Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Banishing’.
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We are taught at a supremely young age, that evil is something that exists in this world and that we should be on the lookout for it as we grow older, so that we can recognize it and fight it at every turn. Which is a fine lesson for all of us to learn, one that we are eager to apply when we head out into the world. That is, until we find ourselves surprised by quite the twist. For we come to discover that evil is not as easy to spot as we were taught in our youth. For it doesn’t always make itself known. No instead, we come to learn that it is sneaky and deceiving and sometimes it exists on a moment’s notice when someone chooses to indulge in it out of the blue, and to make matters worse… we also come to learn that it is often hiding, inside positions of trust.
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Because those that indulge in evil and live by it, understand that being seen as someone good and wonderful, the kind that does lovely deeds and offers comfort, is the perfect cover to hide behind, so they can continue their misdeeds without an ounce of concern or accountability, and well… that creates a problem for the rest of us. In that, how does one fight evil when it assumes a trusted form? Because exposing its existence in a positive institution, could erode trust and faith in said institution and bring about chaos when it is dismantled and reassembled in a desperate attempt to restore what it once stood for. If anything, this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because Shudder is host to a new horror feature that explores that difficult question in a fascinating manner in The Banishing.

Now in this particular tale, we are transported back to 1930s England, while the nation is on the cusp of the Second World War. And while the entire country watches and waits to see if Great Britain will be drawn into conflict, a priest named Linus Forster and his wife Marianne and daughter Adelaide, are moving into their comfy new home to prepare for some important work. For Linus is replacing a priest that seemingly left his parish in spiritual disrepair, leaving it up to him and his family to restore faith in the church and grow the congregation. An act that shouldn’t take all that much effort. But as Linus gets to work on his mission from God, his wife begins to realize that there is something wrong with their new house and her suspicions are correct. For there is a dark and evil presence within its walls, one that is ready to claim all of their souls in a prompt manner and it will be up to Marianne and a town outcast to save this family from the horrific fate that the house has planned for them.

So, at first glance, that is a plot that really feels akin to a standard ghost story. Since so many of them feature a home that is host to a hidden evil or a vengeful force that is awakened by new tenants and owners. But it doesn’t take long for this motion picture to establish the fact that it is going to offer up more than standard scares and cliché. For it has a a lot to say about evil and how it hides in plain sight and it accomplishes that feat, by offering up some fascinating commentary on organized religion. In fact, one could say this movie is anti-religion since it portrays it in a negative light and outright cites it as a great cause for the ills of man and well… it’s not wrong. Because history is rife with examples where the church has done great evil, because the men that are in charge of it… are filled with great evil and that’s definitely on display here. Since this story features a man of the cloth that is all about doing awful deeds and manipulating people to do his bidding, lest they face his wrath.

Which in turn, returns us to the question at hand… exactly then, how do we fight that kind of evil? Because that’s the kind of bad that can outright rot an institution from within and destroy it. But oddly enough, the movie does have some answers in regard to that. In that, really the only way to fight that particular brand of evil… is to separate the individual from the notion or the institution in question, and stand united against them and what they represent, so that people understand that they’re not watching something sacred be infected or destroyed by a concept or a force, but by a single man… one that chose to turn their back on what matters most. Which is a surprisingly uplifting message to find in a horror film, one that is quite frankly, incredibly bleak and incredibly unsettling, when you step away from the powerful and intricate commentary present within its framework.

For the ghost scenes and the torment that the spirits put Marianne and her daughter through are quite jarring and visceral, to the point where you are purposely left confused and out of sorts. Making those scenes akin to a living nightmare, one from which it seems there is no escape since so many of them appear as though they will never end, and well, all of these elements, and some stellar performances, blend together to create one quality horror feature. One that really does work to offer up more than simple jump scares, since it is filled to the brim with daring commentary and striking messages on how to finally deal with a problem that has plagued mankind for as long as we can remember. All of which makes this a worthwhile watch for certain, since you can never go wrong with a horror film that offers up solid scares and poignant commentary, the kind that stays with you... long after the terror has come to an end.

‘The Banishing’ is available to stream right now, exclusively on Shudder.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘Creepshow’.
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For the most part, fusing genres is something that a majority of creative minds work to stay away from. In part because cross-genre storytelling can confuse an audience, but also because it is something that is frowned upon in general. After all, each genre out there, has so much to offer a reader or a viewer, that tossing a little science fiction into a family drama just seems like a silly idea. But while most creative minds ‘stay in their line’ in regard to genre-fusing, it does still happen, and it has even given life to some supremely popular stories and one such genre that indulges in genre fusion more often than any other... is horror. Simply because, scare makers know, that horror can work within the framework of any genre and for proof… then look no further than this week’s episode of Creepshow.
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Because this week’s dual tales of terror, injected terror into a pair of genres that normally don’t focus on fear, such as science fiction for instance, and putting a few scares into space, allowed for quite the poignant and brilliant tale to come to life. One that quite frankly, lulled the audience into a false sense of security. For ‘The Right Snuff’ really does feel like standard science fiction fare early on, since much of the plot here revolves around a gravity themed experiment aboard the science ship, Ocula, and getting to know the two-man crew aboard this vessel, Captain Alex Toomey and Major Ted Lockwood, And that simple setup, and a brief encounter with what turns out to be an alien vessel, leads one to believe that we’re about to dive into an homage from Alien, giving the viewer a satisfying, if not safe, sci-fi/horror hybrid.

But the realization on Toomey’s part that he will be a mere passenger for a forthcoming first contact event, brings the horror in question. For Toomey, becomes wildly jealous of Houston’s decision to have Lockwood be the one to speak with these aliens, since it will cement Ted’s name in the history books over his own. Which in turn motivates Toomey to commit murder in order to hog the glory for himself, a move that of course dooms mankind when it is revealed that Lockwood is an alien in disguise and what makes this so brilliant, is that it not only shatters the evil alien trope by making mankind the villain, but it puts the horror of humanity on display and serves to remind us that we are our own worst enemy and that our jealousy and pettiness will be our undoing. But what matters most, is that this lovely twist hammers home just how well horror works with any genre out there, since the evil that men do and the social commentary present here, blends seamlessly into this space bound tale.

As for the second vignette in this week’s episode, well it too manages to fool the audience in regard to what it is going to stand for. Since ‘Sibling Rivalry’ initially resembles a teen comedy drama, thanks to the introduction of the plucky and scattered Lola and a guest appearance from 80s teen movie legend, Molly Ringwald. Who plays a counselor named Miss Porter, that is dealing with quite the incredible claim when we catch up with her, here. For Lola firmly believes that a fundamental and concerning change has befallen her brother, Andrew. Since he is consistently frosty with her all of a sudden and she's seen him researching the wonder of brutal weapons. Which leads Lola to believe that her dear brother is preparing to murder her when she least expects it, a claim that Porter believes is woefully incorrect since Lola comes from a sound family environment and well, the resolution of that moment, allows for this story to take quite the surprising turn.

For it is revealed that Andrew is indeed entertaining the possibility of ending his sister’s life. But not because he’s lost his mind or has some kind of bloodlust, but because Lola is in fact… a vampiric monster. One that actually ate their parents without giving it a second thought and Andrew is eager to end her blood reign once and for all. But some pleading from Lola and some fair points, allows for her to turn Andrew to her side in every way possible. Allowing for this now shattered family line to continue and for revenge to be exacted on the vampire that turned Lola and well, that transforms this teenage dramedy into a supremely satisfying teenage horror dramedy when all is said and done. One that integrates the horror themes flawlessly into its story, once again reinforcing the fact that horror fits into every concept out there, and all it takes to make that work, is a little bit of storytelling care.

Because in reality, it takes quality writing to make this work right and that’s precisely what we get here. For both of these scripts use surprise and humor and commentary and deflection to sneak the horror into classic genres in a seamless manner and that just speaks to the talent that Greg Nicotero has assembled for this series and the writers of these two tales; Paul Dini, Stephen Langford, Greg and Melanie Dale deserve a round of applause for proving once again to the world, that horror is the most versatile genre out there. Since it can find its way into any story at any time and well, now that this adventure through terror has come to a close, we’re back to counting down the minutes until next week’s ghoulish delight, so we can once again see what kind brilliance the finest horror series on television, is going to bring to the autopsy table. Until next time, kiddies.

​Nothing bad ever came from playing a game, I am sure that someone said that at one point in time. I am of firm belief that Hungry Hungry Hippos is the safest game to play with friends, that is until you break the board and shoot the marbles out at everyone. It can be dangerous to play games, especially if your friends are very competitive. Things can get out of hand and when that happens you just need to know when to walk away, to save your friendship and of course, your own sanity.
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While at the carnival, Neesa is approached by a young boy that is eyeing her food. Trying to find out what he will trade her for it, the boy offers her a kiss, but she is not too sure about that, especially since she has a fiancé and all. Seeing her man Ryan come back for her, he has something serious to tell her…that he is breaking up with her. Not knowing what to do or what to say, since her heart has just been broken into a million pieces, Neesa has only one thing on her mind, to just end the pain.

Finding Neesa lying limp in her bathtub, her mother rushes her to the hospital. Waking up and not being able to find anyone around, Neesa sees a strange box on the floor, but before she is able to pick it up, a figure appears awakening her from her slumber. Waking up again, but this time for real, Neesa is ashamed that she was not able to complete the job that she had set her heart on and will find another way to do it again. Getting back home under her mother’s watchful eye, Neesa gets a visit from her best friend Samantha who has an alternative for her, to go out with some boys and have a good time.

Arriving at an abandoned garment factory with her friends Samantha, Kia, Travis and Adam, Neesa is ready to let her hair down for a couple hours and have some fun. Finding a place to sit back and have some drinks, the group tries to have a good time, but Neesa is hearing something strange in the distance. As the group decides to go and investigate what it could be, they find a temporary wall that has something hidden behind it. Pulling out an old army box, the group opens it up and finds old WWII documents, Nazi uniforms and a game box from ancient times. Reading the instructions for the game, Kia wants to give it a try, as it is supposed to summon a demon if played correctly. Although everyone is not as excited about the game as she is, they take turns and Neesa is able to get the winning roll. Not knowing what to expect, Kia is ripped open from the inside as the demon Knucklebones comes out to play. Needing to find a way to escape his killing grasp and possibly find a way of stopping him before he moves into town, it’s a race against time to save the day as the group gets taken out one by one by the demon.

I will say, I went into this movie with low expectations after reading some of the reviews for it, and I came out really enjoying it. It did take a little while to get the demon on the screen, but after he made his first appearance, I did not want him to go. With blood on his mind, Knucklebones will not stop killing until his game is done, but I am unsure how to control him, even after the movie came to a close. Neesa was really the lead story in the movie, and while she was dealing with depression after being dumped, she finally snaps out of it, but in reality, it would have been too little too late. That being put on the back burner, you get some great kills, a love triangle, a killer Nazi demon, a hobo with a message and yes, a problem that can be solved with just a little ingenuity. Stay Scared.

Having the masses celebrate horror year-round, is a true dream of every horror fan out there. Because fans of this genre are fully aware of the fact; that the movies and stories that populate this genre, are good to watch just about any of time of year. Especially since there are scary stories out there to celebrate every holiday imaginable (and for proof… look no further than Night of the Lepus since it is basically an Easter Horror film). But folks don't necessarily listen to that knowledge, and only celebrate the holiday when it is ‘appropriate’. But slowly but surely, our collective wish is being realized, thanks in large part to the horror streaming service, Shudder.
 
For this unique network is run by horror fans that understand what we do and they’re working hard to ensure that there is something fresh and delightful and gory premiering on the service at all times, that everyone can enjoy, as evidenced by today’s announcement. Because earlier today, Shudder let fans of horror, and film in general, know what terrifying and incredible delights will await them on the service on the month of May and here are the details of what’s making its debut on Shudder next month, courtesy of the network itself.

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI and Shudder ANZ) 
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Fried Barry follows the story of a drug-addled degenerate who, after yet another bender, gets abducted by aliens. Barry takes a backseat as his alien visitor assumes control of his body and takes it for a joyride through Cape Town. What follows is an onslaught of drugs, sex and violence as Barry’s alien tourist enters the weird and wonderful world of humankind.  
 
The feature directorial debut from award-winning music video director Ryan Kruger and starring newcomer Gary Green, the genre pushing, acid-washed, sci-fi horror has been praised by critics and embraced by fans around the world. 
 
The film is produced by James C. Williamson and Kruger and executive produced by Nicolai Fuglsig (12 Strong). Williamson shares a story credit with Kruger who serves as both writer and director. The expansive cast is led by Green alongside Bianka Hartenstein, Sean Cameron Michael (Shooter, Blood Drive), Chanelle de Jager (The Widow, Outlander), Joey Cramer (Flight of the Navigator) and Jonathan Pienaar (Blood Diamond, Roots). View Trailer HERE.​

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI and Shudder ANZ)  
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In PG: Psycho Goreman, young siblings Mimi and Luke unwittingly resurrect an ancient alien overlord who was entombed on Earth millions of years ago after a failed attempt to destroy the universe. They nickname the evil creature Psycho Goreman (or PG for short) and use the magical amulet they discovered to force him to obey their childish whims. It isn’t long before PG’s reappearance draws the attention of intergalactic friends and foes from across the cosmos and a rogues’ gallery of alien combatants converges in small-town suburbia to battle for the fate of the galaxy. 
 
Written and directed by Steven Kostanski (The Void, The Divide, Father’s Day), PG: Psycho Goreman stars Nita-Josee Hanna (Books of Blood, 4teen), Owen Myre (NOS4A2, Alternate Ground), Adam Brooks (The Return, Father’s Day), Alexis Hancey (Silver Tongue), and Matthew Ninaber (Transference). View Trailer HERE.​

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI and Shudder ANZ) 
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In this splatter-filled supernatural slasher, a Pre-Columbian artifact contains the spirit of Anhangá, the executioner of the god Tahawantinsupay. Whoever wears the masked is possessed by Anhangá and compelled to commit sacrifices to resurrect his god. It’s up to a museum assistant and a policewoman to stop the slaughter before the ritual is completed. A throwback treat for fans of ‘80s slashers and gory practical effects. 
 
Written and directed by Armando Fonseca and Kapel Furman, who previously co-directed 2016’s Uptake Fear, Skull: The Mask stars Brazilian wrestling champion Rurik Jr., Wilton Andrade, Natallia Rodrigues, Ivo Müller, Ricardo Gelli Guta Ruiz, Gilda Nomacce and Tristan Aronovich. ​

The hit original series with Joe Bob Briggs premieres on April 16 and continues with new episodes every Friday. Briggs, the world’s foremost drive-in movie critic, presenting eclectic horror movie double features, interrupting the films to expound upon their merits, histories and significance to genre cinema. The show’s hashtag, #TheLastDriveIn, has trended in the top 10 on Twitter in the US during the premiere of every episode and special, often reaching No. 1. Guest stars to date include Anna Biller, Kelli Maroney, Chris Jericho, Lloyd Kaufman, Barbara Crampton, John McNaughton, Reggie Bannister, Ashley Laurence, Doug Bradley, Michael Berryman, Felissa Rose and Tom Savini.  

May 1  

• The Wicker Man (1973; US) 

During a celebration of May Day, a puritan Police Sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village in search of a girl who the locals claim never existed.   

• House on Haunted Hill (1959; US) 

A millionaire offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife. The film is produced by horror legend, William Castle.  

• House on Haunted Hill (1999; US) 

An amusement park mogul offers a group of diverse people $1,000,000 to spend the night in a haunted house with a horrifying past. 

• 13 Ghosts (1960; US, CA) 

A family inherits what proves to be a haunted house, but a special pair of goggles allows them to see their ghostly tormentors. The film is produced by horror legend, William Castle. 

• Curse of the Demon (1958; US, CA) 

Directed by Hollywood great, Jacques Tourneur, American professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference, only to find himself investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshiper Julian Karswell. 
 
May 4 

• Frankenhooker (US) 

Directed by Frank Henenlotter, a medical student sets out to recreate his decapitated fiancée by building her a new body made of Manhattan street prostitutes.  
 
May 10 

• Sator (US, CA) 

Secluded in a desolate forest, a broken family is observed by Sator, a supernatural entity who is attempting to claim them. 

• Climate of the Hunter (US, ANZ) 

Two sisters vie for the affections of a man who may or may not be a vampire. When the three come together for dinner it has all the makings of a lovely meal filled with desire, memories and blood. From indie auteur Mickey Reece comes a wholly original new vampire vision. 

• The Funeral Home (US, CA, UKI, ANZ) 

Bernardo is an undertaker who runs mortuary business in the same house where he resides. In the front he has his clients. And in the back, his dysfunctional family lives among coffins, wreaths and mischievous supernatural entities that visit on a daily basis. They attribute the paranormal manifestations to the dead bodies from their mortuary work but finding the real source of all this madness will be their quest, and what they might find is a terrifying truth. 
 
May 13 

• Trickster –Full Season Binge Release (US)  

Based on the bestselling trilogy of novels by Eden Robinson, Trickster tells the story of the Indigenous Gothic, spirits, ancient magic and deadly rites of passage in a coming-of-age story unlike any you’ve ever seen. 
 
May 17 

• American Mary (US) 

The allure of easy money sends Mary Mason, a medical student, into the world of underground surgeries which ends up leaving more marks on her than her so called "freakish" clients. 

• Time Lapse (US) 

Three friends discover a mysterious machine that takes pictures twenty-four hours into the future, and conspire to use it for personal gain, until disturbing and dangerous images begin to develop. 

• Found (US, CA) 

A horror-obsessed boy discovers his older brother is a serial killer. 
 
May 18 

• Def by Temptation (US, CA, UKI, ANZ)

An evil succubus is preying on libidinous black men in New York City, and all that stands in her way is a minister-in-training, an aspiring actor, and a cop who specializes in cases involving the supernatural. 

• Black Roses (US, UKI, ANZ) 

Demons hypnotize the general public by posing as a rock and roll band. 
 
May 24 

• Werewolf (US, CA) 

WW2: a group of children liberated from a concentration camp find themselves, aimless and hungry, stranded in an abandoned mansion in the forest, surrounded by vicious attack dogs. 

• The Machine (US, CA) 

In efforts to construct perfect android killing machines in a war against China, UK scientists exceed their goal and create a sentient robot. 

• The Windmill (US, CA) 

In a desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of the authorities, Jennifer joins a coach-load of tourists embarking on a tour of Holland's world-famous windmills. She and the other tourists are forced to seek shelter in a disused shed beside a sinister windmill where, legend has it, a Devil-worshiping miller once ground the bones of locals instead of grain. As members of the group start to disappear, Jennifer learns that they all have something in common - a shared secret that seems to mark them all for doom. 

So, as you can see, Shudder is once again delivering all kinds of incredible gory goodies for us to enjoy, in a month where horror is often forgotten by the masses. But hopefully our enthusiasm and these incredible titles, will motivate more people to check out what this genre has to offer, so that we can inch closer, to finally seeing a day where everyone celebrates horror on a year-round basis.

​One of the things that sucks about having a flexible job is that you can get called into work when you are scheduled off. Not being able to do what you wanted to during this time, you are stuck doing your job and are far from thrilled when doing so. But that can be the nature of the beast if you are looking to keep your job or move up the ranks as time goes by. If you don’t have anything planned for your time off and are available, you might as well make some extra coin during this time, it always reflects well upon you in the long run, even if you don’t see it now.
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Wanting to do something fun after her last shift, security specialist Rachel gets a call from her boss asking her if she can pick up another shift. With a new account pending, Rachel is the only one that has picked up her phone and she cannot get a reason as to why she should not take the job. Agreeing to take it, after locking in her own terms for the gig, Rachel gets directions to her new location, but will quickly find out that it is much more than it seems.

Arriving at the Mayfield Addiction Clinic, Rachel gets a quick walk through by the receptionist who is ready to take her long weekend. With the clinic being closed for the long weekend as well, Rachel should have no problems with patients and perform her night guard duties as she seems fit. Getting comfortable in her chair, she is ready for an uneventful night and wonders what she can do to fill the time. But there might be someone in the clinic with her as she starts to hear strange things down the hallways. Getting up and finding some things out of place, Rachel searches the building to make sure that she is alone, but when a knock comes from the door and she opens it to see a dead cat waiting for her, she starts to wonder what she has gotten herself into.

Ordering pizza and coffee for the long night, Rachel does a little bit of digging on the computer and comes across a newspaper story about the founder of the clinic being a killer. Before getting too deep into the story, her food arrives and the friendly delivery boy offers his services for the night, since it is a rough part of town. Declining him and taking a nap instead, Rachel starts to see and hear the patients of the clinic needing her help, but also takes a trip down memory lane and sees her childhood unfolding before her very eyes. With the ghosts of the clinic chasing her down, Rachel makes a discovery that she would rather not have when Doctor Mayfield enters the clinic and wants to perform his specialty on the night guard. Now Rachel must figure out why she is being targeted by the crazed doctor and the answers she seeks are much closer than she thinks.

An interesting little movie that takes you deep into a struggling woman’s psyche. I was not really surprised by how the story played out at the end, because all signs pointed to it, especially after her run in with the famed doctor. I liked the ominous events happening around the clinic that were not explainable, like the power going out to add some scares and of course the fear of the unknown. Rachel showed early on that she did not want to be a part of the night job, and as time shows, she is better off for doing so. With some all-right jump scares, calls from junkies, a detective trying to get to the bottom of an old case, repressed memories and a clinic that comes alive at night, this is a decent story that will keep you wondering what else Rachel might have done if she was in her right mind. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 608 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’.

Something that is truly unique about how evil is perceived in our modern world, is that we firmly expect it to make itself known to everyone, and it is understandable as to why we hold true to that. After all, history is rife with examples where monsters are eager to take the center stage, since we have seen despots and dictators do what they can to hog the spotlight and garner headlines. To the point where even masterminds of attacks like 9/11, are happy to go on television and inform the world of their evil act and why they believe they are in the right for harming others. But while these acts do indeed inform us that evil exists and that it can be boisterous, expecting bad people to announce themselves and their intentions often, is the wrong way to perceive evil.   
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Because that’s just showboating, the kind that relates to the need to feed the ego that accompanies evil, and we cannot expect it to consistently make itself known to all. Because real evil, the kind that hurts people with impunity… doesn’t want to be seen in the slightest. It wants to persist, it wants to thrive, it wants to live and how we truly need to perceive it, is to understand that it is out there, hunting for prey and we need to be vigilant and ready to fight it… since it will do whatever it takes to see another day, and really… all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because the complexities of real evil served as the focal theme of the midseason premiere of Fear the Walking Dead and that made for one harrowing and heartbreaking tale. One that actually managed to outright fool and shock the audience.

Because at first glance, ‘The Door’, appeared to be an episode that was going to resemble the themes and construction of The Walking Dead episode, ‘Clear’. For this particular tale saw John Dorie back at his cabin with quite the unsettling task in mind. In that, he’d had enough of this broken and angry world, and decided the time had come to check out and leave it behind. But despite his best efforts to end his life, the dead kept interrupting his suicide attempt, motivating him to investigate why there was a sudden surge of the living dead at his doorstep once again and well… what he found was in fact, quite uplifting. Because eventually, he came to discover that Dakota and Morgan were hiding in the general store and did their best to isolate the dead on the bridge that allows for the dead to overflow and wash up downriver and well, it didn’t take long for this reunion to parallel that aforementioned episode.

For in essence, Morgan took on the role of Rick Grimes in this tale, since he saw an old friend in a horrible place mentally, since John was basically taking on the role of Morgan from that prior story and that motivated Morgan… to try and do for John what Rick did for him. Which is why he offered up all kinds of support and positive words, to help John understand that suicide or isolation wasn’t the answer. That community was the key here and that if John had some kind of purpose once again, as he once found, that things would change, and his fears and his darkness would be lifted. But alas, much like Morgan was at that stage, words and kindness did nothing. John would have to figure out how to find a way forward on his own and well… that’s when this episode started to take a devastating turn.  

In part because, in order for Morgan and Dakota to head to the new camp, they would have to get through the wall of living death they created. Which led to an intense and terrifying sequence wherein John helped them use a truck to plow through the monsters. A move that saw several close calls for John, leaving one to wonder if the dead would handle his death wish. But thankfully he and his friends survived the onslaught and in the wake of this gory and tense sequence, John made quite the awful discovery. For he came to learn that Dakota was the one who killed the Ranger that led to John’s current mental state and to complicate matters further… she would rather kill than have that truth exposed. Which is why she shot John Dorie and let him sink into the water and well, that’s precisely when the story dove into its exploration on how evil loves to hide in order to persist.
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For Morgan came to learn that Dakota was also his savior, and that her note to him wasn’t about building a better tomorrow or finding a better purpose. It was so that he had a debt to Dakota, one that would be paid in full when he killed Ginny at last. And in that moment and we were truly able to see Dakota for who she is… a broken and twisted human being. One that is a true product of this horrible new world, since the death and darkness of the apocalypse, combined with steady fuel of hate and control from her sister, forged a monster that treats people akin to chess pieces. Mere pawns, that will do her bidding and help her shape the future as she sees fit, and it will be quite interesting to see what Morgan does, now that he knows the truth about Dakota. But what matters more, is that this reveal made it clear that evil comes in all forms, and that it truly hates being in the spotlight since it cannot indulge in its usual machinations and how it will be stopped here, since Dakota is wise and ruthless, is anyone's guess. 

But while that alone could have ended this episode in a powerful manner, this show had more dark moments to send our way. Because John did survive, and he tried to get to his cabin since deep down he knew June was there with Ginny… since Morgan called for a meeting. To which he was right, but… he never got to see his love in his normal form ever again. For his mortal wound robbed him of life and infected him with living death and in the final moments, of this tale, June and the audience were forced to say goodbye to John Dorie in the most indignant way imaginable. Since he turned and tried to devour his once love, forcing her to put him down and this was just… devastating through and through. For John was one of the good ones and he definitely deserved better than the cruelty of a twisted young adult… grasping for power.

If anything, this really was quite the stunning and devastating episode when all is said and done. For not only did it feature the exit of a fan favorite and outright beloved character, but it shocked us with the reveal that evil is in the midst of our heroes and eager to sow strife and trouble and it also tackled some tough topics as well. Since discussions around suicide on television are rare, as is seeing someone make the attempt and that just adds to the gravity of one heavy tale. One that is clearly designed to inform the audience that back half of season six of this series is going to hold nothing back storytelling wise, and that no one is safe from the wrath of these twisted sisters and truly, it will be heartbreaking to watch the group try to go on, now that they know they pawns in a horrible game, where opting out and not playing, will cause more harm than good. Until next time.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Power’. Which could trigger individuals that are sensitive to subject matter revolving around sexual assault.
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For the most part, we tend to shed our fears as we grow older. Because we come to learn that a lot of what scared us in our youth, really isn’t that terrifying after all. Allowing for us to have a grand sense of satisfaction over the fact that we are outright becoming a bolder and wiser person, one that can handle just about anything the world sends our way in a brave manner. But there was mention of the fact, that we don’t completely shed what terrifies us, when we reach adulthood. Because what’s fascinating about life, is that old terror is replaced with new, such as when we discover that our time is finite on this Earth or… when we come to realize, that some of our age-old fears figured out a way to evolve. Take our fear of the dark for example.

Because despite the fact that we know that there is no ghoulish, sharp toothed creature, waiting for us in the dark or that the shadow in the corner of the room is likely a chair, we still fear its presence. Mainly because, as we grow, we come to learn that it is indeed filled with monsters. For life experiences help us to learn that the real monsters that lurk in the shadows of the night are human beings. Because something about the sun going down or the lights going out, allows for bad people to indulge in the darkness they harbor within their own souls and we truly fear what the bad folks out there are capable of when the sun sinks behind the world. If anything, this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because there is a brand-new horror film on Shudder that explores all of this in The Power.

Now in this particular film, we are transported back to 1974 England. Specifically, to a time where rolling blackouts at night were necessary thanks to economic strife, and on one fine day, we are introduced to a young nurse named Valerie. And she is on top of the world when we meet her, for she is about to start her dream job at a hospital and is so looking forward to dedicating her days to caring to the sick and the wounded. But a gross misstep with her new boss on this all-important day, prompts her to be punished by serving on the night shift in the ICU. Wherein she will only have herself, an old chum from nursing school and the darkness to keep her company. An unsettling task that seems to be conquerable, that is until Valerie begins to realize that there is something else in this hospital, lurking in the dark… and it has its sights set; on making contact with Val. 

Which at first glance, is a plot that doesn’t really seem as though it is going to focus on the evils that men do and for quite a fair chunk of this film… that examination really doesn’t show up in the slightest. Instead, we are treated to some genuinely chilling sequences, the kind that remind us of how much we once feared the dark and what might be lurking in it. Except in this case, the ghost we thought we were running away from when we hit the light switch at the bottom of the stairs, before racing up them… is actually there. And this is of note because this makes for some quality horror for certain, the kind that could definitely motivate a viewer to cower in fear over what exactly is hunting Val in the utter void surrounding her. Plus, once ‘it’ makes contact, horrible things happen, truly reinforcing the possibility that this movie is likely going to be nothing more than a quality ghost story.
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But once the legend of ‘Dirty Gail’ is explored and we come to learn that her spirit isn’t pure malice, but one of vengeance, the story completely changes in tone and becomes a powerfully relevant take on the Me Too and Time’s Up movements. For we come to learn that Val and Saba are survivors of sexual assault and that Gail unfortunately lost her life by trying to speak up about the doctor that assaulted her, which is why her spirit wants vengeance against those who didn’t help and well, that leads to some devastating commentary. The kind that speaks to how we don’t listen or don’t believe survivors of assault when they speak up about their experiences and the film deserves serious credit for shifting its tone and design to make this a focus, and for showing us the lasting impact and horror that comes forth from sexual assault, and for exploring how our silence and indifference creates the ‘dark veil’ that gives power to the monsters that are willing to commit such an atrocious act.

If anything, all of these elements make this… a brilliant horror film when all is said and done. Because this one, really does offer up some brave and fearless commentary on a matter that is sadly taboo in this day and age and writer and director Corrina Faith deserves our respect for assembling a motion picture that addresses sexual assault in such a powerful and impactful manner. For the scares and the mystery surrounding Gail, truly does compel you see this through to the end, allowing for the surprise to have gravity and weight and meaning, to the point where this motion picture stays with you for quite some time. Simply because this one asks more of the viewer, since it makes it clear that silence and indifference in regard to sexual assault is no longer acceptable, and if we ever expect to see it end… we have to stand together and shine a light on this particular brand of darkness.

‘The Power’ is available to stream right now, exclusively on Shudder.

When one thinks about television and movie themed award shows, some pretty baseline images come into mind. Such as red carpets, and glamorous photo shoots and of course, uplifting speeches about the wonder of being at the top of one’s game when a prestigious award is accepted. But what you don’t think about in regard to these shows, are horror stories winning some kind of award. Because for some reason, a great deal of horror films and shows aren’t taken seriously enough by those who dole out recognition and that’s just silly. For they are indeed as much art as anything else created in the industry. 

But while the vast majority of awards organizations ignore this important genre, there are others who understand that those who work in the genre to produce artful nightmares that blow us away… deserve recognition for their hard work. Which is why the FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards are a thing, so that the best horror stories and the people behind them, receive the accolades that they deserve, and it just so happens, that we are drawing near the time for this fantastic award show to air on Shudder. In fact, we are so close to airtime (April 18) that earlier today, both FANGORIA and Shudder released a joint announcement, as to who will be presenting at this prestigious event and here are the details on those presenters, per FANGORIA and Shudder.

Shudder and FANGORIA announced today presenters at the 2021 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards, premiering Sunday, April 18 at 8pm ET/5pm PT exclusively on Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural.  The ceremony, which recognizes outstanding achievement in horror film and television, will be hosted by actor and writer David Dastmalchian (‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’) and feature Jamie Lee Curtis (‘Halloween’), Keith David (‘The Thing’), Gigi Saul Guerrero (director, ‘Culture Shock’), Issa Lopez (director, ‘Tigers Are Not Afraid’), Kevin Smith (‘Clerks’), Tananarive Due (‘Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror’), Blumhouse founder and CEO Jason Blum, James Jude Courtney (‘Halloween’), Doug Jones (‘The Shape of Water’) and drag artist and The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula season two winner Biqtch Puddin’ as presenters.  This year’s nominated films include The Invisible Man, Freaky, The Dark and the Wicked, Host and Possessor as well as actors Vince Vaughn, Kathryn Newton, Clancy Brown and Elisabeth Moss.

“We’re thrilled to partner with our friends at FANGORIA, a horror institution, to present their annual Chainsaw Awards, televised for the first time in years.  We hope to bring Shudder members and horror fans together for a vibrant celebration of the genre we love so much,” said Craig Engler, GM for Shudder.

“The Chainsaw Awards are an institution in horror, having existed in the magazine since 1992. Bringing them back as an actual event has been a dream, and airing them on Shudder is something we’ve been working toward since we resurrected the magazine,” said FANGORIA editor Phil Nobile Jr.
This year's ceremony will be filmed and hosted virtually with pre- and post-show on socials. The ceremony will premier exclusively on the “Shudder TV” feed – available only on Shudder’s TV and mobile apps and online at Shudder.com – airing simultaneously in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, marking the first time the Chainsaw Awards have been televised globally. The ceremony will also be released via FANGORIA’s online and social platforms after the Shudder premiere.

Since 1992, the Chainsaw Awards have honored top achievements in the horror genre, with past recipients including Jonathan Demme, Sam Raimi, Robert Eggers, Toni Collette and George Romero.
The Chainsaw Awards are executive produced by Tara Ansley, Abhi Goel, Phil Nobile Jr. and produced by Armen Aghaeian and Rebekah McKendry.

So, as you can see, quite the incredible and diverse lineup of presenters has been assembled for this magnificent event and that should make this show quite the engaging and entertaining watch. And if you're as eager as we are to see which horror movies and shows and actors will take home this prestigious award, then make sure you tune into Shudder on April 18, 2021 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Creepshow’.
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If there is one particular storytelling concept out there, that could be considered as cliché in this day and age, it would have to be exploring what drives people to do dark and twisted things to one another. For countless stories and shows and movies have focused upon this for some time now, and while that has indeed allowed for us to come to understand how abuse and environmental factors can lead a person to perform monstrous acts upon their fellow man, this is a trope that has become predictable in nature. But while it might be easy to consider this concept to be tired or overused, it is one that isn’t going away anytime soon. Because sadly, there are far too many reasons as to why people are cruel to one another and when creative minds dig deep enough, they can uncover fresh angles to examine in regard to that notion… as evidenced by this week’s episode of Creepshow.
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For the pair of vignettes present in this week’s entry, dive deep into a fascinating reason as to why we impart pain upon our fellow man. In that, sometimes people so desperately want to be seen and acknowledged and recognized for something special, that they will go to great and evil lengths to make that happen. Something that is incredibly relevant in this modern era of social media and influencing and that made ‘Dead & Breakfast’ quite the engrossing tale. Since every single character in this story, is striving for those very things. For Pam and Sam Spinster are eager to be in the spotlight for being the spawn of a serial killer and are eager to use others to spread the word about the horrific history of their family’s home and of course, Morgue is looking to be the internet authority on all things haunted and evil. Which makes Miss Morgue's arrival at the Spinster Bed & Breakfast, to explore its illustrious history, a seemingly perfect match. The kind that will allow for everyone to achieve their respective goals.

But once she discovers that the house might be nothing more than a grand lie, one that these siblings have bought into, lock, stock and barrel; the exploration in question comes into play. Since Pam cannot believe the possibility that her entire life has been a lie, and that said lie has been exposed in the simplest way imaginable and being confronted with the possibility that her dream and her hope for fame will be dashed by a little logic and scrutiny… drives her to do terrible things, the kind that eventually make her family famous for all the wrong reasons. But what matters more here, is that this story hammers home the fact that marginalization in any capacity will indeed push people to do horrible things to get their name trending on Twitter, making this quite the bone chilling and realistic tale, when all is said and done.

As for the second vignette in this episode, well it too focuses on marginalization and the need to be seen by others. But ‘Pesticide’ handles that exploration in a far different light. For this is a story that serves to remind us that our collective inability to exhibit kindness and courtesy on a more consistent basis, can help to make people feel excluded, to the point where they feel that committing dark acts are no big deal since no one cares about who they are or what they do. An exploration that this story accomplishes by making it clear that Harlan is a guy that has been written off and told off more times than we can count before we meet him here, and that has indeed jaded him, to the point where he is ready to do whatever it takes to enjoy a little success and recognition in this world. Which is why he is quick to accept Murdoch’s offer to kill for a boatload of money and a chance to finally be ‘the guy’ in regard to his preferred trade. 
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But while his journey definitely mirrors some of the elements present in the first tale, what happens after Harlan uses his poisons to kill a bevy of human beings is what allows for this particular story offer up something new. For there is nothing but regret in Harlan’s heart, the kind that drives him mad since he begins to dream up images and hallucinations of giant spiders and rats and every bit of vermin that one can imagine. Which makes Harlan’s journey in this story, a grand and gory tragedy of sorts, one that leaves the viewer wondering what might have been, if Harlan had been shown a little courtesy and respect. And it also more or less explores the nature of the ‘crime of passion’ since Harlan is compromised when he meets up with the mysterious Murdoch, something that likely helped to amplify his marginalization and eagerness to do the unthinkable, once again lending credence to the importance of treating everyone we meet with a little respect, since that really can go a long way.

If anything, this really was quite the brilliant episode when all is said and done. Simply because it was filled to the brim with fascinating commentary and unique concepts to explore, the kind that were both subtle and direct in nature but engrossing and thoughtful none the less. But all commentary aside, we would be remiss to not point out that the scares and gore and special effects in this episode were equally as amazing, as was the acting. Because everyone in this particular episode brought their A-game to the table, allowing for these vignettes to truly resonate and well, this just goes to show that that Greg Nicotero and his talented team, are determined to provide all of us with top notch horror, week in and week out. And truly, an episode this good will have each and every one of us counting down the seconds until next week's entry, since we are all beyond eager to see what other incredible themes the finest horror series on television, is going to explore. Until next time, kiddies. 

Confronting something that you have done wrong in your life is one thing, but should you be held accountable for something that your family did many years ago? As grudges can be held onto for generations in family lines, it is easy to see that nobody will remember how it even started. If you want to continue it, since it may be a family tradition you can chose to do so, but it is easier to let things go that have nothing to do with you. Being your own person makes you something special and you should not be held to something you had nothing to do with.

Heading down to the Bayou to find out what happened to his friend Byron Cane, Hassan needs to find locals that are willing to open up to him about the area. After Byron killed himself, Hassan wants to understand what drove his friend to do so. Arriving at the old Oak House where the event took place, Hassan is able to get a little background from the painter that was staying there but runs out of information after the man flees for his life from the house. Knowing that there must be something strange happening the house, Hassan stays there to become closer to the situation, but has no idea what powers the house actually holds.

Getting in touch with Byron’s agent Thomas, Hassan finds out that the great writer was battling writer’s block and needed a place to get his creative juices flowing. Winding up at the old Oak House, Byron was starting to get some ideas about what to do for his next novel, but he was also getting strange feelings from the house. Trying to find out what could be driving these thoughts, Byron was drawn to the oak tree in the front yard for some reason but had no idea why. Trying to find out if his family had some sort of ties to the house and talking to the local historians, Byron was let in on the curse of his family line and knew he had to find a way to fight it off. But it was too little too late when the voices became too strong for him to fend off and he took his own life.

Hassan has been able to find out some strange facts about the house, including the truth about an old myth that a young French Soldier was put to death in the front yard. As his questions start getting more pointed, he discovers that Byron is a descendant of the old LaMarque family that was very prevalent after the war and was also responsible for sending the French Soldier to his death. With a shady history surrounding the home, there are also questions about the LaMarque family that he needs answered, but they are dying off faster than Hassan is able to find them. Getting a quick interview with Byron’s cousin Eliza, Hassan is shocked to hear that she killed herself the following day. Knowing that the curse is real, Hassan decides that he will have to find a way to keep it at bay for the other survivors, but that might be easier said than done as the LaMarque family is becoming smaller and smaller by the second.

Interesting story to say the least and I was curious about how it was all going to be pulled together. The movie did a good job in mirroring the timelines that were utilized, and while I don’t like that kind of storytelling in a movie, it did not bug me too badly. Watching as Hassan moves from person to person for the stories, it is great to see the reactions of those that he interviews when he fires off more pointed questions. I liked the documentary feel of the movie, even though you don’t get to see too much of the inside of the Oak House while he is staying there. With a family curse, Bayou secrets, a big oak tree, a ghost hell bent on revenge and one alligator, it is a fine study into a dead author’s life that even he did not want to be a part of. Stay Scared.