INSIDIOUS: The Last Key Brings Jumps for the New Year

Jeri Jacquin

Preparing to bring thrills and chills Friday in theatres from director Adam Robitel and Universal Pictures is good ole fashion fright from INSIDIOUS: The Last Key.

Elise (Lin Shaye) is plagued by dreams of the childhood house she once lived in with a violent father Gerard (Josh Stewart), endearing mother Melissa (Spencer Locke) and little brother Christian in 1952. When she receives a telephone call from a man named Ted (Kirk Acevedo) pleading for help, Elise is shocked when he gives her the address.

It is the house she left so many years ago in New Mexico. Knowing she must return to face what ever is spiritually infesting the house, Specs (Leigh Whannell) and Tucker (Angus Sampson) aren’t about to let her go without them.

Almost immediately the house begins to reveal its secrets that Elise had blocked out for so many years. She also tried to meet up with her brother Christian (Bruce Davison) and Elise meets two nieces Imogen (Caitlin Gerard) and Melissa (Spencer Locke). Christian obviously holds hard feelings toward his sister.

The house wants what the house wants and now it becomes a family affair when Elise must go deeper into ‘The Further’ than she ever has before discovering horrifying secrets and to save the ones she loves.

But, will KeyFace allow that to happen!

Shaye as Elise has taken this character in so many different directions but I’m thrilled that she returned to tell her own story. I have always been a fan of Shaye as an actress and equally thrilled that the storyline let her continue to bring us the hauntingly spooky journey of this parapsychologist who isn’t afraid of much. Not saying her nerves don’t get rattled but she sucks it up and charges in!

Whannell as Specs also jumps right in and makes sure that Elise is covered and protected. Thought a little goofy, Specs is more sweet than nerdy. The hilarious nerd prize goes to Sampson as Tucker because I could not stop laughing at everything he does. Elise has her hands full reining him in when he gets sidetracked.

Gerard as Imogen is a little standoffish to meet an Aunt she didn’t know she had but that changes when stepping inside her father’s house once again. Locke as Melissa is thrilled to meet Elise and admits that she doesn’t know the history her father is so upset about.

Davison as brother Christian is holding a grudge and its one heck of a long grudge. It’s good to see him on screen again and although his role is small, it works. Javier Botet takes on the role of KeyFace and totally rocks it. The keys on the fingertips is a little unnerving but hey, it kept the audience on their toes.

Other cast include Amanda Jaros as Mara Jennings, Marcus Henderson as Det. Whitfield, Aleque Reid as Anna, Ava Kolker as young Elise, and Pierce Pope as young Christian.

For the first scary movie of the year, INSIDIOUS: The Last Key doesn’t disappoint. The audience jumped, yelled, scared each other and even took time to laugh to shake away the frights. That’s what I love about the INSIDIOUS films, just having a good time without tons of ridiculous slashing or gore.

Director Robitel keeps the feel that previous INSIDIOUS director James Wan set up as a successful roadmap to follow. Of course the title of the film is The Last Key and I’m hoping, no matter how much I think the films are cool, that there is a realization that it’s time to stop although I don’t think it will happen. Let’s go out on a high note shall we?

So after a very busy holiday season INSIDIOUS: The Last Key is a great film to go and just have some jumpy fun. Grab popcorn (hold with both hands), a few friends who just want to have a little theatre fun and enjoy the jolts, jumps and laughs the film will bring.

In the end – fear comes home!

WILLARD Returns on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Now on Bluray and DVD Combo Pack from director Daniel Mann and SHOUT! Factory is one of the creepiest films of the 1970’s all because of WILLARD.

Willard (Bruce Davison) is the epitome of a social misfit! Taken advantage of by his boss Al Martin (Ernest Borgnine) who stole his father’s business out from under the family and mother Henrietta (Elsa Lanchester) who never lets up.

Feeling as if there is no hope in his life Willard meets Socrates, a rat who lives outside in the garden of his home. He finds solace in his friendship finding ways to spend more time with his long tailed friend and meets another smart rat he names Ben.

When Willard’s mother passes away, he discovers that there is no inheritance and the taxes are due on the house. Inviting Socrates and Ben along with their friends to live in the house, Willard tries to find a way to get the money for the back taxes. Befriended by new employee Joan (Sondra Locke) tries to help Willard which costs her as well.

He also learns that Martin is up to no good trying to find away to take more away from Willard. That’s when he gets the idea to enlist his housemates to get back and those who have wronged him.

That is until those he’s wronged come calling!

Davison as Willard is so innocent looking that it’s easy to see how he could be taken advantage of. Working for a man who clearly has taken his father’s business and a mother who just won’t give Willard a moments rest – it’s not surprising he would turn to something else. Socrates and Ben are totally different creatures and Willard comes to learn that the hard way. Davison carries the film from beginning to end!

Lanchester as mom Henrietta doesn’t give Willard a moment’s peace when no one is around and pops right up and becomes flamboyant when friends visit. Awesome performance! Locke as Joan does her best to be a friend to Willard and seems to be making headway but Ben has other plans.

Borgnine as Al Martin is clearly the most despicable character of the film. Taking advantage of Willard’s family stealing the business created by his father and then plotting again Willard shows that what goes around comes around. I love when Borgnine plays a bad guy because he does it so awesomely well.

Other cast include: Michael Dante as Brandt, Jody Gilbert as Charlotte Stassen, William Hansen as Barskin, John Myhers as Carlson, J. Pat O’Malley as Jonathan Farley, Joan Shawlee as Alice Rickles, Helen Spring as Mrs. Becker, Sherry Presnell as Mrs. Spencer and Alan Baxter as Walter Spencer.

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty And The Beast. Also their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

WILLARD is a film that is memorable in every way. So much so that here it is 2017 and I remember it like it was yesterday. Seeing the film once again reminds me of how amazing thrillers were during that film era.

This film is a thriller in every sense and that’s what I love the most. I don’t need tons of special effects nor do I need slasher gore instead suspense and originality which is what WILLARD gave and now on Bluray/DVD Combo Pack continues to give to a new generation.

The Special Features of WILLARD include New Audio Commentary with star Bruce Davison, Theatrical Trailer, TV Spot, Radio Spot and Still Gallery. The Audio Commentary is so cool to hear Davison speak about his role.

In the end – friendships can be brutal!