Barbarians (2021):

Not to be confused with the recent American horror-thriller “Barbarian,” this horror film with a similar name is a product of the UK and features one familiar actor for those who were fans of “Game of Thrones.” Iwan Rheon who played Ramsay Bolton on “Thrones,” is Adam, married to Eva (Colombian actress Catalina Moreno), and they are a happy couple living an idyllic life in their cozy home in the English countryside. They invite another couple to dinner, and expect to have a warm friendly evening, but something uncharacteristic occurs as they begin squabbling with one another over seemingly trivial issues. Up until now, they have had a civil and friendly relationship, but secrets and lies are about to be revealed that threaten to change everything. A ring at the doorbell announces, not another visitor, but a pair of masked home-invaders who pose a threat to all concerned, but for Adam and Eva, they begin to think that the real threat is the couple at the table, not the masked men who have intruded. Who is up to what? That is the question, as things begin to teeter on the brink of horror. An interesting film with a different spin to it. Rated 14A.

Guardians of Time (2022):

From the director and writer of “The Maze,” this young adult adventure takes its characters into a world very different from the one they know, and creates a situation where they might be lost forever. Sisters Sybil and Alex (Samantha Ryan and Ava Torres), along with their two cousins, are staying in a manor house with their respective families, and doing some exploring on their own when they encounter a magical passageway that takes them into another world, a place called the Kingdom of Keoherus. Those who like such fantasy-thrillers as “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” will see similarities here, although this film paints a much darker picture of the hidden kingdom. Once a happy and magical place, the girls learn from the locals that the forests and meadows have become bleak frightening places. They learn further that the locals believe they are the girls prophesized to appear out of nowhere and, using their wits and their powers, can control time to fight the evil that has befallen the land. They want to go home, and decide that this is not their fight, but when Alex is abducted and disappears, they realize that should they not find her, they may never find their way out at all. Despite the fact that the protagonists are all young girls, this movie works for everyone – boys, girls, and adults. Rated PG.

The Harbinger (2022):

The backstory of this horror-mystery is as intriguing as the film itself, which is not a slasher or gore-fest kind of movie, but rather has a very clever story to tell full of twists and turns that you will not see coming. Daniel and Theresa Snyder (Will Klipstein and Amanda McDonald) are the parents of young Rosalie (Madeline McGraw), a girl who seems to have an evil presence following her everywhere she goes. The family moves to a new town, hoping to leave the past behind, but shortly after arriving, townspeople begin to die, and the clues all point to the new people on the scene, with their strange little girl. It takes a Native American witch doctor to pinpoint the evil presence, but finding it, and eradicating it are two different things. This is a product of a company called Veteran Films, which specializes in casting actors with little or no experience, focusing on military veterans, Native Americans, and those who would normally not get an opportunity in movie work. Here, they also hired people from the community who had never acted at all. Interesting film at every level. Rated 14A.

The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022):

What if all those Halloween decorations that you like so much began to come to life. Real skeletons prowling the halls, bat winged vampires looking for a snack, and scores of goblins coming out of the basement? What if that happened to you? That's the setup here as a teenage girl named Sydney (Priah Ferguson - Erica on "Stranger Things") accidentally releases a mischievous and dangerous spirit on Halloween that does exactly that - it makes the rounds, breathing life into all the scary decorations, which are now real. The spirit is an ancient one and its intentions are not good. Sydney's dad (Marlon Wayans) teams up with her to take on the evil and save their town, and maybe the whole world. Interesting casting includes Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") and Rob Riggle ("Holey Moley" and "Modern Family.") Rated 14A.

Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022):

Based on a story written by Stephen King, this tale of what happens beyond the grave has as its protagonist a boy named Craig (Jaeden Martell) living in a small town, and befriending a most unlikely companion, an elderly billionaire named Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland), brought together by their mutual love of books.  Craig did odd jobs for Mr. Harrigan, and over time they began to read and discuss the books that they loved.  Sadly, the old man passed away, and at the funeral, Craig, for no apparent reason, slipped Mr. Harrigan's cell phone into the dead man's pocket before the casket was closed.  Weeks after the funeral, Craig faced a challenge that he could not overcome, one that was literally life-threatening.  Wishing desperately that his friend was still alive, he phoned Mr. Harrigan's cell, got his voice mail, and left a message, asking what he could do.  Surprisingly, Craig received a text from that same phone, and the real mystery began to deepen.  He was communicating with his friend - which was impossible, but there it was.  Rated 14A.