The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) - 1/5

This movie is a meticulously, even beautifully handcrafted telling of a story so grim, gritty, sordid, and vile that it doesn’t merit being told. It’s remarkable how good the film-making is, being one of the only movies that makes long-form research genuinely compelling, interesting, and even gripping. But there’s no redeeming value to the story’s conclusion, no satisfactory result that makes the slough of watching the story unfold worth having been watched. Daniel Craig’s accent goes in and out (mostly out), but it barely rates mentioning against the mountain of other flaws in the film.

Content warning: female nudity, graphic sex, rape

Closest comparison: It’s like Dolores Claiborne (1995) by way of Se7en.

Setting: Police Procedural
Plot: Detective
Tone: Psychological Horror

Color Out of Space (2019) - 4/5

This movie is terrifying. The cinematography is gorgeous and while the entire cast really sells their decent into madness, Nicolas Cage is magnificent in his slowly increasing insanity. The plot follows the broad strokes of the original short story by H.P. Lovecraft, bringing it into the 21st century while still remaining true to its cosmic horror roots. It’s beautifully done and a real testament to the indie film scene that a movie of this caliber can come out of it.

Closest comparison: It’s like The Shining by way of Event Horizon.

Setting: Family Drama
Plot: Cosmic Horror
Tone: Body Horror