​The 1980's were a confusing time when it came to horror films. You had absolute gems that left your heart racing, and your stomach clenched as either an iconic monster or new twist to the genre terrorized you. Often times they were so good you had to check under the bed or in the closet just to make sure something evil wasn't waiting there for you and then...there were the other films in the genre.  
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They were campy, cheesy and sometimes beyond awful. They were train wrecks caught on videocassette and often times you simply could not look away. I understand not every film can be perfect, and I own plenty of movies that get me judgmental looks when people see them on my shelf, but some horror films from the 80's I just plain didn't get, case in point... Troll.  

The Potter family has just moved to a lovely new apartment and are doing their best to settle in. But within these walls is a doorway to other realities, and an ancient creature needs the Potter's daughter in order to end the current rule of man and bring back the good old days, when magic ruled, and the creatures of legend walked the earth. And it is now a race against time as young Harry must find a way to save his sister and the world before the Troll and his kind rule our planet once again.   

Let me just get this off of my chest right now. This is a weird little film.  I mean look at that poster and tell me how that doesn't scream horror film. Granted the trailer lets you in on the fact that you can expect a little mysticism, but even that provides clips that well... look a little scary. So, imagine my surprise when I watched this film to basically find a fairy tale come to life. Granted, fusing genres is always an interesting gambit and sadly Troll missed the mark completely. This is a film that could have been incredibly creepy and inspired the imagination all at the same time by bringing us an evil little troll while opening up new worlds to our eyes. Instead, we get neither. Just cheap scares, a dude running around in a troll suit and well, some magic thrown in for good mix.  

The odd irony of this film is the fact that the main character is named Harry Potter, Jr. and that's just nuts. Regardless, I do understand the people behind the camera wanted to do everything they could to give us something fresh and new and take us on one hell of a journey. For that I give them credit.  But it's the sheer confusion that this film exudes that brings it down. Of course, the ultimate question is whether or not you should see this film and well...oddly enough the answer is yes. 

Because you'll find television star Julia Louis-Dreyfus in her first film role for starters and well...this movie is that accident that you slow down to see on the side of the road. You simply cannot look away because of how odd it truly is. Either way, if you love B movies, check it out. If you want to see something wildly different, check it out. Just go in without expectations and know that there is some magic in the world when you find the resolve to sit through every minute of Troll

It is definitely safe to say, that quite the scourge now exists in the online world. Specifically, the self-proclaimed ‘expert’. For these wannabes… have made online life, quite the pain. Courtesy of misinformation and lies, and the products they hock and the general chaos they bring to the table with their uninformed opinions, and it is… outright exhausting to be online because of it. In fact, all of us just hope that someday, they will fade away and quit bothering folks and find something better to do with their lives. But alas, that day may never come for a reason that we don’t give enough thought to. 
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In that… while this is new to some, it’s not new to modern civilization. Because for generations on end, the huckster/self-proclaimed expert has always been around. By way of folks that just lied their way into professions before the internet or wrote self-help books under the guise of being the expert in question, and before that… it was self-proclaimed experts hocking snake oil and other cure-alls. Which means this is here to stay and the only way to deal with it, is figure out a real solution to making their noise irritating enough to be ignored, so we can turn our attention back to the experts in front of us… and look for catharsis where we can regarding these guys getting what they deserve for lying full time.

Which we can find on the internet, from reputable sources when they get burned, and through television. For now, and again, hucksters pay their devil’s due in fiction, as was the case in the next episode of Tales from the Darkside. A feat that ‘The Trouble with Mary Jane’ accomplishes, by introducing us to a pair of outright rotten hucksters named Nora and Jack Mills. Who are so terrible at life, they attempt to prey upon people’s fears of the unknown by posing as psychics that know how to handle the afterlife. Which seems to pay off in spades when they are offered fifty grand to perform an exorcism on a girl named Mary Jane. Which they see as nothing more than a chance to sucker a broken mom dealing with an emotionally unstable child. But soon they come to learn, this possession is legit, and they are now facing down forces they don’t understand. But for fifty grand, that won’t stop them from trying… and badly failing.

Which does indeed lead to a satisfying episode. Because watching two ‘experts’ attempt to purge a demon they know nothing about, leads to some humbling moments for them. The kind that reminds us how far this kind of person will go to be proven right, and how dumb a lot of them truly are, and how their kind of idiotic perseverance causes more harm than good, and it most certainly does here. Since eventually, Nora and Jack basically screw the whole thing up and commit themselves to a life of evil servitude when the possession flips upon them, complete with two spirts, since their dumb ways awoke another one with minimal effort, and well… it is just great to watch a pair of doofuses pay the piper in this manner all because they were so desperate and eager to prove themselves as experts.
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But what also makes this episode worth our while, is the sheer fact that it wonderfully outlines why people like this exist. Since clearly, Nora and Jack are genuine failures in life and are so jaded by the world that didn’t embrace them, that they believe ripping it off is the only way to thrive. Which serves as a fascinating parallel to the hucksters we see now. Since they too are obviously desperate to be heard by the masses after being shunned by them or after failing miserably at being seen, and use online platforms to compensate, with damaging results. Which is an analysis that also offers a solution to the problem. In that, somehow, some way, we as a society have to figure out how to cherish what the experts have to say, so that the wannabes are silenced and disappear until they sadly, figure out a way to once again be heard, because they’re desperate to do so. 

But of course, finding a road to making that happen, is easier said than done. But… it is indeed an actual answer. One that comes forth via a truly entertaining episode. Because this is also, something of a send-up of The Exorcist, and it is quite satirical in nature. Which explains why Phyllis Diller is the lead here as Nora, since she was a comedic genius and of course… the demon sequences play into her hands, and all of that allows for the frustrations we feel about the ‘expert’ to never get too heavy and overwhelm, and of course… this episode helps to remind us to not let the hucksters get us down. Because eventually, karma will come calling. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Five Premiere of ‘Slasher’. To revisit the finale of ‘Flesh and Blood’, click here.
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Truly, one of the finest horror television shows out there, is the Shudder series, Slasher. Simply because this is that rare television series that defies convention. For every single season of the show features a new and captivating story that is self-encapsulated and gory, and scary. Making each year an extended slasher feature and they also feature so much more than guts and blood. For they are intelligent tales of terror as well. The kind that features social commentary on our modern world and explore the depravity of man amongst so many other themes and thankfully, the series has returned to the airwaves after a yearlong hiatus.
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For yesterday saw the debut of Slasher: Ripper. A fascinating new entry in the saga that not only holds a flame to its predecessors but takes us on a vastly different kind of slasher journey. For this particular story is set in the 19th Century, in a town where suddenly, murder is everywhere. Which early on, makes ‘The Slaughterhouse’ and ‘The Painful Truth’ a pair of stories that appear to be grounded in homage over anything else. Since the 19th Century was home to the mysterious Jack the Ripper and the concerns of the good people of this town, reflect a world where it seems that a monster that is akin to ol’ Jack thrives. But once we see how this killer brings men down… the story shifts into something so much more.

Because just like that… it becomes a grand mystery. For everyone is wondering who ‘The Widow’ is in this town, since the killer appears to be a woman that is dressed in a dark veil, and that pushes Detective Kenneth Rijkers to go full bore into a case that takes us into a dark corner of this town. Where the desires of the wealthy elite in this world is put on display. For one of them, was the Widow’s victim and was brutally murdered in a place where more carnal pleasures are handled by workers trying desperately to have enough money to keep food on the table and well, the deeper Kenneth digs into the case, more fascinating moments come to life. The kind that indeed offers wondrous commentary… regarding hot topics in our world no less.

Because in many ways, the uncomfortable rich people in this town, who want nothing more than for this case to go away, and resort to horrible acts to deflect attention from their own desires and actions, reflect the rich people of our own world and time. Since they don’t care about anything but their image and their money, and they are woefully out of touch with the common man. Giving rise to some reflective moments that still find ways to go deeper. Since this story speaks to the negative experiences of BIPOC individuals in the past and now, and the same goes for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Which makes this story shockingly uncomfortable at times since these moments and interactions seem ripped from everyday headlines.
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However, while it is wonderful to know that this series has depth and plenty for us to chew upon, make no mistake about it… the slasher elements are top notch as well. For the kills are as savage as they come, since the Widow really seems to enjoy making her victims suffer greatly, as evidenced by that first unwholesome murder that takes place. And of course… there appears to be more to her bloodlust than just a desire to kill. She is targeting people in this town, for reasons revolving around an injustice that took place twelve years ago. Which sets the stage for a fascinating story that will eventually solve the mystery that is perplexing our intrepid gumshoe, one grounded in violent revenge and secrets untold from the town’s elite.

Which will undoubtedly give rise to more commentary on the have and the have nots and the horrors of letting the rich live without accountability because of their standing. In fact, the series has so much rightful disdain for the filthy rich that it even explores how depraved one might become when money and standing truly separate a person from their humanity. Which makes this, a brilliant season premiere. One that features all the hallmarks of the series that we love. Since it has a well-thought-out story, thoughtful commentary, incredible kills, and dynamic characters… complete with former cast members from prior seasons, as is tradition. But above all, this premiere leaves us eager for more. Since we are now vested in the case as well, and desperate to know why these vengeful crimes are taking place, and it will be fascinating to learn the truth about the Widow and this town as Ripper continues along. Until next time.  

​There are some films that more or less tell their story in one motion picture. These are the movies that take their characters on a complete journey and allow for them to grow and learn over the course of two hours and these are also stories that flat out come to a logical conclusion right before the end credits start to roll.

But in horror, that kind of closure and completion is an outright rarity. There is always a way to resurrect the monster or the evil, whether we like it or not and one such film that managed to continue the story when it more or less seemed to be wrapped up was Waxwork II: Lost in Time. 

After the events at the wax museum, something has survived, and it has followed one of the survivor’s home and brutally kills Sarah's stepfather before being destroyed. Now facing jail time for a crime, she didn't commit and with zero evidence present to prove her innocence, the only other survivor from the museum, Mark, helps her search for a way to clear her name. But her salvation will not come easy, for their search for truth will take them through time and space.

I guess this film is a case of slap the title on a totally different idea and magically try to bind it to the last movie. Because there is no Wax or museum in this film outside of a recap of the events of the first one. I mean, come on, they travel through worlds, and not through various wax museums. In fact, the homage concept that was featured in the first film, is amplified in this tale and explained away in that, the stories we know, and love exist in pocket dimensions throughout time, and we are treated to reenactments of many a horror classic, including Dawn of the Dead. 

But all awesome homages and valiant attempts to liven up the concept of the film aside, this is a rough, rough sequel. Already the fact that the core concept disappears hurts this flick, and the over-the-top campiness and odd idea of traveling through dimensions into our favorite horror stories is a little confusing, especially when the title says Lost in Time. This is more of a must see for B movie lovers who require a healthy dose of cheese and make sure you keep your eyes peeled for an awesome couple of cameos from Star Trek: The Next Generation's Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi) and the legendary Bruce Campbell. Seriously, I'm not joking, Bruce Campbell is in this. Here's proof.  

If anything, Bruce is worth the price of admission alone, but outside of that, this is pretty standard direct to video 1980's horror fare. Enjoy the homages, enjoy Sir Bruce and once again, make sure you go in expecting nothing.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Unheard’.
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The vast majority of people out there, are able to isolate traumatic moments in their lives as just that… moments. Dark days that didn’t last and while they badly wound a person in the short term, eventually… they can be dealt with, and we can learn from them. For instance, the death of a loved one can teach us how to cherish the moment and live life to the fullest. Or the end of a toxic relationship can teach us our worth and our value as a partner, so we don’t gravitate to that kind of person again. Or losing our job can serve as a grand wake-up call to get our life together and push toward a better tomorrow. Of course, that’s after doing all the work and, feelings our feelings in the moment, before we come to understand the meaning of a tough time, but we get there, and we feel better, and life goes on.
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But sadly, there was mention that not everyone makes it to that point or is able to cope with those traumas. Because those folks, associate a dark day and a dark moment as a catalyst point for endless suffering. As though fate chose them to hurt and well… these are the folks that go through an extended period of suffering before they recover, if they recover at all, and they are often forgotten in our world. Since we only worry about those that move forward. But these are people that deserve help and deserve support, for they are genuinely in a tough place when the darkness covers them, and the good news is that a new movie on Shudder, showcases what that kind of life is like and how exactly one can escape that pain when they are mired within it, and that makes The Unheard a fascinating feature.

In large part because… it plunges us into that world of suffering by introducing us to a woman named Chloe who has struggled for years on end. For when she was eight years old, she lost her hearing during a bout with meningitis and to compound matters further… she lost her mother as well. A series of moments that left Chloe in a dark place. One where escape from the darkness seemed impossible because of suffering imparted by forces unknown. But a chance to potentially regain her hearing through an experimental procedure, helps her to believe that perhaps her life can change course, and she undergoes the procedure and returns to her childhood home to heal. A move that leads to quite the challenge for Chloe. For shortly after settling in, her hearing returns and with it… comes old ghosts and difficult memories, the kind that might break Chloe in her fragile state if she cannot sort out those painful moments from yesterday and their meaning. 

Which is… the perfect way to explore the central theme of this story. Since Chloe’s journey does indeed immerse us in the sorrow and hopelessness that comes with being that deeply buried in the darkness. For Chloe truly is a lost soul searching for something, anything, to hold onto in this life. Giving rise to a fascinating look at life in this state, before showing us how we help people escape that. Which oddly enough, is through hope. Hope that tomorrow can be better, and that the pain can end. Which is represented here by the return of Chloe’s hearing. Since it helps her to believe that she can escape the darkness surrounding her and take on anything and that’s quite the delightful message to place here, one that is perfectly juxtaposed by the scary stuff.
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For this is… a horror film at its core and thankfully, it doesn’t disappoint there, courtesy of the appearance of two of the most terrifying monsters out there. Humanity, and our psyche. Because Chloe’s auditory hallucinations are raw and visceral and speak to a psyche that is struggling to let go of the pain and embrace the new normal and that makes for some uncomfortable and relatable moments. And of course, they are related to the spirit of her late mother, who has a few things to say about her fate and the people of the town that never really figured out her fate. Which leads to some intense and ugly scenes, the kind that speak to the cruelty that man is capable of and the horrors that plague our modern landscape.

All of which brings forth, a visceral and intense horror feature. One that uses a relatable exploration and solid scares and unique camera and sound work to take us on quite the emotional ride. One that absolutely leaves you uncomfortable but demands your attention. So, you can see if Chloe can indeed rise above the darkness and find agency and if of course… the evil beneath the surface of this town can be vanquished, and that makes this a worthwhile and unsettling watch. Just be warned, the auditory and visual elements used to express Chloe’s pain may create problems for viewers sensitive to such effects. But… if that’s not an issue, then kick back and enjoy one incredible story, one that leaves you with plenty to ponder upon since it presents the struggles we face in a refreshing and compelling light.

While the horror genre as a whole, is regarded as one of the most progressive and dynamic genres around, courtesy of the fact that it can easily adapt with the times and provide timely and relevant stories that wow audiences… not every corner of the genre is as adept in such matters. For instance, the killer doll subgenre tends to stick to formulas and tends to feature by the numbers characters or concepts. Plus, the same stale nature applies to haunted house stories since so many of them currently rely upon the same old story. Wherein new owners move into a home full of evil and are blissfully unaware of the nightmare that lurks behind the walls. 
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Not to mention, the slasher subgenre has dealt with its own sense of repetitiveness at times. Since it is hard to break away from the lather, rinse, repeat nature of those stories. But creatives are indeed trying to ensure that every aspect of horror meets the high expectations of its fans, as evidenced by the release of M3GAN, and the advent of the Chucky television series, since both stories worked to push the envelope of the killer doll subgenre, and even the slasher is starting to enjoy a renaissance. Courtesy of bolder slasher stories that are eager to try new things and challenge tropes and challenge the audience, and one particular slasher story that leads the way in such matters is the Shudder series, Slasher.

For this series offers up inventive and refreshing slasher stories that subvert expectations and surprise us every step of the way, and even feature wonderfully engaging commentary, and it just so happens… that a new season of this saga draws near. For Thursday will see the debut of Slasher: Ripper, on Shudder, and we here at NTG thought it would be worthwhile to preview why this season is worth your while, in a spoiler-free manner of course. Because spoilers this soon, would be rude. But what we will say for certain, is that one big reason you need to watch this new season, is because it features the show’s most ambitious plot to date. For Ripper is set in the past, the late 19th Century to be precise… where darkness has descended upon the city streets, courtesy of a violent and vicious killer that is seemingly tearing people to shreds for the sport of it. 

But there is of course… more behind the killings in this story and that is where this season shines. Because not only are we given a new setting and an old world to explore for the first time ever in this franchise but going back to the 19th Century allows for some unique storytelling to take place. The kind that uses the setting to offer up some powerful commentary on our modern world. A move that allows for explorations regarding class warfare to take place, and observations regarding the social battles playing out now regarding gender identity and sexuality. Giving rise to a smart slasher story, which is why this series stands out from the rest. For it is the rare slasher that consistently works to be as intelligent as can be and offer the best story possible and it absolutely provides us with that here.

However, while it is wonderful to know that once again, Slasher takes the time to elevate storytelling in this subgenre, this type of story is meaningless without great kills and great gore and a mysterious villain, and it delivers on those elements as well. For the kills are simply top-notch through and through and are inventive and gooey and the killer… is also quite intriguing since they like to toy with their prey and harbor some fascinating motivations for murder. All of which brings forth, the best season to date of this amazing series. For it elevates the subgenre further and challenges the audience through and through courtesy of its thought-provoking story, and the best news of all is that we are days away from being able to enjoy the smartest slasher around. For Slasher: Ripper makes its debut on Shudder on Thursday, April 6, 2023, with a two-episode premiere, and we cannot wait for you to experience the wonder of the gory and glorious new season of this revolutionary saga.

​Growing up I had the unpleasant opportunity to visit a wax museum and quite frankly, what a creepy place. Empty faces, lifeless eyes and what appeared to be frozen flesh made every moment of walking through the place unnerving. Being young, my imagination went wild, wondering if these ugly little things would come to life at night, and I thank the stars they didn't while I was there. 

I know that I'm not the only one that had such thoughts visiting a place like that, like most children I wondered what else came to life at night and thankfully for all of us, there are films to fulfill our daydreams of yesteryear. Case in point, one horror film decided to answer the question as to what would happen if the inhabitants of a wax museum came to life, in Waxwork. 

There is a new Wax Museum in town, one unlike any others. Its displays are incredibly lifelike, and the faces frozen behind the wax seem to be locked in a moment of utter terror and six college students that visit the museum quickly learn why. Each display is a gateway to another world, one that lives and breathes the setup of the display. The living dead, vampires and werewolves all live here and the sheer existence of this place and these strange worlds is all part of a master plan, because if the curator of this museum can feed enough souls to his starving displays, then the stuff of our nightmares can come to life and find a home in our world at last.

If Waxwork needs one solid word to describe it, that word has to be, homage. Because all of your horror favorites appear in this bad boy. I already mentioned a few in the synopsis, but there are more to be found. Jack the Ripper, mummies, mutants and aliens, the list goes on and on. Which means that this movie should be buckets upon buckets of awesome, but alas... it truly is a B movie through and through. There are a couple of solid names in the film, the legendary David Warner and Zach Galligan from Gremlins anchor the cast, but the rest of the movie leaves something to be desired. There's quite a bit of cheesy special effects for starters, making the scares turn to laughs in quick fashion.   

But the movie is a unique concept, it just... isn't scary. There is little connection to the characters to give you any reason to care about these kids and while the idea of having all this evil take over the world raises the stakes, there's a lot of comedy and camp in this movie to bring the terror to a screeching halt. It's worth a look for horror fans who would like to see some legends we've yet to see on screen come to life, but make sure you watch it with zero expectations because this one is just okay.