In an understandable attempt to be different, Jason Takes Manhattan begins with a Charles Bukowski-esque poem about how “I love this city,” and visual scenes of how tough New York City is. To kids like me who lived in a small town, it was something to see. Of course, Jason Voorhees …

John McTiernan’s Die Hard stands as a quintessential example of the action-thriller genre, weaving suspense and adrenaline-pumping sequences into a tightly knit narrative. The film’s thriller elements are deeply embedded in its characters, plot, and setting, creating a gripping experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. The Menace …

One of the most iconic moments from the original Child’s Play is when Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks) discovers that Chucky is no ordinary doll. After finding the batteries that are supposed to be in her son’s toy, she examines it to see if it has power. It doesn’t! This means …

Slugs (also known as Slugs, Slimy Death) is a 1988 horror film directed by Juan Piquer Simón, known for his work in the horror and science fiction genres. The movie is based on the 1982 novel Slugs by Shaun Hutson. Now, admittedly, I have not read that novel, but I …

In case you’ve lived under a rock, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a 1984 action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas, and the second installment in the Indiana Jones franchise. It serves as a prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark but doesn’t …

Written by Dennis Paoli and directed by Joe Lynch, Suitable Flesh strives to be a complex, mind-bending yet accessible, dark psychological thriller involving themes of identity, possession, and the supernatural. It follows Dr. Elizabeth Derby (Heather Graham), a psychiatrist who becomes entangled in a series of events involving a patient …

Alfred Hitchcock, often referred to as the “Master of Suspense,” was, and still is, one of the most influential and celebrated filmmakers in the history of cinema. Born on August 13, 1899, in Leytonstone, England, Hitchcock began his career in the British film industry in the 1920s as a title …

Tourist Trap is a 1979 American horror film directed by David Schmoeller and starring Chuck Connors, Jocelyn Jones, Jon Van Ness, Robin Sherwood, and Tanya Roberts. It is an unnaturally entertaining flick, even if not absolutely perfect. Check out the trailer: The film follows a group of friends who become stranded …

Another chip off the old “Castle Rock,” Children of the Corn is a horror film released in 1984, based on a short story of the same name by Stephen King, which was first published in 1977 in the March issue of Penthouse (a publication I never heard of before) and …

Phil Allocco is an award-winning film writer and director, whose recent film 5lbs of Pressure blends genres of crime, romance, and thriller. The film looks at characters who are violent criminals yet perhaps have the potential to change…but will they? We wanted to ask Mr. Allocco about 5lbs of Pressure, …