Hellmant

'THE LAST WISH': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Another indie horror short film from award-winning Swedish filmmaker Jarno Lee Vinsencius; who wrote, directed and produced the flick. It also stars his usual collaborative partner, actor Demis Tzivis. Tzivis plays one of two captives (named Rob), that are being held against their will in a cellar. The two are forced to take part in a twisted game, in which the winner will be set free, and the loser will be executed. The short is reminiscent of a lot of popular torture porn slasher flicks out there (like the 'SAW' franchise), but it's got a really good twist, and it's masterfully executed by Vinsencius once again. Tzivis, and his costar, are also great in their roles as well. It's really short, at just over 6 minutes long, but horror fans should definitely get a kick out of it, I'd say.

'THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN THE WALLS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A horror-fantasy kids movie, from director Eli Roth (who usually only does gory adult horror flicks). It's based on the 1973 kids mystery book (of the same name) by John Bellairs, about an orphan sent to live with his uncle in a magical house, and he must help him locate a powerful clock formerly owned by an evil warlock. It stars Jack Black, Owen Vaccaro, Cate Blanchett, Kyle MacLachlan, Renee Elise Goldsberry and Sunny Suljic. The film has gotten mixed to positive reviews from critics, and it's performed modestly at the Box Office so far. I enjoyed it mostly, but it's just a little too kid friendly and mainstream for me though (coming from Eli Roth). I'd definitely recommend it to kids I think though.

'SHERLOCK GNOMES': One Star (Out of Five)

A sequel to the 2011 computer-animated kids movie 'GNOMEO & JULIET'. In this installment the garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet hire Sherlock Gnomes, to help them find their missing friends. It was directed by John Stevenson, and written by Ben Zazove, Kevin Cecil, Andy Riley, Emily Cook and Kathy Greenberg. The movie was a big hit at the Box Office, but it got mostly negative reviews from critics. I think it should have gotten zero positive review from critics. It's awful, and painful to watch.