Movie Reviews
Halloween III: Season of the Witch
(Reviewed in 2002.)
According to our friend the Internet, "Halloween" impresario John Carpenter wanted to further the franchise after Part II but couldn't figure out a way to do it. So the plan was to release a new Halloween-themed film each Octob...
First Blood
(Reviewed in 2001.)
"First Blood" is a frightening movie. It shows what war can do to its heroes, indicting us as a people for producing men so adept at killing they can do nothing else. It also gives a worst-case scenario in the escalating nightm...
Friday the 13th Part III
(Reviewed in 2002 as part of a retrospective on the "Friday the 13th" series.)
The most important issue we can address in regards to "Friday the 13th Part III" is consistency. For as similar as these movies all are to each other, they are shocking...
Halloween II
(Reviewed in 2002, with revisions in 2017.)
"Halloween II" picks up exactly where "Halloween" left off, so closely that Part 1 might as well have ended with "To Be Continued." It follows the aftermath of Michael Myers' rampage on Halloween night 1...
Friday the 13th Part 2
(Reviewed in 2002 as part of a retrospective on the "Friday the 13th" series.)
"Friday the 13th Part 2" is actually a little better than its predecessor. Of course, that's like saying the Vandals didn't rape quite as many Romans the second time th...
Friday the 13th
(Reviewed in 2002 as part of a retrospective on the "Friday the 13th" series.)
For years now, horror fans have held that "Friday the 13th," despite its shortcomings, is a significant film because it was instrumental in launching the genre of teen ...
Kramer vs. Kramer
(Reviewed in 2001.)
Any parents thinking of divorce should be court-ordered to watch "Kramer vs. Kramer." After seeing it, if there is even a dim chance of reconciliation, they'll take it, rather than inflict their separation upon their children. ...
Halloween
(Reviewed in 2001, with revisions in 2017.)
For better or worse, "Halloween" began the modern teen slasher genre. It came before "Friday the 13th" (which was clearly inspired by it) and was far superior to it, establishing tension and avoiding che...
Blacula
(Written in 2007 for the "Retro Cinema" feature at Cinematical.)
The No. 1 film in America last weekend, with more than $21 million at the box office, was Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?" -- and I don't know a single person who saw it. That'...
Operation Last Patrol (documentary)
(From a review of the 2006 DVD release.)
When the Vietnam Veteran Against the War (VVAW) marched on the Republican National Convention in Miami in 1972, an amateur filmmaker named Frank Cavestani tagged along and created the documentary "Operation...
Manos: The Hands of Fate
(Reviewed in 2002.)
Before "Mystery Science Theater 3000" made it legendary, "Manos: The Hands of Fate" had deservedly been forgotten by history. It was not a cult-classic bad film like "Plan 9 from Outer Space," nor had it been a big-name or big-...
