Ivy is a 2017 psychological thriller horror short about a young man’s struggle to deal with the loss of the love of his life by refusing to leave his home, despite the well-meaning encouragement from him friends. He’s been alone for weeks and can barely stand to leave his bathroom, …
Read More »Bill Oberst, Jr. Takes On The Opioid Crisis in Mark Savage’s ‘Painkiller’ (2021) – Movie Review
The opioid crisis. We’ve heard about it. We’ve read news articles about it. We may even have been affected by it. But what can we do about it? Grieving father Bill Johnson (Circus Of The Dead’s Bill Oberst, Jr.) has an idea about that in Mark Savage’s 2021 film, Painkiller. …
Read More »Marteinn Thorsson’s ‘Backyard Village’ (2021): A Film About Pain, Loss, and Human Connection
After spending over a year in the isolated, lonely world in the grips of the coronavirus, human connection feels more precious than ever. Marteinn Thorsson’s (Permille) Backyard Village tells the story of two lonely people at a crossroads in their lives who find solace in one another. Synopsis: Unable to …
Read More »Anthology Flashback #8: ’13 Demon Street’ (TV Series 1959–1960)
Time to talk about 13 Demon Street. Though short-lived, this old, Swedish-American horror anthology show was hosted by the great Lon Chaney, Jr. In addition to being the son of film icon Lon Chaney, the actor had already enjoyed success as The Wolf Man in 1941 and other Universal Horror …
Read More »‘For The Sake Of Vicious’ (2021) Movie Review
Imagine coming home after a fitful day of work, and seeing your landlord sprawled out, attacked on your kitchen floor, as you come face-to-face with an unknown assailant. That’s the gripping beginning to For The Sake Of Vicious, and it only gets more intense from there. From the tension-filled opening through …
Read More »Knives, Kinks, and Killers: Charles Forsman’s ‘Slasher’ – Graphic Novel Review
I just finished up my third reading of writer/artist Charles Forsman’s graphic novel, Slasher (Floating World Comics 2018), and I’m honestly not sure the narrative completely works. I’m also not sure I care, as it adds to the queasy disorientation of the piece. I can legitimately say it’s one of …
Read More »Movie Review: ‘Brimstone Incorporated’ (2021): Sinful Fun From Start To Finish
Brimstone Incorporated is the latest movie from directors James L. Edwards and Brad Twigg. The film is an anthology that contains three infernal-filled stories that center around Hell’s law firm. Brimstone Incorporated is directed by James L. Edwards and Brad Twigg, and stars: Kaylee Williams (13 Slays Till X-Mas 2020 …
Read More »Retro Review: ‘Meatball Machine’ (2005) Delivers a Twisted and Gory Love Story
With a special edition Blu-ray coming soon—April 12th, 2021—I thought I would take another look at the techno/splatterpunk and body horror film from Japanese directors Yudai Yamaguchi and Junichi Yamamoto, 2005’s Meatball Machine! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBQedhFk0g Synopsis: Capable of making bio-mechanical weapons out of human flesh, alien parasites grotesquely invade the Earth, …
Read More »SXSW 2021: Non-Horror Screener Thoughts And Reviews
While we did see all the Midnighter and genre entries for SXSW 2021 and are working to catch up on coverage for that, we did also explore several other films in the fest. I thought I would give my thoughts on each of the non-Midnighter/horror screenings I attended at SXSW …
Read More »Scott McGinnis’ ‘Last Gasp’ (1995): Vinegar Syndrome’s 4K Restoration Blu-Ray Review
It’s been a long time since PopHorror has reviewed anything from Vinegar Syndrome, but now we’re back at it and ready to go! There are two selections for this month: Bob Bralver’s 1989 thriller, Rush Week, and the supernatural horror film, Last Gasp, directed by Scott McGinnis. I decided to …
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