The Task is Simple: Walk or Die

Starring: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Joshua Odjick, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer, Mark Hamill

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"You walk as long as you can. But sometimes the body won't listen. For some, your heart will stop. For others, your brain. And the blood will flow... suddenly. There's one winner and no finish line." - The Major

Why watch this? It is a gripping film about a friendship that grows in the most dire situation.

Plot Summary: In a dystopian 1970s America ruled by a harsh regime, fifty teenage boys are forced to compete in an annual, televised contest where they must maintain a minimum speed of three miles per hour or face immediate death. The contestants walk for hundreds of miles, forging bonds of camaraderie while enduring extreme physical, mental, and emotional degradation. The grueling, high-stakes competition continues day and night until only one Walker remains, earning a grand prize and the fulfillment of a single wish.

Vertigo Entertainment, About:Blank;
Lionsgate

The end of the world is just the beginning.

Starring: Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Jamey Sheridan, Laura San Giacomo, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Miguel Ferrer, Adam Storke, Ray Walston, Rob Lowe, Bill Fagerbakke, Matt Frewer, Corin Nemec, Ed Harris

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"The man in the desert is Flagg, and I think he's crucifying anyone who gets in his way." – Sue Redman

Why watch this? ... it's a very interesting, and scary, post-apocalyptic epic.

Plot Summary: Following a devastating global plague that wipes out most of humanity, the remaining survivors begin experiencing psychic visions. These dreams guide them to one of two opposing figures: the benevolent Mother Abagail or the malevolent Randall Flagg. As these two factions gather in their respective locations, an inevitable confrontation looms, forcing a final showdown between good and evil for the future of the human race.
 

Dad's Preview: Adapting Stephen King's beloved novel was no small task. This limited-series (as opposed to the 2022 effort) succeeds on many levels, though it's not perfect. A government-created super-flu escapes containment and wipes out humanity. Those immune are left to survive in a decaying landscape of the dead. Half are drawn to an old, black lady singing hymns. The rest to the dark man (King's personification of evil is often "the walking dude") in Vegas. Early on, we are illuminated to the fact that is the battle of good vs. evil, and we wonder, "Can common folks ever overcome the devil's work? The actors are superb, as is its bluesy soundtrack. The vibe is creepy, but there are nice moments, too. It's worth your time despite and under-achieving ending (All it needed was better special effects back in 1994).

Laurel Ent., DawnField Ent., Greengrass
Prod.; ABC

Our Land is Their Land

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard, Bill Murray, Derek Graf, Cesar Aguirre

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"The first rule of Zombieland: Cardio. When the zombie outbreak first hit, the first to go, for obvious reasons... were the fatties." - Columbus

Why watch this? As advertised, it's Superbad meets Shaun of the Dead. I'm in.

Plot Summary: A timid, rule-following survivor named Columbus navigates a post-apocalyptic America overrun by zombies, attempting to reach his hometown in Ohio. Along the way, he teams up with a gun-toting, Twinkie-obsessed survivor named Tallahassee and two crafty sisters, Wichita and Little Rock. Together, this unlikely quartet embarks on a dangerous, darkly comedic road trip across the country.

Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media,
Pariah; Sony Pictures Releasing

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026), Director: Nia DaCosta, rated R for language, nudity, zombie violence

Fear is the new faith.

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Chi Lewis-Parry, Erin Kellyman, Emma Laird, Sam Locke

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I remember details. Events and people. But what it was actually like to live with shops and fridges and telephones and personal computers? I have no real memory of that at all. That said, I do remember there was a sense of certainty. The world had an order. A way about it." – Dr. Kelson

Why watch this? This 28 Days Late sequel is as good as the original.

Plot Summary: Following the events of 28 Years Later (2025), a young survivor, Spike, is forced into a brutal cult led by a fanatical leader who views the post-apocalyptic landscape as a Satanic domain. Meanwhile, a dedicated researcher in a nearby sanctuary makes unexpected, potentially world-altering breakthroughs regarding the nature of the infected. As these two storylines converge, the remaining humans must face threats that are far more disturbing than the infected hordes themselves.

Columbia Pics, Decibel Films, DNA Films;
Sony Pictures Releasing

Escape from the zombies! Get on board to stay alive!

Starring: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Su-an, Choi Woo-Shik, Sohee, Kim Eui-Sung, Choi Gwi-hwa, Jang Hyuk-jin, Jeong Seok-yong, Park Myung-sin, Ye Soo-jung

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Dad, you only care about yourself. That's why mommy left." – Soo-an

Why watch this? This is one intense zombie film that races down the tracks.

Plot Summary: A divorced, workaholic father and his estranged young daughter board a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan. Unbeknownst to them, a zombie outbreak is sweeping across South Korea, and a seemingly ill passenger brings the infection onto their enclosed train. As the situation unfolds and compartments fall to the undead, the passengers must fight for survival against both the rapidly spreading infection and the escalating tensions among themselves, hoping that Busan, a city reportedly holding back the hordes, will be their safe haven.

RedPeter Film, Next Entertainment World

They got up on the wrong side of the grave.

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly, Sam Raimi, Robert G. Tapert

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I'm all right now, Ashley! Come unlock this chain and let me out! I'm all right now! It's your sister Cheryl!" - Cheryl, possessed and attacking Ash

Why watch this? Raimi's bold film debut was scary, gory and sometimes a little funny.

Plot Summary: Five friends on a trip to a remote cabin in the woods discover an ancient text and audiotape in the basement. Unwittingly, they play the tape, which unleashes a demonic force that begins to possess them one by one. The sole survivor, Ash Williams, must then fight for his life against his now-monstrous friends as the evil presence besieges the cabin.

Renaissance Pictures; New Line Cinema

There's only one movie scarier than the 'Evil Dead'...

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley, Denise Bixler, Richard Domeier, John Peaks, Lou Hancock, Ted Raimi, Williams Preston Robertson (voice)

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Then let's head on down into that cellar and carve ourselves a witch." – Ash

Why watch this? Outrageous. Terrifying. Bloody. Hilarious.

Plot Summary: Lone survivor Ash Williams returns to a remote cabin in the woods, where he unwittingly unleashes flesh-possessing demons after playing a recorded incantation from an ancient book. As the demonic forces terrorize him and a new group of arrivals, Ash is forced into a frantic, chaotic battle for survival that pushes him to the brink of insanity. Armed with a chainsaw and a shotgun, he must fight through the night to survive the demonic onslaught and escape the cabin's terrifying grasp.

Renaissance Pictures; Rosebud Releasing Corp.

Some Thing Has Found Us

Starring: Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman, Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T. J. Miller, Anjul Nigam, Margot Farley

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Approximately seven hours ago, uh, some thing attacked the city. I don't know what it is. Um, if you found this tape, I mean if you're watching this, then you probably know more about it than I do. Uh, whatever this thing is, it killed my brother..." - Robert Hawkins

Why watch this? Its "found footage" presentation style adds a fresh take on a stale genre.

Plot Summary:  The story follows a group of friends as they attempt to survive an unexpected giant monster attack on New York City. At first, there is confusion, then the situation quickly changes. The destruction is devastating. Even the monster's "fleas" prove deadly to the fleeing humans. The film is presented as a tape discovered by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Bad Robot; Paramount Pictures

Live or die. Make your choice.

Starring: Leigh Whannell, Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Ken Leung, Dina Meyer, Mike Butters, Paul Gutrecht, Michael Emerson, Benito Martinez, Shawnee Smith, Monica Potter, Tobin Bell

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Hello Amanda. You don't know me, but I know you. I want to play a game. Here's what happens if you lose. The device you are wearing is hooked into your upper and lower jaw. When the timer in the back goes off, your mouth will be permanently ripped open." - Jigsaw

Why watch this? Every generation has its signature horror film. This is the 2000's entry.

Plot Summary: Two strangers awaken to find themselves chained inside a dilapidated bathroom, each with a tape recorder containing instructions from a mysterious serial killer known as Jigsaw. The men soon realize they are part of a twisted game where they must complete perverse puzzles to survive, forcing them to confront their pasts. As police detectives investigate a series of Jigsaw's gruesome traps, the two victims race against time to escape before their lives run out.

Twisted Pictures; Lions Gate Films

They Hear You, They Hunt You

Starring: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cade Woodward, Leon Russom, Rhoda Pell

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Who are we if we can't protect them? We have to protect them." – Evelyn, speaking about their children

Why watch this? This novel idea for a horror film is refreshing, and really scary, too.

Plot Summary: Earth comes under attack from by alien creatures. Though blind, these 8 ft. tall, armored beasts find their prey using acute hearing. Once there is the faintest sound, they immediately come hunting, intent of wreaking havoc on soft, defenseless humans. One New York rural family manages to survive using sound-silencing measures (sand paths, bare feet). It helps that they have a deaf daughter and can all communicate using sign language. But how long can the family of five avoid detection? The "death angels", as they are known, are mercilessly lethal and quite menacing.

Platinum Dunes, Sunday Night Prod.;
Paramount Pictures

Horror in the Streets

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale, Matthew Fox, Daniella Kertesz, David Morse, Peter Capaldi, Fana Mokoena, Peter Capaldi

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"The clue's there. Sometimes the thing you thought was the most brutal aspect of the virus, turns out to be the chink in its armor. And she loves disguising her weaknesses as strengths. She's a bitch." - Andrew Fassbach

Why watch this? These zombies swarm like huge locusts; it's really horrifying to watch.

Plot Summary: A rapidly spreading global pandemic turns the majority of the world's population into dangerous, fast-moving zombies. Recalled to duty, Gerry Lane, a former UN Investigator, must leave his family and embark on a perilous, globe-spanning mission to uncover the source of the outbreak and find a way to halt its devastating spread. His journey takes him to various locations and challenges him to confront the terrifying hordes and unravel the mystery before humanity is entirely consumed.

Plan B Ent., Skydance Prod., Hemisphere
Media Capital, GK Films, 2DUX;
Paramount Pictures

In a moment the world changed forever.

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce, Molly Parker, Michael Kenneth Williams

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Each day is more gray than the one before. It is cold and growing colder as the world slowly dies." - Man

Why watch this? To witness real courage in the face of an uncertain future.

Plot Summary: In a desolate, ash-covered post-apocalyptic world, a father and his young son embark on a grueling journey southward in search of a warmer climate and a more hospitable environment. Along their perilous path, they must scavenge for food, avoid dangerous encounters with other desperate survivors, including cannibalistic gangs, and grapple with the constant threat of starvation and despair. Despite the pervasive bleakness, the father strives to instill in his son a sense of hope and the importance of clinging to their humanity.

2929 Productions; Dimension Films

They Were Fighting Over A Woman When The Plane Went Down.
Now, Their Only Chance For Survival Is Each Other.

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, Harold Perrineau, Elle Macpherson, L.Q. Jones, Kathleen Wilhoite, David Lindstedt, Mark Kiely, Eli Gabay, Bart the Bear

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We're all put to the test... but it never comes in the form or at the point we would prefer, does it?" - Charles Morse

Why watch this? Hopkins surprises as the unlikely protagonist, and that bear... Damn!

Plot Summary: A wealthy businessman and a photographer find themselves stranded in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash. They must rely on their wits and their unlikely partnership to survive the harsh environment and a relentless Kodiak bear stalking them. As they battle the elements and the beast, their strained relationship and underlying tensions threaten to unravel their chances of making it out alive.

Art Linson Productions; 20th Century Fox

They're already here.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, Tim Robbins, Justin Chatwin, Rick Gonzalez, Lenny Venito, Gene Barry, Yul Vazquez

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"This isn't a war any more than there is a war between men and maggots. This is an extermination." – Harlan Ogilvy

Why watch this? This remake is action-packed, terrifying... and visually jarring.

Plot Summary: Ray Ferrier, a divorced dockworker and estranged father, struggles to connect with his two children during a weekend visit when strange lightning storms strike their New Jersey town. These storms mark the beginning of a devastating alien invasion, as colossal tripod war machines emerge from the ground, incinerating everything in their path. Ray must now protect his children and navigate a world descending into chaos.

DreamWorks Pictures, Amblin Ent.,
Cruise/Wagner Prod.; Paramount Pics

A message. A warning. A sign...of things to come.

Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin, Cherry Jones, M. Night Shyamalan

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Swing away Merrill. Merrill... swing away." - Graham Hess

Why watch this? This rich, character-driven film gets really scary when unwanted guests arrive.

Plot Summary: After a tragic loss of faith, a former reverend, Graham Hess, lives on a secluded farm with his children and brother. One morning, they discover large crop circles carved into their cornfields, initiating a series of increasingly strange and frightening occurrences. As the family grapples with these unexplained phenomena and news reports of similar events worldwide, they must come to terms with the possibility that something otherworldly is happening.

Touchtone Pics, Blinding Edge Pictures,
The Kennedy/Marshall Co.;
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

28 Days Later (2002), Director: Danny Boyle, rated R for language, nudity, strong violence

His fear began when he woke up alone. His terror began when he realised he wasn't.

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Megan Burns, Christopher Eccleston, Noah Huntley, Stuart McQuarrie, Ricci Harnett, Leo Bill, Luke Mably, Junior Laniyan, Ray Panthaki

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Right from the beginning you knew this was different, because it was happening in small villages, market towns, and then, it wasn't on the TV any more. It was in the street outside. It was coming through your windows. It was a virus, an infection. You didn't need a doctor to tell you that. It was the blood. There was something in the blood." – Selena

Why watch this? It starts out pretty bleak, yet tensely builds to a great ending.

Plot Summary: An bicycle courier awakens from a coma to discover a deserted, post-apocalyptic London, its population decimated by a contagious "Rage" virus. He soon finds a small group of survivors, but their desperate journey for sanctuary reveals that the true horror may come from the surviving humans luring them into their military compound.

DNA Films, Film Council; Fox Searchlight Pics

Suspense and shock beyond anything you have seen or imagined!

Starring: Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette, Veronica Cartwright, Ethel Griffies, Charles McGraw, Lonny Chapman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I have never known birds of different species to flock together. The very concept is unimaginable. Why, if that happened, we wouldn't stand a chance! How could we possibly hope to fight them?" – Mrs. Bundy

Why watch this? The idea of peaceful birds, turning on man, is literally terrifying.

Plot Summary: A wealthy San Francisco socialite follows a handsome lawyer to a small coastal town. The two connect, yet upon her arrival, the local bird population begins behaving strangely and attacking people. As the attacks escalate and become more violent, the residents must fight for survival against the inexplicable avian threat.

Alfred J. Hitchcock Prod.; Universal Pictures

A romantic comedy. With zombies.

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy, Nicola Cunningham, Keir Mills, Matt Jaynes

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Who died and made you f***ing king of the zombies?" - Shaun

Why watch this? It was high-time for a zombie comedy, a zomedy, if you will!

Plot Summary: Shaun, an ordinary electronics salesman, faces the challenge of a zombie apocalypse sweeping through London. He decides to embark on a quest to rescue his girlfriend Liz, his mother, and their close friends, intending to seek refuge in his favorite pub, The Winchester. Alongside his best friend Ed, Shaun must navigate the chaotic, undead-ridden city and find a way to survive this unexpected challenge to his mundane life.

StudioCanal, WT² Prod., Big Talk Prod.;
Universal Pictures

Four men ride a wild river. A weekend turns into a nightmare.

Starring: Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox, Bill McKinney, James Dickey, Billy Redden

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Did you ever look out over a lake, think about something buried underneath it? Man, that's about as buried as you can get." – Lewis Medlock

Why watch this? It's a nail-biting journey down a dark river.

Plot Summary: Four Atlanta businessmen embark on a canoeing trip down a remote river in the Georgia wilderness before it's dammed and turned into a lake. Their adventure quickly turns into a struggle for survival when they encounter hostile locals intent on killing them. As they navigate the perilous river, the men are forced to do horrible things to survive.

Elmer Enterprises; Warner Bros.

What is the cost of lies?

Starring: Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Adam Nagaitis, Emily Watson, Paul Ritter, Robert Emms, Sam Troughton, Karl Davies, Michael Socha

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"The truth doesn't care about our needs or wants, it doesn't care about our governments, our ideologies, our religions. It will lie in wait for all time. And this, at last, is the gift of Chernobyl. Where I once would fear the cost of truth, now I only ask: What is the cost of lies?" - Valery Legasov

Why watch this? This incredible mini-series realistically explores one of the world's most terrifying disasters.

Plot Summary: Initially, the story details the event itself, and the aftermath, as clean-up crews quickly descend upon the smoldering reactor. Workers and civilians are immediately exposed to lethal doses of radiation. It's gut-wrenching. The Soviet government sends in renown chemist, Valery Legasov, and deputy chairman, Boris Shcherbina, to assess (and deal with) the situation. This historically-accurate accounting leads to the final episode that explains exactly what caused the explosion and immediate meltdown.

Sky UK, Sister Pictures, The Mighty Mint,
Word Games; HBO

The Ultimate in alien terror.

Starring: Kurt Russell, Keith David, Richard Masur, Wilford Brimley, T. K. Carter, Richard Dysart, David Clennon, Charles Hallahan, Peter Maloney, Donald Moffat

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #44 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The Thing

"You see, what we're talkin' about here is an organism that imitates other life-forms, and it imitates 'em perfectly." - Doc Blair

Why watch this? ... the blood test scene is worth the prices of admission alone.

Plot Summary: A team of American researchers stationed in isolated Antarctica encounter a hostile alien life form that can perfectly imitate other organisms. The creature's ability to seamlessly impersonate their victims creates an environment of intense paranoia and distrust among the nervous crew. As the researchers struggle to identify and destroy the shape-shifting alien, they face a harrowing battle for survival.

The Turman-Foster Co.; Universal Pictures

The nation's #1 best-selling novel is now the year's most terrifying movie.

Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Carl Gottlieb, Lee Fierro

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #1 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Jaws

"Well, this is not a boating accident! It wasn't any propeller, it wasn't any coral reef, and it wasn't Jack the Ripper! It was a shark." – Matt Hooper after examining the remains of Chrissie Watkins

Why watch this? It's Dad's top film, numero uno. It's ignited the love of film within a curious 10-year-old.

Plot Summary: Chief Martin Brody, new to the small island community of Amity, faces a terrifying challenge when a massive great white shark begins attacking beachgoers during the peak summer tourist season. Despite Brody’s efforts to close the beaches, the town's mayor, fearing economic repercussions, prioritizes tourism over safety. As the attacks escalate, Brody teams up with an expert marine biologist and a seasoned shark hunter to track and kill the formidable creature.

Zanuck/Brown Co.; Universal Pictures