Crawl (watched July 11, 2019)

As I mentioned in some previous posts, I developed very particular, but also rather random, biases towards certain movie types during my adolescent years. Because I was never really into animals, I usually skipped out on animal-related films of any and all genres- even horror films. But, thanks to recent movie releases I have seen in an effort to break from these self-imposed restrictions, my movie world has been opened up to a completely different sub-genre: CREATURE FEATURES. "Crawl" is one such film that I would never have spent my time or money on; but, a recently made good friend of mine and fellow horror FREAK Manny was in town and I decided to see if this one could continue the roll I started on with "The Meg." HOOOOOOOOOLY MOLY.

Crawl takes place in the very hydro-centric state of Florida, where the beaches are plentiful, swimming comes almost by nature and gators are always treated as that one scary aunt/uncle you know exists but would much rather avoid at all costs. Haley (played by Kaya Scodelario) is an accomplished swimmer at the University of Florida (go Gators!) who has always been pushed to perform her best by her father Dave (played by Barry Pepper). When Haley's sister calls from out of town to ask about their father who has not responded to her calls all day, Haley makes the two hour drive back to her family's old house in the middle of a growing Category 5 hurricane to check-in on her dad personally.

Upon getting to her old house, Haley searches frantically for her father as the hurricane picks up momentum and she finally finds Dave injured all the way down in their huge basement. As she attempts to get her unconscious father upstairs, Haley is confronted with a less-than-welcoming gator who is hell-bent on finishing Dave off and presumably having Haley for dessert. Now, one reason I strayed from creature features is that so often the animal(s) do not look real to the viewers because of a poor job done with CGI. But, this gator is VERY real and VERY frightening. Manny and I were instantly delighted at how real the gator looked and our hopes were immediately heightened for what the remainder of the movie would bring.

Every "shock moment" comes unexpectedly and abruptly (even the ones we braced ourselves for). Every attack is ferocious in nature and intent on drawing lots and lots of blood. From the moment water starts to seep into the basement I was kept on the edge of my seat (especially given the fact that I am in no way a proficient swimmer). Every on-screen gator appearance struck fear into my very core in a way that many films have not this year. There is a very real and very carnal aspect to every risk Haley, her dad and their community has to take to escape with their lives. At a VERY manageable 90 minutes long, Crawl only suffers from very few dull moments that nevertheless work to bring some legitimacy to the plot. And, it's an absolute travesty that this film did not release in 4DX theaters because it would have taken my experience to another level. Crawl gets a solid 4 reps out of 5 from this newly-turned fan of creature features and should absolutely be seen in theaters. It is not my favorite "horror" release of 2019 only because there were so many other such films released with more history behind them. But, Crawl may very well be THE standard against which other freaks like Manny and I hold not only creature features to but horror/thriller/suspense movies to as well. It is exactly what I feel most fans who want to be scared in theaters are looking for and deserve. Thanks, Manny!

Are you ready to test your luck and fears against those who can not only crawl but also swim with such ease and physical dominance? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section whether you have seen it yet or not. I am very interested in what you have to say about this film, especially as I expand my knowledge of and experience with creature features.

Midsommar (watched July 9, 2019)

We're almost halfway into July; so, it makes sense to watch this movie- right? Actually, in all seriousness, I had NO idea what this movie was about until just yesterday. In fact, there are times when I will watch a movie I have not even seen a preview for just to see what the hype surrounding it is about. And, there was some legitimate hype behind this one in the sense that a number of people had been going in large groups to check it out. So, what did it have to offer the self proclaimed horror freak?


"Midsommar" is loosely based on a group of four male Anthropology classmates who have been planning a trip to Sweden, one of which- Christian- is in a relationship with Dani (played by Florence Pugh who did a magnificent job portraying WWE star "Paige" in "Fighting With My Family"). However, Christian's and Dani's relationship has been teetering on the edge for some time. When Christian decides to invite Dani on the trip and she accepts, the other three classmates have varying levels of trepidation. Nevertheless, the five of them embark on this life-changing trip to a very remote and rural part of Sweden during a locally observed midsummer festival that only occurs once every ninety years.


To truly embrace the culture of this community's people, the group of five and another visiting couple take part in a number of traditions that includes the regular consumption of a hallucinogenic that alters one's senses. From the very first day on, all seven visitors have to decide just how far they are willing to indulge in the rituals of this midsummer festival as well as wrestle with different reasons why to do so or avoid doing so. These traditions are introduced only very loosely by one of the four original Anthropology classmates who has actually lived there most of his life and was only studying abroad in the US- Pelle. And, every visitor has different reasons that ultimately decide the extent to which he/she will take part in the different activities.


The traditions themselves are only truly "understood" or "explained" once the visitors choose to really take part; and, the visual depictions of them were the most satisfying part for me. There are very clear influences writer/director Ari Aster draws from the 1970's mystery "The Wicker Man," in that it includes a visit to a very foreign land with very unique traditions. All in all, the film feels like a massive ethnographic study whose "success" depends on how willing one is to embrace the various traditions espoused by this pagan cult. To see just how these different traditions affect each visitor differently is where the intrigue lies; and, paired with the aforementioned visual depictions thereof, are why this film gets 3 out of 5 reps from me. At a very lengthy 2.5 hours, the film does have its lulls and probably does not have to be seen in theaters to get the full effect. Think... a very less gory "The Green Inferno" and much less gory "Hostel." As I mentioned before, the film works mostly to depict the traditions of a very small pagan cult that has its origins very firmly based in historical pagan scripture. It is a reminder that there are peoples existing outside of the "western world" with what others would deem a "weird" lifestyle; but, then again- that's all in the eye of the beholder.


So, have you taken a trip to experience Midsommar yet? If not, what are you afraid of?!

Spider-Man: Far From Home (watched July 2, 2019)

With the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, it was clear that there was going to be a shift in the arch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What was unclear is exactly what that shift would entail and exactly who would anchor this second wave of MCU theatrical releases. Would the timeless Spider-Man character step up to fill a void left by so many well-known Avengers? Does Captain Marvel cement herself as the most important Avenger moving forward? What exactly will Captain America's leaving Falcon with the Captain America shield mean for Falcon's role from now on? Well, this latest Spider-Man does not bring much in the sense of concrete answers to these questions; but, it most certainly sets the stage for something very interesting to come.


"Spider-Man: Far From Home" is like the surprise epilogue to the first wave of MCU/Avengers movies that fans were not sure would move the franchise forward but are excited for nonetheless because of the promise it entails. And, it most certainly does not disappoint. The on-screen chemistry between Spider-Man (played by the charismatic Tom Holland) and MJ (played by the ever-so-enigmatic Zendaya, who herself is absolutely SLAYING her current role in the HBO show "Euphoria") takes a few leaps forward. Happy and Mary Parker continue to inject their timeless and timely humor seemingly every single time they are on screen. And the introduction of another favorite of mine in Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio is not only refreshing; but also, for some reason, rather seamless. While it's the first time we see Mysterio in the MCU, Gyllenhaal has this spirit about him that makes Mysterio fit right in as though he was at the very least being discussed in previous movie, although he was not at all.


While my first time around seeing this film was not in 4DX because of some back pain, I am most certainly excited to see in 4DX as soon as I can. The action and CGI/effects were again stunning and moving; but, also taken up yet another notch to a slightly different level. The realm in which Spider-Man and Mysterio operate here is not only visually stunning, but also, somewhat revolutionary. In fact, there were times when what I saw on screen reminded me so much of what I saw on screen during "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."


At just over two hours long, the film still does not lend itself to any momentary lulls. In fact, everything that occurs, including the TWO post-credits scenes (the first of which is a jaw-dropping look towards the future), leaves fans applauding in ecstasy but yearning for MORE. The only thing that could have made this film better in my eyes were more Avengers. However, their inclusion might have thrown off the feel of the movie, which is that of another stand-alone "neighborhood Spider-Man" iteration that nevertheless sets the stage for major developments forthcoming. Spider-Man: Far From Home gets an easy 4 out of 5 stars from me and will MOST certainly be watched multiple times by so many people both in theatres and at home. It will RUN the box office this weekend and for weekends to come. And it will do so very deservedly.


Have you seen how Spider-Man swings into action while being far from home? If so, what did you think about it and how it sets up the MCU future? If not, are you excited to?! Let me know in the comments; and, as always, this remains a SPOILERS-FREE place to PREview films you're deciding between for your next trip to the movies. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend, movie fans!

Annabelle Comes Home (watched July 1, 2019)

Vera Farmiga has been a favorite of mine since she took on and slayed the role of Norma Bates in the amazing TV series "Bates Motel." Patrick Wilson gained an instant fan in me when I saw him perform as Night Owl in the on-screen adaptation of "Watchmen." So, when I saw them anchor the "Conjuring" franchise, I was absolutely ecstatic. I'm not sure if the creators of The Conjuring ever dreamed the franchise would include as many films as it has churned out; but, the importance Farmiga and Wilson have played in its success is unquestionable and undeniable.


After so many continuations and "spin-off" movies followed the original Insidious, many fans questioned the franchise's ability to produce films as good as the original. But, while there have been some follow-up films that did not garner as much fanaticism, some of them did. "Annabelle: Creation," for example, was absolutely stellar. So, the hype behind "Annabelle Comes Home" was certainly at a high following the success of its predecessor.


In this film, Annabelle certainly comes home; and, the most intriguing aspect of this tale is that it sheds light on a number of other stories of possession. But, not only do we learn more about other tales of possession that the Warrens have investigated in their lengthy careers, we actually get to see visual depictions of the artifacts that highlight these different investigations. However, this history actually does not come from the mouths of the Warrens, as they are largely left out of this movie. Instead, we learn about this history through the adventures of the Warrens' young daughter, her babysitter and her babysitter's best friend.


At an hour and forty five minutes long, Annabelle Comes Home does a lot of "building up" during the first hour. The last forty five minutes are interspersed with built up "shock moments" and the aforementioned visual depictions of some awesome looking historical figures of "possession;" but little else. It was actually very refreshing to see just how much their daughter Judy seems to have espoused the spirit of her parents; but, it actually makes viewers want to see her interact with her parents more, which happens for only about 5% of the film. For a handful of cool visual depictions of possessed figures and an introduction to Judy Warren with not much else, this film gets 2.5 reps out of 5 from this horror movie junkie. It's a bit of a letdown; but, it will be interesting to see if, how and when the franchise will build off its introduction of Judy Warren moving forward. Some of the visuals will most certainly look better on the big screen; but, they probably won't be enough to garner much excitement from viewers.


Have you welcome Annabelle home yet? If so, what do you think about how the franchise might use this film to set up future films, if any do come (aside from the follow-up films announced to "The Nun" and "The Curse of La Llorona")?

Child's Play (2019) (watched June 20, 2019)

The famous Chucky doll from the original 80's and 90’s movies was one of my first obsessions as a fan of the horror genre. I always found it oddly interesting that a kid’s toy with whom he/she spent so much time and built (somewhat of a) human connection with could, for whatever reason, become the impetus for so much fear and violence. For a lot of viewers from my generation and other Chucky fans alike, this film will engender some serious feelings of nostalgia. 

Instead of simply remaking the original “Child’s Play” film from 1988, “Child’s Play (2019)” goes a similar route as other 2019 horror movies with an existing origin story; bringing the Chucky franchise into the present day era. However, aside from some pretty obvious allusions to said original arch, this year’s installment has little else directly tying it to the original, meaning you don’t even need to know about the original Chucky storyline to watch this one because it stands alone as the "new age" Child's Play Part I.

In it, the supremely talented Aubrey Plaza (who made a name for herself in NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” and continues to act in films and such TV shows as another mutant fan favorite “Legion” on FX) plays Karen Barclay, a mother desperate to bring some joy to her son Andy for his birthday. Karen finagles one of the revamped “Buddi” dolls preparing to be released for Andy, setting the stage for both Andy and Chucky to develop a friendship much more real than anybody expected. We also see Brian Tyree Henry (who plays “Paperboy” in FX’s hit TV show “Atlanta”) play a prominent role as Detective Mike Norris, who eventually realizes they’re dealing with much more than a malfunctioning doll.

The 2019 Chucky has certainly evolved with the times, just as technology has. The scope of his terror is heightened by the technological advances made since we last saw him running amuck with Tiffany and their child. At a very reasonable 90 minutes long, the violence comes fast and often after about 30 minutes in. Once the blood starts to spill, it quickly begins to OVERFLOW. The deaths themselves are surprisingly more gory than I imagined (more so even than the originals) and boast a mixture of the more classic “slasher” kills with more modern age “WTF” moments that simply weren't possible in the original movies. As with other 2019 horror films, I found this one to be both more interesting and more entertaining than I imagined, garnering it 3.5 reps out of 5 from this horror movie buff. As I’ve always espoused, if you go into it with an open mind, you will at least find several enjoyable parts to the film. Because of the murders and the role technology plays in them, I would certainly recommend seeing this one at least once in theaters because you’re not going to get the same experience at home. I will certainly be seeing it again a number of times.

So, have you faced the new and improved 2019 Chucky? Or are you still stuck in the past thinking nothing can make you cringe and squirm the way the original did? Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts, although if you don’t, I might send Chucky after you so you have a real reason to be scared! And, if anybody needs protection, I'm glad to join you as you face your fears in theatre! Just leave me a comment below and we can make this happen... unless you're scared, of course.

Ma (watched June 11, 2019)

Ey- yo, ma! While this cat call has been a part of many females’ lives from a very young age, this film gives most of the power to one female in particular who plays by nobody’s rules but her own. “Ma” tells the story of a peculiar, middle-aged woman who goes out of her way to be nice to younger members of a community that is quite small and, thus, inextricably tied to each other- for better AND worse.

The film starts with an introduction to the new kid in a town completely foreign to her during the middle of the school year. When a former new kid extends her an offer to hang out with a group of “cool kids,” Maggie (played by the FAST rising, talented and eerily reminiscent of Julia Roberts star who also just crushed it in Booksmart, Diana Silvers) reluctantly accepts. As Maggie’s mother Erica (played by another film OG in Juliette Lewis) becomes aware of her daughter’s making friends, she warns her to be very careful of who she befriends. In a series of most unexpected events, Sue Ann aka Ma (played by the perfectly creepy Octavia Spencer) becomes one of those very people. What ensues is an unraveling of weird events that weave an increasingly complex web of lies and secrets between all parties involved.

I cannot emphasize this enough: when watching a fictional movie, everyone is better served doing so with a heightened suspension of disbelief. Of course what a film’s characters do are not always going to be in line with what we would- that’s not what I go to the movies for. I go to be ENTERTAINED. And, while there are head-scratching moments in this one, overall, it’s actually pretty entertaining. Sue Ann is just quirky enough that you not only want to see what she is capable of doing next, you’re also at least nominally interested in the “why.” The film also boasts a nice mix of “jump” scares and “psychological” frights that sustain, at the very least, an interest in seeing how the next one plays out. 

Honestly, I was expecting this film to be much cornier and a bigger “waste” of a movie outing than it was. The small town dynamic reminded me of high school/college towns I’ve been a part of where it’s almost impossible to live outside of a far-reaching microscope. And the less pervasive themes including racism and sexism help make the plot even nominally more relatable. For being surprisingly entertaining and much more thought-provoking than I ever imagined, I give Ma 3 reps out of 5. At around 100 minutes long, the film is an easy watch in theaters- although many will safely wait to catch it in the comfort of their homes once available. It also helped my experience that I was among the audience members in the first group of seats closest to the big screen. There were times I thought Sue Ann might approach me next!

Has Ma done you any favors yet? Or are you steering clear of her “kindness”? Let me know in the comments section either way! Remember, there are NO spoilers up in here... NOT UP IN HERE!

Dark Phoenix (watched June 7, 2019)

The X-Men universe is one that has been around on-screen for decades, as its famous television series brought consistent life to the comic books. And, while the initial X-Men live-action movies came with a ton of hype and were largely satisfying to most fans, there has been a palpable dip in excitement.

From an admittedly confusing timeline to an unclear direction, the once revered X-Men movie franchise has left fans with a lot of mixed emotions. Well, although the latest of said movies, “Dark Phoenix” has been the movie fans have been begging for the longest. The Phoenix character is among the most popular and widely viewed as the strongest of X-Men; so, a lot of comparisons can be made to the recent “Captain Marvel” film that finally dropped as well. However, whereas Captain Marvel is poised to lead the new wave of Avengers movies, Dark Phoenix is reportedly the swan song of the original wave of X-Men characters and films. So, does it do her character justice?

Absolutely. From the very beginning of the film it is made clear that Jean Grey (or “Phoenix”) has had something particularly special about her, which makes her stand out even among mutants. The film not only brings to life a number of anecdotal scenes that depict her might, it does so in a methodical way that builds up the anticipation of viewers and has us anxiously waiting for the next physical display of power. And those displays of power are nothing short of being absolutely awesome. The action scenes and CGI are incredible, while seeing Sophie Turner who plays Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones back in action is immensely satisfying for fans of both franchises.

Dark Phoenix gives X-Men fans what they’ve wanted for so many years, even if much later than perhaps should’ve been done. And, despite how incredibly murky the franchise’s future is, as a stand-alone film, it is immensely satisfying and works very well as the last of a very up-and-down first wave of mutant films. At just under two hours, the action in this movie carries it so well that not only does it feel like much less than two hours, you want to stay at least another two if it meant seeing more of the same. The culminating final series of scenes is so charged up that you wish it would never end. This film is one that X-Men and non-X-Men fans alike should see in theaters and is one that I look forward to seeing often. It gets 4 out of 5 reps from me largely for its entertainment value and deeply satisfying general plot, which has been a long time coming.

Did you fly to the movies and catch “Dark Phoenix” yet? Let me know what you think of it and the future of the franchise. What do you hope happens next? For those who haven’t seen it yet- come back and let me know how much we relate in opinion. Did I offer any spoilers or, as I proudly say, did I keep this a spoilers-free safe haven? I better have because it’s NO SPOILERS up in here ... NOT UP IN HERE!

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (watched May 30, 2019)

As you probably guessed, I most certainly watched this film in 4DX. But, the movie itself feels much like a roller coaster no matter what setting you watch it in. Firstly, if you aren’t too familiar with the entire cast of “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” then you will probably be as pleasantly surprised as I was every time a different big-name actor popped up on the screen. Dr. Emma Russell (played by a favorite of mine in Vera Farmiga who absolutely crushes it as Norman Bates’ mother in the “Bates Motel” series) and her daughter Madison (played by fast-rising “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown, whose real name has to be one of the coolest in existence) form an on-screen duo that works so seamlessly you would think they’ve worked with each other for years. But there are a number of other actors and actresses who don’t figure as prominently into the trailers/previews who really add another sense of legitimacy to the crew.

If you aren’t too well versed in the world of Godzilla, Godzilla exists in a world where he is far from being the only “monster” roaming the earth. However, he is universally revered as being the king of them all for his unmatched power and strength. This latest film adaptation is by far the most complex and involved of any Godzilla movie to ever release. While a group of government officials are hot on the trail of another mythic monster known as Ghidorah, they haven’t seen or heard of Godzilla since the last film adaptation to release in the US back in 214. (This approach helps lend some legitimacy to the last film as well as establish a connection between the two.) Convinced that Godzilla is no longer to be seen of again, these officials are quick to try and restrain Ghidorah themselves; but, as their efforts prove increasingly futile, Godzilla is the only one they can find hope in. However, just as Godzilla makes his return, they learn of another layer of complexity that makes all hell break loose on our planet.

I didn’t think I would see as much action as I saw in John Wick Chapter 3; but, I was VERY mistaken. While human combat is featured more prominently in John Wick than in Godzilla, this actually helps distinguish between that sort of action and the one that occurs between the monsters in this film. Once the first fighting scene in this film erupts, it is followed by a FLURRY of others, each somehow increasingly more terrifying and destructive than the last!

Due to the discoveries made by the government and scientists throughout the movie, the plot most certainly becomes jumbled and quite difficult to fully grasp. But, I have never cared less about the holes in a film’s plot than I did about these because however they come about, the MONSTROUS battles are everything audience members want to see and THEN some. Honestly, I gave up all hope of making sense of everything halfway through the film, which I feel actually made the action scenes even better because I was unencumbered by any other mental exercise. It’s not necessarily that the plot is broken; but, more so that it is so complex one would rather give it the benefit of the doubt in anticipation of the next hellacious struggle between monsters. A full two hours long, Godzilla: King of the Monsters does NOT let up and keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire second half of the film. Even for just attempting the most complex Godzilla plot, this film gets props. But, as I mentioned before, the constant friction, visual depictions thereof and CGI are absolutely incredible and nothing short of stellar. For being the most visually satisfying and monstrous Godzilla film I have ever seen, I give this one an easy 4 reps out of 5 and ABSOLUTELY recommend catching it on the biggest, best screen you possibly can!

Have you come face to face with the King of the Monsters yet? If not, then what are you waiting for? If so, what did you think about the plot in comparison to the action? Let me know in the comments section; and, as always, feel free to spread the word about my page and encourage others to Check With E before deciding what films to catch in theaters because there are NO SPOILERS here... NOT UP IN HERE! 

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (watched May 16, 2019)

The action in chapter 1 plus the action in chapter 2 almost equals all of the action in this chapter 3. The face of one of the most pioneering action film series in the “Matrix,” Keanu Reeves, reprises his role in this third installment of John Wick. For those of you who could use it, here’s a quick synopsis of the first two chapters to set up where the third chapter takes off from.

In chapter 1, John Wick, a retired lethal assassin, is mourning the death of his wife with a furry companion in the form of a new dog. When a team of Russian mobsters led by the mob boss’ son attempt to steal John’s car and kill his new dog in the process, they start a war that draws John right back into a life of violence. He ends up killing most of that Russian crime ring, including the son and father, before adopting a new dog and trying once again to retire from that life.

In chapter 2, John is paid a visit by a lead Italian mob boss who collects upon a debt he claims John owes him for helping him get out of his dangerous lifestyle the first time and allowed John to marry his now deceased wife Helen. John repays his debt to the Italian mob boss, who in turn puts a bounty on John’s head as a way of playing the fool and acting like he had nothing to do with John’s latest completed mission. At the end of chapter 2, John kills this mob boss as well- but, he does it on the grounds of the Continental Hotel, which is a safe haven for criminals where killing is strictly prohibited. The Continental owner has no choice but to report John’s actions to “the Higher Table” (but not before giving John a one hour head start to get as far away as possible before a worldwide, $14 million bounty is put on John’s head).

“John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” picks right back up where chapter 2 finished, with John making his rounds visiting the few people he thinks he can still count on for help. However, the word is now out and everybody who’s anybody who notices John goes all out in an attempt to kill him and cash in. When I say the action is non-stop, I mean the action is NON-STOP. John can’t even make it a block without encountering handfuls of fellow criminal assassins putting their lives on the line for a massive pay day. The fighting truly does feel organic in a way that makes it seem less choreographed and more free flowing- almost like full contact capoeira. Nothing feels forced; and, while there are moments of lengthened dialogue, it certainly works to move the plot forward.

The film is almost exactly two hours long; but, I only ever noticed once the film was over. As you may have guessed, I certainly watched it in 4DX; and, while the movie wasn’t 3D, the 4DX theater seats were moving and punching and kicking at a rapid rate because of the non-stop hits. Personally, this movie was so enjoyable that it gets 4 reps out of a possible 5 from me; and, it may just be the best John Wick movie to date. However, fans certainly have something MORE to look forward to, as a fourth chapter has already been confirmed for release in Spring 2021 and seems poised to feature another Matrix teammate of “Neo,” which certainly has me excited.

Have you caught all of the hits dished out by the third installment to the John Wick series? If you haven’t and are into action, then you most certainly should. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section. As always, check with E for all your movie notes either after (but preferably before) heading to your next movie outing because... there are NO SPOILERS here... NOT UP IN HERE!

The Intruder (watched May 7, 2019)

If you think you’ve seen this movie before it’s probably because you have- one iteration of it or another. “The Intruder” is the latest version of that movie type wherein a person or couple have their livelihoods threatened by a neighbor or angry ex who just can’t seem to cut ties and “let go.” From the original “stalker” movie classic directed by Alfred Hitchcock “Rear Window” that was reimagined in Shia LaBeouf’s “Disturbia,” to Jennifer Lopez’s “The Boy Next Door” and Beyoncé’s and Idris Elba’s “Obsessed,” the premise here remains largely the same: a shot at peace and happiness is endangered by others who simply can’t find that for themselves under their current circumstances.


This time around, the intruder comes in the form of a retiring gentleman named Charlie (played by one of the true film legends in Dennis Quaid) who lost his wife to cancer and hopes to start anew by moving to Florida and reconnecting with his daughter. The unsuspecting couple is Annie and Scott Russell (played by the beautiful Megan Good and Michael Ealy), which is fighting its own struggle to repair a fractured marriage by moving farther from the city into a home more conducive to raising children. Charlie garners the pity of Annie but remains highly questionable in the eyes of Scott. When Charlie insists on helping around the house in an effort to keep its structural integrity intact, he quickly becomes an increasing nuisance to the relocated city couple.


The Intruder is packed with tense moments of confrontation that result in increasingly questionable reactions from the couple. The couple’s decisions will have you screaming in your head with anger (or out loud at the film). What the couple’s actions do not detract from is an exquisitely and increasingly unorthodox character development on the part of Dennis Quaid, which is the film’s most redeeming quality. Although it has a very manageable running time of one hour and forty minutes, The Intruder probably will not prove to be a must-see for many moviegoers. For being only a slightly recycled “stalker/creepy neighbor” film with its share of tense moments and even more questionable decisions, I give The Intruder 2 reps out of 5.


Will you be confronting The Intruder in theaters, wait for its digital/DVD release or avoid it completely? Let me know which way you're leaning either way. How do you think this particularly saturated film type can have new life breathed into it?