Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire’. To revisit the Season One Finale, click here.
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There comes a point in all of our lives, where we grow quite curious about who we are. Simply because we don’t find our purpose and direction, and outright meaning right away, when we set out into the world. Some of us float, some of us enter new chapters without giving them any agency or thought, and well… a life changing event or something eye opening tends to snap us out of our slacker reverie or gives us pause. Wherein… we opt to decide to really learn about the person we see in the mirror. Specifically, what makes us happy? What angers us? What do we want out of this life and what kind of person do we want to be?

Which in turn, puts us on that quest. Where we try to find ourselves, find out where we belong and answer all of those questions and that process, is indeed worthwhile. Since we do indeed discover all, we need to know about ourselves and act accordingly. But what’s fascinating about this process and how we perceive and discuss it, is that we don’t really spotlight the fact… that it isn’t always positive or swift in nature. Because not everyone finds what they need right away due to a complex search or some darkness in their lives, the kind that complicates... everything. But we should discuss that more to temper expectations and to help people understand the search for personal truth isn’t always sunshine and rainbows and that’s why the season two premiere of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire is of note.

Because ‘What Can the Damned Really Say to the Damned’ happens to be a story that explores that more difficult search for personal truth and that sense of belonging, and it accomplished that feat by catching up with Louis and Claudia in Europe. In fact, this story was set in the midst of World War II, wherein this duo was searching high and low… for more of their own kind. Because Claudia was still soured on the incident involving Lestat, and she was deeply curious as to whether or not the vampire had a greater purpose in the universe than to be sorrowful and angry creatures that could only kill and impart harm upon one another. So, what better place to find purpose than Europe. Where the vampire was born and well… that’s where the central theme came into play.

​For the search was a disaster through and through. Because this duo only found heartbreak and sorrow, and ugliness worse than anything a vampire could conduct, courtesy of the Nazi Regime, and there were no signs of vampires from lore. There were echoes of course, but nothing more and that left this duo to their sourness. To the ugliness they left behind. In fact, Louis often saw Lestat at his lowest points and this duo also came to learn… continued sorrow can poison blood. Because their meals weren’t fulfilling and left them with minimal energy and well, it left Louis and Claudia wondering if they’d find anything at all. Or if they were alone, and if wandering and anger was their purpose for eternity now… that is until a surprise came forth in Romania.
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In that, they came across a village where superstition and worry regarding vampires was rampant, and where the locals refused to talk about it in detail, and that excited Claudia to no end. For it meant more vampires had to be here, and that there was a chance at last she could understand her future, her purpose, her direction… only to be disappointed. Because all she found were corrupted vampires and broken spirits. Which left her of the belief that she was to forever be a monster. But Louis informed her, she could forge her own path, with him, and life could be vastly different. Which brought them to Paris and a chance at a new beginning and a fine reminder of the lesson at hand. Since Claudia was in fact, a person mired in roadblocks and frustrations on her path to self-discovery.

Which can happen when there is trauma to overcome, or genuine darkness coming forth from one’s current situation or if one’s disposition is poisoned with anger and defensiveness. But thankfully, there is a way forward and sometimes it is just trying something new and forging a path to see what sticks or what comes forth. All of which made for a thoughtful and relatable episode, and an emotional one at that. Since you could not help but feel for Claudia and Louis, and their lonesome quest to be more than what Lestat and the broken vampire here transformed into, and that quest, will give rise to a fascinating season of storytelling. Wherein more lessons regarding the human condition will come forth from two beings that deeply miss it, and it will be fascinating to see what those lessons will be, and to immerse ourselves in more iconography from this legendary story as season two of this magnificent show continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Reginald the Vampire’.
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There was a time, not that long ago, where the vampire story was the butt of everyone’s jokes. Mainly because, a ‘sparkling’ story… allowed for the creature to become something of a lampoon of itself. To the point where vampire stories weren’t anything to write home about since everyone was chasing the next, kitschy thing in the world of the fang. But thankfully, those days are changing and fast, and everywhere we look, the vampire is reclaiming its originality and reclaiming its standing as one of storytelling’s most iconic and pertinent monsters. One that can explore so much about the human condition and one particular series that’s helping with this sharp-toothed revolution is Reginald the Vampire on SYFY.

For season one of this series really did offer up an amazing premise for us to sink our fangs into. Because one simply cannot go wrong with a story that features an everyman turning into a vampire, and where that same man… explores a world, he doesn’t understand while also trying to figure out his own transformed life. Which brought forth a fascinating season of storytelling that shattered tropes and brought the laughs and outright gave us an engaging story that we could not stop watching and well, the best news of all, is that the show is back on the air and is eager to continue to make us smile, all while offering fresh new ideas for the genre to explore, as evidenced by the season two premiere of this delightful series.

For ‘The Pompatus of Love’ picked up some time after the wild events of the season one finale, wherein there should have been epic tension and trouble awaiting Reginald and his friends. As is often the case in vampire stories when a power struggle comes into play. But here, Reginald and the gang, were just enjoying life once again. In fact, this story focused heavily on the wonder of love and whether or not that was something Reginald could enjoy at last with peace surrounding him. So, he pondered deeply upon how best to woo Em, and in his mind, the best way to make that happen was through grand gestures and impressive moments that would melt her heart and bring her to him. But alas, Reginald came to learn a valuable lesson in going that route. 

In that, honesty matters most, and that respect should come into play when the person we love isn’t 100% on board with our feelings. Because we cannot control others, we can only let them decide the path they want to take with us. Which Em did express, and Reginald did hold to. Which brought about, a very human tale. One grounded in concepts you don’t see in vampire stories all that often, and it was refreshing to see honesty and integrity themes in a horror comedy. Plus, it also featured some amazing trope-busting elements as well. Such as how Maurice wants to be a vastly different kind of leader, one that is transformative. Plus, the danger trope here took quite the unique turn thanks to the best slushies in the land.

But of course, there are concerns and worries ahead for Reginald. Since the angels won’t stay at bay forever, regardless of how many slushies they ingest and of course, those dreams are of concern. But while we wait to see how that all plays out, we can enjoy… one refreshing and original season premiere. One that genuinely showcased the wonder of the vampire and what it can accomplish from a storytelling standpoint if real care goes into the story and real gravity is given to what the monster stands for. Which means we are going to be in for one delightful season of storytelling, one that will continue to build on the new legacy the vampire is forging, and one that will make us smile with more moments that are hopefully as epic as watching Reginald sing ‘I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).’ Until next time.

It really is quite amazing how streaming has evolved over the past few years. Because not only has the format solidified itself as a new bastion for quality television and quality film, but several streamers out there have garnered amazing respect. To the point where their lineup and work, has found its way into hybrid releases. Wherein a movie they back or craft, gets a full-on theatrical run before heading to the service. Because what they bring forth is so good and so poignant that it requires the true theater experience and one such streamer that is seeing this happen often now, is Shudder.
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Simply because, they are home to the best horror movies around, and those films are in demand, plain and simple and that’s allowed for Shudder to revitalize independent horror, and showcase incredible films in the classic manner, and that demand is showing no signs of slowing down, as evidenced by the recent announcement regarding NewFest. For it will be home to an early, world premiere, screening of the upcoming psychological thriller, Haze. Which is set to debut on Shudder this fall, but NewFest is ready to showcase it to the world early, and to properly offer this epic news the respect it deserves, here are all the details regarding this early screening, courtesy of Shudder and NewFest. 

‘Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural announced today that HAZE (formerly known as TREATMENT), the highly anticipated psychological thriller from Matthew Fifer(CICADA), will make its world premiere at New York’s LGBTQ Film Festival, NewFest. The Shudder Original is set for an exclusive streaming premiere on the service this Fall 2024.
 
“When so much of the industry is playing it safe, Shudder continues to be fearless in exploring niche genres and empowering queer filmmakers -- I’m lucky to be working with them and honored to have this film make its world premiere at NewFest,” said Fifer. “HAZE is inspired by the horror films I grew up watching with my grandmother. It was made with a small but fierce crew of collaborators, working with limited resources and a lot of love.”
 
A young journalist (Cole Doman) returns home to investigate the unsolved deaths at an abandoned psychiatric center. As he dances with the shadows of his past and a mysterious new man in his life, his family history and the town's secrets begin to converge in this evocative psychological thriller.
 
Written and directed by Fifer, HAZE is produced by Jeffrey Winter, Ramfis Myrthil, Stephen Israel, Drew Sklar, and stars Cole Doman (MUTT), Brian J. Smith (SENSE8), David Pittu (HALSTON), and Annie Golden (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK). 
 
About Shudder
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and Original Content is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Over the last few years, Shudder has introduced audiences to groundbreaking and critically acclaimed films including Rob Savage’s HOST, Jayro Bustamante’s LA LLORONA, Phil Tippett’s MAD GOD, Coralie Fargeat’s REVENGE, Joko Anwar’s SATAN’S SLAVES, Josh Ruben’s SCARE ME, Kyle Edward Ball’s SKINAMARINK, Christian Tafdrup’s SPEAK NO EVIL, Chloe Okuno’s WATCHER, Demián Rugna‘s WHEN EVIL LURKS, and the latest in the V/H/S film anthology franchise, as well as the fan favorite TV series THE BOULET BROTHERS’DRAGULA, Greg Nicotero’s CREEPSHOW, and THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS.’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three Finale of ‘Chucky’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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For the most part, horror stories involving a villainous monster, end in a supremely similar manner. Wherein the heroes discover the true weakness of the monster they’re battling, allowing for them to exploit it and defeat the beast in the third act of the story. Which brings forth an epic conclusion where good triumphs, while of course… setting the stage for the monster’s return. Because that’s part of the process too, to keep a franchise alive and to help the story find creative ways to kill off the old heroes to bring in new ones. But once in a while, you encounter a horror story that wants so badly to defy that and give us something new and that’s why last night’s season three finale of the hit SYFY/USA Network series, Chucky, is of note.

Because ‘Final Destination’ was that unconventional tale that shattered old tropes and norms and it accomplished such an amazing feat by way of a wild journey through the afterlife. Because Jake encountered quite a few surprises in the beyond. Such as his dad, whom he did his best to make peace with, before facing the entire spiritual legacy of Charles Lee Ray. From age 65 to every Chucky we’ve ever seen. Which allowed for Fiona Dourif to shine alongside her father in an epic and incredible manner and where… things went awry with Good Chucky. Because despite Jake’s hard pleas to have Good Chucky sacrifice himself and save the day, he refused to. Granted he offered up a nugget of information as to where Caroline might have been, but once that was in the open… he revealed a growing evil inside his ailing spirit. Since he was part of a ruse to have Chucky possess Jake.

All so he could wreak havoc in the White House and get another physical kill before the place burned down at Pryce’s behest. And once he returned, and tasted blood and escaped with his friends and Grant, the Chucky/Jake hybrid led them to the residence of one Wendell Wilkins. A sorrowful man, played brilliantly by icon John Waters, who was harboring a lot of secrets. Such as the fact that his home was indeed where Caroline was hiding, and that… he had the prototype Good Guy doll in his stead, along with the prototype for the doll that Tiffany once inhabited. Oh, and he also worshipped Damballa and was eager to help Chucky with a devastating plan to win the day. One that involved first, freeing Chucky from Jake’s body… because Jake needed to be himself.

For Wilkins had created something special for this trio, horrific little marionettes that their spirits were to inhabit for all time, and well… Chucky and Caroline helped make that happen and then, prepared to move into a new chapter in their lives, with an old friend along for the ride. Because it also turned out, that Tiffany managed to escape after all thanks to a last minute and bloody save at her execution. Which brought her back to her Chucky and back into her doll since the police would be searching for Jennifer Tilly until the end of time. Reuniting them romantically at last and his unholy reunion also allowed, for Nica to pay the piper. Since she followed Tiffany to the Wilkins' homestead, only to find pain and suffering and potentially worse if he so wished.

But in the end, the bad guys won the day, despite the wondrous plain laid forth by our heroes. Because Chucky is alive and well in his favorite body again, and he appears to have satisfied Damballa, and Tiff is at his side, and Caroline is ready to care for them all, and well… it doesn’t get more unconventional… and brilliant than that. For that was a bold way to bring this story home, and quite frankly… set the stage for a new chapter for the series. Because our trio of heroes are basically gone and Chucky is free to Chucky as only, he can and well, that means… we need a fourth season of this show for certain. Something we can apparently help with by calling that number that popped up at the end of the episode and hopefully this series gets that renewal. Because it’s heading into bold new territory beyond this point, and we simply need more.