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The Omen II: Damien (1978)

Directed by: Don Taylor

Starring: Jonathan Scott-Taylor, William Holden, Lee Grant

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 47 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Moral Dilemma, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Similar Story and Plot Progression to Original

The Omen II: Damien (1978)

October 29, 2019

The continuing misadventures of Damien the Antichrist.

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In Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Horror Tags Jonathan Scott-Taylor, William Holden, Lee Grant, Don Taylor, R, 1978
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Ju-On The Grudge (2002)

Directed by: Takashi Shimizu

Starring: Megumi Okina, Misaki Ito, Misa Uehara

Rated: R for Some Disturbing Images

Running Time: 1 h 32 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Creepy Images and Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Some Special Effects

Ju-On The Grudge (2002)

October 28, 2019

A social assistant discovers a vengeful spirit waiting at the house where she is assigned.  

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In Drama, Crime, Foreign Film, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Takashi Shimizu, Megumi Okina, Misaki Ito, Misa Uehara, R
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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Directed by: Charles Barton

Starring: Bud Abbot, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange, Lenore Aubert, Jane Randolph

Rated: NR (TMM Suggested PG for Some Scary Images)

Running Time: 1 h 23 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Comedy, Production Design, Writing, Wide Appeal

WEAKNESSES: Some Jokes Go On Too Long

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

October 27, 2019

Two freight handlers encounter Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Wolf Man.

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In Adventure, Buddy Movies, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Bud Abbot, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange, Lenore Aubert, Jane Randolph, Charles Barton, NR, 4 Stars, 1948
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Feast (2005)

Directed by: John Gulager

Starring: Navi Rawat, Judah Friedlander, Jason Mewes, Balthazar Getty, Dueane Whitaker

Rated: R for Pervasive Strong Creature Violence and Gore, Language, Some Sexuality and Drug Content

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Practical Effects, Some Humor

WEAKNESSES: Thin Story, Thinks It’s More Clever Than It Is

Feast (2005)

October 26, 2019

Bar patrons face off against bloodthirsty aliens. 

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In Action, Fantasy, Horror, Monster Film, Sci Fi Tags John Gulager, 2005, Navi Rawat, Judah Friedlander, Jason Mewes, Balthazar Getty, Dueane Whitaker, R, 2.5 Stars
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New Nightmare (1994)

Directed by: Wes Craven

Starring: Heather Langenkamp, Miko Hughes, Wes Craven, Robert Englund

Rated: R for Explicit Horror Violence and Gore, and For Language

Running Time: 1 h 52 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Meta-Story, Atmosphere, Freddy Sequences

WEAKNESSES: Takes A While to Get Going

New Nightmare (1994)

October 25, 2019

As Heather Langenkamp prepares for her role in the latest installment in the “Nightmare on Elm Street” series, she finds hers and her child’s dreams are being afflicted by Freddy. 

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In Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Slasher, Thriller Tags Heather Langenkamp, Miko Hughes, Wes Craven, Robert Englund, 1994, 3.5 Stars
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Jason X (2001)

Directed by: James Isaac

Starring: Kane Hodder, Lexa Doig, David Cronenberg, Jeff Geddis

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: It’s Incredibly Funny, Some Cool/Creative Kills

WEAKNESSES: Almost Everything

Jason X (2001)

October 25, 2019

Jason Voorhees is frozen in carbonite for four hundred years until he’s brought back on a space ship.  

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In Action, Crime, Horror, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags James Isaac, Kane Hodder, Lexa Doig, David Cronenberg, Jeff Geddis, 2001, R, 2 Stars
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Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)

Directed by: Rachel Talalay

Starring: Robert Englund, Lisa Zane, Shon Greenblatt, Yaphet Kotto, Johnny Depp, Roseanne Barr

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 29 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Freddy’s Origin, One or Two Dream Sequences

WEAKNESSES: Everything Else

Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)

October 25, 2019

Ten years after the last “Nightmare”, Freddy has killed all but one of the remaining teens in Springwood and now must use the amnestic John Doe to lure more teens to him.

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In Fantasy, Horror, Comedy, Slasher, Thriller Tags Robert Englund, Lisa Zane, Shon Greenblatt, Yaphet Kotto, Johnny Depp, Roseanne Barr, Rachel Talalay, 1991, 1.5 Stars, R
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A Nightmare on Elm Street V: The Dream Child (1989)

Directed by: Stephen Hopkins

Starring: Robert Englund, Lisa Wilcox, Whit Herford

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 29 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Dream Sequences, Freddy’s Return

WEAKNESSES: Climax, Doesn’t Work as a Standalone

A Nightmare on Elm Street V: The Dream Child (1989)

October 25, 2019

Alice, the powerful dream warrior, finds herself beset by the nightmares of her unborn infant child. 

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In Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror Tags 1989, Robert Englund, Lisa Wilcox, Whit Herford, R, 3 Star
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A Nightmare on Elm Street III: Dream Warriors (1987)

Directed by: Chuck Russell

Starring: Robert Englund, Patricia Arquette, Heather Langenkamp, Laurence Fishburne

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Dream Sequences, Some Story Elements, World Building

WEAKNESSES: Breaks Own Rules, Logic Problems

A Nightmare on Elm Street III: Dream Warriors (1987)

October 25, 2019

Nancy Thompson helps a group of teens learn how to fight Freddy Krueger.

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In Comedy, Fantasy, Thriller, Horror Tags 1987, 3 Stars, R, Robert Englund, Patricia Arquette, Heather Langenkamp, Laurence Fishburne, Chuck Russell
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Freddy vs Jason (2003)

Directed by: Ronny Yu

Starring: Robert Englund, Ken Kirzinger, Paula Shawn, Kelly Rowland, Jason Ritter

Rated: R for Pervasive Strong Horror Violence/Gore, Gruesome Images, Sexuality, Drug Use and Language

Running Time: 1 h 37 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: It’s Kinda Funny

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Directing, Story, Acting

Freddy vs Jason (2003)

October 25, 2019

Freddy Krueger tricks Jason Voorhees into killing a slew of teenagers for his own personal reasons, but when Jason finds out he’s been duped, he turns his machete towards the gloved-killer.

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In Action, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Robert Englund, Ken Kirzinger, Paula Shawn, Kelly Rowland, Jason Ritter, Ronny Yu, 2003, Freddy vs Jason, R
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A Nightmare on Elm Street IV: The Dream Master (1988)

Directed by: Renny Harlin

Starring: Robert Englund, Tuesday Knight, Lisa Wilcox

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 33 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Overall Franchise Progression, Dream Sequences

WEAKNESSES: Freddy’s Return, Doesn’t Stand on Its Own, More Covered in Spoiler Section

A Nightmare on Elm Street IV: The Dream Master (1988)

October 25, 2019

After the defeat of Freddy Krueger at the hands of the Dream Warriors, Freddy somehow returns to haunt the dreams of a girl named Alice, whom is a particularly strong dreamer. 

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In Comedy, Crime, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller Tags Renny Harlin, 1988, Robert Englund, Tuesday Knight, Lisa Wilcox, R, 2.5 Stars
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Friday the 13th (2009)

Directed by: Marcus Nispel

Starring: Jared Padelecki, Danielle Panabaker, Amanda Righetti

Rated: R for Strong Bloody Violence, Some Graphic Sexual Content, Language and Drug Material

Running Time: 1 h 46 m

TMM Score: 0.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Absolutely Nothing

WEAKNESSES: Misogynistic and Unlikable Characters, Stupid Plot Progression, Acting

Friday the 13th (2009)

October 25, 2019

A group of stupid people are attacked by a redneck in a hockey mask. 

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In Action, Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Jared Padelecki, Danielle Panabaker, Amanda Righetti, Marcus Nispel, 2009, R, 0.5 Stars
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A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Directed by: Wes Craven

Starring: Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Johnny Depp, Ronee Blakley

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Atmosphere, Story, World Building, Characters, Creativity

WEAKNESSES: Schmaltzy Moments

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

October 25, 2019

A slain child murderer returns to haunt the dreams of the children whose parents killed him. 

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In Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Wes Craven, 1984, R, 4.5 Stars, Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Johnny Depp, Ronee Blakley
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A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)

Directed by: Jack Sholder

Starring: Robert Englund, Mark Patton, Kim Myers

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 27 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Story Elements, Practical Effects, Dream Sequences

WEAKNESSES: Entire Third Act

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985)

October 25, 2019

A teenage boy is haunted by Freddy Krueger in his dreams, and he believes that Freddy might be possessing him. 

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In Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Robert Englund, Mark Patton, Kim Myers, Jack Sholder, 1985, R, 2 Stars
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Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)

Directed by: Adam Marcus

Starring: John D. Lemay, Kane Hodder, Kari Keegan

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 27 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Story Elements, It’s Fun

WEAKNESSES: It’s Incredibly Stupid

Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)

October 25, 2019

After being blown up, Jason’s soul possesses a morgue worker and he tries to find a member of the Voorhees family so that he can be reborn through magic. 

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In Action, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags John D. Lemay, Kane Hodder, Kari Keegan, Adam Marcus, 1993, R, 2 Stars
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The Ruins (2008)

Directed by: Carter Smith

Starring: Laura Ramsey, Jena Malone, Jonathan Tucker, Shawn Ashmore

Rated: R for Strong Violence and Gruesome Images

Running Time: 1h 30m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

STRENGTHS: Good Ideas, Decent Deaths

WEAKNESSES: Amateur Writing, Too Familiar, Silly Character Motivations

The Ruins (2008)

October 24, 2019

A group of friends find themselves on a hostile dig site.

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In Thriller, Mystery, Horror Tags Karl Nagurski, Rated R, 2 stars, The Ruins, Thriller, Laura Ramsey, Jena Malone, Jonathan Tucker, Shawn Ashmore
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The Wicker Man (1973)

Directed By: Robin Hardy

Starring: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 28m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Theme, Story, Protagonist

Weakness: None

The Wicker Man (1973)

October 23, 2019

When a police officer from the mainland is dispatched to an island to investigate a girl’s disappearance he runs into trouble as no one on the island seems to even remember her existing.

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In Drama, Foreign Film, Horror, Mystery Tags Michael McDonald, Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, R Rated, The Wicker Man, 1973, Robin Hardy, 4 Stars
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Case 39 (2009)

Directed by: Christian Alvart

Starring: Renee Zellweger, Bradley Cooper, Ian McShane, Jodelle Ferland

Rated: R for Violence and Terror Including Disturbing Images

Running Time: 1h 49m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

STRENGTHS: Solid Opening

WEAKNESSES: Generic, Not Scary

Case 39 (2009)

October 22, 2019

Social worker Bethany isn’t prepared for this next case, which could be her last….

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In Horror Tags Karl Nagurski, Case 39, ChrisTian Alvart, Renee Zellwger, Renee Zelweger, Bradley Cooper, Ian McShane, Jodelle Ferland, 2 Stars, R Rated
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The Dark Half (1993)

Directed by: George A Romero

Starring: Timothy Hutton, Amy Madigan, Michael Rooker

Rated: R for Violence and Language

Running Time: 2 h 2 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Concept

WEAKNESSES: General Execution

The Dark Half (1993)

October 21, 2019

After a writer kills off his pseudonym the pseudonym manifests and terrorizes the writer and his family.  

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags George A Romero, Timothy Hutton, Amy Madigan, Michael Rooker, R, 2 Stars
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Thinner (1996)

Directed by: Tom Holland

Starring: Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Bethany Joy Lenz, Lucinda Jenney, Stephen King

Rated: R for Horror Violence and Gore, Language and Sexuality

Running Time: 1 h 33 m

TMM Score: 1 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Makeup

WEAKNESSES: Anemic Story, Unlikeable Characters, Boring

Thinner (1996)

October 20, 2019

A fat lawyer begins rapidly loosing weight after gypsies curse him. 

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In Crime, Drama, Horror, Fantasy Tags Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Bethany Joy Lenz, Lucinda Jenney, Stephen King, Tom Holland, 1 Star, 1996
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