Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There comes a point in our lives, where we find ourselves compelled to learn everything and anything we can about our family and its rich history. In large part because, it’s important to know where we come from and know more about the people who in essence, made all the right choices so that we can exist and thrive and carry on the family line. Not to mention, it’s a window into history, and there’s something quite amazing about exploring the lives of people related to us that lived in a vastly different time. But above all, it’s just a chance to understand our family better and how the ideals they stand for formed our parents and us to a certain extent, and this is often an incredible journey of discovery that provides us with so much.
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But as is often the case, it isn’t always a pleasant or joyous journey. For sometimes, we discover that some of our family members from days gone by, weren’t exactly upstanding human beings and in many ways, brought shame upon our family line. Or… we come to discover that a great deal of our family, aren’t people we actually want to associate with because they hold to ideals and concepts that we simply do not. But it is important to discover that either way, so we know what our family is about. If anything, that more unsavory aspect of learning about one’s family is top of mind today, simply because that’s what Rowan experienced in the next episode of Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches on AMC. 

For when we caught up with Rowan in ‘Curiouser and Curiouser’, the time had come to lay her dear mother to rest and that meant… she was going to have to meet the family and learn about them in a brash and sudden manner. But she was up to the task, because she needed closure regarding all the recent pain she’d experienced, and she didn’t come down Louisiana way to just endure death and suffering. This was a chance to learn about her family and heritage and finally feel as though she belonged to something more, and that choice did manage to pay off in spades. Since she was able to pay her respects and fine peace and, in the process, set foot inside Mayfair Manor and meet her long lost relatives.  

In fact, doing so, only reaffirmed her decision to follow through with this particular choice. Since she found respect amongst some of her family members, and she was able to learn more about her adopted mother and the inner workings of the family. Not to mention, she came to learn that her lineage and standing within the family… made her the heir to the vast estate. Giving her the unique opportunity to do some real good with the fortune at her fingertips and for a time, it seemed as though this story wasn’t going to look at anything negative regarding the quest to learn more about our family. Simply because, everything was coming up roses during this journey of discovery. But a dinner invitation from Carlotta, is what brought forth the ugly discoveries one can encounter when taking part in such an act.
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For Rowan did what anyone would do. She put her faith in the possibility that her family’s past was nothing more than eccentric and traditional and harbored little danger, and that those who took her in and offered to feed her, were cut from the same cloth as her adopted mother. But digging into yesterday and trying to learn about a secret that all wanted kept hidden, one revolving around the mystical and magical… brought forth consequences. Since Carlotta tried to kill Rowan to end the chaos that Lasher brings forth and that truly hammered home, that sometimes what we seek is indeed mired in darkness and it will in fact, shock us and bring forth pain when we uncover it. And that sometimes… trying to uncover a past that folks want to keep buried, will also bring us harm. 

As evidenced by how this episode ended and Carlotta’s shocking behavior. But what matters more here, is that this really was a fascinating look at the central theme of this episode. One that was of course, expressed to us in an intense and cinematic manner, but that’s okay. Because it got the point across in an impactful and oddly inspiring manner. Since this episode did make it clear that the truth about our family’s history is something, we should all seek, regardless of what we find. Because ups and down are part of the human experience and our family’s past does not define us…  it informs us, and it will be interesting to see what Rowan does with the knowledge she’s garnered, provided she can escape her current situation. Until next time. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘The Last of Us’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that we are living in a supremely bleak and unsettling time. After all, we have only begun to emerge from a brutal pandemic, one that not only cost a great deal of people their lives… but left our world in a polarized and divided place. Where ideologies and ego rule the day and that… combined with conflict around the globe and a rise of that which we thought we left behind in the 20th Century, has us on edge and pondering upon the future of our modern world. For it just simply seems we are on the brink of darkness through and through, and we are absolutely wondering… will we make it and are we worth saving as a species and society? Especially after the vitriol we’ve seen over the past few years.  
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Well, as it turns out… fiction is working to answer those questions. For there are books and shows and movies that are pondering deeply upon the human condition as it stands in the now and surprisingly, a great deal of them are answering in the affirmative on questions we sometimes think deserve a no. And one particular story that is doing an incredible job of not only giving us a yes, but explaining the why behind that answer, is The Last of Us on HBO. Simply because this series is a grand reflection upon the pandemic itself and the heartache and worry and uncertainty it left us with, and how we move forward from it. And as we continue our journey with Joel and Ellie, it is becoming apparent that this series will explore in great detail… how and why we will make it and what makes us worth salvation, as evidenced by last night’s powerful and moving story.  

For ‘Long, Long Time’ offered up a unique perspective on such matters and concerns… but not before offering us… a touch more world-building regarding this series. For its opening moments were focused on Ellie and Joel. Wherein they had the opportunity to get to know one another and where Joel was able to finally confirm/reaffirm a long-standing theory for fans on as to how the Cordyceps Infection took hold of the world. All by speaking to and reinforcing how flour and/or sugar were the delivery system, and shortly after confirming that… he explained how the world collapsed in a matter of days because of how widespread the infection was thanks to its delivery method and the Infected’s fungal call to arms to spread the spore far and wide. Not to mention, this episode also informed us of the dark chaos that followed the end of everything, since we came to learn that FEDRA officers made some horrific decisions on who lived and who died when the Quarantine Zones quickly filled up.  
 
All of which made it seem as though, more bleak was on the way. But alas, a lengthy flashback, gave this story incredible focus on far more optimistic matters. For back in ’03, in the town of Lincoln, Massachusetts, we were introduced to a man named Bill. Who was a survivalist and made great efforts to escape FEDRA’s clutches and was successful in his endeavors. Which allowed for him… to claim the town of Lincoln for himself, and he went all out in making it a true safe-haven for its new Mayor and solo citizen. For he surrounded the city in homemade defenses and lethal electrical fences, and they were supported by traps for the infected to fall prey to. Not to mention, he set up a sustainable food supply. Setting the stage for a simple existence for Bill, one that would allow for him to enjoy his days away from the madness of the world.  

But one fateful day changed everything for Bill for the better. For one of his traps caught a man named Frank. Who was trying to make his way to the Boston QZ since the one in Baltimore had fallen and well… he asked for kindness from Bill and received more than expected. For there was… an instant connection and attraction between these two men and it didn’t take long for them to answer the call of their hearts and go for it in the midst of the end of the everything and that led… to a love affair for the ages. One that had its ups and down of course, but one that was good for both men. Because they brought out the best in one another and even figured out how to slowly make connections with what was left of the world through Tess and Joel and their unwavering support and love for one another, allowed for something that was seemingly impossible, to take place at the end of the world.
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In that… they grew old together and experienced all the difficulties that came with that. Since Frank’s physical health was in decline thanks to old age and genetics and well, rather than slowly waste away in a world where extra care was no longer available… he opted to euthanize with Bill’s help. Which led, to a stunning finale to this story. Wherein these two lived a powerful last day together, one that saw them tie the knot and enjoy the same beautiful meal they enjoyed their first day together before passing into the beyond… together. Simply because Bill wanted no part of a world without the beauty that Frank provided him with. A move that left all of us in tears and offered hope to Joel for the first time, in a long, long time. Since Bill’s final message and gifts to Joel, made it clear that there was a chance he could redeem himself and heal his longstanding pain, by doing something right in this broken world. 

But what matters more in this moment, is that powerful love story. In part because it was beautiful and moving, and surprising to see in a story about the end of the world and the nightmares that roam this land. But it worked and it was incredibly compelling, thanks in large part to Nick Offerman (Bill) and Murray Bartlett’s (Frank) outstanding performances. But what truly made this love story so worth our while, is that it is what spoke to why we are worth saving and how we will make it beyond the darkness that surrounds us. Simply because… we are capable of love. Capable of caring for another human being and capable of giving them that which their soul needs and that does transform us for the better. Because it tasks us to be our better selves, to be the person they see us as and our ability to do that, even in our worst hour… will indeed push us forward as a species.  

But as to how that determines whether or not we are worthy of salvation, well look at Bill’s journey. For he was lost and jaded and of the belief that nothing mattered in this world, and love helped him see otherwise and well, the fact that we are capable of healing and coming back from our darkest hour like Bill did, through love or other means… makes us worth it. Because it means we can leave that darkness behind and inspire wonder in others and that made this… a beautiful episode when all is said and done. One that truly took us on a powerhouse emotional ride and left us with hope in our hearts for Joel and our chaotic world. Which was also unexpected to find in an apocalyptic horror story, but welcome at the same time. Because you simply cannot go wrong with a horror story… that wants to inspire us alongside scaring us and truly… it will be interesting to see what other hopeful lessons and examinations about our worth await us as we continue to follow Joel and Ellie’s journey. Until next time. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Lair’.
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Something that we don’t talk about all that often these days, is how storytelling can truly take us anywhere our imagination wants to go, and it makes sense as to why. For storytelling in its current form has evolved to become something quite powerful. Courtesy of a bevy of stories that teach us incredible life lessons and take the time to examine our world and while that does indeed make for powerful stories through and through, at times… it does remove some of the magic and majesty of storytelling. Since we aren’t seeing wonders untold on the small and silver screen, nor are they in print all that often. But with a little care and a little effort we can indeed find them and there are television shows and movies that are still working to wow us. 
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After all, there are dragons to be found on television and there are still stories that make use of stunning special effects to drop our jaws with creations and creatures that used to only exist in history books or our minds when we would stare out of the window in math class. Granted that doesn’t mean we should lament or harp upon stories that do indeed go deeper, since they offer a lot of value and people are indeed garnering so much from those types of stories now. It just means… we need to celebrate the stories that do indeed lean into imagination and concepts that are fantastical in nature and thanks to Shudder… that is something we can do right now, courtesy of a brand-new horror film that the network is now host to, The Lair. 

For this is a story that transports us back to 2017, at the height of the conflict in Afghanistan, wherein we are introduced to Captain Kate Sinclair, a Royal Air Force Pilot in the midst of a harrowing situation. For she has been shot down in hostile territory and in the process of trying to escape Taliban fighters, she stumbles on a horrifying discovery. In that, deep in the desert is a secret bunker. One that harbors Russian writing and is the home of living nightmares. For deep in its belly, are terrifying creatures, the kind that have been awakened by the conflict, forcing Kate to flee and find shelter at a nearby American combat base. One full of ragtag solders that are quickly forced to fight alongside Kate, for these monsters are hunting her and are eager to attack any other poor soul they come in contact with, and these creatures are so strong, that if this group of soldiers cannot stop them in this place, who knows what havoc they will wreak upon the world. 

Which is a plot that at first, appears to be nothing more than standard horror stuffs. After all, a secret Soviet base filled with evil things and experiments is nothing new to the genre, nor is the hunger of the monsters that wait within. But the devil is truly in the details here. Specifically, the details regarding the origins of these fascinating monsters. Since in essence, their origins create revisionist history. The kind that offers a whole new reason for the Soviet-Afghanistan War that dominated the 1980s and why MOAB was truly dropped on that particular location in Afghanistan, and that… really does draw you into the story and demands your attention and sends your mind racing. Because just like that… history takes on new life and your mind is suddenly flush at the possibilities of what else could be out there and what other secrets are being hidden from us in our world and what’s amazing… is that the wonder of this story, doesn’t end there.
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Because not only does this movie light up the creative center of your brain, but it also takes you on quite the entertaining ride. A feat that it accomplishes by not limiting itself to one location, something that isn’t commonplace in indie horror for budgets reasons. So, seeing more of Afghanistan only adds to the depth of the story, as does the many creative and dynamic characters that also happen to populate this tale. Since the soldiers she meets are and well-written and have depth, and that gives their lives meaning in a story where their deaths should be nothing more than filler, and some of the deaths featured here… are quite powerful in nature. Courtesy of the stunning gore and violence present in this story since the monsters are fierce and twisted and stop at nothing to achieve their goals of domination and combat superiority. 

If anything, this is just… a wonderfully imaginative ride. One that you can easily lose yourself within as you are transported into a universe where nothing we know is the same and where our minds race at the possibilities, and it also doesn’t hurt that some fine acting grounds this epic story. For everyone here turns in some dynamic performances, the kind that add wonderful depth to the moment and there are definitely several standouts in this story. Such as Jamie Bamber, who steals the show as Major Roy Finch and of course… Charlotte Kirk is simply sublime as Kate Sinclair. Since she brings a vulnerability and fierceness to the role that has you rooting for her to pull through this, and her performance sells a story… that truly harkens back a different age of cinema. One that might make a comeback, courtesy of the wonder and majesty of this delightful horror feature.       

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 303 of ‘Servant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular aspect of life that no one ever enjoys dealing with, is the reality that people grow and change as life continues along, and what makes that so difficult for us to handle… is that we tend to bear witness to this little surprise in life, courtesy of the family we choose. Such as our partner and super close friends and this presents itself to us, in a very surprising manner. Wherein we simply notice… that we aren’t on the same page we once were, and that we suddenly want different things out of life. Which in turn, can lead to some big changes for certain. The kind where we bid farewell to friends, we no longer see eye to eye with or where perhaps a relationship comes to an end since we have different visions of what tomorrow with a partner looks like. 
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All of which leaves us in a stunned and sour place really and wondering what we could have done differently to change the course of our relationships. But what’s fascinating, is that the answer to that question is right in front of us all along. For if we take the time to objectively observe the situation or have someone do it for us… we can see the path we are on and perhaps open up to our partner and our friends and find common ground we can grow upon together, so disaster doesn’t strike. If anything, this particular reality is top of mind today, simply because the Turner household was forced to face that truth in the next episode of Servant on Apple TV+, in the most twisted and uncomfortable way possible… of course. Since this is a horror series through and through.

But what allowed for this truth to be presented to the Turner family in ‘Séance’, were the new nurses on the scene. For Bobby and Bev moved into the apartment that the family wasn’t making use of and in between their harrowing work to get Dorothy up and walking per her request, they made a lot of powerful observations about the dynamic within the home. Such as how sour it had become and how everyone was pulling in different directions because they were growing apart and were desperately holding onto how things used to be. A result of the trauma suffered beneath that cracking roof and well… that was most certainly, the most truth this family has faced in a while, and it was certainly sobering for them to hear it aloud.

However, while that makes it sound as though, the next logical step was a grand breakthrough and healing, make no mistake about it… that was not the case. For much of these revelations came forth via a séance, one that brought out the worst in Leanne and set the stage for a dark future for this family and this house. Because those supremely spiritual nurses saw an evil lurking about, and of course… Leanne’s fear of what she left behind, prompted her to attack in the middle of the ceremony, to try and see if they belonged to her former church. A move that of course… ensured that necessary healing didn’t take place in the slightest and left the family in the same fragile and sour place they’ve always been, and still slowly growing apart of course. 

If anything, this was just… a fascinating episode when all is said and done. Since it really is the first time in a very long time, that the show has addressed the past and the pain this family has endured. Which is by no means a knock against it, since there have been bigger fish to fry and evil church members to filet. It’s just welcome really, because it speaks to the fact that this series is going to address everything it has introduced and wrap it up in some manner. Which is what a good final season of a show does and truly, this episode does leave us supremely eager for more. Because it means at long last… Dorothy will finally have to face her actions and her pain and that is going to make for some powerful television and bring us one step closer to the grand finale of this long and wild journey. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that when life pours dark moments upon us, we want but one thing. Peace. Peace from the pain life is creating in our hearts and our souls and peace from the chaos that accompanies that pain, and when that ache is at its absolute worst, we will do anything we can to obtain that peace. Which is why we work hard to distract ourselves when the moment gets overwhelming or why we sometimes turn to ugly vices. But the fact of the matter is, sometimes what we want is unattainable in the moment, and all we can do… is live and do our best to ride out the pain until we come to a point where we can logically think about how to heal.

But that is of course, no easy task when we hurt, and really… the wild nature of trying to find peace when we are emotionally wounded in the moment is top of mind today, simply because that is the journey that Rowan went upon in the next episode of Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches on AMC. For ‘The Second Line’ is a story that picked up immediately after Rowan saw her wounded mother in the elevator and sadly… there was no happy ending to that surprise. For Diedre died in that elevator and that left Rowan in an even darker place than she was in before she landed in New Orleans. For now, she had in essence, lost two mothers, and despite meeting more family in the chaos following Diedre’s death, and enduring their demands to spend time with them, she turned to Ciprien for immediate help.

Because there was familiarity with him around and some semblance of safety since he didn’t demand a thing. And while he did offer Rowan a peaceful place to clean up and relax, it wasn’t enough to cool her ailing soul. For she was truly broken in this moment and scattered and unsure of what to do next, and she was of course, desperate to feel something beyond sorrow and pain. And while there was danger abound since Ciprien and others pondered upon the reality that Lasher had crossed the line and done something awful, that didn’t stop Rowan from succumbing to the need for peace and heading out into the world when the opportunity presented itself via a fire alarm. And that led, to a sorrowful journey for Rowan for certain.

One that did indeed see her succumb to pressure from others to enjoy the moment and lose herself within it and that put her on a wild trip through New Orleans. Wherein she was high as a kite and numb to her pain and oddly… in the company of someone concerning. For Lasher found her in her altered state and began to test her mettle. To see if by chance she would let him into her heart since she was closed off to that possibility. Thankfully, she stayed that way and eventually made her way back to Ciprien’s with the knowledge in her heart at last that there was little she could do in the moment but listen to her new friend’s advice, and rest, and just ride the pain until it subsided. Giving rise to another very real sequence in this story since we’ve all been in Rowan’s shoes or will be. But we would be foolish to not point out that Lasher’s actions here and Cirprien’s, Carlotta’s, and Cortland’s journeys… helped to move the plot along while Rowan tried to heal.
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Because clearly, something very sinister is happening in the Big Easy and it is all related to Lasher and the Mayfair family line. Since Ciprien’s work to try and understand who crossed the line with Diedre yielded little to no results. Simply because someone was covering up what happened in that elevator, to the point where Ciprien’s gifts were nullified from revealing any truths, and clearly… the family is up to something as well when it comes to Lasher. Since Carlotta tried to get Lasher to attach himself to Deidre’s personal nurse, a move that ended in a horrible fashion, and even Cortland was quick to try and appease this spirit when he came calling. Citing that Lasher would soon have the 13th Witch he so desperately sought. Making it clear that Lasher has some kind of hold over this family and will flex hard to get whatever it is he wants from the Mayfair line and clearly… Rowan is part of this mess.

All of which, raises the stakes for the story since real trouble and real evil is brewing behind the scenes, and while we don’t know what exactly Lasher has planned for Rowan or what he wants from her, it is only a matter of time before the story reveals that to us. And while we wait for those answers, we can celebrate another emotional journey from this series. One that once again explored the power and nature of grief and its impact upon the human psyche, all while doing a wonderful job of setting the stage for things to come, and truly… this episode will make the wait for next week’s episode quite difficult. Because we know now, this story is building toward something big, a showdown of sorts between Rowan and the evil that is lurking behind the scenes, and we truly cannot wait to see that fight come to fruition. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘The Last of Us’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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Truly one of the biggest benefits of starting a new television series, is being able to immerse oneself in a story and a world that one knows little about. For a new show is indeed undiscovered country, and the thrill of being able to learn about that world and what makes it tick, is just energizing and engaging, and well… it is definitely safe to say we are all going through that experience right now regarding the new HBO series, The Last of Us. Because just like that, we are being plunged into a refreshing and original zombie story, one that is wasting little time in educating us about a Planet Earth devastated by a mutated strain of Cordyceps fungus that has figured out how to thrive inside humanity and control its hosts and truly, we were treated to some incredible education and world-building during last night’s episode.
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For ‘Infected’ is a story that genuinely explained in a haunting and subtle manner, how the poor souls that were transformed into the stuff of nightmares function, and what their life is like and how dangerous the everyday world can be to the weary survivors out there hoping to find shelter. But before it dug into that, this story once again explored the beginning of the end of our modern world. By taking us into the place that first saw major activity from the Cordyceps Infection, Jakarta. So that we could come to learn without a doubt how this infection spread to so many people on 9/26/03, a dark day of irrevocable change for all mankind, and it turns out… it was indeed flour that harbored this new strain of Cordyceps and being around it inside one of the biggest production houses for it in Jakarta, was enough to activate it within the people that worked there.

Of course, the old rule of zombiedom is that one becomes two and two becomes four and that was definitely applied in this segment of the infection since so many from that factory went missing and well… that set the tone for the episode and of course, locked in our morbid fascination to know more and once we returned to present day to spend time with Joel, Tess, and Ellie… we were able to learn so much about the infection and the horrors it truly presents this new world with. Such as the fact that not everyone who becomes infected, survives, making Cordyceps a true ‘survival of the fittest’ type illness and those who do pull through and thrive… live an awful life. Wherein fungus sprouts from the core of their body, turning humans into a horrific hybrid that are tethered to a hive mind that rules their lives going forward. One that forces them to react accordingly through a mycelial network of fungal infection now growing through what’s left of man’s once proud cities.

Which is a terrifying prospect to learn, since our individuality is something we truly prize, so to see humans in this story, moving about as a collective, with no purpose or dream, aside from infecting others … was terrifying to say the least. As was the group’s encounter with the ‘evolved’ iteration of the Cordyceps Infection. Since we also came to learn that in some cases, the fungus will burst through a person’s skull and remove the use of their eyes. But not to worry… the fungus has a solution for removing a core element of human physiological functionality. Since these monsters will use echolocation to find any prey within range, giving them the nickname ‘Clickers’ in the process, since they click often to establish their surroundings and truly, a single noise will bring down their horrifying wrath, and well… all of these discoveries made for one powerhouse crash course in a world owned by fungus.

If anything, these elements added a hopeless vibe to this tale, one that was further compounded by the other unique world-building aspect present in this story. Specifically… what a devastated America looks like twenty years after the end of everything. Which brought forth visuals that immediately offered homage to George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead, since we were treated to a rotten cityscape filled with dangerous zombies, much like the opening of that film, and there were also echoes of the lost battle mankind waged with nature. Since Boston, a proud city full of rich American History regarding the Revolutionary War, was full of holes from where bombs were dropped to slow the spread. Speaking to the desperation present on that fateful day and how easily nature was able to overtake humanity despite our ability to defend ourselves, and it was equally as devastating to see how the city was steadily crumbling as nature and Cordyceps claimed it for their own.
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However, while all of that was fascinating to dive into, make no mistake about it… there was still a plot to be found in this tale. Which was to get Ellie to the Fireflies’ base at the center of Boston and that too brought forth some incredible moments that were clearly designed to build toward something bigger. Which came forth courtesy of complete and utter failure. Because one of the caveats of this quest, was that everyone survives. But Tess took a bite from one of the Clickers on their way to their destination and the base in and of itself, was laid to waste because of Cordyceps as well. Since an infection there prompted chaos and panic and all were lost, leaving Joel in a tough place to say the least. Since it was either return home with nothing to show for it or forge ahead with Tess’ wishes. Which were to get Ellie to a good friend named Bill out west and do whatever must be done to keep her alive to help the Fireflies use for her a cure.

For it was also properly hammered home here that Ellie is indeed immune to the effects of the Cordyceps Infection, and could in fact… help the Fireflies end this madness and bring humanity back from the brink and that revelation and Tess’ brave decision to stay behind and fight that which was she was about to become, which also featured a unique moment of ‘understanding’ between the already Infected and those about to turn… brought forth the genesis of a central theme for this show. Because thus far, all we’ve done, is seen humanity suffer, and mope about without purpose or direction following the end of the world, and understandably so. For the end came swiftly and survival became the norm and following one’s dream of say, becoming a famous singer, was definitely secondary to putting food on the table… and outright living.

But not having those goals to work toward, or anything outside of waking up in the morning to just... live… removes something essential to the human condition. Specifically, hope. Hope for a better tomorrow, hope for the end of suffering and even hope that one will live through the day. But Ellie could provide that hope once again… and inspire humanity to strive for something better and that’s huge. Because it means that this series will follow in the footsteps of other great zombie stories and ask critical questions about humanity. Such as whether or not we are worth salvation, and if we are… how do we redeem ourselves and find hope again, and well… that is going to make for a fascinating season of storytelling. One that is clearly going to be filled with careful world-building and explorations of a broken humanity, and that is also going to make the wait for next week’s episode as painful as can be. Because this episode was brilliant, and this story is brilliant, and we simply need more of this refreshing take on horror’s most popular monster. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Bermuda Island’.
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One thing that we can all agree upon right now, is that we are living in some supremely tense and angry times. For our political centers are wrought with battles over old ideologies and common sense, and that seems to be trickling into the everyday world, and the vitriol doesn’t end there. Since there are fights being waged over fundamental science and the classes continues to battle with one another over what is right and what is fair and that makes life right now, completely, and utterly exhausting to say the least. Because it just seems as though, these fights are never ending in nature.
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If anything, it just seems as though they’re getting worse by the minute and that brinksmanship and cruelty will become the norm to solving problems over discourse and understanding. Which in turn has all of us wondering… what will it take to stop the fighting and maybe bring forth a little peace and a little progress? And it just seems as though, no one has the answer to that at the moment since tensions and rhetoric are at an all-time high. But believe it or not, the solution to our ails is far simpler than we give it credit, and it just so happens that a brand-new horror film from the Mahal Empire takes the times to explore how we fix this in a bleak and terrifying manner, and that makes Bermuda Island, quite the fascinating ride. 

For this is a motion picture that plunges us into the midst of a harrowing situation. One where we join a tense flight heading toward Puerto Rico. For this flight is filled with a powder keg of individuals. A criminal kingpin, overzealous and egotistical law enforcement agents, and some of the worst of the worst of the world. Such as a Karen. And delays in getting underway and concerns regarding everyone’s individual plans being interrupted, has indeed brought forth the tension in question. The kind that is thankfully not allowed to boil over. Simply because this flight, has ventured into a segment of airspace that harbors a unique phenomenon, one that is going to transport them to an unknown island where their problems mean nothing. For this place, is filled with living nightmares that hunger for fresh victims and if these people want to see another day, figuring out a way to survive and defend against the onslaught of these monsters, will have to be their top priorities.

Which at first glance, is a plot that seems deeply mired in action and horror over anything philosophical, and there are elements to back up that line of thinking. After all, there’s a lot of machismo in this group of survivors and they even have guns and they are not afraid to use them when the creatures that live in this place pop up. And those creatures, are what handle the hardcore horror elements no problem. For they are alien in nature and fierce and evil, and they are eager to plunge their claws into all the soft spots of the human body to enjoy a warm meal. Which brings forth some stunning gore and uncomfortable moments as people succumb to these creatures in a manner, savage enough, to make you want to turn away from the sights before you. 
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But make no mistake about it, beneath the gore and the gunfire and the sense of adventure present when they arrive on the island, is that brilliant commentary on how we end the current stalemate in our world. To which the film simply states, we have to be objective and humble and truly realize… it’s just us on this tiny little world. There are no extra humans on a colony in space. Just us and we must recognize that there are real threats out there. The kind that doesn’t care about what God one worships or whether or not one voted red or blue in an election, or one’s stance on facts. Which means that what matters most is our survival and if we were to put that other nonsense aside and truly unify, we would achieve wonders and conquer incredible tasks.

Which is a message that the film expresses in a supremely bleak and devastating manner but going that route from a storytelling perspective truly hammers home the point and gives one pause and makes this a bold film as well. Since most horror stories don’t go as dark as possible to make their point apparent. But this film does, and it deserves a round of applause for doing so, because impactful moments and bleak storytelling are synonymous with good horror and that’s what this movie is. Good horror, through and through, the kind that entertains and makes you nauseous and leaves you with plenty to ponder upon, and hopefully this particular tale of terror… makes it mark and makes us think twice, the next time we want to fight over the silly stuff.

​House hunting is not for everyone, especially when life will not take a break just so you can get comfortable. Finding a place that has a couple of things that you value the most is difficult enough, so you have to pounce on the first one that comes along like that, or you may never find another house close to it. But searching for something more inside the walls is something that a few people do, as the thought of living in a haunted house is exciting for some. Visiting a haunted house is just fine in my mind, but when you want to live there, even for only a month, well, I guess there are some crazies out there that like to be frightened all the time.
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With help from her sister Candice, Joan is able to get her daughters and son moved into their new house in Amityville. With this being the biggest change to their life since the passing of her husband, Joan is very fond of the house and knows that it is the perfect place for the girls and her comatose son to try and move on. Not feeling the same way about the house, Belle is upset that she was forced to move schools before her senior year and young Juliet does not know what to think as she continues to talk with her sleeping brother. Knowing little about the house, much less the history of the area, Belle is in for a rude awakening when she enters school for the first day.

Being singled out as the new kid, there is one student that wants to get to know her a bit better as Terrence takes a liking to Belle. Telling her a little bit about the history of the house, since she is living in The Amityville Horror house, Belle needs to do a little snooping on her own to find out what happened there many years ago. Getting fresh images of the house after the DeFeo murder spree, Belle starts to believe that there is something strange going on that nobody is noticing. With haunting images taking over her dreams, Belle does not understand the power of the house, but will soon, because evil does not die, it only goes into slumber.   

Getting a special visit from Terrence once again at school, Belle is introduced to Marissa who is into the history of the house as well. Making plans to have a special viewing of The Amityville Horror movie in the actual house, there is only one rule, it has to be done at 3:15am, the same time the murders took place. Watching the movie and trying to have a good time, 3:15am comes around and the power goes out for no reason. Getting it turned back on, Belle’s mother is not too happy with having people in the house that she did not invite. But that is not the only thing that has her scorned, as her comatose son has been messed around with. Not knowing what could have happened to her brother while her friends were with her the whole time, Belle and her family see that young James is starting to show signs of life once again, but his awakening may not be the only one in the house.

Not the best Amityville story I have seen to date, but not the worst either. Following the script that the house drives people to madness and bringing the original movie into play for proof was kind of fun. The hatred that Joan has for her daughter Belle seems to be the driving force to the story, since Belle has something to do with her brother’s condition. Flipping back and forth between hatred and love, Joan has something up her sleeve for the family, but will not let them know what it is until it is too late. With some Amityville Horror references, a new girl in school, a spooky house, blood splattered walls, a shotgun, a hidden agenda and a house that does not want anyone to survive, it is a pretty good little ride, even though it is a familiar story. I will tell you one thing, I don’t know why people keep moving there, but if people keep this up, I am pretty sure the entire block is gonna be haunted. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 402 of ‘Servant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular word that can easily be associated with the first three seasons of Servant on Apple TV+ is balance. Simply because regardless of how many wild moments and ugly conflicts have taken place beneath the roof of the Turner home, there has always been some kind of fragile peace. It might be forged in fear or forged out of hope, but it has always been there, maintaining a delicate balance for certain. The kind that has kept Leanne happy and satisfied in some capacity and it has allowed for the family to flourish and thrive. But as we inch toward the end of this fascinating and unique saga, it would seem… that balance is coming to an end and that is of concern. 
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For ‘Itch’ is a story that informed us that there might be overreaching consequences to imbalance within this important household and that was brought about… courtesy of an ugly exchange between Dorothy and Leanne. Because when we caught up with the Turner household in this tale, Leanne was doing her best to care for Dorothy and lift her spirits and she ran into a bevy of roadblocks regarding that. For Dorothy was being Dorothy and was fussy and arrogant, which is nothing new in this house, and Leanne has oft won Dorothy over with a little love and some gentleness. But this go round, things were quite different between this duo.

Because Dorothy was extra resistant to Leanne’s charms and that put Leanne off of her game and motivated her to push. Which led to a harrowing back and forth between the two. Wherein Leanne flexed her muscles and manipulated Dorothy into the care plan Leanne deemed necessary. Which led to uncomfortable moments for Dorothy and the audience, wherein Leanne just pushed harder than ever and received no yield. Because Dorothy was truly done with Leanne and that prompted a broken plea from for acceptance. One that was answered in the negative, as evidenced by the fact that Dorothy hired two nurses to care for her. All so Leanne would be sidelined and out of her sight and well, this imbalance brought forth some eerie moments in the neighborhood for certain.

Since we saw more cracks form in the Turner household and the neighborhood itself was under siege. Because a sudden plague of bedbugs befell every home, leading to a day filled with exterminators and a grand search for the creepy little crawlers to have them eliminated. Not to mention, at the end of this chaos, Uncle George appeared again, to plea with a higher power to spare people from wrath and end suffering before it began. Making it clear now that an unhappy and unwanted Leanne, stirs some kind of special ethereal power. A dark one that brings plague and pain to households she is residing within. Which could mean the Turner family is in real danger now, and potentially countless others. Because if her power can bring a neighborhood to its knees with bugs over a touch of disdain, who knows what the rest of the world would face if she was brought to her lowest.

Either way, this was… quite the incredible tale to say the least. Because it did the impossible, it removed the comfort we enjoyed through the specter of balance in this series, and completely informed us of how broken everything is within this home from an interpersonal relationship standpoint and understandably so. For lines were crossed in season three, the kind where damage untold was done and now… we appear to be barreling toward disaster. For Dorothy has always been an immovable object when it comes it comes to her pride and her desire to do things her way, and Leanne has always been the unstoppable force that is used to getting her way through manipulation, and those two are now on a collision course of biblical proportion. One that might bring forth incredible suffering and sorrow. Until next time. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Sorry About the Demon’.
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We are taught from a very early age, that if we want to be happy and at peace in this life, we need to follow a fairly specific path. One that ensures that we are educated when we head out to tackle the world, so that we have a good head on our shoulders. One that will help us seek out the job of our dreams. Because that will give us purpose and fulfillment and once, we’ve done that, we need to find a life partner. Someone that compliments us and brings us joy and we need to marry them and have a family and once that’s all done, we will find the happiness and peace our parents told us about and well… there’s a lot of merit to that process. Because so much of that, does bring people happiness and calm and a life that is filled with satisfaction through and through. 
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But the only problem with that criterion for true happiness, is that there is one other fundamental lesson/process that comes into play to fully achieve it. One we tend to learn as we traverse our path. In that, there are hard times along the way, the kind that leave lingering trauma and ‘demons’ in the recesses of our souls. And without taking the time to resolve that trauma and those skeletons in the closet of our mind, there will be no happiness or peace, just worry and strife and that may prevent us from obtaining what we want. If anything, it’s shocking we don’t receive that lesson growing up, but that doesn’t mean we cannot find help, sometimes in the form of a horror story believe it or not, and for proof… then look no further than the brand-new Shudder feature, Sorry About the Demon.

Now in this particular tale we are introduced to a man named Will who believes he is in quite the wondrous place. After all, he has a steady gig as a work-at-home customer service associate for a cruddy toothpaste company, and he has a loving partner named Amy. Plus, he has hobbies galore, such as cooking and woodworking. But sadly, that’s not enough for Amy, in fact… one night she decides they need to split up. Simply because, Will in reality… has no direction in life and won’t deal with the important stuff and even this breakup, is something he would rather just step away from and hope for the best regarding a future with Amy, instead of working on what needs to be fixed. And his time away from her, leads him to a posh new rental nearby that is in fact a massive house. One where perhaps he can best figure out how to win Amy back. That is… after he deals with the hideous demon that lurks within the house’s walls, the kind that is looking for a fresh soul to inhabit.

Which is a plot that seems grounded in quirky comedy and romance with a horror twist over the lesson we just discussed and well, you would be partly right. Because this is at heart, a quirky comedy/romance with a horror twist. Which is designed to give the story a sense of fun, so the deeper stuff is never quite overwhelming and all of that works like a charm here. Since it helps to add depth and dimension to the characters, and it provides Will with some high stakes to deal with when the demon decides that his friends and the love, he pines for, would be suitable hosts. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that going this route from a foundational storytelling standpoint, allows for this film to also satirize the haunted house subgenre and the many tropes that are present within it. But once you get past the delightful gags and hilarious moments that come with everyone just accepting that this house has a demon in the same manner that one would accept the appliances a house comes with… the deeper stuff comes into play. 
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Because in reality, Will is a guy that is carrying a lot of baggage of the emotional variety. Since he clearly struggles to connect with people, struggles to go for what he wants, for reasons that aren’t made clear, but we don’t need that backstory. Because we’ve all been Will at some point or another, where someone, something, or some incredible moment, shattered us and left us aloof and drifting. To the point where we settle rather than chase what will truly make us happy. Which allows for the moments where Will does stand up to the demon and fights for his love, to teach us how exactly we confront our past and our demons. So that Will and others, can finally move beyond those moments and that pain, and embrace what life has to offer in the now, and finally… find the fulfillment and peace and happiness people crave, and that is… a magnificent lesson to find in a horror comedy.  

Because horror comedies rarely go deep on life lessons and the struggles we face, they just prefer to lampoon a subgenre or other popular story in horror. Which makes this a refreshing and meaningful horror comedy, one that truly takes us on an emotional journey. Since you will indeed laugh, mist up and feel the hair on the back of your neck raise in terror, and that is a testament to writer/director Emily Hagins. Who clearly poured her heart and soul into a story that any horror fan or non-horror fan can easily enjoy. Not to mention, it features some wonderfully believable and honest performances from Jon Michael Simpson (Will) and Paige Evans (Amy). Which only lends to the wonder of a must-see horror comedy, one that has something for everyone and leaves you with plenty to ponder upon when the scares and laughs come to an end.