​Throughout my years, I have figured out that nobody is perfect, and second chances should be given out more often. While some things may seem extremely terrible at the time, they are really a learning experience, and nobody should be punished for learning. It can be difficult to let go of what was done to hurt you, but in the long run, if you want to have a good relationship with someone, you have to learn to accept their flaws. With life being a learning experience on a daily basis, just be sure to keep your eyes open for the bigger picture, because if you choose to focus on the little things, you may wind up missing so much more.

Moving into their new home by the lake, unmarried couple Hayley and Eric are trying to get a new start in their relationship. With their daughter Penny being the primary focus of staying together, Haley has been able to put Eric’s cheating ways in the rearview, for now. Getting comfortable in their new surroundings, the couple gets unpacked, but there is something strange about this house that is starting to take its toll on Eric. Searching through some of the previous owner’s stuff, Eric spots something that seems out of place and brings an old book into the house to examine, but little does he know the power that the pages will contain.

With the house becoming their home, Hayley invites her best friend Crystal over to visit and she is blown away by the house. Admitting that they got a great deal on the house, due to some sort of ritualistic killing that took place there years ago, Hayley will not leave for any price since she is still trying to repair her and Eric’s relationship. Crystal on the other hand feels like there is something sinister creeping behind the walls of the house and wants to know exactly what it is. Bringing over a Ouija Board to try and summon some of the spirits in the house to find out what happened may have seemed like a good idea, however it awakens something much darker than anyone in the house could have imagined.

While not getting the job that he was promised, which was the main incentive for his family to move to the little town, Eric is trying to keep a positive outlook on the new living situation, but he is having a problem settling into his new home. Seeing people out the corner of his eye and developing some sort of rash, he is starting to become something that he could not imagine. With the house slowly coming to life after Hayley reads a passage from the old book that he found and the Ouija Board welcoming in the spirits, the house is starting to get more visitors than he expected. But things quickly come to light for himself and Hayley when their first babysitter vanishes without a trace and while they believe she just bolted, the couple is in for the surprise of a lifetime when the house reveals its deep and dark secrets. 

From the beginning of the movie, you get to see what the house has in store for the homeowners and that is not a bad thing, because damn, there is a demon looking to make it out of Hell and back to the land of the living. I liked how Eric could not get comfortable in the house from the very beginning and while he could not fully understand why, his transformation into something sinister was pretty darn good. Young Penny and her father become privy to what the house is trying to show them, but once the Ouija Board is used, they get a broader picture of what the spirits are trying to tell them. 

Hayley on the other hand is not able to see or hear these things and while she might believe that her family is going crazy, she will do anything to keep them together, because there is nothing more important to her than family. With an old murder house, a non-trusting relationship, a cynical best friend, a creepy old spirit, an old book, a Ouija Board, a family falling into madness and a demon looking to make his presence known, this movie has it all. When I am house hunting, I always want to know if someone passed away inside the walls, because for some reason, when that happens, there always seems to be a bigger issue than just repainting the walls. Stay Scared.

There are… a great deal of things that we fear in this life. For instance, some of us fear being alone. Since we believe that life is something that should be shared and the thought of never finding the right person to share it with, is a chilling one indeed. Others however, fear getting sick or losing control of their body in any capacity, since it is one of the few things in this life, we actually have control over. And of course, there are others that fear more topical things… such as the dark or the eight-legged visitors that pop up in our homes now and again. But while each and every one of us have some kind of unique fear that we harbor deep within our souls… there is one that we all share in. In that, we all fear death.
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Granted, our reasons for fearing it are vastly different and unique as well. Since some cannot reconcile the finality and suddenness of it and the waves of ugly emotions that accompany it. While others fear what awaits us beyond that final breath, and some fear the reality that the beauty of this world escapes us when we die. But those specific reasons as to why we fear are immaterial, the bottom line is that we are scared of the end… to the point where people often go to great lengths to cheat it and avoid it, to no avail. Because eventually, it will find us, and it is up to us to make peace with it, and one way we accomplish that… is through storytelling. Since it can help us to reconcile our reasons and our fears and believe it or not, the next episode of Tales from the Darkside takes the time to do just that. 

A feat that ‘A Case of the Stubborns’ accomplishes, by offering up quite the unique story. One that takes place in the not-too-distant past on a dark day for the Tolliver family. For Jody and his mother are mourning the loss of their grandfather/father, Titus, in this tale… and are preparing to bid him farewell when something incredible happens. In that, Titus just comes down the stairs and declares himself to be alive and well… regardless of the fact that he is clearly still dead. But none of that means a hill of beans to Titus, who genuinely believes that death is nothing more than another challenge to overcome in life, and despite the best efforts of the family to convince him otherwise… Titus will not rest. A decision that brings forth greater concerns about the long-term health of the family, since this corpse is beginning to rot and well, that motivates Jody to go to extremes to finally help his grandpappy understand… that his time has come.

Which is, a brilliant way to explore our collective fear of death. Since Titus really is the embodiment of all our various fears. For he expresses his concerns about leaving his family behind and the change that death entails and its finality and unknowns, and it takes the next generation… to help him understand that there’s nothing he can do about what is our natural purpose. Which is really where the episode shines exploration wise, since Jody’s bold act and Titus’ eventual understanding of where he actually is in life, makes it clear that we cannot fear death… and we shouldn’t. For if there is nothing, we can do to avoid it, we simply must embrace it and live life to the fullest. So that when our time arrives, there are no regrets or concerns… just joy and fulfillment and an understanding that we will live on through those we love and our actions. 
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Which is a message that is shockingly deep and beautiful to find within the framework of a horror story, but it is there none the less and well, at first glance… that message makes it appear as though this episode doesn’t hold true to its horror roots by offering something so uplifting. But have no fear, there are plenty of horrific moments and hallmarks from this series surrounding the cerebral. Because the fact that Titus returns from death is horrific for certain, as is watching his corpse rot before your eyes. Not to mention, this episode is also unique for handling this subject matter through dark humor. Which is perhaps the best way to explore such matters without making them overwhelming and well… it is those elements and its observations on death that allow for the message to resonate, since the wild nature of this one stays with you long after its ended. Prompting you to ponder upon every moment. 

If anything, this is just a brilliant story through and through. One that explores one of our greatest fears in a unique manner and surprisingly… features a bevy of actors that we now know to be mega stars. For this episode features a cameo from Brent Spiner, who would go on to fame and accolades by playing Lieutenant Commander Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Jody is played by none other than Christian Slater. Whom would of course go on to take Hollywood by storm, and ironically, he had a cameo in the sixth Star Trek film. But all epic-ness aside regarding seeing a couple of superstars in a horror show from 1984, it is the story and its depth that really allows for this episode to shine. Because this is just horror at its finest, plain and simple, and it definitely motivates us to continue this journey through the darkside, to see what other powerful examinations await us via the smartest genre out there. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Cursed Films’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

It is definitely safe to say, that the Shudder series, Cursed Films II, has offered up a masterclass in examining how our imagination and our curiosity can in essence… run wild when it is presented with the possibility that motion pictures can be cursed. Because every single episode this season has offered up a fascinating contrast regarding how ‘bummer’ or sour moments during or following a film… can motivate people to believe that dark forces can easily surround a particular movie and punish those involved in the worst way imaginable. When in fact, such surprises are clearly nothing more than unfortunate coincidence that really did bring about some genuine suffering for those involved.

But for its next episode, the series opted to focus on a motion picture that truly blurs that particularly stark line between our imagination and coincidence, courtesy of the fact that the movie and its cast and crew more or less surrounded themselves in forces that few of us understand and that made the show’s examination of The Serpent and the Rainbow, the most fascinating entry in this saga to date. Simply because… this motion picture, which was made in 1987 (and released in 1988) and focused on the nature and power of voodoo… immersed itself in this age-old Haitian religion in every way imaginable. For not only is the movie about such matters and features rituals and mysticism surrounding it, but one of the first acts the cast and crew took part in before filming… was a voodoo ritual.

One that was of course, designed to be nothing short of a blessing, but dabbling in such matters… and of course touching parts of this world that weren’t meant to be touched, since there were concerns, that ancient sites were upended to shoot… added an air of negative mystique to the film. One that led to some odd occurrences amongst the cast and crew. Since the film’s writer seemingly had a breakdown and believed that he was possessed by something dark, and was so lost and despondent that he was sent back home, when the script was in a solid enough place. Not to mention, actor Bill Pullman spoke a bit to his own odd experiences while on set, the kind that made him uncomfortable for certain and those types of strange occurrences and concerns that perhaps this film had invited in dark forces, were only further enhanced by an important moment that happened later on in the shooting schedule.

For the big festival scene that occurs in the movie, basically went from a fun epic shoot, to an outright disaster. For more extras than expected came down to be part of the Hollywood experience and they also rightfully expected to be paid. But when violence broke out because of silly rumors that were spread around regarding pay and pay scales, the crew was basically forced to pack up and get the hell out of there and move the production to the Dominican Republic in order to finish the movie. Making it clear to those involved behind the scenes, that dark forces and toying with voodoo in any capacity, led to this kind of chaos and strife for the cast and crew. The kind that one crew member, special effects guru David LeRoy Anderson believes… was gentle in nature courtesy of the blessing they received.

If anything, this really is the most fascinating episode of this series to date, largely because, it genuinely blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Because let’s be honest… all the coincidence here ties right into the fact that the crew was toying with voodoo, and since so many people involved with the production here spoke with conviction over a curse, it's hard to call this mass psychosis. But perhaps the point of going that route from a storytelling perspective is less meant to mess with the audience, and is instead designed to hammer home another unique point about these types of films. In that, when people are genuinely convinced something is cursed, they will defend that angle with every fiber of their being, and really in the end, it is up to the viewer to decide if toying with dark forces brought about strife here… or if the cast and crew were so immersed in the story, that it came to life for them in an unsettling manner. Until next time.

One particularly tough lesson that few of us like to learn in life, is that we cannot change the choices we make in life, and we have to lie in the bed that we’ve made and what makes that lesson so tough to reconcile, is that we often know the end result of what we’re dealing with, could have gone a different route. Because we are curious creatures that analyze our every move and when this lesson comes around, it often involves the bitter truth that had we chosen differently in that moment or pondered for just a second, we could have been dealt a better hand. One that would have brought us great happiness and prosperity in whatever manner we were looking for.
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But while that is a sour realization to come to, we also know deep down that such mistakes are designed to help us grow and learn. So that we don’t make the same one twice and so we figure out how to make the most of the situation we are in and use it to guide us toward what we want via a different path. But sadly, it doesn’t work that way for everyone, and some folks are genuinely stuck with a tough hand, and they dream endlessly of a day where they can escape it and it just so happens that stories help them to cope with that. Since they can offer catharsis and guidance… or give them the fantasy escape they desire, and it is that latter concept that is of note today, since that is precisely what the next episode of Tales from the Darkside offers up…. in the most twisted way imaginable.

A feat that ‘The Word Processor of the Gods’ accomplishes, by plunging us into the life of a man that is not happy in the slightest with the path he’s chosen for himself. For aspiring writer Richard Hagstrom made every bad choice a man can make. He didn’t marry the girl of his dreams, he let a singular failure get the better of him and for his poor choices, he is now mired in doubt and in a loveless marriage from which there is no escape. That is… until a moment of heartbreak changes everything for Richard. For his late nephew John, built Uncle Richard a very special homemade word processor. One that not only will help Richard write but can change his life forever with the simple press of a button, provided of course, he's okay with what the ‘Delete’ button can remove from his life.

Which is… a supremely bleak plot for certain, one that holds nothing back regarding the hell that comes about from making poor choices. Since Richard really is in quite the pickle life wise and he is genuinely miserable, and you feel for him every step of the way. Because his family is utterly rotten, and he is truly broken through and through and perhaps this part of the story can be viewed as something of a cautionary tale. One that reminds us to listen to our gut and go for the big moments we aren’t sure we can obtain… so we don’t settle and live with regret like Richard does here and well, this is definitely… some fine real-world horror for certain. Since so many of us have felt trapped like Richard or made poor choices akin to the ones he does in this tale.
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But there was mention of escape for both the casual viewer and those struggling with their current situation and the story offers that… by having the hunk of junk of Richard’s basement… work. For he is genuinely able to obtain riches untold and delete his cruddy wife and kid and replace them with the family he wants by way of the word processor, and that is indeed a wonderful way to provide that escape, regardless of its own horrifying nature. Because let’s be honest… it is a touch messed up that Richard is willing to delete entire lives and resurrect the dead in the name of his own personal gain, but that definitely hammers home the desperation Richard is experiencing and it is what truly makes this an outright tale of terror.

Because only in a cautionary horror tale, would the solution be twisted and dark, lending to the reality that if one is looking for true escape and/or guidance on such matters… to not use this episode to do so. But one cannot deny the effective nature of this story and how well it plunges us into a unique world of terror, one that also features some big names in front of and behind the camera. Since Bruce Davison is the star of this tale and sells the darkness with his incredible acting skills and once you realize that this is based off a short story by Stephen King, the twist and the cruelty make sense. In the end however, this is a solid episode through and through. One that truly takes us to a dark place and offers up some wild and uncomfortable twists and well, you can’t ask for much more than that from a horror anthology show. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 710 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the dynamic AMC series, Fear the Walking Dead, we talked at length about how the season seven midseason premiere… outright surprised us. Because after weeks of bleak storytelling, the kind that saw everyone suffer through incredibly difficult times in a corner of the world where the dead walk amongst nuclear fallout… there was genuine hope to be found in that tale. To the point where each and every one of us were left wondering, if by chance some semblance of positivity and hope was going to be present within future episodes since ‘Follow Me’ felt like a turning point in this overall journey and well, it didn’t take long for the series to answer that particular question… with a resounding yes. 
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For ‘Mourning Cloak’ is a story… that celebrated love and the wonder of it, and it also took he time to examine what motivates us to fight for good in this world and it accomplished this magnificent feat by taking us on a grand and sweeping journey through and beyond Victor Strand’s beloved Tower. Wherein we were introduced to a young named Ali who was quite frankly, searching for meaning in the wasteland. For while he and his parents survived the majority of the zombiepocalypse, the arrival of Teddy’s nuclear gifts, took mom and dad out, and left Ali to fend for himself. Which of course led him to the Tower and motivated him to try and find meaning by following in his father’s footsteps, by serving his fellow man as one of Strand’s Rangers.

But of course, his age complicated that, since he was only a teenager, and his lack of maturity in Strand and Howard’s eyes… left him handling duties for Victor that he didn’t see as all that illustrious. Specifically… he was tasked with building Strand’s butterfly collection… an act that surprisingly changed his life and brought forth the explorations in question. For while he was out and about in the world, he ran into young Charlie. Whom claimed she had run away from the U.S.S. Pennsylvania, in the hopes of finding shelter and a warm meal and a better tomorrow. A move that of course, was met with skepticism by Howard and others at the Tower since trust for Morgan and his people, was basically nonexistent and that meant, Charlie had to prove to Howard… she wasn’t lying.

Which is why she volunteered for a dangerous mission, to retrieve elevator parts for the Tower, with Ali no less and once they were out in the open… the majesty of love was explored. For it didn’t take long for this duo to connect and understand they shared something special. And that allowed for Charlie to inform Ali… that she did have a secondary objective in getting to the Tower. In that, she was to disable the Beacon so Morgan and a rescue team could get Grace and the baby out and go from there and she made this honest admission, not to speak to betrayal or to concern Ali… but so that she was honest and transparent with him. Because she genuinely cared for him and wanted no borders to be between them, and because she wanted him to know that she wasn’t going through with it. So, she could live in the Tower and be with him, and the truth… did wonders in this instance.

For it motivated Ali to bring Charlie back home with incredible urgency when she came down with a touch of radiation sickness and it also prompted him… to lie to Howard about the real plan. Because this was a chance at true happiness for Ali, and his shot to know a life that didn’t feel hollow or constantly surrounded by fear and well, to help his new love be trusted by both sides, he tried to disable the Beacon… and paid the ultimate price for it. Because Howard threw him off the building in an effort to keep control and order in the Tower and well… that set the stage for more strife internally, since John and June weren’t good with this move and they were also quick to protect Charlie, whom Howard wanted ejected.
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But what matters more here, is what this story had to say about why we fight and how seeing a teenage love affair take place in a story about the end of the world fit into something positive and well, it all relates to, a better tomorrow and a need for hope. Because in essence, everyone in the Tower, is just surviving right now. Sure, they’re safe and they have a roof over their heads and three squares a day, but that’s it. There’s no joy, no little moments of beauty to be found, those important things we take for granted and starve for when they’re gone. Which is probably by design courtesy of Strand and Howard, to keep control… but it isn’t… living. It’s just going through the motions and people, need to live, need to experience more… they need that beauty. 

Which is why it was so important to Ali and Charlie to find love and for others to see it blossom and see Howard be cruel. To remind them of what they’re fighting for, which is that better tomorrow and a place where people can live and thrive and go to bed feeling fulfilled… despite the mottled horrors that roam in the dark in this universe. And to see John and June have that spark ignited here, is a huge deal. Since it means that others are starting to want that and understand what they’ve lost and what they need to reclaim and that should build a coalition of the willing against Strand, and likely add support to whatever Alicia has planned for the future. and that really does make this quite the hopeful and somewhat bittersweet tale as well.

Because it in essence, refocuses the series and demands better of the characters and it gives the audience a further break from the horrors of this wasteland, and it was just wonderful to see the show extend wonder another week and give us more to chew upon from a positive perspective. But while it has been wonderful to break away from the ugly for a couple of weeks and enjoy an episode that features a magnificent performance from Alexa Nisenson and some slick direction from Lennie James… it really is best that we relish in the majesty of this for as long as we can. Because things are only going to get worse before they get better, since Strand won’t be happy when he learns of what transpired here and of course… there is still a looming war on the horizon, one that will be bloody and heartbreaking and could potentially change the landscape of this series for years to come. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Virus :32’.
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While a fair chunk of horror fans, view the zombie sub-genre as brilliant and worthwhile when it comes to the stories that it tells, there are some… who think otherwise. For they believe that the sheer notion of a corpse returning to life and hungering for human flesh seems silly at best and that their ability to take over the world is equally as goofy. For they don’t think that humanity would fail to unify in the face of that kind of adversity and should be able to wipe it and the virus or cause of the problem out. Thus, making these types of stories not scary in the slightest to them, and well… one has to wonder, if those views are about to change. 
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Simply because the past two years on our planet, have proven that all the skepticism surrounding these films has been wholly incorrect. For we watched mankind let a virus run rampant around the world in a matter of months courtesy of concerns about economy and political theater and misinformation. Making it clear that zombies would easily take over if they were ever to exist since we simply cannot come together in a time of need, and that also makes these movies more powerful and poignant going forward. Since they now reflect the zeitgeist of the world in a perfect manner and well, the hope would be… that these movies can now properly teach us something about our world that we can use in the future, and that perhaps seeing the end of the world in fiction by way of mankind’s mistakes, will start to change attitudes and hearts and minds slowly… to ensure that a day comes where these movies do seem silly… because we do indeed unify.

But how would a zombie story accomplish that? Well, the answer to that is simple… by offering up a horrifying experience that not only tugs on the collective trauma we now all share in but offers scares in the raw to hammer the lesson home, and it just so happens that Shudder is now host to a movie, that offers up that kind of raw and visceral experience, in Virus :32. Now in this particular film we are introduced to a woman named Iris and her daughter Tata on a night that seems like any other. In fact, it’s so boring an evening that Iris is bringing her little one with her to the night shift at a local health club, where she works as a security guard. But it doesn’t take long for the night to take quite the turn. For people are acting strangely outside and they are eager to get inside, and once they do… life will never be the same for Iris and Tata.

Which is a plot that at first glance, appears to offer no depth. For that is something we’ve seen time and time again within the genre, but familiarity is the key to making this story worthwhile. Because it makes us comfortable and relaxed and without a worry in the world and that’s when the terror begins to creep in. For the reports of odd behavior and viruses floating about… feels all too familiar, as do the appearance of the infected. Since these old school, 28 Days Later, style zombies seem mostly fine. Sure there’s a few bumps and cuts, but they look human. And seeing everyday folks quickly turn in front of others and be marked as something sinister, combined with the visuals and vibe here… really does terrify the viewer. Because this echoes every ugly moment of the past couple of years, and the horror doesn’t end with an eerie trip down memory lane.
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Because this is also a zombie flick, that leans hard into the unsettling scare. Which is a nice change of pace when one considers that gore is king, and while that is present and glorious in its own right… seeing an infected mother give birth to a child and prepare to potentially kill their wee one, is some scary stuff indeed. Bold as well, since you don’t see horror films mess with kids in that manner and really, it is the savagery present here that really freaks you out. Because we aren’t used to extended scenes of violence where people just give into the darkness and the fury in the hopes of finding satisfaction for a whopping handful of seconds, but they are here, and they are powerful and brilliant. Since in many ways, the infected serve as a secondary allegory for our modern world. Where so many are seething and desperate to lash out.

Which makes this a poignant and powerful zombie film for a bold new era of the genre. Where now the realities of a global pandemic can be realized within the framework of the genre, and hopefully will be used to influence change in a world that is in desire of it and desperately needs it. But all brilliance aside, make no mistake about it, this is a scary horror film through and through. One that uses all the right tricks and devices to leave the viewer uncomfortable and worried about our heroes and ends with such fury, that you outright feel exhausted watching this movie and hopefully we’ve done enough to convince you to swing by Shudder and give this wonderful little gem a look. Because this one really is something special and it is absolutely worth your time.     

Something that is truly fascinating about 1980s horror-themed television shows… is how incredibly tame they were back in the day. Because gore was simply a no-no on broadcast television, as were stories that really did their best to gross out the audience or terrify them and it does makes sense as to why this was the case. Because in the 1980s, television was quite conservative and feel-good in nature, and the thought of using a wholesome format, one that thrived via sitcoms and family entertainment, to scare people or make them nauseous, just seemed… sacrilegious in a way.
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However, obviously those close-minded attitudes changed somewhere down the line. Since The Walking Dead became a pop-culture sensation by offering up gore and surprises and quality scares. Not to mention, horror is everywhere on television these days, as are shows that dive deep into incredible concepts that wouldn’t have been on the air twenty years ago. But what was it that truly started to make folks ponder upon the very real possibility that quality horror was a viable form of prime-time entertainment? And well, there’s a good chance that the scary stories we enjoy on tap on TV today, blossomed from a single piece of terrifying fruit that Tales from the Darkside put on the airwaves back in 1984.

For the episode, ‘Inside the Closet’ is nothing short of a waking nightmare, a feat that the story accomplished by giving us a down home, simple horror story. One that introduced the audience to a young woman named Gail Aynsley, and when we catch up with Gail here… she is simply looking for a room to rent on campus. The kind that will afford her peace and quiet to help her complete her art degree and she finds one at the home of a Dr. Fenner, the dean of a veterinary school on campus. But what appears to be the perfect room to rent is anything but. For a tiny closet inside Gail’s new home comes complete with chittering noises and the door that is supposedly locked, that tends to open on its own. Leaving Gail quite curious as to what is inside the closet and well… her ongoing desire to uncover its contents, will lead to nothing but regret… and pure terror.

Simply because, there is something hideous living within that closet, a creature known as Lizzie, and she’s in good with Dr. Fenner… in fact, it is strongly implied that ‘she’ is his daughter and well, as you can see from the photos in this article… Lizzie is the first real reason that this episode is not only scary but serves as a keystone tale for modern horror on television. Because… just look at her, she’s pure nightmare fuel and you simply didn’t see that kind of creation appear on television in the 80s. But Tom Savini (who also masterfully directed this tale… more on that a moment) was eager to break that edict and push the envelope by way of something that would truly freak people out and well, mission accomplished. Because her appearance is fear-inducing and everything she does sends chills down your spine, and the true terror present within this tale, doesn’t end with dear Lizzie.
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Because Savini’s work here behind the camera, is utterly brilliant. Because he blends together the wonder/horror of modern effects with classic horror elements, alongside his own desire to really rock the audience with tension and the end result of that… is twenty minutes of intense scares. The kind that unsettles a viewer through and through. Since we don’t see Lizzie until the end of the story, but those quick flashes of her disgusting visage are enough to put us on the edge of our seat with worry, and that boils over when she finally arrives. To the point where one might jump or yelp aloud when that little hell beast does her thing and the fact that this story is still utterly frightening after all these years, truly serves as a testament to Tom Savini’s skills as a director.

But what matters more, is that the impactful scares here, and the production values of this episode, made it clear that quality horror could in fact be part of the television landscape and it also established the fact that Tales from the Darkside could do it all from a horror standpoint. Since this episode is devoid of deeper commentary and simply leans into the scares and our fears of the unknown and in many ways, not only is this the story that would inspire others to go for broke horror wise on television in the years to come… but this is also the moment that this series truly arrived as an icon of the genre. Because this episode really is something special and it will be interesting to see what other full-on horror stories await us as our journey through the darkside continues. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘Cursed Films’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Thus far, our journey through the various cursed films of Hollywood, courtesy of the Shudder series, Cursed Films II, has offered up some fascinating insight as to why people are eager to attach conspiracy theories and dark thoughts to films that have a troubled production. For instance, the season two premiere taught us that sometimes it happens because we have a desperate need to find impurities in things that are pure, and last week’s episode, covered how sometimes it is easy to associate darkness and curses with stories that revolve around taboo and unsavory topics and well… it would seem this series is showing no signs of letting up, in informing us as to why people believe that a motion picture can in fact be cursed.
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For this week’s episode, one that revolved around the 1979 Science Fiction classic, Stalker, posed the possibility that sometimes hyper intelligent art, the kind that is prophetic and powerful and supremely gorgeous in nature, needs to be flawed in our minds. So that we can better understand how a director such as Andrei Tarkovsky was able to see ahead and ponder on such incredible concepts and well… how this episode brought forth that exploration, was by celebrating Stalker to a tee. For this story wasted little time in informing/reminding us of Tarkovsky’s genius as a filmmaker and how he consistently knocked it out of the park with each and every one of his films and well… what he brought to the table in Stalker, rightfully deserves recognition as well.

Since it did in many ways, predict that ecological disasters and worries would surround humanity in the final years of the 20th Century, since Chernobyl dominated the headlines in the 1980s and of course the motion picture’s themes on dreams and the search to find peace, is something that resonates with a viewer through and through and well, that kind of insight and thoughtfulness has to come from places of distress and trouble, right? Which is why some wild theories surround this film. Such as the fact that it was a tortured production personally for some of the crew members since there was talk that Tarkovsky’s desire to handle cinematography duties on his own alienated his own director of photography, and potentially motivated him to ruin film negatives. A surprise that could have influenced Tarkovsky to inject the dreams and searching storylines, into the reshoots that eventually found their way into the final product.

Not to mention, there’s the concerns that surround this film when it comes to the shooting locations in general. Since so many cast and crew members got sick and died after the movie finished shooting, and of course… Tarkovsky also died in 1986 of lung cancer and so many wonder now, if the ecologically concerning locations poisoned so many in the name of art and well… when one considers that revelation and the reality that this is a movie that truly reflects the wonder of art and what it can accomplish… it makes sense that people would indeed gravitate to the belief that this movie was cursed. Since it speaks to themes that trouble us and keep us up at night and diving into such matters would have to incur the wrath of a universe that doesn’t like to have its chaos put on display. But on the flip side of that, it could just be a bunch of bummer coincidences that accompany a masterpiece of a movie.

Because there is nothing that truly points toward some kind of curse or dark force here. But that is the point of this magnificent series, to not prove one way or the other that a film is cursed, but to spotlight both sides of the story and allow for us to make our own call on such matters, and that is what this episode accomplishes, in a compelling manner no less. Since some of the stories here are told with some incredible passion and conviction, the kind that do leave that skeptical part of your brain wondering… ‘what if?’ But what matters more, is that writer/director Jay Cheel has spotlighted a motion picture that needs to be seen by more audiences and hopefully his work here, motivates others to seek out the wonder of Stalker and other features from a master storyteller in Andrei Tarkovsky. Until next time.

It is definitely safe to say, that everyone has very unique goals when it comes to what they want out of life. For instance, some people want their name in lights, and will do whatever it takes to achieve that. While others want nothing more than to be a good person that is remembered by many and some… simply want a simple life where they can raise a family and enjoy the wonders of that. But what’s amazing, is that regardless of what particular goal you are seeking in life, everything we are after in our journey through the world shares in a common theme. In that, we want to be seen and recognized by someone in this world. 
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Think about it for a second. Because the person that wants to be a star, needs people to keep their name in lights, and those who want to be seen as a great person, have to be recognized and remembered by others for their efforts and even the simple family life… involves us needing to be around people that care about us. Because sharing some kind of a connection with our fellow man in any capacity is essential to our mental health and our ability to function and that is why, so many of us fear being alone or failing in our goals. Because we simply cannot fathom the thought of being invisible in a world that celebrates the wonder of each of us and thankfully… we tend to rarely walk our paths alone since we do find ways to connect with people as we journey through life.

But… while we know we need that connection and likely subconsciously make it happen to satisfy our needs, it does beg some questions. Such as, what would we become if we seemingly didn’t exist to people and if by chance… we couldn’t make that connection? As it turns out, these are questions that horror is happy to explore, as evidenced by the next episode of Tales from the Darkside. For ‘Slippage’ is a story that introduces us to a man named Richard Hall, who is dealing with quite the problem. In that, people keep forgetting to invite him to events or even pay him the right time of day and well, these ignorant moments lead him to believe that maybe something has gone terribly wrong with the world, and he’s being erased from existence and well… he is right. For something dark is at work and it is indeed working to move the world on without him and there is nothing that Richard can do but desperately attempt to be seen by those that matter.

Which is… quite the impactful way to ponder on this concept since it uses real world horrors to play a game of ‘What if?’ with the audience. After all, each and every one of us worry about why someone would forget to include us in an event or how on earth someone we’ve known could forget us and playing on those fears really does draw one into the story and help to make it clear that fading from memories and the world, would indeed be a horrifying experience. One that would isolate us and terrorize us in a manner we’ve never known and that leads to a powerful ending that brings all of our fears together.
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But while this is an impactful exploration of a reality that few of us will ever go through, thankfully… when one considers that season one of this series has leaned hard into deeper meanings for its stories, it should come as no surprise that this one has some messaging buried within the plot as well. Since this story does point out, that we can create this worst-case scenario by closing ourselves off to others and by doing everything we can to avoid to human contact and connection with others. A feat the story accomplishes by making it clear that at times, Richard isn’t exactly an easy person to know or get near since he does have walls and does tend to want to avoid people now and again. Making this a cautionary tale of sorts, one that informs us to ignore those desires for an extended period of time and be open with those we love so the connection is always maintained.

If anything, this is just another unique episode from a season of storytelling that continues to surprise. Because season one went far harder than any of us likely remember and well, being treated to such special and carefully crafted stories is quite the treat. For these tales of terror are holding up quite well decades after their release and the stories we’ve covered so far are unrivaled in their originality by the modern era of horror and what’s amazing… is we are only a little way into the journey. That means we will be treated to all kinds of incredible stories down the line, the kind that will titillate and terrify and it just so happens, that the next episode of this storied saga, is an iconic tale that should do just that… courtesy of its unique setting and one nightmarish antagonist. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.   

Award season really is a special time for every nerd and geek out there. For this is when they can see if their favorite stars and creatives will take home top honors for their incredible work in the industry by way of awards shows that are filled with glamour and glitz and outright nervousness. Since no one ever has a clue who is going to win until we hear the all-important phrase: ‘…and the award goes to…’

But what is truly amazing about this season, is that there are awards for every genre out there, including horror and well… the good news for horror fans everywhere is that the premier celebration for the genre is about to take place and be hosted by the world’s premiere horror streamer. For earlier today, FANGORIA announced that this year’s Chainsaw Awards will be airing on Shudder on May 15th and well… here are all the details on this highly awaited horror awards show, courtesy of FANGORIA and Shudder.
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‘FANGORIA, FANGORIA Studios and Shudder announced today that the 2022 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards will premiere on Sunday, May 15th at 7pm ET, exclusively on Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thrillers, and the supernatural.
 
The ceremony, which recognizes outstanding achievements in horror film and television, will once again be hosted by actor and writer David Dastmalchian (Dune, The Suicide Squad), and will feature Dee Wallace, Joe Lo Truglio, Joe Dante, Tracie Thoms, Jim Cummings, Rachel True and the directing team known as Radio Silence (Ready or Not, Scream) among its presenters. (See below for the full presenters list.)  This year’s nominees include Candyman, Last Night in Soho, Titane, Chucky, and Midnight Mass. The special is produced by Armen Aghaeian, produced and directed by Ama Lea, and written by Michael Varrati. Executive Producers are Tara Ansley, Abhi Goel, and Phil Nobile Jr.
 
“Last year’s Chainsaw Awards were not only a highlight of the year in horror, but a testimony to the very spirit of the genre, as ingenuity and resourcefulness won out over the challenges of production during lockdown,” said Fango editor Phil Nobile Jr. “We’ve upped the ante this year and added some new categories, and we’re excited for fans to tune in to once again celebrate an amazing year for horror and its fans.”
 
“Shudder is proud to once again join forces with FANGORIA to celebrate the best in horror, as voted on by the horror community itself,” said Shudder General Manager Craig Engler. 
 
This year's ceremony will premiere Sunday, May 15 at 7pm ET on Shudder TV, Shudder’s in-app programming feed, with additional pre and post shows streaming via Fango’s social media accounts. The Awards will be made available on demand on Shudder across all platforms, partners and territories beginning Monday, May 16.
 
Full list of presenters:

• The Boulet Brothers (The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula)
• Alejandro Brugues (director, Juan of the Dead, Nightmare Cinema)
• Peaches Christ (performer/filmmaker, All About Evil)
• Jim Cummings (filmmaker, The Beta Test)
• Joe Dante (director, The Howling, Gremlins)
• Tananarive Due (author; screenwriter, The Twilight Zone)
• Bryan Fuller (producer, Hannibal, Queer for Fear) 
• Michael Gingold (writer, FANGORIA; Ad Nauseam)
• Brea Grant (filmmaker, 12-Hour-Shift)
• Harvey Guillén (actor, What We Do in the Shadows)
• Elric Kane (Colors of the Dark podcast)
• Joe Lo Truglio (actor/filmmaker, Wet Hot American Summer; Outpost)
• Harry Manfredini (composer, Friday the 13th)
• Rebekah McKendry (Colors of the Dark podcast)
• Misha Osherovich (actor, Freaky)
• Jeff Daniel Phillips (actor, The Munsters)
• Diana Prince (aka Darcy the Mail Girl, The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs)
• Radio Silence (filmmakers, Scream)
• Daniel Roebuck (actor, The Munsters)
• Felissa Rose (actor, Sleepaway Camp)
• Josh Ruben (filmmaker, Werewolves Within)
• Tiffany Shepis (actor, Victor Crowley)
• Tracie Thoms (actor, Death Proof)
• Rachel True (actor, Horror Noire, The Craft)
• Michael Varrati (writer, Midnight Mass podcast)
• Dee Wallace (actor, The Howling, Cujo)

 
Since 1992, the Chainsaw Awards have honored top achievements in the horror genre, with past recipients including Wes Craven, George A. Romero, Lupita Nyong’o, Anthony Hopkins, and Elisabeth Moss.
 
About FANGORIA
Since 1979, FANGORIA has been “First In Fright.” At one point the only place on newsstands where fans could read about the world of horror, today Fango has adapted to a world it helped create - one in which Fango’s early readers are winning Oscars for their contributions to, and expansion of, the genre. In 2020 FANGORIA was acquired by producer Tara Ansley and serial entrepreneur Abhi Goel, and this year the brand will expand (along with resurrected sister brands STARLOG and GOREZONE) into the digital space, where it will thrive as an iconic genre media destination. 
 
FANGORIA’s current mission is to honor its legacy through expansion into original film and TV production, podcasts, gaming and more. Now in its 42nd year, Fango celebrates a massive and diverse community of creators and fans, and is at the forefront of the current moment of celebrating genre as a legitimate entertainment space - one in which all are welcome. When it comes to horror, everyone screams in the same language.
 
FANGORIA Studios was launched in January 2021 to develop and produce film, television and podcasts using the iconic FANGORIA, STARLOG and GOREZONE brands.
 
ABOUT SHUDDER
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.
 
ABOUT DAVID DASTMALCHIAN 
David Dastmachian is an actor and writer for film, television and theater. As an actor, David has appeared in films like Ant-Man, The Dark Knight, Blade Runner 2049, and Dune, and will be seen in the upcoming films Oppenheimer, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, and Boston Strangler. He wrote and starred in the feature films Animals (Winner of the Special Jury Prize for Courage in Storytelling at SXSW ‘14) and All Creatures Here Below, and authored the hit comic book series Count Crowley: Amateur Midnight Monster Hunter from Dark Horse. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.’