It is definitely safe to say, that the zombie is still one of the hottest monsters on the market right now. Because The Walking Dead and its various spin-offs continue to pull in ratings that some shows would give anything to have and of course, the living dead are still popping up in popular culture everywhere. After all, there are commercials that now feature them as the main character, and in the realm of cinema… well they continue to be the perfect creature to serve up social commentary or powerful storytelling. 
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As evidenced by the bevy of powerful zombie flicks that have made their way to theaters and streamers over the past couple of years and it just so happens that Shudder is adding another powerhouse zombie flick to their impressive lineup next month. For earlier today, the premier horror streamer announced that the award-winning zombie flick The Sadness will debut on the network on May 12 and well, here are all the details on this fascinating film, courtesy of Shudder.

‘Shudder, AMC Network’s premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, has acquired rights to Canadian director Rob Jabbaz’s feature debut The Sadness following its impressive festival run that began at the prestigious 74th annual Locarno Film Festival and celebrated screenings at the Fantasia International Film Festival and Fantastic Fest, where the film took awards for Best First Feature in Montreal and for Best Horror and Best Direction in Austin. The film will be available exclusively on Shudder in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, May 12. 
 
Said Craig Engler, general manager of Shudder, “The Sadness is a brutal, boundary pushing shocker, one of the boldest and bloodiest we’ve ever acquired. We anticipate it having a legendary and well-deserved following among Shudder members.”
 
The Sadness was shot in Taipei, Taiwan where Canadian writer/director Rob Jabbaz, originally from Mississauga, Ontario, now resides, and follows a young couple, played by Regina Lei (76 Horror Bookstore) and Berant Zhu (We Are Champions, How to Train Our Dragon), trying to reunite amid a city ravaged by a plague that turns its victims into deranged, bloodthirsty sadists. Tzu Chiang Wang (It’s Drizzling) and In Ru Chen also star. The film is produced by David Barker and executive produced by Li-Cheng Huang, while Eunice Cheng associate produced for Machi Xcelsior Studios.
 
“It’s been such an enjoyably bizarre journey getting The Sadness made and distributed!
I’m incredibly excited for everyone out there to finally see it!” said Rob Jabbaz.
 
The Sadness shocked audiences around the globe and was renowned for receiving trigger warnings from genre festival programmers who had never before felt the need to use such labels. Likened to as a return to transgressive ’90s Hong Kong Category III exploitation films by Fantasia Artistic Director Mitch Davis, Toronto-based sales and distribution company Raven Banner Entertainment represents the title worldwide and will release it in Canada, and said on the acquisition by Shudder:
 
"From the moment we first saw The Sadness, we knew this was something special.  The film reaches heights rarely attained in the horror space.  Rob Jabbaz is definitely a talent to watch," said Raven Banner's Managing Partner, Michael Paszt “Shudder is hands down the home for The Sadness and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them."
 
The deal was negotiated by Raven Banner’s Michael Paszt and James Fler on behalf of the filmmakers, and Emily Gotto, VP, Global Acquisitions & Co-Productions on behalf of Shudder.’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Shining Vale’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Ask anyone just how far they’d go to live their dreams, and you’ll get back the exact same answer. Wherein they will tell you, they will do whatever it takes to have what they want. Which is the answer we all expect of course, for we are taught that to truly achieve what we want in life, we must be prepared to make sacrifices and make tough choices that can be costly in unique ways. But what’s fascinating about that answer, is that not everyone is fully honest regarding it. Because if that person, our ourselves for that matter… had to do something downright awful and hurtful to obtain our dream… we might think twice about it. Or if we had to cross a moral line and potentially put our soul on the line in the process to grab hold of our dreams in record time… we may come to outright regret that choice.
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Because moral compromise is tough to reconcile, regardless of the pot of gold that waits at the end of that tainted rainbow and well… that’s a hard lesson that Pat had to learn in the next episode of Shining Vale on STARZ. For when we catch up with her and the Phelps family in ‘Chapter Seven: Impertinent Questions’, Rosemary and Pat have become one as part of their deal and at first… it appeared as though this wasn’t going to be a story that taught Pat a valuable lesson. After all, her kids were enjoying free money for lunches and fresh cobbler whenever they wanted, and hugs and kisses. Plus, Pat’s marriage was no longer on the rocks because she and Terry were getting along and were back to being their old romantic selves.

Not to mention, Valerie was laid to rest, closing the book on a painful chapter in everyone’s lives and of course, Pat’s book was on pace to be something genuinely special. Which meant, it seemed as though this was going to be a tale about how sometimes taking chances on something risky could in fact, pay off in spades. Until… things started to get uncomfortable for Pat. Because little by little, Rosemary was starting to sneak into Pat’s conscious mind in moments that she was forbidden to do so. Such as say, negotiations with the publisher and her agent/manager. Since Rosemary stepped in, in the middle of that, and almost torpedoed the book deal by playing hard ball and the trouble didn’t end there. Because Rosemary also decided… it was time to throw a cocktail party and uh… that ended in outright disaster.

Because as the night went on and the cocaine flowed for Laird, things got weird. Laird for instance, went overboard with the blow and ended up peeing himself because of it and once he and Pat’s agent and unsavory writer guest were gone for the night… Rosemary decided to really stick it to Katherine and her husband, who decided to drop by for the party as well… by blurting out some horrible things. The kind that drove everyone to make some poor choices at the end of the night. Such as say, swapping husbands and wives. Since Pat awoke to discover she’d slept with Katherine’s husband, and it was heavily implied that Terry crossed the infidelity line as well and, in that moment, Pat finally came to learn the all-important lesson that so many have been trying to teach her.
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In that, there are no shortcuts to obtaining our goals. And to try to find them is disastrous, especially when one decides to make a deal with a desperate ghost that is eager to live life through pure possession, to get what they want. And well, all Pat has now is mountains of regret through and through. For she’s morally compromised herself by making a deal with this proverbial devil and her family is going to suffer for it, as will her career no doubt, and at this point… who knows how Pat is going to escape the rotten deal she made with this monster. Because Rosemary clearly has a taste for life again and surrendering that isn’t something she’s going to be keen upon in the slightest and well, that sets the stage for a grand showdown.

One that may force Pat to face her own personal demons at last and deal with them… so that she doesn’t need Rosemary and can easily take back the power that she’s given her. Or… confronting Rosemary in any manner could go south and end in a terrifying and messy manner… the kind that takes this show into a full-on horror story as Rosemary’s revenge is unleashed upon the family. Either way, it’s going to be an incredible ending to an incredible season come next Sunday. Because this series always knows how to wow us and impress and well, all we can do now is wait impatiently to see how Pat will apply the lesson she learned here… to her newfound quest to purge her soul and her life of one bad deal with one bad ghost. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1116 of ‘The Walking Dead’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Ever since season three of The Walking Dead hit the airwaves back in 2012… the sixteenth episode of that season and every season since… has been quite the momentous occasion storytelling wise. For X16 always served as the finale to a particular tale and it has always been filled to the brim with action and adventure and inspiration. For this is when our extended zombiepocalypse family, would either prepare for a fight ahead or take part in a grand battle royale, one that would see them conquer evil and emerge triumphant and ready for what comes next and well… that’s brought forth roughly a decade of satisfaction for the fans since they’ve enjoyed watching evil be defeated at every turn.
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But with the final season upon us… the time has come for episode sixteen to change drastically for this show. For 1116 of this series, was not the series finale, but really the end of the midway point and because this isn’t the end of the journey just yet, ‘Acts of God’ was a story that was vastly different in just about every way imaginable. Obviously in part, because there’s eight more episodes to go after this one, but more so… because this was merely the beginning of a grand fight for our heroes. One where they faced odds and challenges, they’ve never faced before and where victory was fleeting at best, and it accomplished this harrowing feat… by plunging our heroes into a pair of no-win scenarios.

One of which, involved the follow up to Lance Hornsby’s decision to hire Leah as an assassin. Because she was not only armed to the teeth with guns, something the Alliance hasn’t enjoyed since ‘All Out War’, but she had a bevy of soldiers at her side and that meant Maggie and her dear friends were left to figure out how to win a seemingly unwinnable fight and well… their showdown with Leah went about as well as one might expect. Since it resulted in loss and separation and more devastation at Hilltop, and eventually… a one-on-one showdown between Leah and Maggie. Which is a fight that Maggie nearly lost and had it not been for Daryl, who knows if she would have seen another day with her son.

Speaking of Daryl, he too faced impossible odds in this tale. Since Hornsby separated Daryl, and Aaron, and Gabriel from the frontlines to not only handle his revenge mission, but to do away with them as well since they were obviously not Commonwealth material in his eyes and while Daryl and the boys were triumphant in stopping the ambush and saving Maggie and her friends in the process, they’re lost at this point and without a home or anywhere to go. For the Commonwealth is everywhere and well, we’ll get to the other half of that problem in a moment. Because we do need to talk about the fight back in the Commonwealth and how our intrepid and amazing heroes there, may have bitten off more than they can chew. 

Because in order to really bring about change in the Commonwealth and perhaps put an end to the ugly stuff happening behind the scenes, they needed absolute proof that moves were happening and that people were going missing. So that said proof could be shown to the public and well, that meant Max had to make quite the decision. In that, she could either stand by and hope for other means to present the truth to the community or she could step up and get the evidence herself and potentially face some serious heat from Pamela and her administration and well… when faced with a need to stand up for the greater good… she went for broke and went after the files that contained the proof she needed in the scariest manner possible. 
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For while she was preparing to move them back to Connie’s place, good ol’ Sebastian decided to barge in drunk in the hopes of talking with his mother about his current financial strife, putting the whole plan at risk. But the alcohol seemed to allow for Sebastian to back off and that in turn, allowed for Connie and the group to realize, they were onto something huge, and this needed to go print and it did. But there was no sweeping change or riots in the streets once the Commonwealth learned of this mess. Instead, there was merely implication and fury from Pamela, who immediately showed the newspaper containing the truth to Max with anger in her eyes. Leaving us to wonder if Sebastian’s sly look at the file, meant that he used the moment for financial and personal gain and sadly… we will have to wait until part three of the final season to find out, and that’s fine.

Because we have plenty else to worry about in the meantime. Such as the grand reveal of what Lance has been planning all along. In that he wanted the Commonwealth to take over all off the communities and their resources and potential. Giving him a fiefdom to rule over and well… that reveal came forth by revealing the fact, that it was mission accomplished for Lance Hornsby. For the closing moments of this tale, saw the flag of the Commonwealth drop over the gates of Alexandria and Hilltop while the good people of Oceanside faced their possible end. Hammering home, the reality that this episode sixteen, was bleak and devastating in nature. For our heroes genuinely lost for the first time ever and there is currently no quick route to an upper hand or path to victory over a far more efficient and armored foe. 

Which is… the perfect way to set the stage for the final eight episodes in this storied franchise. For now, the stakes are at their highest and our heroes will face their greatest challenge and that is going to make the wait for part three, downright excruciating. Because we simply have to know how this story is going to end and whether or not our heroes will win the day and save lives and topple one of the last great evils left in this broken world. But while we wait to settle in for a bittersweet farewell to one of the finest horror franchises to ever grace the airwaves, we can bask in the wonder of a powerhouse midseason finale. One that informed us that this saga is going to end in a manner far differently than how modern society did in this tale… with a bang… instead of a whimper. Until next time.

Some people have the need to be seen and heard and while that might be for them, others just like to blend into the crowd. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to become famous in one way or another, you need to remember what really needs to go into it. While there is plenty of internet fame these days, and getting hits is all that matters, you need to bring some sort of new content to the arena. As it seems that everything has been done in one way or another, the point is to make people want to hear from you over everyone else and while you could be delivering the same message as others, making it your own and connecting with the fans is really what matters most.

Driving her roommate Jason to pick up his girlfriend Kirsty, Sophia is getting very annoyed with him sticking his phone in her face. As it seems that Jason has never seen a crazy cat video before, she needs to keep her eyes on the road. But there is no way in stopping Jason from searching the web, as there seems to be all kinds of things flying around including a story about Doctor Rathbone who is a local legend. Hearing the name Rathbone again, Sophia watches a little show on the deranged doctor who never seemed to age over the 150 years that he supposedly lived to. Sparking something inside of her, Sophia and Jason decide that it is time to become internet famous and try to find the doctor in the woods for the world to see.

With all of the stories surrounding Doctor Rathbone, it has been said in recent history that he and his monsters are back again and the woods where he has been spotted are not that far from their flat. Packing up and convincing Kirsty to come along, the group makes their way into the woods. As day turns into night, Jason and Kirsty take care of each other when they notice that Sophia has gone missing. Searching the surrounding woods to find that the car has gone missing, Sophia is located, but she is not the only thing that Jason has spotted. 

Arriving on the doorstep of an old building, the group is invited in and finds that they are in the reaches of something unimaginable, meeting the one and only Doctor Rathbone. As the good doctor only speaks through his assistant, the group is invited to spend the night as a storm is coming in. While Jason and Sophia are beside themselves, Kirsty is not so sure that this is the best idea. With no cell phone signal, much less any WiFi, the group is cut off from the world at least for the night, but that is not all as Kirsty finds that there is something truly strange happing within the elder’s walls. Seeing the good doctor dancing with his aged bride, she becomes the first victim of the Rathbone monsters who are not only real but looking to help fulfill the doctor’s quest in finding a way to become immortal.

I am still not sure how much I liked this movie, while the overall story was solid, there were some spots where I was not sure what in the heck was going on. I liked the group overall and how Jason seemed to turn into a different person when entering the old building, but Kirsty really stole most of the movie when trying to flee for her life. Sophia was great, as she seemed to be the only one with a steady head on her shoulders, and when she became disillusioned with the doctor, she knew it was time to leave well before her number was called. Rathbone was great as well, as you are introduced to a mad genius who will stop at nothing to keep his love alive for an eternity. With some creepy monsters, the promise of becoming internet famous, a mad doctor, a dying bride, no WiFi, and the need to live forever, this movie really had a Frankenstein feel to it, and I think that this is a good thing, since, well, there were some monsters running around. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘See for Me’.

One thing that we can all agree upon, is that the universe can be quite the rough place for certain. To the point where it outright breaks people and leaves them desolate and we are often so stunned by the savage nature of the universe, that a great deal of us have tried to figure out why the universe treats us in such a rough manner, and that has led to some supremely philosophical thoughts about life. Such as the possibility that bad things happen to test our mettle and show us what we are capable of, or they are in fact… punishment for poor acts on our part, and that doing good to offset our mistake or asking for forgiveness to a God above, will put us back on a fruitful path. 
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Or there is the most terrifying prospect of all. In that, we really do live in a random collection of galaxies where things just happen without rhyme or reason, and we are at the mercy of whatever waves of chaos are sent our way. But regardless of which line of thinking or belief you subscribe to… one way or another, that constant chaos is going to find its way into our lives and how we deal with it is paramount. Since our response will determine if we lead our lives, post-incident with clarity… or with darkness in our souls and well, the cruelty of the universe and the importance of responding to it in the right manner is top of mind today, because both of those themes are present in the latest Shudder release, See for Me.

Now in this particular film we are introduced to a young woman named Sophie, who has been dealt quite the rough hand. For this once brilliant skier, was forced to retire from the sport because of a degenerative sight condition. Which cost her more than her sight, it also robbed her of her dream of skiing at the Olympics and well… it has definitely left Sophie in a bitter place. To the point where she refuses help when it is available to her, and she’s also eager to stick it to the rich since she feels undermined and looked down upon by them. Despite the fact that she often helps them with pet setting duties on short notice. But her latest pet sitting detail is going to force Sophie to rethink a great deal when it comes to how she lives her life, since strangers are on their way to break into the home, she is watching… to get their hands on a special prize.

Which is, at first glance, a plot that appears to be nothing more than a home invasion story with a stunning twist. But as this movie rolls along, it quickly becomes clear that this is a story that really fits in line with the overall theme of how we respond to the hands we’ve been dealt, and it wastes little time in informing us of how a pair snake eyes on the table that is life… can make us savagely angry and eager to lash out at the world. As evidenced by the fact that Sophie spends a lot of time pondering upon helping these criminals out… just to get a taste of what it means to stick it to someone else for a change and that is quite the fascinating twist to inject into this movie, since it really does hammer home the point… before getting into the more positive stuff.
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Since an assist from an app that helps blind people, connects Sophie with a friend that cares about her safety and is willing to guide her in conquering evil, and this is what allows for the film to explore how we come back from genuinely tough moments in our life. Since Kelly and her desire to really help, inspires Sophie to realize that her life isn’t over because of what happened to her sight and that in this instance, if she opened up her mind and soul to the possibility of accepting help… she can accomplish wonders and that of course leads to a triumphant ending where Sophie is empowered to finally stand up and make her own calls as to what comes next for her in life, with just a hint of sticking it to the rich... thrown in for good measure.

A move that some might say is counterintuitive to what we’ve just discussed, but let’s be honest… Sophie earned the right for a bonus from her employer since battling angry thugs wasn’t in her contract. But all humor aside, make no mistake about it… this is a highly intelligent horror film. One that really does offer up a fresh and original plot that also takes the time to do something pertinent and inclusive regarding its lead. Since you so rarely see blind individuals be the lead of a story, and having that here is a huge deal and makes this a progressive story as well, since it properly handles representation and well, all of these elements make this a worthwhile watch for certain. One that you can check out right now, just by logging into Shudder.     

​One thing that we can all agree upon, is that humanity does harbor some serious fears about technology and the direction it is going, and it makes sense as to why. After all, it evolves so quickly that we don’t always fully understand what it can do for us and how it benefits us and not having knowledge about our own creation is uncomfortable for certain. Not to mention, we are self-reliant creatures that got along without the advanced stuff for a long time and the thought of replacing our gusto and can-do attitude with simplicity and comfort leaves us terrified that we will somehow become weak and frail both mentally and physically. But truly what we fear about it… is the sheer possibility that it might become sentient, become our digital children if you will, and no one can really seem to wrap their heads around what that means, but we certainly fear the potential.
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Because it could lead to uprisings from the technological world as it tries to assert its dominance over us or perhaps it could seek to end us because of our flaws. But the fact of the matter is, we don’t know what will happen the day a computer becomes self-aware and all we can do is hope to improve ourselves and perhaps outline proper regulations for the powerful tech to come to avoid trouble. But what’s amazing about this fear, is that it is nothing new. In fact, it’s been around for as long as advanced technology and for proof, look no further than the next episode of the 80s classic horror series, Tales from the Darkside. Since a fear of technology is everywhere we look in ‘Mookie and Pookie’, alongside a surprisingly hopeful theory about what technology could do for us if we really embraced its wonder. But to get to that particular examination, bad things had to happen in spades in this tale. 

In fact, it is death that gets this whole thing rolling. Since the Anderson family loses their computer whiz-kid of a son in the opening moments of this tale, and the death of Kevin ‘Pookie’ Anderson outright devastates his sister Mookie, a.k.a. Susan. To the point where she takes up the mantle of a long coding project he was working on before he died. An act that terrifies her mother and father. Since they firmly believe that she is using technology and its wonder and convenience to hide from really dealing with Kevin’s death. In fact, dear old dad becomes so concerned about her health that he puts forth quite the ultimatum. In that, she has to let the program go and rejoin the land of the living, or that computer is leaving this house post haste. A demand that motivates Susan to work ten times harder to finish the job. Because in reality, she’s trying to program the computer to become a sentient being, one with the same algorithms and wavelengths as her brother and if she cannot beat her father’s deadlines, she might lose her brother forever.

Which is… a fascinating way to explore our fear of technology. Since the mystery of what Susan is building via code and the grip it has upon her, really does put the fear of God into her parents. As though they firmly believe the use of technology will lead to her end as well and that leads to a lot of familiar sequences in this story. The kind where parents demand their child step away from the screen and live life and where conversations/lectures about the importance of human company over technological company take place. Which still echo today because that same debate about what technology does for us and to us, rages on. But the fact that Mookie is able to finish the code and bring a digital brother to life, assuages those fears for her family and informs them and the audience that with the right care, technology could in fact… accomplish wonders for us, the kind that might ease some of our greatest sufferings.
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But what’s amazing, is that this story has more to explore than our fears of technology. For it also lightly digs into the power of grief and how much we are terrified to let go of those we love. Because make no mistake about it, Mookie’s behavior, and obsession with getting the coding done ASAP… are reflections of how we process grief and how we will sometimes pour ourselves into different tasks to heal and her parents push to stop her, serves as a reminder that we cannot ever demand how someone grieves since everyone handles it differently. And of course, her desire to just pour herself into this coding project is what is reflective of how we struggle to let go, since there were no guarantees that this project was going to work or was working until the final act when Pookie 2.0 asserts himself completely. But burying herself in this... kept Pookie's memory alive for her and delayed any need to properly say goodbye. 

If anything, this is just a very unique Tales from the Darkside episode. In large part because it features so many different themes and unique concepts that at the time, were not native to the horror genre in the slightest. But it just goes to show that this series was a pioneer in year one and was willing to try anything and everything to tell a compelling story grounded in the foundations of horror and this episode succeeds there for certain. Since it does feature a fear of the unknown and it plays upon our fears of death, something that is central to the genre for certain. Plus, it is also quite amazing that this episode once again features some big names. Since Justine Bateman plays Mookie/Susan, and she went on to have a huge career and of course, it is amazing to see Tippi Hedren here since she is just… a horror legend and well… in the end… while some might find this episode to be a touch out of place since it isn’t a true scare fest, this writer appreciates this episode for taking the time to try something new and out of the box and for dealing with fears that so many share in. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season two premiere of ‘Cursed Films’.

It is definitely safe to say, that the documentary is a type of film… that can carry with it great bias. After all, it is more often than not… a passion project for the writer and director. One that gives their thoughts and their thoughts alone a voice and that leads to the bias in question and that can be a bit of a detriment to said documentary. Since going that route doesn’t always offer an audience the complete picture on the subject and that is why it is always refreshing… to find a truly neutral one. One that is grounded in classic journalism where ideas are presented without opinion and bias and one such documentary that accomplishes this particular feat is Shudder’s Cursed Films.
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For season one of this documentary series presented the strange stories surrounding some supremely famous horror films in an objective and thoughtful and downright respectable light. Which allowed for the dark stories about these troubled films to be presented in a manner free from conspiracy or conjecture, allowing for the viewer to simply learn and ponder and make their own conclusions about how such strange moments came to pass. And the good news, is that this series is back for another season of exploration regarding films that seem to have curses surrounding them and the first thing you’ll notice about Cursed Films II, is the sheer fact that the respect present in season one is still there and that’s important to note, because the movie that served as its subject for the season two premiere, required that in order to properly reflect upon its wild stories. For the family favorite, The Wizard of Oz, is the story that writer/director Jay Cheel opted to explore here in an objective manner, and that is the right approach for certain. Because to do otherwise would insult legions of fans of a beloved motion picture.

But this is a movie that demands attention and exploration regarding its construction. For this wonderful film about a faraway journey over the rainbow was indeed mired in dark moments that are explored here in great detail. Such as how, Margaret Hamilton received some seriously troubling burns while shooting some of her scenes. Not to mention the poor treatment Judy Garland received from the studio in order to maintain her child-like appearance physically, over the course of shooting and we'd be foolish to not discuss, how there’s always been the long-standing rumor that an unnamed actor playing one of the iconic Munchkins, took the time to hang himself while the cameras were rolling. Which brought forth an ongoing search for highly sought-after original prints that could prove such matters and well… those kinds of problems really do feel akin to a cursed production and the investigation into those stories and others… makes for another powerful story.

One that makes it clear that obviously, there’s no real curse that surrounded this motion picture in the slightest… just a hard and painful push to produce one of the most memorable family films ever made and that in doing so… darkness may have taken over the stage. Since intense drive and demand can bring out the worst in us and motivate us to make poor decisions. Such as the ones the studio made with Judy, and this documentary also subtly explores how sometimes… our obsession with the belief that nothing can ever be pure in life, drives us to see if by chance we can find darkness in places where there might be none, allowing for this story to leave the viewer with plenty to ponder upon regarding this film. But what’s wild… is that this recap is merely scratching the surface of what this episode has to offer.

Since it also features some grand discussions on rumors that surrounded the actors that played the Munchkins for decades on end and how those rumors were so powerful that even a movie was made about it. Plus, it is full of powerful and moving stories about the actors and how those tough moments impacted them and their children and well, this is an amazing way to open up the second season of this sensational series. Since it informs us that the notion of the cursed film, extends beyond the horror genre, while also teaching us to always ponder upon the nature of a rumor over its weight and truly… it will be interesting to see what other fascinating troubled productions this series is going to explore in an objective and honest light, as season two continues along. Until next time.

The season premiere of ‘Cursed Films II’ is available to stream on Shudder right now. To learn more about its genesis and how each episode is assembled, check out our interview with the show’s Writer/Director, Jay Cheel.

​There are times when you leave work just shaking your head because of what you have witnessed. So many things can happen throughout the workday from getting a new workload dropped on you to getting a bomb threat called in. Every day has new surprises, and they never cease to amaze us as the word continues to change. The only thing you can do is keep yourself centered and don’t get rattled when these things happen, because sadly they are becoming our way of life.
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Getting phone calls for requests at the radio station, Vanita ‘Stretch’ Brock is ready for her night to end when a couple of troublemakers continue to tie up her lines. Listening to the two drunk guys asking for everything under the sun, she hears something that she will never be able to forget. Listening to the two seeming to fight for their lives, the sound of a chainsaw hitting their car is something nobody expected. Listening to the two men dying, on the air, Stretch knows that she needs to get this tape to someone that will be able to do something with it and lucky for her, that man has just come to town.

Checking out the wreckage, Lieutenant ‘Lefty’ Enright is having flashes of what happened to his family years before. Noticing the chainsaw scratch marks on the side of the car, he knows that the family responsible for his loss is nearby. Getting a report on the news so the public is aware that there are killers on the loose once again, he is surprised to get a visit from Stretch in his hotel room. Trying to get him to listen to the tape that preceded the accident, Lefty declines, but knows that there might be something to it. With a plan to get revenge on the family that killed his, Lefty hits up the hardware store and picks up some weapons to take on the demons, as everybody knows you can only win the battle with a chainsaw.

Arriving at work dumbfounded that Lefty does not want the evidence that she had, Stretch is surprised to see him sitting there and waiting for her. With a request to play the tape on the air, Lefty has a plan to bring the killer family out of hiding and knows that playing their greatest hits would do just that. As the broadcast night comes to a close, Stretch plays the tape and is shocked to see that a new fan has arrived at her station. Refusing to leave the station until he gets what he wants, Chop-Top has a surprise for the young woman as his brother comes in chainsaw a-blazing. Getting trapped in her office as Leatherface is ready to end her life, Stretch uses a little bit of her femininity to keep from being hacked to shreds. She sees that the man behind the mask is lonely and looking for a woman and somehow, she will be able to use that to her advantage.

Winning the state’s chili cook off once again, Drayton Sawyer admits that the secret to his success is the meat that he uses. Not giving away anything else, he is looking forward to another successful year and paying his taxes, which seem to do nothing for him. Driving home and hearing the recording of his boys killing some kids on the street, he is beside himself and will not let this stand between him and the future. With the kill order put out to get the tape back, Drayton goes about his underground business with a new body that needs to be cut up. With his mind wrapped up in his business, he has no idea that he has some uninvited guests that are looking to end his little charade and shut down his butcher shop for good.

While this might not be one of the greatest sequels to a masterpiece I have ever seen, I do see where plenty of current directors have gotten their ideas from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. I will admit that this is different than the first one in many ways, but mainly the blood that keeps it at an R rating.  Seeing more mutilation and getting a feel for what Leatherface wants out of life, you get some villains that are a little bit more humanized, yet still completely crazy. The revenge story for Lefty seems to be the driving force for the movie and while he may get what he wants, it is more costly than he could have expected. With plenty of blood, countless chainsaws, body mutilation, face masks, heroes, villains, and more dancing than any horror movie has ever had, it is really just a good old horror time. Even though this might not be my favorite movie, it continues to stick with me over the years, mainly because of the dancing, but also because it was an inspiration to so many other horror movie makers that have been able to use this story to make their own. Stay Scared.

The prevailing belief in modern society when it comes to the afterlife, is that good people… will enjoy peace for all eternity when they pass on. For their souls will be transported to a wonderful place where pain, hunger and suffering simply do not exist. Instead, they are replaced by joy and love, and everything that was great about our time on Earth, and it gets better from there. Since evil is cast down into its own special pit where those that do wrong suffer for eternity as penance for a lifetime of cruelty and once, they are committed to their eternal damnation, they can do no harm to anyone ever again and well… that’s a pretty sweet belief to hang onto.
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Because it keeps us on the straight and narrow and gives us plenty to look forward to when we know we’ve been good and our number is up, and we all certainly hope that this belief is true, and that bliss is indeed what awaits good souls in the beyond. But alas, we simply don’t know what happens to us when we die outside of the physiological stuff that science has made inherently clear to us. Which leaves the afterlife up to interpretation often and creative minds are happy to explore the endless possibilities of what the beyond looks like, simply because they can and really… that freedom is top of mind today because some alternate ideas about what the afterlife could look like were presented unto us in the next episode of Tales from the Darkside.

A feat that ‘The Odds’ accomplishes by plunging us into a an out of the way corner of the world, where something incredible is happening. For a grizzled and experienced bookie named Tommy Vale is dealing with quite the surprise. In that, a mysterious stranger that likes to make bets that should cost him everything, keeps on winning and winning. To the point where Tommy, who never refuses a bet, is losing cash hand over fist to this stranger. But he refuses to let up. Because of that edict and because no one has ever broken him and he doesn’t believe that will happen now and well, when the stranger offers Tommy a bet he can’t refuse, one that would allow for him to reclaim his money and cheat the odds of death… Tommy is more than happy to place his bet. 

Which is a scenario that at first glance, appears to be grounded deeper in our fears of death and perhaps what our final moments might look like if say… the Grim Reaper was catered to the moment instead of how he usually appears in stories. But the revelation that the stranger, is no stranger… is what brings about that unique examination in question. For the real identity of the man that cannot lose is Bill Lacey, and Lacey placed a bevy of bad bets back in the day to Tommy Vale, the kind that cost him everything and eventually his life. But after years of hanging around the afterlife, full of regret and without direction, he thought appearing now… at the end of Tommy’s life would allow for him to get the better of the salty veteran and make his losings back and finally have some measure of revenge.
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A revelation that hammers home a reality where the afterlife, is no different than our everyday world, and that’s quite the sobering and frightening reality to put on display. Since it would mean that the beyond doesn’t offer absolution or peace or penance and torture… it is just business as usual and well, when one considers how many people dedicate themselves to steering clear of business as usual or avoiding the fiery pits below… that would be a devastating lesson to learn. One that oddly enough, is quite philosophical in nature. Because at the same time, an afterlife free from a greeting from God or a scolding from the Devil, would mean… what we put in now is what we get in the beyond and that too is both scary and invigorating. Since it would ask us to really look at our lives and our conduct, since that will determine our happiness or sorrow in the eternal void that awaits.

Which makes this… a fascinating episode in the end, one that plays a wild game of ‘what if?’ when it comes to an age-old notion and the wonder of this episode extends beyond its examination of what an alternate afterlife might look like. For it also features some top-notch acting across the board, courtesy of a cast filled with screen legends. Since this episode features Danny Aiello as Tommy Vale and Tom Noonan as Bill Lacey, with a touch of Robert Weil (as Horace Chadway) thrown in for good measure… and watching this trio chew up the scenery as only they can, only engages you further and leaves you satisfied when the episode comes to an end over the fact… that you’ve just been through an experience. One that features an acting clinic and a lot to chew upon, and it is wonderful to see this iconic series continue to deliver in this manner… in its inaugural year. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.     

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘Shining Vale’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Normally in ghost stories, when the spirit is cast out and those tortured by it are free… we’ve reached the end of our story. For there is little for the hero to accomplish beyond that point. Because once one has vanquished a pure evil from another plane of existence, putting one’s life back together has to be a simple affair. Where wonders are accomplished with confidence, and the audience isn’t interested in seeing that since they’ve just enjoyed the most powerful part of the journey. Which is why most ghost stories race to the end once that big moment has arrived and this is of note, because it appeared as though the end of the story was in sight during this week’s episode of Shining Vale on STARZ.
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For when we catch up with the Phelps family in ‘Chapter Six: Whispering Hope’, they’ve won the day. For Rosemary honored her deal with Pat and left the household after giving Pat one juicy chapter for the book. Meaning the family was finally free and we’d be wrapping up this tale, a reality that seemed to be reinforced, courtesy of the other plot-lines in this story. Since Gaynor was eager to join the church and be baptized and complete her spiritual journey and Jake was about to win his game, and Terry was finding his groove in woodworking and found peace with his new role in life… and Pat… well she finally finished her book and was preparing for life as a full-time writer, and we were ready to see this ugly chapter in this life be closed at last. 

But it didn’t take long for this episode to shift gears and inform us… there was a lot more story to tell. In part because Terry’s joyous times as a lumberjack, weren’t so joyous. In fact, he was suffering from severe depression and was listless over losing his job and Pat’s book… well it was bad. So bad that the publisher was ready to just pull the plug on the whole thing. But Pat was able to work out a short extension for a rewrite, giving her two more weeks to find the story’s sexy and sultry voice, and well… that motivated Pat to do the seemingly impossible… and try to reconnect with Rosemary. All so that they could make some kind of a deal that would give the book what it needed and give Pat the riches that would take care of her family for all time.

Eventually, she finally reached Rosemary, with Valerie’s help and well… she worked hard on the terms of the deal in question. Which uh… was a bad idea any way you slice it. Because despite offering Pat everything she wanted with minimal return outside of more nights with Terry and experiencing the world through Pat’s eyes… Valerie cautioned doom and well, we’ve seen enough creepy moments involving Rosemary over the past six weeks to side with Val. But Pat agreed to the terms and for a time it seemed as though life was going to get back to normal at Casa de Phelps. Since Gaynor was baptized, Jake finally beat the game and Terry even got his old job back since Kathérine took over as boss because the old boss, finally had his comeuppance.
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But most important of all, Pat was able to write again, with a secondary assist from her mother since Joan has all the good drugs on tap and well… that’s when we came to really get a taste of what Rosemary actually wants out of this deal. Which is in fact, blood. Because in the closing moments of this tale, while the words began to fly, and Terry stood proud next to his brand new ‘rugged’ fence… Valerie found herself making a horrifying decision. One where she declared undying allegiance to Rosemary and all that she stands for… and she was happy to offer herself up as a sacrifice to the Supreme Housewife that had… to paraphrase Rosemary... 'entered' Pat… by flinging herself to her doom atop Terry’s fence, and nothing will be the same after that.

For now, Rosemary has the blood she craves, and she has Pat catering to her every whim and as she grows stronger… she will undoubtedly want more. But while wait for her master plan to be unveiled unto all of us, we can celebrate one delightful chapter in this tale. Because this one was original and fun and truly took this writer off guard by making it appear as though the end of the journey was in sight. Plus, it once again tossed out some great homages, since the scene between father and son was another tribute to The Shining and of course, Valerie’s sacrifice was eerily reminiscent of how Damien’s followers paid tribute to him in The Omen and well… now that we’ve reached the end of this one, the wait for next week’s journey is going to be painful at best. Because this story just went into overdrive, and we absolutely have to know… what comes next. Until next time.