“IT: Chapter 2” is expected to have the second-highest opening weekend for a horror movie in the US with 91 million dollars. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures) Troy Lafond Connector Editor “IT Chapter 2,” starring an ensemble class including Jessica Chastain as Beverly Marsh, James McAvoy as Bill Denbrough, Bill Hader as Richie Tozier,…
Underrated Classics: ‘Viy’
A remake of “Viy” was released in 2014. (Photo courtesy of Mosfilm) Hannah Manning Connector Editor It took 45 years for the Soviet Union to produce and release its first horror film, but the wait paid off. “Viy,” directed by Konstantin Ershov and Georgiy Kropachyov, is a film that dazzles with its practical effects and…
‘Hellboy’ is bad, and the devil is in the details
This is the third live-action film in the franchise. (Photo courtesy of Variety) Owen Johnson Connector Editor Step aside Halle Berry’s “Catwoman” and Joel Schumacher’s “Batman & Robin”; 2019’s “Hellboy” is the unmitigated embarrassment when it comes to cinematic adaptions of comic books now. When the ancient sorceress Nimue (Milla Jovovich) from the time of King…
Lightning did not strike for ‘Shazam’
Dwayne Johnson was originally in talks to play the villain of Black Adam, who ended up not appearing in the film. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures) Troy Lafond Connector Editor At the beginning of the second act of “Shazam,” the newest entry in the DC Cinematic Universe, there is a scene where the titular…
‘Pet Sematary’ has more wrong than just the spelling
There are talks of a prequel film to “Pet Sematary.” (Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures) Owen Johnson Connector Editor The phrase, “Sometimes, dead is better,” is plastered over every advertisement for “Pet Sematary,” based on the novel by Stephen King of the same name. Ironically, the filmmakers did not head this warning and decided to…
Underrated Classics: ‘The Naked Gun’ is comedic mastery
“The Naked Gun” is based off of the short-lived television series “Police Squad!” (Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures) Owen Johnson Connector Editor Before the dredge of comedic-spoof movies like “Scary Movie” and “Epic Movie” were being pumped out as the laziest, most cynical cash grabs in the history of Hollywood, spoof comedy actually had a…
‘Dumbo’ flies higher than expected, but not by much
Will Smith, Bill Hader, Chris Pine and Casey Affleck were all considered for the main role. (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) Owen Johnson Connector Editor “Dumbo” is the first of four planned live-action remakes to classic Disney animated films that are slated for release in 2019. If “Dumbo” is any indication to how…
‘The Jungle Book’ is the king of Disney animated movies
The animation of “The Jungle Book” was done by xerography. (Photo courtesy of Buena Vista Distribution) Hannah Manning Connector Editor Disney’s “The Jungle Book” has literally every single element that constitutes a great children’s film: excellent voice acting, beautiful animation and a barbershop quartet of vultures. Almost every bit and piece of this film is…
