Welcome to this week’s cinema roundup, where I share my thoughts on all the films I’ve experienced on the big screen!
To celebrate the spooky season, I spent the week catching up on all the latest horror releases. From thrilling blockbusters to indie gems, this week’s selection offered an array of sinister stories that kept me up at night.
Whether you’re looking for your next movie night pick or just want to know what’s worth seeing, I’ve got you covered! Let’s dive into my cinematic journey of the week!
The first movie I caught this week was the much-anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, where Tim Burton transports us back into his quirky world, bringing the iconic ghost Beetlejuice back to the afterlife. This time, Lydia, now a mother, deals with her ghostly past while trying to navigate her new life. Michael Keaton’s return as Beetlejuice is a fantastic mix of comedy and chaos, reminding us exactly why we love the witty character. Burton’s signature style makes a comeback to create a whimsical yet eerie vibe throughout the film. While the plot occasionally stumbles, the nostalgic charm and humourous moments make it a fun addition to the beloved franchise. As someone who adored the original as a kid, seeing the sequel all grown up felt like such a sweet trip down memory lane!
In the second movie of the week, Damien Leone returns with our favourite demonic killer, Art the Clown, in a gruesome Christmas special with Terrifier 3. Following the events of Halloween, Sienna and her brother attempt to rebuild their lives, only for Art to reemerge with a new sidekick. The film, grossing $18.3 million on a $2 million budget, claimed its name as the goriest film of the year after topping the US Box Office. Considering numerous people walked out during my screening, I have to say it’s not for everyone. This movie really pushes horror boundaries; it features shocking scenes that sparked controversy for including children in Art’s antics. While it prioritises gore over character development, it can be argued that this is exactly what the horror genre needs: pure old-school scary movies. Horror is meant to petrify you, and that is exactly what Terrifier 3 does. It perfects dark comedy, making humour out of the most disturbing situations. Though it raises unanswered questions about Art’s demonic entity, “Terrifier 3” is an audacious, thrilling addition to the horror genre, and I loved every second of it.
My third cinematic experience of the week was an independent horror film from the North East titled Lore. The film follows four friends who embark on a ghostly excursion, guided by a host (played by horror icon Richard Brake) who encourages them to share their scariest stories. Unknown to them, these tales will have significant consequences. I was lucky enough to get tickets to a Q&A screening of this film, and I will have an article on this screening coming very soon, so keep your eyes peeled! I thoroughly appreciated this film’s originality, each ‘scary story’ felt like its own short film. It also knew just the right moments to be comedic or suspenseful – It was actually the first movie to properly freak me out in a while! It’s now available on streaming services like Apple and Amazon so definitely go check it out!
My final film of the week was Smile 2, the chilling sequel to the original horror hit that sends us back into a world of trauma and supernatural dread. Picking up after the first film’s events, we follow a pop star grappling with the heavy burden of a haunting curse as she prepares for her upcoming tour and tries to rebuild her life after a tragic car accident. To assess the positives, the film has some very effective jump scares. Also, Naomi Scott delivered a powerful performance that heightened the emotional stakes. However overall, I wasn’t the biggest fan of this movie. Some plot points felt too predictable, which made the ending less enjoyable. As well as this, the over-the-top Voss water marketing is not only placed in every scene but integrated into the movie’s plot, which was incredibly off-putting for me. It made the film feel like one 2 hour long advertisement. After thoroughly enjoying the first film, Smile 2 left me feeling a bit let down.
Overall, my week at the cinema was an exhilarating voyage filled with nostalgia, shock, joy, and a touch of disappointment.
Stick around for next week’s edition of the weekly round-up, and follow my social media pages for more!