Directed by Sébastien Vaniček

Written by Sébastien Vaniček, Florent Bernard

Starring: Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Erroll Shand, Maude Davey

Synopsis: Following her husband’s death, a woman turns to her in-laws for consolation at their secluded family home. She discovers the family has been possessed by an ancient demonic spirit that converts them into Deadites and learns that their wedding vows extend beyond the grave.  

Spawning from the Evil Dead series, Evil Dead Burn is the sixth film to arise from the generational curse that continues to haunt the Williams’ bloodline. Through a brave thematic lens, screenwriters Sébastien Vaniček and Florent Bernard utilize the narrative framework examining the psychological fortitude required to resist domestic abuse and rebuild a self-determined life. Blending this heavy theme with horror filmmaking hooks the audience and keeps the iconic franchise vastly relevant. It’s the flames of vengeance that burns hotter.

The performances by Souheila Yacoub and Hunter Doohan, unfortunately, cooled down the film – it felt simmered without ever reaching a boiling point. The overall cast struggled to carry the weight of the plot and relied on scenes with the shock factor to provide narrative momentum. My expectations were high for Yacoub and Doohan, given their track records in major hit movies and TV shows.

To pick up the heat, the film delivers numerous intense, ooey gooey, blood splattering scenes that showcase highly creative thriller concepts. Though at times, the film pushes the gore to ridiculous extremes to the point that it diminishes the overall ability to sustain genuine dread.

Since it’s a Warner Brothers’ production, they catered to their fanbase by keeping the seats warm with several sequences of intentional throwbacks and flashbacks referencing their classic horror catalog: Friday the 13th, The Exorcist , The Shinning,  Poltergeist, and my personal favorite, Gremlins – Mrs. Deagle’s remote staircase chair. Surely there are more, but these were the clear highlights for me.

The storyline’s undertone of Evil Dead Burn has the heat and is acceptable on a baseline level, but it lacks the magnetic screen presence and energy vortex that drives the best genre cinema.

Written, Directed by Michael Sarnoski
Starring: Hugh Jackman (Robin Hood), Jodie Comer (Sister Brigid), Bill Skarsgård (Edward/Little John), Murray Bartlett (The Leper), Noah Jupe (Arthur)
Synopsis: A rugged, guilt stricken aged Robin Hood emerges from exile after being severely wounded, finding sanctuary and forming an unlikely companionship inside a secluded monastery.

Michael Sarnoski transformed one of the oldest existing tales, Robin Hood’s Death, into a grim and somber film that leans on visual storytelling over spoken dialogue to convey its deep emotional weight. The Death of Robin Hood is an interesting story that gradually crescendos to its peak. The narrative follows a man tormented by his past actions, caught in a paralyzing cycle of regret and bitterness that hardens him into a harsh, resentful figure.

Those expecting the high-energy action from Hugh Jackman’s typical roles will be disappointed and perplexed with scenes that linger and feeling empty. The minimal action does have a maximum impact. By stripping away unnecessary dialogue, the film creates a direct pipeline to the character’s innermost thoughts. Alternatively, the dramatic perspective of Robin Hood simmers on the process of the dark haunting themes reflective within its visual aesthetics.

Hugh Jackman is extremely versatile with his approach on his role giving internal conflict and grittiness to Robin Hood. This is truly one of his most exceptional performances, perfectly displaying his incredible capabilities. All the while, his co-stars Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, Noah Jupe and Jodie Comer brought out an immensely profound emotional depth to their respective characters. The impressive, talented cast are the heart and soul of the picture, making it silently powerful.

Despite its slow tempo, if you appreciate the English folklore, the obscure melodramatic tale of The Death of Robin Hood is worth a watch.

Directed by Pierre Coffin
Screenplay by Brian Lynch, Pierre Coffin
Starring: Pierre Coffin, Trey Parker, Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeff Bridges, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, and Phil LaMarr

Synopsis: Set in 1920s Hollywood, the Minions chase their dream of making a monster movie. In pursuit of searching for their extraordinary monster, they summon a devious little green creature who leads them into releasing two destructive monsters that ultimately threaten to destroy the planet. The Minions partner up with a unique alien robot to defeat the creature and monsters to save the world.

Hurray for Hollywood! The Minions have taken over the spotlight and reaching for the stars like George Lucas. Pierre Coffin continues to elevate the Minions’ exciting journey with nonstop laughter and new characters in Minions & Monsters. He genially incorporates their history with the evolution of motion pictures to the storyline, paying tribute to first true moving picture The Horse in Motion and movie classics Casablanca, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Blob, and Jaws.

The constructed storyline by Brian Lynch and Pierre Coffin shine in this production. They added the components of film making throughout the scenes – camera model, storyboards, lighting, sound, and set design. It is a fun way to pique the interest of today’s youth about cinema. However, the narrative focuses on how these yellow fellows serve as the ultimate testament to the power of friendship – an invaluable takeaway for anyone. The Minions are a core group of best friends working together, chasing the Hollywood dream while in search of serving a “big boss”. They are hysterically funny, imaginative, incredibly intelligent, tenacious and even heroic.

Minions make alliances without hesitation as seen with Goomi (who seems to represent a manipulative studio producer) and Dort (the surprising knight in shining armor). Their creative curiosity and assertiveness drive them to success, the Minion way, with absolute mayhem accompanied by cheers and celebration. These little yellow good-natured cousins of Gremlins will have you speaking Minionese by the end of the movie, if you aren’t already.

Coffin’s active imagination with the impeccable animation team and stacked voice cast launch Minions & Monsters as the franchise’s crowning achievement and making it the best animated comedy of the summer.