“There’s Something In The Shadows” (0 out of four) was a worthless imitation of “The Blair Witch Project” about a group of friends (Pete Bennett, Darran McAree, John Solomonides) who venture to the wilderness of Scotland to seek out paranormal activity and soon find that an ancient dead spirit is lurking and that all their lives are in danger. Relentless handheld camerawork may cause you to have vertigo and character’s annoying dialogue and shrill screams may result in you needing medication for migraines but film is still a puzzling bore. This turkey makes either of the “Blair Witch” sequels look like “Halloween” by comparison.

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“Just Another Dream” (** out of four) was just another ordinary family drama about a 14-year old (Kayden Bryce) who has foretelling and foreboding dreams; her concerned mother (Kristy Swanson) takes her to see a professional (Dean Cain) over this but soon starts to wonder if the girl needs mental health help or is she a visionary with extra-sensory perception? Film builds momentum and engagement in the final third and ends up making an emotional connection but initial buildup is relatively hokey and banal. Swanson is good in the lead and played a similar character in Wes Craven’s “Deadly Friend.”

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“Secrets Of A Gold Digger Killer” (** out of four) was a bland suspense thriller about the title middle-aged woman (Julie Benz) who seduces a multimillionaire (Eli Gabay) and charms and insinuates herself into his family (Georgia Bradner and Roan Curtis) and attempts to murder him for his money. By-the-numbers story is cranked out without much suspense or surprises or (yes) secrets. Benz is strong as usual but is unable to enrich this tired material. Based on Suzy Spencer’s best-selling novel.

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“Night Walk” (** out of four) was a fairly trite pulp melodrama about two lovers (Sean Stone and Sarah Alami) who are torn apart by their cultural and social separations resulting in him going to prison where he faces more division when he is thrown in the midst of violent and escalating battles between Muslim inmates (led by Ricco Ross), Neo-Nazis (led by Mickey Rourke), and corrupt prison guards (Patrick Kilpatrick and Costas Mandylor). Collection of has-been actors from the ’80’s (yes- Eric Roberts and also Richard Tyson and Tom “Tiny” Lister, Jr. are part of the cast) give new coat of paint to a well-worn story. Allegedly inspired by the love story of “Romeo And Juliet” but owes more than a bit to “Penitentiary.” Stone is director Oliver Stone’s son.

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“Cannibal Troll” (*1/2 out of four) was a sub-routine horror thriller about a group of female friends (Georgina Jane, Zuza Tehanu, Barbara Dabson, and others) off on a weekend camping trip in the wilderness who become hunted by a beastly troll and they all try to fight back to stay alive. I guess it’s only ironic that a film that boldly rips off “Deliverance” is released the day after Ned Beatty dies. Even “Wrong Turn” told this exact same story with far more shock, scares, and skill nearly two decades ago. It’s horror movies like these that make one want to become a vegetarian.

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“Lethal Love Letter” (*1/2 out of four) was a lethally derivative suspense thriller about a successful businesswoman (Clare Grant) whose life and career get turned upside down; could it possibly be the laughably sinister new hunk (Rick Malambri) who she recently met? Thoroughly obvious and predictable film made for those who’ve never heard of “Fatal Attraction” or its countless imitators. Lars Lindstrom’s attractive lighting and cinematography is one of the only virtues for this programmed timewaster.

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“The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” (*** out of four) was a fun sequel to the 2017 smash about the wacky bodyguard (Ryan Reynolds) who has a continuing relationship with his assassin friend (Samuel L. Jackson) which grows increasingly dangerous as they try to save his wife (Salma Hayek) and various underworld and law enforcement (Morgan Freeman, Frank Grillo, Gary Oldman) become involved. Much like the original- this one never stops moving and throws in everything but the kitchen sink. Thin story is buttressed by enough explosive action and cockeyed humor to keep it off-the-wall from start to finish. Kudos also for being the first film to unite both Freeman and Jackson together on screen!

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“Dinosaur Hotel” (* out of four) was a jurassic bore about a young woman (Chrissie Wunna) who takes part in an underground game show for wealthy high-rollers in which she and others (Aimee Marie Higham, Sofia Lacey, Nicole Nabi) stay in an isolated building in the wilderness and are hunted and preyed upon by regenerated dinosaurs who are out for the kill. If you ever wanted to see a cross between “Jurassic Park” and “The Hunger Games”, look no further; otherwise this is shoddy and stupid but also stilted and tedious. Even dinosaur fanatics should avoid checking into this “hotel.”

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“Devil’s Island” (** out of four) was a mundane horror thriller about a young woman (Elle Alexander) who goes on vacation to the island of Bastoy in Oslo which she soon finds is the home of a group of delinquent boys who have been castaway from society due to their sadistic and violent ways. Not all that different when you think about it from Stephen King’s “Children Of The Corn” except that was scarier and made with more skill. Remains watchable while it lasts but instantly forgettable when it’s over.

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“Feral State” (** out of four) was a jumbled melodrama about a dark and charismatic father figure (Ronnie Gene Blevins) who leads a group of misfit kids (Jaden Piner, Sif Saga, and others) as they wreck havoc throughout trailer parks and swamps in central Florida. Promising opening holds your attention but film stalls gradually afterwards and never fully comes back alive, mostly because it doesn’t have much story or plot complications. Film’s characters are more detached than enveloping. Blevins is strong in the lead.

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