1997 Movies
OSCARS Won/Nominated
IMDB Top 250
IMDB Top 250
8 Heads in a Duffel Bag
Dir: Tom Schulman Stars: Joe Pesci Got I hate this movie. It is one of the unfunniest movies I have ever seen. The Joe Pesci personna, from Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and to a lesser extant, Casino, is inherently funny. So to pluck that violent psychopath character out of a Scorsese movie and inject him into a slapstick, dumbass movie just fails in every single scene. Pesci must have wanted to buy a boat or something. F |
OSCARS
Best Editing
Best Sound |
Air Force One
Dir: Wolfgang Petersen Voices: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close This is an action movie that is firing on all cylinders. It is a ridiculously high-concept, with terrorists taking over the President's plane, but with Petersen at the helm and Harrison Ford so perfectly cast as the Commander-in-Chief with the know-how and determination to fight back. B+ |
OSCARS
Best Supporting Actor
Best Cinematography Best Costume Design Best Original Score |
Amistad
Dir: Steven Spielberg Stars: Djimon Hounsou, Anthony Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman Being a Steven Spielberg movie, you have a guaranteed level of cinematic perfection...and this movie about the legality of slaves caught of the coast of Long Island is no difference. It reeks of authenticity and importance, but it is also very formulaic and more like a historical exhibition than a dramatic narrative. Much like his 2012 movie Lincoln. All the actors and filmmakers are doing everything right...but the interest and enjoyment is a bit lost on the audience. B |
Anaconda
Dir: Luis Llosa Stars: J-Lo, Ice Cube, Jon Voight I guess it was inevitable. Every scary creature on earth seems to eventually get their own action-horror movie...the Anaconda was next. I guess there are a few Jaws-esque scares where this gargantuan beast lurks just below the Amazon River, but the special effects often look terrible and the cast seems almost confused as to why they are in the film. Has some goofy fun to it though. C |
Austin Powers:
International Man of Mystery Dir: Jay Roach Stars: Mike Meyers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York I love this first entry into the Austin Powers world...I think because no one was sure if it was going to work and each and every joke seems to be finely tuned and loved. Dr. Evil is funniest here, where he becomes a dumb gimmick in the sequels. The swinger from the 60s dropped into the 90s provides ample opportunities for comedy and it seems like Myers tapped into each and every one of them. Add some visual puns, slapstick humor, referential jokes, and a cornucopia of spy movie cliches...and you get one hell of an enjoyable comedy. A- |
Batman & Robin
Dir: Joel Schumacher Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone I really don't know what the hell this was supposed to be. It's to dumb to be exciting and too stupid to be funny. There is no darkness, as is CRUCIAL to make a Batman story be even worth telling. A ghastly amount of money must have been spent on production design, but this is a movie about puns and expense. The only redeeming quality it has, basically, is that it killed this original Batman franchise and allowed to to evolve into Christopher Nolan's. D- |
Beverly Hills Ninja
Dir: Dennis Duggan Stars: Chris Farley, Chris Rock, Robin Shou I defy anyone to not love Chris Farley in this movie. He is so lovable and full of rambunctious energy that he infects the audience and everyone in the movie. The movie is NOT good...but to watch Farley embody the "Great White Ninja" is so gloriously stupid that you can't help but smile. B- DVD |
OSCARS
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress Best Original Screenplay |
Boogie Nights
Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die PTA is a master filmmaker, because he can take the 70s porn industry and dramatize it...while simultaneously glorifying those in the industry while exhibiting its perversity and grunginess. This certainly was a star making turn by Wahlberg but the real star is PTA. B+ DVD |
Chasing Amy
Dir: Kevin Smith Stars: Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Joey Lauren Adams Kevin Smith's Clerks is wonderful and iconic...but I consider this his opus. It has his distinct voice, with blunt sexual talk and pop-culture discussions, but at its heart is a pair of relationships that really cover almost every relationship trope one could think of. The unattainable, the undeniable, the friend-zone, the confused, the boundaries of best-friendship...everything. And while you laugh a lot...there are some truly powerful poignant moments. That scene in the rain after Affleck pronounces his love is so outstanding and shows a maturity and confidence that Affleck or Smith would never match again. A DVD |
OSCARS
Best Sound
Best Original Song |
Con Air
Dir: Simon West Stars: Nicholas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Ving Rhames, Dave Chappelle, Steve Buscemi This monstrosity is essentially a comedy. The conceit of putting all these super-criminals in a plane for transport to a supermax prison is really ridiculous...but every single person involved in this film are in on that joke...and it actually makes it work. To watch Nicholas Cage's lock blow in the breeze as he tastes freedom is a perfect symbol of the movie. It's like a Harlequin novel. Its outrageous but knows it. This movie knows it is so over-the-top that it reigns it in to enjoyment. B |
Conspiracy Theory
Dir: Richard Donner Stars: Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart This attests to Mel Gibson's acting ability, which isn't discussed too often. He is usually a man's man of a headliner...but here he is a paranoid, squirrelly conspiracy theorist and he pulls it off perfectly. The idea that a multiple-conspiracy theorist is being hunted down for one of his theories, of which he isn't sure which one...is a cool idea. Richard Donner never really steers us wrong. B |
OSCARS
Best Sound
|
Contact
Dir: Robert Zemeckis Stars: Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and would be my favorite Zemeckis film if it weren't for Back to the Future. The deep scientific, religious, and philosophical concepts in this film speak to me like no other. But beyond that, its lack of Oscar love is a travesty. How was Foster not nominated? No Director? Screenplay? Visual Effects? Editing? It really makes no sense. I know some people didn't like the ambiguity of the ending, but after 2 decades of watching and re-watching, I couldn't think of a more satisfying ending...since contact with aliens isn't really the point. A DVD |
Dante's Peak
Dir: Roger Donaldson Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Linda Hamilton One of the two stupid volcano thrillers of 1997. This is just barely the lesser. The effects and excitement are just ok...but the reason this one is not quite as good as Volcano is because the destruction in this film takes place in a countryside town At least Volcano destroys LA in an equally ridiculous manner. C |
The Devil's Advocate
Dir: Taylor Hackford Stars: Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron There is no denying that this is a decent movie. Reeves hold's his own and casting Pacino as the devil is pretty much a masterstroke...but this movie is just too long. It is such a slow burn (no pun intended) that it takes big scares, of which there are some, to slap you out of borderline boredom. I get annoyingly anxious for the scares and excitement to arrive during this film. I also disagree with the ending...as I usually do with that kind of ending....but still...there is still a lot to like if you have the endurance to get through it. B- DVD |
OSCARS
Best Adapted Screenplay
|
Donnie Brasco
Dir: Mike Newell Stars: Al Pacino, Johnny Depp A wonderfully realized "Mob" movie where the allure and attraction of the Mafia lifestyle can seduce an undercover FBI agent. The camaraderie, the power, the fear, the conflict....it is all on display here with confident fine tuning. Depp's subtle acting effectively seems to reign in Pacino so he doesn't go too over the top...and that is important. B+ |
The Edge
Dir: Lee Tamahori Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin After being stranded in the Alaskan wilderness, two men try to survive being hunted and stalked by a Kodiak bear. That's it...and it doesn't have enough depth to support an entire movie. Also...David Mamet has no business writing a movie like this. It just doesn't work as well as it thinks it does. C |
Event Horizon
Dir: Paul W. S. Anderson Stars: Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill Nice and creepy sci-fi horror film. The idea that a warp drive on a spaceship opens a gateway to hell instead of bending space-time is terrifying. With the production design and lighting as it is, and the actors effectively gloomy...it really sets the stage for real scares. Even though there is some nightmarish stuff, I feel like the movie is too reserved. I wanted there to be even MORE of the glimpses of hell to really drive that grotesque horror home. Keeping it at bay really takes away from the film. B- DVD |
Excess Baggage
Dir: Marco Brambilla Stars: Alicia Silverstone, Benicio del Toro, Christopher Walken There is just nothing to this movie even though it has a solid premise and Benicio del Toro is entertaining. Alicia Silverstone is faking her kidnapping as a call for attention from her rich father. During her endgame, she was tied herself up and put herself in her trunk, and del Toro then steals the car without knowing she is in there. Then this car thief is embroiled in the conspiracy. There isn't enough danger, humor, intrigue and Walken is playing Walken in the worst way. Just nothing to really hold on to but not bad. Just bland. C |
OSCARS
Best Sound Effects Editing
|
Face/Off
Dir: John Woo Stars: John Travolta, Nicholas Cage I think both Travolta and Cage, especially Cage, completely lost their minds during this movie and never quite recovered. It's so absurd...have two giants of cinema create characters to chew an outrageous amount of scenery...and then have those giants emulate each other. It so audacious that it actually passes as entertainment. It's almost laughable when it should be exciting but that is part of the charm. B |
Fierce Creatures
Dir: Fred Schepisi & Robert Young Stars: John Cleese, Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Palin A Fish Called Wanda is comedic perfection...and I love the idea of gathering these 4 actors together as a kind of comedy troupe and set out to make another comedy, that isn't a sequel. It doesn't hold a candle to their previous movie, but this is still very funny. Cleese and Curtis is essentially the same, having Palin a non-stop talker is a nice counterbalance to his previous stutterer. I also really liked Kline's portrayal of who is essentially Rupert Murdoch. B DVD |
OSCARS
Best Sound Effects Editing
|
The Fifth Element
Dir: Luc Besson Stars: Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Chris Tucker Luc Besson's creativity and audacity goes a long way in cinema. Sometimes...it goes across as corny and forced. Other times, like The Fifth Element, it is whimsical, original, and fun. Bruce Willis is a great hero in this film, but the supporing cast thoroughly upstage him. Oldman is gloriously ridiculous. Tucker is so obnoxious that you can't wait to see what else he does. Milla Jovovich's Leeloo is the star of the show. She is a character for the ages. Gorgeous and strange is the greatest of ways. B DVD |
Fools Rush In
Dir: Andy Tennant Stars: Matthew Perry, Salma Hayek This is just an obvious, bland comedy. Man sleeps with an exotic woman, out of his cultural comfort zone, knocks her up, and now "has" to marry her. Hilarious. White guy has to adjust to the fiery Latino lifestyle. It is that simple. Nothing much to it but it isn't insultingly bad as some other comedies can be. C |
The Game
Dir: David Fincher Stars: Michael Douglas, Sean Penn People may consider this a lost David Fincher movie, and it is a shame, because it is clever, and has that identifiable Fincher darkness that is almost hypnotizing. Douglas is great as a banker who is thrown into some kind of game, and the lines between the game and reality start to blur and he starts to become crazed and paranoid. It is pretty exciting...but not quite up to par with Fincher's other stuff B |
OSCARS
Best Art Direction
|
Gattaca
Dir: Andrew Niccol Stars: Etham Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law This wonderful sci-fi drama was way ahead of its time. It imagines a world where your genetic code determines your status in society and your disposition toward certain callings. Ethan Hawke plays a man who is genetically inferior, but aspires to be an astronaut, but can't do it because of what his DNA tells about him. How he fools the powers that be and maneuvers around in this world that functions through genetic testing is mesmerizing, and Jude Law's purpose as the "borrowed ladder" is both sad and brilliant. In addition to being great sci-fi, it is an effective allegory about the dangers of basing society on such technological and genetic facts...and sucking emotion and determination right out of it. B DVD |
G.I. Jane
Dir: Ridley Scott Stars: Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen It takes a certain Je Ne Sais Quoi for a movie, that seems to do everything exactly right while following an obvious trope, to rise above mediocrity because of the familiarity of the premise. Watching Demi Moore trying to become a CRT soldier is exciting...but we all know exactly where it is all going...so boredom tends to sneak in. And that is a shame, because Scott does a fine job direction and Moore's performance is nothing less than nomination worthy. B- |
OSCARS
|
Good Will Hunting
Dir: Gus Van Sant Stars: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck IMDB #101 I never quite bought into the praise for this movie. I like it just fine, but the atmosphere around this story of a janitor at MIT being as smart as the students surrounding him, is one of desperation. I just feel like Williams is desperate to prove he is worthy of serious acting recognition and Damon/Affleck seem to be desperate to be taken seriously as screenwriters and actors from Bah-ston. That being said...it certainly has some talent on display here...but I think it is overpraised. B |
OSCARS
Best Original Song
|
Hercules
Dir: Ron Clements & John Musker Disney started to slip out of their 2nd Golden Age by the late 90s, but this is still pretty fun. "Go the Distance" is one of my favorite original Disney songs, and there is plenty of adventure and comedy in this one...pretty much everything you would expect from Disney Animation. But...Disney was starting to create Pixar movies around now and a lot of that special magic was saved for those films. B- |
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Dir: Jim Gillespie Stars: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillipe, Freddie Prinze, Jr. Scream came on to the scene with huge fanfare and changed the face of horror movies for years...for the worse. The industry felt like they can just populate a movie with beautiful twenty-somethings and have them slaughtered by some unknown force for 90-minutes. By the time this movie came around...the formula was already stale and boring. I don't think I was back on board until the Final Destination movies came around. D+ |
OSCARS
Best Supporting Actress
|
In & Out
Dir: Frank Oz Voices: Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Debbie Reynolds, Matt Dillon, Tom Selleck A movie that so perfectly embodies how good Kevin Kline can be and what he brings to the table with comedy and drama. This story, about an effeminate High School English teacher and how he is outed as Gay at the Oscars by a former student, provides some uproarious comedy and some really sweet sentiment. The hot-button topic of coming out as gay and how a small town in Indiana would react to such a thing is handled with perfectly nimble hands and provides such a great story that it borders on fable. A- |
The Jackal
Dir: Michael Caton-Jones Stars: Bruce Willis, Richard Gere Bruce Willis's stoicism kind of works in this film, where an imprisoned IRA prisoner is the only person that has ever seen "The Jackal" and is therefore recruited to help apprehend him, but Gere is terrible and the story seems to take for EVER to move along. The only great scene is the one where Willis uses Jack Black to procure a specific piece of hardware and the resultant interaction. It is really fun stuff...and it is almost the only part you will ever remember from this film. C+ |
OSCARS
Best Supporting Actor
|
Jackie Brown
Dir: Quentin Tarantino Stars: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Michael Keaton, Robert DeNiro This movie is a perfect example as to why Tarantino should stick to his own scripts. Tarantino is a great filmmaker, but I think a lot of his strength comes from his writing abilities...so when he wanted to adapt a Elmore Leonard novel...a lot is lost. The film is way too long with loo much fat that never seemed to be a problem with Tarantino movies before, or since. Grier is great as a character that is essentially a resurrection of the powerful blaxploitaion women she portrayed in the 70s, but the film seems drunk on that idea and sometimes forgets to inject more of Tarantino's voice into the proceedings. B- DVD |
Kiss the Girls
Dir: Gary Fleder Stars: Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd Morgan Freeman was always a HORRIBLE choice to play Alex Cross...almost simply because he is too old and too calm. It is disastrous in this movie about searching for a serial killer with the help of an escaped victim. I found the book absolutely terrifying. I found the movie an incredibly boring and uninteresting procedural. I really don't know what anyone could get from this film. It isn't scary enough for horror and isn't interesting or profound enough for drama. It just exists. D- DVD |
Liar, Liar
Dir: Tom Shadyac Stars: Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney In 100 years, when film historians are trying to explain Jim Carrey...who he was and what he could do...they will undoubtedly show Liar, Liar to their audience. This is the movie where he perfectly plays a real person and a cartoon character in the same movie, and he provides such belly-splitting, laugh-out-loud stuff that you can barely stand it. His one-liners, his physical comedy, and his natural ability to so effortlessly draw laughter from the audience is unique...and he was the king of it for many years. The conceit of not physically being able to lie was such a perfect vehicle for Carrey...and I'm not sure this film could have been made better or with any other actor. A- DVD |
OSCARS
Best Visual Effects
|
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Dir: Steven Spielberg Stars: Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Vince Vaughn OK...first of all...Goldblum's Iam Malcolm character was ruined with this movie. He was a mathematician who was hobbled for most of the original movie, and somehow that prepared him to be a dino-expert and survivalist. Also...the idea of dumping a T-Rex into downtown San Diego was a HORRIBLE idea. That being said...this is still a Spielberg movie and the dinos look 100% real...even today. Who else could have done that 2 T-Rex vs. the trailer scene so perfectly? No one. B- DVD |
OSCARS
|
Men in Black
Dir: Barry Sonnenfeld Stars: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Vincent D'Onofrio It is a testament to Will Smith that he almost single-handedly makes this movie work. This movie could have come across as juvenile and corny...but Smith's charisma and naiveté played off against the brutish Tommy Lee Jones is a perfect pairing. Barry Sonnenfeld's direction is spot on, bringing together his actors and the technical aspects of a sci-fi comedy that fires on all cylinders. A- DVD |
Murder at 1600
Dir: Dwight H. Little Stars: Wesley Snipes, Diane Lane If someone was murdered inside the White House, I assume the investigating officers would run up against resistance, conspiracy, and cover-up...so the plot of the movie makes a bit of sense. But Snipes was kind of past his prime already with this movie...and made the film pretty bland and simple. No excitement was injected into the movie by Snipes...and this is a guy who made Passenger 57 kind of work. C |
Open Your Eyes (Abre Los Ojos)
Dir: Alejandro Amenabar Stars: Eduardo Noreiga, Penelope Cruz 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I loved 2001's Vanilla Sky, which Cameron Crowe made as an almost shot-for-shot remake of this film, Open Your Eyes. I think I even like the Spanish original more than Vanilla Sky for a few reasons. First, the explanation is spelled out at the end much more clearly, and even though I figured it all out at the end of Vanilla Sky it took a LOT of imagination and work. Open Your Eyes rewards you for your patience, while Vanilla Sky tested it. I also LOVE Penelope Cruz in roles where she speaks her native Spanish, it makes her so much sexier and likable. What a fantastic movie. A- |
The Peacemaker
Dir: Mimi Leder Stars: George Clooney, Nicole Kidman Neither George Clooney nor Nicole Kidman have ever been, or will ever be, action stars. So to shoehorn them into the roles of an Army Colonel and a civilian trying to stop a terrorist attack surrounding stolen Russian nuclear warheads just feels hollow and movie-of-the-weekish. These are two of our biggest stars...so they do force a bit of interest in the film...but it eventually and unsurprisingly fails. C+ |
Private Parts
Dir: Betty Thomas Stars: Howard Stern, Mary McCormack, Paul Giamatti I'm surprised that a biopic, starring the actual personality, and who is one of the biggest egomaniacs in the history of egomaniacs, actually worked as well as it did. I guess Howard Stern has such an interesting story to tell that it provided a rich coffer of ideas for the film. Also...you don't get to be Howard Stern without knowing what is funny...and this movie knows what is funny and how to handle the humor while really letting us behind the curtain. Very well done...and Paul Giamatti's foil to Stern is so great!! B+ |
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion
Dir: David Mirkin Stars: Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow I often dislike comedians trying so hard to play stupid. They can't all pull off something like Dumb & Dumber. I don't even like Lisa Kudrow...she is my least favorite "Friend". Also...Mira Sorvino is so above this nonsense. This movie is just so dumb...and I can't really put forth much more detail than that. C- DVD |
The Saint
Dir: Phillip Noyce Stars: Val Kilmer, Elizabeth Shue Val Kilmer is dark and brooding as a thief-for-hire who is thrust into a situation where he has to be the hero. He is fine...but again...like I have said with a bunch of these late 90s action movies....it is all so unimportant and forgettable. C+ |
Scream 2
Dir: Wes Craven Stars: Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette Scream was brilliant, but it was lightning in a bottle. It was pretty meta and original. By the time the sequel came around...I was already sick of it. Having Wes Craven focus on this franchise was a waste of talent. After such a great first outing...they never had anything else to say or anything new to offer...and it only got worse and worse. C |
Starship Troopers
Dir: Paul Verhoeven Stars: Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dian Meyer I love this movie. I think it is the best thing Verhoeven has done. It takes the space, war, sci-fi action conceit and injects such absurd levels of fascism, playboy-level good looks, and hyper-violent war-mongering that it is borderline a comedy. It rides that balance with ultra-focus and creates a very unique experience. Add some spectacular special effects on top of that and you get one hell of a kick-ass space epic. A- DVD |
OSCARS
Best Director
Best Adapted Screenplay |
The Sweet Hereafter
Dir: Atom Egoyan Stars: Iam Holm, Sarah Polley, Bruce Greenwood 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die As I watched this film...I had a hard time figuring out what it was ABOUT. Then it hit me. Grief. All kinds of grief. Ian Holm is nothing short of astounding as a lawyer who has come upon a community that has suffered an unimaginable tragedy...and he encounters may people who were effected in different ways and are exhibiting their grief differently. Some break down, some are furious, some want restitution, some want revenge, some want to capitalize. It is all handled so deftly by Atom Egoyan and as heartbreaking as it all is (It may be the saddest movie I've ever seen), i cherished it. A- |
OSCARS
|
Titanic
Dir: James Cameron Stars: Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Paxton 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die What can be said about this film that hasn't been said? It is simply one of the greatest films ever made. Movies with this sort of scope and old-fashioned epicness are just not made anymore. I hesitate to give it a coveted A+ because it does have a BIT of shortcomings...but as a full 3hr+ package...it delivers in ways movies rarely do anymore. Solidified James Cameron as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. A DVD |
Vegas Vacation
Dir: Stephen Kessler Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid The Griswolds have provided great comedy for years...as their hi-jinx is relatable and recognizable to all of us who have been on vacation with their families. This addition to the franchise is no different...but Clark and Ellen are getting a bit old and bored with their own schtick. Even though there are good laughs to be had...a lot of the time you see the leads, Chase especially, goofing to the camera just a bit too much...like a clown. Clark Griswold is a classic because he is the everyman...not this silly, unrealistic character he seems to have become. B- DVD |
Volcano
Dir: Mick Jackson Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche, Don Cheadle Better than the other volcano movie of 1997, but still not that great. Apparently, a massive volcanic explosion is about to burst forth from under downtown Los Angeles...and only Tommy Lee Jones can save the city. It's really stupid, but at least you get some fun destruction of a populated city. C+ |
OSCARS
Best Actor
Best Adapted Screenplay |
Wag the Dog
Dir: Barry Levinson Stars: Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Anne Heche The brilliance behind this movie is that it paints an outrageously cynical picture while daring you to disagree with it. It was perfectly timed as well. This is a movie about a President accused of sexual misconduct and therefore creates a fake war to distract the public before the election. It came out the weekend after the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke and President Clinton was dropping bombs in Bosnia. Every time this movie has the audacity to take its ruse to the next level, like special-effects newsreel footage to a song for the troops, it sticks the landing. I love this movie...and think it is WAY too close to the truth. A DVD |
Wishmaster
Dir: Robert Kurtzman Stars: Robert Englund I really dug this horror movie. Sure it's a bit corny , the acting is laughable, and there are virtually no surprises...but the same can be said for classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th. This film is a take on the whole "Be Careful What You Wish For"/Monkey's Paw trope and introduces the Djinn as the villain. The Djinn is great and his voice is phenomenally creepy. And Havinbg Makeup Pioneers Robert Kurtzman and Greg Nicotero behind the mayhem, you get some creatively fantastic kills and gore. This was a lot of fun. B+ |