Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) - 3/5

This is a solid sequel with great locations and action setpieces in the same vein as its 2017 predecessor. Because of the nature of these films there’s an aspect of the acting that amounts to the actors doing impressions of each other, hamming it up as they go, and that is much more varied in this film. The main characters are doing impressions of multiple people throughout the runtime and it’s fun and funny to watch. The action / adventure part gets predictable and unrealistic in several places, but here it’s funny instead of irritating because of the video game premise. It’s not as good as the previous installment, but still a lot of fun.

Closest comparison: It’s like The Saint (1997) by way of Indiana Jones.

Setting: Adventure
Plot: Action Adventure
Tone: Adventure Comedy

Saw (2004) - 4/5

This is the horror movie that defined its decade. Despite being a low budget endeavor James Wan is able to make the most of his resources and deliver a grimy, tensely horrifying experience due to an exceptional script. The way information is revealed throughout the movie is like watching a master class in pacing, constantly uncovering some interesting detail or plot development while maintaining the tension. Completely innocuous sequences become terrifying in this context and the great acting sells every minute of it. The gore is likely to turn off many viewers, but Shayamalan-esque ending cops the lot.

Content warning: gore

Closest comparison: It’s the movie that spawned the escape room craze.

Setting: Grimy Horror
Plot: Thriller Horror
Tone: Slasher Horror

The Dead Don't Die - 3/5

This is a weird, slow movie that suffers from bland ad-lib dialogue. The first half is great: methodical setup, dry humor with measured delivery, and several interesting plot threads to investigate. Unfortunately, some of the plot threads go nowhere and the ones that do end not just strangely but often unsatisfactorily. Still, it kept me interested and chuckling for most of the runtime and although not all of the humor lands, much of it does for the zombie-movie-loving crowd.

Content warning: Gore

Closest comparison: This is a slow, strange homage to older B horror films like Night of the Living Dead and Plan 9 From Outer Space.

Setting: Zombies
Plot: Action Adventure
Tone: Dry Comedy