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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 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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The Ninth Gate (1999)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, Emmanuelle Seigner

Rated: R for Some Violence and Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 13 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Tone

The Ninth Gate (1999)

October 19, 2019

A rare books dealer is drawn into a conspiracy with supernatural overtones after accepting a new job offer from a mysterious and wealthy patron. 

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, Emmanuelle Seigner, Roman Polanski, 1999, 3 Stars
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Bride of Chucky (1998)

Directed by: Ronny Yu

Starring: Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, Katherine Heigl, Nick Stabile, Gordon Michael Woolvett

Rated: R for Strong Horror Violence and Gore, Language, Some Sexual Content and Brief Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 29 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Humor, Some Special Effects, Some Story Elements

WEAKNESSES: Some Story Elements, Human Characters

Bride of Chucky (1998)

October 18, 2019

Charles Lee Ray’s ex-girlfriend Tiffany resurrects the serial killing doll Chucky, and through a series of unfortunate events, becomes a doll herself. The two engage in a killing spree as they trek across the country towards Charles’ grave.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Horror, Fantasy, Romance, Thriller Tags Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, Katherine Heigl, Nick Stabile, Gordon Michael Woolvett, Ronny Yu, 1998, R, 2.5 Stars
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Child’s Play 2 (1990)

Directed by: John Lafia

Starring: Alex Vincent, Jenny Agutter, Gerrit Graham, Christine Elise, Brad Dourif

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Chucky Fights

WEAKNESSES: Literally Everything Else

Child's Play 2 (1990)

October 18, 2019

Chucky (somehow) returns to once again try to claim Andy’s soul.

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In Action, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Alex Vincent, Jenny Agutter, Gerrit Graham, Christine Elise, Brad Dourif, John Lafia, R, 1.5 Stars
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Cult of Chucky (2017)

Directed by: Don Mancini

Starring: Jennifer Tilly, Alex Vincent, Fiona Dourif, Brad Dourif, Michael Therriault, Adam Hurtig

Rated: R for Strong Horror Violence, Grisly Images, Language, Brief Sexuality and Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Last Fifteen Minutes, Character Progression

WEAKNESSES: Production Design, Pacing, Acting, Plot Holes

Cult of Chucky (2017)

October 18, 2019

Chucky works his way into the insane asylum where Nica Pierce is being kept, and meanwhile, Andy Barclay tries to hunt down his old rival once and for all. 

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In Crime, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Don Mancini, Jennifer Tilly, Alex Vincent, Fiona Dourif, Brad Dourif, Michael Therriault, Adam Hurtig
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Child’s Play 3 (1991)

Directed by: Jack Bender

Starring: Justin Whalin, Perrey Reeves, Jeremy Sylers, Travis Fine, Brad Dourif Dakin Matthews

Rated: R for Horror Violence and Language

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 1 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Humor

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Directing, Story, Acting

Child's Play 3 (1991)

October 18, 2019

Chucky once again returns to trouble Andy Barclay, who is now a teenager living at military school.

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In Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Comedy Tags Jack Bender, 1991, Justin Whalin, Perrey Reeves, Jeremy Sylers, Travis Fine, Brad Dourif Dakin Matthews
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Child’s Play (1988)

Directed by: Tom Holland

Starring: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent, Brad Dourif, Dinah Manoff

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 27 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: It’s Pretty Funny, Some Special Effects

WEAKNESSES: Wildly Inept Characters, Giant Leaps in Logic, Silly Story, Pacing

Child's Play (1988)

October 18, 2019

A single mother gives her son the latest toy craze- a Good Guys doll- for his birthday, only to find out that her particular doll has been possessed by the soul of a serial killer. What a bummer…

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In Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tom Holland, Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Cincent, Brad Dourif, Dinah Manoff, R, 3 Stars
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The Midnight Meat Train (2008)

Directed by: Ryuhei Kitamura

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Vinnie Jones, Leslie Bibb

Rated: R for Sequences of Strong Bloody Gruesome Violence, Grisly Images Involving Nudity, Sexual Content and Language

Running Time: 1 h 40 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Slasher Scenes

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Plot Holes

The Midnight Meat Train (2008)

October 17, 2019

A photographer becomes obsessed with a man whom he thinks is a serial killer who preys on late night commuters.

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In Action, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Mystery Tags Ryuhei Kitamura, Bradley Cooper, Vinnie Jones, Leslie Bibb
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Candyman (1992)

Directed by: Bernard Rose

Starring: Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Venessa Williams, Kasi Lemmons

Rated: R for Violence and Gore

Running Time: 1 h 39 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes, Twist on Familiar Story

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Cheesy and Dated Moments

Candyman (1992)

October 17, 2019

A skeptical grad student accidentally summons a murderous urban legend.

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In Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Venessa Williams, Kasi Lemmons, Bernard Rose, 1992, 3 Stars, R
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The Amityville Horror (2005)

Directed by: Andrew Douglas

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, Chloe Grace Moretz

Rated: R for Violence, Disturbing Images, Language, Brief Sexuality and Drug Use

Running Time: 1h 34m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

STRENGTHS: Ryan Reynolds, Couple Creepy Scares

WEAKNESSES: Generic, Poor Direction, Not Very Scary

The Amityville Horror (2005)

October 15, 2019

The Lutz family is haunted by evil spirits in their new home.

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In Horror, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, The Amityville Horror, Horror, Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, Chloe Grace Moretz, Rated R, 2 stars
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Basket Case (1982)

Directed by: Frank Henenlotter

Starring: Kevin Van Hentenryck, Teri Susan Smith, Beverly Bonner

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Comic Horror Violence and Gore and Some Nudity)

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS:Writing, Creature Design, Story

WEAKNESSES: Definitely Not for Everyone

Basket Case (1982)

October 14, 2019

A young man travels to New York with his deformed Siamese-twin brother in a basket with plans for vengeance on the doctors that separated them against their will.

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In Art House, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Kevin Van Hentenryck, Teri Susan Smith, Beverly Bonner, Frank Henenlotter, 4 Stars, 1982
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Basket Case II (1990)

Directed by: Frank Henenlotter

Starring: Kevin Van Hentenryck, Judy Grafe, Annie Ross

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Creature Design, Bizarre Turns

WEAKNESSES: Different Tone Than The First

Basket Case II (1990)

October 14, 2019

Following the events of Basket Case, Duane and his Siamese-twin brother, a mutant named Belial flee the hospital where they are taken and join up with a troupe of wayward freaks.

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In Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Kevin Van Hentenryck, Judy Grafe, Annie Ross, Frank Henenlotter, R, 2.5 Stars, 1990, Basket Case II
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Basket Case III (1991)

Directed by: Frank Henenlotter

Starring: Kevin Van Hentenryck, Annie Ross, Gil Roper

Rated: R for Graphic Monster Violence, Sensuality and Language

Running Time: 1 h 25 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Monster Effects, Some Humor

WEAKNESSES: Most Humor, Pacing, Boring Writing

Basket Case III (1991)

October 14, 2019

Following the events of “Basket Case 2”, Duane recovers from his delusional breakdown and learns that Belial will soon become a father.

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In Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Kevin Van Hentenryck, Annie Ross, Gil Roper, Frank Henenlotter, R, 2 Stars
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The Perfection (2018)

Directed by: Richard Shepard

Starring: Allison Williams, Logan Browning, Steven Webber

Rated: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Execution

The Perfection (2018)

October 13, 2019

A musical prodigy seeks out the star pupil of her former school, and the encounter sends both musicians down a dark path.

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In Art House, Crime, Coming of Age, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Allison Williams, Logan Browning, Steven Webber, TV-MA
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Housebound (2014)

Directed by: Gerard Johnstone

Starring: Morgana O’Reilly, Rima Te Wiata, Glen-Paul Waru, Ryan Lampp

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Language and Comic Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 47 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Tone, Comedy

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Housebound (2014)

October 12, 2019

After being arrested and put on house arrest, Kylie must learn how to live with her mother Miriam and her stepfather Graeme in the house she grew up in, which, Miriam is convinced, is haunted.

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In Comedy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Morgana O’Reilly, Rima Te Wiata, Glen-Paul Waru, Ryan Lampp, Gerard Johnstone, 2014, 3 Stars
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The Evil Dead (1981)

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeMainicor, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly

Rated: NC-17

Running Time: 1 h 25 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Independent/ Low Budget Masterpiece, Special Effects, Pacing, Cinematography, Directing, Schmaltzy Acting

WEAKNESSES: -

The Evil Dead (1981)

October 11, 2019

Five friends travel to a cabin in the woods for a groovy time, but after they discover a dark book and mysterious recordings left by the cabin’s previous owners, strange and horrific things begin to happen. 

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In Horror, Fantasy, Thriller Tags Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeMainicor, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly, 1981, 5 Stars, NC-17
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