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The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Directed by: James Whale

Starring: Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Elsa Lanchester, Ernest Thesiger

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

Running Time: 1 h 15 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Characters, Story Structure, Moral Dilemmas, Effects, Technically Superior to Original, Acting, Pacing

WEAKNESSES: -

The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

October 31, 2018

The continuing misadventures of Frankenstein and his monster.

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In Action, Art House, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags James Whale, Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Elsa Lanchester, Ernist Thesiger, NR, 1935, 5 Stars, Universal Monster
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The Phantom of the Opera (1943)

Directed by: Arthur Lubin

Starring: Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster, Claude Rains, Edgar Barrier

Rated: Approved

Running Time: 1 h 32 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Music, Directing, Cinematography, Excitement

WEAKNESSES: Some Lengthy Songs

The Phantom of the Opera (1943)

October 31, 2018

A disfigured violinist stalks a young operetta.

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In Drama, Horror, Musical, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags 4.5 Stars, 1943, Arthur Lubin, Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster, Claude Rains, Edgar Barrier, Approved
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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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Frankenstein (1931)

Directed by: James Whale

Starring: Colin Clive, Boris Karloff, Mae Clarke, Edward Van Sloan, Dwight Frye

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Some Disturbing Content and Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 10 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Writing, Effects, Directing, Sets

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Frankenstein (1931)

October 31, 2018

An obsessive scientist recreates life using the corpses of dead men.  

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Sci Fi, Thriller, Romance Tags James Whale, Colin Clive, Boris Karloff, Mae Clarke, Edward Van Sloan, Dwight Frye, NR, 4 Stars, Universal Monster, 1931
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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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Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)

Directed by: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Robert De Niro, Tom Hulce, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Holm, Aidan Quinn, John Cleese

Rated: R for Horrific Images

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Basic Story

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Dialogue, Weird Story Additions, Pacing

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)

October 30, 2018

Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

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In Drama, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Sci Fi, Romance, Thriller Tags Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Frankenstein, 1994, Kenneth Branagh, Robert De Niro, Tom Hulce, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Holm, Aidan Quinn, John Cleese, R, 1.5 Stars
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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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The Others (2001)

Directed by: Alejandro Amenabar

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Christopher Eccleston, Alakina Mann, James Bentley

Rated: PG-13 for Thematic Material and Frightening Moments

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Directing, Atmosphere, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: -

The Others (2001)

October 28, 2018

Shortly after the end of World War II, a woman in the English countryside becomes convinced her home is haunted. 

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In Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Alejandro Amenabar, Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Christopher Eccleston, Alakina Mann, James Bentley, PG-13, 4.5 Stars, 2001
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Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

Directed by: John McNaughton

Starring: Michael Rooker, Tracy Arnold, Tom Towles

Rated: NR (Suggested R-NC-17 for Extreme Violence and Sadistic Behavior, Disturbing Content Including Rape, and For Language)

Running Time: 1 h 23 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Extreme Content

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

October 28, 2018

A drifter commits a series of murders while staying with a friend in Chicago, loosely based on the life of Henry Lee Lucas.

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In Biographical, Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller Tags Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, John McNaughton, Michael Rooker, Tracy Arnold, Tom Towles, NR, 3 Stars, 1986
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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 (2013)

Directed by: James Wan

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farminga, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy

Rated: R for Sequences of Disturbing Violence and Terror

Running Time: 1 h 52 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Good Blend of Atmospheric and Jump Scares, Characters, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Corny Dialogue and Climax, Some Tropes

The Conjuring (2013)

October 26, 2018

Paranormal investigators help a family that is being terrorized by a malicious presence that lives in their home.

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In Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Biographical, Thriller Tags 2013, 4 Stars, James Wan, R, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farminga, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy
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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 Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

Directed by: Terry Gilliam

Starring: John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Robin Williams, Uma Thurman

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2h 6m

TMM Score: 4 Stars (Really Liked It)

STRENGTHS: Creativity, Fantasy, Performances

WEAKNESSES: Uneven, Slow in Spots

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

October 26, 2018

The City is under attack by the Turks and while the government know it alls claim to have it all in hand, the townspeople are being treated with a theatrical presentation of the adventures of Baron Munchausen. That is, until the real Baron shows up and tells them that the siege outside their gates is really his fault, but not to fear. He will set it right, again.

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In Adventure, Art House, Children's Movies, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy Tags mjamesmcdonald, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 1988, Terry Gilliam, 4 Stars, PG, John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Robin Williams, Uma Thurman
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The Fly (1986)

Directed by: David Cronenberg

Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Practical Effects, Makeup, Story

WEAKNESSES: Content Will Deter Some Viewers

The Fly (1986)

October 25, 2018

An eccentric scientist has an accident in his lab that changes his life forever. 

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In Fantasy, Drama, Horror, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz, David Cronenberg, 1986, R, 4.5 Stars
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