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The Wolf Man (1941)

Directed by: George Waggner

Starring: Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Evelyn Ankers, Warren William, Bela Lugosi

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Some Scary Moments and Mild Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 10 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Moral Dilemma, Production Design, Old Hollywood Charm, Pacing

WEAKNESSES: Theatricality and Melodrama

The Wolf Man (1941)

October 31, 2018

A man returns to his family estate for his brother’s funeral only to be attacked by a wolf and possibly turned into a creature of legend.

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In Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags NR, Universal Monster Movie, George Waggner, Bela Lugosi, Warren William, Evelyn Ankers, Claude Rains, Lon Chaney Jr., 1942
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The Old Dark House (1932)

Directed by: James Whale

Starring: Boris Karloff, Ernest Thesiger, Melvyn Douglas

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 12 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Cinematography, Atmosphere, Story

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Character Motivation

The Old Dark House (1932)

October 31, 2018

A torrential storm washes out the road, causing five travelers to take shelter at a strange old home.

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In Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags James Whale, Raymond Massey, Gloria Stuart, Melvyn Douglas, Eva Moore, Boris KArloff, Charles Laughton, Lillian Bond, G, 1932, 4 Stars
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Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Directed by: Jack Arnold

Starring: Richard Carlson, Whit Bissell, Julie Adams, Richard Denning, Ricou Browning, Ben Chapman, Antonio Moreno

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 19 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Cinematography, Creature Design, Old Hollywood Charm

WEAKNESSES: Some Melodramatic Moments

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

October 31, 2018

A group of scientists travel to the Amazon in search of a missing link in evolution, only to be terrorized by a fearsome beast that dwells there.

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In Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Romance, Thriller Tags Creature from the Black Lagoon, 1954, 4 Stars, Jack Arnold, Richard Carlson, Whit Bissell, Julie Adams, Richard Denning, Ricou Browning, Ben Chapman, Antonio Moreno, G
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Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Richard E Grant, Cary Elwes, Tom Waits

Rated: R for Sexuality and Horror Violence

Running Time: 2 h 8 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Gary Oldman, Takes Chances

WEAKNESSES: Chances Don't Always Pay Off, Some Writing, Some Directorial Choices

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

October 30, 2018

Francis Ford Coppola’s retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel.

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In Adventure, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Francis Ford Coppola, Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Richard E Grant, Cary Elwes, Tom Waits, 2.5 Stars, 1992, R
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Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972)

Directed by: Lucio Fulci

Starring: Tomas Milian, Barbara Bouchet, Florinda Bolkan

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Brutal Violence, Graphic Nudity, and Disturbing Content)

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Writing, Characters, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Content, Somewhat Difficult to Follow First Time Through

Don't Torture a Duckling (1972)

October 29, 2018

A small Italian town is thrown into disarray after a series of child murders. 

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In Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tomas Milian, Barbara Bouchet, Florinda Bolkan
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Zombie (1979)

Directed by: Lucio Fulci

Starring: Tisa Farrow, Ian McCulloch, Richard Johnson

Rated: R for Horror Violence/Gore and Nudity

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Practical Effects

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Incredibly Stupid Characters, Writing (?)

Zombie (1979)

October 29, 2018

After a zombie is found on a sailboat off the New York coast, a journalist named Peter West and Anne Bowles, a daughter in search of her missing father, travel to a tropical island looking for answers. 

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In Action, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller Tags Lucio Fulci, Tisa Farrow, Ian McCulloch, Richard Johnson, 3 Stars, 1979
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Van Helsing (2004)

Directed by: Stephen Sommers

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh

Rated: PG-13 for Nonstop Creature Action Violence and Frightening Images, and for Sensuality

Running Time: 2 h 11 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Sets, Interesting Concept

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Directing, Execution, Lack of Restraint

Van Helsing (2004)

October 28, 2018

A monster hunter travels to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula from hatching an evil plan.

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Sci Fi Tags PG-13, 1.5 Stars, 2004, Stephen Sommers, Hugh Jackman, Kate Bexkinsale, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham
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Underworld (2003)

Directed by: Len Wiseman

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Shane Brolly

Rated: R for Strong Violence/Gore and Some Language

Running Time: 2 h 1 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Action, Creature Design, World Building, Some Visual Effects

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Expositional Dialogue, Some Acting, Some Visual Effects, Early 2000s Cool

Underworld (2003)

October 28, 2018

A vampire warrior becomes infatuated with a human that is sought after by her archenemies: the lycan. 

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In Action, Fantasy, Mystery, Horror, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Shane Brolly, Len Wiseman, R, 2.5 Stars, 2003
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Errementari: The Devil and the Blacksmith (2017)

Directed by: Paul Urkijo Alijo

Starring: Kandido Urgana, Uma Bracaglia, Eneko Sargardoy

Rated: MA

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Production Design, Make Up, Unexpected Humor

WEAKNESSES: Won’t Appeal to All Audiences

Errementari: The Blacksmith and the Devil (2017)

October 27, 2018

A retelling of an ancient fable about a Blacksmith who captures a demon. 

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In Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Foreign Film, Mystery, Thriller Tags Errementari, 2017, Paul Urkijo Alijo, Kandido Urgana, Uma Bracaglia, Eneko Sargardoy, MA, 3.5 Stars, Spain
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Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 17 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Subtlety, Acting

WEAKNESSES: -

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

October 27, 2018

A young couple moves into an apartment with strange neighbors, but when the wife Rosemary becomes pregnant, she begins to feel as if people are after her unborn child.

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Rosemary's Baby, 1968, 5 Stars, Roman Polanski, Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, R
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The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Directed by: James Wan

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe, Frances O'Connor

Rated: R for Terror and Horror Violence

Running Time: 2 h 14 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Atmosphere, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Lack of Subtlety, The Crooked Man

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

October 26, 2018

The Warrens head to London to help a single mother and her children deal with a restless spirit.

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In Biographical, Drama, Fantasy, Epic, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags 2016, R, 3.5 Stars, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe, Frances O'Connor, Vera Farmiga
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The Lost Boys (1987)

Directed by: Joel Schumacher

Starring: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Edward Herrmann, Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest, Jamison Newlander

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 37 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Humor, Some Action

WEAKNESSES: It’s Silly but Thinks Its Cool, Doesn’t Follow its Own Rules

The Lost Boys (1987)

October 23, 2018

After moving to a new town, two brothers find out the area is infested with vampires.

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In Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags The Lost Boys, 1987, Joel Schumacher, Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Edward Herrmann, Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest, Jamison Newlander
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Sleep Tight (2011)

Directed by: Jaume Balaguero

Starring: Luis Tosar, Marta Etura, Alberto San Juan

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Disturbing Behavior, Some Sexuality/Nudity and A Scene of Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Content

Sleep Tight (2011)

October 22, 2018

A depressed concierge at an apartment complex in Spain makes it his life’s work to make his tenant’s lives as miserable as his, but one tenant in particular is incredibly jovial. 

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In Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags 2011, Juame Balaguero, Luis Tosar, Marta Etura, Alberto San Juan, NR
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The Guest (2014)

Directed by: Adam Wingard

Starring: Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Brendan Meyer, Lance Reddick, Sheila Kelley

Rated: R for Strong Violence, Language, Some Drug Use and A Scene of Sexuality

Running Time: 1 h 40 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing, Soundtrack, Simplicity

WEAKNESSES: Predictable, Some Stupid Character Choices

The Guest (2014)

October 22, 2018

A man arrives at the Peterson’s home, introducing himself as a soldier that served beside their son who died in action, but the man might be hiding some secrets.

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In Action, Drama, Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags 2014, The Guest, Adam Wingard, Dan Stevens, 3.5 Stars, Maika Monroe, Brendan Meyer, Lance Reddick, Sheila Kelley
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Possession (1981)

Directed by: Andrzej Zulawski

Starring: Isabelle Adjani, Sam Neil, Heinz Bennent

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 4 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Practical Effects, Atmosphere, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Content, Some Acting

Possession (1981)

October 21, 2018

A married man suspects his wife is having an affair, only to find that something far more disturbing is taking place. 

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In Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags 4.5 Stars, R, 1981, Sam Neill, Andrzej Zulawski, Isabelle Adjani, Heinz Bennent
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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Directed by: Tim Burton

Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen

Rated: R for Graphic Bloody Violence

Running Time: 1 h 56 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Art Direction, Music, Acting, Story, Dark Humor

WEAKNESSES: -

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

October 20, 2018

A barber who has been wrongfully imprisoned for fifteen years returns to London to extract his revenge on the judge who wronged him.

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Horror, Musical, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen, R, 2007
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The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Directed by: Jim Sharman

Starring: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 40 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Tim Curry, Music, Production Design, Comedy, Uniqueness, Acting

WEAKNESSES: It's Not Everyone's Cup of Tea

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

October 19, 2018

A newly engaged couple get a flat tire near a castle where the mad Dr. Frank-N-Furter is having a party. 

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In Art House, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Musical, Mystery, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags 1975, 4 Stars, R, Jim Sharman, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick
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It (2017)

Directed by: Andy Muschietti

Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Fin Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer

Rated: R for Violence/Horror, Bloody Images, and for Language

Running Time: 2 h 15 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Characters, Story, Aesthetic

WEAKNESSES: It's Not That Scary

It (2017)

October 18, 2018

In the summer of 1989, a group of outcast kids band together to fight a mysterious force that feeds on the children of the town.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Epic, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags 2017, R, 4 Stars, Andy Muschietti, Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Fin Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jacky Dylan Grazer
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Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Directed by: Drew Goddard

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, John Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Cailee Spaeny, Shea Whigham, Nick Offerman, Lewis Pullman

Rated: R for Strong Violence, Language, Some Drug Content and Brief Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 21 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Characters, Story, Setting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

October 18, 2018

Seven strangers all harboring secrets meet at El Royale, a mysterious hotel on the border of California and Nevada.

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Thriller Tags Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, John Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Cailee Spaeny, Shea Whigham, Nick Offerman, Lewis Pullman, Drew Goddard, 3 Stars, 2018, Bad Times at the El Royale, R
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Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

Directed by: Stephen Chiodo

Starring: Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Allen Nelson

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 h 28 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Effects, Creature and Production Design, Comedy, Originality

WEAKNESSES: Tone (?), Some Jokes Didn't Land (?)

Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

October 18, 2018

Aliens that look like clowns attack a small town. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Stephen Chiodo, Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Allen Nelson, PG13, 3 Stars, 1988, USA
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