I remember sitting in the theater, awestruck, the first time I saw the trailer. I want to say it was during the previews before Freddy vs. Jason. I can’t remember the exact moment, because let’s face it, it was a while ago. What I DO remember was being completely blown …
Read More »Surviving with a Smile: How ‘ZOMBIELAND’ (2009) Balances Horror and Humor
Zombieland is a 2009 horror-comedy film directed by Ruben Fleischer, which combines elements of zombie horror with a satirical approach to survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The film follows four unlikely companions — Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) — as they …
Read More »Alexandre Aja’s ‘HORNS’ Is Still My Favorite Book-Turned-Movie 10 Years Later – Retro Review
I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years since Horns was released. I remember hearing about it and seeing trailers, and I was incredibly worried that the film would ruin the book for me, in the way that film adaptations are wont to do. Having already read, and loved, the …
Read More »Celebrating 35 Years: Five Reasons To Love Wes Craven’s ‘SHOCKER’ (1989)
Wes Craven is one of the few filmmakers on the planet not named John Carpenter deserving of the title “horror master.” The creator of both the Scream and A Nightmare On Elm Street.franchises, the late Craven’s filmography is home to a littany of horror gems, including The Hills Have Eyes, …
Read More »Todd Phillips’s ‘JOKER’ (2019) Celebrates 5th Anniversary
In 2019, I was dealing with a lot of grief. I became attached to Arthur Fleck as I saw his decline in his mind. I know how weird it feels to be looked at. Everyone treats the Joker as a cherished memory, but there are two favorite actors. Jack Nicholson …
Read More »It Never Forgives, It Never Forgets: ‘THE GRUDGE’ (2004) Revisited – Retro Review
I remember seeing the trailer and TV spots for The Grudge when it was released and told my girlfriend (who is now my wife) that it just looked OK. I told her that it was probably just another crappy PG-13 rated remake of a superior Japanese film and that I …
Read More »Kevin Smith’s ‘CLERKS’ – 30 Years Later: A Retro Review
Some movies catch my attention and make me fall in love. The first time I saw Clerks, I was 11 years old, and it fit so well. I understood the one-liners and the comedic value, mainly because I was raised around angry retail workers. However, a Clerks discussion is always …
Read More »Tobe Hooper’s ‘TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE’ (1974) – 50 Years Later
Several movies are iconic to me. Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of those movies that’s held my attention. I always wanted to be Leatherface and have a chainsaw, so my mom bought me a toy chainsaw. I was a terror and harrassed my entire family with it. Why do I …
Read More »Through ‘THE TWILIGHT ZONE’ (1959): A Journey into Sci-Fi, Horror, and Social Critique
The Twilight Zone is a groundbreaking American sci-fi/horror anthology television series created by Rod Serling that ran from 1959 to 1964. It is widely, and correctly, regarded as one of the most influential TV shows of all time, blending science fiction, fantasy, and horror with social commentary. In fact, it’s …
Read More »Jason Zink’s ‘STRAIGHT EDGE KEGGER’ (2019) – Retro Review
I grew up in the punk scene. I discovered punk rock when I was 11 years old. The scene sucked me right in, and I felt like I belonged. Also, I loved the energy, the friends, the music, and the basement shows. It was a wild time. I’m too old …
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