Retro Reviews

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

Looking Back on Alex Proyas’ ‘The Crow’ (1994): A 30th Anniversary Review

I was honored to take review the retro review of Alex Proyas’ The Crow, a film that didn’t disappoint in bringing out the goths and all that came with it. When this film came out in 1994, I was 11-years-old and just beginning my mission to be the weirdest person …

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This Ain’t Your Father’s Godfather: ‘CONTRABAND’ (1980) – Blu-ray Review

Contraband

So, what happens when a legendary director, who is renowned for being one of the “godfathers of gore” no less, makes a Mafia/Crime Thriller? Being an ardent fan of Italian maestro Lucio Fulci, and never having seen Contraband, I was curious as Hell to check out the shiny new blu-ray …

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25 Years of ‘IDLE HANDS’ (1999): Hands-Down Still The Best Slasher Comedy

Remember back in 1999 when everyone was anxious about Y2K? Amidst all the uncertainty, the film Idle Hands quietly made its way into theaters. It’s one of those underrated movies that delivers a hit of nostalgia. This film is a unique blend of horror, comedy, teen slasher, and stoner themes, …

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‘JASON X’ (2002): Killer Space Camp – Retro Review

Jason X

Where do you take a horror icon who’s been pretty much everywhere else? Why, to Space, of course! The Critters went there. Pinhead went there. The Leprechaun went there. You knew it was only a matter of time before Jason Voorhees left the cozy confines of Camp Crystal Lake (and …

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The Future is Now: ‘BRAINSCAN’ (1994) is 30 Years Old!

Brainscan

The 90s had some pretty wild and sometimes ridiculous ideas of what future tech awaited us. Brainscan was no exception. Synopsis Starring Edward Furlong (Terminator 2; 1991) and the legendary Frank Langella (Masters of the Universe; 1987), Brainscan tells the story of teenage horror hound Michael Brower, a loner who’s …

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From Short to Feature – Mike Flanagan’s ‘OCULUS’ (2014) Turns 10!

Oculus

Mike Flanagan has written, directed, and adapted some of the most prolific horror films and series to date. Dr. Sleep and The Haunting of Hill House are my more recent favorites. But I also dug some of his earlier works like Hush (2016) and, well, Oculus (2014). Oculus – Synopsis …

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Mary Lambert’s ‘PET SEMATARY’ (1989): Still Scary After 35 Years – Retro Review

Miko Hughes as the resurrected Gage Creed in Pet Sematary (1989)

The original film adaptation of Stephen King‘s Pet Sematary was released in 1989, when I was just four years old. It was a year or two later when I saw it for the first time, and that memory is indelibly seared into my brain. I was scarred. Traumatized. I was …

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‘FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 4: THE FINAL CHAPTER’ (1984) – Retro Review

Friday the 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter

The Friday the 13th franchise has spawned 11 original movies (counting the crossover), a remake, a non-canonical TV series, an upcoming TV series, three video games, and one of horror’s most iconic killers. But when faithful fans start to rank the movies, Friday the 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter …

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