MOVIE REVIEW: THE LONG WALK

 

Teens participate in a grueling high-stakes contest where they must continuously walk or be shot by a member of their military escort.

Director: Francis Lawrence

Cast: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer, Mark Hamill

Release Date: September 12, 2025

Genre: Horror

Rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, suicide, pervasive language, and sexual references.

Runtime: 1h 48m

Review:

Francis Lawrence's adaptation of Stephen King's The Long Walk is a bleak trek into a dystopian landscape that manages to capture the humanity at the heart of the story thanks to excellent turns from Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson.  Lawrence takes a rather interesting approach to the subject matter by using a Stand By Me aesthetic, bathed in sepia tones to illicit a nostalgic feeling that's initially disarming.  This allows the audience to get to know the cast of characters before the stark reality of the game is put on graphic display.  There's no supernatural power at play here just the barebones simplicity of walk or die with warnings building up moments of tension throughout.  As the film goes on, it starts to feel more like a horrific war movie as we witness characters get killed off, often with an unflinching focus, in steady succession.  The script is filled with thoughtful dialogue as the characters discuss a variety of topics that leave its ultimate meaning open to multiple interpretations about death, rebellion and perseverance against unwinnable odds.  There are moments of poetic beauty amid all the brutal horrors that unfold which speaks to the effectiveness of the direction and performances by its cast.  Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson are given the lion's share of the focus as the central characters tasked with carrying the story.  There's very little actual action going on besides just walking so this serves as a wonderful showcase for both performers as they bring tangible sense of humanity to their characters that feels instantly authentic.  They ultimately elevate the film above simple terror porn by making these characters live and breathe which makes their trek engaging and painfully tragic.  Ben Wang, Charlie Plummer and Tut Nyuot all get their moments to shine in supporting roles with Wang and Nyuot being instantly likable.  Plummer's antagonistic but disturbed Barkovitch is fascinating enough that you are left wishing he'd been given a bit more screentime.  Mark Hamill is given the thankless role of The Major which doesn't require much outside of delivering orders in an imposing, gravelly voice.  The character serves as more of an idea than anything as he's written as generally as possible leaving him more of an enigma than anything.  In the end, The Long Walk gives you plenty to appreciate with it proving to be a top tier King adaptation that manages to capture his sense of character and ultimately our humanity even in the most extreme situations.   

A

MOVIE REVIEW: HALLOWEEN KILLS

 

The nightmare isn't over as unstoppable killer Michael Myers escapes from Laurie Strode's trap to continue his ritual bloodbath. Injured and taken to the hospital, Laurie fights through the pain as she inspires residents of Haddonfield, Ill., to rise up against Myers. Taking matters into their own hands, the Strode women and other survivors form a vigilante mob to hunt down Michael and end his reign of terror once and for all.

Director: David Gordon Green

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, James Jude Courtney, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Will Patton, Anthony Michael Hall, Thomas Mann

Release Date: October 15, 2021

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, grisly images, language and some drug use

Runtime: 1h 45min

Review:

Halloween Kills is a strange unfocused follow up to a 2018 refresh.  David Gordon Green’s film is tonally all over the place with it going for goofy laughs in large swaths before switching back to more standard horror tension.  It’s gorier than its immediate predecessor but there are only a handful of truly tense moments that result in real scares.  Jamie Lee Curtis is mostly sidelined for the majority of the film leaving supporting characters like Anthony Michael Hall and Andi Matichak carrying the majority of the film.  Hall, playing a grown Tommy from the original film, delivers an overblown performance that never nails the generational trauma that he’s supposed to represent.  Other legacy actors appear but are given painfully little depth and are asked to make the stupidest decisions possible.  Andi Matichak is terribly bland which leaves her scenes coming off as generally disinteresting regardless of what’s going on.  Judy Greer, on the other hand, makes the best of her scenes as she provides the only noticeable energy on screen. The story attempts to deliver a bigger message more meaningful message but it fumbles it badly leaving it unfocused.  Halloween Kills ends up feeling incomplete and unfinished which is a shocking downgrade from 2018 refresh.  

D

MOVIE REVIEW: VALLEY GIRL

A valley girl and a punk rocker from the city defy their parents and friends to stay together.

Director: Rachel Lee Goldenberg

Cast: Jessica Rothe, Josh Whitehouse, Mae Whitman, Judy Greer

Release Date: May 8, 2020

Genres: Comedy, Musical, Romance

Rated PG-13 for teen partying, language, some suggestive material, and brief nudity

Runtime: 1h 42min

Review:

The Valley Girl remake, much like the Hairspray remake before it, takes a beloved 80s cult classic and sprays a fresh coat of gloss and glitter to deliver a fizzy and nostalgic candy coated pill.  Rachel Lee Goldenberg is respectful of the original but it’d be fair to call it more of a spiritual remake than a straight up remake.  The original captured a specific moment in time and Nic Cage’s first real introduction to the world with all his general weirdness on full display.  This remake drops all that and goes super colorful with rose colored glasses of nostalgia.  A new framing sequence explains the jukebox musical element early on letting the filmmaker go all in with their conceit.  The musical sequences are all well choreographed with one near the middle truly shining with three separate 80s jams going back and forth.  Jessica Rothe sits firmly at the center of this film and she’s always the most interesting person on screen.  She just has an innate magnetism that shines through every sequence much like her work in Happy Death Day.  Rothe drives the film and makes a solid on screen couple with Josh Whitehouse who looks like a tall Great Value Robert Pattinson.  He’s charming and charismatic enough to work for this film but those yearning for Nic Cage’s take will be disappointed.  Mae Whitman gives a nice supporting turn even if her character is both superfluous and underused.  Ultimately, if you love the original you’ll probably enjoy this one since it’s different enough to enjoy on its own.   On its own accord it’s a fun little film that’s got the caloric value of a donut. 

B

MOVIE REVIEW: HALLOWEEN

It's been 40 years since Laurie Strode survived a vicious attack from crazed killer Michael Myers on Halloween night. Locked up in an institution, Myers manages to escape when his bus transfer goes horribly wrong. Laurie now faces a terrifying showdown when the masked madman returns to Haddonfield, Ill. -- but this time, she's ready for him.

Director: David Gordon Green

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Nick Castle, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Will Patton, Virginia Gardner

Release Date: October 19, 2018

Genres: Horror , Thriller

Rated R for horror violence and bloody images, language, brief drug use and nudity

Runtime: 1h 44 min

Review:

David Gordon Green’s Halloween franchise refresh can be considered a success on multiple levels.  Green and Danny McBride wrote the script and their fandom shines through multiple times with specific call backs or camera techniques throughout the efficient but effective film.  Green occasionally flashes some visual flourishes which give the film a stylish look that makes for a better quality film overall.  The main thing they are able to inject into this entry in the franchise is a sense of fun.  There are well timed jump scares and tension throughout the film but there’s also some well placed comedy which keeps the film from being another soul less sequel.  Michael Myers is scary again even if some of the slasher tropes feel a bit goofy here and there.  Jamie Lee Curtis comes back to her cornerstone franchise and plays her part very well thanks in part to an interesting take on her character.  There are a few surprises here and there but ultimately the film goes exactly where you think its going.  Typically this is a major draw back but the film is so lovingly crafted that fans will be hard pressed not to be impressed by a return to form for one of the hallmark horror franchises. 

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: WAR FOR PLANET OF THE APES

Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless colonel (Woody Harrelson). After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both of their species and the future of the planet.

Director: Matt Reeves

Cast: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Gabriel Chavarria, Steve Zahn, Judy Greer

Rated PG-13 rating is for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, thematic elements, and some disturbing images

Release Date: Jul 14, 2017

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Matt Reeves War for Planet of the Apes is a strong finish to the rebooted prequel.  The story is deeply layered, borrowing from multiple sources including The Searchers, Apocalypse Now and the book of Exodus.  Needless to say, there is a lot going on in the script, it’s dense emotionally and touching.  It’s a rare summer blockbuster that puts the spectacle on the back burner for smaller quieter moments focused on character development and story arches.  The story is so strong that you can start to overlook the level of digital wizardry on display with the ape characters.  They are totally convincing throughout the film and this entry in particular puts them front and center with the human characters taking a backseat.  Andy Serkis once again proves that’s he’s the most underappreciated actor working now by delivering another impressive motion capture performance.  He’s the heart and soul of the film and it is impossible to not get emotionally invested in his characters journey.  Steve Zahn joins him as Bad Ape who provides some much needed comic relief here and there.  Zahn proves to be just as capable as Serkis because he does provide some depth to the character that could have been easily one dimensional.  Woody Harrelson is the primary human villain and he’s used sparing as the Coronel Kurtz knock off.  It’s probably for the best since he’s chewing scenery at impressive pace.  There are a few pacing issues in spots where the film seems to lag a bit.  Additionally, some of the biblical allegory is a tad heavy handed for my taste.  A bit more subtleness would have helped the film.  That being said, Matt Reeves closed out his trilogy on a strong note and brings the characters story to a satisfying ending.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: CARRIE

Stephen King's Carrie gets a new life in this remake starring Chloë Grace Moretz as a teenager who discovers that she has the extraordinary ability to move objects with the power of her mind, which eventually leads to mayhem and horror at her high-school prom. Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don't Cry) directs, and Julianne Moore co-stars as Carrie's overbearing mother. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Kimberly Peirce

Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Gabriella Wilde, Portia Doubleday, Judy Greer

Rated R for bloody violence, disturbing images, language and some sexual content

Runtime: 1 hr. 39 min.

Genres: Horror

Review:

Remakes are a tricky business. More times than not they are simply money grabs trying to capitalize on name recognition. This remake is tough to review simply because as a stand alone film it’s not terrible. It’s fully competent with a decent cast featuring Chloë Grace Moretz who delivers a fine performance even if she’s miscast. Kimberly Peirce, clearly in paycheck mode, gives us a sleek and efficient little film. Unfortunately it hits all the exact same beats as original 1976 film. There are scant bits of modern touches (Youtube, Cellphones!) but considering the subject matter and current focus on bullying I can’t help but feel like there are plenty of missed opportunities. The remakes is solid but (in my best old man voice) do yourself a favor and watch the original or read the book because the remake is simply a rehash, albeit a decent one.

C+