Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991) Review:

Six installments in a film franchise can become pretty laborious depending on the crew handling the project. After subsequent sequels, stories can lose their supporting basis for why they began to begin with. Just like the Halloween, Hellraiser and Friday the 13th franchises, the writers attached make their best attempt to connect films together but there's always something that gets lost among the string of stories. This film is no different and unfortunately is a bit of a set back from past entries. Since his creation, Freddy Krueger has been quite the demon. Over time, his persona has changed which has affected his film image. However, this has been a gradual evolution. What was once more mysterious and dangerous, became more silly and over the top.

Lezlie Deane, Ricky Dean Logan & Breckin Meyer

The plot to this entry revolves around a character by the name of John Doe (Shon Greenblatt), after waking up on the outskirts of Springwood, the last surviving teenager. Amazingly Freddy Krueger was able to kill off all teenagers in Springwood and now he's off to a new place to do the same. After being picked up by the police, Doe is brought to Maggie Burroughs (Lisa Zane) and Doc (Yaphet Kotto) who are looking after other troubled teenagers. The others consist of Tracy (Lezlie Deane), Carlos (Ricky Dean Logan) and Spencer (Breckin Meyer). All whom have had parent issues. The screenplay was written by Michael De Luca, who would later become the producer to other hit films like The Mask (1994), Blade (1998) and Ghost Rider (2007) and directed by Rachel Talalay.

For a story, it does have points that work. The focus of characters change evenly and the backstory of Freddy Krueger is further explained. This helps give the audience a greater understanding behind Freddy's motivation to do harm. Shon Greenblatt as John Doe has his moments but Lisa Zane is best of the protagonists. Yaphet Kotto as Doc is a nice supporting character but nothing's really explained as to how he understands dreams more than anyone else. The rest of the cast though is rather forgettable. Lezlie Deane, Ricky Dean Logan and Breckin Meyer all play characters who bicker with each other. None of their dialog would make any viewer want to cheer them on. There's also cameos from Johnny Depp and Roseanne Barr.

As for Robert Englund, there's no doubt that he's puts in a performance he was enjoying. Unlike all other entries, Englund hams up Krueger to the fullest extent. Not only is Krueger spewing out one-liners left and right, but he's also breaking the fourth wall. He even makes an unlicensed Nintendo slogan and references the endings to the past films. While his quips are comical, it's rather sad to see how terrifying the character once was, only to be playing video games to kill his victims. The gore effects are still there though. There's blood and other amputations that occur and the practical effects look realistic. This doesn't add to the scare factor though. It's just there for visual appeal. The digital effects though are another thing completely.

"Nintendo anyone?"

While CGI had more or less been integrated at this time thanks to Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991), the CGI effects in this film do look out of date. Most likely due to the budget, the filmmakers should have just stuck with the practical effects. Cinematography handled by Declan Quinn was rather uninspired. Being that he would later make most of his career filming for musicians, the look of this entry isn't anything noteworthy. The dream sequences aren't that unique nor do anything creative with their surroundings. Thankfully, the music was a little more entertaining thanks to composer Brian May's score. While it may not sound as creepy due to scenes filmed, he still replicates Charles Bernstein's original theme which is important. Thanks for that.

Freddy's closure in this installment is certainly a nice conclusion, story wise. The practical effects are still top notch, the music and backstory to Krueger being explained is much welcomed and Krueger has a formidable foe. However, the camerawork is nothing praiseworthy, the story is no longer scary and the majority of the main leads are boring.

Points Earned --> 5:10

The VVitch: A New-England Folktale (2015) Review:

Any genre has all kinds of avenues to explore when it comes to storytelling. The setting alone can be a factor as to how a story will play out. Specifically period pieces. These types of tales can be a bit tricky to handle based on the accuracy the picture and the direction the narrative heads in. If there was a time though to focus on that was one of the scariest, it would be when witches were a big deal. Witch trials were a serious thing during their medieval times and onward. As soon as a witch was even spoken of, things would go south pretty quickly. People would begin having fanatic fits of hysteria and meltdowns, all to be sure such creature was never present. This is more or less what happens here in this uniquely horrifying film.

Anya Taylor-Joy & Harvey Scrimshaw

The story to this film is about a family in the 1600s who is banished from their plantation after a religious dispute. After moving out and settling elsewhere, the family's newborn son is snatched away as to what was surmised as a witch. Fearing the worst, the family begins to suspect everything around them, including themselves. Writing and directing this was Robert Eggers, in his first feature film debut. Accomplishing this is not an easy task to begin with, which already is an impressive start. The script is simplistic yet effective in its story to show just how little is needed to make it good. One of the contributing factors to this experience is the atmosphere that is felt. Much of it is unsettling and ominous looking because of how secluded the location is.

The cast are believable in their roles. Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), the first born daughter who witnesses her youngest sibling's vanishing gives a memorable performance. That and her chemistry with her father William (Ralph Ineson) and mother Katherine (Kate Dickie) are quite the struggle. Thomasin's other siblings Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw), Mercy (Ellie Grainger) and Jonas (Lucas Dawson) are also perform well. Caleb comes in second to that of Thomasin for length of screen time. Both Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie were in the HBO series Game of Thrones. While Anya Taylor-Joy was in Split (2016) and Glass (2019). Bathsheba Garnett and Sarah Stephens who play the witches are quite unnerving to say the least and are very convincing.

The minor issues in the story are the parts that are not explained. Some characters' fates go unresolved. Nothing is shown what might have happened to them. This is critical when it comes to showing closure in a story. The other flaw was the cause of the whole plot. As the narrative is executed, the thought of someone being a witch begins to surface. Yet it is never explained as to who was the witch, if at all. Understandably so there will be confusion, but also clarity should be brought to light on the inquiry. As for horror, there's only one jump scare and it doesn't even involve a sting which is great. The rest is unrelenting dread that is displayed. There is blood and gore but not much. It's more of the sense of being left alone that is more horrifying.

Cinematography was well shot too. Handled by Jarin Blaschke, the camera remains steady and focused. Many times, the lens is aimed strategically at one place in order to cause unrest with the viewer. Blaschke also filmed for Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet (2009) and Fray (2012). Lastly there's the film score composed Mark Korven. The music heard is a mix of ethereal female chants, minimal strings and very light percussion. All of which present this story in such a disturbing way, it will make the audience feel like there really is something among them that is not right. Korven also scored films like White Room (1990), Cube (1997) and Cruel & Unusual (2014). Either way, it is simple for all the right reasons.

Minor points like character resolutions and definite cause of plot is the only issue here. The actors give solid performances, the visuals are quite discomforting (in a good way) and the music is creepily memorable.

Points Earned --> 7:10

Halloween with the New Addams Family (1977) Review:

When Charles Addams' cartoon of a family who was too far into Halloween than most families were, he probably wasn't sure what a success it would be. When his creation was adapted into the 1964 show, the characters became larger than life with their unique personalities and interests. While the show itself only lasted two seasons, it made a lasting impression on several viewers. For couples, Gomez and Morticia are popular choices for costume Halloween parties. And although the look of the characters weren't an exact match to that of Charles Addams' original drawings, the look was iconic nonetheless. Amazingly several years later, most of the original cast returned for a TV movie special revolving around the season of Halloween.

Morticia & Pancho

The focus of the plot is around the holiday where the Addams will be celebrating all hallows eve. To them, it's their Christmas time. Before the end of the night, a legend by the name of Cousin Shy comes to give gifts and carve pumpkins. Meanwhile, a group of crooks lead by the boss (Parley Baer) want to infiltrate the Addams' home to steal their family fortune by luring Gomez to a lodge meeting far away. Simultaneously, Gomez (John Astin) is worried about his brother Pancho (Henry Darrow) having feelings for Morticia (Carolyn Jones). For a TV movie, it very much feels like an extended episode to the show but all in good fun. It's rather shocking considering the director, David Steinmetz, had no experience prior or after this event. Was he even directing?

Writing the script was George Tibbles, who also wrote for Dennis the Menace and Leave It to Beaver. As mentioned before the execution feels much like an extended episode and nothing more. The subplots about Gomez's brother Pancho and his advances on Morticia are bit out of place. Henry Darrow as Pancho looks very much like Gomez Addams and acts very similar, which has some comedic timing. But the point of having him being there is only because of the fake trip Gomez is going on. As for the crooks who want to break into the Addams' household, it could have very well been left out. Parley Baer, Patrick Campbell and Vito Scotti add comedic moments but they play random characters; not returning ones of such. There's even impostors who stand in as Gomez and Morticia.

In spite of all this though, this special is still watchable for the original cast themselves. Not only has time passed, but Morticia and Gomez have added children Pugsley Jr. (Ken Marquis) and Wednesday Jr. (Jennifer Surprenant). Ken Weatherwax and Lisa Loring who played the original Pugsley and Wednesday are now grown and also return to the family household. Ted Cassidy returns as the lumbering Lurch and still has his funny moments. Jackie Coogan also returns as Uncle Fester and still doesn't understand anyone outside the house. Felix Silla even has his moments as cousin It going back and forth with Gomez Addams. And of course, as if it had to be mentioned; Carolyn Jones and John Astin as the classic Addams couple still have their same comedic delivery.

"I still look better than my brother right?"

For what's on screen, the visual gags are still funny too. Filmed by Jacques R. Marquette, the cinematographer to Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958), the camera angles used here make use of the entire set. Thing's appearances between rooms always provides a good laugh. There's even props used that have pyrotechnics. Lastly, the music was supported by original composer Vic Mizzy, who also composed the original theme for the show. Since it was a special, the intro is a tad different but still remains as lively and memorable as the original. The cues used from transitions and other doodads all works appropriately to the situation occurring at the time.

Following the success of the show, majority of the original cast return for this Halloween themed TV movie special, and it could have been worse. While the subplots going on around the main characters don't amount to much, it's still fun seeing the same chemistry return for one more extended period of time.

Points Earned --> 6:10