At The Movies

The Mummy Runtime: 72 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Monster Franchise Position: 1 An ancient Egyptian priest is resurrected in modern times, bringing terror as he searches for the reincarnation of his lost love. Ratings: My Rating: 7.8 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 7.2 Rotten Tomatoes: 89% Metacritic: 72 TMDb: 7.3 Plot Summary: Set in Cairo, 1921, an archaeological team uncovers the tomb of Imhotep, a high priest buried alive for attempting to resurrect Pharaoh’s mistress. When he is accidentally revived, Imhotep uses his mystical powers to seek Helen Grosvenor, the modern-day reincarnation of his ancient love, Ankh-es-en-amon. As Imhotep exerts hypnotic control over Helen and others, the archaeologists, including Frank Whemple and Dr. Muller, attempt to stop the unstoppable mummy before he succeeds in completing his vengeance and claim on Helen. Critics Review: The 1932 The Mummy is a classic of Universal horror cinema, known for...

The Mummy’s Hand Runtime: 67 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Monster Franchise Position: 2 Two archaeologists uncover the tomb of an ancient Egyptian princess — and awaken the terrifying mummy Kharis, guardian of her sacred resting place. Ratings: My Rating: 6.2 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 6.3 Rotten Tomatoes: 67% Metacritic: N/A TMDb: 6.1 Plot Summary: When down-on-their-luck archaeologists Steve Banning and Babe Jenson discover a fragment of a map leading to Princess Ananka’s tomb, they set out on an expedition funded by an eccentric magician. But their search draws the wrath of the high priest Andoheb, who secretly guards the mummy Kharis. Revived by the mystical tana leaves, Kharis emerges to protect the tomb and destroy all who desecrate it. As the explorers uncover ancient secrets, they face deadly attacks from the undead guardian. The film concludes with a fiery confrontation that seals Kharis’s fate — at least for a time. ...

The Mummy’s Tomb Runtime: 61 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Monster Franchise Position: 3 Thirty years after the original discovery of Kharis, the ancient mummy is brought to America to seek vengeance on those who disturbed his tomb. Ratings: My Rating: 5.6 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 5.6 Rotten Tomatoes: 47% Metacritic: N/A TMDb: 5.9 Plot Summary: Set decades after The Mummy’s Hand, this sequel follows the aged survivors of that earlier adventure as they face a new horror. The high priest of Arkam sends Kharis and his disciple Mehemet Bey to the United States to exact vengeance on those who desecrated Princess Ananka’s tomb. After arriving in the small town of Mapleton, Massachusetts, Kharis begins a murderous rampage against the archaeologists who uncovered his secret. When a new generation becomes involved, the town bands together to stop the unstoppable mummy before he claims more lives. Critics Review: The Mummy’s Tomb conti...

The Mummy’s Ghost Runtime: 61 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Monster Franchise Position: 4 Kharis the mummy returns once again, stalking modern America in search of the reincarnation of his ancient love, Princess Ananka. Ratings: My Rating: 5.5 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 5.8 Rotten Tomatoes: 50% Metacritic: N/A TMDb: 6.0 Plot Summary: In the continuation of Universal’s Mummy series, archaeologist Yousef Bey arrives in America under orders from the High Priest of Arkam to retrieve the mummy Kharis and the remains of Princess Ananka. After Kharis is revived with tana leaves, the pair discover that Ananka’s soul now lives in a young American woman named Amina Mansori. When Amina begins showing signs of her ancient identity, Kharis sets out to claim her for eternity, leaving a path of terror behind him. As panic spreads, Professor Norman and the authorities race to stop Kharis before Amina is lost forever. Critics Review: The Mummy’...

The Mummy’s Curse Runtime: 62 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Monster Franchise Position: 5 An ancient mummy rises again from a Louisiana swamp, bringing death and mystery to all who disturb his rest. Ratings: My Rating: 5.2 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 5.4 Rotten Tomatoes: 40% Metacritic: N/A TMDb: N/A Plot Summary: After being buried in quicksand for 25 years, the mummy Kharis is discovered in the swamps of Louisiana. When an archaeological team begins work in the area, strange deaths and disappearances soon follow. Kharis rises again to search for his beloved Princess Ananka, who has also been mysteriously revived but suffers from amnesia. As the mummy leaves a trail of victims in his wake, scientists and locals join forces to stop the ancient evil once and for all. Critics Review: Critics consider The Mummy’s Curse a formulaic but atmospheric entry in Universal’s classic monster cycle. While it reuses footage and plot elements ...

Dracula Runtime: 75 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Monster Franchise Position: 1 The immortal vampire Count Dracula travels from Transylvania to England, bringing terror and bloodlust to all who cross his path. Ratings: My Rating: 7.4 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 7.5 Rotten Tomatoes: 94% Metacritic: 71 TMDb: 7.3 Plot Summary: Based on Bram Stoker’s novel and the stage play adaptation, Dracula follows Count Dracula, a centuries-old vampire who journeys from his decaying castle in Transylvania to prey upon new victims in London. After entrancing real estate agent Renfield, who becomes his deranged servant, Dracula settles in Carfax Abbey. There, he targets the beautiful Mina Seward, leading to a desperate struggle between good and evil as Professor Van Helsing confronts the undead count with the power of faith and reason. Critics Review: Dracula is regarded as one of the most influential horror films ever made. Bela Lugosi’s mesmeri...

Dracula Runtime: 75 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Monster Franchise Position: 3 A centuries-old vampire from Transylvania moves to England and preys on innocent victims, while a doctor and friends try to stop him. Ratings: My Rating: 8.2 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 7.3 Rotten Tomatoes: 96% Metacritic: N/A TMDb: N/A Plot Summary: Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) travels from Transylvania to London after arranging via his agent, Renfield, to purchase Carfax Abbey. He arrives by ship in a coffin filled with soil from his homeland, which he needs to survive. Dracula begins feeding on the living—especially young women like Lucy—and seducing Mina. As fear and deaths mount, Dr. Van Helsing and others band together to uncover the truth and destroy him, ultimately impaling him with a wooden stake and freeing Mina from his curse. Critics Review: The 1931 Dracula is considered a landmark in horror cinema. Bela Lugosi’s portrayal of the Count be...

The Wolf Man Runtime: 70 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Monster Franchise Position: 2 A cursed man transforms into a werewolf under the full moon, grappling with his dual identity and the consequences of his actions. Ratings: My Rating: 7.1 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 7.2 Rotten Tomatoes: 59 Metacritic: 7.2 TMDb: 7.3 Plot Summary: Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.) returns to his ancestral home in Wales after the death of his brother. He becomes entangled with a local woman, Gwen Conliffe (Evelyn Ankers), and is subsequently attacked by a wolf. After killing the animal, he learns from a gypsy woman, Maleva (Maria Ouspenskaya), that the wolf was her son, who had been cursed to transform into a werewolf. Maleva warns Larry that he too is now cursed. As the full moon rises, Larry transforms into a werewolf, leading to tragic events and a quest to end the curse. Critics Review: The Wolf Man is widely regarded as a classic within the Unive...

The Asphyx   Runtime: 99 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: December 5, 1972 (Reading, Pennsylvania) Studio: United Artists Franchise: None Franchise Position: N/A Tagline: "A Terrifying Vision of Artificial Intelligence!"  Ratings My Rating: 7.0/10 Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 6.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 67% critic, 46% audience  Plot Summary In Victorian England, Sir Hugo Cunningham, a philanthropic scientist, discovers that at the moment of death, a person is accompanied by a spectral entity known as the "asphyx." Believing that capturing this entity can grant immortality, Cunningham embarks on a series of experiments to trap the asphyx, leading to unforeseen and tragic consequences.   Critics Review The Asphyx has been noted for its unique blend of horror and science fiction elements, set against a Victorian backdrop. While some critics have praised its atmospheric setting and innovative premise, others have pointed out that the film's pacing and execution ma...

Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero (1998), PG, 1 hr 7 min Franchise #: DC Animated Universe (DCAU), Feature #2 after Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Tagline: “In the cold of vengeance, only love can thaw a frozen heart.” Trailer --- Main Cast (Voice Actors and Roles) Kevin Conroy – Bruce Wayne / Batman Michael Ansara – Victor Fries / Mr. Freeze Loren Lester – Dick Grayson / Robin Mary Kay Bergman – Barbara Gordon / Batgirl Efrem Zimbalist Jr. – Alfred Pennyworth Bob Hastings – Commissioner James Gordon Robert Costanzo – Detective Harvey Bullock George Dzundza – Dr. Gregory Belson Marilu Henner – Veronica Vreeland Mari Devon – Summer Gleeson Liane Schirmer – Renee Montoya Rahi Azizi – Koonak --- Reviews My Rating 7/10 Dove Foundation N/A (not rated)  IMDb 7.2/10  Rotten Tomatoes 92%  Metacritic Not listed  --- Plot Summary When a tragic accident destroys his Arctic sanctuary, Mr. Freeze is driven to desperation to save the life of his cryogenically frozen wife, Nora. ...

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993), PG, 1 h 16 min Studio: Warner Bros. Animation Franchise: DC Animated Universe (Franchise #1 – first theatrical film of the DCAU) Tagline: Beyond vengeance lies redemption. Trailer Link (YouTube):  --- 🎭 Main Cast Kevin Conroy – Bruce Wayne / Batman Mark Hamill – The Joker Dana Delany – Andrea Beaumont / The Phantasm Efrem Zimbalist Jr. – Alfred Pennyworth Bob Hastings – Commissioner Gordon Stacy Keach – Carl Beaumont & voice of The Phantasm Hart Bochner – Arthur Reeves Abe Vigoda – Sal “The Wheezer” Valestra Dick Miller – Charles “Chuckie” Sol John P. Ryan – Buzz Bronski Robert Costanzo – Detective Harvey Bullock --- ⭐ Reviews My Rating: 9/10 The Dove Foundation: Not rated /no Dove review found IMDb : ~7.8/10  Rotten Tomatoes : 83% critics Metacritic: No official critics score; average user-like sentiment around 75/100  --- 📖 Plot Summary A mysterious vigilante called the Phantasm begins murdering Gotham’s crime lords. Batman is...

Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham (2023), PG‑13, 1 h 26 min Studio: Warner Bros. Animation / DC Entertainment Franchise: DC Universe Animated Original Movies (Franchise #51; Elseworlds standalone sequel license) Tagline: Gotham meets Lovecraft… the darkness descends. Trailer Link  --- 🎭 Main Cast David Giuntoli – Bruce Wayne / Batman Tati Gabrielle – Kai Li Cain Christopher Gorham – Oliver Queen John DiMaggio – James Gordon Patrick Fabian – Harvey Dent / Two‑Face Brian George – Alfred Pennyworth Jason Marsden – Dick Grayson / young Bruce Wayne Karan Brar – Sanjay “Jay” Tawde David Dastmalchian – Grendon / Mr. Freeze Navid Negahban – Ra’s al Ghul Emily O’Brien – Talia al Ghul & Martha Wayne Tim Russ – Lucius Fox Matthew Waterson – Jason Blood / Etrigan Jeffrey Combs – Kirk Langstrom William Salyers – Oswald Cobblepot & Professor Manfurd Gideon Adlon – Barbara Gordon / Oracle & Poison Ivy Darin De Paul – Thomas Wayne --- ⭐ Reviews Critics Ratings My Rating: 8/10 The D...

Swamp Thing (2019), TV-MA, 8 hr 20 min   ~1 hr per episode (Season 1) Studio: DC Universe / The CW (later broadcast) Franchise: DC Universe Originals (Franchise #1; canceled after 1 season) Tagline: Nature fights back… from the bottom of the swamp. Trailer Link (YouTube):   --- 👩‍👩‍👧 Main Cast Crystal Reed – Abby Arcane Andy Bean – Alec Holland Derek Mears – Swamp Thing Virginia Madsen – Maria Sunderland Henderson Wade – Matt Cable Maria Sten – Liz Tremayne Will Patton – Avery Sunderland Jennifer Beals – Sheriff Lucilia Cable Kevin Durand – Jason Woodrue Ian Ziering – Daniel Cassidy Jeryl Prescott – Madame Xanadu   --- ⭐ Reviews Critics Ratings My Rating: 8/10 The Dove Foundation: Not rated IMDb : ~7.8/10 (user reviews)  Rotten Tomatoes: 92% (39 critic reviews; average 7.3/10)  Metacritic: 69/100 (based on 6 critics)  --- 📖 Plot Summary When Abby Arcane returns to her small Louisiana hometown of Marais to investigate a mysterious swamp-b...

Batman Returns Year : 1992 Franchise : Batman Franchise # : 3 (Second installment in the Tim Burton Batman series following Batman [1989]) Total Runtime : 126 minutes MPAA Rating : PG-13 (for dark thematic content, violence, and sensuality) Tagline  “The Bat, the Cat, the Penguin.” Main Cast Michael Keaton – Bruce Wayne / Batman Michelle Pfeiffer – Selina Kyle / Catwoman Danny DeVito – Oswald Cobblepot / The Penguin Christopher Walken – Max Shreck Michael Gough – Alfred Pennyworth Pat Hingle – Commissioner Gordon Reviews Synopsis Batman is back—this time facing off against not one, but two villains. Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, rises from the sewers aiming to take over Gotham, while secretary-turned-vigilante Selina Kyle prowls the streets as the unpredictable Catwoman. Throw in a corrupt businessman, a city on edge, and Batman caught in the middle, and you’ve got a darker, weirder sequel that doubles down on Burton’s gothic style. Overview Batman Returns is basically Tim Bur...

Batman Year : 1989 Franchise : Batman Franchise # : 2 (First major theatrical reboot after the 1966 film; launched the Burton/Schumacher Batman era) Total Runtime : 126 minutes MPAA Rating : PG-13 Tagline  “Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?” Main Cast Michael Keaton – Bruce Wayne / Batman Jack Nicholson – Jack Napier / The Joker Kim Basinger – Vicki Vale Robert Wuhl – Alexander Knox Michael Gough – Alfred Pennyworth Pat Hingle – Commissioner Gordon Billy Dee Williams – Harvey Dent Jack Palance – Carl Grissom Reviews Synopsis This movie redefined Batman for a darker, edgier generation. Gotham City is being eaten alive by crime, and one mysterious vigilante—Batman—is starting to fight back. When mobster Jack Napier falls into a vat of chemicals and becomes the unhinged Joker, Gotham’s chaos reaches new heights. It’s Batman vs. the Clown Prince of Crime, with a lot of brooding, grappling hooks, and Prince music. Overview Tim Burton’s Batman is stylish, moody, ...