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After taking a look back at House II: The Second Story (a favorite of mine since childhood), House of 1000 Corpses (which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year), the awesomeness of Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight, the leg smashing in the Stephen King adaptation Misery, three separate moments from John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China, the “Jason vs. Tina” battle in Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, the “all hell breaks loose” sequence from the start of Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead remake, the opening sequence of Pitch Black, a cool moment from The Crow, a memorable shark attack from Jaws 2, a creepy moment from Lost Highway, the climactic factory chase sequence from Child’s Play 2, and the “Stigmata Martyr” dance scene from Night of the Demons, JoBlo’s own Lance Vlcek is continuing his The Best Scene video series – and...

The relationship between a mother and son is universal and has been addressed artistically for centuries, so it's not easy to say something original. When Dutch-based writer-director Boudewijn Koole took on the subject in his short film “Off Ground” — one of 12 finalists in TheWrap's 2014 ShortList Film Festival — he chose to eschew words altogether. Instead, he partnered with choreographer Jakop Ahlbom to make a stark 12-minute movie that says plenty without a word of dialogue. In it, a mother (Louise Lecavalier) and pre-teen son (Antoine Masson) dance on, under, around and with a simple table and chair,...

Our critics' picks of this week's openings, plus your last chance to see and what to book now

• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments below

Opening this weekTheatre

In a Garden

The Ustinov's ambitious season of modern American plays continues with the British premiere of Howard Korder's play about an American architect summoned to a Middle Eastern country to fulfil an impossible commission. Richard Beecham directs a tale of dangerous misunderstandings. Ustinov, Bath (01225 448844), Wednesday until 5 May.

Film

Into the Abyss (dir. Werner Herzog)

Werner Herzog probes the dark heart of humanity with his death-row interviews. Why do people kill?

Dance

The Royal Ballet: Mixed Bill

The Royal at their adventurous best, with new works by Liam Scarlett and Wayne McGregor, plus a revival of Wheeldon's classy, intelligent Polophonia. Royal Opera House, London WC2 (020-7304 4000), Thursday until 23 April.

The Eifman Ballet: Anna Karenina (Tue-Weds) Onegin (Fri)

Big,...