Tony Todd

CHICAGO – There’s no question that the “Final Destination” series is among the most lame-brained, ill-conceived, lazily executed franchises in Hollywood history. Every installment follows the exact same plot formula, from the opening catastrophe to the bleak epilogue. There isn’t a single surprise or quality scare in these pictures, and yet they still continue to make copious amounts of money.

CHICAGO – “Final Destination 5” may have under-performed a bit this past weekend at the box office but that has nothing to do with the legendary Tony Todd. The horror icon perhaps best-known for playing the title character in “Candyman” but also a major part of the movie and TV landscape for decades breezed through Chicago on the day his new sequel opened.

CHICAGO – The “Final Destination” movies have become an increasingly-excessive orgy of gore with a twisted sense of humor – the Grim Reaper isn’t just coming for you, he’s going to have some fun before you go.

CHICAGO – There are many who would like horror fans to believe that writer/director Adam Green is the nest great voice in the genre, the guy who we should all be watching. After the promising “Hatchet” and superior “Frozen,” I thought the potential was still there. I’m not sure any more after the boring, bloated, stupid “Hatchet II.”

CHICAGO – Is Adam Green the next great horror director? There are many fans of the genre who love to make the case of the current-and-future importance of Green, pointing to films like “Frozen,” “Spiral,” and, most of all, “Hatchet” as their evidence. To some, including this horror junkie, the jury is still out. Watching Green’s breakthrough film, now available on Blu-ray, it’s easy to see what people adore about Green and what he still needs to work on.