Retro Reviews

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

‘DeepStar Six’ (1989): Not All Aliens Come From Space! – Retro Review

DeepStar Six

Growing up as a teenager in the late ’80s was a blast — especially if you were a sci-fi/horror fan! While the ’80s ushered in the golden era of slashers, genre films like The Terminator, Aliens, and The Fly blended sci-fi and horror seamlessly. Video stores ruled the home entertainment …

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‘LAND OF THE DEAD’ (2005) Retro Review – Zombies Evolved

Land of the Dead

Zombie-themed entertainment is big business in 2020. New indie and mainstream Zombie films are released, seemingly every month. The Walking Dead is in its 10th season on AMC. Shows like I, Zombie, Black Summer, Daybreak, Z Nation permeate our televisions and streaming services. There are graphic novels, video games, books, foreign films like Train To Busan. The …

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‘DRACULA’ (1931): Unleashing Storms of Horror

Dracula (1931)

The 1931 film Dracula is a classic horror film directed by Tod Browning and stars Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula. Though some may prefer F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, this film at least had the blessing of the “rightful owner,” the estate of Bram Stoker. It also did more to popularize the …

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‘THE EXORCIST’ (1973): A Timeless Horror Classic that Transcends Generations

Released in 1973 and directed by William Friedkin, The Exorcist remains an iconic horror film that has left an indelible mark on cinematic history. Adapted from William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel of the same name, the movie is a chilling exploration of faith, good versus evil, and the supernatural. Let’s delve …

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‘SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT’ (1984): Controversial Yuletide Fear

Silent Night, Deadly Night

“You’ve made it through Halloween, now try and survive Christmas.”   The tagline tells you just about all you need to know about Silent Night, Deadly Night. The much-maligned 1984 killer Santa movie was a logical continuation of the holiday horror slasher films popularized in the early ’80s post-Halloween (1978) era. …

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How To Watch A Remake: Celebrating ‘PSYCHO’ (1998)

Psycho

How many excellent films have been cast out as garbage simply because they’re remakes? How many remakes are excellently crafted stand-alone films that would shatter box office records if their predecessors never existed? This is a consideration I want you to make as we take another look at Gus Van …

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It Delivers What It Promises: Repligator (1998) Blu-ray Review

I unabashedly love crazy films. The more “out there” and gonzo the better. Sometimes you just need to unplug your brain, take a break from the “artsy” stuff, crack a beer, and watch something so profoundly silly that you grin through the entire thing. Repligator, out now on Wild Eye …

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A Fun Throwback To The VHS Glory Days: Full Moon’s Eurocine Collection Vol. 1 – Review

The Eurocine Collection

Euro-sleaze. Exploitation. Cheesy European action flicks from the 80’s. Whatever you call it, or whatever category you want to lump it into—gimmie more! Back in the golden age of home video, trash was king! Jiggling femme fatales, roided out commandos in tropic jungles, Nazis, crooked cops, all of these and …

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The Perfect “Coming Of Age” Film… For Sociopaths: ‘DEADGIRL’ (2008) Blu-ray Review

deadgirl featured image

Way back when (this was released 15 years ago, hence the anniversary Blu) Trent Haaga, then known primarily for leading the “Diaper Mafia” in The Toxic Avenger IV: Citizen Toxie wrote a script for a little film called Deadgirl. With it, he made, along with co-directors Marcel Sarmiento (Totem) and …

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