The Turning (2020) Movie Review

THE TURNING (2004) IMDB AMZN

The Turning movie poster

This movie is a modern version of the Henry James novella The Turn of the Screw from 1898. Because this book is in the public domain it has been made into a movie countless times like in 1959, 1974, 1982, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. So, you know the story must be strong because films are not made that many times if they aren’t well received in some way. The most famous film adaption does not share the title of the book however, The Innocents from 1961 starring Deborah Kerr is by far the best version of the story.


This version of the movie also has a different title and the family of Mr. James should be thankful for it. This is a stinker. Not terrible, terrible, but definitely a juicy fart at a dinner party bad. It is a little scary, but just not intense enough. About 15 minutes into the movie as our governess meets her first orphan child they make they way thru a hedge maze on the grounds of the residence. That was the highlight for me.

I have a blog post about the worst maze movies of all time…the link is down below, and I am honestly considering updating it right now.

I give it a 5/10.

Jeruzalem (2015) Movie Review

Jeruzalem (2015) IMDB AMZN

Jeruzalem movie poster

Is there a gateway to hell in Jerusalem ? That is what this horror movie suggests. American friends travel to Jerusalem, do some sightseeing, do the whole hostel thing, meet some cool people, and party around the different areas of Jerusalem. The film is in the found film style with our characters documenting their vacation on a small camera. Everything is great until the city is under siege by demons that bite people who become more zombie demons. A curfew is imposed and they city is put on lockdown. Now the group needs to escape the city. How about using the maze of caverns under the city ? An interesting twist on a zombie movie that is terrible. At least the city makes for a beautiful setting.

I give it a 4/10.

Dying Young (1991) Movie Review

Dying Young (1991) IMDB AMZN

Dying Young movie poster

Dying Young starring Julia Roberts and Campbell Scott is one of those romance movies that uses cancer as the main plot point, because if you have cancer in a movie that is not a minor plot point. You know the type of movies, a terminally ill person falls in love and the couple is doomed long-term, but right now things are great. Think, The Fault in Our Stars ; P.S. I Love You ; and A Little Bit of Heaven. This particular movie involves a nurse who falls for the man she is taking care of who is terminally ill. The plot unfolds as you think it would. A little more than halfway through the movie our patient, who has stopped his chemo wanders into the hedge maze outside his house at night. He starts to feel sick and Hilary (Julia) goes in after him.

Dying Young movie hedge maze scene

Dying Young 1991 Hedge maze

They make their way out of the maze, but still have plenty of challenges ahead of them. The movie is ok and if you like sad romances this is the movie for you.

I give it a 5.9/10.

Elvis (2022) Movie Review

ELVIS (2022) IMDB AMZN

Elvis (2022) movie poster

I write movie reviews on maze movies, so why is Elvis included ? Well it contains a maze scene ! This biopic film about Elvis is told from the point of view of his longtime manager Colonel Tom Parker. About 29 minutes into the film they meet for the first time in a mirror maze in a carnival funhouse when Elvis gets lost. This starts the relationship that defines the movie. Both Tom Hanks and Austin Butler are great in their roles. It is a story everyone can enjoy and will make you want to listen to Elvis music and catch some of those classic Elvis movies when you catch them flipping channels. I recommend this movie !

I give it a 7.3/10.