Stores that feature children and aliens, side by side… tend to be supremely fuzzy and uplifting in nature and rightfully so. After all, going that route allows for a real wholesome story to be told. One where the children in question… remind us that adulthood often allows for us to lose our sense of focus and wonder, and that those elements are essential to keeping an open mind about the world and perhaps the universe. Which in turn allows for beautiful moments to play out, the kind where eventually humankind and the alien species in question become fast friends and potentially can build upon that friendship to create a lasting intergalactic peace. 
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In fact, that formula is so wholesome and joyous that it is rarely deviated from, simply because audiences love it, and it really does fill that little beaty thing in our chests with joy and majesty. Enough to make the day better. But going that route does beg the question… is that the only thing that can be done with such a story? Because that formula also limits the potential of such tales and at times… offers up a worldview that isn’t realistic in nature, since the world can sometimes be a cruel place, and it is what we make of those cruel situations that matters more. Which is why it is refreshing to run into stories in this vein that work to do something differently with this age-old formula to challenge the audience and tell a different kind story, and it just so happens that Shudder is now host to a bold story that shakes up the tooth-aching sweetness often featured in these stories in Kids vs Aliens.

A feat that this movie accomplishes by plunging us into a world where happy joy-joy feelings aren’t always possible, and where the world isn’t always perfectly wholesome. For early on in this film we are introduced to a pair of siblings named Gary and Samantha, who are often left to their own devices thanks to a duo of parents that care more about their time together, than time with their kids and that puts these siblings in a tough place, often. Where they don’t know when playtime begins, and playtime ends and where their interests are limited because of the forced boundaries they have created to get by. But the sudden arrival of a dreamy boy in Samantha’s life, and an impromptu alien invasion, is about to change that uncomfortable monotony for this duo, for better or worse… depending on how they desire to handle the new challenges this new normal presents them with.

Which is a plot that at first glance seems to lean harder into the wholesome stuff we are used to. After all, an alien invasion should be cause for siblings to unite and teach those aliens about love, as these stories are wont to do. But instead… this allows for the story to explore so much more. Such as the horrors of the world and the horrors of being a kid, especially when bullies and buffoons come into our lives in our youth. Wherein we feel helpless to stop them from constantly picking up on us and making our lives miserable. Which is what Samantha’s new honey turns out to be, and he creates nothing but trouble and brings heartache and strife into this family’s life and the aliens themselves… are also the stuff of nightmares. Since they don’t phone home or do cute things. They are out to cause great harm.

That leads to an incredible finale for the film, wherein the kids don’t try to befriend these beings… they fight them and fight them hard. Giving rise to some epic action sequences that harken back to the badass we all wanted to be when we were tiny and vulnerable and unable to do much but huff against a world that didn’t take us seriously. Making this an anthem for our youth and the hero we aspired to be. Plus, it makes for a great third act that has you rooting for the kids to beat these aliens and enact a little payback on the bully that's made their lives hell, and it also shockingly… leads to some stunning guts and gore. Since the aliens see humans as the perfect vessel to conduct scientific experiments on, and that brings out some gross moments that make this a magnificently refreshing horror and science fiction story.

Just because… it breaks the mold of movies in this vein and really forces the kids to be more than cliché. It makes them warriors and celebrates the ingenuity of children and their resilience, and it doesn’t hurt that this movie is also a love letter to horror. Since it features all the pomp and circumstance and flashy visuals of the classics. But above all… this is just a fun movie. One that really does put a smile on your face by breaking from the formula and for giving us a bold and original plot that offers a bevy of surprises that we haven’t discussed here and with good reason. Simply because… you need to experience the many twists and turns in this story firsthand and the best news of all is that you can right now, since Kids vs Aliens is available to stream on Shudder and we hope you give it a look. Since you can never go wrong with a horror feature that looks to break the mold and give audiences something exciting and new.

​Scott's Review
It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword, but is that really the case? It is hard to imagine that a writing instrument can carry as much power as a large piece of steel, but in the right hands it just might. The written word in many cases can hold power over many, while the sword with all of its might is only large enough to only hold power over a few. As time has passed, there are many texts that hold great power, even over the warriors of the day and it just might go to prove that writing may be more powerful than battle, but writing never killed anybody, at least intentionally. 

Ash has been transported back to 1300 A.D. and is now being held as a slave with Henry the Red's men. Needing to prove his innocence to Lord Arthur before being thrown into the pit, Ash tries everything in his power to make it known that he is not part of the band of criminals, but it does not matter, the pit, and the Deadite horrors within it, are for everyone. While trying to fight his way out of the pit, the Wiseman throws Ash his chainsaw and the killer of the Deadites is able to go to work. Escaping the pit with his life, Ash makes his way back above ground and challenges anyone that dares stand in his way with his Boomstick. With no takers, Ash frees Henry the Red and his men and is treated like a hero in Lord Arthur's court.

Being commissioned to find the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis by Arthur and his court, Ash will only do it if they promise to send him back home. With Ash not wanting to stay for the upcoming battle against evil, townswoman Sheila comes to try to convince him to stick around. After a night of sugar, Ash is on his way to the sacred ground where the book lives, but Ash has a familiar foe follow him and he is chased into an abandoned windmill. Gathering his wits, he is faced with a battle against himself, well, several mini selves. Being larger is not a factor when trying to get rid of the mini-Ash’s and before he knows it, one has found its way inside of his body. Trying his hardest to kill the little one inside of his body, he fails and starts to spout another Ash. Bad Ash is now unleashed on the world, but Ash does not want the competition and puts his evil twin into the ground.

Being able to locate the resting place of the book, Ash needs to remember the words that the Wiseman told him to recite before taking it. Klaatu, Barada, Nikto. Not being able to remember the final word, Ash mumbles it and takes the book, but sees that he has awakened the ancient evil once again. Fighting his way back to Arthur's castle, Ash is ready to be sent home for his deed, but the villagers need the help of someone to fight off the Deadites that will be making their way to the castle sooner than later. With Bad Ash being resurrected by the book, he assumes command of the Deadite army and is ready to unleash hell on the living to get his book back. But sheer will, and might may not be enough to carry Bad Ash and his army to victory, since the real Ash has some secrets hidden in the trunk of his car. Bringing the 20th century into the fight might shatter some bones of the Deadite army but is it even possible to defeat an army of the undead and keep the Necronomicon out of the hands of evil?

With this being the final installment of the Evil Dead trilogy, I must say that it went out with a ton of boom. Do not go safely into the night, go out on top and if you are not going to do that, then you need to go down swinging for the fences. This is just a horror movie watchers dream come true and if you had any questions about Ash from the first two movies, you should not anymore. He is a coward when it comes to life, but when he is facing the Deadites, he is the man that you need on his side. Every time he is on the screen, you do not know which Ash you are going to see and that is what makes it a downright good time. Gimme some sugar baby. Stay Scared.

​John's Review
Perhaps the best part about my usual Friday evening trips to the video store, was the sheer fact that my love for horror was eventually shared by members of my family. My little brother and I poured over scary movies on a regular basis as he got older with delightful glee and when my little sister was old enough, she too got into the horror movie game. However, once in a great while, the entire family would settle in on Saturday night for movie night and here and there, a horror movie would entertain all of us.

Now for those expressing concern about the fact that the younger ones in my family might have been exposed to things they never should have seen, fear not. Like I said, we really didn't enjoy these flicks until we were old enough and before then, we were instructed when to hide our eyes from gore and unsavory moments. But the point of this little vignette from my past is that one of my favorite horror movie moments came about when my dad picked up a movie that everyone was able to enjoy through and through… Army of Darkness.

Yes, that's right. The grand finale of the Evil Dead trilogy became a family affair and really, if you're reading this, you've seen the film, you already know the plot and if by chance you haven't… well get on that. But the reason I mention that, is because we won't be discussing the plot today, instead we will spend more time talking about just how excellent this little horror/comedy really is. Taking elements from its predecessor, Sam Raimi brings us the sharpest production of the Evil Dead saga to date with slick jokes, some of the most breathtaking special effects the saga has ever seen and all of it is capped off by Sam's stunning visual style since some of the shots here are top notch.   

Yet those elements only enhance the true draw of this movie, Bruce Campbell as Ash. He finds his groove with the character here, and shows off his versatility by playing not one, but two versions of Ash. But of course, his act first and think later mentality remains and only enhances the plot because let's be perfectly honest, everything in this film is Ash's fault, but thankfully, he sets it right…mostly. But what's most important is that this is as close as Ash is ever going to get to becoming a true hero and the bravado that comes with that, provides us with the finest one liners in the series. 

Make no mistake about it, this really is the best film in the trilogy. It really has something for everyone, and I truly appreciate the fact that it's a perfect blend of both horror and comedy, and for anyone who doubts that those two genres can ever work together properly; well, bear in mind that on that particular Saturday night, shortly after my dad popped this sucker into the VCR, that everyone in my family had a roaring good time with this movie. My mom jumped when necessary and everyone loved what Bruce brought to the table because hey, he's the king, and hail to the king, baby.  

​Scott's Review
Spontaneous getaways are something that some people seem to have a good time doing. Not really having a destination in mind or knowing where they will be staying seems to make it more of an adventure for them. For me, no, I need to know where I will be going since I like to know more about the place before I get there. Hey, you never know what history the area has to it, or if they are infamous for shooting out of towners. I have no problems with spontaneous acts, and I applaud people that are able to live their lives that way. I will just be ready for what is coming my way rather than being surprised by what I may find.

Ash and Linda are on their way to a secluded cabin in the woods. Although Ash does not have permission to use the house, he is going above and beyond to make sure that the weekend will be great for his lady. When grabbing a bottle of champagne, Ash notices a tape recorder on the table and plays the tape. Before he knows what is happening, Linda has gone missing from her room. Trying to find her in the woods, Ash sees that she is possessed and tries to retreat. But the possessed Linda is faster than him and the only way to escape her wrath is by cutting her head off with a shovel. Burying his love, Ash receives another punch in the face as the evil in the woods is able to infest his body.

Becoming possessed as well, Ash has to look to his memories, along with the sun to keep the demons out of his body. Getting back to the cabin, Ash sees that everything around him is trying to torment him in one way or another. After receiving Linda's head in his lap, Ash is forced to perform one incredibly gruesome act and chops up her body with a chainsaw. Knowing that he will be okay with this being done, his hand becomes infected with evil and tries to kill him. Cutting it off at the wrist, Ash is now a one-handed fighter of the dead and will do anything within his power not to succumb to the evil. When Annie Knowby and her team arrive at her parent's cabin, she expects the worst when seeing the bloody chainsaw sitting on the floor and demands to know what Ash did to her parents. 

After being able to convince this new band of strangers that he is not a killer, the group finds out what really happened in the cabin before their arrival. When Annie's father was deciphering the Book of the Dead, he invited the spirits into his wife's body and after surviving her attempts to kill him, he buried her in the cellar. With a huge belief over the book's power, Annie has brought more pages that could help in releasing the dead's souls and bring the evil in the woods to its knees. As the day fades into night, no one is off limits to the demons and all of the tricks they are able to play will not keep Ash from making a stand against their evil.

There are very few times I will say this, but I think this sequel is better than the first. Although you are seeing the same story, you get to dive a little bit deeper into Ash's psyche and find out what he is really made of.  This movie is all about the Ash if you have not seen it before and knowing how to battle the evil is the only thing, he is really good at. If chopping off his own hand is not enough, he takes aim at the cabin that is willing to fight back with everything inside of its walls. Even the trees come to life in this second installment and will stop at nothing to defeat the living in the cabin. It is a hard movie not to love with all of the spatter, the jumpy scares and the massive blood flows. With season three of Ash vs Evil Dead on the horizon, this might be the best movie to catch up on to see how inventive Ash can really be when put on the spot. In fact, I bet you could say he is very… groovy. Stay Scared.

John's Review
My encounter with The Evil Dead haunted me in all the right ways, simply because I wanted more. I knew at my local video store there was a sequel sitting next to the original and sadly, with school on the agenda I had to wait a week to watch it, leading to all kinds of questions swirling around in my mind. How did Ash get out of this mess? Where on earth could the story go from here?  

So, needless to say when Friday rolled around, and the weekly family trip to the video store got underway, I wasted no time in making a beeline toward the horror section so that I could finally get my hands on the iconic and surprising second entry in Ashley J. Williams' wild adventures; Evil Dead II.

Now I say surprising not because the film was bad, but because I was completely unprepared for the fact that this was a hybrid on so many levels. It was part reboot, part remake, part sequel, part horror, part comedy. Truly, this film was a cornucopia of elements and every last one of them worked. While the plot may seem similar to the original, it really is not. The only remaining elements from the first film are the cabin, Ash and Linda and the finding of the Necronomicon. Everything past that point is pure horror/comedy gravy.  

Once more Sam Raimi dazzles as director, and Bruce Campbell truly shines as Ash. In fact, let's take a moment to talk about the fact that Bruce is an incredible stuntman. For those of you who haven't seen this one yet, you'll be amazed at how much physical abuse he takes in this movie, yet Campbell does it in style. We all know this was likely take after take, after take, to get the right stunt on camera and Bruce is clearly a warrior. As an added bonus, his portrayal of Ash evolves in this story as well, since this time around Ash is no longer a mousey college boy unsure of what to do, this Ash kicks plenty of ass.   

The fact of the matter is; this movie is a blast. There are scares, there are laughs and incredible one liners that only cement this film's status as a cult classic. There really is something for everyone here and Sam Raimi gets major kudos for not giving us a true 'direct' sequel because the end result is original and absolutely incredible.  

Scott's Review
No harm could ever come from reading a book… right?  You may think that but hidden within the pages of all books is a brilliance that can help transform your life if you let it. This might be hard to believe, but books carry more power than people are willing to give them credit for and although reading seems to be a lost art while movies are blowing them away, there are still those who find it more comforting to read and let their imaginations run wild than to see what someone else’s take of it is on the big screen.

On spring break, Ash, Linda, Scott, Shelly and Cheryl are on their way to a cabin in the woods. Thinking this will be the perfect getaway, the group is ready to let down their guard and just have a good time. But there is something strange about the cabin as Cheryl quickly finds out when she is taken over by a force and draws something that she has never seen before. While eating dinner, the cellar door flies open, inviting the group down and while nobody really wants to know what opened the door, Scott will rise to the challenge.

Finding a room hidden in the back of the cellar, Scott and Ash find some strange things. Bringing up a tape recorder and an old book, the group is in for a story that will change their lives forever. Playing the tape, the group finds out that the book’s name is the Naturum De Montum, also known as the Book of the Dead. The tape explains that the book was written to conjure up demons from their sleep and allows them to infest the living. While nobody believes this is real, they continue to play the tape, but when the words are spoken from the book, they awaken something deep in the woods.

When the fun is over, everyone heads off to bed, but Cheryl is hearing voices outside of the window. Heading out to investigate, she is attacked by the trees and barely makes it back to the cabin before something worse happens to her. Not wanting to spend an extra minute in the cabin, she convinces Ash to take her back to town, but the bridge is out and there is no way of escaping until morning. While trying to gather her thoughts by the window, something demonic takes over her body and she promises to take everyone in the cabin one by one. Not truly understanding what is happening to their friend, the rest of the group tries to calm her down, but the demon's strength is too much for them to handle and they lock her in the cellar.  

Thinking that everything is okay, the evil starts taking over the rest of the group…one by one. When Shelly becomes the next possessed, Scott is forced to take her out the way the tape said to do, by cutting off her limbs. When all is said and done, Scott has to get out of the cabin but comes back telling the same tale that Cheryl gave everyone before the evil claimed her. The trees know. When Linda wakes up from her nap, she is next on evil’s list to be possessed, yet she does not show the aggression of the others, but she is holding back. Her transformation leaves Ash with the decision of a lifetime, since he knows the only way to keep her at bay is to take her limbs as well and with the love that the two have for each other, he may not be able to follow through. As sunrise gets closer and with nobody to help him, Ash has to find a way to survive while the demons run rampant inside and outside of the cabin.

This is just a wonderful little horror flick that features everything that you could ever dream of. You get to watch Ash grow as a character right in front of your eyes. In the beginning, he is afraid of everything, but you can see what the situation has done to him and during his quest for survival, he is forced to do things that he normally would never do. I love the possessed, they are great, and all have their own way to deliver the scares, and sometimes all you need is a big smile to frighten someone. Stay Scared.

John's Review
I remember the first time I came across The Evil Dead. I was a teenager and believe or it not folks, video stores still existed. This one was just up the road from where I grew up and, on this day, like every time I visited the store, I was parked in the horror section. I made it a habit to rent something new every week and for some reason, I had missed this title, until this particular day.

I lifted up the box and read the description and while it seemed like a generic synopsis, I gave it a shot, took it home and never looked back. Only because Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead left me in awe. Set in the middle of nowhere in a remote cabin, five college kids have decided to get away for the weekend. But their discovery of a hideous book bound in flesh and inked in blood leads to an evening of unbridled terror when their curiosity of the book unleashes an unrelenting evil.  

​If there is one word to describe this film, it is simplicity. Shot on a shoestring budget The Evil Dead is clearly a labor of love from Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell who used their lack of funds to fuel their imagination in so many different ways, starting with how the movie was filmed. Raimi uses the camera itself as a special effect, disorienting you at times, and making you completely uncomfortable before something horrible happens with the monsters on screen.  

Yet that is only the beginning. The story itself is equally as simple. There's no powerhouse back story for the evil that roams, or the characters for that matter and that too lends to the movie's magic. By not knowing these people or fully understanding their situation, we are merely observers for the wholesale torture that they go through and that somehow makes it worse. We don't know if these are good human beings or bad ones, just that they are being torn apart and that unique twist is what makes the film so incredibly scary.  

The Evil Dead has been called 'The ultimate experience in grueling terror' and that label is pretty damn accurate. Because for the majority of its 85-minute running time we are as trapped as those poor people in the cabin, and our consolation prize for stepping out into the sunlight is wondering what that noise was outside once the sun has gone down.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 503 of ‘Slasher’. To revisit the Season Five Premiere, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that once the monster begins its killing spree in a slasher story, all bets are off. For it has the bloodlust at that point in the story and will do whatever it takes to satiate it, and that is why audiences are treated to intensity and gore and nightmares galore when the cutting begins in that type of story. Which is why, Slasher: Ripper, continues to impress. Because the next episode in this storied and gory saga should have featured just that. After all, the Widow had a taste for blood now and she was working her way through whomever she deemed guilty of whatever crime the story has yet to reveal. But instead, ‘Backbone’ was a story that managed to surprise us through and through… by slowing things down a great deal, to give us an honest mystery story to enjoy.
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For shortly after Enid’s body and the latest message was discovered, the story shifted gears and allowed for Detective Rijkers to investigate the case at hand and really dig deep into why the Widow was targeting a specific group of people and what he uncovered was indeed unsettling. In that, a party twelve years ago was host to the very people that were now dying, and a picture confirmed this as well, since several of the victims were in that very photograph. Alongside the town’s new resident magician. A move that prompted Rijkers to treat dear Georges as a principal suspect. But what mattered more here, is that this sequence defied convention and really added depth to this story and kept it engaging and free from potential clichés, and it wasn’t the only storyline to pull off that feat in this tale. 

Because while the good detective was conducting his case work, some unique moments played out. The kind equally as unique as shifting the story to a mystery narrative. In that, we spent a great deal of time with the more unsavory characters in this story and tasted their fear. For those targeted hadn’t a clue how to respond to being the focus of someone’s ire instead of being revered and that led to infighting and harm to those not in upper management, such as Eddie. Plus, it also allowed for some backstory to play out to help us understand Margaret’s plight and the darkness she endured at the hands of Basil Garvey and some other surprise people in this story and well… this too was refreshing. Since this type of story rarely slows things down to examine the impact of the killings or explore backstory in detail, and it was wondrous to see that here.

But of course, this is a slasher story at its core and, the blood and guts and ugly stuff was here as well. Because eventually Eddie also took the time to visit Georges to get answers right before Rijkers arrived, and in doing so, may have revealed that our resident Magician might be the Widow. Since her outfit was present at the theater and she did appear and make life hell for Rijkers for a bit, before leaving him behind to go after her prize… big Eddie. Because despite him trying to make things right for killing Daisy and for trying to be some modicum of decency twelve years ago, the Widow cared not. He was involved, he was guilty, and he needed to pay and pay he did. Courtesy of a gruesome murder that would have made Annie Wilkes proud, and well… all of these elements brought forth one amazing tale.

For this was just a refreshing slasher story. One that really leaned into more traditional storytelling, and in doing so proved… that a slasher story can be more than hard music stings and jump scares. It can be human; it can be tense and engaging on a whole new level. And it accomplished that without reinventing the wheel. Since we did get some scary and dark moments and the quality kills, we know and love from this franchise. But what matters most, is that the storytelling choices here have reeled us in. For now, we simply must know what happened on that fateful night twelve years ago, and whether or not real justice can prevail or if an eye for an eye is the only way this sorrowful story about terrible acts committed in the name of money and power can end. Until next time.

One particular truth that each and every one of us have become aware of in recent years, is that toxic relationships in any form or fashion are extremely bad for us mentally… and we should avoid them at all costs. Which is a truth that has come forth through focused research on what makes a relationship healthy and of course… through a paradigm shift in our modern world. Where people are in essence, done with being treated like garbage from a partner or someone they consider a close friend and extended family. So, we all demand better of our relationships, and look for the signs and hope that the next person we encounter and bring into our lives… understands what healthy interactions look like in life. 
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But alas, despite having that knowledge and despite remaining vigilant to avoid that kind of relationship… sometimes we find ourselves trapped within one and sometimes they seem impossible to escape. It could be because in that moment, the toxic person is all we have, it could also be because they snuck past our defenses and drew us in with charm and disarming behavior. But either way, we still get suckered into these nightmare relationships and eventually break free… only to wonder… what it will take to finally be rid of them. To finally be in a place where we attract great people to our lives and our world, and create good memories and take part in wholesome experiences with them and well, a brand-new horror comedy explores those very questions and that makes Renfield quite the unique motion picture.

Simply because… one wouldn’t expect to find such positive messages in a story about the man that helped Count Dracula rise to the top, but they are there. A feat made possible, by checking in with Renfield and Dracula many years after we met them in the original Universal Monster film. Wherein we learn that Renfield and the count, have been all over the world and constantly find themselves in a toxic cycle of madness where they cannot ever find peace because of the way the world views the legendary vampire. But their arrival in modern day New Orleans, brings Renfield face to face with a unique group of people. Folks that gather to talk about how they are currently dealing with their own toxic relationships and co-dependency issues, and well… they’ve caught Renfield’s eye because they have helped him to realize, that his relationship with the legendary Count Dracula is toxic in nature and his life might be better off, without a powerful bloodsucker in his life. 

Which is the perfect way to explore the theme in question and keep us in stitches, because that really is quite the ‘out of left field’ plot, one that absolutely leans into the comedy and provides the viewer with a bevy of laughs. Since there is a level of absurdity to seeing a man such as Renfield, a horror icon really, ponder upon the nature of his relationship with Dracula, but the comedy really is how the message is hammered home. Because it helps to expose the reality that in order to break free of a toxic element that we think will make us whole, we have to instead… make ourselves whole, and come to understand we don’t need that other person in our lives. Which allows for some beautiful moments to come through, the kind that really do help us to understand how to properly be free of that toxic pal or lover in a manner that is never overwhelming and relaxed. 
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But while it is a joy to laugh and chuckle at seeing the legendary Renfield go through such a discovery process when his life has consisted of feeding his master and feeding himself bugs for the better part of a century, make no mistake about it… this movie never loses sight of its horror roots. For it is rife with iconography from the vampire subgenre of horror, and it pays tribute to the original film wonderfully, making this a pseudo-sequel of sorts. Not to mention, it respects horror through and through, courtesy of some no holds barred gore. The kind that reminds us just how brutal and violent the vampire is as a creature, and how brutal our own world can be, since there are plenty of wonderful villains to be found in this tale beyond Dracula. Who simply steal the scenes they are in courtesy of some delightful and dynamic acting, and speaking of performances, we would be fools to not spotlight the film’s stars.

Because Nicholas Hoult is simply electric as Renfield and brings an amazing humanity to the role that is disarming in nature and draws one into his plight, allowing for us to root for him through and through, and he is wonderfully juxtaposed by Nicholas Cage. Who plays the iconic Dracula in this tale… with a zest and zeal that adds depth to a character that at times has been presented on screen as quite one-dimensional, and it doesn’t hurt that Cage obviously relishes playing a monster this legendary since the joy of wearing those fangs shines through and adds to the majesty of a movie that you absolutely need to sink your teeth into. Simply because, it has something for everyone. Because if you’re looking for laughs, you’ll find them. If you want meaning, that’s here too, as are buckets upon buckets of gore and it is also just downright delightful and fun, and the best news of all is that you don’t have to wait to enjoy it. For Renfield is in theaters now, and we hope you give it a look. For it really is quite the refreshing and entertaining ride.

Springtime is a special time for horror fans these days, simply because Shudder has managed to help horror fans everywhere take part in a new tradition. Specifically, this is a time when fans of guts and gore can settle around the television with a cold one in hand, to enjoy the wonder that is The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs. For springtime tends to be when Joe Bob brings forth a new season of his beloved show and this spring is no exception to that rule.
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For next Friday will see the debut of season five of this magnificent show, wherein we will once again be treated to the unique insights that Joe Bob Briggs brings to the table regarding horror films, and special guests and everything in between. Including the wondrous musings of Darcy the Mail Girl, and well to celebrate its return and to pump us up to head back to the Drive-In, Shudder was nice enough to release some key art and a trailer for season five, alongside some surprise details regarding this new year of horror viewing. All of which you can enjoy below, alongside that trailer (courtesy of Shudder), as we begin the countdown to another wonderful season of one of the finest horror shows around.

‘Shudder released today the trailer and key art for season five of The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs, which will premiere Friday, April 21 at 9pm ET live on Shudder TV, and for the first time, live on AMC+ TV as well. Following the live airings, fans can also watch on demand on Shudder and AMC+ the following Sunday.
 
On The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, Joe Bob Briggs hosts eclectic horror movie double features, expounding upon their merits, histories and significance to genre cinema. Join Joe Bob, Darcy the Mail Girl, surprise guests, and the rest of The Last Drive-In crew as they ring in an all-new fifth season, which for the first time ever will be split into two parts, with the first half of the season premiering on Friday, April 21 and the final half returning mid-June, rounding out the horror-viewing experience. 

The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs is produced by Matt Manjourides and Justin Martell and directed by Austin Jennings.

About Shudder 
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AMC+ is the company’s new premium streaming bundle featuring an extensive lineup of popular and critically acclaimed original programming from AMC, BBC America, IFC, and SundanceTV and full access to targeted streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited, which feature content such as A Discovery of Witches, Creepshow, and Boyhood. The service features a continually refreshed library of commercial-free content, with iconic series from the AMC Networks portfolio including Mad Men, Halt & Catch Fire, Hell on Wheels, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Rectify, Portlandia, and series from The Walking Dead Universe, among many others. The service also offers a growing slate of original and exclusive series including Gangs of London, This is Going to Hurt, Dark Winds, and the first two series in a new Anne Rice universe, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches. With new movies released every Friday, AMC+ is the newest destination for exclusive film premieres direct from theaters all year long. AMC+ is available in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Korea, and Spain and is available in the U.S. through AMCPlus.com, the AMC+ app, and a number of digital and cable partners.’

​While it may be exciting to find something that will rewrite the history books, you need to ask yourself if it could really be that important. While it would be amazing to uncover a find that proves that we have been taught something wrong for our entire lives, it could become something that will also make us question everything we have learned. Let’s just throw out an idea, for instance, what if we found an actual alien UFO buried beneath the pyramids in Egypt, thus proving that aliens visited the planet in our past and built monuments not only as markers on our planet, but as a way to show their superiority over the puny humans. This would change the way we view so many of the great wonders of the world and while it would be exciting to find, it could also lead many to believe that the aliens are still here and controlling us in some sort of way. Just think about it.

Being called up to a dig site in the great north of Canada, Professor Olsen will be privy to a fantastic treat that will prove that man existed up north for much longer than previously thought. Being introduced to the group by Jensen, Olsen wants nothing more than to see the site, but is also taking note of the extreme cold in their dig area. With this being a warmer time of year, the archaeologists are making great strides in bringing forth a building that has been lost to time with help from their local workers. Heading out in the frozen north and seeing the top of a building being uncovered, Olsen sees some familiar glyphs, but they do not line up like anything he has ever seen before.

With shortened work days due to being so far north, Olsen and the group of archaeologists continue to try and find out what this structure really is. With some light-hearted banter during the time the sun goes down and morning, the group is shocked to get a call to go and check out the site. Finding their lodge’s cat cut up and lying dead outside of the ancient building, nobody knows what to make of it and they continue on with trying to put dates and people behind who would have been behind building this place. But there is something strange in the air up north, as McNaughton regurgitates a black fluid in the lodge. Not knowing what could be wrong with their co-worker, the doctor chalks it up to not getting enough rest, but there is something much more sinister behind the sickness.

Trying to call back into their base, Jensen is not able to get a hold of anyone one the other end, and that along with part of the digging crew fleeing during the night, there seems to be something fishy going on. Trying to locate the diggers and finding that they were heading north towards nothing and not south to their reservation, it is very intriguing to Jensen, and he tries to figure out what would have frightened them off in the middle of the night. After doing some more research into the pottery that they are pulling up, Olsen and crew come up with the conclusion that whatever race of people lived in this location made it through the ice age and have a great respect for what appears to be deer that show up on much of their work. But that is only the beginning of discoveries in the great north, as there is something strange happening with all of the men who have seemingly been left to fend for themselves in the unforgiving terrain. 

This movie not only covers the rigors of feeling abandoned, but what cabin fever really is all about and what it can do to your mind. While there seems to be a supernatural force trying to get them to bend to its will, the thought of dying is running strong within the group and forces them to take extreme measures. With each man battling his own demon, it is apparent that some are better equipped to deal with the situations that are being thrown at them. With an ancient temple, fleeing workers, a strange sickness, the need for money, a broken radio and a voice from the woods that can bend people’s minds, this is just a frightening look at what could happen if you find yourself locked away from humanity. Stay Scared.

​It is never easy being the new person in town, especially when you do not know anybody around. The only hope to find new friends is if someone is willing to reach out to you and make you feel at home, but there are many people that are not willing to take that step. If you are not an outgoing person, you could find that your new town might not be what you expected when you moved in, especially if it is small community that does not like to take in outsiders. But there is nothing wrong with walking the streets and giving a nod to a couple of people to get the feel for the town, even it makes you uncomfortable. 

Working on unloading the moving truck, Tabitha is surprised to get a visit from her friendly neighbor. Next door neighbor Max Clay seems to be a nice boy with the best intentions and is happy to help the young woman out, especially since she seems to be doing everything on her own. Talking in the kitchen while taking a break, Max finds out that Tabitha has made her way to this part of the world from Romania, by way of Pennsylvania. Wanting to continue the conversation, Max invites his new friend over to the house for a little get together, to get to know his future school mate a little bit better.

Making the short walk next door, Tabitha arrives to meet Max’s little brother Mark, along with a group of cheerleaders from the high school. But the instant dislike that head cheerleader Blair sends her way makes the newbie kind of uncomfortable. With the party coming to an end when Max’s big brother makes it home from work, Tabitha is introduced to Mason who seems to have his head about him. As the next morning rolls around, Tabitha returns Max’s hat to the house and winds up getting into a conversation with Mason that informs them both that they have fallen in a way from the same tree and since she needs help with the bills in the house, since she is living with her aunt, Tabitha comes to realize that the Clay boys might be able to help get that burden off of her shoulders.

Watching as there is another woman bidding for Mason’s affection, Blair has decided to make Tabitha’s life a living hell. Harassing the new kid at work, Blair and her friends come up with a better idea of what they can do to make Tabitha just go away. Inviting their new classmate on a trip to the lake, the other girls drug Tabitha and leave her to be raped, but she ends up being choked to death. After a visit from Aunt Drina to the Clay house, a gypsy curse is uttered to bring her niece back to life. With nobody knowing what this means for the group, the cheerleaders start to be plagued by dreams of Tabitha stalking them, but when one gets attacked and has the bruises to prove it, they all know that they have been targeted for death and need to find a way to stop the vengeful spirit.

Not a bad little ride overall, as nobody wanted to take responsibility for the death of Tabitha in the lake, even the guy that did it would not fess up. I liked the group of cheerleaders being led by Blair who would do anything to keep her relationship with Mason moving forward. Max and his little brother Mark were very interesting characters, as I did not fully understand what Max wanted out of life, but you could tell that Mark wanted to know everything about what was happening in the neighbor’s house after Tabitha went missing and is able to pass on some vital information about survival. With a story that takes you back to the old days of Romania, a gypsy revival spell, the dead coming back to life, a zombie or spirit stalking her killers, little remorse for what was done and justice for all, this is a pretty good movie overall. I can tell you that it will make you think twice about trying to play a stupid joke on someone you barely know, that is for sure. Stay Scared.

​There is a film that has been a long time coming on Nerds That Geek when it comes to the many reviews that we have done. In fact, I think I have held off on this one because well, it's too easy to bash and too easy to point out how ridiculous basically every scene in the film truly is.   

Some have called it the worst film ever made, and to that I say, you haven't seen Manos: The Hands of Fate because that is actually worse. But today we are going to talk about one of the worst films ever made in the history of film and at the same time, one of the biggest cult classics in the history of film. That's right my friends, it's time to review, Troll 2.  

Now, this film is so infamous we are going to spend little time today discussing the plot, because well, it's not as important as the film and its impact on pop culture. But for those of you out there who somehow have not seen this film, it is about a family that moves to the tiny little berg of Nilbog only to find out that it is full of goblins and well, they eat people.  

​That's the long and short of it and oddly enough, that's simplistic plot line does set Troll 2 apart from some of the other awful films that we've covered on this site, because it actually tries to do something straightforward. But the rest of it? Well, it is pure garbage. The acting is about as rough as it gets. The goblins are nothing more than people in bad rubber masks and burlap sacks and the special effects are not that special. Oh, and a movie with the word Troll in the title features goblins as the lead monster. So why on earth is this film popular enough that it got its own documentary? The answer is simple. It's so bad that it is good.  

In watching this film, it is clear that Director Claudio Fragasso tried to put together a legitimate horror film. Plus, the actors do give it their all, but despite Claudio's best efforts to scare us, he unintentionally made an incredible comedy film. That's right, this is a horror/comedy through and through and well, that's why we love it. There are laughs abound here. From the weird over-sexed witch who knows how to cook... popcorn… to the moment when Joshua decides to whiz all over the table, this flick is just off the wall nuts.

You simply cannot turn away when you pop this movie in. You have to know how it ends. In fact, I guarantee if this bad boy premiered on SyFy today, it would outperform the juggernaut that is Sharknado because I strongly feel that this is the movie that set the bar for beloved bad movies. So, watch it, enjoy it and let it be your guilty pleasure because Troll 2 truly is the best worst movie ever made.