“Dark Was the Night” doesn’t break the monster movie mold, but does fill it to capacity with eerie atmosphere and creeping chills elevated by terrific acting.

“Preservation” is a tightly executed take on the hunted becomes the hunter theme, but there is no getting around the nagging notion of having seen this same scenario several times before.

This is what happens when filmmakers use antiquated notions that went out of style in 1980s slashers as benchmarks for how to make a horror movie.

Keeping things so simple in terms of content and execution means “The Haunting of Alice D” doesn’t pack many surprises for genre diehards looking for fresh spins on old ideas.

Really, the most accurate way to describe “Werewolf Rising” is simply, characters sort of moving around, not really doing anything, and then a werewolf attacks.

For someone who hasn't overdosed on similar films such as “The Strangers,” “You’re Next,” or “Torment,” “Berkshire County” might be downright terrific.

Paired together, Stewart and Rae just don’t work as protagonist and antagonist. And since they don’t work, neither does “Zugzwang.”

Wrapped all together, the movie doesn’t work as a total package, cheapened somewhat by the less engaging plot points and distractions with the staging.

“Time Lapse” satisfies on every level.  As a character-driven drama.  As a sci-fi social allegory.  And as a smartly-scripted, deftly-delivered piece of mindbending entertainment.

As you can already deduce from a film featuring a long lost twin brother as a red herring, don’t expect to be bowled over by originality or a sensible story.

The story’s framing is not as buttoned up as it could be, but for a sci-fi spectacle on a shoestring, the execution is impressive.

“Nightmare Code” is a stripped-down cerebral suspense story ... But don’t allow outward appearances to fool you into thinking that it is without thrills.

I’m not even sure if I should review “Shhhh” at all, because I don’t fully understand what the purpose of this movie even is.

Once you move past its surface appeal as Cineplex entertainment, “Horns” has far more to offer as a wickedly inventive take on Shakespearean tragedy melded with crime noir.

“Inner Demons” ends on an unexpectedly grisly climax, but the road it takes getting there is filled with half-formed ideas culled from every demonic spirit movie since “The Exorcist."

“V/H/S: Viral” proves that when held by inventive hands, “found footage” can be a creative leash breaker instead of a ball-and-chain shackle.

Add in an absolutely killer soundtrack whose closing theme you are guaranteed to beatbox randomly for hours after the fact, and you have one of the most enjoyable movies of the year.

This is how the world ends up with one more “found footage” film that no one will remember in two years’ time, if it takes that long to forget.

“See No Evil” is a product of its 2006 release year, when the focus was on dazzling budding young hipsters with slick visuals, comely casts, and popcorn fare for a Friday night midnight movie.

Enough of the movie’s personality shines through to root it in a realm of leveled creative energy and measured sci-fi thrills.