Amid all the swordplay, tracer fire, and bloodshed, it’s easy to lose sight of how much authentic motivation drives the stakes beyond simple survival.

No matter where a personal opinion lands, you still have to tip your cap to an imaginative vision that stays true to pursuing its own path.

“Until Dawn” manifests a mishmash of hairless wendigos, spontaneous combustion, and a witch watching television, but it’s all cliched clutter.

It seems silly for older eyes to dock points for “Fear Street: Prom Queen” being the flighty fright flick its DNA genetically engineers it to be.

For veteran viewers, if not for the film’s makers, “Rosario” doesn’t include many memorable moments worthy of earning much enthusiasm.

Putting everyone’s pedigrees together, it’s amusing, strange, or sad (choose your own term) to see these names slumming it in a B-movie filmed in front of a green screen in Poland.

It’s darkly disturbing while being entertaining in a wild way that almost makes you feel conflicted for being amused.

“Shiver Me Timbers” is another slapdash slasher where the madman murdering nondescript nobodies is supposedly some twisted interpretation of Popeye.

If you only watch one public domain slasher based on an expired copyright, and no one needs to watch more than one anyway, “Screamboat” really is the best option.

“Ash” shows more promise for Flying Lotus’s filmmaking future rather than impressing as an early career highlight to be repeatedly revisited.

The tagline says, “Everyone’s a suspect,” but that’s not true. The primary suspect can only be the one actor most people have previously heard of.

“Locked’s” reticence to hit hard with a meaningful message, unsympathetic characters, and thinly stretched thrills destine the movie for mediocrity.

“Whatever, it’s fine” doesn’t sound like a ringing endorsement, yet that’s approximately where “Hell of a Summer” lands in ultimate entertainment value.

“It Feeds” does just enough that’s different to become an example of how indie horror can be easily approachable without having to feel flat.

“Dead Mail” shows what indie filmmaking is supposed to look like when it’s done with passion as well as precision.

“The Woman in the Yard” languishes as a mostly muted spooker that’s heavy on dour drama, yet light on lasting chills.

Conceptually compelling and exceptionally executed, “Shadow of God” is the most memorable possession movie since “The Exorcist.”

“825 Forest Road” is recommended for fans of movies made by indie artists who put sincere commitment into personal projects.

“The Rule of Jenny Pen” fires off frightful suggestions from a bevy of barrels pointed directly at anyone who has ever felt unnoticed and unheard.