Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Scary of Sixty-First’.
​
There is an interesting paradigm shift happening in our modern world, one that is of supreme concern. Because despite the fact that we live in an age of information, where facts are at our fingertips and science and technology have proven to be safe to use in just about every way imaginable… there are people pushing back on all of those things in a terrifying manner. For so many are speaking to unfounded concerns about science and tech and their safety, and they’re also the same individuals spouting conspiracy theories that make no sense and somehow relate to science and technology at times and well… this is of concern for several reasons.
​
In part because it is undermining efforts to get a pandemic under control, and it has even sown enough confusion and paranoia… to bring about an insurrection at the United States Capitol Building. Which is a problem so large that we are all now searching for answers as to how to stop this spread of stupidity in our world and well… finding the root cause would be helpful in combating it for certain and oddly enough, cinema is starting to get into that particular exploration. For what better place to explore the potential causes of misinformation than stories, since they can offer objectivity and observation and it just so happens that Shudder is now host to a film that explores what drives people to indulge in misinformation in The Scary of Sixty-First.

Now in this particular film we are introduced to Noelle and Addie. A pair of friends that are moving into their first upscale New York apartment together as roommates and well, it doesn’t take long for them to have some serious concerns about this swanky new place. Because there are odd designs to this apartment and its price was super low for its location and it turns out… that this appears to have been property owned by Jeffrey Epstein. And his special brand of gross and evil might be influencing Addie in a negative and dangerous light and now it will be up to Noelle and an unnamed conspiracy theorist to save Addie from Epstein’s potential grip from beyond the grave.

Which initially, seems like a plot that is mired more in supernatural elements over commentary on conspiracy theories and their origins, but it is most definitely there. Because we never see a ghost or a specter here, just a pair of everyday people that are straight up bored and listless. For Noelle and Addie have no real goals in life, no real connections, they just go about their day and see where it takes them and these theories and the strange behavior that Addie latches onto… gives them purpose and direction at last. Making it clear that the root cause of these problems is a lack of direction or purpose for these individuals. But having a cause, one that forces them to work for evidence, gives them what they need and drives them forward at last.

A reality that speaks to the possibility that perhaps we’ve grown complacent and listless in our modern world and need to do a better job of offering up new avenues for people to feel productive in society and have meaning, because to do otherwise is indeed disastrous. But while that commentary is fascinating in its own right and gives us plenty to ponder upon, none of that really screams horror either, but… it is there, in a unique manner. Because the negative behavior that everyone leans into here, leads to a different kind of horror film, one that allows for us to bear witness to downward mental spirals and twisted behavior and well, this aspect of the film is not for the weak of the heart in the slightest.

Because it goes to some genuinely depraved places for certain, the kind that are taboo in nature at times and wildly uncomfortable. But the horror of losing one’s mind, does fit the subject material and horror does know no bounds, so this is more of a warning than a knock on a movie that is outright ambitious. Because you just rarely see horror films let loose in this manner anymore and the 70s aesthetic present only adds to the movie’s angry, throwback feel. In the end however, if you’re looking for a solid and twisted horror flick that is filled to the brim with commentary on a major problem in our world and you won’t be disturbed by some outlandish sequences and concepts, then swing by Shudder when you have a chance and give this twisted and visceral ride a look.  

One thing that horror fans everywhere can agree upon, is that this genre is by far the most intelligent and diverse one known to man. Because there’s no other genre out there that can examine the human condition the way that horror does and it is in fact, so smart and so self-aware… that it also understands the importance of sometimes just letting go and having fun with with the fans. 
​
Which is why we are sometimes treated to some silly but downright entertaining horror films. The kind that really throw caution to the wind to see what sticks and earlier today, Wide Eye Releasing took the time to remind us of the fun that horror can have, by releasing a poster, a trailer and a synopsis for the upcoming horror film, Amityville in Space, and well… here are all of those goodies for you to enjoy, courtesy of Wild Eye Releasing.

From Wild Eye Releasing, pack your bags for a frightening intergalactic stay at Amityville.
 
The ultimate battle against the Amityville curse begins after the infamous murder house is exorcised from Earth and reappears in outer space in AMITYVILLE IN SPACE - coming this July!
 
From director Mark Polonia (SHARKULA), and starring Titus Himmelberger, Cassandra Hayes,  Tim Hatch, Ryan Dalton and Jeff Kirkendall, AMITYVILLE IN SPACE is set to remind you that screams go unheard in space.

It is definitely safe to say that stories about broken families that start over in a new town… have become quite cliché and stale in nature. For they always feature a guilty parent that is eager to make amends for their mistake and the kids in the family are always angry and resentful for having their lives uprooted, and if by chance this plot is accompanied by a horror element, then you can absolutely guarantee that their lamentations are all for naught. Since the evil usually claims everyone or leaves the family further shattered and if it isn’t a horror story… then you can bet on an unsatisfying ending that wraps everything up in a haphazard manner.
​
Which really does leave one to wonder, if this is a style of story that can find anything new to offer its audience or if cliché is its fate, and believe it or not… it most certainly can, and for proof… then look no further than the new horror/comedy series, Shining Vale. For this brand-new series on STARZ provides a refreshing take on this style of story, and we here at Nerds That Geek have had the honor of seeing this series early and thought it would be fun to explain how this show livens this type of story up, and why it is worth watching… in a spoiler free manner of course, and the first reason this show is worth checking out, is because it makes you extremely comfortable.

For this story revolves around the Phelps family, and when we meet them in this tale, they are moving into their new home in the wonderful town of Shining Vale. An out of the way berg that will allow for the family to reconnect after infidelity nearly ripped them apart. And of course, once they settle into their new abode, strange surprises begin to surround the family, which really is a familiar plot. One that helps you to lower your guard, so you can enjoy a story you’ve likely seen before with A-list stars leading the charge. But the comfort is the trick here since it lulls you into a false sense of security. One that is shattered by some stunning twists and turns that outright catch you off guard and engage you, and keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. Because there is so much more to this story and this house, and its characters than meets the eye, and its wonder doesn’t end there.

Because there was mention of this being a comedy in addition to a horror story and the humor here does not disappoint. In large part because the story uses relatable humor to make us laugh, but it also holds nothing back when it comes to the jokes, allowing for some rip-roaringly hilarious moments to take place. The kind that motivates you to hit pause to get the laughs out, so you don’t miss a single moment of what’s to come and in addition to the jokes, this is also a wonderful homage to the horror genre as well. For there are little winks and nods to classic films such as The Shining, among others, and it doesn’t hurt that when the show opts to lean into the scare factors, it does so in such a raw and visceral manner that you quickly find your pulse racing in anticipation of quite the fright.

However, we would be foolish to not circle back on another point we made earlier, one regarding the cast. Because the actors are critical to selling key moments to an audience and the A-listers here make that happen. Because this show features Courtney Cox, and Greg Kinnear, and Mira Sorvino and they are simply electric on screen and their incredible resumes and skills allow for the jokes and the scares to work seamlessly here and the best news of all, is that we don’t have to wait all that much longer to enjoy this amazing series. For Shining Vale makes its two-episode debut on Sunday March 6, 2022, at 10:20 p.m. EST and we here at Nerds That Geek cannot wait for you to experience this incredible new show. One that manages to reinvent a tired sub-genre, in the most dynamic way imaginable.

As an added bonus, here is a sneak-peek clip of the show’s series premiere for you to enjoy. If it doesn’t load, please click here to view it.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 208 of ‘Locke & Key’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
​Over the course of the past two years, the Netflix series, Locke & Key, has done a phenomenal job of immersing us within the magical world that the Locke family resides in. A feat made possible by quality storytelling and dynamic characters. Since we all find a bit of ourselves in the Locke family and their adventures have given way to world-building moments that make the magic of Matheson and Keyhouse feel organic in nature. But while that has provided us with comfort and exciting discoveries revolving around the keys and the evil that haunts this family, this story has managed to neglect one important aspect of this magical universe.
​
Specifically, how the family came to understand the power of the keys and how they forged them in the first place and oddly enough, the writers’ room decided that now was the perfect time to explore the answers to those longstanding mysteries. For the next episode in this storied saga, ‘Irons in the Fire’ mostly steps away from Gabe’s plan to take over the world by channeling demons into people with the newly forged Demon Key, to explore the past and fill the last gaps in our understanding of this world. Which means we spent a fair chunk of time in this tale, back in the Revolutionary War era, and we quickly learned that the Locke’s of yore, were smuggling and building weapons for the war and that brought about a great deal of problems for the family.

Since the Red Coats came calling to check in on ‘illegal’ activity and of course found the stash and that led to a violent standoff at Keyhouse. One where a father fell while trying to valiantly defend his family and where the British soldiers that instigated this fight, led by a Captain Gideon… were forced to retreat to the caves near Keyhouse. A panicked decision that brought about the discovery of the portal that once housed Dodge and trouble. Since spirits traveled through the gateway and possessed some of the soldiers, including Gideon. But while a few bullets and a noose dealt with his evil and brought justice for the family, the Whispering Iron left behind and the way it spoke to the surviving Locke family members, allowed for the keys to be forged in the name of safety, and it was just cool to finally see the exact origin of the keys and come to understand what led to their creation.

Yet while that plot thread allowed for some engaging and fascinating moments, there was mention of the fact that this episode didn’t entirely abandon the Gabe mess, and well, once it returned to that… it wasted zero time in informing us of the fact, that the Locke family was in over their heads. Since Gabe had built quite the army of the damned and came quite close to turning Kinsey, and had it not been for Bode… he might have been successful, and this segment of the story was not without its sorrow. Since Gabe did get to Jackie and turned her no problem, and Josh is in trouble since he entertained what Eden had to say and really, these struggles and revelations became so concerning and so messy that they motivated Tyler to really ponder upon a way out and it seems as though our heroes might have found it.

For dear old dad had a touch of Whispering Iron hidden in a fishing lure on his hat and now that Tyler has it, and has responded to its whispers, he will be the one to build a key that hopefully will save the day. But before we dig into that; we can reflect upon one unique tale. Because a backstory themed episode, this late in a season is rare. But it works here, simply because it gives us more context and allows for the audience to breathe since things are getting dark in Matheson, courtesy of Gabe and well… now that this leg of the journey is complete, it is definitely time to dive into the next chapter. To see what kind of key is created and how exactly it is going to stop the growing evil that is quietly spreading through this idyllic town. Until next time.