Retro Reviews

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

Saw (2004) 15th Anniversary – A Game Changer

Saw (2004) - James Wan and Cary Elwes

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 …

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A Quarter Century Of ‘Stargate’ (1994) – Retro Review

Television shows based on popular movies can go either way. In 1978, the timeless classic Animal House was released and became one of the greatest comedies in American history. To capitalize on the success, a television show was created to show the day-to-day hi-jinx of the fraternity from the movie. …

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‘Paranormal Activity’ (2009) – 10 Years Later: Look Back On The Film That Started it All

The original Paranormal Activity is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its wide theatrical release on the 16th of October, 2009. After making the rounds on the indie film festival circuit, Paranormal Activity director Oren Peli (Insidious 2011) had a sure-fire gem on his hands and Paramount Pictures were taking notice. …

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‘Wes Craven’s New Nightmare’ 25th Anniversary: Strengths and Weaknesses

Wes Craven's New Nightmare

Originally released on October 14, 1994, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare offered a fresh, daring take on the Freddy Krueger character… or something like it. You see, New Nightmare is technically a Freddy movie, yet it definitely isn’t. The villain is actually an entity that takes the form of Freddy, because it …

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Anthology Flashback #1: Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-65)

Alfred Hitchcock is an icon for a reason. Well, okay, it’s for more than one reason. One of those is the classic television anthology series, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, which alternates between his humorous monologues and themes of crime, drama, thrills and horror. In his standard, dry tone, Hitchcock even refers …

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Thirty-five Years Later: The Coen Brothers’ ‘Blood Simple’ (1984) Retro Review

Blood Simple tells of the way independent movies became dominant in the ’90s. It’s easy to look at Blood Simple as the little engine that could. The film was created by the dynamic duo of Joel and Ethan Coen, who are also known for Fargo (1996), No Country for Old …

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‘Sorority Row’ (2009): A Decade of Deception Retro Review

The sands of time often slip through our fingers too swiftly, as life flies by us at the speed of light. Once in awhile, little things pop up to remind us that we’re aging quickly… like the fact that 2009’s Sorority Row is already ten years old. This loose re-imagining of …

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