How many times have you heard it? “My new indie feature is a lovingly crafted throwback to classic 80’s slasher films!” A million or so, right? How many times have filmmakers actually achieved that lofty goal convincingly? Very damned few. However, with Sequel: Cruel Summer – Part 2 (a direct …
Read More »Review: Add Some (Black) Magic To Your Meals With The Official ‘ HOCUS POCUS’ Cookbook
Can a Sanderson sisters cookbook really be done? And done well?? The marketing folks at Disney and Insight Editions think so, and we have The Official ‘Hocus Pocus’ Cookbook to take for a trial run! “70 Recipes Inspired By The Sanderson Sisters, Max, Dani, and Beyond” How did our foodstuffs spellcasting …
Read More »Finally! There’s fangs!!! ‘Horror Of Dracula’ (1958) Retro Review
Synopsis: “Jonathan Harker rouses the ire of Count Dracula after he accepts a job at the vampire’s castle under false pretenses. Harker’s friend, Dr. Van Helsing, then embarks on a hunt for the predatory villain when he targets Harker’s loved ones.” A triumvirate of absolute horror legends have birthdays in …
Read More »Argento Goes Full On Crazy: ‘PHENOMENA (1985)’ Synapse 4K Review
Italian maestro, Dario Argento, decided to go full-on “bat shit crazy” for his 1985 film Phenomena. And for someone like Argento, that’s really saying something! Phenomena Synopsis “A young girl who has an amazing ability to communicate with insects is transferred to an exclusive Swiss boarding school, where her unusual …
Read More »‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983) Turns 40: Living Teddy Bears, Talking Lobsters, and Child Killer Force Ghosts
The final chapter in the OG sci-fi/fantasy franchise beloved by millions, Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi turns 40 this month. Volumes have been written about the first three films in George Lucas’ brilliant exercise in world-building, with Empire widely considered to be the best, and Jedi normally …
Read More »‘HOUSE OF WAX’ (1953) – “You’ve never been scared until you’ve been scared in 3-D!” – Review
How do you revitalize the career of a horror legend? Cast him in the first major studio film to be shot in color 3-D, and tap a one-eyed director who famously couldn’t see any of the 3-D effects – that’s how! House of Wax (1953) Synopsis “An associate burns down …
Read More »“Welcome To Death Row. The Doctor Will See You Now:” ‘BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR (2003) – Review
Can you believe it’s been two decades since the release of BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR (2003)? Synopsis After 13 years in prison, the mad scientist from Re-Animator (1985) gets a new chance to experiment with the arrival of a young prison doctor, who secretly hopes to learn to reanimate dead people. Good …
Read More »“Snowflakes Don’t Last Long In The Texas Heat:” ‘TEXAS CHAINSAW MASCARA’ – Review
Bill Zebub’s crowdfunded dream is now a reality with the release of TEXAS CHAINSAW MASCARA (2022)! Synopsis New Yorkers visit the Texas depicted in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Their car breaks down. A young girl offers them her home as a refuge. Upon arrival, their northern prejudices clash with the …
Read More »EVIL DEAD (2013) Retro Review: Remakes Don’t ALWAYS Suck – 10 Years Gone
In 1981, something was waiting in the woods, 32 years later, it returned… The rumblings began in 2004. Would your hero, and mine, the frequently put-upon Ash Williams return for another round? Fright fans were positively starving for more Deadite action: a crossover film, a sequel, a video game, an …
Read More »Arm Bars, Choke Holds, and Laughs – ‘KARATE GHOST’ (2023) Review
Bobby Canipe Jr’s KARATE GHOST, aka BLACK BELT JOE: A review… Karate Ghost (2023) Synopsis: “Death and destruction fall upon all who enter the dojo from the Karate Ghost! The undead legend of Black Belt Joe is as real as a judo chop cutting though a wood board. One thing …
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