Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Motherland: Fort Salem’.
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There are a great many reasons to celebrate the Freeform series, Motherland: Fort Salem. Such as the fact that it really is one of the most original shows to hit the airwaves in years. Because its premise is unlike any other on the air right now and it is filled with wondrous and dynamic characters that have depth to them as well. But above all else, what truly makes this series worth our while and worth celebrating on a consistent basis, is the sheer fact that it does a wonderful job of world-building and following up on every single plot thread that it has introduced. And really, that is top of mind today, simply because continuing and growing all kinds of important storylines that were introduced in season one, served as the focus of last night’s episode of this magnificent series.

For ‘Abomination’ took the time reflect upon the strange manner in which Anacostia and Scylla parted ways last season. Since Anacostia genuinely believed that perhaps Scylla was a redeemable individual, one that would eventually come to discover that her decision to sow chaos was a bad one at best and well… this episode helped us to learn that Anacostia was right. Because Scylla was forced to spend time with this strange new group of Anti-Witchers in places that she once caused great harm and that did indeed force her to face the consequences of her actions and prompt her to feel something for the chaos she brought forth and well, her reflections upon her past didn’t end with a quick walk down memory lane.

Because it turns out that Anacostia has a vested interest in this group as well and opted to join some of the meetings in the hopes of gathering intel for the Witch Army and that too, gave Scylla pause. For being around Anacostia in a more relaxed setting, put her in an uncomfortable place, one where she wasn't sure what is up or down anymore or what exactly she was fighting for. The only thing she knows at this point, is that this Anti-Witch sentiment is not what it seems since she and her new buddy saw an exchange of money take place with the group’s leadership. But all of that aside, this really was a wonderful way to to revisit an important moment from last year and grow Scylla in a manner that she didn’t seem capable of by season one's end and the revisiting of important moments didn’t end there. 

For General Alder and Izadora were eager to figure out how Raelle and Abigail were able to save themselves by way of that massive explosion and after some failures in getting that answer… a surprise breakthrough revealed the truth to Izadora. In that, Raelle obtained some kind of special power when she touched the Mycelial wall back in season one, and that allows for her to connect with the network on a fundamental level and use its power for protection or destruction if needed and well, that’s quite the reveal for certain. Since it makes Raelle an incredibly powerful witch, one that could turn the tide if Alder can truly dedicate her to the cause and that might not be an easy task. Since threatening her life to get results, doesn’t exactly engender trust.

In the end however, this was just another solid episode from this brilliant series. Because week in and week out, it keeps finding new ways to offer enriching and human character moments alongside plot growth and world-building and that really does make this an engrossing watch. One that once again has us guessing as to what awaits our favorite soldiers on the horizon. Because clearly, something evil is brewing behind the scenes and the forces of good haven’t a clue what is coming for them. But the good news, is that perhaps Scylla’s change of heart and Raelle’s new powers will help to turn the tide in the favor of the witches. Because witches truly are powerful protectors and their end at the hands of the Camarilla would undoubtedly sow great chaos around the world. But who knows… that might be their goal and the only way to know if that is the case for sure, is to continue this wild journey. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Vicious Fun’.

Ask any fan of fantasy, science fiction or comic book stories which fictional world they would like to live in… and you’ll get quite the enthusiastic answer. Because fans of those genres have thought long and hard about that very question on their own time and that’s helped them to figure out exactly what part of Middle Earth they want to live in, or whether they’d like to hang with the Justice League or the Avengers and whether or not the Enterprise or the Voyager is their ship of choice from a science fiction standpoint. But what is fascinating about that all-important question, is that you get a supremely different answer from horror fans.

Because while fans of scary stories enjoy everything the genre has to offer through and through, they all understand that the world that the Philadelphia Four inhabited in Dawn of the Dead, isn’t all that great and that being chased by a bloodthirsty Jason Voorhees would likely suck and suck hard. Which is why those very fans often talk about places they would rather visit from those movies instead, since horror stories really are far too dangerous to want to reside in. But it does leave to wonder, what it would look like if a horror fan was indeed caught up in one of the many terrifying worlds that the genre offers and it just so happens that a brand-new feature on Shudder, explores that possibility in Vicious Fun.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a writer named Joel who is uh… in a bit of a holding pattern. Because despite the fact that he gets to write about horror movies all day long for the magazine Vicious Fanatics, and has a stable home life with a cute roomie that is basically his dream girl, he just feels unfulfilled and would love to have more impact on the horror genre and some excitement in his life and well, one day one of wishes comes true in the worst possible way. For a chance encounter with his roommate’s jerk of a date, leads him to drink heavy and pass out, and when he awakens… he finds himself in the company of a group of serial killers who have gathered for a self-help session and now it will be up to his extensive horror knowledge and an ally in his midst to survive the night. Because it is only a matter of time before these killers come to understand that Joel is no mass murderer.

Which is a plot that you will notice, is about as lighthearted and fun as it gets and there’s good reason for that. For this is, at its core, a horror/comedy and a damn fine one at that. Because this movie really does offer the perfect balance of laughs and chills, a feat that it accomplishes by way of flawless comedic timing in the grossest and craziest situations imaginable and it doesn’t hurt that it features the perfect cast for this type of film as well. Because David Koechner and Julian Richings do a wonderful job of juxtaposing what this movie stands for from a thematic standpoint and the wonder of this movie doesn’t end with its ability to make us laugh and make us cringe on a moment’s notice. Because this is a movie that also serves as a love letter to the genre and fans in general.
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Because this is a throwback movie in many ways, since it is set in 1983 and filled with the hard light and neon love from that era, which immediately takes one back to their first horror experience and the majesty of discovering this brightly colored and gory genre and speaking of that gore, there’s plenty of it to be found here as well. Since serial killers equate to splatter and the kills here are simply top notch and ooey and gooey to the max. But truly, the best part about this movie and its tributes… is Joel himself. For he is all of us, and knows the genre as well the rest of us do and his journey makes it clear to us that we would likely do just fine if we were plunged into a horror story, since we know how they work and all we have to do to make it out alive; is be brave, and stick to our horror training. 

If anything, this is simply a delightful motion picture through and through. Because not only does it offer up a wonderful sense of nostalgia with its 80s visuals and synth powered soundtrack, but it also provides the viewer with a genuinely original plot. For this reviewer is hard pressed to think of another horror/comedy out there where the main character has to hang out with serial killers and lie about being one in order to survive. So really, in the end, if you’re in the mood for a lighthearted horror film, one that puts a smile on your face and doesn’t require a heck of a lot of thought on our modern world and it current state… then log into Shudder post-haste and give Vicious Fun a look. Because this really is one refreshing horror flick.

It is hard to know what the future holds and while some people pay a fortune to know what it could be the rest of us wait to see it come to life before our very eyes. As things have changed from the time when I was a child, I never would have expected to see things like this happening in my lifetime. Living through a depression is something that even scholars did not expect for this generation, but guess what, we did. But this changed many things in our world, not all for the better as some people decided to take different paths than what they expected and it turned out to be something great for them, but not for the rest of us.
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Having a good time with her little sister, Sam is waiting for her mother to make it home for the night when a strange knocking comes from the front door. Not knowing who the woman is outside asking for help, Sam tries to keep her out, but when she sees a man sitting in the kitchen, she knows that she and her sister are in trouble. Trying to find a place to hide in the hopes that the couple will leave, Sam has no way of battling the couple. Getting caught and knocked out, Sam can only expect the worst for herself and her sister, but nothing can prepare her for what the night has in store for them.

Waking up in the trunk of a car, Sam is able to free her hands and uses a tire iron to try and leave a path for someone to find her. Hearing the scraping, the couple pulls over only to have the young girl find a way past them into the woods. Running for her life, Sam is followed by the woman who seems to have something very sinister in mind. Hitting the woman in the head repeatedly with the tire iron, Sam is slashed in the side with a knife and while she does not know the extent of her injury, she knows that she cannot continue to run. Looking for help, Sam follows a road that leads her to a farmhouse and tries to call for help from there, but before she is able to get the call off, she sees her abductors pulling up in their car. 

Needing to hide, Sam is able to find a closet to hold up in until they leave again. Sitting and waiting, she sees that her cut is getting much worse and decides to stitch it up the best that she can, but that is when she finds out that this is not a random occurrence, as there are bags from other young girls littered all around her. Watching as the killer couple seems to be enjoying their evening with their friend, Sam is shocked to watch as the man flat out kills his best friend. Knowing now that there is little chance for escape while these two are around, Sam is forced to watch as her little sister meets her fate at the man’s hands, but there is something about to be unleashed on the killer couple that even Sam did not expect to see.  

A killer couple that lives in a haunted house, well, that pretty much sums it up in a nutshell. But it took something special for the haunting to come to life and another death inside the walls seemed to bring it out beautifully. I did not know that there could be so much fear involved around being locked in a closet despite being safe from the wrath of the couple, but I will admit that this movie played it just right and I would choose not to be locked in anywhere if my life depended on it. I liked how the ‘just watching’ aspect became a fear that none of us would want to experience in our lifetimes as the killer couple was something else and even had their perfect ways of disposing of bodies, very gruesome. With a kidnapping gone wrong, a smart teenager looking for help, a haunted house, a chainsaw, watching the death of a loved one and a demon hell bent on justice, this is really a movie that you might want to watch with the lights on, because when the lights go off in the house and the blood starts to flow, there is no turning back. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Finding Ophelia’.
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One thing that everyone can agree upon right now, is that the past year was quite the terrifying experience. Because not only did Covid lock us into our homes and force us to live with a sense of fear over our health and our future, but the world also managed to exacerbate those concerns. For an unprepared economy began to buckle under the stresses of not saving for an emergency, resulting in layoffs and more uncertainty. And civil unrest for the right reasons under a wannabe dictator’s thumb, left us wondering what America might look when the dust settled from the frustrations that came about. But thankfully, those worries, and those fears are beginning to be assuaged and a great deal of us are going to emerge from this nightmare with some newfound perspective on life. 
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The kind that outright has us wondering if we are chasing the right paths and goals in life, and what it would take to change course if we’ve dug ourselves into a routine that we realize now… isn’t sustainable for us and well, those concerns, and those frustrations are almost downright impossible to express clearly right now. Because we have barely made sense of them ourselves and likely need more time to sort them out. But thankfully, we are not alone in such matters. For creative minds went through lockdown like the rest of us and saw the world fuss as we did and some took the time to create stories that reflect the zeitgeist of the time to help us and themselves process the bevy of emotions, we’ve all recently experienced and it just so happens, that a brand-new movie out there, captures all our emotions and hopes and desires from the past year to a tee in Finding Ophelia.

Now in this particular motion picture, we are introduced to a man named William Edgar who seemingly has it all. For he is a well-regarded advertising associate that lands big contracts on a regular basis and he has freedom and money and stability surrounding him. But something isn’t quite right with William. Because despite being in a place that so many desire, he is miserable and confused and constantly moving about the world in a dream-like state that feels akin to a never ending nightmare. For William is missing something internally, a meaning that he has been painfully searching for and has had little success in obtaining. But some odd dreams and some strange clues lead him to believe that a mysterious woman named Ophelia is who he needs to seek out to find happiness and fulfillment in life and now that he has an idea of what he needs, he will stop at nothing to finally obtain the contentment and joy that he is convinced Ophelia can offer him.

Which is a fairly engrossing plot that quite frankly, might not seem to exist at first glance. Because you, dear reader, need to know up front that this story… is handled in a supremely artistic manner. Which means that writer/director Stephen Rutterford opted to film this as though you’re experiencing everything that William is experiencing both visually and emotionally and that leads to some jarring visuals. The kind that seems strange and outlandish and will undoubtedly be off-putting to some viewers for certain. Simply because avant-garde and abstractionist filmmaking has lain dormant since the days of David Lynch’s peak. But this reviewer implores you to look beyond style and surprise and really take a moment to focus on William’s frustrations… since that is where the movie excels at expressing our own vexation from the past year.
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Because William is in essence, all of us. For he thinks he is on the right path professionally and he thinks he’s figured out how to create order in the chaos of the world and enjoy all of the little moments that it has to offer. Until he doesn’t. Which is when his world transforms into the eye-opening nightmare, we all experienced. Where we realized that big business isn’t our friend, that so many of us were chasing after goals that weren’t fulfilling in the slightest and that makes Ophelia, the goal we all desire and William’s quest to obtain her, serves to remind us that we simply must do the same for our own Ophelia before it is too late and that makes this… a fascinating film for certain. One that genuinely takes you off guard in every way imaginable with its unconventional style of storytelling and stays with you long after it comes to an end, because of how much meaning and metaphor is present within every single frame.

In fact, this writer is fairly certain that we are merely chipping away at the tip of a massive iceberg of meaning, since the true definition of so many of the visuals could be interpreted quite differently than what’s been posed here. If anything, it is just best to declare this film as downright refreshing. Because it offers a strange catharsis, one that seemingly acknowledges that we’ve been through hell and back and that we’re not alone in our experience. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the movie is gorgeous as well, since Rutterford’s desire to take us on a wild visual ride pays off with some beautiful and engaging imagery and well, in the end, if you’re looking for some validation when it comes to your emotions from the past year or looking for something different to enjoy from a filmmaking standpoint, then check Finding Ophelia out. Because this one really is quite the original and unique and meaningful ride.

If I, had it my way, I would make sure that we would have a year-round Halloween, not just because it is the coolest holiday, but because I love the events surrounding it. When else can you explore creepy corn mazes in the dark, go on a haunted hay wagon ride and get your pants scared off in a haunted house?  There is no other time sadly and I would love to see that change, because not everyone has the time to celebrate Halloween within the short month that it comes around. Just the thought of having these events around year-round make me a bit giddy and I would love to see someone keep something Halloween related open every day of the year and see how the rest of the world reacts. 
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While being bored at their Halloween party, Ryan and Nate have a great idea and want to bring their lady friends along for the scares. Hearing about a haunted house that is so scary that they will give a prize to anyone that makes it all the way through, the boys firmly believe this could make for some serious fun. Convincing Melanie and Amber to come with them, even though they do not believe that the haunted house exists, the boys are ready for the time of their lives.

Driving near the outskirts of town and not seeing anything for miles, the group spots a sign for the House of Purgatory. Not knowing if this is the haunted house from the stories, they decide to stop and check it out. Talking to the ticket taker and finding out that this is the house they are looking for, they are given a surprise, free admission on Halloween. But there is something strange about the layout of the haunted house, as they start at the top and work their way down the levels. Finding an odd-looking shack that must be the entrance, the group gets up their nerve and decide to step in and face their greatest fears.

While the first level does not scare them at all, since it consists of just a mysterious photograph and someone in a raincoat following them, the second level adds some scares to the mix. Getting freaked out by what appears to be the dead coming back to life and a woman begging for help, the third level changes their lives forever. Seeming to be back outside, the group follows the light in the distance, but quickly they start to get separated from each other. As Amber and Ryan are taken on their own paths, Nate promises to take care of Melanie as she is starting to lose her mind. As the night moves on and they discover a lack of doors leading to freedom, everyone is forced to face their greatest fears and while it is different for everyone, it is just another night for the haunted house to feed on fresh souls.

I have been eyeing this movie on my list for months and while it did sound like a haunted house movie, it also sounded like a game show which kind of turned me off. I’m sorry that it did, because it is nothing like a game show, it is a fight for survival while being taken to Hell to face your greatest fears. There is something about mind screw movies like this that I really like, and I think it is the reactions to their own deepest fears for each character. There is something to be said about facing your fears and while some of us are able to get past them, many of us will keep them tucked away for as long as we can so they never see the light of day again. With some creepy haunted house visuals, a pick your path to fear handoff, a skull man that appears in everyone’s fears, and an awesome, original opening to the movie that I have never seen before, it really is a fun little movie that will leave you wondering how much is your soul really worth on Halloween night? Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘An Unquiet Grave’.

What’s fascinating about most stories that revolve around loss and grief and the long road to recovery that accompanies that… is that they follow the unfortunate stigma that surrounds this devastating process to a tee. Which means that the ‘healing’ process that the poor character is subjected to, is rushed and incomplete and oddly sappy and happy. Reflecting the fact that the modern world and a great many of its inhabitants believe that we should only take a finite time to grieve for our loss before sucking it up and moving forward and well, that’s problematic for certain. Simply because we are beginning to learn that grief is a complex emotion/experience, one that doesn’t have a timeline or standard symptoms and requires some fascinating care to overcome. 
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Because losing someone we love dearly really does rip at one’s soul and no one is the same after they say goodbye. Which is why it is important for those that grieve to have some kind of support network that holds them up when the sorrow washes over them to help them to process that the person they love isn’t coming back. For when a person doesn’t receive that kind of support, they can go to some dark places and be lost to their grief forever and that harsh reality and difficult recovery process is something that is so daunting and fearful that it makes sense as to why most stories won’t cover it. But they should, because this is something we will all experience and that’s why stories that take the time to offer this in the raw should be celebrated. Since they are brave enough to expose the process and the dangers of letting grief take over and it just so happens that Shudder is now host to a film that offers an earnest look on this topic in An Unquiet Grave.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a man named Jamie and a woman named Ava and they are simply besides themselves. For Jules, Ava’s sister and Jamie’s wife… recently passed away in a horrible accident and they are struggling to comprehend how their lives will function going forward. For Jules and Ava were as thick as thieves and Jamie loved her with all of his heart and well, they’re both so broken and so devastated that they decide that the only thing left to do to ease their pain, is to try and erase it by way of a bold and dangerous plan. One that involves black magic and spilled blood in order to resurrect Jules from the void. But it doesn’t take long for Ava or Jamie to come to realize that this plan comes with a lot of unexpected surprises, the kind that neither party might be able to live with and it will be up to Jamie to decide if this decision is really worth the damage it is about to cause.

Which is a plot that is delightfully grounded in the roots of the horror genre. Because rituals and blood and sacrifice are all occult themes that work well within the genre and those elements do a fine job of making the scares happen in this particular tale. Because everything that Ava and Jamie do to bring Jules back to life, is mired in strange moments and noises and shadows that make one’s arm hair stand on end. Plus, some of the decisions that lead up to the return of Jules give the audience a horrifying pause since part of the process involves lies and cruelty and downright selfishness and oddly enough, it is those specific sour elements that allow for this motion picture to speak to the dangers of unchecked grief and why a support network is critical to those suffering.
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Because in essence, Jamie is the personification of all that can go wrong when someone is left to their own devices to grieve. For the death of his love breaks him and shatters his soul, and the isolation and time with dark thoughts motivates him to hold out false hope that she will somehow come back and of course, it makes him toxic to others. Since now he is willing to cause harm to reach his ultimate goal and while that is of course, displayed in the extreme here, his actions serve as a parallel to someone that is grieving and chooses to push people away to surround themselves in the memory and pain of their loss, rather than even remotely attempt to heal it and that makes for a powerful film for certain. One where you really do come to realize that letting someone suffer on their own in this manner is dangerous and scary on so many levels and that it might not be a bad thing to at least reach out to someone in need the next time we have a grieving friend… since that might save them from slipping into this darkness.

If anything, all of these elements make this a painfully dark and bleak motion picture. One that holds nothing back in its exploration of the power of grief and loss and the dangers that come with letting it run through our souls unchecked, and those elements also make this film, brilliant to say the least. Because this is also at its core a brave story, one that shows the human condition in the raw by pointing out how much the loss of someone we love impacts us on an emotional level, and that we are foolish for not acknowledging that and for not embracing it in a more compassionate manner. So, if you’re looking for a powerful film that gives you a lot to chew upon once it has come to an end, then please swing by Shudder, and give An Unquiet Grave a look. Because this one, is poignant and special and powerful, and a true pioneer on a topic that we have avoided talking about for far too long.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Lisey’s Story’.

Over the course of the past few weeks, the AppleTV+ series, Lisey's Story, has done a phenomenal job of offering its fans a supremely unique exploration of the power of grief and loss, the resulting trauma that comes from it, and how we handle it all. And what's made this particular exploration so compelling and so different is that it isn't offering up any easy answers on how we conquer the pain that surges through our hearts when we lose someone we love. Instead, it's presenting that ache in the raw, all so the audience understands that there's no easy fix or blueprint to healing from such a devastating moment in our lives. There's just a long road back, one filled with tears and longing and at times… a reminder of the horror that goes into watching life slip away from us.

If anything, that chilling reminder is paramount to today's discussion because the next episode in this harrowing series focuses heavily on the moments when we realize that someone we love is fading away and how that makes us feel— and how it stays with us and how we resolve it. The episode, ‘The Good Brother’ accomplished that particular feat, by dropping us into the middle of those exact moments for two key characters. We came to learn that shortly after Paul Landon had a rough run-in with The Long Boy down Boo'ya Moon way, he simply wasn't the same loving brother that Scott had always known. Instead, he transformed into someone that was despondent, different, and downright terrifying when all is said and done.

Because one fine day, Paul simply went after his brother with an angry madness that had no rhyme or reason, and that prompted Scott's father to chain the boy up and feed him from afar. And while this was quite horrific, as this twisted sequence continued along it became clear that this whole situation served as an allegory for watching a loved one waste away courtesy of mental illness. Which, to a child of Scott's age, made his brother appear as though he was transforming into a monster— one that was eager to feed upon humanity and who was unrecognizable. This twist teaches us that sometimes we look back on moments where our loved ones begin to fade away from our lives in a unique manner— the kind of manner that can be exaggerated in a terrifying fashion because they represent our worst fears come to life, and the nightmare doesn't end until our loved ones' suffering does. This lesson truly made for some uncomfortable and horrifying sequences, the kind that were further enhanced by Lisey's journey in this tale.

​Eventually, Scott himself was beginning to show signs of mental illness in his later adult years, to the point where Lisey felt that she had no recourse but to risk everything to rescue Scott from his own mind whilst it was trapped within the confines of Boo'ya Moon.. In essence, Lisey's battle with Scott's potentially crippling mental illness is designed to juxtapose Scott's experience with his brother and shows us that people handle the diminishing of a mind and a life differently at various stages of our lives. So, while the younger version of us might see mental illness or ‘the end’ as monstrous, our older selves might see it as a desperate challenge; one that requires us to step in and conquer it by way of the connection that we share with the person we love.

This a supremely unique episode largely because this kind of complex thinking regarding the grieving process isn't present in the horror genre very often, but perhaps it should be. Because the nuances of these two storylines make it clear that like it or not, at some point we need to face our trauma head on and process it or else we can never move forward. We need to reconcile the fact that when it is time for someone we love to go, no amount of effort can stop the inevitable, which makes for some powerful commentary in this tale. This kind of commentary also deserves a round of applause for using mental illness as the primary allegory; watching a loved one ‘lose their mind’ is a difficult challenge that can be traumatizing as we see our loved ones begin to lose the essence of who they are, right before our eyes.
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Yet, while all of these elements made for a powerful and thoughtful episode, make no mistake about it… it was also downright terrifying. This story really does tap into some incredibly primal fears, and it does a fine job of uncovering old skeletons that we thought were buried deep— allowing the viewer to squirm as these various nightmares play out on the screen. This is what the best horror stories out there do, and the show should be commended for finding a different way to scare us. However, now that this particular exploration of grief has come to an end, the time has come to start looking at how we begin to bounce back. Lisey is finally ready to do something about her situation and her pain, and it seems that her healing journey will begin beneath the twilight sky of the mysterious Boo'ya Moon. Until next time, Dear Reader.

It is an interesting time in popular culture. Because this is an era where studios and networks are giving new life or extended life to movies and shows that we truly thought had seen their end ages ago. Which is a move that is being met with a mixed reception at times. Because for every proper continuation there are more waiting in the wings that appear to be nothing more than a cash grab. But the true benefit of this era, is that it is finally giving respect to the stories and icons that were taken off the airwaves and out of the theaters before truly completing their journey or work, and that’s why we celebrate The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs.
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For this Shudder original series did what needed to be done for the iconic Joe Bob Briggs and give him the extra seasons that he outright deserved when he was hosting Monstervision, and his latest iteration of this style of show is providing fans with such incredible insight and engrossing entertainment, that Shudder has come to realize that the show must go on. Which is why this magnificent series was rewarded with a season 4 renewal today and here is what Shudder and Joe Bob Briggs had to say about this exciting news.

Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, announced that it has renewed its hit original series The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs for a fourth season to air in 2022 and additional specials to be announced that will premiere later this year. Earlier this month the show concluded its third and strongest season to date, with new episodes trending in the Top 10 nationally on Twitter every Friday night. 

“I'm extremely excited to do another season of The Last Drive-In, especially since the family we've built up around the show keeps growing. In all my years of writing and performing, I've never felt so close to an audience. It's like having friends in every town who really mean it when they say, ‘Stop by’!,” said Joe Bob Briggs.

“The Last Drive-In is unlike any other show on TV or streaming, where fans watch together for five hours every Friday night to see what movies Joe Bob Briggs will be showing and hear what he, Darcy and their special guests will have to say about them. We’re thrilled to bring The Last Drive-In back for another season and can’t wait to see what movies and guests Joe Bob will come up with next,” said Shudder General Manager Craig Engler.

On The Last Drive-In, Briggs, the world’s foremost drive-in movie critic hosts eclectic horror movie double features, talking about their merits, histories and significance to genre cinema. The recently concluded third season featured new, in-depth interviews with film icons Bruce Campbell, Jeffrey Combs, Eli Roth and Roger Corman, among others. Shudder and Briggs first teamed up in July 2018, for the 24-hour marathon intended to be Briggs’ final farewell to televised movie hosting. After the special turned out to be an unprecedented hit, Shudder brought The Last Drive-In back as a weekly series and for multiple holiday specials.

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

If anything, this really is quite the wonderful announcement for certain. Because this series really is a horror fan’s dream come true and it will be quite the treat to continue to settle in on Friday nights with Joe Bob and Darcy and the Mutant Fam, to watch some amazing horror flicks and hear from legends of the industry, when The Last Drive-In with Job Bob Briggs returns to the digital airwaves for its well-deserved season 4.

It wasn’t that long ago, that we discussed how AMC’s ’11 Weeks of Reveals Until Season 11 of The Walking Dead’ was going to be a bittersweet affair. One that would offer up a touch of sorrow over the fact that our favorite series was coming to an end, whilst at the same time, providing us with all kinds of images and wonders untold. The kind that would excite us and prepare us mentally for the end and well, as it turns out, the incredible reveals that AMC is sending our way, is healing our pain faster than expected.

For every time they peel back the curtain, they’re giving us something wonderful and exciting to chew upon and the latest reveal is no exception to that. Because earlier today, AMC dropped an image of a script page from staff writer Jim Barnes and… the titles to the first eight episodes of season 11 alongside another incredible bonus… synopses to the first two episodes of the final season. Giving us a taste of how the beginning of the end will come together and well, without further ado here are those titles and those juicy details, per AMC.

Season 11A Episode Titles

1101 – ‘Acheron: Part I’
1102 – ‘Acheron: Part II’
1103 – ‘Hunted’
1104 – ‘Rendition’
1105 – ‘Out of the Ashes’
1106 – ‘On the Inside’
1107 – ‘Promises Broken’
1108 – ‘For Blood’

Episode 1101: ‘Acheron: Part I’

Director: Kevin Dowling

Writers: Angela Kang and Jim Barnes

Returning to Alexandria from a critical food mission, the group realizes it isn’t enough. Maggie proposes a new plan, potentially a suicide mission. What choice do they have? They must find more food for all their people in order to survive and efficiently rebuild Alexandria. If they don’t, Alexandria falls, taking them down with it. Once on the road, a violent storm erupts forcing them underground into a subway tunnel. As nerves fray and suspicions increase, chaos ensues. The terror is relentless as our people get a glimpse of what Maggie and her group endured prior to returning to Alexandria. Meanwhile, those captured by the strange soldiers are relocated to another undisclosed location.

Episode 1102: ‘Acheron: Part II’

Director: Kevin Dowling

Writers: Angela Kang and Jim Barnes

The group discovers a member did not make it to safety inside the subway car. Surrounded by walkers, going back out into the tunnel to search is a guaranteed death wish. All eyes are on Negan as the rule of survival shifts. It is no longer No Man Left Behind. The motto now is We Keep Going. With very little ammo and energy remaining, the group must ready themselves as the walkers have found a way inside the subway train. Meanwhile, Daryl is in his own intense hellish situation trying to find Dog and finding more than he expected; and Yumiko challenges the process at the new outpost, which threatens her future and that of Eugene, Ezekiel, and Princess.

So, as you can see from those titles and descriptions, season 11 is going to open up in an epic and intense manner, one that will undoubtedly leave fans on the edge of their seats. In part because the action will undoubtedly be ratcheted up to 11 (pun intended) but also because no one is safe in a final year of storytelling, and it will be quite interesting to learn what some of those ominous titles entail and if everyone will make it out of this first leg of the season intact. But thankfully we don’t have to wait that much longer to find out, since we are weeks away from the final season premiere of this incredible series.

The Walking Dead returns on AMC on August 22nd, 2021 (9pm EST/8pm CST).

Sometimes you get offers that are just too good to pass up. When these come your way, it is easy to not think about what might happen to you going forward when you say yes to them and this is natural for so many people, because in their mind, the rewards outweigh the risks. But when I get an offer that I cannot refuse, I always try to question the motive of the person making it, because I have been burned so often in the past. This might make me miss a few legit things that could have been great, but when all is said and done, it is our decision to make, so make it wisely.
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Getting called to a mansion with a checkered past, researcher Jack Donavan and psychic Jonathan Blazer have only one thing to do, to prove that the house is not haunted. With recorded deaths in the house for over a hundred years, the locals all believe that the house is haunted and that needs to be put to sleep so the current owner will be able to move the property with little issue. As Jonathan is happy to take the job, especially with a massive payment of fifty grand coming his way, Jack is a little more reluctant, but decides to give it a go. But then the terms are laid down for the men, as they will have to spend three nights in the house, because nobody has ever made it that long.

Being locked in the house, Jack starts to get to work with all of his paranormal gear. Wanting to prove one way or another that the house is haunted or not, he is taking it seriously unlike his new partner. Raiding the cupboards and finding some food, Jonathan is making the best of what has been described as a paid holiday. But seeing his counterpart working away, the two take different approaches to finding out what the truth is behind the stories of the house and little do they know that the stories are absolutely true.

During the first night, Jack sees someone else in the house and tries to give her chase, but will not say what he has seen, while Jonathan gets a message from beyond telling him: ‘Two Nights to Go’.  Comparing notes, the second night comes with more doors shutting on their own and the two men trying to form at least a working relationship so they can tolerate each other. Checking out the crime scene photos every morning and trying to come up with new ideas of what can actually be taking place inside of the walls, Jonathan finds out something that may be relevant to what is happening, in that all families that have lived in the house are all related in one way or another. Seeing that Jack’s family name is attached to the history, the house is looking to finish the job as night three starts off with a bang.

As of late when I have been looking for a haunted house movie, I get something that kind of resembles one, but with Ghosts of Darkness, I got the haunted house movie that I wanted! There are ghosts, plenty of stories and two strangers being put into a bad situation from the get-go. I liked watching as the relationship between Jack and Jonathan started to grow, especially since Jack does not believe in psychics and their abilities, even though his past wife was one. I was surprised however that the house only really wanted to mess with Jack throughout and kept Jonathan in the dark when it came to what was coming. With plenty of restless spirits, a load of comic relief, a bloody background, a massive house, a pool and the dead coming out to play, this is a fun movie to get lost in. If you are going to a haunted location that really has a jaded past, you might want to think twice about how long you will be staying there… and how you were summoned to join in. Stay Scared.