Category: Movie Reviews

Never Be Alone, Especially Never After Dark, In This Eerie Thriller

The trick of saying, “I won’t do this, especially Never After Dark” can be a loaded response. In this film’s case, what’s presented hints at all those things lurking nearby rather than hiding in the shadows….

Never After DarkMagnolia Pictures
Please check local listings for screenings

As I kick off October with some more horror films to view at night, Dave Boyle’s latest film, Never After Dark, tries its best to show that this writer/director has an overwhelming interest in the supernatural side of Japan. Although he isn’t of Asian or Japanese ancestry, his movies offer his interpretation rather than follow what’s established. The main character is not an onmyoji. There is no Western equivalent to the diverse skills required to become such a person. In some ways, a person with the skills of a priest, diviner and seer can be labelled as such.

With his latest, once that light dims, secrets will come crawling out of nowhere. In this film’s case, it’s about Airi (Moeka Hoshi), a medium trying to keep those skeletons in her own closet locked up. She’s not a certified one and is self-professed after discovering she can see her dead sister in mirrors. And to have that access around while going out to solve other people’s problems can be helpful and dangerous. When she’s a magnet for the deceased, anyone can come calling. 

When she’s hired by the owner of a fancy, out-of-the-way hotel to clear out those ghosts, well…

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Legend of the White Dragon: Jason David Frank’s Last Farewell

A disgraced superhero hides from the city he failed while a rival schemes for the same power in Legend of the White Dragon. It’s a rough, re-edited passion project, but Jason David Frank’s sincerity makes it worth a look.

The Legend of the White DragonWell GO USA

The Legend of the White Dragon is one of those passion projects made a few years ago that was thought to be shelved, but is now finally available to view. It’s streaming now and will be released on home video in October. What began as an idea between Aaron Schoenke (from the YouTube web series Superpower Beat Down) and Jason David Frank (Power Rangers) evolved into a superhero-style narrative about a hero who screwed up big-time and is trying to save face. That’s hard to do when nearly everyone hates Virtuo City’s favorite superhero, hence the film’s title.

When this hero, Erik Reed (Frank), fails to avert a disaster and thousands of lives are lost, he’s hardly seen as virtuous. His secret identity is exposed, and not even his family is safe. Remember that old adage never to reveal your face, lest the bad guys target your loved ones? Well, that’s what this movie explores too. Although no one in the Reed family is safe, this outcast lives away from the public eye. It seems that unless he’s brought to justice, nobody is going to feel secure.

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A Killer 10 Year Reunion: Deathgasm II Goremageddon’s Metal Mayhem Is Just That!

Deathgasm II Goremageddon reunites Brodie with his bandmates from beyond the grave in a louder, bloodier sequel. Its romance keeps the chaos grounded, though newcomers will need to see the first film to follow along.

Deathgasm II Goremageddon
Also available to stream on Apple TV beginning Oct 13

It’s been eleven long years since Deathgasm hit screens, and since then, the film has earned legendary cult status. For some fans, they wanted more and despite a long wait, we finally have a sequel. When Deathgasm II Goremageddon was made a little over a year ago and released to its crowdfunding backers, I’m sure those of us who missed out were sad. But I come bering good news: this movie is getting special screenings across Canada and the USA this week! We can all scream out a famous a catch-phrase from long ago: “It’s a good rockin’ tonight!”

With a film fine tuned for the masses, it’s louder, cruder and perhaps even bloodier than I remember. Admittedly, I had to rewatch the first film before seeing this one, and I can confirm a lot has changed. Everyone’s grown older, greyer and maybe fatter.

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Break Blade Vol 1, Celebrating 20 Years of a Mecha Manga Classic

Born without magic in a world powered by quartz, Rygart Arrow is drawn into a war that pits old friends against each other. Titan Manga’s release of Break Blade Vol 1 is not just a reintroduction to English-language readers but also an anniversary celebration!

Break Blade Vol. 1Titan Manga
On Sale: Dec. 15, 2026
Preorder Volume One on Amazon USA

Celebrating two decades since its Japanese debut, Break Blade Vol. 1 introduces a new generation of readers to the acclaimed mecha saga that inspired a six-part theatrical anime series and a 12-episode television adaptation. Written and illustrated by Yunosuke Yoshinaga, the manga offers more than just another military fantasy that includes piloting giant mechs. Titan Manga’s release gives English-language readers a chance to discover the story from the beginning.

In this world, magic isn’t used to cast spells. Instead, it lets people give life to “sentient” quartz mined from beneath the earth. This crystal has become the foundation of civilisation, powering machinery, transportation and enormous combat robots called Golems. And no, there’s no dodging the Gundam comparisons. The military forces of each nation rely on these machines as their primary weapons, leaving people born without magic as social and economic outcasts.

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When The Bells Toll in Resident Evil 2026, Who’s Next To Die?

The big question I have here is whether Resident Evil is still Resident Evil, or is it The Dunwich Horror in disguise?

Resident Evil 2026 PosterThe Resident Evil franchise is one of those oddities that refuses to die, no matter who is showrunning or leading the latest reboot attempt. I enjoyed the early videogames and left it at that rather than pursue every iteration. Whether they are interpreted as a comic book, novelization or film, the premise will never change: can I (as a player rather than character) figure out what is happening in the location I’m at and stop the zombie apocalypse?

As other chapters unfold introducing operatives like Leon Kennedy and a survivor of day zero, namely Jill Valentine, the fondness depends on whether the character involved is likeable or not. If I had to say which film is the better of the two “reboots,” I prefer Welcome to Raccoon City more. There’s more personalities, and plus, Neal McDonough is in it!

In the latest cinematic adaptation, Bryan (Austin Abrams) is kind of like Ferris Bueller. He gets wrapped up in the shenanigans and chaos as he wanders from one situation to another. All he wants to do is simply transport another package to the city, and go home so he and his partner can figure out what to do next in their relationship. He’s avoiding responsibility, and that plot element is what keeps this film engaging. No matter how hard he’s trying to do good, things go from bad to worse, since nobody expected a zombie pandemic to strike!

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Why Suzuki=Bakudan Delivers an Unforgettable Psychic Villain

There’s a bad moon rising in Suzuki=Bakudan, a crime thriller that’s more than a slow burn than anything else. You’re here to watch Jirō Satō’s performance’s performance more than anything else!

Suzuki=Bakudan movie posterAlthough I didn’t find the time to check out Suzuki=Bakudan (retitled Bomb for North America) during Japan Cuts, I’m glad to have caught it at Fantasia Film Festival 2026. Usually, crime thrillers aren’t my thing, but with Jirō Satō getting a lot of buzz, I had to see what the fuss was about. He plays psychic manipulator Tagosaku Suzuki, and he knows how to get under anyone’s skin.

Yes, those comparisons to the Joker from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight are justified. Though he doesn’t sport a grin, what he presents is closer to Jack Nicholson’s performance in The Shining, before madness took its toll on that poor soul’s mind. Because of the way he taunts the police, nobody’s sure if his psychic predictions are real. Unfortunately, those moments claim lives, and while the tragic scenes play out quickly enough to get the point across, the gruesome truth concerns what else he knows.

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