Retro Reviews

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

The Shape of Fear: John Carpenter’s ‘HALLOWEEN’ (1978) Turns 45

Picture yourself transported to the small, seemingly tranquil town of Haddonfield, Illinois. This unassuming Midwestern enclave would become the canvas for one of the most iconic horror films of all time: John Carpenter’s Halloween. It’s a year in which flared trousers and vibrant polyester dominated the fashion scene, but the …

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Not ‘THE GOONIES,’ But ‘THE GHOULIES’ (1984) – 4K Ultra Review

Ghoulies

Ah nostalgia! Does it ever want to make you revisit all of the “evil little creature” films (Critters, Ghastlies, etc.) that followed in the wake of Joe Dante’s game-changer Gremlins? Um…no. Not all of them anyway, especially the direct-to-VHS titles that popped up incessantly in video stores. However, director Luca …

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‘THE STONE TAPE’ (1972): The British Techno-Horror Television Film You’ve Probably Never Seen

The Stone Tape

Off and on, popular horror media has been preoccupied with various tech booms. Techno-horror has been the subject of some of horror’s most popular works. The Ring and Sinister in particular have captured popular imagination for their intersection of recording mediums and the supernatural.Before them, however, in the UK, there …

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The Joke That Got Out of Hand: ‘GHOST WATCH’ (1992) – Blu-ray Review

Ghost Watch

Have you ever watched an older film for the first time, and thought to yourself, “Well this seems familiar?” I, personally, had a few of those while watching the legendary BBC production Ghost Watch, now available in the US on Blu-ray from MVD Visual. Ghost Watch Synopsis “The BBC gives …

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20 Years Of ‘CABIN FEVER’ (2003): Still A Fever Dream Of Fun

Fellow cabin dwellers, gather around the campfire because it’s time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the cinematic masterpiece that is Cabin Fever. Eli Roth’s directorial debut, Cabin Fever, set the stage for his later work in the genre, and it’s no surprise that he’s become a prominent figure in …

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‘Elvira: Mistress of the Dark’ (1988) – 35 Years of (Un)pleasant Dreams

I had the pleasure of meeting Elvira, aka Cassandra Peterson in 2010. I waited in line at Canada’s Fan Expo where she was a guest, signing autographs and posing for photos with fans. I had something special with me: the sleeve of an old VHS tape I had possessed through …

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‘COLD CREEK MANOR’ (2003) Turns 20 – Retro Review

Cold Creek Manor

Blood, guts and gore have never really bothered me in horror films. No, it’s the realistic scenarios, the ones involving creepy neighbors and townsfolk, and feeling a constant sense of discomfort in one’s own home, that usually get me. This is the tone of 2003’s Cold Creek Manor, directed by …

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Magic, Mayhem, and Mirth: Analyzing ‘WARLOCK: THE ARMAGEDDON’ (1993)

Warlock: The Armageddon

Warlock: The Armageddon is a 1993 American supernatural horror film directed by Anthony Hickox and is the sequel to the 1989 film Warlock. The film was produced by Trimark Pictures and features the late, great Julian Sands reprising his role as The Warlock, and he does it well enough. Though …

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Love Rings Eternal: Celebrating 100 Years of ‘THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME’ (1923)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round and loosen those corsets because it’s time to dive into a true cinematic gem that’s turning 100 this month. Yes, you heard it right – a century of humps, bells, and dramatic rescues! We’re talking about none other than “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” the …

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