Believe it. ‘Heretic’ is a haunting psychological horror film and think piece.

“Heretic” (2024) – Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) aren’t siblings. These two pleasant, college-age women are postponing their university studies to fulfill their missionary work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  When we first meet Paxton and Barnes, they sit on a bench and discuss the need for Magnum condoms. What? Their spicy conversation was spurned by a Magnum advertisement plastered on the said bench, as directors/writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods establish these characters as young and naive, juxtaposed against frank sexuality,…

Moore and Qualley are perfect ingredients for ‘The Substance’

“The Substance” (2024) – “It changed my life.” Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) is a successful, Oscar-winning actress and proudly has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  These days, she shines on the small screen as a fitness instructor for a television show that looks like a throwback to the 1980s and 1990s, the “:20 Minute Workout” meets “Getting Fit with Denise Austin”.  However, her exercise gig suffers a career-ending injury when her misogynistic boss, Harvey (Dennis Quaid), fires her due to her age and on her 50th birthday…

‘Between the Temples’: Schwartzman and Kane offer keen performances in this eccentric comedy

“Between the Temples” (2024) – Benjamin Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman) is having a bad day.  While sitting in a local Upstate New York bar, minding his own business, and drinking a mudslide, Ben overhears a stranger poking fun at him.  Ben, to his credit, confronts the bully but is knocked to the floor with one punch.    Ooof. A random patron (Carol Kane) comes to Ben’s aid, but in a rare moment of fate, Ben realizes that this Good Samaritan is his elementary school music teacher, Mrs. O’Connor, who now goes…