Melanie Dishman's archive

Sci-fi horrors fans can feast on 'Life' until the banquet comes with return of 'Alien'

Bad things can happen in deep space. We know this because films like “Alien” and the many other sci-fi horror films it inspired have engineered all kinds of extraterrestrial creatures to prey on mankind. “Life” succeeds better than about 90 percent of those due to its relentless claustrophobia and a twist ending that director Daniel Espinosa insisted on before he agreed to make the movie.

shadow

Unnecessary live-action version doesn't live up to animated classic

This tale as old as time gets an extravagant makeover in the live action version that Disney is poised to make box office history with this weekend. Bill Condon, the director, goes full tilt and it’s as overdone as Neil Simon plays in community theater.

shadow

A modern take on cinema history

What a throwback in time—literally as one of filmdom’s most awesome monsters is resurrected for what is a fresh take on a timeworn genre. King Kong, or just Kong here, has been around since the silent films, but just when you think you’ve seen it all, the fog bank enshrouding Skull Island parts and the fun begins.

shadow

Logan's swan song one of the best superhero movies yet

‘Logan’

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart

Directed by: James Mangold

Rated: R

 

This franchise might be aging, but don’t count it out. At least, not with this installment that is equal parts brutal and poignant to the point that, hold on, tears might be shed. Fair warning, X-Men fans.

shadow

There’s still time to see Oscar nominated films before the awards show

Lion

Oscar nominees continue to come and go from local theaters, and the latest one, “Lion,” is a great film.

shadow