Battle Royale (2000)

Battle Royale (2000)

[8] In a not-too-distant future Japan, the government cracks down on adolescent shenanigans by randomly selecting one 9th grade class per year to duke it out on a remote island until only one student is standing. Battle Royale starts off with a…
Flowers in the Attic (1987)

Flowers in the Attic (1987)

[8] This film version of V.C. Andrews' popular novel is considerably toned down, but it's still a wonderfully creepy and sadistic melodrama. A widower takes her four children to live with their grandmother, who views them all as vile sinners. The wicked…
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

[8] Frank Oz directs the film version of Howard Ashman's dark musical comedy (which was in turn based on Roger Corman's original film). Rick Moranis plays a hapless flower shop employee who discovers an exciting new plant that brings much needed business.…
The Reflecting Skin (1990)

The Reflecting Skin (1990)

[8] Imagine Twin Peaks from a child's perspective, paired with the visual austerity of Days of Heaven, and that might give you an idea of what to expect from this odd but utterly compelling little movie. Jeremy Cooper stars as young Seth…
Ghost (1990)

Ghost (1990)

[8] A surprisingly effective blend of romance, comedy, and supernatural horror, Ghost stars Patrick Swayze as a murdered man who works through a flim-flam psychic (Whoopi Goldberg) to save the life of his endangered girlfriend (Demi Moore). Ghost became so popular, I…
Over the Edge (1979)

Over the Edge (1979)

[8] The teenagers of a sterile suburban experiment turn to drugs and violence as they rebel against cops, teachers, parents and city planners in Over the Edge, directed by Jonathan Kaplan (The Accused, Immediate Family). This is a surprisingly dark, character-driven coming…
Crimson Peak (2015)

Crimson Peak (2015)

[8] Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Pacific Rim) serves up an old-fashioned gothic romance the likes of which we haven't seen on the big screen since Roger Corman last dabbled with tales from Edgar Allen Poe. Heavily inspired by the Bronte sisters…
The Martian (2015)

The Martian (2015)

[8] Matt Damon carries this Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Gladiator) film based on the book by Andy Weir. Half the film is practically a one-man show, with Damon playing a NASA astronaut feared dead and accidentally abandoned on Mars for several years.…
Role Models (2008)

Role Models (2008)

[8] Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott star as disillusioned men sentenced to community service via some sort of Big Brother program. Scott may be a one-note actor, but there's nothing wrong with that as long as he plays his note well…
Magic Mike XXL (2015)

Magic Mike XXL (2015)

[8] Steven Soderbergh turns the directing reigns over to Gregory Jacobs for this sequel to Magic Mike, but stays involved as director of photography and editor (under pseudonyms). The sequel turns out to be superior because its infinitely more fun and far…