PopHorror Let's Get Scared
As we continue our coverage of the Horror-On-Sea 2023 Film Festival, we had the pleasure of checking out the tension-filled film, Video Shop Tales of Terror. Here’s what we thought…
Video Shop Tales of Terror (2023) Synopsis
A sinister video shop is the catalyst for six sordid tales of terror from some of the UK’s top filmmakers, but with a twist.
Video Shop Tales of Terror is a 2023 horror anthology film written by Alex Churchyard (I Scream on the Beach! 2020, The Allotment 2021), Michael Fausti (Dead Celebrities 2018, Exit 2020), Singh Lall (Welcome to Essex 2018), Sam Mason-Bell (Acting 2021, Senseless 2022), Chris Mills (The Making Of 2016, Found Footage of Fear: Digital Terror 2022,), Hannah Patterson (I Scream on the Beach! 2020, Horror-Scopes Volume One 2023), and Tom Lee Rutter (Feast for the Beast 2008, Day of the Stranger 2020).
It’s directed by Max Davenport (I Scream on the Beach! 2020), Thomas Lee Rutter, Andrew Elias (The Numbers 2018, Tales from the Great War 2023), Mj Dixon (Slasher House 2012, Pandamonium 2020 ), Sam Mason-Bell, Geoff Harmer (Dead Air 2019, Hosticide 2022), Tony Mardon (Ted Lasso 2020, Horror-Scopes Volume One 2023), Michael Fausti, Alexander Churchyard.
The Players
The film stars Dani Thompson (I Scream on the Beach! 2020, Pandamonium 2020), Laurence R. Harvey (Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) 2011, Human Centipede III (Final Sequence) 2015), Georgina Dugdale (The Secret 2018, Fox Trap 2019), Charlie Bond (Dead Air 2019, Powertool Cheerleaders vs the Boyband of the Screeching Dead 2022), Ayvianna Snow (Flashpoint 2022, Lola 2022), Annabella Rich (Acting 2021, Eating Miss Campbell 2022), Pauline Peart (Carry OIn Girls 1973, The Satanic Rites of Dracula 1973), Andrew Spooner (Muppets Treasure Island 1996, Muppets Most Wanted 2014), Faith Elizabeth (Dragonflies Only Live for 24 Hours 2018, My Baby Cries 2022), and Andrew Elias.
It also stars James Hamer-Morton (Pandamonium 2020, Eating Miss Campbell 222), Chris Mills, Rami Hilmi (V for Vendetta 2005, Wager Danger 2021), Michael Fausti, Martin W. Payne (Pandamonium 2020, Mask of the Devil 2022), Philip Andrew Rogers (Powertool Cheerleaders vs the Boyband of the Screeching Dead 2022, Best Geezer 2023), Singh Lall, Hannah Patterson, Eve Oliver (Mask of Thorn 2019, Roundabouts 2021), Cy Henty (Smiley vs Smiley 2021), Peter Mahoney (The Haunting of the Lady-Jane 2023, I Curse This Land 2023), Peter Tilley (Casting Kill 2023, Tales from the Great War 2023), Kemal Yildirim (Mask of the Devil 2022, Tales from the Great War 2023) and Andrea Sandell (Patient Zero 2018, I Scream on the Beach! 2020).
An Amazing Anthology
This is without a doubt one of the best horror anthology films in years. It’s in the vein of such films as Creepshow (1982), V/H/S (2012), and my personal favorite, Campfire Tales (1997). It’s iniquitous, depraved, and oozing with horror.
First off, the acting is out of this world. I could spend a week drooling over the phenomenal acting alone. There are so many incredible individual performances in this, it’s impossible to single out any one role over another.
Second, there are a couple of characters/actors who are so prevalent and unforgettable, it’s hard not to give them a mention. The masterful Martin W. Payne as the Proprietor is dead-on delectable, and the devilishly delightful Dani Thompson as the horror heartthrob Paula Valentine (among other characters) is absolutely delicious. They are fierce, enigmatic, and truly terrifying. Also, Hannah Patterson killed it as the uninterested customer who volunteers to assist the Proprietor in order to work off her late fee.
Every segment, Egghead (Mycho Entertainment), Red Lipped Moon (Trash Arts), Fleurs du Mal (Ciao Handy), Mary Whitehouse, you’re a… (Tis Films), These Burnt Children (Carnie Films), and Vergessen (Fausti Films) are each award-worthy in their own right. However, combined together in such a horrific fashion, makes for one deadly good time. They’re dark, twisted, and shocking.
The cinematography is extraordinary. Every film looks and sounds fantastic. The production level of each segment, including the Video Dungeon wraparound, is absolutely astonishing. They’re all unbelievably produced. Also, the editing and costumes are great, along with the stories, sets, gore, and special effects.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Video Shop Tales of Terror is obscene, immoral, and unethical. It’s improper, unsavory, and one deviously good time. Blockbuster ain’t got shit on this video store. It has instant classic written all over it. This is a must-see movie for every horror fan out there. Get your hands on this one as soon as possible, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our Horror-On-Sea 2023 Film Festival review coverage, including Mask of the Devil and Pig Killer.
Be Kind, Rewind!
