kevin_robbins

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.

I recently rewatched the classic Tai Chi Master (1993) on Tubi. The story follows two best friends who are expelled from their Shaolin monastery. As they adjust to life outside, one stays true to his training while the other chases power and greed. Their conflicting paths eventually force them onto opposite sides-one serving the army of a corrupt warlord, the other defending the people from tyranny. Inevitably, the two friends are destined to face each other in a final, brutal showdown.

This film is directed by Yuen Woo-Ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and stars Jet Li (Fearless), Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Siu-Ho Chin (Fist of Legend), and Fennie Yuen (Royal Tramp).

This is an iconic entry in the martial arts universe, showcasing a prime Jet Li working with the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping. The storyline is stronger than you might expect-built around well-developed characters we see grow from boys into men torn apart by society and ambition. Their diverging goals feel both authentic and relatable.

From a martial arts perspective, it plays like a modernized Shaw Brothers film, with its small-town backdrops, market fights, and colorful crowd scenes. There's also a thread of humor throughout that makes the heroes easy to root for.

The choreography is elite. Every fight between the two leads is tense and unpredictable, with the final battle pushing over the top in the best possible way-serving as a fitting conclusion to this martial arts gem.

In conclusion, Tai Chi Master is a Jet Li classic and an absolute must-see for martial arts fans. I'd give it an 8.5/10 and highly recommend it.

I recently watched I Dismember Mama (1972) on Tubi. The storyline follows a young man who attempts to kill his mother and is sent to an institution. Hell-bent on finishing the job, he escapes and makes his way back to her, murdering anyone who gets in his way.

This picture is directed by Paul Leder (Killing Obsession) and stars Geri Reischl (The Meat Puppet), Zooey Hall (Hit!), Greg Mullavey (Undertow), and Elaine Partnow (I Lived).

This is another one of those films where the setup shows promise, but the execution lets it down. The premise is strong, the villains and soundtrack support the story well, and the opening sequence and attack are wild. There's even some classic horror nudity. But throughout the film, I kept waiting for something truly worthwhile to happen-and it never does. The kills are uninspired, the slow-motion sequences lack impact, and the ending offers no real payoff.

In conclusion, I Dismember Mama starts with potential but ultimately falls flat. I'd score it 4/10.