​Everybody has a skeleton or two in their closet and that is not a bad thing. As life has never been said to be easy, we all make mistakes along the way and that is natural. Own it, learn from it and move on, since what you learn from past experiences turns you into the person you are today. While it is easy to be ashamed with something you did in the past, if you are willing to own it and move on, you will become a better person because of it, since life is all about learning.
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After getting off of the phone with her boss, Paulina is in need of something to make a splash at the office and is hoping that her contact in Saipan has the perfect spot for what could possibly be a new resort. Chatting with her co-worker Tyler about what the plan will be, she is shocked to see that her old videographer has gone island native. Making fun of young Dave for not knowing what is said on his shirt, the group is joined by Alan and his guide Pepe who have the perfect place for the new resort to be built, since the locals no longer visit the area. 

Arriving at a gated road, Paulina and Pepe spot a doll tied to the gate that was left by the locals.  Knowing that the doll could indicate something good or something bad, neither of them know for sure, so they decide to move on to their final destination. Stopping at the end of the road, Tyler and Paulina become privy to the view of a lifetime that only the locals came to know before the area was deemed cursed. Not believing in the folklore that the locals have been saying about the place since it is perfect and not traveled by anyone anymore, Paulina has Dave do some aerial shots of the area, but they quickly come to find out that they are not alone. 

Confronting a couple of locals who have appeared out of nowhere to pray, Paulina finds out that there is an old war bunker on the property and needs to check it out. Opening the door to the old war relic, the group stumbles across a couple of bodies that do not seem to be as old as the bunker. As accusations are thrown around as to who they are and if Alan locked them in the bunker, they find out once again that they are not alone. Meeting a man who has been able to survive in the bunker for many years on his own, he has a message for the group, that only one can live. As the old man dies, the group is ready to leave, but an earthquake disrupts this attempt and when the group comes to, they find out that they are trapped in the bunker with only one possible way of escaping the torment that waits for them.

Talk about a movie that gives you some great beach views then throws you into the bowels of darkness. From the beginning, there is little trust in the group with the exception of Pepe and Alan, but once things start to go sideways, all bets are off the table. I liked how there was a little history between Alan and Paulina and how she wants to keep it a secret. The bunker coming alive was pretty cool, especially when you get to see what it is looking for out of each person that enters it. With a great beach, local lore, a bunker, dreams becoming reality, dolls, some gun fire and plenty of blood, this is a movie that will leave you praying for mercy. While I do like to explore old places that have been abandoned on occasion, I will now think twice about entering any place that has a solid door, because damn, this movie puts it front and center as to what could happen if you step behind one. Stay Scared. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 715 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One of the hardest things that fans of television have to reconcile, is that nothing in television… lasts forever. For shows can be cancelled on a moment’s notice, and characters can leave at any time. Sometimes because of their on-screen death, sometimes because the actor playing a particular character feels as though they need a change. But one way or another, change will come to a show and that is tough to handle. Because no one likes endings when it comes to something the love and saying farewell to a beloved character can be traumatic. But thankfully, these are issues that most fans don’t have to reconcile all that often. Since most super popular shows only see major casting changes take place years into their long and storied run.
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But there is one franchise where this kind of struggle and change are commonplace, specifically… The Walking Dead Universe. For a world where the dead walk the earth and threats untold await the survivors, brings forth regular casting changes, and that has led to some controversial and difficult moments for fans of this franchise. The kind that has brought tears forth and at times, shock and surprise. Especially when a major series lead decides to step aside to try something new or to take a break from the intense storytelling that permeates this universe. Which are some of the reasons as to why Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira exited the flagship show, with Andrew also citing the need to spend a little time with his family… since he spent a fair chunk of time away from them to shoot TWD.

If anything, this kind of change is top of mind today, simply because… it has finally found its way into Fear the Walking Dead as well. Because after seven years of playing Alicia Clark, Alycia Debnam-Carey, parted ways with the series last night. For ‘Amina’ served as her curtain call on the show, so she can explore other corners of her career as an actor and well… this will undoubtedly be tough for fans of the show to reconcile. For Alicia has been a staple on this series from day one and we the audience have been able to watch her grow into a powerful leader and dynamic human being. One grounded in the fundamental belief that humanity can be better in the darkest of hours, a lesson she learned from her mother before she made a temporary exit from this series… before finding herself in a dark place in season seven… facing down her own death while beginning to turn her back on that core belief. 

Which meant, her final episode could have gone two ways. In that, it could have explored how this world can indeed break anyone at any time with its sorrow and ugliness before she succumbed to her bite and became nothing more than a hopeless reminder of what man’s fate is in this world… or… it could have served as her redemption story. One where she rediscovered the roots of her beliefs and did something wonderful so that the character would be sent off in a grand old style and thankfully… the writers’ room chose the latter of those two options to bid Alicia Clark farewell, and that led to quite the powerful episode. One that fooled us early on quite frankly. For when we catch up with Alicia and her surrogate family here, it was business as usual… and survival was the name of the game, since everyone was moving quickly to get away from the Tower before the irradiated walkers caught fire and spread toxicity across the landscape. 

As for Alicia, well she was simply at her worst here and at death’s door since the fever was peaking and she knew the minutes were running out and as the fever continued to crest, she began to have wild hallucinations. The kind that allowed for her to see a young girl in a gas mask, asking her for her help. Which of course, Alicia was happy to oblige since she still believed in helping those worthwhile and that of course, led her and this mysterious young girl back to the burning Tower. Out of an initial belief that this girl was going to introduce Alicia to a man that would provide them with salvation by leading everyone to PADRE, giving Alicia peace that those she loved would be safe and secure at last… and she could finally rest having done something worthwhile for the people that have been through hell and back with her. 
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As it turned out however, that simply wasn’t the case. For the little girl in question turned out to be Alicia’s subconscious, one that manifested via the fever to have her face the reality that just saving people wouldn’t be enough. They needed to be inspired to forgive and be better at a time when the world would push them to be at their worst, and the best way to express that lesson and drive them forward to build a better world… was by saving Victor Strand from doom. Since that would be ultimate forgiveness and ultimate inspiration and well, that epiphany brought out the utter best in Alicia Clark one more time and she did indeed save Strand, and demand better of him before they parted ways for the final time… making it seem as though the indignity of death in this world would claim Alicia at last. 

But that’s when this episode took quite the fascinating turn. In that, Alicia appeared to awaken hours later, in an unexpected place health wise. For she was free of her fever and free of the curse that is living death in this world. Which was…  a second chance she simply wasn’t going to waste, and that is why she ran off toward the Tower to move any survivors she could find to safety. Giving Alicia Clark a hero’s ending… or was it? Because there is a chance, that this was nothing more than a feverish look within Alicia’s mind in her final moments. Wherein she made peace with herself and what could have been. Or it was in fact, the end of the virus and Alicia Clark may hold the key to humanity’s future after all, provided of course, she can escape the dirty walker bomb that is ticking within the Tower. 

Which makes this… quite the ambiguous ending. One that does two things really. In that, it either closes the book on Alicia’s story and gives her a wonderfully uplifting farewell, a rarity in this universe… or it leaves the door open for her return a la Kim Dickens. Because after all, we didn’t see Madison die and she’s back… and we don’t see Alicia up and around as a walker, and if this is the staff keeping the door open for Alycia to return… well this writer certainly hopes she does. For Alycia did a phenomenal job as Alicia and really helped to establish the tone of this show and what it stands for. Plus, she always turned in stellar performances and directed a pivotal episode from this season and her contributions to the TWD Universe will never be forgotten. But regardless of whether or not this is the end or if Alicia will return some day, it is safe to say that this was a fine send-off for a wonderful character. Whose legacy will now ask those that knew her best… to be better people and to do whatever it takes to make this broken world a better and safer place. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘A Banquet’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that modern mankind has quite the complicated relationship with grief as a result of loss. Because while we are fully aware that it is a part of the human experience, since life does tend to take from us as much as it gives to us, we don’t like to deal with such matters and quite frankly… we don’t know how to deal with such matters. Because at the core of it, we simply haven’t bothered to understand grief, and some would say… why should we? For it is at its core… a miserable emotion. One that leaves us in tears and in a sour place and prompts us to lose sight of the world and its beauty while we weep for those we lost.
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Which is why… a great deal of people, firmly believe that grief is something we should power through and be free of as quickly as possible. But the fact of the matter is, that’s not how grief works in the slightest and there really is no timetable upon how long it takes, nor is there is an exact way to overcome it. If anything, the only guaranteed way to move beyond it, is time and having a support network around to help one confront it. Because if we don’t deal with our grief and find a way to resolve it, disaster can and will strike and it just so happens that Shudder is now host to a motion picture that explores those dangers in A Banquet.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a family, that has been through utter hell. For their father… opted to commit suicide when he was suffering through a horrific illness year ago, and rather than have her children, Betsey and Isabelle, deal with the pain of losing him… Holly, decided that it would be best that everyone just move on and see where life takes them. Which at first, is a plan that appears to work like a charm. For when we catch up with them years after dad’s passing… they’re doing okay and seem to be on the road to a solid future. But a strange encounter between Betsey and a blood moon, changes the peaceful lifestyle this family enjoys and poses quite the question. In that, has something evil found the family courtesy of that moon or has something unresolved within Betsy been awakened?

Which at first glance is a story that seems more grounded in the supernatural than reflections upon grief and its power and our need to resolve it. Something that is further reinforced by the fact that Betsey doesn’t take the time to eat anything after that encounter, and motherly musings about some legendary spirits that know how to consume quietly and carefully when the world has slipped into its slumber only adds to the ghostly mythos. Plus, slowing down the story to ponder upon such matters, also makes this a slow-burning horror story as well. One that requires a little bit of patience and a focused attention to detail. Because once you get past the spiritual stuff and really look at Betsey and her actions, does the commentary in question come into play.

Because it turns out, that the blood moon, triggered a memory about her father’s death since she witnessed it. And since she didn’t resolve that pain in the slightest, the grief that has been lying beneath her skin, swims to the surface and takes control… and breaks her. Prompting her to skip meals and prompting her to do what she must to rationalize her father’s passing. Which serves to teach us about the power of grief and what it does to us when unchecked and how things will only get worse when we continue to fight its power and its need for resolution and well… once that becomes apparent, this story and its ending takes on quite the bleak and powerful tone. The kind that makes this an intimate horror film when all is said and done.

One that is clearly about the horrors of the mind and of life in general since death is such a visceral experience through and through. Not to mention, it is equally as horrifying to see Holly fight resolution and confrontation with every fiber of her being, to the point of genuine tragedy. If anything, all of these elements make this a learning tale of sorts, since some of the stuff we see here behavior wise, serves to remind us to not be like Holly and take mental health seriously and help our loved ones and ourselves to grieve, lest we enjoy a banquet of sorrow. Which in the end, makes this a brilliant and powerful horror film, one that definitely requires some serious thought. So, if you’re looking for a horror movie with a different kind of bite, the kind that gnaws upon your mind… then swing by Shudder first chance you get and give this brainy tale of terror a look. You’ll be glad you did.

One particular belief that we all share in, is that the acquisition of money and the obtainment of power and material wealth… will outright make us happy and well, it makes sense as to why we hold to this. After all, time and time again, we see people that have all those things, walking around with smiles upon their faces and living a life that is comfortable and lavish and worry-free. So, of course, that informs us, that’s the road to happiness and that is why we hustle hard to obtain as much as we can and why we work to strike it rich by any means necessary… so we can life that lifestyle and never worry again a day in our lives.
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But as some of us grow older and travel through life and meet people that helps us to see life differently, those feelings and desires fade. Because we come to learn that true riches don’t involve any of that stuff. Instead, it’s the connections we make and the memories we forge, that truly make us rich and for some, starting a family is the greatest fortune they will ever know, and that really is the right way to look at life and those are the right things to chase. But alas, so many cannot find that peace nor can they figure out how to get off of the rollercoaster ride that is the material chase and well, that does leave us wondering as to why. Because if some people can figure out what matters in life, why can’t everyone? If anything, that question is top of mind today, simply because it is explored and answered in the next episode of Tales from the Darkside.

A feat that ‘Snip Snip’ accomplishes, by introducing us to a man named, Abe North, whom is in quite the dark place mentally when we catch up with him, here. For he is a math professor that just… hates his job and is eager to escape the life he leads through some fascinating means. For Abe also practices the dark arts and believes that the already impressive powers that the Occult has provided him with, can help him to influence the local lottery. So, he can hit it big and life the life of luxury he’s always wanted. But alas, the revelation that a Miss Anne McColl won the lottery instead of him… motivates him to head to her place to get his hands on that ticket. Because he truly believes this is what he is due. But that decision is going to provide Abe instead with some powerful lessons… on what we should actually cherish in life and why we should never believe that he isn’t the only one working to find peace through supernatural means.

Which is a plot that is grounded deeply in the nature of greed and the power that material possession has over us and well, it doesn’t take long for this episode to make it clear to the audience that the conundrum in question… relates to a sense of self-worth. Because Abe has none and finds fault in everything but his own actions and emotions, and his supposed victim in Anne, is just as bad as he is and that’s why they fight for the ticket in a unique manner and that’s why the audience quickly comes to lament both characters in the end. Because they’re sour people that use magic and materialism to fill a void that cannot be filled. Not until they come to discover their true selves and what actually makes them happy and chase endeavors that are designed to fill their souls instead of their wallets. Or until learn to appreciate what they already have and that is… a fairly succinct message and answer to inject into this story.

One that makes it clear what separates folks that find peace from the ones who keep chasing wealth and while that commentary could have carried this episode and left us all satisfied, let’s not forget that this is Tales from the Darkside we are talking about today. Which means that it isn’t enough to just enjoy a message here, we need something creepy and eerie to latch onto and that’s present here as well, courtesy of the fact that Anne is also a witch to Abe’s warlock and well, you simply cannot go wrong with a battle of magical wills. In fact, the battle to obtain the ticket leads to some incredibly unsettling moments for certain, since it really becomes a battle of the miserable… where the angriest practitioner will win and well, that brings forth a powerful and sour ending, one that perfectly encapsulates the show’s mission to leave us beside ourselves when the story comes to an end.

Which is mission accomplished for certain, mainly thanks to the fact that this story offers characters that are simply irredeemable. Which is a bold move to make since audiences expect main characters to offer something worthwhile and relatable. But it’s a necessary move that helps to really hammer home the message in an impactful manor. But all of that aside, a bitter and sour tale is indeed welcome. Because in the end, that’s what we signed up for and it doesn’t hurt that our mystical materialists are played by a pair of 80s icons. Since character Bud Cort perfectly plays the part of Abe North and Carol Kane loses herself within the role of Anne McColl and their performances, truly sell the gravity of this intelligent and thoughtful and downright ugly tale… one that offers up some age-old lessons in an inventive manner. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

It can be interesting to discover exactly how well you actually know someone else. When you first meet them, you try to figure out as much as you can about them, so you can decide if you want to create a relationship with them, but there can be so much more being hidden from you. It happens more often than not that when you know the person for several years, they will let something slip that will be a surprise to you, even after you think you know them. There is nothing wrong with asking questions about someone’s past and where they came from, but just make sure you are ready for the answer, because sometimes it will be something that you did not want to hear.
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After a getting away free and clear from a robbery, Jeb and Hank Norton are on easy street and making their way down to Mexico. Knowing that the local marshal will not be able to keep up with them, they decide to make a little stop in Pine Flats to rest up and get a little food in them before their trip south of the border. Little do they know however that they will not only be met by a group of travelers, but something else that will change their outlook on a local legend for the rest of their days.

As the carriage ride continues to be bumpy, newlyweds Jake and Sarah Norman are more than happy to converse with their fellow riders. With Father Dominic, bar owner Marie, and a reporter from England in Henry Lester, the group seems to be getting along just fine, but when they hear a gunshot in the distance, they start to worry. Bringing on a stranger from the road is not sitting well with the group, but they quickly come to trust him when the mysterious Calhoun starts to take control. With their next stop being Pine Flats, they have no idea what they are entering into.

Arriving in the one-horse town, the group quickly find out that there is something or someone strange looking over their shoulders after finding the only resident torn up behind the bar. Laying the man to rest and trying to get along with their travels, the group is rushed by the Norman brothers who are more than happy to shoot their way through town. As the group of travelers gets taken hostage by the bank robbers, they start to notice something strange in the air and Hank Norton is feeling it as well. After spotting something strange in the red moon light, nobody in the bar will be safe from what appears to be a Skin Walker that is looking for the feast of a lifetime. As the hours pass and a transfer of power takes place, getting out of the little town alive takes precedence, but if the legend about the Skin Walker is true, it will be easier said than done.

This is a pretty good Werewolf/Skin Walker movie overall with plenty of good performances and some faces you have seen before. I really liked the group of travelers, but the real star of the movie was Black Deer, the Navajo tracker who has a secret of her own and should have been featured much more. I liked the lore that was laid out for the Skin Walker legend, so even if you did not know about them, you have enough to go on to be pretty informed about what they are capable of. With plenty of gun fire, a Skin Walker stalking a small town, some blood, some burials, some missing bodies, a hunt and a tracker who is not what she seems, it’s just a good little western/horror movie that will keep you wondering if anyone could possibly get out alive. Stay Scared.

We tend to believe… that evil is something that is eager to telegraph its motivations and intentions to the world and it makes sense as to why we hold to that belief. Because our introduction to it and the majority of our interactions with it, revolve around very public acts from evil. The kind that makes the six o’clock news or interrupts our scheduled programming, and the ‘evilest of the evil’, are quick to release some kind of statement/manifesto to explain why they chose to hurt people and well… seeing that often on television and online, really does make it seem as though evil is all about the spotlight and has no problem with attention.  
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But the fact of the matter is, that’s only a sampling of what evil is like in our world, and the folks that are eager to do bad and make headlines, indulge ego alongside evil. Which makes those individuals nothing more than grandstanding monsters in need of attention really, and that is not indicative of what evil is like in the slightest. For real evil, doesn’t want to be seen or acknowledged, so that it can operate with impunity for as long as it exists in this life, and that’s the kind of evil we don’t talk about or spotlight enough when in fact… we should. Because this is the brand of evil that is operating under our noses and doing awful things while we go about our day. But now and again, we are eager to discuss it and raise awareness of its true colors through storytelling or the news or other means, and it just so happens that the next episode of Tales from the Darkside, takes the time to do just that.

A feat that ‘Anniversary Dinner’ accomplishes, by introducing us to what appears to be a loving and docile couple named Henry and Elinor Colander. Whom live by themselves on an out of the way farm and they are enjoying their twilight years in each’s other company and through memories of their beloved children… whom they speak of often. But one day, their isolation comes to a screeching halt when a drifter named Sybil appears on their property. For Sybil is hungry and in need of a fresh start and the Colander’s are eager to provide her with that. Provided of course, she helps them with their upcoming 25th Anniversary Dinner. Something that Sybil is more than happy to take part in for room and board and food. But the only problem with her eagerness, is that she isn’t really asking for quality details on what her involvement entails, and because of that… she is going to be in for a horrifying surprise.

Which is a plot that is filled to the brim with all kinds of unsettling and unsavory implications that this couple might intend to eat Sybil, and you're right to think that. Because this is indeed a story about a pair of elder cannibals that use kindness to trap people and eat them, and that… makes for one horrifying tale. One that holds nothing back in its presentation of how cannibals might operate, since we also come to learn that they use their prized hot tub as a crock pot to cook their victims, with veggies no less, and that revelation and the other surprises present here, definitely leaves the viewer uncomfortable as well. Because cannibalism is of course, a huge red line topic and act, and it is made ten times worse here courtesy of the fact that seemingly innocent old people are happy and overtly eager to take part in it.
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However, it is that grand reveal that Henry and Elinor are eager to have Sybil Stew for their anniversary dinner, and the lead up to it… that hammers home the central theme of this tale. Because it also becomes clear that this couple have eaten a lot of people and prefer children as their meat of choice (a revelation that comes complete with a slight implication they might have eaten their own), and in order to enjoy that many human based meals… discretion is in order. Because no one can know of such appalling acts, and no one can suspect they would be capable of it. So, they clearly played up the kindness and did everything to say out of sight and mind throughout the years. Making it clear that real evil, like the kind we see here… handles its business in the shadows and only hits the news when a slip up comes into play.

Which is commentary that makes for one brilliant episode. Because in 1985… this wasn’t something people were really thinking of or discussing, making this a story ahead of its time for certain. But we would be remiss to not point out, that this is also a genuinely screwed up and twisted tale. Because it is just messed up to watch a pair of sweet little old people drool over the prospect of eating the wrong of kind of Manwich. Which means that this is also a top-notch horror story, one that genuinely disturbs and unsettles. And well… now that we’ve reached the end of this twisted dinner tale, it’s onto another fascinating examination of the human condition. One that explores how low we will sink to get what we want when we're desperate, even when we have more than the average person. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

Maintaining friendships takes a lifetime to do, but it also gives you a lifetime of enjoyment. While you may not always see eye to eye on everything, when you need your pals the most, they will usually be there for you. But what happens when they turn tail and run from you when you need them most? Do you forgive and forget because they were afraid of the situation, or do you hold it against them for not performing their duties as friend? There may not be a perfect answer for this, but if you want to keep them in your life, you must be honest with the hurt that they brought you, as communication is key to any type of relationship.
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Thrill seeking friends Sarah, Juno and Beth are at it again making it down the white rapids with relative ease. Loving the rush that it gives them, spending time together is what means the most to them and the good times will never end. Waiting at the rapids, Sarah’s husband and daughter anxiously wait for her to arrive so they can head home before the night closes in. But during the drive home, Sarah has a life changing event as her family is taken away from her in one fell swoop and she has no idea how she will be moving on.

A year has passed, and Sarah is back on her feet with her best friend Beth who has never left her side.  Arriving in the Appalachian Mountains for their next adventure that Juno has set up, the women are ready to reunite for their yearly get-together. Meeting up in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, friends Juno, Rebecca, Sam and Holly reminisce over old times and how much fun they had together. But there is some tension arising between Juno and the rest of the group since she left Sarah in her greatest time of need. Letting the past be the past however, Sarah is ready for the next adventure and cave diving seems to be something that all of the women are looking forward to.

Arriving at their destination, the women see a hole in the ground that they did not expect, but Juno seems to know exactly what she is doing. Heading down into the cave system, the women take in the sights, but have no idea what this journey has in store for them. Heading deeper and deeper into the caverns, Sarah suffers the first set back in the adventure when she gets stuck. Being able to move again before the rocks come loose and cause a cave in, the women find out that they are not where they thought they were, and Juno has taken them into an unexplored cavern system. But rather than panic, the group moves on in order find a way out and finds that this is no walk in the park. Seeing what appears to be light at the end of the tunnel, Holly sprints ahead of the group and winds up falling into a pit but getting her out will be the first of many problems that the women encounter as they quickly find out that they are not alone in the darkness.

Talk about a movie that does not pull any punches the deeper into the caverns you get. While the issue of being stuck underground takes the forefront in the story, followed by the underground dwellers hunting for their next meal, you also have to deal with the distrust that Juno is facing on many levels. Being in charge of the expedition, everything falls on her shoulders as the women are forced to fight for their lives in a cave that appears to have never let anyone escape. From the first time I watched this movie when it came out to now, the narrative still stands true and I am happy I watched it again, because damn, it is really a staple for any horror fan. With a cave, some good friends, delightful banter, a cave in, some cave paintings, not enough rope and creepy cave inhabitants, this story is just a step away from hell on earth. It might not be a movie for those who are a little squeamish when it comes to blood and eating people, but it features a great story about trust and friendship foundations. Stay Scared. 

Something that is genuinely fascinating about our modern world, are the fads that come and go. Because it is just incredible how seemingly overnight, everyone we know and ourselves for that matter as well… are chasing that particular fad and buying up everything that is associated with it and just living within its world until we magically… find ourselves bored with it and move onto the next one and ironically… lament the one we just enjoyed. Not to mention, it is equally as intriguing, how great of a hold they have upon us. Because it doesn’t make sense that intelligent beings such as us should latch onto something that we know deep down won’t last. But we do and the strange psychology surrounding the fad extends beyond its grip upon the average consumer.
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Because it also brings out the entrepreneur in so many. Since fads often mean lucrative profit for those who want to get involved in selling it and it’s equally as amazing to see people suddenly become the go-to business for the fad and this part of trends is the one that is perhaps the most dangerous. After all, starting a business to sell the next hot thing requires capital and sales don’t last in the slightest and if one gets in at the wrong time, they can lose a great deal and suffer years of financial setback. If anything, the dangers that can come about from investing in fads is top of mind today, simply because it was explored in the most extreme manner possible in the next episode of Tales from the Darkside. For ‘In the Cards’ is a story that takes the time to examine what dangers could come about from jumping into a fad revolving around the supernatural.

A feat that this episode accomplished by introducing us to a woman named Catherine who has simply fallen in love with the world of Tarot Cards. In fact, she’s so keen on them and the power they hold over people who want answers about the unknown in life, that she’s opened up her own reading parlor, where she is happy to provide those curious, with lighthearted readings that bring joy. And her business is so successful and beloved, that people come in droves to enjoy their positive reading. A move that hurts other tarot card readers around town badly enough… that one of them swaps out Catherine’s deck of cards with one that holds a dark power and dark truths, and now, life is about to become very difficult for Catherine. As she tries to navigate a new chapter in her career, one where the cards speak only to the sorrow that awaits her clients. 

Which is at first glance, a supremely original story to begin with. Because this writer is hard pressed to think of any horror tale that revolves around a tarot card reader that finds themselves dealing with a possessed deck of sorts, so that alone makes this a fascinating story. As does its examination/reflections of fads in the 1980s. Since tarot cards and Ouija boards and all that stuff, did enjoy a hot streak in the mid 1980s as the conservative movement began to lose its grip on the United States, making this a wonderful visual time capsule. Since anyone old enough to remember those crazes will find nostalgia here and anyone new to this tale will garner quite the lesson on fads in general. But while it is quite cool to see a slice of history come to life on screen… it’s the commentary here that really allows for this episode to shine.
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Because it truly does make it clear that fads really aren’t something to be messed with in the slightest. Sure, they’re fun and they bring joy, but they do bring about a lot of sour aspects as well. Since collectors will go the extra mile to get what they want, and people will fight over stuff. Plus, it really hammers home the warning to not be an investor of such matters, since that can in fact, lead to financial ruin, and that the business side might be more bloodthirsty than one can handle. Since money talks and inspires people to do weird things. But of course, it also adds another wrinkle to its commentary by grounding this story in a supernatural fad of sorts, since Catherine’s desire to be the next hot Miss Cleo speaks to the reality, that people should do research on the fads they chase, so they don’t find themselves in over their heads.

If anything, this is just… a solid episode through and through. Because it is well-written and full of wonderful thoughts, and it also flows so well. Which might be explained by the fact that the director of this tale, Ted Gershuny, wrote the teleplay for it as well. But what matters more, is that he assembled an entertaining and engaging tale of terror. One that features genuinely spooky and eerie and dark moments, thanks to what the cards predict, and that ending? Well, it’s just masterful and dark and everything you want from a Tales from the Darkside episode, and well… it is likely best that we enjoy the ironically fun and eerie vibes this one sent our way while they last. Because the next chapter in this twisted saga, goes to some incredibly dark and disturbing places. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

It can be difficult to know what will and will not work when trying to get a new job. While you may be as qualified as the next person, the way that you present yourself says a lot about what the folks looking at you will base their decision upon. Showing plenty of confidence is something that many people have problems with during the interview process and while being yourself can take you far once you have the job, it may not be enough to get you over the opening hump. It is important to go into these interviews with the mindset that the job is yours, mainly because the folks you are talking to have no idea that adding you to the team will bring them much more prosperity than choosing someone else.
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Running late to another audition, Cal is just having a hard time making life go the way he had it planned.  If he is able to get this next job however, he will be living on easy street, since every movie that Martin Scorsese makes changes lives for the better. Chatting with not only his friends, but his competition, Cal is given a couple of pointers on what he should do to make himself stand out from the rest, which mainly consists of turning on the charm or…he can try to get with the casting director. Stumbling through the audition, Cal decides that he has nothing left to lose and gives the casting director a shot, but once again gets shot down and will have to return to living the life of a normal person, or so he thinks.

Pulling over to talk on the phone on his drive home, something strange falls from the sky and Cal is gifted a strange book that deals with the occult. Not knowing all of the secrets that are contained in the book, much less it’s power, Cal brings it home for a possible sale on the internet at least. Having his best friend Trevor come over to chill out for the evening, Trevor sees the book and knows that it is meant for Cal. Opening up the pages in the strange book, Trevor is ready to perform one of the spells that is hidden inside, and Cal is all about it. But little do the men know what they are dabbling in as their fellow actor friends start to get killed off by an unseen force that might allow Cal to get the job that he believes he rightfully deserves. 

Just gonna leave it right there, since there is an anthology type of story that is sprinkled into the movie.  Without giving too much away on how all of the actors start to die off due to the power of the book, I will say that it has to do with what they fear and in epic fashion. I liked the Trevor and Cal interactions the best, since they do not have any idea what they are doing and are losing friends like they are going out of style. Then once they find out that the book is responsible for what is happening, they try to get on the same page when it comes to this mess, and well, the book changes the rules for them.

With a shooting, a creepy old woman, a sea monster, deteriorating flesh, a clown, the mark of the cursed and a book that cannot be destroyed, this is one of those movies that you need to watch closely to make sure you catch all of the little things to see how the book chooses to kill. While I was a little bit frightened by some of the occult things, I must admit that this book is something that I hope never makes it into my circle, because damn, it does not seem to like anyone. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 714 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

Whether we like it or not… there is going to come a time in our lives, where we will make some awful mistakes. The kind that will rattle and embarrass us to our core and likely hurt people we genuinely care about. For we are flawed beings through and through, that don’t always think with our heart and minds in unison and well… when we’ve made our mistakes, how we respond to them is paramount. For in that moment, we are faced with quite the crossroads, wherein we can simply move on and let the mistake be a defining moment for us, which can lead us down a potentially dark path full of regret and sorrow… or we can try and redeem ourselves and try and earn forgiveness from those we hurt… and set things right. 
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Of course, the latter of those two options are what people choose in that situation, simply because no one wants to spend their lives filled with regret over what could have been and what once was. But even then, there is so much more that goes into redemption than a mere honest apology, and the long road back from our mistake is top of mind today, because it just so happened to serve as the focal theme of last night’s episode of Fear the Walking Dead. But it sure didn’t seem as though that was going to be the case early on. For when we catch up with just about everyone in ‘Divine Providence’, the showdown that we’ve been waiting for, appeared as though it was about to take place. For Alicia and her band of warriors had arrived at the gates of Strand’s Tower and they were ready for war.

Which… led to quite the surprise. For rather than have his rangers open fire and attempt to lay waste to good people in need, Victor instead invited Alicia inside the walls of the Tower, in the hopes they could have a little chat. The kind where perhaps he could talk her into staying permanently so she could finally see that he wasn’t the villain that everyone made him out to be, and that he was trying to build something beautiful here. He was just handling it the hard way through and through. But of course, once Alicia rejected his offer… his tone and demeanor and plan to accomplish his goals, quickly changed. Since he locked her inside the Tower and ordered his Rangers to signal the radioactive dead from the crater to the Tower, effectively creating a death sentence for the good souls outside. So that one way or another... she would see his side of things.

A move that of course led to a counter offensive on Alicia’s part, where she was able to isolate Strand in the elevator in a desperate attempt to stop the Beacon from doing its damage. But her raging illness and the manner in which she brings out the best in Strand… allowed for him to lower his guard and begin to ponder upon the mistakes he’s made in building this new world. Which in turn, motivated him to strike a deal so that all could live, a deal… that ended up proving to Strand that he’s created a nightmare instead of a sanctuary, and engendered hate and fear, instead of the hope he confessed to Alicia he believed he was creating. All because Wes basically pulled a mutiny on Strand when the deal was announced, in the name of Victor's ‘values’, forcing Strand and Alicia to get creative to save the day.

For Daniel Salazar followed Alicia into the complex in the hopes of seeing Ofelia and well… his reunion with Strand is really when this episode began to explore the true nature of redemption. Part of which, involves honest apologies and being transparent. Because eventually, Strand had to be honest with both Alicia and Daniel, something that does not come easy for him. But he finally opened up and told the truth to both of them about his motivations and his fears and vulnerabilities and even his hopes for the future with them at his side. Which allowed for Daniel to stand down, and finally face his pain regarding losing his daughter and perhaps find peace in the matter by standing by Charlie as her time on this earth narrowed to a close and it also allowed for Strand to finally tell Alicia what she means to him and how much he admires her.
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Which… in any other story, and in other situations, would likely be enough for redemption. But Strand killed people in the name of his vision, and he genuinely hurt people emotionally and physically in addition to ending lives and well… that requires more than mere words to move on from. Especially when one considers that Strand was quick to kill again when Wes threatened Alicia’s life. A move that led to all that goodwill fading away and a grand fight on the rooftop that eventually led to an equally as grand fire. One that might doom the Tower after all and rob everyone of what it could stand for and what it would accomplish and well, that sour ending is what expressed specifically… what must be done to truly find redemption through and through. 

Which is… forgiveness and a changing of one’s course. Because we must first forgive ourselves for what we’ve done and accept our actions, and ask that forgiveness of others… and show them we mean business by never making that same mistake again. But since Strand doesn’t fully understand his emotions and his actions, and only acts upon the bad habits he knows... now everyone is going to pay the price for his inability to really look at himself objectively, and reject his demons to really find the connections he craves. Because there is a fair chance that the end of the Tower is night, when one considers how fast and furious that fire turned out to be, and it's unfortunate that such a precious and safe place will be lost because of ego and foolishness. 

In the end, this was just… a supremely inventive and moving episode when all is said and done. Since it basically found a way to move this conflict forward without having the two sides engage in ‘All Out War 2.0’ and because… it finally showed us the real Victor Strand and the man he aspires to be and how little he understands about connecting with people. Which also makes this… a grand tragedy as well. Since Victor once again has screwed the proverbial pooch because he cannot get out of his own way and doesn’t understand how to let go of the darkness that once served him well. Not to mention, this episode deserves a round of applause, for exploring such a fascinating topic, and not bringing it to a happy resolution. For danger is everywhere once again, and that is bold, and it will be interesting to see what comes next for these tired and weary survivors and whether or not Victor Strand can find the redemption he so desperately seeks. Until next time.