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Movie review: ‘Terrifier 2’ deserves its Halloween horror hype

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Movie review: ‘Terrifier 2’ deserves its Halloween horror hype

1/5

Artwork the Clown (David Howard Thornton) is again in “Terrifier 2.” Photograph courtesy of Cinedigm

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 26 (UPI) — Terrifier 2, in theaters now, solidifies Artwork the Clown’s (David Howard Thornton) place alongside horror icons Freddy, Jason, Michael, Leatherface and Chucky. This little horror-franchise-that-could deserves the hype.

Terrifier 2 picks up proper the place the 2016 Terrifier left off. Artwork, who was presumedly killed in self-defense, has woken up within the morgue and made the coroner his newest sufferer in his escape.

Artwork then goes to a public laundromat to scrub his costume, which is hilarious and sensible. How do slashers clear up after every graphic kill to seem pristine once more within the subsequent scene?

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This pre-title sequence additionally introduces extra surreal parts to the Terrifier franchise. Artwork nonetheless has a gaping gap in his head from Terrifier 1 and his return is rightfully left unexplained.

Artwork additionally sees The Little Pale Woman (Amelie McLain) who’s invisible to different laundromat prospects. So, Artwork is seeing his personal imaginary confederate and the sequel will introduce extra surreal ideas later.

However first, bounce to at least one 12 months after Artwork’s first Halloween rampage. Sienna (Lauren LaVera) is making her Halloween costume.

Sienna’s brother, Jonathan (Elliott Fullam) desires to go as Artwork, to which Sienna rightfully objects. Their single mom (Sarah Voight) simply desires her youngsters to behave.

Artwork invades Sienna’s desires in a surreal violent youngsters’s present set that is much more haunting than Freddy Krueger. Even Freddy wasn’t sick sufficient to play a clown, and the “Clown Cafe” track might be the subsequent Silver Shamrock jingle.

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The dream units Sienna’s room on hearth when she wakes up, suggesting a Freddy-ish hyperlink between Artwork’s powers and the actual world. It additionally broaches the chance that Artwork is a delusion or supernatural presence, however he very a lot exhibits up in the actual world too.

Leaving Artwork and the Pale Woman’s powers and connections unexplained makes them extra unsettling than in the event that they adopted specific guidelines. Mythology is nice, however hopefully no Terrifier sequel ever explains away all of the thriller.

The graphic violence in Terrifier 2 is not any joke. Most horror aficionados can most likely abdomen it, however the tales of vomiting in theaters should not hype. That is past Noticed and Hostel.

The kills spotlight bodily gore make-up the likes of which might grace the pages of Fangoria within the heyday of ’80s horror films. Terrifier 2 is unhindered by a score just like the mainstream franchises.

As Artwork’s kills get increasingly more outrageous, additionally they present the seams of the consequences. That is really a aid so you possibly can relaxation assured that is all nonetheless faux, however they’re taking it so excessive it turns into absurdly hilarious.

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The kills get more and more extra cartoonish. It is a macabre and ugly cartoon but it surely stops trying actual so the horror is within the extremity, not the truth.

Artwork simply piles on increasingly more to the purpose the place the sufferer ought to have died of blood loss, however they’re nonetheless twitching and making an attempt to crawl away.

Artwork is frightening. Thornton’s efficiency is mischievous and theatrical, doing silent mime expressions that convey full dialogue with no phrases spoken.

Artwork’s M.O. is to bother individuals together with his clown schtick to the purpose they get aggressive, however by then they’re underestimating him. Artwork expects individuals to get aggravated so that they get agitated and make themselves extra susceptible to assault.

Within the (hopefully) ultimate woman function of Sienna, LaVera conveys an empowered younger lady. The movie reveals extra about her household’s traumatic historical past, but it surely’s clear instantly that Sienna has self-parent and be a job mannequin whereas she’s making an attempt to have a childhood.

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At two hours and 18 minutes (with a mid-credits scene longer than most Marvel ones), Terrifier 2 is an epic slasher. The Scream films had been exceptions within the style pushing their runtimes shut to 2 hours, however Terrifier 2 fills its runtime with shocks, terror and endearing characters.

Terrifier 2 continues to be in theaters from Cinedigm and Iconic occasions, and premieres on Screambox Oct. 31.

Fred Topel, who attended movie faculty at Ithaca School, is a UPI leisure author based mostly in Los Angeles. He has been an expert movie critic since 1999, a Rotten Tomatoes critic since 2001 and a member of the Tv Critics Affiliation since 2012. Learn extra of his work in Leisure.

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Movie Reviews

Movie Review: An Old West Sheriff sees Dead People — “Ghosts of Red Ridge”

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Movie Review: An Old West Sheriff sees Dead People — “Ghosts of Red Ridge”

“Ghosts of Red Ridge” is a low-budget Western that tries to be a ghost story. It’s not anything to write home about in either genre.

There’s some nice lived-in detail in the locations, the dusty, dirty costumes and almost-colorful characters. But that plot. Those characters.

Owen Williams stars as the sheriff of Red Ridge, a guy so haunted by the violence of the place and his job that he starts seeing the dark-eyed dead.

This little piece of Texas (a long-standing movie set in Arizona) popped up as a mining town, but the precious metals rush was a bust. Even waiting for the railroad to come through isn’t enough to keep the locals from lashing out.

With Trent (John Marrs) and Gretchen (Lena Wilcox) running a gang bent on robbing the general store (by proxy) and a stagecoach converted to freight hauling, it’s all Sheriff Dunlap and his deputy (Trent Culkin) can do to go a whole day without a shootout.

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There’s backstabbing afoot, and a land scheme in play. Neither of them makes any sense.

The period-correct but sparse Gammons Gulch Movie Set (Is it still for sale?) lays out a common problem for no-budget Westerns — more extras and cast members than buildings to house, feed and employ them. It’s a convincing looking village, but just a bare bones “movie” version of an Old West town.

That’s quibbling, as is any mention of the movie’s dialogue anachronisms and the screwy choice to have the sheriff a well-read man into thermodynamics, “kinetic theory” and the like.

Maybe he should be reading up on the law — misexplaining “due process” to a stranger (Griffin Wade) who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“You’re a good man,” saloon gal Mary (Mercedes Peterson) declares. “Some things ‘good’ can’t fix.”

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That might be the best line of dialogue. The worst?

“They went THATaway!”

There’s a hold-up by highwaymen (and a highwaywoman), a shipment of nitroglycerin to contend with and with every new body, the sheriff has another face to put on the apparitions that fill his dreams and rattle his waking hours.

I always appreciate the degree of difficulty filmmakers take on when they tackle a period piece, especially a Western, instead of the broke movie maker’s favorite genre — horror.

But director Stefan Colson and screenwriter Brandon Cahela take their shot at trying it both ways, and fail in both genres.

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Rating: unrated, violence, profanity

Cast: Owen Williams, Trent Culkin, Griffin Wade, Lena Wilcox and John Marrs.

Credits: Directed by Stefan Colson, scripted by Brandon Cahela. A Well Go USA release.

Running time: 1:21

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About Roger Moore

Movie Critic, formerly with McClatchy-Tribune News Service, Orlando Sentinel, published in Spin Magazine, The World and now published here, Orlando Magazine, Autoweek Magazine

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Moana 2 movie review: Disney’s sequel is visually breathtaking but fails to recreate the magic of first part

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Moana 2 movie review: Disney’s sequel is visually breathtaking but fails to recreate the magic of first part

The makers have made Moana 2 a visual spectacle but failed to add depth to the emotions of the characters as the film is marred by the unidimensional and predictable storyline

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Star cast (Voiceovers): Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Hualālai Chung, Awhimai Fraser, and Gerald Ramsey

Directors: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller

Well, the first part of Moana was like a breath of fresh air for me, and I still cherish it as one of my favourites thanks to its emotional depth and other amazing elements. After a gap of eight years, the second part of our beloved is set to hit the screens, and while the expectations are sky-high, with a heavy heart, I have to admit that it fails to recreate the magic of the first part.

Talking about the plot, _
Moana 2 s_tarts after 3 years from where the first part concluded. Our beloved wayfinder Moana is hunting for more islands like her own Motunui, where people reside. Amid this, she gets an unexpected call from her ancestors, who inform her about the cursed island of Motufetu, which is deserted by the power-hungry god Nalo.

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As the world is disconnected due to Motufetu being submerged in the ocean, Moana along with her small group of unique and weird people is on a mission to find Motufetu, which will reconnect all the people. On the journey, she also finds her old friend Maui, who claims himself to be a demi-god. Well, will they be able to save the island and beat god Nalo? For that, you have to watch Moana 2 on the big screen.

Honestly, the makers have made Moana 2 a visual spectacle but failed to add depth to the emotions of the characters and are marred by the unidimensional and predictable storyline. While the sequel is ahead of its predecessor in terms of VFX but lacks the magic of the first part.

The film doesn’t have any high points or wow moments as the challenges faced by the limited and prominent characters don’t emerge as an engrossing experience. Despite these problems, I still feel Moana 2 will be a delightful experience for kids between 10-12 years, who will love the cheerfulness and larger-than-life portrayals.

On the whole, Moana 2 is not a bad film but nowhere close to its prequel.

Moana 2 is releasing on 29th November

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Rating: 2.5 (out of 5 stars)

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'Wicked Part One' is a movie you should go see right now

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'Wicked Part One' is a movie you should go see right now

I saw the stage play several years ago in Chicago and was lukewarm about the show. So, I was not excited about going to the screening. Wow, was I pleasantly surprised. The movie is very different from the stage play. If you are not a fan of the stage play, you owe it to yourself to try the movie.

“Wicked” is the story of Glinda, the good witch of the North, telling the troubled story of Elphaba’s life to the people of Munchkin land. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, is rejected most of her life because of her green skin. At Shiz University, she forms an unlikely friendship with a beautiful young woman named Galinda, another student who is filled with an undaunted desire to be popular. Following an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, their relationship soon reaches a crossroad as their lives begin to take different paths.

Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba. Ariana Grande costars as Glinda/Galinda. Academy Award nominee Jeff Goldblum is the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh is Madame Morrible. Jonathan Bailey is Fiyero, the love interest. Ethan Slater is Boq. Marissa Bode is Elphaba’s sister Nessa. Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, the original Elphaba and Glinda in the 2003 stage play hit have cameo roles in “Wicked” the movie as Wiz-O-Mania super stars.

The performances of Erivo, Grande and Bailey are outstanding. Both have gorgeous voices that is a joy to listen to even though I thought the music was beautiful but there wasn’t an outstanding song.

Jon M. Chu directed.  He also directed one of my favorite movies, “Crazy Rich Asians.” Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox wrote the screenplay based on the book “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire that was based on the L. Frank Baum classic book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The movie was so much more detailed than the stage play and the story made more sense.

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The Choreography by Christopher Scott was reminiscent of the Busby Berkeley movies of the 1930s.

Cinematographer Alice Brooks does a phenomenal job of emphasizing the beauty of the choreography, the sets and the costumes.

Paul Tazewell’s costumes are colorful, beautiful and add so much to the beauty of the movie.

I expect that “Wicked, Part One” will be nominated for all sorts of Academy Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Golden Globes. It is a beautiful entertaining film for the whole family.

“Wicked Part One” rated PG is now showing in Edwardsville, Alton, Granite City, Jerseyville and Carlinville. I give it 5 stars. The sequel, “Wicked Part Two,” is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025. 

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