After months of anticipation dating back to Matt's Sundance review, I finally had the opportunity to check out The Babadook this week and it didn't disappoint. Writer/director Jennifer Kent's film doesn't just deliver consistent scares. It's as moving and emotionally taxing as anything I've seen from the genre in years. Anchored by terrific lead performances from Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman, the pic is a grueling look at fear, resentment, and a single mother's inability to cope with the constant presence of the two. From a horror perspective, The Babadook is extremely effective throughout as Kent delivers suspense, tension, and terror with deftness I wouldn't expect from someone making their feature debut. Thematically, the film separates itself from the pack in the way it challenges viewers to acknowledge a piece of the human condition that is best kept latent, but exists nonetheless. Make no mistake, this is a scary film. Still yet, I would recommend The Babadook even to those who typically shy away from the genre due to the unique way it tells a touching story of a mother and son learning to live with loss.

My weekly recommendation out of the way, this week's Top 5 features interviews for and Matt's review of Nightcrawler, a ton of Phase 3 news from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the first look at Terminator: Genisys, a trailer for the horror film Starry Eyes, and write-ups for some of the staff's favorite Halloween movies. Keep reading for a brief recap and link to each of the above.

1. NIGHTCRAWLER Interviews & Review

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With writer/director Dan Gilroy's thriller Nightcrawler hitting theaters this weekend and Christopher Nolan's Interstellar coming next, the list of new movies that I need to get out and see with a group of people is beginning to grow. Everything I'm hearing about Jake Gyllenhaal's performance as Lou Bloom is sparkling and the opportunity to follow him into the seedy world of L.A. crime journalism is too good to pass up. For more on the film, check out Matt's review, Haleigh's video interview with Jake Gyllenhaal, and Steve's video interview with Dan Gilroy where he also discusses writing Superman Lives for Tim Burton.

2. Marvel Phase 3 News

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I can't say for sure, but I'm confident this past week brought us the most Marvel announcements and corresponding Marvel coverage in site history. Click here for an overview of their Phase 3 release schedule and click here for all of our recent coverage including Chadwick Boseman starring in Black Panther and Benedict Cumberbatch in talks to lead Doctor Strange.

3. First Look at TERMINATOR: GENISYS

Maybe it's just the cranky, reboot-fatigued movie fan in me but I can't say I'm at all excited for Terminator: Genisys. The Terminator and T2 are sci-fi classics, but I haven't found much to like in the franchise since and these first looks at the cast wielding giant weapons and yelling at no one in particular don't exactly inspire confidence. File this one under: "Movies I hope won't turn out horribly but I won't hold my breath".

4. New STARRY EYES Trailer

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This one comes to you highly recommended by our own Evan Dickson and, if this trailer is any indication, Starry Eyes may be the horror gem he claims it to be. Featuring some stellar music, references to the occult, and bone-chilling screams from star Alex Essoe, it at least promises to be a devilish look at the lengths an aspiring actress will go for a shot at stardom.

5. My Favorite Halloween Movie

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With it being Halloween weekend, I've tried to pepper this installment with bits of horror content for the sake of being festive. Along that same line Matt, Adam, and Perri graced the site this past week with write-ups of their personal favorite Halloween movies. Matt went with The Nightmare Before Christmas, Adam with Shaun of the Dead, and Perri with Trick 'r Treat. In maybe the most unoriginal response you could possibly have to this question, my own personal favorite is and likely always will be John Carpenter's Halloween.