kevin_robbins

I recently rewatched the 80s cult classic The Slumber Party Massacre (1982) on Shudder. The storyline follows a group of high school girlfriends who get together for a slumber party-unfortunately for them, a serial killer armed with a power drill is on the loose.

This film marks the directorial debut of Amy Holden Jones (Maid to Order) and stars Michele Michaels (Death Wish 4), Robin Stille (Vampire Knights), Debra De Liso (Iced), and Brinke Stevens (Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity).

This movie couldn't be more 80s in its premise, characters, and overall vibe. The dialogue can feel stiff and unnatural at times, and the identity of the killer is no surprise. Still, it delivers plenty of the genre's trademarks-horror nudity, gorgeous ladies, and a legendary shower sequence that's earned its place in horror history.

The kills themselves are a bit underwhelming, often cutting away from the attack to the aftermath, but the corpses look great and their random appearances throughout the film add to the charm. The final showdown with the killer is also a highlight.

In conclusion, The Slumber Party Massacre is far from perfect but makes for a fun, nostalgic watch. I'd score it a 6/10.

My daughter and I recently watched Ne Zha (2019) on Tubi. The story follows a primordial stone that is split in two-one half given to a human child destined to become a powerful protector, and the other to a demon child born as part of a force meant to destroy humanity. When the two finally meet, they form a brotherly bond and struggle to find a way to save the world without turning their families, friends, and people against each other.

This film, directed by Yu Yang (Ne Zha 2) in his directorial debut, features the voices of Jordan Cole (Tokyo Godfathers), Aleks Le (Solo Leveling), Jamieson Price (Akira), and Vincent Rodriguez III (Raya and the Last Dragon).

The movie is outstanding. The animation is top-tier, and the action sequences are even better. There's a "bubble" fight against a demon that's absolutely fantastic. The scenes where kids pick on Ne Zha bring in lighthearted, coming-of-age moments that make him more relatable and authentic. The character development is thoughtful, and their evolving perspectives are delivered with depth. The film reminded me a lot of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The final showdown is fantastic-an unpredictable all-out onslaught, especially given that the characters only exist for a limited time.

In conclusion, Ne Zha isn't perfect, but it's a thrilling and heartfelt watch in the spirit of The Last Airbender. I'd give it a solid 7/10.

I watched The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) in theaters this evening. The storyline follows the Warrens, now retired, while their daughter Judy is grown up and starting a serious relationship of her own. When a strange supernatural occurrence in Pennsylvania calls to Judy, it may be time for the Warrens to step out of retirement.

This picture is directed by Michael Chaves (The Nun II) and stars Patrick Wilson (Hard Candy), Vera Farmiga (The Departed), Ben Hardy (X-Men: Apocalypse), Beau Gadsdon (Censor), and Steve Coulter (Oppenheimer).

I have to admit, I actually enjoyed this more than the last few entries in the Conjuring series. The shift in focus to Judy and her love interest worked for me, as did the villain and its backstory. The 1980s setting was well done, and the horror effects delivered solid entertainment. There are some excellent jump scares sprinkled throughout, and the main villain's presence-especially in the scenes involving the axe-was top notch.

That said, I had a few gripes: Annabelle's inclusion felt unnecessary, the birth scene was poorly written, and some sequences leaned too heavily on CGI.

In conclusion, The Conjuring: Last Rites isn't perfect, but it has enough strong horror elements to hold your attention and feels like a step in the right direction for the series. I'd score it a 6/10.