is the filmmakers have done here.
Jumanji: The Next Level continues a story begun way back in 1995 with wit, intelligence, imagination and creativity, and I’m honestly a little shocked to admit that I cannot wait to see where things go next.
The Aeronauts is a one-of-a-kind achievement, and for that reason alone here’s hoping audiences go give it a look.
Rian Johnson’s marvelous who-done-it (and how’d-they-do-it) all-star murder mystery Knives Out is more than just a witty modern-day riff on a familiar Agatha Christie-like scenario.
Queen & Slim is a nightmare romantic thriller ripped straight out of today’s headlines
Honey Boy is a complex nonlinear trek into the highs, lows and uncomforting in-betweens of a life lived on the fringes of the Los Angeles spotlight, this father-son story at a vicious exposé of lost dreams, heightened expectations, overpowering addiction and unselfish love that caught me by surprise.
Frozen II is a sequel that exists to tell its own individual story and not just ride on the Oscar-winning coattails of its predecessor, watching it a continual joy that filled my heart with glee.
Hitting the screen like a shot of pure unfiltered adrenaline, director James Mangold’s Ford v Ferrari is an outstanding historical character study overflowing in energy, excitement, drama, heartache, euphoria and unbridled suspense.