Retro Reviews

Reviews of older horror films, shorts, or general creepiness.

“What’s In The Basket?”: Frank Henenlotter’s ‘BASKET CASE’ (1983) Turns 40!

Frank Henenlotter is one sick individual. In any circle—besides that of the horror fan, natch— that would be an insult. But the guy who would eventually bring us weird shit like Frankenhooker, Bad Biology, and Brain Damage cut his (bloody) teeth with Basket Case, a revered slice of 42nd Street cinema. …

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The Monster Match: ‘FREDDY VS. JASON’ (2003) – 20 Years Later

Freddy vs. Jason

When you think of the horror genre, two names come to mind almost immediately: Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. For forty years, both have terrorized children and adults alike in their dreams, on the big screen, and in their minds in various capacities. You’d be hard-pressed to go to a …

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‘A Nightmare On Elm Street: Dream Master’ (1988) Turns 35… It Was Almost Very Different!

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: Dream Master (1988) turns a whopping 35 this year… And in spite of Middle Child Syndrome and all the craziness that went on while trying to put it together, it was one of the more successful releases in the franchise. But it could’ve been …

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‘MIRRORS’ (2008) turns 15 This Year, But Eisoptrophobia is Much Older

Is It Just Me, Ooooor??? There’s something inherently unsettling about mirrors, to me. It doesn’t help that we play games growing up like Bloody Mary. Then films like ‘Mirror, Mirror’, and ‘Candyman’ added fuel to the already steady burning fire of anxiety. And of course, centuries-old traditions and lores that …

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Marriage, Pimps, Drugs, Murder, the Mob: Who Says ‘TRUE ROMANCE’ Is Dead?

True Romance

Note: This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SGA-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, True Romance, being covered here, wouldn’t exist. When asked what my favorite romance film is I always gleefully respond, True Romance (1993). Before the grumbling begins, understand …

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Unsung 80s Slasher Flicks Are Always Welcome! – ‘Night Screams’ (1987) Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-Ray Review

Synopsis: “A football star throws a party for his friends. Two insane killers escape from a nearby asylum on that same night, and in their efforts to elude authorities, wind up at the party.” The guys over at Vinegar Syndrome are extremely adept at releasing obscure films that you never …

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Celebrating 40 Years Of Cujo With Eight Fascinating Facts

The early 1980s were a golden era of horror. It served as the first wave of the American slasher craze and made rock stars out of the FX teams responsible for creating some of the most inventive kills to date. It was also when feature-length Stephen King adaptations were a …

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There Is A Place Between Heaven and Hell: ‘Netherworld’ (1992) – Full Moon Features’ Blu-ray Review

Synopsis: A young man arrives at his father’s mansion in Louisiana to discover that a secretive cult is using winged creatures to raise the dead to do their bidding. Possibly inspired by Angel Heart (1987), writer/director David Schmoeller (Puppet Master, Tourist Trap) helmed Full Moon Feature’s inventive 1992 voodoo in …

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The South Rises Again! (From the Grave This Time): ‘The Killing Box’ (1993) – Scorpion Releasing Blu-ray Review

NOTE: This story was published during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the films being covered here wouldn’t exist. PopHorror fully supports the WGA and SAG-AFTRA and their efforts. Synopsis: Slave traders bring back an evil voodoo entity that …

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“What About The Goddamned Piranhas?” “They’re Eating The Guests Sir…” – Joe Dante’s ‘PIRANHA’ Turns 45

Piranha

NOTE: This story was published during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the films being covered here wouldn’t exist. PopHorror fully supports the WGA and SAG-AFTRA and their efforts. Can you believe Joe Dante’s Piranha was released all the …

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