Matthew R. Reis: Film and TV Critic

Blog Exclusive! Hi all, Some of you may have already seen the notorious cult classic film "The Room" directed by the enigmatic Tommy Wiseau. But, for those of you who haven't managed to see the film yet, myself included, we are clearly bad movie virgins. I go to see "The Room" tonight live in blistering 35mm (or less hopefully on DVD) at the world famous Carolina Theatre in Greensboro, NC. Embarking on this odd adventure is my trusty friend Ben, a fellow moviemaker and college student who desperately wants to see Lisa tear Tommy apart. So what's the draw of going to a movie deemed by many to be the worst movie of all time (Transformers notwithstanding)? Well two reasons immediately saturate my mind. 1) each audience member gets to throw spoons at the screen... and if you know me I was always fairly adequate at spooning with friends. LOL. The 2) reason to go is to be surrounded by like-minded cinephile's who derive pleasure from seeing other p...

Repent. This movie is a sinner (Now on DVD) 1 star As Featured In: The Ithacan Truly terrifying movies rarely grace the big screen these days because of over-cooked turkeys like “The Rite.” Inspired by Matt Baglio’s book, this adaptation doesn’t take its source material seriously either. Inundated with a ghastly mix of drama and unintentional comedy, director Mikael Håfström’s latest film belongs in purgatory. Supposedly based on true events, “The Rite” is immensely unrealistic because of its emotionally inept performances and over-the-top visual effects. The film follows American Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue), a deacon who is second-guessing the clergy. He travels to Rome to take part in an exorcist-training course at the Vatican. Here, Kovak meets Rev. Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins), one of the most sought after exorcists in the Roman Catholic Church, who becomes his mentor and an unlikely friend. But when Trevant becomes possessed himself, Kovak must summon what faith he...

A Roger Corman cult classic...gee isn't that vague? (Now on DVD) 2 1/2 Stars Blog exclusive! Imagine that you wake on a private beach with a shoreline of pristine sand. Far off and perched on hill rests a creepy mansion that even Count Dracula would even envy. You are dehydrated, yet completely conscious and you take in the magnificent view. No you are not Fabio playing some romantic lover to a buxom blond, but rather Andre Duvalier (Jack Nicholson), a French soldier separated from his troops. Welcome to "The Terror," it may very well be your worst nightmare... or not. Starring a young Jack Nicholson and veteran horror actor Boris Karloff, "The Terror" is hardly short on terrific performances, yet is very lacking in the shrills department. Legendary Director Roger Corman elicits convincing performances from his leads. The leads play off of each others strengths. Karloff hams it up and Nicholson is captivating because of his signature grin. Karloff of cou...