scott cherney's etc.: Sinners

In this age of cinematic recycling via reboots, sequels and basically the same ol' thang time and time again, the horror film genre has stepped up with more originality than normal studio fare. Since this is the Halloween season, I think it's high time that throw out a few recommendations of scary movies from the recent past I've found worthy enough to recommend.

In no particular order, here goes somethin':

A welcome spin on the found footage style popularized by , LATE NIGHT is appropriately set on , a live broadcast of a young girl possessed by the Devil himself for your viewing pleasure, kind of a cross between and . On .

has really come into his own as an innovative filmmaker within the confines of horror, especially with the success of last year's . While I found that particular film to be over-hyped, I did admire its style and unending sense of dread. He followed it up with this one, an adaptation of a that takes an unexpected jump off the cliff into comedic territory, making it a slapstick gore-fest that elevated it in my eyes. This one sure earn cult status as a bona fide Halloween hoot.

On HULU

The only sequel here, a worthy follow up to the first that damn near crosses the finish line without a glitch, but, like so many films these days, fails to stick the landing. However, there is more than enough to recommend here, especially a star-making performance by . She is perfection here and deserves to move up the ranks pronto. On PARAMOUNT +

Here's a topsy turvy mind fuck and a half of a thriller that begins as a one night stand and ends with...I ain't gonna tell you a damn thing. This is the kind of work spoilers destroy in their work and probably why it is nearly unknown. How do you sell something that if you reveal one iota of info, it ruins the entire experience? Be warned. This is rough stuff, but pays off in dividends you'll receive every time you even think of this movie. I can't wait to see what writer/director does next. And cinematography by ? Who knew? On PARAMOUNT +

plays the sweetest android love doll money can buy until she goes a little haywire. Also starring , who looks so much like a de-aged version of his dad Dennis that I find distracting and , , breaking out into familiar territory but breaking out nonetheless. On

Busted. A reboot, reimagining, whatever you want to call this prequel, it worked for me and hopefully for you too. Oh, those crazy Catholics. On HULU

goes full blown Nicolas Cage again in this, his 500th movie since the turn of the century, this time around in this adaptation of an property, the first time it's been touched since , one of 's last flicks in the 1960s. A comet lands on a farm and cosmic demonic hijinks ensure...or low-links as the case may be. is as game as Cage (Body horror alert!) and that is a very good thing. And to top it off, ! On HULU

Yet another movie to mess with your mind. This is kind of an extension of and maybe even , but as a gripping as hell two-hander with and the superb . On HULU

's vampire blockbuster from earlier this year did live to its hype, particularly a mid-movie sequence that was worth the price of admission alone. I didn't find it especially scary, however, but maybe in the cinema it might have played differently for me. On

I did catch ' remake on the big screen and was engulfed by not only overwhelming dread but a sense of fright that has since stayed with me. Such is the theater going experience. Those who took my recommendation for this film streamed it as I did SINNERS and found it lacking. I stand by my assessment, though I haven't granted it a re-watch at home. I guess I don't want to spoil my cinematic good time. Take that for what it's worth. On

And the Grand Finale...(drumroll please)

When a film in any genre lives to its potential as well as all the praise that has been foisted upon it by critics and the public alike, I'll do something I rarely do-stand with the crowd and cheer. 's insidious, ingenious creep-fest builds slowly, tripping over itself a couple of times until it amps up into a climax of bombastic proportions. Unlike most of what I've seen, both on and off this list, WEAPONS gains re-watchable status, a in my book, and may very well be the best film I've seen this year. On HBO/MAX

So lots of non-fun-sized treats for all you ghosts, goblins and sexy nurses this Halloween. Now please don't soap my windows.

The New York Times decided to compile a list of the best films of the 2000s thus far since it's 2025 and all. The fact that the year's not over is beside their point unless they have inside info that the remaining lineup of releases are going to suck burro balls.

I've seen quite a few myself, don'tcha know and my list, while incomplete since my movie appetite is voracious but my memory is nearly gone with the wind, follows in no particular order.

CITY OF GOD (2002) ' brutal look at gang violence mesmerized me.

HERO (2004) Difficult to pick a favorite between CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS and this from Zhang Yimou, but that's what I went with, mainly because it afforded one of the best nights in a cinema I had spent in a long time. All three of these offer superb, albeit tragic love stories, making the selection of a favorite even more daunting.

WES ANDERSON Fell in love with the filmography of this gentleman early on in the century with THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX, MOONRISE KINGDOM, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (numero uno in my book)

THE ASSASINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (2007) Sumptuous, simply sumptuous, Andrew Domink gave the world the best western of the modern era with a performance by that finally made me sit up and take notice.

BEST IN SHOW (2000) The mockumentary style had been done to death by now, but ignoring that is Christopher Guest's timeless comedy with a cast made in heaven

GOSFORD PARK (2001) Robert Altman got one more classic in before he kicked. Thank you, Jesus. Julian Fellowes wrote the screenplay, so you can thank this film for DOWNTON ABBEY. You're welcome.

THE HURT LOCKER (2008) Goddamn right, Katheryn Bigelow. You deserved it.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (2019) 's output in the 2000s contained quite a few home runs, but this was a grand slam.

PIXAR Once the gold standard, its very name was enough to put butts in seats and deliver the goods, which were great by the way. FINDING NEMO, WALL-E and RATATOUILLE all made the grade and beyond, but nothing moved me more than UP (2009). Maybe I identify with Carl too much.

LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY. For three years in a row, these served as my birthday movies and no greater presents did I give myself. Too bad Peter Jackson can't find a way to move on, but I suppose this was his STAR WARS. You get it, don't you, George?

WOLF OF WALL STREET (2013) Martin Scorsese finally won his Oscar for THE DEPARTED, but I refused to believe this sucker was the work of a filmmaker well into his seventies.

ANIME My grandson, then about 5, introduced me to the magical world of by way of SPIRITED AWAY (2001) and I became instantly hooked. I have my grandson, then 6 years old, to thank since we watched it together. It also led me to the unfortunately truncated work of Satoshi Kon whose PAPRIKA (2006) prompted me to seek it out on the big screen.

SIDEWAYS (2004) Big Alexander Payne fan, especially with this one which hit me right where I live, reminding me of fine times with my best friend Max and my struggles as a budding writer. Still budding, by the way.

SKYFALL (2012) Everything I've ever wanted in a James Bond film and so much more. (See blog post: SKYFALL: THE LEGEND FINALLY CONTINUES)

PAN'S LABYRINTH (2006) Guillermo Del Toro. Need I say more?

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008) Best vampire film of this century.

OLD BOY (2003) Twenty years hence, I'm still reeling from this one from the amazing Park Chan-wook. NOTE: Not the Spike Lee remake. Got it?

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN- Yet another excellent reason to continue seeing a film in an actual theater what with INCEPTION (my fave), DUNKIRK, MEMENTO and OPPENHEIMER

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (2009) Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's children's classic has been unjustly forgotten.

THE COEN BROTHERS- Still my go-to filmmakers, I adore O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU (2000) overall and not NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN because it threw me for such a loop with a twist I didn't expect or necessarily want that it's still hard for me to get over it. I guess I should just grow the hell up already.

CLINT EASTWOOD- His Oscar win for MILLION DOLLAR BABY proved UNFORGIVEN wasn't a fluke, but MYSTIC RIVER (2003) the previous year was off the charts.

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (2012) Another superb debut from a promising director who should be working more. Where the heck are you, Behn Zeitlin?

JUNO (2007) Big fan-yesterday, today and tomorrow.

SIN CITY (2005) Robert Rodriquez and Frank Miller elevated the graphic novel on film to new heights.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (2008) I danced out of the theater after I saw this. Someone had to post bail, but it was worth it.

TIME CRIMES (2007) One of those time travel mind-fucks that I crave.

REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000) Probably the best film I will never see again. It will mess you up. You have been warned.

STEVEN SPIELBERG- Taking the reins from the deceased Stanley Kubrick, A.I. finally saw the light of day or a projection screen for that matter. I'll defend it to the death. The same with his version of WAR OF THE WORLDS.

NIGHT WATCH/DAY WATCH (2004/2006) The only Russian films I saw were these two pieces of a bat-shit crazy fantasy/horror/action saga. How can anyone hate a moovie where a guy drivesup the side of a skyscraper?

TELL NO ONE (2006) French version of a Harlan Coben novel, brilliantly executed.

DISTRICT NINE (2009) Neill Blomkamp's debut with the sci-fi allegory set in Johannesburg has not been equaled, especially by himself. Still rooting for you, Neill.

WATCHMEN (2009) Zack Snyder. The name conjures up ire, scorn and, from me, admiration, for giving my number one comic book series the film it deserved.

SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD (2010) Yes, a Michael Cera movie is on this list. Shut up. It's Edgar Wright.

TAKE SHELTER (2011) Gloom and doom on a personal level made for a fascinatin picture from Jeff Nichols and an overlooked performance by Michael Shannon.

THE INVITATION (2015) Not the 2022 horror film , this is a masterful slow-burner from Karyn Kusama that pays off in spades. (Is that a bridge reference? I thought so. I don't play cards. I just watch movies.)

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011) Did this make the list because I saw it during that amazing summer I spent in Brooklyn? Partly. It's also the last Woody Allen movie I admire. So there.

BAD SANTA (2003) A holiday favorite. Still.

MUHOLLAND DRIVE (2001) David Lynch, one mo' time.

SINNERS (2025) This is bit of a cheat. Ryan Coogler's film is flawed and unwieldly, but contains what has to be the most amazing sequence about midway through, an incredible feat of filmmaking that will be discussed for years to come. I may come around on the movie as a whole upon a second viewing, but knowing what waits in the center will most certainly draw me back in.

As I said, an incomplete compilation. There isn't one documentary here and there have been several. If I delved deeper, I'd never get this together, so take this as it is. While I agree with many on the NYT list, but they didn't make here. Taste is subjective, especially mine. Your mileage may vary. Six months to go, people!

scott cherney's etc.

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