Retro Reviews

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

Lucky McKee’s ‘May’ (2002): A Creepy Character Study – Retro Review

May

Characters will always be the most fascinating things about movies. In spite of the fact that every aspect of filmmaking has to come together in a cacophony of timing and storytelling, we always find ourselves relating in some way to the more memorable characters. In May, the main character is a …

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James Watkins’ ‘The Woman In Black’ (2012) Celebrates 10 Years Of Chills – Retro Review

“They took her boy away so now she takes us…” If you were anything like me back in 2012, you had just experienced a year of Harry Potter withdrawal following 2011’s Deathly Hallows: Part 2 and were counting down the days until Daniel Radcliffe would once again grace the big screen …

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William Brent Bell’s ‘The Devil Inside’ (2012): This Controversial Ending Turns 10 – Retro Review

“I’ve seen the devil way more than I’ve seen God, which is not the way it’s supposed to be…” – Father Ben Rawlings There’s been quite a few movies centering on demonic possession over the years, from 2005’s The Exorcism of Emily Rose to the one that started it all in 1973, The …

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Anthology Flashback #10: CBS Series ‘The Television Ghost’ (1931–1933)

Anthology horror efforts come and go, with some being more memorable than others. However, not every one of them has been preserved forever. Such is the case with the CBS series, The Television Ghost, broadcast way back in the early 1930s! Due to its early, experimental nature, neither the audio …

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Wes Craven’s ‘Scream’ (1996) Is Still A Scary Movie Staple – Retro Review

“What’s your favorite scary movie?” It’s been 25 years since this oh-so-simple yet blood-chilling line was posed over the phone to the blonde-bobbed Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore: Firestarter 1984) in the original Scream, which was released to the world on December 20, 1996. Casey, who just wanted to enjoy some …

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Nitrous, Blood, And Flowers: Looking Back On Frank Oz’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (1986) – Retro Review

First things first… I’m not really a fan of musicals. However, there are a few exceptions. I first saw Frank Oz’s Little Shop of Horrors, released on December 19, 1986, as a child and I immediately fell in love with the film. It is an adaptation of the off-Broadway musical …

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Rouben Mamoulian’s ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ (1931) – 90 Years of Double Personalities – Retro Review

115 years ago Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a novel about a stoic doctor and an evil alter ego. There's been countless film and media adaptations in the last century all exploring the dynamic between one's good and evil side

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Eric Red’s ‘Bad Moon’ (1996) Still Has Bite – Retro Review

Werewolf movies have quite simply become one of the most overpopulated sub-genres in horror. From the teen dramas to the gruesome slashers, you can find a werewolf movie in any style these days. But one of the more overlooked efforts is 1996’s Bad Moon. Released on November 1, the film …

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Brian De Palma’s ‘Carrie’ (1976) – They’re Still Laughing At You Retro Review

What an honor to be able to write this article celebrating the 45th anniversary of Brian De Palma’s iconic Carrie. I jumped at the opportunity. However, when I realized the responsibility I had to represent the film in a way that would do it justice… well, I was a bit …

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