Movie Countdown 4-1

 4). The Hunt (66% on Rotten Tomatoes)

Plot: A group of strangers wake up with something similar to a horse bit in their mouths and don't know where they are, how they got there, or why they are there. It soon becomes apparent that they are being watched and monitored by a band of people who are hunting humans for sport.  However, not everything goes as planned when one of the women (Crystal) turns the tables on the pursuers. 

This movie had a complex theme and kept you guessing and questioning every new character that appeared. Even at the end when she boarded a private plane after killing the ringleader of the murderous group, you don't know if the pilot and stewardess are part of the "game" and you are left to draw your own conclusion because the movie doesn't define an ending.    I  particularly enjoyed the first shootout in the field, It was suspenseful and humorous at the same time.  

3). Joy Ride (74% Rotten Tomatoes)

Plot: A male college student (played by Paul Walker) embarks on a cross country road trip to pick up a girl he is very interested in. In the middle of his jaunt, he rescues his brother who was in jail. The brother decides to play a trick on a lonely truck driver over the CB radio. Using the handle "Candy Cane" he pretends to be a women and proceeds to arrange a "tryst" he knows will never take place. When the trucker, who we only know by CB handle Rusty Nail, figures out he's been set up, he wants revenge and begins a terrifying pursuit of the brothers.

This movie was a nail-biting and edge-of-your-seat thriller. Throughout the whole movie you never see the villain. You only hear his voice and see the truck with heavily tinted windows.  My favorite scene from this movie would have to be the cornfield scene. The trucker chases the three characters (because by now, the girl has joined the "party:) though a cornfield at night. Th truck has a giant searchlight and the driver is on the lookout for suspiciously waving cornstalks. 

2). Lost Boys (85% Rotten Tomatoes)

Plot: In this 1987 movie, two teenage brothers move with their mom to northern California to live with their grandfather. The younger brother (Sam meets a couple of geeky comic-loving friends while the older brother (Michael) gets himself involved with a local gang of vampires and soon finds himself exhibiting vampire-like behavior. Sam concludes that since his brother is not fully a vampire yet, he can be saved from his fate.

My favorite scene from this movie is the dinner scene. Sam invites a local businessman named Max suspecting him of being the leader of the vampire pack and put him through a series of "tests" which he passes.

I love the soundtrack for this movie and the entire 80's vibe it gives off. It had many laugh out loud moments while still maintaining its integrity as a suspenseful vampire movie. 

1). Dr. Sleep (89% Rotten Tomatoes)

In this sequel to The Shining, Danny is now an adult, an alcoholic, and still traumatized by the things the things that happened at the Overlook Hotel. He meets a young girl named Abra who shares his gift of "shining" and they band together to battle a cult who live off the shine (called steam) of innocent children to become immortal. 

I love The Shining and this movie is right up there with it. While it is on the longer side at 152 minutes (300 minutes for the director's cut), it passes quickly and I was never bored. 

My favorite scene is when Abra confronts the leader of the cult (Rose the Hat) using the shine and proves her gift is especially powerful by getting inside of Rose's mind. An all around great movie which culminates with a scene at the Overlook Hotel.