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Setting up for Spooky Season, what happens when we die is the thesis explored in Writer/Director Serena Dc’s latest documentary Beyond the Grave. Interviewing those who’ve had near death experiences, death doulas, cryogenic doctors, psychic mediums, and ghost hunters, the search for answers into the unknown continues and provides fodder for further discussion. A bit stilted stylistically in its story telling with some creative editing choices early on, Dc manages to ask a number of provocative and respectful questions of her subjects, and, maintains a curiosity of what we don’t know but can only speculate, which is ultimately the goal for any accomplished documentary maker. So, while the self narrated and scripted portions of the film might be better digested with the help of other voices and interview perspectives, the message is still interesting and Dc is setting up nicely to become a recognized voice in the world of the paranormal and unexplained phenomena. Running 90 minutes in length this exploration into death hits the mark as a conversation starter. Beyond the Grave is not rated and available on most streaming platforms.

When Reggie the dog (Will Ferrell) is abandoned miles from home by his human, Doug (Will Forte), his desire to return home takes a dark turn with the enlightenment of a few new dog friends Bug, Maggie and Hunter (Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, Randall Park). But, when push comes to shove, will Reggie still have the taste for blood or will his domesticated instincts get the best of him? Written by Dan Perrault and Directed By Josh Greenbaum this derivative, and less than incredible journey home has a few moments of dog humor genius punctuated mercilessly with the same crude F-bomb punch line over and over for an hour and thirty three minutes. And, to be 100 percent clear, despite the apparent cuteness of talking dogs, in no way is this film fit for young audiences, stop do not pass go. And, while practically every modern day dog movie gets thrown under the Strays bus in some capacity, which has its moments of clever, the end result back to the same expletive laden conclusion brings up an empty well bucket by the film’s expected and semi ho hum end. Strays is rated R.

Traveling from Carpathia to England in 1897, the Russian freighter Demeter, sets out to sea tasked with the delivery of crates upon crates of mysterious cargo. In short order strange happenings begin on board, the slaughter of all livestock, disappearance of any rats on board, and then the discovery of a delirious stowaway, Anna (Aisling Franciosi), who warns of the presence of evil on the ship. Now, Captain Eliot (Liam Cunningham) along with his crew and recent edition, a doctor, Clemens (Corey Hawkins), find themselves in dwindling numbers. All preyed upon at night, will any live to see the end of the Demeter’s last voyage? Written by Bragi Schut and Zak Olkewicz based on a chapter from Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Directed by André Øvredal this creature feature, semi origin story of Dracula makes a moderate effort to expand on the source material in a way that might feel natural, but unfortunately falls significantly flat in character and emotional development. Ultimately, we’re not given strong motivation or reason to care about any of the crewmen, and, as the film unwinds and Dracula spins up, the ending result is rather, meh. Telegraphed jump scares and pulled punches in terms of gore offer little to actually make audiences squirm, seasoned horror veterans will have to dig elsewhere for their fix. On the positive, creature and production design get solid marks, but sadly, not even a score from Bear McCreary can pull on the heart strings of the living as the undead take the screen. Boatloads of missed potential and the lost lesson of not revealing your creature too soon, end result, a considerably more tame ride than the R rating would project. The Last Voyage of the Demeter runs an hour and fifty eight minutes in length.