Abra Stone (Kyliegh Curran) and Dan Torrance (Ewan McGregor) a Doctor Sleep scene. 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

*Stephen Kings Doctor Sleep starts off slow and creepy. Hey, Stephen, what do you have against kids? The initial gruesome scenes of a boys death in Doctor Sleep are a downer.

Once you get past those scenes, the movie picks up steamno pun intendedsince the premise is based on steam snatching.

There are flashbacks at the Overlook Hotel where Dick Hallorann (Carl Lumbry) explains to young Torrance what it means to shine. [Scatman Crothers played Hallorann in The Shining]

To shine is to have a special supernatural gift. A ghoulish group of menacing monsters mission is to extract the shine steam from those who possess it. The fiendish clan True Knot, headed by Rose the Hat (Rebecca Ferguson), extricates the steam as the victims die so that the demons can gain immortality. The most powerful shiner is the courageous teenager Abra Stone, played by talented newcomer Kyliegh Curran. Stones strong extrasensory perception gets wind of shiner Dan Torrance (Ewan McGregor). Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra seeks his help against the deadly predator Rose.

Do you see what I see? (L-r) Kyleigh Curran (Abra Stone) and Zachary Momoh (David Stone) in Doctor Sleep. 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan picks up the gauntlet. Forming an unlikely alliance, Abra and Dan engage in a brutal life-or-death battle with Rose. Abras innocence and fearless embrace of her shine compels Dan to call upon his own powers as never before and faces his fears.

Directed by Mike Flanagan, the supernatural thriller also stars Zahn McClarnon, Emily Alyn Lind, Bruce, Greenwood, Jocelin Donahue, Alex Essoe, Cliff Curtis, and Zackary Momoh.

Last Christmas

Last Christmas could be marketed as a sleep aid, and no offense to the cast. Too bad they didnt have a feasible script to work with. Neither Emilia Clarkes GOT dragons, Henry Goldings Crazy Rich Asians, Michelle Yeohs Star Trek: Discovery combat experience, or George Michael and Wham!s music can save this one. No doubt Last Christmas was aiming at the Love Actually holiday appeal and steadfast sustainability. Nor does Last Christmas tug at the heart like the 2000 David Duchovy similarly themed movie, Return to Me or joggle the senses like Sixth Sense.

Kate (Emilia Clarke) is the movies major downfall. Her atrocious behavior and diatribe leaves a bad taste in the mouths of those she slights. Whats so disturbing is that she has no clue. By the time Kate has an epiphany, no one cares. Her mother Petra (Emma Thompson) also doesnt have much to be desired. Petras off-colored lesbian jab is not funny, as are most of the so-called jokes.

Tom (Henry Golding) and Kate (Emilia Clarke) in Last Christmas. Photo: Jonathan Prime/Universal Pictures 2019 Universal Studios

Although basically living out of her suitcase, Kate would prefer to shack up with just about anyone rather than stay with her parents. Her job as an elf in a year-round London Christmas shop brings her no cheer. When Tom (Henry Golding) comes into Kates life one fateful day during the most wonderful time of the year, she gets a reprieve on life. But will a tragic turn of events be a boon or burden? No spoilers here.

Directed by Paul Feig, Last Christmas also stars Lydia Leonard, Margaret Clunie, Patti LuPone, Ansu Kabia, Boris Isakovic, Michael Addo, and Bilal Zafar.

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Weekend Watch: Dont Sleep on Doctor Sleep But Last Christmas is a Snooze - Eurweb.com