If there is one particular truth about the zombie that is presented to us time and time again, it is that they cannot be defeated. For the living dead are legion of sorts and for every one that dies, others will take their place, providing those that face them, and the audiences that enjoy their stories, with endless terror. And those words are critical to our discussion, simply because they apply to The Walking Dead Universe. For several months after the series finale of the biggest zombie series in television history, the walking dead have regrouped and are ready to have their day in the sun once again, as evidenced by what was recently showcased at WonderCon 2023. 

For at the event, AMC Networks hosted panels regarding The Walking Dead: Dead City, and the final season of Fear the Walking Dead. To offer up some juicy details about these shows and to provide us with new teasers, and key art (for Fear the Walking Dead), and new photos to boot. All of which we have to share with you today. Such as the fact that Dead City will now officially premiere on Sunday, June 18 at 10:00 p.m. ET on AMC and AMC+, with subsequent episodes airing at 9:00 p.m. ET. and the final season for Fear the Walking Dead kicks off on Sunday, May 14 at 9:00pm ET on AMC and AMC+. Plus, we also came to learn that there will be a time jump in Fear and that we are headed back to King County, Georgia for reasons that will become apparent as the story rolls along. 

But of course, it is the trailers and the pictures that we crave when it comes to events such as this, so without further ado… here are updated synopses of both shows, and what you’ve been waiting for… courtesy of AMC Networks.

The Walking Dead: Dead City follows the popular Maggie (Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) characters traveling into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, long ago cut off from the mainland. The crumbling city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty, and terror.

Fear the Walking Dead’s eighth season begins after the conclusion of Season 7, when Morgan’s (Lennie James) and Madison’s (Dickens) hopes to rescue Mo from PADRE did not go as planned.
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Now, Morgan, Madison and the others they brought to the island are living under PADRE’s cynical rule. With our characters demoralized and dejected, the task of reigniting belief in a better world rests with the person Morgan and Madison set out to rescue in the first place — Morgan’s daughter, Mo.

​The quest to have everyone go to bed with a full stomach has been going on for years and will continue as the population continues to grow. Even with plenty of surplus being grown every year in different countries, the food never seems to find its way to those who need it. While different excuses are given for this, mainly that it is too expensive to do, there are other options that can be explored for those who need help. The ocean seems to be large, vast and full of treasures hidden beneath the waves, but it is also a good resource of food and also a place that nourishment can be grown above and under the waves.
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Wanting to get a story for the paper about trying to feed the world’s hungry, Jan Raines has found her way into the local ocean institute. Getting a quick one on one with Doctor McNeal, she is shocked to see his work on crabs and what it can mean for the future. While the doctor has other things to tend to and will give her a full interview later on, Jan is happy to be shown around the facility by junior marine biologist Pete Adams who has taken a liking to her. Learning more about the life of crabs and how they grow, Jan is getting the basis for her story, but there is something huge festering in the ocean that is looking to make its mark on the small island community.

Listening to the news about a failure at the local nuclear power plant, Jan’s father is seen talking to the cameras saying that all of the safety precautions that were in place worked they way they should have. But a following report admits that some radioactive waste was able to escape the plant and Jan is starting to worry about the area’s safety. With the promise that nothing bad will happen, the young reporter goes on about her day and is able to get more information from the good doctor about his work. Getting asked out by Pete after her workday has come to an end, Jan has no idea what lies on the horizon for her as the local wildlife, especially crabs, are starting to act very strangely.

Riding her bike back home, Jan sees a massive migration of crabs making their way towards her and she is forced to run for her life. Calling Pete in a panic after what she has just seen, Pete tries his best to believe the young woman’s story since this is something that crabs never do. But when returning to the scene, the couple finds that there is something more sinister happening on the island as a massive crab shell is located. Showing their find to Doctor McNeal, the professionals are happy that their growth hormone is really working in the wild, but with the addition of some radioactive waste being added, they may have formed a crab the likes of which the world has never seen.

You can tell me that there will be a giant crab in a movie and yes, I will watch it with no questions asked. While this movie is dated, it still deals with the same science that we are using today to try and make the world a better place. But, as we have seen in monster movies over the years, this is never a good idea and when something out of our control takes place, well, disaster is not far behind. With very little real science, swarms of crabs, a murder mystery, swarms of crabs, a mysterious attack by the water, a swarm of crabs, some folks from off the island, a swarm of crabs and an extra giant crab, this movie is just some good old fun. Even though the ocean has given me many reasons not to go back into the water (SHARKS), now I have to be on the lookout for crabs as well. Stay Scared.

​It is amazing to see how far haunted house shows have come over the years. As the normal doors shutting on their own and occasional disembodied voice used to be a good way to see that there is a haunting, everything has changed. Using new cameras, especially the one off of the Xbox One that can pinpoint where ghosts are hiding, and the crazy spirit box that allows you to talk to a ghost in real time, it leads many to wonder if there is anything to these new advances, or if they are just a way to make better television. While I do believe that there are ghosts out there, I am a little concerned with the new equipment being used as it appears to be something that can be tampered with, but I know one thing for sure, it does make for some interesting viewing.
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Arriving at the Pennhurst Asylum, the crew of Paranormal Investigations knows that they are in for a treat. Exiting the van and working on getting their gear unloaded, Megan is surprised to get a visit from Willard, whom she assumes is the caretaker of the old building. Begging the team to leave before something bad happens to them, the crew makes their way into the old building with hundreds of years of history and are not shocked with what they are starting to document.

Having Jesse lead the way into every room in the old asylum, she gives her team the brief history of what would have happened in each particular spot. But the further into the building they go, the more they are starting to feel like there is something roaming the halls around them. Hearing what sounds like children playing in the building, the group rushes to find an empty room, but after the room gives off a blast of supernatural activity, they know that this will be the show that will bring them back to the top. Unloading the rest of their gear and getting back into the building while the sun is still up, they have no ideas what secrets the building is willing to give up.

While the group is broken up and setting up around the old building, each member is starting to notice strange things happening around them. From strange apparitions appearing, to an extremely frisky patient needing some loving, each member of the group is forced to see firsthand what the stories have only talked about. But there is someone else hiding out in the building who is looking to leave his mark on the film crew as they quickly find out when members start to go missing. With the old story of Doctor Death roaming the halls back in the day, he is back and willing to bring peace to his new round of patients, but little does he know what the building has in store for himself as well.

This turned out a little different than what I expected when the movie started to play and that is a good thing since the story being told to scare friends would have been alright, but living it made it that much better. The banter between the group members was key to making sure that the story could play out properly and they did a good job pulling together and the movie did a good job taking out the characters that nobody cared about, first. Some of the effects were fun and I would have never guessed that an iPad would be good for ghost hunting, but this movie goes to show that you can use next to anything to find ghosts. With a haunted asylum, a strange caretaker, children ghosts, adult ghosts, questionable medical procedures and a doctor that is not willing to believe that the asylum is closed, it is just a good little action-packed horror movie that will make you think twice about entering an asylum, whether you are crazy or not. Stay Scared.

​While the internet continues to grow and grow, it is important that everyone’s website have some sort of shtick that separates them from the other sites. It has become apparent over the years that I am a sucker for horror movies, good or bad and am more than happy to chat about them. Once in a while however, I do like to deviate from the mold I have put myself into and check out something different. Even though this does not happen often, it is a good thing to do since there are my other types of movies that people, along with me, love and it is fun to try and put them under the same scrutiny. 

Being more than willing to cater to his fans, David Baker is on his next haunted adventure for his creepy website. Getting a message from Carol Anderson about her house being haunted and willing to have it all filmed and shared with the world, David is on his way to find out what is really happening in the house. Driving to the edge of the forest to see what all of the fuss is about, David has no idea what he is getting himself into but will find out shortly that there is something a little off about his new client.

Arriving at the house and meeting Carol for the first time, David does not know what to think, but is willing to think that she is a little crazy. Saying that she is able to communicate with the spirits around her house and see what they want her to see, David gets it all on film, but there is more going on in the house than just her craziness. Setting up his cameras all around the house, he is given the instruction that there is only one room off limits, Carol’s grandmother’s room, since the woman does not want to be disturbed. Agreeing to this rule, David goes about his business, but during the first night of checking out the house, he is drawn to this room and caught by Carol who is not happy with him trying to approach the room.

Sitting down in the kitchen, Carol apologies to David about her attitude towards him and the room, but it was what was agreed upon. Heading back to bed and being awoken a couple of hours later to crashing sounds in the kitchen, David finds Carol out of sorts and upset with the haunting investigation taking over the house. Being sent away while she cleans up, David checks the footage and believes that Carol’s grandmother is helping the young woman fake the haunting. But that is only the beginning when David gets up the next morning and finds that the grandmother’s room is empty. With the new information in hand, he confronts the eccentric woman about what is really going on in the house. Getting the story about how her grandmother is able to communicate with her, David has no idea how much Carol needs him and after leaving the house, a spirit from the great beyond follows him and will not let him sleep until he uncovers the true mystery in the house.

A different type of haunted house story with a twist that was pretty different from the standard types, so this movie gets some props there. It was kind of a character study for David as he is trying to find out what is happening in the house and fending off Carol’s advances towards him. Not looking for love on his latest adventure, that is not the only thing that Carol wants, but is portrayed that way. With a haunting following him home and watching as David is forced to listen to someone else who works in the haunting field, it is obvious that he really is not a believer, but that changes when there is no other choice for him to reclaim his sanity. With a haunted house, an eccentric woman, some haunting events, a dead grandmother, a missing dog, a warning and the mystery of the Anderson family, kind of a depressing movie when the credits roll, but you do get the final payoff. Stay Scared.

​Scotty’s Review of ‘Maximum Overdrive’
To this day, astronomers still do not know what the cosmos truly have in store for us. With so much to still be discovered in our solar system, there are so many more questions on what is further out. Is there life somewhere else in the universe that can help teach us how to travel, or will they want to take over our planet from us? Will we know the answers in our lifetime? I doubt it, but there is no shame in looking up and admiring the beauty of the stars.

The earth has fallen behind the rouge Rhea-M comet and will stay in its tail debris for eight days. No one knows what effect this will have on the planet, but they are sure that something strange may occur. But, when machines start to get minds of their own, the nation starts to panic. Why would something that we built try to harm us anyway, we are the creators.

Being held up in a truck stop, Bill Robinson witnesses an attack firsthand on a waitress. Not really understanding what is happening, he destroys the electric knife, but when he sees that parked trucks just outside of the window come to life, he knows the group inside of the building are in for something out of this world. Teaming up with Brett, a young female drifter that finds him cute, Bill has to take control of the situation as best he can to keep everyone inside and away from the rogue trucks that are hungry for human blood. 

Witnessing the same thing on the other side of town Deke Keller is keeping his head down and making his way to the truck stop to see his father. Being stalked by an ice cream truck, Deke finds that he can travel underground in the storm pipes safely and works his way to be with his father. Not understanding the magnitude of what is happening, the group in the truck stop hear strange honking that is Morse code asking for help. The trucks need fuel to survive, and they offer free passage for those who help, but Bill and Brett have a different plan and that is to escape everything electronic altogether.

All I can say is wow. This is an off the wall idea that now has me worried about upsetting my toaster. If you think about it, what do we use these days that does not run off of some sort of motor that could be infected by a comet’s gas cloud? Not much, and I would have to tell you that the human race would be doomed if this ever really happened. If there was ever a movie that I would like to see a remake of featuring more technology of the time, it would be this one. Not to criticize how this movie added scares, but it was mainly automobiles that did all of the attacking, when there are so many more items in a home that we trust, it would make the thrills just that much more mesmerizing. Stay Scared.

​John’s Review of ‘Maximum Overdrive’
Back in the middle of the 1980’s, the return of Halley’s Comet managed to ignite the imagination of horror filmmakers in new and exciting ways, to the point where a trilogy of horror flicks hit the market all celebrating the possible terrors waiting for us within the comet’s tail. There was Night of the Comet, a story that featured a comet coming to Earth and laying waste to mankind by way of a strange red dust. There was Lifeforce, wherein some pretty awesome space vampires came to our world with Halley’s Comet, and there was also… Maximum Overdrive. 
 
Now, this is a film that continues to be divisive among fans, some people love it, others wish it never existed and its iconic status as a B movie gone wrong makes it a must see amongst horror fans. But why is this film so divisive? Well, that's at the top of today's discussion because, it never ceases to amaze me how passionate people get when they discuss this film with others. But for me this film is a guilty pleasure because at times it's freaking awesome, and at other times... it's freaking bad and since we here at Nerds That Geek discuss different views on films, here's what makes this movie so great and so awful. 
 
Now first and foremost, this film has a wonderful premise. A rogue comet swings by earth, the planet is trapped in its tail, machinery goes wild and attacks us. It's a great satire on our reliance on technology and quite frankly when the machines go wild, the story delivers some incredible kills, which means that if you're a gore-hound than this movie is for you. There's lawnmowers moving about that love to snack on human flesh, a dazzling scene involving a bulldozer and someone's skull, the list goes on and on and the splatter is so fulfilling that you'll be hooting and hollering the entire time when a quality kill goes down... but alas... outside of that and the rocking AC/DC soundtrack, that's all the film has going for it. 

Which makes this an ironic viewing because Stephen King wrote the original short story for it (entitled 'Trucks') and the screenplay and directed the sucker. Heck the trailer even speaks to the fact that King thought it was high time he personally handled an adaptation of his work. So, one would think that such a master of terror would provide us with perhaps his magnum opus, but it's clear that King was simply not ready for the Director's Chair. While the carnage is great, the scares are simply not there, and well... the acting leaves something to be desired as well. It's wooden, cheesy and at times beyond the over the top and for proof, look no further than the 'We Made You!' scene. Fans of the movie know what I'm talking about, and for those about to watch it for the first time, when it happens, you'll know. 

Which brings us to the most important part of revisiting this film, especially for the uninitiated; is it watchable and worth a look? The answer is a surprising yes. For one, it's a hell of a ride. Rocking music, blood and guts, all things that entertain to no end and when all is said and done, the laughable stuff is equally as enjoyable. Sure, you're going to cringe at the acting, or roll your eyes when things get out of hand, but you'll want to know how it ends because this is a movie unlike any other. This is that rare one-of-a-kind experience that you tell your friends about because come on, the villain of the film is a semi-truck with a Green Goblin on the front, it's that wild. But the news of all, is that this movie has seen a renaissance on home video and at last, you too can experience the wonder of this incredible motion picture. 

It is always fun to look for the next haunted location to visit, mainly because you never know what you will encounter. With so many locations claiming to be haunted all over the world, you can wind up with an endless list of places to visit. With strange occurrences in every location, you never know what you will be privy to witnessing and that is what makes it fun. But there are some places that just do not want people around them and these are the more fascinating places to venture to, since some thrill-seeking ghost hunters are brave enough to check them out and show how violent some haunted locations can be.
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Checking his answering machine, Anton is happy to hear that there is a possible haunting case that will help get him out of debt. Finally getting a hold of his best hunter, Mick, Anton is able to get the rest of his crew onboard for the ghost hunt of their lives. Sitting down with Sandra and Thomas who are trying to sell their brother’s house, Mick and Anton listen to the accounts of what has been happening in the house. With the promise of fifty thousand dollars if they are able to make it through the night, Anton is ready to get the money and start his life over again.

Arriving at the haunted location, Anton takes note that there are plenty of bugs all around the front door, but when entering the house, he seems to be at ease. Doing a preliminary walk through with Mick to debunk any of the haunting events as manmade, the two do not spot anything. Welcoming in their other hunters, Terrance and Roach, the crew is ready to go lights out, but the house is more than happy to do that for them. With no power or lights, the crew start their ghost hunt with no idea what they are about to find.

While venturing through the darkened house, Mick is the first to get the feeling of something messing with the team, but when Anton tries to prove that it was a ghost, he sees something very distressing.  Seeing Roach lying motionless on the floor, Anton gets the team back together to see that she is alive and kicking. Trying to come up with a game plan for the rest of the night, the group notices that dolls that were not around during their first walkthrough are showing up out of nowhere. Knowing now that they are dealing with a poltergeist type of haunt, they have no idea what the house has in store for them as the unsettled spirits are looking to make their mark on the ghost hunting team.

This movie is not as bad as it was made out to be based on other reviews. What really stuck with me after watching this is that greed is bad, especially if there is a spirit that is trying to kill you. The group was fun together, as you get to hear their stories and get a little bit of back story on them, even the relationship between Mick and Roach that did not end well. With some jokes being played, angry spirits, a murder suicide, some creepy dolls, a poltergeist that knows your fears and a ton of money on the line, this movie makes sure you know about the dangers of greed. Knowing now that ghosts are not always as nice as they have been made out to be over the years, I would think twice about staying in a haunted location where religious artifacts are being moved around, and of course, trying to steal from the dead. Stay Scared.

​The thought of growing up can be frightening to many people, myself included. While I have graduated to doing my own laundry and paying all of my bills, I thought that being an adult would be different when all was said and done, but it seems to only be more expensive. Yet there are benefits to being a grown up, besides paying taxes and worrying if you will make next month’s rent, you get to foster stronger relationships. Looking back to your childhood relationships versus the ones you harbor as an adult, you can see that there is a massive change in what they are really all about and that should be nothing to frown upon.
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After her morning workout, Dana (a.k.a. Nails) sees her husband struggling to get out of bed. Telling him to cut it out and actually get up, Dana does not want to see him leave her on tour for six months. But with music being his dream, Charles is happy to be out of the medic role and in a band that will produce much more money for the homestead. Joking about what he will be doing while on the road, he is happy to present his wife a lovely anniversary gift that she can use on their next camping outing. With something special to tell him, Dana is happy to be heading out to the wilderness, away from all of the technology that has impeded their relationship.

While driving out to the forest, Dana wants to know how Charles feels about adding to their little band with a baby rock star. Saying that they are not one of those couples that have kids, Dana has kept this secret much longer than she expected to. Getting into the woods and finding the spot where he proposed to his darling wife, the couple sets up camp and goes to sleep. But they are not alone in the woods as Dana finds out when she hears shots in the middle of the night. Waking up and telling Charles what she heard, she is concerned that there is some bad omen surrounding the trip, but Charles wants to keep on going.

Trekking deeper into the woods, the couple comes across the old campsite of some hunters, and she finds a book about carrying a baby. Hearing strange whispering, she keeps the book hidden from her husband and continues on with the hike. Finding another perfect spot to hold up for the night, the couple is shocked when they are only yards away from the hunting party that is blowing off steam. While listening to the men having a great drunken time, they also find that there is something much more sinister in the woods than just these men. Hearing the call of a strange creature and watching as it tears the group to shreds, Charles spots one survivor and brings him back to the tent. Listening to their new friend Sean re-tell a story that he was told about the woods, Dana and Charles are in for a life changing event in their relationship.

With the common relationship banter to start off the movie, it really takes off when you meet Sean and that is not a bad thing. Trying to find out more and more about the couple, including trying to make a move on the married Dana, he knows what is hunting them in the woods and knows how to escape it, really adding to the tension in the tent. After coming face to face with the wooded creature, Dana has some self-reflecting to do and while she knows that she wants to have the baby, everything becomes clear to her, and she is forced to choose whether or not she will be a wooded person as well. With morning sickness, a clueless husband, a disbanded hunting party, a creepy stranger, a legend of the woods, some gun fire and lost women who love their home, it really is an interesting concept overall. I really wish there was a little more background of the women of the woods, but there was enough to understand why they have become what they have become, because nobody wants to be in loveless marriage. Stay Scared.

​Communication in any type of relationship is key to making sure it does not fade. When you start to notice the lack of communication, it is important to call it out, because if you don’t, it will continue to get worse instead of better. Being on the same page is very important when everything is said and done and when that fades, it not only hurts the relationship, it hurts you as well. Keeping an open dialogue with your partner/partners will ensure that you will never be out of the loop, especially when something important comes to the table.
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Buying a new house for himself and his girlfriend to live in, Hugh McAllister believes that he is ready to take the next step and Laurie is starting to see that he is growing up. Seeing that the house is a bit of a project does not affect how the two feel about their next step together and they are ready to make their new house a home. But there is an underlying feeling that Laurie is keeping to herself and knows that there is still some growing that Hugh must do before she is willing to continue moving forward. 

While unpacking, Laurie finds out that some of their old friends are on their way over to the house. With it not being set up for company yet, Laurie is starting to stress over the situation and Hugh does not have much to say for himself except that he is sorry. Welcoming Mark, Kenneth, Harmony and Amber into their house, Laurie goes along with the idea of having a few friends spend the weekend with them, but when she finds out that there is going to be a party, she comes to the conclusion that Hugh only made this move, so he could have a cool party house like he did in college. Not overriding the party plan, since Hugh said he would kick everyone out after a couple drinks, Laurie has no idea what the night will have in store for her friends and partner.

Seeing Harmony sitting outside and drawing the house, Mark sees something in the backyard that is much more interesting. Convincing his friends to come along and check out what seems to be an abandoned house, Kenneth, Harmony, Amber and Mark make their way into the house to find that it is pretty run down with no signs of life. Showing no regard for the items inside the house, they wind up awakening someone that takes offense to their presence in her home. Making it back to Hugh and Laurie’s house before the night settles in, the group has no idea that the other home owner is looking to take out their vengeance on the young adults, but not only for running amuck in her house, but for being some of the pretty people that caused her youth to be tainted.

Pretty cool story overall, I was a little taken back with the gore on the screen, but since I love blood and guts, I got more than I expected. I cannot believe the disregard that the group showed in the old, abandoned home and the reaction to it seemed a little excessive, but that is what really brought the movie to life. I liked the relationships that were shown in the group, even the little flirtations that were shown between them all, because you knew that they would lead to something interesting. With an old/new house, electrical issues, an abandoned house, a pissed off homeowner, a killer back story, a massive party, plenty of boozing and people losing their heads, this movie gave us the new super villain, The Blood Widow. I really hope that this movie gets a sequel, especially because the Blood Widow is really good at cleaning and covering her tracks since she takes the life-force from her victims. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Leave’.
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Somewhere along the line in our journey through life, we will come to learn quite the valuable lesson. In that, chasing for the truth, can at times… be quite the costly quest. Because sometimes the answers we seek are quite devastating in nature and they will have a painful and lasting impact upon us. One that truly hammers home that lesson and, has the potential to make us a touch skittish to ever approach such a quest again. So that we don’t have to deal with the fallout and the pain of that can accompany a search for facts. In fact, that hard lesson tends to teach us, to pick and choose our quests and really only focus on the truths we absolutely need to know in the moment. 
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Which… has its pros and cons. Since it does shield us from the ugly but could also prevent us from learning something critical. Which means that perhaps the best advice on the truth… is to always engage in the search for it. Regardless of the emotional risk. Simply because, to know it gives one peace and it could lead to so many other wonders down the line, and really… the importance of chasing for the truth, risk be damned, is top of mind today simply because Shudder is now host to a motion picture that explores those benefits… in a harrowing manner of course. A feat that Leave accomplishes, by introducing us to a woman named Hunter White, who is desperate to learn the truth about her past and her family.

Simply because… those facts are unknown to her. For Hunter was abandoned as an infant. But thanks to the kindness of her adoptive family, she thrived and even found her way into a journalism scholarship. But rather than pursue the present… she must know why her birth parents abandoned her and that prompts her to skip school and head to Norway. Where DNA results indicate her bloodline begins, all to find her birth parents, and while she discovers tragedy untold with them… she does discover that her extended family is alive and well and eager to welcome her into the fold with open arms. But that is mainly because, they are harboring some dark and ugly secrets about the family and its past, and hope that kindness will keep those secrets in the dark. But eventually… Hunter comes to realize those secrets exist and she will have to decide… whether or not the pursuit of the truth will be worth her while, or if it will turn out to be the greatest mistake she’s ever made.

Which is a plot that at first glance, seems to reflect the dangers of chasing the truth. Since encountering dark secrets and facing real trouble because of them… really does carry a negative connotation. Not to mention the movie makes a point to create a real air of danger for Hunter throughout the story. Partly thanks to the strange supernatural occurrences that surround her on her hunt for the truth. Since those are quite jarring and terrifying in nature and truly add the traditional horror elements to the story. But it is the secrets she uncovers about her extended family that really creates a true sense of danger and puts her at quite the crossroads. Wherein she must make that aforementioned decision and that… is where this story truly shines in its commentary on why chasing the truth is important.
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Because… it can benefit us in ways we never thought possible. Since it can shed incredible light on darkness that has plagued us, and it can reveal critical facts about people and situations that should have been brought to everyone’s attention ages ago. A message that is hammered home in a fascinating and surprising manner, during the finale of this feature. Wherein Hunter does decide to go for it and do what must be done to uncover the truth about her family and their past and there is inspiration to be found within that act since it takes great bravery to do so, and her bold push to learn, also teaches us that the peace that one will experience in doing so, can and will make the risk worthwhile. As to how exactly that plays out in this film… we won’t break down in great detail. Simply because you need to experience the discoveries that Hunter makes firsthand, to properly soak up the lesson and to properly enjoy, an engaging horror feature. 

One that feels grounded in realism thanks to Hunter’s important quest and features some solid scares and eerie moments and a twist that will horrify and unsettle. Plus, it features great performances, with Alicia von Rittberg leading the charge as Hunter. For she brings an earnestness to the role and a vulnerability that really sells Hunter’s plight, and her performance also draws you into the story further and prompts you to root for her to find the answers when the going gets tough, and when the gross people in this story do their thing. Because it should be mentioned that there are some ugly acts in this film that will make you uncomfortable, the kind brought forth by worst monster of all, man, and that too lends power and gravity to this fascinating motion picture. One that really does remind us… why the truth matters and why we should seek it out, regardless of the difficult nature of the search.   

Let’s take a quick trip back to the seventies and reflect upon the horror movies that came out in that era. Back then, horror movies were based on blood and guts and a strong story line. Not forgetting this, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino combined forces and drew upon their youth to re-invent a new cult favorite.

Having many storylines between couples, brothers and a dysfunctional father/daughter relationship, Planet Terror brought more than just relationships to the screen. With a fantastic staff comes great acting by way of horror greats Tom Savini and Michael Biehn, and they are nicely complimented by Freddie Rodriguez, Rose McGowan and Bruce Willis.

Now while nothing about this movie screams Oscar in any way, shape or form, it is a very entertaining film as you watch all of the different characters grow in one way or another. The effects are nothing less than spectacular having one of the greats, Greg Nicotero leading the charge with all kinds of splatter flying across the screen.  Not being given limits of how the infected will be disposed of makes an effects driven movie much more entertaining.

Planet Terror takes you on a spectacular ride as a type of zombie virus is released on a small town. The DC-2 gas that is released either kills people or makes them dependent on it.  The folks that are immune to its effects are ravaged by the infected.  Fighting with the Sheriff and new hero Wray, a group bands together to take on a corrupted military platoon as they try to leave town.  Meeting up with Biochemist Abby, the group takes their fight to the next level as they discover the only weakness the infected soldiers have, is the DC-2 gas.

With your main storyline hiding behind Wray, a tow truck driver that has a hidden past that only wants to save his love, Cherry, there are plenty of other stories to go around. There is Cherry, a now former Go-Go Dancer that is looking for her next profession, possibly as a stand-up comedian. Lt. Muldoon is looking for some way to keep his men alive after being exposed to DC-2 gas. And then there is the brothers, J.T. and Sheriff Hague who continually battle over the best bar-b-q in the family. Then Doctor William Block and his wife Doctor Dakota Block are at their wits ends with each other, but neither will say anything to the other as since there is zero trust between them.

If you are looking for a fast-paced horror film with tons of blood, Planet Terror is your film. Lots of blood and guts being shot all over the screen with strong performances and a story line that keeps your attention, Robert Rodriguez has brought the cult classic back to the big screen. The film even adds grain along with discoloration added in to make you feel as if you are watching an old beat-up movie that has been played many times over before getting to you. Having a missing reel is also a stroke of genius as you move from the movie's love scene to a building burning down, having no reason why. Scares, humor, action and gore, the only elements you need for a good horror movie. If you have not seen this film yet and love horror or scary movies, pick it up, you will not be disappointed. If you have seen it, give it another view, for there are scenes that will still make you smile as you remember back to your first viewing. Stay scared out there.

We all suffer from an interesting issue when it comes to motion pictures. We love villains. We cannot take our eyes off of them, we cannot spend enough time talking about them, they simply fascinate us. I don't know if it is a darker side of us that somehow gravitates to the evil that we see on screen, but that line of thinking moves toward an interesting discussion for another day.  

Instead, maybe, just maybe, we aren't necessarily all about the villain and what he or she stands for...but the person who plays them. It could be the actor that somehow makes the villain worth our while and that specific reason is why I think Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof is so damn enjoyable.  

Stuntman Mike lives on the edge, just as his namesake implies. It is all about thrills and chills for Mike as he brings about death-defying stuns that keep all of us in awe on the screen. He does his job from his death proof car day in, and day out and always has a smile on his face. But don't let his charm fool you, Mike has a secret. He's a sucker for a beautiful lady, and he loves nothing more than to kill them in the most thrilling of fashion.  

The second half of the film Grindhouse is not without its flaws. At times Death Proof is a little slow and seems to lose its way. Yet, you are captivated with every frame of this film. The characters manage to jump off the screen thanks in part to amazing performances from Rosario Dawson and a hell of a surprising turn from Zoë Bell. Plus, the gory special effects are about as top notch as they get courtesy of always fantastic work from KNB.  

But there is one man that steals the show in this film, and it's Kurt Russell's turn as Stuntman Mike and his performance is exactly what I mentioned earlier...this is a villain that you cannot stop being fascinated with. It's obvious that Stuntman Mike is one sick son-of-a-gun, thanks to his fiendishly disturbing skills as a stalker and well...his bloodlust to kill girls by way of car collision. Yet, Kurt's ability to turn on the charm when he needs to and genuinely terrify us a few seconds later is just incredible. It speaks to the talent that Mister Russell exudes on screen but also helps build the film up to a big surprise; the fact that when it comes down to it, Stuntman Mike is a big wimp.   

While Death Proof is a disgusting character study in the spirit of exploitation films in many ways, Director Quentin Tarantino and his unique style also make the film a fascinating character study by presenting the two halves of a killer, and I enjoyed how this film presents us with a sadistic killer that is just a man, who in the end, is terrified of death and pain like the rest of us. He's just found himself in a place where he can control and beat it and man...that makes for a smart horror flick and ends up making Death Proof completely worth your while.  ​