Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘All the Creatures Were Stirring’. If there is one particular thing that all of us do during the holiday season, it would have to be that we see the world through rose colored glasses, and understandably so. Because the holidays are a time of great beauty, thanks to the snow that covers the earth and the twinkling lights that catch our eye in our living rooms and around town, and that beauty is only further compounded by the fact that we get to spend time with those love and bask in the joy that they bring us. But while it is wonderful to see the world as a shining beacon for a few weeks at the end of the year, there are some inherent risks that come with immersing ourselves in such a rosy view of the season. Because if we let it wash over us completely, we can in fact, lose sight of what the season really means and that’s problematic. Because it makes the season less about giving and celebrating life and supporting those less fortunate than us, and more about what we are getting and what we can do to prolong that escape. Which is why it is a good thing that there are holiday stories out there that help to ground us, such as A Christmas Carol. For they remind us of the real reason for the season and keep us focused upon the fact that the world can still be a harsh place whilst we are sipping on grandma’s Egg Nog. But what’s truly surprising is that horror is a genre of film that also helps to remind us of this fact. Because the scares it sends our way and the safety it provides, really does help one to see the season a little clearer, especially when the scary movie in question… is holiday themed. And it just so happens, that Shudder is host to a unique and disturbing holiday film that does a fine job of keeping its viewer grounded in the midst of this magical season in All the Creatures Were Stirring. Now what truly makes this particular holiday horror film so unique, is the sheer fact that it is an anthology style motion picture. One that is packed to the brim with all kinds of wonderful vignettes that revolve around the season. Several of which, are grounded in the grittier parts of the holiday season. Take the wraparound story for instance. Since it does a phenomenal job of exploring the fact that some people spend the season alone or away from family, and they rely upon whatever’s open during the more restrictive parts of the season to forget about their woes. Which in this case involves an awkward first date wherein our intrepid couple enjoy a play on Christmas Eve. One that of course, features a spooky twist because this is a horror film after all. But while the realistic nature of that story and several others could have carried this movie no problem, it still has plenty more to offer the audience. Because another fascinating aspect of this film is that its stories also prey upon our most primal fears. For the office themed ‘The Stockings Were Hung’ takes the time to remind us of the fact that sometimes the holidays can drive people to do drastic and awful things since the antagonist in that story is eager to use a holiday office party to exact revenge upon their co-workers in a sadistic fashion, one that speaks to how much they hate the holidays, and their co-workers. Plus, there’s ‘Dash Away All’, a story that is eager to explore our fears of the unknown and what can happen to us when we are alone and vulnerable in a supremely dynamic and chilling manner. However, while it is refreshing to dive into a horror story that takes the time to offer up a little commentary on how bad things happen during the holidays, because that’s just how the world unfortunately works, this movie also takes the time to have a little fun with the storytelling as well. For it does features an incredibly unique, revenge-themed reindeer story that offers up something special for gore-hounds, and there’s also a holiday themed story that features some aliens that are quite curious about this time of year and why we celebrate it. Plus, you can never go wrong with a modern horror themed take on Dickens’ penultimate work, and really… all of these vignettes allow for this film to be quite the dynamic experience when all is said and done. Because it really does offer something for everyone. For if you want commentary, and a sobering reminder of the fact that the holidays can be quite the illusionary time of year, you’ll find that here. And if you just want some straight up splatter and some chilling scares, hey, that’s here too. And of course, if you’re a fan of horror comedies, you can get a slice of that as well. But what matters most, is that this movie is just downright fun. Because you never quite know what to expect from these vignettes and it’s always a treat when you can lose yourself within a story and be surprised. So, if you’re looking for a quick escape from the saccharine of the season, or you’re just a horror fan that wants to see a little blood under the mistletoe, then make sure you give this one a look. Because it really is a fascinating and horrific ride. ‘All the Creatures Were Stirring’ is streaming now, exclusively on Shudder.
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Written by Scott Edwards How far would you go to keep your family members safe from harm? There are some people that will go to the ends of the earth to ensure their family’s safety, but there are still some people out there that will not raise a finger to help their family for fear of what will happen to them once the good deed is done. I am a firm believer in taking care of one’s family, no matter what might come from it. You only have one true family and if the blood ties are not strong enough to keep you with them, I hope you are able to find someone that will take you in, since these bonds last a lifetime. Vlad the Impaler has made a name for himself over the years. With putting his enemies on spikes and being able to win all of his battles, he is now taking a break and wants to be the prince his people and family deserve. With his young son and loving wife, Vlad does not think twice about what he has done in the past but focuses on the future and makes sure that everyone under his rule will be safe and prosperous. But there is something not right happening in the mountains around his kingdom and finding a Turkish scout helmet in the river, Vlad knows that he will have to expect trouble in his land once again. After receiving a message from the Sultan’s henchman about supplying the great leader with a thousand of his youth, Vlad tries to be diplomatic and get the demand waived. But the Sultan will not accept this and now demands the prince’s son as well, to grow up and fight by his side, like Vlad did with his father so many years ago. Not having a choice, Vlad returns home and gathers his son for his next journey, but Vlad’s wife is not willing to let her boy go at any cost. Vlad sees how this offering to the great leader will destroy his family, along with the families of all he rules and decides to go back on the deal, killing the Sultan’s men and coming up with a plan to defeat the army that will soon be sent his way. Climbing back into the Broke Tooth Mountains, Vlad calls upon the man that is hiding in the shadows for guidance and strength. The old lifeless man grants Vlad his wish and bestows upon the prince the power of the vampire to defeat his enemies, but Vlad is left with a choice on how he will wield his new power; he can make use of it for a short time or for all of eternity. Vlad wants to end the new war in the shortest amount of time as possible since he will refuse to drink the blood of a human. Defeating his old friend’s forces on his own, the Sultan sends his entire army to take over the province that Vlad has denied him, but not knowing what the prince is capable of, the Sultan is in for battle of a lifetime. I did not know what to expect when going into this movie, but I was very hesitant to watch it as I am a vampire story nut. I was pleasantly surprised with the back stories that were told and the little bit of history that was attached to it. Honestly, I never wanted to see Dracula as a hero, but this movie does a fine job at showing his villainous past, so you never have to fully be behind him. With some great special effects and a little bit of blood sucking, this movie focuses more on the family dynamic and how far a father would go to keep them safe. It played into the story very well and it kept me intrigued enough to see what the dark prince would pull out next when being hunted by the world’s biggest army. Happy Viewing. Written by John Edward BetancourtCaution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Black Pumpkin’. What’s truly fascinating about the urban legends we hear about in our youth, is that we tend to take for granted how helpful they are in forming who we are as adults. Because despite the scares they tend to send our way, they oddly offer up some fascinating lessons about life. Take for instance the age-old story revolving around the poor driver that is seemingly being chased by someone that keeps blasting their high beams as they follow them home, only for the driver to discover that their pursuer wasn’t trying to scare them or cause them harm. Instead, they were working to save their lives since there is a maniac hiding in their backseat, one that tried to hurt them and only backed off when the high beams came into play. Which is at its core, a story that is designed to remind us to take a moment and check out our surroundings, so that we don’t find ourselves in a precarious or dangerous situation and that is quite the important lesson to learn for certain, and that's not the only urban legend that offers up a little life learning for us. But rather than spend our time breaking down the messages of the endless urban legends that are out there, for the sake of today’s discussion, it’s more important that we reflect upon the fact that they leave one important lesson out of their overall structure. In that… what exactly do we do to truly combat the evil they speak to? Because they simply end once the big lesson has arrived and well, sometimes the ending of these tales, leave the main character in a supremely dangerous place. Which makes these stories slightly flawed for certain, since a quick lesson on what to do with the evil in question… could also serve us well down the line and really, all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because there is a brand-new horror film on the market, that takes the time to explore how this lack of closure in an urban legend can cause more harm than good, in Black Pumpkin. Now in this particular film we are introduced to pair of kids named Elliot and Porkchop, who are working hard to put together a fascinating video, that revolves around the shadier aspects of their hometown. For a place on the outskirts of town known as ‘Diablo’s Den’ has quite the storied history, one that they definitely believe is worth sharing with the world. And while they do a phenomenal job of chronicling its twisted history, Porkchop’s desire to add some aesthetics to the video has inadvertently caused some trouble. For an urban legend known as Bloody Bobby lurks within the shadows of Diablo’s Den and if by chance his name is invoked and there is an invitation toward violence placed within his domain, he can awaken and murder with glee and unfortunately for Elliot and his family, Porkchop's overzealous desire to assemble the coolest video ever, has indeed awakened this monster from its slumber. So, the first thing that really allows for this movie to stand out, is the solid job that it does in regard to building up the legend of Bloody Bobby.. Because he is indeed a grand and sweeping mystery, and has all the rules and regulations and problems that one might expect from an urban legend of his caliber and that allows for all kinds of gory hijinks to ensue. But there was mention of the fact that this movie explores the consequences of how urban legends offer little closure or guidance on how to truly conquer the monsters they create and that's really where this construction comes into play. For there is zero understanding, in regard to how to stop his rampage, outside of just surviving until midnight and that makes him quite the unique villain. Because often times in horror films, the monster has a weakness, or there is a process for removing their evil from the face of the earth. But here, Bobby is nothing more than a force of nature, one that loves to make people bleed and scream in pain and that makes this a violent and visceral and hopeless horror film for certain, one that pays great respect to the genre. Because there are a lot of Easter eggs present in this film, the kind that tip a proverbial cap to genre greats such as George A. Romero and John Carpenter. In fact, Romero’s work is featured and referenced often in this film, with the movie even going so far as to offer up echoes of Night of the Living Dead in the third act and even feature snippets of the film, and of course the lovely homage to Halloween early on in this story serves as a lovely treat. But while it is wonderful to know that this motion picture takes the time to provide the audience with a chaotic monster and homages galore, none of those elements answer the million-dollar question on everyone’s mind. Specifically, whether or not this film is worth your time, and the answer to that question, is a resounding yes. Because at its core, Black Pumpkin is a good old fashioned slasher flick, one that straight up knows how to please its target audience. For this one features plenty of gore and quality kills, the kind that make you cringe, since the splatter is top notch here. Plus, it also knows when to use humor to break up the tension and the scares, and that allows for some delightful banter to take place between the characters, the kind that feels organic and real and it also puts the audience in stitches since some of the cracks are downright hilarious for certain. If anything, this is just a fun horror film through and through. One that offers something for every horror fan out there and one that definitely keeps you entertained as you wait to see if these poor kids can figure out Bloody Bobby’s weakness before things get out of hand. As to whether or not that happens, well, we won’t spoil that here. Because it’s best you experience the finale of this film firsthand, so you can properly bask in a story that reminds us of the power of urban legends and the lasting terror they instill in all of us. Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Anything for Jackson’. For the most part, stories that revolve around the power of grief as a result of loss, follow a pretty standard formula. One where we meet an everyday person at their absolute lowest after someone that means the world to them has passed away. And over the course of the story, we watch them figure out how to escape the clutches of depression and sorrow by way of a supremely personal journey or one that involves a touch of support and that formula exists for one reason and one reason alone, because it is a crowd pleaser through and through. Because there really is something quite powerful and inspiring about watching a broken person put the pieces back together again after their world has come crashing down around them. But while that does indeed leave the viewer or the reader floating atop cloud nine when they’ve come to the conclusion of a story in that vein, let’s be honest… that’s simply not an accurate representation of how the road back from trauma and loss and grief actually goes for some people. Because in some cases, the grief and the pain of losing someone that means the world to us, takes over completely. Which means that sadly, some people that lose themselves to those negative emotions are never the same person again, a harsh reality that few of us want to face because we firmly believe that people can overcome anything, when in fact… some cannot. But while the vast majority of movies and books out there tend to avoid this darker side to trauma and loss, there are some stories out there that confront this topic head on, such as the Shudder original, Anything for Jackson. Now in this particular film we are introduced to a loving couple named Henry and Audrey Walsh and well, they’re at a crossroads in life. Because they have sadly suffered through some terrible losses in their family as of late. For their grandson, Jackson, died in a horrible accident and well… they’re desperate to find some kind of closure and peace in regard to their pain, and they believe they may have found a wild way to make that happen. For Audrey and Henry are also Satanists and they believe that a spell present within the anthesis of the Bible will allow for them resurrect their darling Jackson, provided they get their hands on one key element: a pregnant woman. For her unborn child can become the vessel for their beloved grandson and that motivates the couple to put a wild plan into motion. One that involves kidnapping a pregnant woman and conducting spells that quite frankly, they don’t fully understand, and it is that lack of knowledge… that is going to change their lives in a negative manner. For they are about to unleash powerful forces, that will stop at nothing to reclaim the wonder of life. So, as you can see from that plot summary, this is a surprisingly complex horror film. One that really does present us with the worst-case scenario in regard to trauma and loss. Because despite the loving nature that this couple exhibits, they are in fact… badly broken people through and through. The kind that cannot live with what happened in the slightest and that motivates them to make horrible decisions and endanger their lives in the process. And while their actions here are obviously exaggerated and extreme, a fascinating message is present within the framework of their wild quest to bring Jackson back. In that, whether we like it or not, when we lose a loved one, they are gone forever, and we have to find a way to accept that and make peace with it. Otherwise, we will indeed succumb to the darkness within and forget to honor those we’ve loved and lost by living a fruitful and joyous life. But while it is fascinating to explore this particularly bleak aspect of the grieving process, make no mistake about it, this is a horror film through and through. One that wastes zero time in terrifying the audience by putting the evil that Audrey and Henry have unleashed upon the world on full display and that allows for some horrifying visuals to take place. The kind that genuinely feel otherworldly and demonic for certain and that absolutely allows for the viewer to squirm in their seat as they watch these unsettling visuals unfold. And as an added bonus, some of the gorier and more shocking moments in this motion picture, straight up come out of left field. Leaving you in utter surprise when they happen and that too adds to the uncomfortable experience of watching this movie, since you never quite know what is coming and really, in the end, all of these elements make this a brilliant horror film when all is said and done. For it really does have something important to say about the human condition and really, what makes that part of the movie so powerful… is that its commentary upon grief is so supremely intimate and haunting. Which quite frankly, is something that you don’t see in horror films all that often, since they normally offer up commentary upon grander concepts about who we are as a people. Plus, this is a movie that is also anchored by some wonderful performances since Sheila McCarthy and Julian Richings are electric as Audrey and Henry, respectively, and they bring an honesty to their roles that is downright refreshing. If anything, this is one of those rare movies that you need to make an effort to see as soon as possible, simply because it really is a unique and powerful horror story. One that takes terror to a whole new level by plunging us into a world where our worst fears are put on full display. ‘Anything for Jackson’ is streaming now, exclusively on Shudder. Written by Scott Edwards As we continue to watch as our world changes, it has become apparent that climate change is real. Living in Colorado and only having three snowstorms in the city this year, well, it just goes to show you that something is happening, and my home state wasn't the only place in the country that had a warm winter as 70-degree days in the Midwest makes it feel like summer outside in the dead of winter. You can say what you want about the subject, but there is one thing that you will have to face and that is that the weather is truly changing. Needing to get something fresh for his photo shoot, Brooking books a cabin in Alaska during the middle of winter to get the new shots that will sell even better than his last batch. With his models Ella and Quincy game to do a little bikini snow shoot, everything seems to be going according to schedule. Getting set up in Martin Nakos’ cabin and hearing about what the sun does this far north, Brooking has everything that he needs and is ready to start working when the sun comes up. But before anyone gets too antsy about the shoot, the groups sit down to dinner and the folks from the south hear about a local legendary bear, Maneater, who once terrorized the area, so thank goodness all of the bears are still hibernating so that will not be a problem. Getting out to the lake and having his models dressed up in bikinis and furs, the shoot is going swimmingly but when Quincy needs to take a bathroom break, it becomes apparent that they are not alone in the wilderness. Finding a half-eaten wolf on the ground, Nate is worried about what might be coming for them. Keeping his eyes on the vast surroundings, he is shocked to see that the ice on the lake is starting to break. Trying to keep everyone calm, he sees something that nobody has ever seen before when a bear's paw comes up through the ice and snatches the other model Ella, from where she stands. In disbelief, the group heads back to the cabin while Nate stays behind to see what he can do, but it does not end well for him. Telling Martin what they had just witnessed, the old hunter heads out to the lake to see if he can find out what really happened. Finding some sort of animal tracks, he gets distracted when Dr. Hanna Lindval comes stumbling out of the woods. Returning her to the cabin to get her warm and find out what she knows, Martin knows that since she works for Clobirch, and she will lie about everything. When Dr. Hanna finally is ready to talk, she comes up with a story about a polar bear attacking her and her team, but Martin knows better and wants to find some real answers. Heading out to try and call for help, Martin sees that the polar bear that is stalking them is not ordinary at all and when stumbling upon the Doctor’s crashed truck with her dictation inside, he knows that he was right all along. But needing to get help and all of the surviving guests out of his cabin is more important. In a race against time and facing off against a genetically enhanced polar bear, Martin tries to find a way to safety, but he does not fully understand the power that the bear possesses and what it will do to get another meal. It’s funny, when I read the description of this movie, I thought about a cute little polar bear grabbing on to someone’s leg and just looking precious, I did not expect a massive freak of nature. And thank goodness for that, because the polar bear is looking to kill anything that gets in its way and it is great at it. I do admit that the modeling story was kind of funny, bikinis in Alaska during winter just seems like a stretch and Brooking knew exactly what he needed. But I did not like Brooking at all, especially after Ella was taken away from him, he barely shed a tear and could care less about anything or anyone else whose life was in danger. Same with Dr. Hanna, but for other reasons in that she would not come forth and tell anyone what she was doing or that she gave the polar bear a great advantage to the hunt and it was her fault that everyone was getting killed off. With a giant polar bear, girls in bikinis and furs, an old hunter, massive teeth crushing skulls and a native named Buffalo, it is not a bad little flick, especially since it did not shy away from any violence. Stay Scared. Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘La Llorona’. Something that is truly fascinating in regard to modern mankind, is how much stock we continue to put into ancient stories and fables from our past. The kind that quite frankly… should no longer have any weight in our current world. After all, this is the age of technology and science, and with a simple swipe on our smartphones, we can access the compendium of human knowledge and feast upon facts that prove the mystical to be nothing more than figments of our imagination. So why then, do we bother to continue to ponder upon the nature of ghosts and their intent or ancient myths that surround a particular person, place or thing? Well, in regard to ghosts, it could be related to our concerns about what happens when we die, since we don’t have a clue if we go on in some capacity when we pass away. Plus, all of this could tie into our fascination with the unknown, since there are still some mysteries that we have yet to unlock when it comes to our world and our universe. But more than likely, all of this comes down to the fact, that myths still find ways to impact and move us. For they often include a powerful lesson on morality and decency and focusing upon them and their origin allows for us to learn a little more about what’s formed the society we live in today and how we can be a better person, and most important of all… pouring over them allows for us to understand how they can properly apply to our modern world. For the finest fables out there find ways to adapt to stay relevant to the times and really, all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because the horror streaming service Shudder, has an exclusive/original horror film that manages to explore all of those elements in a fascinating manner in La Llorona. Now in this particular tale we are transported to Guatemala to spend time with a man of questionable morals. For General Enrique Monteverde, has been brought up on charges involving genocide. For when he was younger, his forces were involved in some dubious military actions involving the natives of this great land, the kind that appeared to be a form of ethnic cleansing, and the evidence presented against him, motivates the court to find him guilty. But a technicality at the highest level, forces the charges to be reversed, much to the disdain of the people of Guatemala, since there is little, they can do now but protest and remind him of his horrible actions. But as is often the case, the universe tends to a find a way to provide balance and peace to those that have been wronged. And the arrival of a new maid named Alma at the Monteverde residence, reinforces that fact. For she is a harbinger of doom for the general, one that is going to properly punish him for all the lives he’s taken, in a manner that outright seems impossible in the modern world. So, at its core, this particular film is a re-jigging of the ancient fable of La Lllorona. Which in itself is a myth that has evolved throughout the years. In fact, in my household, my mother told us of how her mother would use this fable as a threat akin to Krampus. Since grandma’s iteration of this spirit was designed to make children behave, out of fear of being kidnapped by a wicked spirit, and she told us of this variant; simply because other kids in her neighborhood, heard different versions of La Llorona’s story in their households. The kind that spoke to a broken spirit that desperately needed children to find peace in the afterlife, or to atone for the sin of killing her own. All of which speaks volumes to how fables and myths can quickly change over time and be adapted as necessary, which definitely applies to this film for certain. Because here, she is an agent of revenge, one that has come from beyond to make a wicked man pay for his sins and this is a brilliant twist to put upon the myth. Because not only does it compel the viewer to see how she is going to make him pay for his crimes, it provides the audience with a supremely unique horror story through and through. Because in this particular instance, La Llorona, or Alma as she prefers to be called… doesn’t act like a movie ghost in the slightest. For instead of terrorizing people in a horrible and intense manner, she uses patience and time and memories, so that the general can face his past and feel the guilt he pretends he doesn’t have swirling inside his soul, and she also works to inform others of her experience so that her life has meaning and gravity. Which are some dynamic twists to inject into a story that is in essence, a fascinating hybrid of modern and classic storytelling. Since it takes an old fable and inserts it into a modern setting, all while offering up a classic, gothic feel from beginning to end. If anything, it is best to label this particular horror film as downright brilliant. Because not only does it do a phenomenal job of transforming a terrifying legend into a force for good, it also offers up a supremely special horror story. One that manages to hold your attention from beginning to end by taking the audience into unexpected and fresh territory. But while it is indeed wonderful to enjoy a refreshing horror story that manages to blend together so many eras and elements of the genre in a seamless fashion, what truly allows for this story to stand out above the rest… is that it never loses sight of the greatest mystery/legend of all in modern times. Specifically, why mankind is capable of such cruelty to one another. For the general truly is a monster, one that resembles so many from our modern history and perhaps that’s really why we fawn over the unknown and fables that speak to morality. So that we can finally understand the darkness that we indulge in and perhaps the day that we finally figure that mystery out, is when our obsession with these tales, will come to an end. ‘La Llorona’ is streaming now, exclusively on Shudder. Written by Scott Edwards Looking for the once in a lifetime opportunity that will change your life forever is something that we are always searching for. If it is just winning the lotto, getting your dream job, or marrying the love of your life, there is always something out there that you know will make you happy. But how far would you go to attain this dream? If it involved something out of the ordinary to get it done, would you still go through with it, no matter the consequences? Red Cavanaugh is about to be hung by the neck until he is dead. Not believing that he will die with the blood of the devil running through his veins, he threatens his executioners, saying that he will kill each and every one of them. As the trap door is about to be released on Red, ending his life, a team of bandits hit the town freeing him and leaving a trail of dead bodies in their wake. Being led by Guerrero, the Blackwater Gang is unstoppable and will do anything to take care of their own, no matter the consequences. As Red gets his senses back he tells the gang about a job he has just planned that will leave them all wealthier than their wildest dreams. Listening to the plan, the group heads to Colorado to take a look at a little town that is having mineral rights disputes and housing plenty of gold to make every man rich. Breaking into the bank and getting all of the gold is not a problem for this band of thieves but leaving town with their fortune is. As Guerrero is happy with the job, he goes to fetch Red who is drinking in the saloon. Red tells his brother that he is not ready to leave the town, in fact he wants to run it. Guerrero is not impressed with this change in the plan and tries to get the rest of the Blackwater Gang to leave with him, but the offer Red has for his group is much more promising. Turning on their leader, Guerrero is gunned down by his own men in cold blood and sent to Hell. As Lucifer starts to torture him, Guerrero comes up with a way to send more souls the Devil's way as he wants to get revenge on his old group. Lucifer reluctantly agrees to the deal, but only gives Guerrero one day to kill all of his old gang. An old western type of story with a new twist added on and for good reason. With all of the action that Dead in Tombstone provides, it might be a little bit difficult to remember that there is a reason behind all of the killing. This movie has a kind of Faust feeling behind it and I think that is why I was pleasantly happy with watching it. With some actors that you will remember from your favorites and with Danny Trejo in the lead, there is little that this movie has done wrong. Happy Viewing. Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Beach House’. Mankind tends to believe that it is the true master of planet Earth and there is good reason as to why we think that. After all, we are the dominant species on this world thanks to our incredible numbers and our intelligence. The latter of which has allowed for us to come together in giant cities and create vast farmlands that allow for us to eat without having to hunt and for that matter, our technology has allowed for dominance to grow as well. For our kind can in fact, combat medical issues that should end our lives and we’ve even started to venture out into the void beyond our world simply because we have the knowledge to do so. But while it is lovely and comforting to know that we have no natural predators and can live in relative comfort, the fact of the matter is, our view is slightly arrogant and completely wrong. For we are part of a vast and incredible ecosystem, and we are mere tenants on this world and the true master of this planet… is Earth itself. Because it harbors some powerful weapons, the kind that can immediately bring mankind to its knees, and for proof… well then look no further than the natural disasters that occur on a yearly basis. The kind that level towns, or in the case of the nightmare that is 2020… the planet can unleash an epidemic that quite literally forces us to take shelter in our advanced and comfortable huts. If anything, when this lesson arrives, it tends to be humbling and it does motivate discussion about how we need to be better tenants and one fine way to explore the majesty of nature’s power and strength and how we should respect it, is through popular media. Since it allows for a safe space to examine just how powerful our landlord truly is, and it just so happens that Shudder harbors an original film that explores this topic in a powerful and horrifying manner in The Beach House. Now in this particular motion picture, we are introduced to a couple named Emily and Randall, and when we catch up with them here, their relationship is in crisis. Because Randall is struggling with some personal issues right now and he’s hurt Emily in his quest to figure out the right path forward, and in order to try and set things right… he’s offered to bring Emily up to his father’s beach house for the weekend. All so they can properly rekindle their love affair and figure out what comes next as a couple. But there is a slight complication in making that happen, in that, Randall’s dad has let some old friends named Mitch and Jane make use of the house as well, forcing Randall’s romantic plans to take a bit of a backseat while he and Emily make nice with Mitch and Jane. But while it is nice that these newfound friends get along so well, the good times simply cannot last. For some strange occurrences on the water and in the air are going to make this cozy weekend quite the nightmare, since nature has come to reclaim the beach from humanity in the most terrifying way imaginable. So, what is truly fascinating about this particular horror film, is how well it manages to manipulate the audience. Because early on, this feels akin to a low budget feature, one that uses exposition to fill time before the carnage comes into play. But once the microbe fog and migration and outright horror arrives, this movie becomes so much more. Because just like that, it suddenly has plenty to say about our role in the world and how we are in fact, mere tenants here that are not invincible in the slightest, and with the right surprise from mother nature… our dominance of this world can quickly come to an end. And that allows for quite the cerebral story to play out, one full of commentary on climate change and our role in its arrival, alongside some surprising observations on how we collectively forget to seize the moment or go for what we want sometimes… simply because we believe we have all the time in the world. But while the commentary in this motion picture is indeed quite thought-provoking and fascinating in its own right, make no mistake about it… this is a horror film, through and through. One that features a fair chunk of homages to George A. Romero’s work, and that’s not a bad thing by any means. Because the same confusion that is present in Night of the Living Dead is present here since we haven’t a clue what the heck is going on, and in a way, this movie features a more classical zombie. Since those who are infected by the microbe spores are under their influence and will do horrible things to propagate the species. But it is the apocalyptic feel of this movie that truly allows for it to shine. For you genuinely feel as though you are watching the end of everything unfold before your eyes and that definitely allows for the story to venture into some supremely bleak territory when all is said and done. If anything, it’s just best to declare this movie as downright brilliant. Simply because this movie really does do a phenomenal job of terrifying the audience in a minimalist manner. Granted, there are some brief moments of gore and some quality gross out sequences as well, but for the most part, the real threat of this film remains unseen for a vast majority of the movie’s brisk eighty-seven-minute run time and its wonder doesn’t end with the scares and the quality storytelling. For there are also a bevy of quality performances to be found in this movie as well. For Liana Liberato steals the show as Emily, since she provides the audience with an honest and earnest performance, the kind that sells the terror surrounding her character. And screen veteran Jake Weber also does a phenomenal job here of helping the story transition into the terror, since his genuine performance helps the audience to let their guard down and put it right back up; courtesy of the surprise that his character’s story arc offers us. In the end however, all of these elements make this movie an absolute must-see. Simply because it is a quality horror feature, one that does a phenomenal job of preying upon one of our most primal fears… the unknown. ‘The Beach House’ is streaming now, exclusively on Shudder. Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains some spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Color Out of Space’. It is definitely safe to say, that each and every human being out there, firmly believes that they are in utter control of everything that happens to them in their lives and there is good reason as to why we collectively believe this. For we are the masters of our domain, and we are able to choose our own career fields, what we wish to eat and how we want to live. And when a species is able to do that day in and day out, and run into minimal issues in making that happen, such a belief comes a reality for so many. But while it is nice that we feel as though the universe and all of its spoils are at our fingertips whenever we choose to reach out and grasp them, this particular belief is a false one for certain. Because the fact of the matter is, we only control so much in our lives. Which is why we find ourselves in quite the despondent and surprised place when we lose a job, we worked to so hard to obtain, or come to learn that someone we love no longer feels the same way about us, or when we come to discover that someone that means the world to us is gravely ill or has passed into the great beyond. Because those moments tend to remind us that complete control is nothing more than a myth and truly, what matters most when the rough stuff comes our way… is how we respond to it. Because these snippets of chaos can in fact, throw us off track and/or break us completely if we let them and really, all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because the power of chaos and how we need to respond appropriately to it, serve as the focal themes of the powerful and disturbing motion picture, Color Out of Space. Now in this particular film we are introduced to the Gardner family and they are simply trying to put the pieces of their lives back together. For the matriarch of the family, Theresa, is a cancer survivor and the scare her experience put everyone through motivated the father of the family, Nathan, to move his clan to a farm on the outskirts of a town named Arkham; all so they can all enjoy peace and unity and togetherness as a family. A plan that seemingly has worked since the family is indeed together under one roof and living a peaceful life amongst the wonder of nature. But as is often the case in life, all good things must come to an end, and the arrival of a mysterious meteorite is going to ruin their idyllic lifestyle and their lives. For this meteorite is more than a mere surprise from the void… it is a sentient creature that must know more about mankind and its world and it is eager to infect flesh and earth in order to satiate its curiosity. So, it’s probably best we get this out of the way right now and point out that this is a supremely unsettling film through and through for several reasons and the first one we are going to talk about today… relates to the notion of control. Because we are in essence, introduced to a broken family in this tale, one that is refusing to deal with the brush with death that their mother experienced and has instead opted to try and regain control of the narrative and the situation by straight up hiding in the woods, away from the world and its ills in some strange hope that isolation will heal them. Which is difficult to watch for certain, since everyone in the Graham family exhibits negative behaviors that we all have taken part in over the years. But while this part of the film is relatable and poignant since it really does remind us that we cannot run from our problems or the surprises that life sends our way… the movie truly doesn’t shine until the horror begins, since their closed-minded actions allow for incredible terror to unfold. Because the family is completely and utterly aware of the fact that they are in danger and that the meteorite is responsible for all the strange things happening around their house. But since they are so obsessed with maintaining control and their status quo, they ignore the warning signs and the danger and that of course leads to utter disaster for the family, and more poignant commentary as well, since this segment of the story points out that we have to stand tall and deal with chaos when it arrives, otherwise it will consume us and potentially ruin us. But what truly makes this segment of the story so horrifying, is the sheer fact that the meteorite does awful things in order to properly understand humanity and life on this world and that leads to some stunning visual sequences. The kind that make you squirm in your seat and cringe as you watch new horrors unfold before your eyes. Since the awful events that happen in the third act of this feature are pure Lovecraft through and through. In the end however, this really is quite the quality horror film. Simply because it offers up some intimate commentary on our fragility and our arrogance when it comes to our belief in control. But also, because this is a damn scary film through and through, one that wears on you and builds tension in a magnificent manner and one key reason that everything works so well in this film, is its cast. Because every actor in this story sells the moment to a tee and truly Nicolas Cage puts on a tour-de-force performance here, one that is both refined and psychotic in all the right ways and really, all of these elements make this particular horror movie an absolute must-see. Simply because this one provides fans of this genre with everything that makes it great, and this is one that will haunt you for quite some time after its come to an end, thanks to its shocking visuals and astute observations on the chaos that surrounds us. 'Color Out of Space' is streaming now, exclusively on Shudder. Written by Scott Edwards There are plenty of reasons to take trips as a family, shoot, I have been on so many I cannot remember them all at this point. Getting away from the house and seeing the world with the ones you love can help to bring a new perspective to everyone and something new to bond over. Going to so many places over my years, the only adventures that I truly cherish are the trips I have taken with my loved ones, for one reason alone, seeing how they react. With eyes being opened to the outside world, it would be crazy to think what I would have become without these experiences. Going down to the Grand Canyon for a couple days with their friends, the Taylor family is living large on top of the world. With no worries about life and their everyday problems, they see that there are plenty of opportunities to do something new. Even their youngest autistic son, Michael, is seeing things firsthand that nobody ever dreamed about. But after falling into an old cave, Michael stumbles upon a set of ancient stones that he will cherish for the rest of his days. Returning home, Bronny starts to see that her son has a new imaginary friend that he is happy to talk to. But this friend has sort of a devious side as she is about to find out as water faucets are being left on and a strange odor has taken over the house. Michael knows exactly who is behind all of these strange actions and tells the family that it is his imaginary pal, Jenny, but no one is willing to believe him. While his older sister Stephanie is having problems of her own and trying to make herself skinnier from throwing up every meal and the father, Peter, is being tempted by a new hot young employee, Bronny is the only one trying to keep the house together. Watching as things are changing drastically around the house, Bronny dabbles with the thought that there might be a haunting going on and finds everything she can about what she has noticed. Not wanting to believe that her son might be in trouble, she comes across an old Anasazi legend of the bringers of darkness and it is matching what she has seen and heard for the past couple of weeks. Wanting to find out what is best for her son and get him back to his old form, Bronny tries to talk Peter into the idea, but he will not listen. That is until the events around the house start to get worse and Peter gets spooked by a coyote in his tree house and sees the shadow of what appears to be a buffalo in his son’s room. Knowing that there is something strange happening that they cannot explain, the family is forced to look for someone who has dealt with things like this before and find that it will come from someplace they never expected. I will admit that I only watched this movie because it had Kevin Bacon in it, so with that being said, it was not as bad as I expected. There is nothing revolutionary about the story as it is one that you have seen for years on end and the outcomes are always the same. I really liked the demon story that the family learned about, with the dead gods of the Anasazi planning to bring darkness to the world upon their return, definitely a new legend to look into. But besides that, it was pretty textbook to what you would expect a horror movie to bring and it is kind of a shame. There was not a very good storyline for the characters as well, which was also a shame as you don’t know who you should care about, especially when everything is about to hit the fan. With some fun scares, shadows, wild animals, ash and ghostly ash, it is a fine time killer, but will not deliver much more than that. Stay Scared. |
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