In the town of Raven’s Fair it’s a good idea not to scream, or one may lose one’s tongue to the ghost of Mary Shaw (Judith Shaw). Shaw was a ventriloquist who had the nasty habit of murdering local children who heckled her show. So the town rose up and murdered her. However, she regularlyContinue reading “‘Dead Silence’: Intense enough for ‘Saw’ Fans, but with Much Less Gore”
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1982’s ‘The Dark Crystal’ is Terrifying but Ultimately Optimistic
Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, acted by puppets. In a dying world, the only hope is to repair the cracked Dark Crystal. The task of doing so falls to Jen (Stephen Garlick), a Gelfling (they’re kinda like elves) who was raised by the kindly Mystics (a cross between a horse and something withContinue reading “1982’s ‘The Dark Crystal’ is Terrifying but Ultimately Optimistic”
‘The Boogeyman’ Contains Many Laughs but No Boogeymen
Not to be confused with 2005’s Boogeyman; this is a little gem from 1980. One night, little Lacey and Willy grow tired of their mother’s drunken, abusive boyfriend, and Willy stabs him to death. Actually a bad decision, because the guy’s spirit enters the mirror over his girlfriend’s bed, and vows revenge. Flash forward twentyContinue reading “‘The Boogeyman’ Contains Many Laughs but No Boogeymen”
‘The Deaths of Ian Stone’ is Pretty Okay
Ian (Mike Vogel) has a rather odd existence. One day he’s a hockey player with a girlfriend named Jenny (Christina Cole); another day he’s an office worker and Jenny is only an acquaintance—his girlfriend is a woman named Medea (Jaime Murray). One day he’s driving a cab and Jenny is his passenger; another day he’sContinue reading “‘The Deaths of Ian Stone’ is Pretty Okay”
‘The Crow’: Maybe it’s Nostalgia Talking, but the Film is Haunting and Memorable
Metal singer Eric (Brandon Lee) and his fiancée Shelly (Sofia Shinas) are brutally murdered in their home by a gang of thugs. But, as legend goes, “when someone dies a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with them andContinue reading “‘The Crow’: Maybe it’s Nostalgia Talking, but the Film is Haunting and Memorable”
‘Coraline’: Stop-Motion is Just About Guaranteed to be Unsettling
Stop-motion film, directed by Henry Selick. Coraline (Dakota Fanning) has just moved into a new apartment building, and is perpetually bored. Her workaholic parents (Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) have no time for her, and are generally annoyed at her presence. She discovers a new world inside a wall, a whimsical place where flowers tickleContinue reading “‘Coraline’: Stop-Motion is Just About Guaranteed to be Unsettling”
‘Club Dread’ is a Sly Slasher Spoof
Sun. Sand. Fruity drinks. Murder! Pleasure Island, Costa Rica, is home to Coconut Pete’s Coconut Beach Resort, which is dedicated to decadence. Unfortunately, someone is running around killing off the staff. Further unfortunately, there are no boats, phones, or radios, so everyone is trapped. It’s up masseur Lars (co-writer Kevin Heffernan), aerobics instructor Jenny (BrittanyContinue reading “‘Club Dread’ is a Sly Slasher Spoof”
‘Dead Waves’ is Creepy, Thoughtful, and Occasionally Hilarious
Japanese movie, AKA Shiryôha. Usui is the director of a popular supernatural TV show called Spirit Sightings. He is contacted by Tsuyoshi, who wants his apparently possessed sister Runa to get a free televised exorcism. Runa is opposed to the idea, and for good reason: the dead waves, which are “Radio waves believed to harborContinue reading “‘Dead Waves’ is Creepy, Thoughtful, and Occasionally Hilarious”
‘The Dead Hate the Living!’ is a Delight for Hardcore Horror Fans
David Poe (Eric Clawson) is a director making a low-budget zombie movie in an abandoned hospital. He and his crew: makeup guy and best friend Paul (Brett Beardslee), leading ladies (who are also his sisters) Nina (Kimberly Pullis) and Shelly (Wendy Speake), leading man Eric (Benjamin P. Morris), production assistant Topaz (Jamie Donahue), extra MarcusContinue reading “‘The Dead Hate the Living!’ is a Delight for Hardcore Horror Fans”
‘Dead Alive’ AKA ‘Braindead’ is a Disgustingly Good Time
New Zealand, 1954. The Sumatran Rat Monkey has just been acquired by a zoo; too bad it’s infected with a nasty disease that makes people rabid. Largely affected by this is kindly Lionel (Timothy Balme), whose mum Vera (Elizabeth Moody) is bitten and becomes (for lack of a better word) a zombie. She bites otherContinue reading “‘Dead Alive’ AKA ‘Braindead’ is a Disgustingly Good Time”
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