There is nothing better than going to a haunted house with your friends, mainly because you can help enhance the frights if someone does not seem scared enough. I got in on the haunted house craze in my youth as I had some babysitters that did not want to stay in during the Halloween time of year and while I might have had some sleepless nights, looking back, it was good for me. Starting to figure out the scares that were coming my way was the greatest thing in my mind and while I don’t get too frightened during these events much anymore, I still love to get my heart pumping. If you have not done this with your friends yet, even if you don’t like to be scared, it is highly recommended, it can be used as a bonding activity.
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Getting picked up from a burning barn, Clancy ‘The Clown’ Keller has been put in custody and is awaiting questioning. Having Detectives Cole and Edwards coming with a barrage of questions concerning the whereabouts of some missing kids, they believe that they have Clancy backed into a corner. Admitting nothing, not even to knowing who the kids are, Edwards plugs in the security cam footage and allows Clancy to see what most people would associate with pure guilt. Lighting up a cigarette and watching as the tapes play out, Clancy seems to be more at ease than ever, but that may not last.

With a new carnival rolling into town, friends Elizabeth, Marci, Paige, Jordan, Ben, Hunter and Alana are ready to have a good time. After riding all of the rides that the carnival has to offer them, it is time for the Haunted Maze, but there is something strange about the clown standing outside. As the kids enter the maze, they find some of the normal scares that they have come to expect, but there is one more that they are not counting on as Clancy is keeping a close eye on them. Taking an alternate route through the maze, the kids find themselves needing to take a slide to safety, but it may lead them to their doom.

With the tapes showing that Clancy is lying about knowing the kids, Edwards and Cole still do not have enough proof and need the clown to confess to what happened to the missing kids. Bringing up his past, Clancy is forced to re-live the day his father went crazy and killed a classroom of children, leaving only his son to carry on his legacy. Knowing that the cops are not able to keep him without any proof, Clancy is able to keep his guilt hidden deep inside of his mind and before they are able to get a direct answer as to what happened, they are forced to let the clown go. With plenty to be thankful for, including his sisters, Clancy has a new prize from the carnival, one that he will never forget.

Okay, I have reviewed a couple of clown movies now, and this one might take the cake. While there is some good carnage going on around the carnival, that was not scary, Clancy ‘The Drooling Clown’ Keller was just a piece of work and might keep me from going to an event that has clowns involved. Not even bending to the questions the police are asking him, he can care less about what they can prove about his guilt, because he knows that there is no footage of him really doing anything to harm the children. I kind of wish that there was a little bit more to the missing kids, while they have some cute conversations, the only thing I remember about them is that Elizabeth hates clowns. That’s okay, since I think that this is more of a portrait of a serial killer than anything else and Clancy ‘The Clown’ Keller is really the star of the show. With a carnival, a creepy clown, an axe, three creepy sisters, missing teens, and a finale that had me cheering for the clown, this movie might keep you up at night if you have a fear of clowns, but if you are like me, you will love to see someone finally chopping that wood. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1110 of ‘The Walking Dead’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that the AMC series, The Walking Dead, has asked a great deal of questions about humanity over the course of its eleven-year run. For it has pondered upon whether or not people can be decent in indecent times, and it has also asked what it is that can corrupt everyday people. But its most important questions of all, have come about in later years, since it has asked the audience and its characters… if we are a species that is worth saving and it has also asked, would we truly be able to rebuild civilization in a new image and start over fresh in doing so and well, while one of those questions has yet to be answered… the one regarding what a second start for modern man would look like, continues to be answered with a resounding no.
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Because despite being faced with an opportunity to leave old haunts behind, humanity in this world and in this storytelling universe, seemingly cannot let them go. If anything, they’ve grown worse in the land of the dead since we’ve seen despots like Negan rise to power and monsters such as the Whisperers come to fruition and even the Alexandria Alliance ran into its own issues for a time. Since the survivors of The Sanctuary were viewed as a second class of citizens in this new fellowship, and of course… bad blood between old friends brought about big divisions. But we are creatures that understand that failure breeds ingenuity and growth and that’s why we’ve seen our heroes keep trying to forge and find a world free from the trappings of the past and well, it just so happens that this question and the potential for a new start served as the focus of last night’s episode of the show.

For when we catch up with our heroes in ‘New Haunts’, they’re working to adjust to life in the Commonwealth and well, it seems as though the decision to leave hunger and strife behind… has paid off in spades. For everyone has settled in and found roles in this community, that give them familiarity and comfort. For instance, Carol is baking cookies left and right and Ezekiel is back to tending to animals in need. Not to mention, Rosita and Daryl Dixon are working to become members of the Commonwealth’s guard and use their fighting skills for a better cause than just survival, and the group is even finding joy as well. Since they are taking part in a Halloween celebration first thing in this tale and the wonder of the Commonwealth doesn’t end there.

Because there’s medical care to be found here, newspapers and social gatherings and at first… it appears as though Governor Pamela Milton has genuinely figured out how to rebuild the world for the better and answer that long standing question with a yes instead of a no, since there are no signs of trouble to be found here. In fact, things are so comfortable and familiar that it seems as though some are making peace with what comes next, since Ezekiel is oddly comfortable with his medical troubles, as though he can now bravely begin his farewell tour, before the cancer in his body takes his life, and close his eyes with the peace of knowing that he will go in a good place, where his reanimated flesh can cause no harm to anyone outside of the forgotten art of grieving. 

But as this episode progressed and we dug deeper into the ‘wonder’ of the Commonwealth, the answer to that age-old question took on quite the different turn. After all, Pamela’s idiot son continued to antagonize anyone that simply glanced at him and unfortunately Rosita and Daryl were forced to help indulge his ego, giving rise to hints of a touch of class disparity in this reformed part of the world and to make matters worse, this vaunted army brought about concerns as well. Since Daryl came to realize it was a desperate attempt to provide an echo of the past, and project the sense of strength that the United States military once did and nothing more. For what they demanded of their soldiers just didn’t make sense in a world where walking death ruled the day and the concerns about this place… didn’t end there.
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For the big gala masquerade event back in town, confirmed one of those concerns. Because the young man that Princess tuned up as part of her escape attempt back in season ten, was at this party and serving appetizers and drinks. For it turned out that he lost everything for his mistake and was utterly shattered and broken by being cast out into poverty, and for being turned into a pariah for a mistake that could have happened to anyone. In fact, he was in such a dark place, that he attempted to bring harm to the Governor and others at the party. And while that ended peacefully courtesy of Daryl, who also let Sebastian Milton take the credit for the stop… that young man’s speech about inequality in the Commonwealth, and what Rosita uncovered in his apartment… outright gives the audience pause and grave concern when it comes to this ‘wonderful’ place, and those moments brought forth the confirmation in question.

Since all of those elements made it inherently clear that the Commonwealth suffers from a great deal of problems from the old world. In that, there is wealth inequality since the majority of folks in attendance at the gala were clearly well-to-do (mostly white) folks that transitioned back to their old life quickly. Plus, the age-old problems that accompany that kind of inequality, wherein simple mistakes or the color of one’s skin or their class heritage determines a future and a standing for them, has followed humanity to the Commonwealth. Making it clear that while Milton has indeed saved lives and given safety to so many, the trappings of the past remain and there appears to be no desire to let them go in the slightest. Since the thought of interrupting a status quo or genuinely bringing about change, would be terrifying to a person like Milton. 

For the old ways are all that they know and that sadly means… that once again, the answer to that question is no. Since it would require genuine change and bravery to make the alterations necessary to bring about a new world, and in the middle of the end of it, that might not be possible, or we might not be able to ever change. Which in turn relates back to the season’s big theme about our worthiness of salvation. But all pondering upon humanity’s nature and future aside, this was still quite the episode. One that leaves the viewer uncomfortable simply because we are not used to seeing our heroes back in the world, we left behind… nor do we (or them) trust this place courtesy of past encounters and oddly enough, this does leave one to wonder… is the inequality present here the reason that Daryl is at Maggie’s doorstep six months from now, to fight for a better tomorrow from within? Time will tell of course and the only way to truly know… is to wait patiently for next week’s journey. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 306 of ‘Servant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It wasn’t that long ago, that we talked at length about the power of fear and how it relates to the overall plot of season three of the Apple TV+ series, Servant. For a fair chunk of the first half of year three, has seen Leanne cower at its majesty by hiding within the Turner home and lashing out that those who seemingly deserved it in her eyes, since there was concern on her part that her old friends were out there, hunting her, and that it would only be a matter of time before they returned and made trouble for her and the family she loves so and of course… that did happen during last week’s tale. Leaving all of us to wonder not only how she evaded that scrape with death, but what would come out of her justified fears. 

For there was a strong chance that it would drive her to new heights regarding the terror she harbored within. For evil got up close and personal and was even inside the Turner home and well, for a time it seemed as though the next episode in this series was going to dive deep into such matters. Because when we catch up with Leanne in ‘Fish’, she’s not quite herself. After all, she’s sleeping in, keeping a close eye on the world surrounding her and she is supremely nervous about the fact that Sean has invited his priest over as a dinner guest. Since she simply doesn’t trust anyone, anymore and there was a fair chance that her fear of this minister was going to boil over and cause great trouble.

Which in fact, was the case. For when Nancy arrived at the Turner household, she was met with nothing but disdain and rude behavior from Leanne. The kind that Leanne only escalated further. For as the night progressed, Leanne made a point to throw short digs at Nancy about her beliefs and the path she’d chosen in life, and thankfully, Nancy gave as good as she got, and Sean and Dorothy did their best to cool the situation down often. But when the moment was right and Leanne was able to genuinely tear into Nancy, she did… exposing her past and bringing her to tears, leaving the family to wonder exactly what the hell had gotten into Leanne. 

But for the viewers, that kind of behavior seemed related to the power of fear and how it was now transforming Leanne into a defensive nightmare of sorts, leaving all of us to wonder how destructive her fear might become and well… that’s when this story took quite the turn. Since it was revealed how she escaped her attackers. In that, the local homeless kids, the ones we all thought were aligned with the wrong people… were in fact, like Leanne and left the church and stepped in during her time of need to help her. All because, they need a leader, they need guidance, and they believe she can supply it. Which means, it wasn’t fear that drove her to such actions in this tale, it was ego and purpose and a belief… that she can play the hero.

Which was quite the twist to inject into this tale, because just like that… our sympathy for Leanne is removed and our worries about her have changed. Because this was malicious, holier than thou behavior from Leanne. The kind that leaves one wondering where her loyalties lie and what she wants to accomplish and whether or not she is now a force for good. Because power often corrupts and an individual with gifts as hers, using them to exert power over others, could be a scary force to be reckoned with and this twist, simply demands that we continue to the journey to see where this shift in the story is going to take us as we inch toward the end of season three. Until next time.

Sometimes your first impressions are one hundred percent right and that can be frightening. This does not apply only to people who will work to change your mind about them, but also to places that might be somewhere nobody was meant to go. While you should always listen to these thoughts, you still have to make up your mind if you want to continue on your path. It can be difficult to understand why you feel this way, but if you have a bad feeling about doing something, it could be your conscience telling you should take a moment and listen to your gut, because it is probably right.
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Sitting on the side of the road with her palm reading signs up, Crystal is not getting any business. Seeing his friend just chilling, Lump decides to come over and say hello. As the two converse, Lump comes up with a great idea that the two should check out an old abandoned warehouse and hang out. With nothing going on, Crystal agrees and the two make their trek towards the old building, picking up a group of friends on the way. But seeing that the doors are locked, the group will need to find another way in and while they are able to break out a window, they spot the cops driving by and are forced to hide.

After being dumped into a dumpster, Crystal has a bad feeling about entering the old building, so bad in fact that she passes out. Being taken in while unconscious, she wakes up feeling alright and the group is ready to party like it is their last day on earth. With plenty of booze and drugs, the group throws caution into the wind. But when finding out that there is no more beer, Spaz goes on a little tantrum and the other couples of Melanie and Liz, along with Tammy and Marcus have breakup fights. But there is still plenty to go around as Marcus has turned his affections towards Crystal and Liz is able to convince Tammy to have a good time. After their love making time comes to an end however, the group realizes that Melanie has failed to return and has gone missing.

Searching the old building to try and find where their friend went, Spaz leads the charge and finds something that he did not expect. Seeing Melanie’s body cut open and gutted on a meat hook, the group knows that they are facing off against some sort of psycho. Trying to get out the same way they got in, the broken window has been boarded up while they were away. As the doors also refuse to open, they come face to face with the owner of the building who does not only want them to stay, but to kill them as well. Being able to barricade themselves for a short time, Crystal must use her powers to communicate with the other side to find a way out of the building, but the news is not good as she finds out that Mr. Cleaver himself is the purest of evil and nobody who has crossed him ever made it out alive.

Talk about taking a warehouse party to the extreme, I mean damn. With a horror throwback vibe being played throughout, it was nice to see that all of the elements were covered, booze, sex, drugs, punk rock and of course severed limbs. I really liked the unintentional gathering of the group to throw a party and feel bad for Lump though, as it was his idea and he got nothing in return. The exploration of the warehouse was fun, as nobody knew that they had unleased an evil that was too much for Hell to contain, and I must admit that Mr. Cleaver did not disappoint in that aspect of the story. With an abandoned warehouse, a pissed off owner, some sex, drugs, booze, fights, dismemberments, flesh eating and a creepy ghost telling you what you don’t want to know, this movie brings me back to my love for the early slasher films. You don’t have to have blood all of the time to make a slasher good, you just have to have it at the right time. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Hellbender’.
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When a child is born into this world, everyone around that baby, firmly believes that it is going to have a life filled with wonder and joy, and love, and it makes sense as to why there is so much hope surrounding that tiny little life. For everyone sees the modern world as a place that affords children a safe environment in which they can grow up healthy and strong, and since people believe that child rearing is something a science now, parents no longer have to wing it. They can find support and guidance on how to raise their baby and do it right so that their child grows into a wonderful adult. One that is just and good and will undoubtedly change the world for the better and while that is a magnificent way to look at child rearing in the modern world, that perspective is sadly… supremely generalized and not entirely correct.
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For not everyone is the good parent we hope they will be and not everyone gets the support we think they will. Which makes child rearing in the 21st Century difficult for some and to complicate matters further, not every child that is in a loving home turns out the way the world hopes. Because there comes a point in every child’s life, where they begin to form their own opinion of the world and how they want to live their lives and it doesn’t matter what lessons they’ve been taught… they will follow their heart and that can lead to sorrow and strife for the parents as their baby transforms into someone they never envisioned, and that experience is top of mind today, because it serves as the central theme of a brand-new horror film on Shudder entitled, Hellbender.

Now in this particular movie, we are whisked away to the mountains to meet a teenager named Izzy who lives with her mother and is isolated away from the rest of the world. For her mother has informed her that she has a sickness that can cause harm around others and in order to not make her daughter feel akin to an outcast, her mother pours her heart and soul into nurturing Izzy and that has led to a close relationship, one where Izzy is steadily growing into a fine adult with a good heart. But a chance encounter with a hiker, ignites Izzy’s curiosity about the world like never before. Which motivates her to seek out others and learn more about her family’s mysterious lineage and this curious spark is unfortunately going to start a fire that Izzy’s mother will not be able to contain, for the secrets about the past that are about to unleashed… will transform Izzy into everything her mother fears.

Which is a plot that appears to lean into the supernatural and you’d be correct in that assumption. For Izzy is the next generation in a long family line of witches and her discovery of said lineage is what allows for the horror elements of this movie to come into play. For once she comes to understand the power she can yield, Izzy becomes drunk with it and that leads to some genuinely wicked and creepy moments in this movie. The kind that let the audience’s imagination run wild in regard to Izzy’s potential as a mythical Hellbender, and this aspect of the story is quite fulfilling and worthwhile. Since the visuals in this part of the movie are akin to a waking nightmare and terrify and unsettle the audience as well.
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But all of that, serves as an allegory to the central themes of this story. Which do involve the horrors of watching a child grow into something monster-like. For Izzy makes a bevy of bad choices in this story, the kind that corrupt her soul and invite evil into her heart and that makes this something of a nightmare story for parents. For this is the worst-case scenario in any parent’s mind and how mother handles it, is painfully realistic. Because when a child chooses their path, be it good or bad, there is no going back for them and there’s nothing a parent can do but sit back and watch the choice unfold and that is a painfully visceral observation to make about parenting and humanity as a whole.

Which does appear to be quite the bleak bit of commentary to inject into this story, but oddly, it doesn’t feel that way. Because it does remind us that there is only so much we control in life and it also offers us realism and emotional perspective on what parents go through when their kids make ugly headlines for their choices. Making this quite the unique horror film, one that is basically a tragic everyday story that tells it like it is, and presents us with concepts that give us pause and of course, it doesn’t hurt that it is a visual feast and filled with some wild horror elements that make you squirm. So, if you’re looking for a fresh and original horror film that takes you on an outright incredible ride from beginning to end, swing by Shudder when you have a chance and give this indie horror gem a look. You’ll be glad you did.

Haunted locations can be fun to visit for many people, but for others, they arrive at these places looking for something more. Wanting to know if there is really life after death, some ghost hunters only want answers, mainly what happens after you die. But all we can do at this point is guess, mainly because we have yet to find a definitive answer. What we believe awaits us on the other side is often up to the individual, but it is entirely possible that there is nothing waiting for us after we die or we do in fact move to another plane, but we will never truly know until our number is called.
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After reviewing a sex tape gone deadly wrong at the Woodburrow Prison, Watts is getting his team ready for their next assignment. Being a special unit for the F.B.I. who runs off the grid, the group is tasked with investigating the building, then bringing it down before morning. Thinking that this will be a walk in the park as these investigations usually go, Watts has faith in his group and even the newbie Pepper who is on her first assignment. With all of the gizmos of the trade being passed off by Hooper, Watts is shocked to see an old friend pulling up to take control of his team for the night.

Doctor Decker has come to oversee how the team works, but she knows a little more than she is leading on and while keeping her mouth shut, she is waiting to hear about any survivors. With cameras set up all around the prison and even ones mounted on their glasses, everything that they see is sent to Hooper who is keeping an eye on things. When conducting her sweep in the kitchen, Pepper comes across the body of a woman who seems to be knocked out. Trying to help the woman, the trainee is called off by Decker who comes in and sedates the helpless woman and places her behind bars. Waiting for whomever this woman is to wake up is taking time, but Decker seems to know exactly who she is dealing with.

As Decker is dealing with the woman in custody, the team around the prison is starting to see the walls come to life. When Frost is seeing pictures of herself and her family in the old building, she is sent back to her hometown where her life took a turn for the worse. Not being a dream, the demon inside the building has found the perfect way to feed on everyone’s fears to determine how and why they are going to die. With everyone facing their own torment and waiting for the big boss to make his way into the fight, the young woman behind bars has the power to do much more than anyone has ever witnessed before. 

I have been putting this movie off for a while now and I am mad at myself for doing so, as you get everything you want from a haunted building movie, along with a powerful foe who does not pull any punches. When seeing the woman in the building wake up and call herself Emma and try to play innocent with Dr. Decker, you could tell that there was something up with her and damn, she made sure that everyone in the building felt her power. There were some things that I would think to be just silly if this was a government sanctioned ghost hunt, but I liked the idea of taking down the building when they do or do not find proof of the afterlife. With a ghost hunting team, demon nurses, plenty of fears, an attempt to defeat the beast and a power unlike anyone has ever seen, I really enjoyed the overall story and when the killing in the building begins, well, I was just smiling the rest of way. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘Locke & Key’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One of the hardest lessons we will learn in this life, is that nothing, absolutely nothing, will ever go according to plan. Because the universe is a place of constant change and chaos, and always manages to throw a curveball into the simplest of tasks in our lives and really… what makes that lesson so hard for us to deal with, is that we genuinely expect things to go smooth when we plan something to a tee, and the thought that we have to pivot and react accordingly, is just plain frustrating. But it is the nature of life and eventually we come to live with that reality and really, this painful lesson is top of mind today, simply because it is one that the Locke family had to learn in the next episode of Locke & Key on Netflix.
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For when we catch up with the kids in ‘Best Laid Plans’, they are indeed preparing a grandiose plan to capture Gabe and get him back into the well. Wherein he and his evil should dissipate thanks to the rules that have been broken. But while they were preparing an elaborate trap for evil, another important storyline was taking place and we would be foolish to not take a moment and talk about Nina’s journey. Since she needed to be Josh’s rock in this episode because he was badly broken up over losing the Whispering Iron to Gabe/Dodge. Mainly because, it was likely his last chance to reconnect with his wife since he knew quite well where it came from and what the Black Door could do. Which led to a beautiful moment of growth, wherein Nina imparted the wisdom and guidance she received when she was in a similar spot emotionally, and it’s wonderful that the show injected this early on, because this served as a welcome counterbalance to the ugly that awaited us.

Because eventually, Gabe and Eden arrived at Keyhouse, with the evilest of intentions in mind, but were blissfully unaware of the fact… that the Locke kids had indeed put together an intricate plan to stop this madness and well, it was such a good one that everything was going off without a hitch. For Eden was easily trapped with an assist from Jamie, and Gabe was so well distracted by Kinsey and Scot, that the trap was quietly laid down behind him and all that needed to happen now, was the perfect surprise moment to trap him in the well. But therein came the lesson, since a little bird from the well house, entered the second-floor landing, keying Gabe into the fact that something was amiss and well… it all went downhill from there. Because despite holding their own in a fight with a demon, Gabe eventually got the upper hand and captured Bode and reclaimed the Anywhere Key. Which in turn motivated Duncan to step forth and give Gabe whatever he wanted and that… brought about more problems for the family.

Because, naturally, Gabe took Duncan and Bode back to the lodge, allowing for him to get Duncan to forge a key while the rest of the family and Scot raced to that location to save the day. But without a key to get them there, quickly, the damage was done, and Dodge/Gabe’s master plan was revealed. In that… this demon wants control of humanity and with this new key in hand… that goal can be accomplished since it allows for Gabe to take control of anyone it touches. A reality that will now bring about hardship and pain for all of Matheson while the Locke family licks their wounds while absorbing the gravity of the aforementioned lesson. For chaos did indeed ruin the best laid plans and now how they react now is paramount. For everything is on the line and all we can hope for at this point, is that they quickly come to understand that chaos and surprise will surround evil at every turn and that they need to have a few counterpunches in their next bag of tricks, to ensure it doesn’t get the upper hand again.

But while we wait to see what the next move is from the Locke family; we can revel in the majesty of one intense and brilliant tale. Because not only did this one offer up an important lesson, but it also resurrected some of the core messages of the show, specifically loss and trauma, and it offered up some genuine terror as well. Because this was a straight action-horror story, the kind that upped the stakes and put the kids in real danger for the first time ever and this episode also deserves a round of applause, for letting the villain earn a win. Because it is a huge deal that Gabe’s plan came to fruition in this tale. In part because that means we are in for an unconventional home stretch in this story, but also because… you don’t normally see a monster of Gabe’s caliber have this much power this early before the finale. But this is a series that loves to shake things up and it will be quite interesting to see what comes next, now that the family has learned a valuable lesson regarding chaos. Until next time.

It is interesting what you find in a house that was once occupied by another family, after you move in. When digging through the crawl space, you may find an old pet or toys that were hidden during a game of war many years ago. In the attic you could find some of the finer things, old chairs, and boxes of mementoes from years gone by. Thinking that these were only from the previous owner, you may be surprised that there could have been more than one as people like to move frequently these days, especially if they are trying to hide something.
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After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Dennis and his girlfriend Lily find a little house to rent for his remaining months. Not wanting to leave her with any debt, this seems to be the best thing that he can do for her after he is gone. Knowing that his time is short, Dennis has come up with the idea to document the remaining days of his life and make a video for all of his friends, and his darling Lily. Setting up cameras all over the house, every room is covered and while the couple has fun with the cameras, they also find something that they did not expect.

Waking up in the middle of the night after getting sick, Dennis hears some commotion down the hallway and pinpoints it to the sitting room. Opening the door and seeing the rocking chair moving, he worries that someone might have broken in, but with all of the doors and windows locked, he knows that cannot be it. Checking the tape from the sitting room, Dennis finds that there was someone sitting in the chair, but it appears not to be a person, but a ghost. Trying to figure out who this could be, the couple find an old diary in the sitting room that has notes from all of the home’s past tenants and they think that they have pinpointed who it could be.

Wanting to figure out what the ghost wants from them, Dennis keeps a close eye on the videos and starts ignoring Lily. Being upset, Lily leaves the house and does some shopping and returns home to an empty house and finds out that the spirit seems to want her gone sooner than later. Getting packed up with the essentials, the couple leaves the old house, only to find that Dennis is not able to venture too far away. With his symptoms acting up whenever he opens the front door, the couple has no idea what the ghost really wants with Dennis, but after a long talk with his little brother, Dennis finds out that it could be someone that he left behind in his past life that never got to say goodbye.

This is actually a pretty good ghost story that focuses more on the people involved than the frights in the house. I liked how the story kept pace to make sure that you were watching the screen to see if anything was happening in the background, as there are a couple ghostly images throughout. But the main story was the lack of closure that Dennis has had in his life, especially with his family and how the house is making him pay for it in a very hard way. Watching Dennis as his symptoms start to escalate however is the most frightening thing that this movie delivers, as you get to see what trying to cure cancer has done to past patents. With a ghostly whisper, a happy couple, death on the line, an estranged family, a nice rental house, a pool full of leaves and an easy answer to a question that nobody thought to ask. I was rather impressed how this movie kept my attention throughout and I am glad that it did, because the ending was great. Stay Scared.

Sometimes in life we need a little kick in the butt to make sure we are moving forward. While at the time it might seem like our loved ones are being a little out of line when doing this, they do have our best intentions in mind while doing it. Becoming complacent in our lives might be good for some people, but when all is said and done, there are brighter pastures out there for all of us if we are willing to take the shot. Keep your head up and keep moving forward in life, because if you keep your head down and are afraid to take the next step, you may never know the joys that your life has in store for you.
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With a zombie outbreak taking place in Las Vegas, Nick and his girlfriend Molly are making their way out to a small out of the way airport to meet up with friends and make their way to Mexico. While everything seems to be too good to be true when leaving the city, Molly does a little too much Coke and the two are forced to pull over. After throwing up in the desert, the two see a dark stranger making his way down the road towards them in a sinister sort of way. Seeing that this is a zombie, Nick does his best to try and take down the undead man, but when his shots fall short of the head, the two are forced into the confines of their car, only to find that it is stuck in the sand.

With the promise of leaving in a few minutes as the zombie will be forced to move on, the couple waits until it gets dark and loses sight of the undead. Needing to find Nick’s phone to call his buddy Jimmy for help, the zombie is a little bit more clever than the couple expects and winds up catching Nick off guard. Watching as her boyfriend is eaten, Molly packs up all of the survival gear that the couple has and takes to the desert for a long walk that will change her life forever. Seeing that the zombie is always a few steps behind her, Molly knows that if she keeps moving, she will find her way to the airstrip before she becomes the undead’s next meal. 

Seeing that her new zombie friend is not going to give up on the hunt, Molly finds out that her smell is helping him to track her. But seeing that the zombie is not able to run, she is able to keep a good pace through the desert hike and starts to strike up a conversation with the undead. Keeping hydrated and using a little bit of nose candy to keep her moving forward, Molly only needs to find a place where her new friend ‘Smalls’ is not able to reach her during the night. But there are other things in the desert that she is forced to deal with as a sand storm overtakes her and Smalls, yet there still might be a little bit of humanity left in Vegas as two strangers show up looking to give her a ride to her destination…but they might not be as kind as they seem…

When I see a listing for a zombie movie being pegged more as Drama than Horror, I would usually take a step back, because in reality, I want a zombie movie to be filled with blood and splatter. This movie really surprised me, and while you get these wonderful things, you also get to join Molly on her journey of self-discovery while fleeing a slow-moving flesh eater. With plenty of don’ts on display when it comes to trying to avoid a zombie, like turning on the lights and starting fires, there is one thing that Molly is unable to stop when that time of the month comes around and it plays so well into the storyline. With a zombie named Smalls, a walking conversation that opens Molly’s eyes, a tampon escape plan, a zombie that can track like a bear, a budding relationship, some giggles that might make you feel bad for doing so and a couple of zombie kills, this movie just gives us a fresh perspective on the zombie genre. It might be the most romantic zombie movie I have ever seen and that is far from a bad thing. Stay Scared.