Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season two premiere of ‘Motherland: Fort Salem’.
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It is definitely safe to say that the Freeform series, Motherland: Fort Salem, was one of the most pleasant surprises of the past year. Simply because this particular series did the impossible and offered up a fresh and compelling and downright original take on the witch sub-genre of storytelling by plunging us into an incredible new world. One where the persecution of witches ended in Salem with a truce instead of endless bloodshed, and that in turn allowed for these spell casters to become the backbone of the American army for generations on end and that really is an incredibly slick and unique idea for certain. One that was further enhanced and reinforced by some quality storytelling as well.

Because not only did each and every episode in season one, help to flesh out this rich world and the rich history that would accompany witches guiding America to prominence, but we were also treated to quality character development and a delightfully intriguing mystery. One that eventually revealed that witches from all walks of life were in danger courtesy of an ancient enemy that decided the time was right to attack and well… that revelation and the cliffhanger moments present in the season one finale, ‘Witchbomb’, left all of us eager to continue the journey. So, we could see where all of those twists and turns would take us next and thankfully… that long wait has come to an end. Because last night saw the series two premiere of this epic saga hit the airwaves, and ‘Of the Blood’ wasted no time in answering some of the burning questions that this series left us with at the end of season one.

Such as… what would become of Tally now that she opted to help the General by becoming a Biddy? For such a decision would relegate her to centuries of servitude to Alder. Something that she was of course, prepared to do since she is a loyal soldier through and through, but even Alder came to realize that such a move might be in poor judgment on Tally’s part. Which in turn motivated the General to offer up a grand opportunity to Tally. Wherein she would be able to shed her standing as a Biddy and return to everyday life as a solider of this grand army and well, it was a decision that Tally was happy to make… once the fate of her friends was revealed to her. Which made sense, since she and Abigail and Raelle were as thick as thieves and a life without your closest friends isn’t easy in the slightest. 

But thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long to learn about their fate and she quickly accepted the General’s offer, and well, it was nice to see everyone take a moment to breathe and regroup after that epic battle. In part because it allowed for the audience to process the gravity of said battle, but also because it allowed for this series to once again world build. Since it was also revealed in this tale that the Spree are done with their blood feud, thanks to the fact that most of their senior leadership was devastated by the Camarilla, and they’ve now turned their attention to fighting a common foe and it would seem that Scylla and Raelle’s mother will be leading that fight in secret and silence and there are some tough roadblocks ahead for them. For all of this infighting has motivated everyday people to ponder upon the worth of the witch and whether their push to influence American life is a good thing or not and that’s dangerous for certain. 

Since it might give the Camarilla what they need to recruit more to their cause and that definitely sets the stage for some serious trouble in season two. But while we wait to see how this growing anti-witch sentiment will play into the overall plot, we can bask in one solid premiere. One that did a fine job of plunging us back into this universe is a seamless manner and one that also featured some bright spots as well. Since it is indeed wonderful that Tally… mostly… has her life back, outside of those weird dreams, and that the Bellweather Unit is heading to War College since that was a goal that all of them wanted to achieve. But most important of all, this is also a premiere that leaves one hungry for more. Because it really is obvious season two is already building toward something big and our desire to know what exactly… will make the wait the wait between episodes, about as difficult as it gets. Until next time.   

​It is hard to believe that we are alone in the universe. With all of the new planets being found every year that can sustain life, there has to be another race of beings out there somewhere. That then puts the theory that aliens actually exist on the table, and I say that they are one hundred percent real, they have to be. With strange lights in the sky, encounters being reported like crazy and of course abductions running rampant all over the world, the truth is out there, but it seems like everyone is too closed minded to accept it.
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During his studies on people that say they have been abducted by aliens, Doctor Davide Piso has taken to hypnosis to unlock the memories of the abductees and occasionally talk to alien lifeforms that have taken over his patients. With all of the abductions that have taken place, Davide has a good working theory that the aliens are not taking humans to be tested on, but rather they abduct us to have us become a host for them, or more directly, have our souls become the host. As the human soul stores so much power, the alien species are able to latch on to that power and survive on earth. Yet that is not the only thing that he believes, as his studies lead him to believe that the government is also behind these abductions since there is really too much that goes unaccounted for when it comes to missing time.

Davide’s home life has already fallen apart and now with the loss of his funding at the university, so is his working life. But there is a small bright spot that has shown up on his radar as the beautiful Saturnia has come to him for help on more than one occasion. Spending the night with the young woman, Davide decides to delve into what he does best. Unlocking what happened to her in such great detail, Saturnia has made Davide even more curious about what has been happening behind closed doors. Speaking to the alien presence inside of her, Davide dives into what the alien remembers, thus unleashing Hexabor of Ur who has fully taken over Saturnia’s soul.

Not being able to reestablish contact with the young woman, Hexabor is going to stay and unleash a living hell on the planet to allow this other species to take over their creation. Finding out that Saturnia is royalty, Davide needs to return the young woman home, but he cannot in his right mind until Saturnia is herself once again, soul and all. Getting a visit from the secret service and getting help from another black suit service, Davide and his team step into something far more violent than they could have expected. Without knowing how to reconnect a person to their soul, the church lends a hand, but it is science that will have to ultimately save the day and that is right up Davide’s ally. 

I will admit that I had no idea that a movie could combine science with religion as well as Alien Exorcism did. I was really impressed by how the church, in one way or another was willing to help take a stab at saving the young woman’s life, along with not losing their values. Seeing the reaction that Davide has after discovering the harm that comes with removing the beings from his patients was actually quite amazing and he never took into account that he was hurting anyone, not even the aliens that have made their homes in human shells. With a blacked-out government project, a hot patient, understanding how science and religion intertwine and a race of aliens that are looking to take over the world, it is an interesting premise to say the least and even though a ton got lost in translation, it seemed to get its point across. Don’t Sell Your Soul! Stay Scared.

​Being put in control of young minds is not something that can be taken lightly. Trying to mold them into functioning people is something that is very serious and why teachers should be given the upmost respect for doing so. Teaching our youth and seeing them bloom into real people is an amazing thing and I wish that more people would try to do it. With knowledge from the ages being hidden in someone’s mind and not being passed down, it is just a waste, and it should not happen as much as it does these days.
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Being short staffed and behind on her payments, Claire Taylor needs to get this next group of wayward teens out in the desert for another payday. With her partner’s nephew coming out to the retreat she is happy to get another able bodied almost adult on the roster to help out. Knowing that his nephew is able, Burt gives him a good talking to, to get him on the level, and even though he does not seem too enthused about the situation, Roth agrees to go along for the ride. Seeing the new group of kids arrive at Second Chance, the group sees that they will have their work cut out for them, but it is a drop in the bucket compared to what they will find on their trek. 

Getting the new kids to follow the rules is just one obstacle that the crew of Second Chance will have to face, as they see that there is plenty more wrong with these kids than expected. As Trapper has made it his duty to make the group’s lives a living hell on the trip, the other kids are not willing to take a stand against him. Making their way out into the desert for a week of survival training, Roth spots a young lady in Courtney that he has already seen in her underwear and tries to put the moves on her but gets shot down instantly. Seeing that this will be more difficult than expected, the crew and their kids make it to their first camp location for a great night under the stars. 

Hearing a rumbling during the night, the group is awakened to find themselves in the middle of a stampede. Getting her SAT phone destroyed in the event, Claire has no way of calling home base. Making their way through the desert hills, the group stumbles upon something out of the ordinary, when finding some sort of capsule that is out of place. Looking over the area, Burt spots a truck in the distance that belongs to his friend Lenny. Checking it out and finding Lenny dead, he is ready to turn back, but Claire has some bad news for him about what awaits him back home. Burt is getting sued for hurting a kid on a previous trip and he is looking at jail time when this is over. Agreeing to continue with their adventure, Burt backs down and does his job to protect the kids the best that he can, but when something out of this world arrives in the middle of the night and kills him, there is not much that he is able to do. Seeing his uncle getting sucked dry by the creature, Roth is forced to step up into a role he was never made for, but with his life and the groups on the line, they need someone to lead them to safety, especially with a killer alien on their heels. 

I must say that this looks like the worst summer camp that has ever been put together. Seeing how the group behind Second Chance tries to get respect from the kids, it is a wonder that there are not more pending lawsuits against them, because Burt is a big man that does not take crap from anybody. It was fun watching Roth grow into the leader of the group as people are getting taken out one by one, never saw it in the kid. I wish there could have been a little more back story into the troubled teens on the trip, instead of making me feel like they are just a bunch of entitled kids that need a butt kicking, but Courtney did say that her parents were not very good, so I guess that gives me something to work with. With a hike through the desert, a killer creature on the loose, out of control teens, a reluctant hero and a lack of adults to help in a situation, I liked how the creature was made indestructible, almost like a robot from space. With trouble everywhere you look in this movie, it might make you want to think twice about sending your kids away for a week when there is nothing wrong with a family vacation. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains some spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Superdeep’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the vast majority of humanity… genuinely believes that mankind is the true master of planet Earth, and it makes sense as to why so many people hold to that notion. After all, we are indeed at the top of the food chain on this world and our ingenuity and ability to work together has allowed for us to put down roots all over the globe by way of massive cities where humanity lives and thrives in relative harmony. Plus, we’ve also been able to take to the skies like birds and we’ve even ventured into the depths of space. But perhaps what truly makes so many believe that we are the true masters of the tiny blue ball we call home… is the fact that we’ve been able to combat and defeat the ailments that once plagued our ancestors by way of modern medicine.  
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But while there is a solid case to be made that we are the masters of this domain, that is a wholly incorrect line of thinking. For the global pandemic that we are starting to defeat, kept all of mankind behind doors for an entire year, which served as a fine reminder that mother nature is the true master of this planet and she is keen to remind us of that fact whenever it is necessary and well… having her flex her powerful muscles from time to time does leave one wondering… exactly what other surprises she has waiting in the wings for a species that is a little too big for its britches at times. And it just so happens, that a newly released horror film on Shudder explores that question in a horrifying and epic manner in Superdeep.

Now in this particular film we are transported back to the 1980s, wherein a brilliant scientist named Anna Fedorova finds herself being whisked away to a secret location known as the Kola Superdeep when her superiors in the Soviet Union come to realize, something has gone wrong at this facility. For its well-regarded doctor has been disavowed by his own staff and there are reports of strange things happening at this scientific digging site. Which means it will be up to Anna and her small support team to find answers as to why this facility is filled with fear and betrayal and panic and well… what she and her team uncover is stunning to say the least. For it turns out that an ancient mold that was buried deep within the earth by the ice age long ago has been uncovered by this team and now it is eager to use mankind to return to the surface, to conquer all life, and that puts Anna and her team in quite the difficult position. For a rag tag group of soldiers and scientists are ill equipped to save the world from a threat they barely understand, but they must succeed or risk the end of everything.

Which is quite frankly, a supremely refreshing and original plotline. Because often times, horror movies that feature a dark and terrifying discovery beneath the depths of the ocean or the crust of the earth, offer up some kind of wild monster, the kind that has been thriving and surviving without us noticing for millennia on end. So, to instead encounter a natural threat, one that is powerful and eager to thrive, really is something new and delightful and also timely. Because seeing a mold that uses human hosts to spread and thrive, really does send chills down one’s spine thanks to the recent pandemic and this particular twist definitely makes for a terrifying ‘villain’ of sorts. Because this is simply a force of nature. One that cannot be reasoned with in the slightest and its desire to survive brings about  some uncomfortable sequences for certain.
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Which… brings us to the plentiful scares in this film. A feat that it accomplishes primarily, by way of some gross out body horror. Because once the mold infects a person, it quickly turns them into an incubation chamber, eventually pushing its spores through the flesh in a disturbing manner. And seeing people be transformed into a sentient and gooey mold factory really does make for some unsettling visuals and what’s truly amazing about this movie, is that the scares don’t end with the ooey-gooey gore. Because this is a story that also preys upon some of our primal fears. Such as our fears of the dark and of being trapped in enclosed spaces and of course… it also does a wonderful job of reminding us of our collective fear of the unknown. For the truth about what’s going on isn’t revealed for some time, leaving one’s imagination to fill in the blanks and uh… that never goes well.

If anything, this just is a pure horror film. One that isn’t interested in offering up any lessons to the audience outside of the fine reminder that mother nature can surprise us when she chooses. Instead, this flick is focused upon simply making us squirm in our seats and jump in terror and boy does it accomplish that goal just fine. Because once the truth is revealed, this movie transforms into a long and winding nightmare, one where awful creatures are born, courtesy of evolution and natural selection. So, if you’re in the mood for an outright scary movie that offers up some tremendous terror and tension, alongside some unsettling visuals and some wonderful homages to 80s creature features… then swing by Shudder and give Superdeep a look.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Lisey’s Story’.
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When we're young, we're taught to respect the power of a story and everything that it has to offer simply because our parents understand more than we do how easily a quality story can suck a person into the world it creates, sometimes in an unhealthy manner. This unhealthy preoccupation with a fictional world can cause our responsibilities in the real world go forgotten or cause our interpersonal relationships to suffer because we choose the story over people. This is an important lesson that we should quickly take to heart, partly because we don't want to let our parents down, but mostly because we understand the draw of fiction the instant we pick up our first book and don't want to step away from a world that offers us so much from a sensory and emotional standpoint.

Although many of us heed this lesson, sometimes, as is often the case, there are some people who ignore it because their experiences with everyday life are unappealing. Fictional worlds provide these kinds of people with something more, which encourages them to lose touch with reality. Although that might seem harmless at first glance — since one would expect that a person that makes this decision would do nothing more than bury their nose in books and become something of an introvert — this is a decision that can become quite deadly. When a person truly reveres a fictional world over everyday life, the real world becomes the place where rules don't apply and where anything goes. When that change happens in someone's mind, they feel free to do scary things. This feeling is relevant to our discussion today because the darker side to embracing the power of fiction served as the theme of the most recent episode of the AppleTV+ series, Lisey's Story.
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This week, the episode 'Jim Dandy' saw Mister Jim Dooley meet Lisey Landon in person, and their initial face-to-face contact went as well as one might expect. Jim was quick to turn to violence to subdue Lisey in the hopes of holding her attention so he might finally get her to understand why it was so critical for her to hand over Scott's unpublished works. His primary motive is that he saw Scott's words as a form of gospel. The kind of gospel that somehow healed Jim's soul and mind and gave him direction in life. The kind of gospel that Jim felt should have allowed for Lisey to take pity upon him and understand that he needed these fresh words to offer him guidance toward a normal life and internal peace. But with Jim, no pity could be felt because he made it clear that he saw himself as a warrior for and the savior of Scott's work — and the only way to protect it was to punish anyone that wouldn't release it.

This scenario played into part of a strange ritual in Jim's mind where he could finally be the hero of the story — the hero that epically vanquishes the villainous Lisey. To emphasize that he was willing to take a life to complete the illusion of heroism of in his mind, Jim hurt Lisey badly — to the point where she was left unconscious from the violence and the pain. This was definitely the most frightening segment in this series to date because it put the evil that men are capable of on display in a frank and harrowing manner. This segment also did a fine job of reminding us of the true dangers that come forth when a person drops the boundaries between a story and reality.

Although that segment alone could have carried this entire episode, there were still more horrors to explore in this tale. Shortly after Jim left to allow Lisey to ponder upon the penalties that he laid out for her regarding noncompliance, she was forced to truly face the reality that there was no escaping Jim's clutches through traditional means. Calling the cops meant certain doom for her sisters, and obviously, in her physical state, fighting back wasn't an option. These circumstances led Lisey to take a moment and reflect on her journey with Scott and how his secrets might be the key to saving her life and her future. Minute by minute, she remembered her time in Boo'ya Moon and everything that Scott taught her about it on their honeymoon. Boo'ya Moon's healing powers and lurking dangers might be able to help her vanquish her foe and save lives — provided, of course, that's she can remember how on earth to breach the thin fabric that separates our world from its twilight sky.
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All in all, this was simply a terrifying episode. Not only did it do a fine job of exploring the dangers of blurring the lines between reality and fiction, it also took the time to remind us that trauma refreshes trauma. It took severe physical duress for Lisey to remember the parts of her life that she opted to forget because those moments with Scott genuinely disturbed her and left her wondering about his mental health. One hopes that Lisey's return to such worrisome moments in her mind will let a different kind of healing take place. At this point, it's clear that a trip to Boo'ya Moon is in order. A trip that can heal some physical wounds and where Lisey can scout for something that can help her be free of the living nightmare (Jim Dooley) that now plagues her. It will be fascinating to see what Lisey finds when she finally decides the time is right to turn on the faucet and let the current take her away to a strange world that she hasn't seen in years. Until next time, Dear Reader.

It really is quite the bittersweet time to be a fan of the iconic horror series, The Walking Dead. Because we are only weeks away from the season premiere of the eleventh and final season of this beloved and incredible show and knowing that this is the beginning of the end definitely brings one’s spirits down just a little bit. Simply because this has been one grand and sweeping journey, one that has broken our hearts and sent our spirits soaring along the way and the thought that the end is nigh won’t sit right until we’ve properly processed it in the back of our minds. 
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But on the other hand, nearing the end of this epic journey, also means that AMC is going to offer up all kinds of goodies to build a little hype for this final season. Which means that over the next eleven weeks, the network’s ’11 Weeks of Reveals Until Season 11’ campaign is going to provide us with some tantalizing treats. The kind that should help us to come to terms with the fact that all good things must come to an end, and as part of that campaign… AMC offered up some new images for season eleven, which are featured in this article… and a synopsis for the season as well and without further ado, here is what the story is going to look like for the farewell tour of The Walking Dead, per AMC.

Previously on The Walking Dead, our survivors confronted past demons and combated new threats, with friendships and relationships suffering from the mounting collateral damage that is the apocalypse. Alexandria is severely compromised, left a former shell of the home it once was from the carnage and devastation left behind by the Whisperers.

Now all who live in Alexandria struggle to refortify it and feed its increasing number of residents, which include the survivors from the fall of the Kingdom and the burning of Hilltop; along with Maggie and her new group, the Wardens. Alexandria has more people than it can manage to feed and protect. Their situation is dire as tensions heat up over past events and self-preservation rises to the surface within the ravaged walls.

They must secure more food while they attempt to restore Alexandria before it collapses like countless other communities they have come across throughout the years. But where and how? More haggard and hungrier than ever before, they must dig deeper to find the effort and strength to safeguard the lives of their children, even if it means losing their own.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to those at Alexandria, Eugene, Ezekiel, Yumiko, and Princess are still being held captive by mysterious soldiers who are members of a larger and unforthcoming group.

Which is a bit of an ominous synopsis to read for certain, since it speaks to some serious challenges and dark times for the good people of Alexandria. But tough challenges are what these seasoned people are used to and it will be interesting to see how they handle every last one of them when The Walking Dead returns to the airwaves on August 22nd, 2021.  

It wasn’t that long ago, that the found footage sub-genre of horror… dominated the industry. For The Blair Witch Project showed filmmakers everywhere, that they could go out and shoot a low budget and impactful feature using the actors as the camera crew and that led to a glut of new stories featuring this incredible new style of storytelling. To the point where even George A. Romero made use of the style in his film, Diary of the Dead. But of course, seeing a surge of new films in that style does have its drawbacks and eventually, the saturation of the market allowed for these films to wane in popularity. 

But while a great deal of these types of stories moved to on demand and streaming services to give the hardcore fans their fix, one particular franchise figured out the secret to keeping this kind of film fresh and popular. For V/H/S used the found footage perspective with a hint of nostalgia and doom to take the horror genre by storm and its refreshing take was so well received that it managed to spawn two sequels. But alas, rather than let this saga eventually become stale as well, the third film in the saga was treated as its finale so it could go out on top. 

But with the demand for new horror movies and horror sequels at an all-time high, the V/H/S franchise is about to return to life. For earlier today, Shudder announced that it is going to produce the next chapter in this saga as a Shudder original and well, here are all the details on the forthcoming V/H/S/94, per Shudder.

Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, has acquired worldwide rights to V/H/S/94, the fourth installment in the hit horror anthology franchise. The Shudder Original Film will release in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand later this year. V/H/S/94 marks the return of the infamous found footage anthology with segments from franchise alumni Simon Barrett (Séance) and Timo Tjahjanto (May the Devil Take You Too) in addition to acclaimed directors Jennifer Reeder (Knives & Skin), Ryan Prows (Lowlife) and Chloe Okuno (Slut). Greg Anderson of the legendary drone metal band Sunn O))) and Southern Lord records founder will compose the film’s score.

In V/H/S/94, after the discovery of a mysterious VHS tape, a brutish police swat team launch a high intensity raid on a remote warehouse, only to discover a sinister cult compound whose collection of pre-recorded material uncovers a nightmarish conspiracy.

“The V/H/S series has been known for two things: its unbeatable lineup of filmmakers and its edge-of-your-seat terrifying found-footage stories,” said Craig Engler, GM of Shudder. “With V/H/S/94, the producers have upped their game—bigger, wilder, scarier than ever before. We can’t wait to unleash this new installment on Shudder members.”

“Thrilled seems like an understatement for just how stoked we all are to partner with Shudder”, said producer Josh Goldbloom. “We shot the film entirely during the pandemic, building sets in hotels, conference rooms, and in the spirit of the series punk rock roots we even ventured underground into a sewer. Our team channeled the misery of this past year appropriately, so rest assured it’s the biggest, baddest, and most bloodthirsty batch of tapes yet.”

David Bruckner (Hellraiser) and Radio Silence (SCREAM) served as executive producers. Josh Goldbloom produced the project for Cinepocalypse Productions alongside franchise co-creator Brad Miska of Bloody Disgusting, and Kurtis Harder (Spiral).

Michael Schreiber for Studio71, Zak Zeman, & Tom Owen also served as executive producers, along with Michael Paszt, James Fler and Andrew T. Hunt of Raven Banner Entertainment.

So, as you can see, the franchise is in good hands for certain and when one considers the quality that Shudder originals bring to the table, there’s a fair chance that this could be the best entry to date in this illustrious and terrifying franchise. And we here at Nerds That Geek, will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of this new entry and every ounce of terror that it has to offer.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Fear’.
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There was a time, when every American believed wholeheartedly in the safety net the United States created. Because time and time again, when disaster struck, that safety net held and if by chance it was strained in the slightest, volunteers would step up to ensure it wouldn’t break, allowing for any disaster that came our way to be resolved in a beautiful and wholesome manner. But after Hurricane Katrina, when the response by FEMA was lackluster at best, that faith began to wane, and people began to wonder if this country could in fact handle a big disaster. One that required massive mobilization and cooperation and well… in the past year that particular answer came to fruition, and it wasn’t one that anyone liked.
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Because the arrival of Covid on our shores and in our cities, brought about a touch of chaos, one where cases surged around the nation and where cooperation and leadership simply wasn’t present in the slightest and where everyday citizens opted to hoard for themselves and their families. Which really gave us an indicator that a full-scale, super disaster is something that this nation might not be able to handle. But while we try to put that possibility out of mind and forge ahead and put the pieces back together post-pandemic, the possible fallout that surrounds a large disaster is something that entices creative minds. Since they can explore every potential outcome of a worst-case scenario disaster in America, and it just so happens, that a recently released film holds nothing back in its exploration of that in Fear.

Now in this particular film we are transported to the mountains in the dead of winter, to learn more about the difficult journey the Allister family is currently on. For their picture perfect mountain community has been devastated by a horrific disaster. One where toxic waste has created a form of zombie, the kind that can track its prey by heat and well, this poor family is trying their hardest to survive in the midst of what is now a ‘no man’s land’. For the federal government has abandoned everyone in this region and walled it off and now it will be up to Joe and Ethan, the patriarchs of the family, to decide if they should hold on a little longer for help or seek it on their own as their supplies dwindle. And unfortunately for them, the arrival of a new group of scavengers in the area is going to force them to make up their minds… post haste.

Which at first glance, is a plot that appears to be grounded more in a tribute to The Walking Dead or Night of the Living Dead instead of offering up some kind of examination on what a full-scale disaster might entail for the population of America if the system collapsed. But once you get past the opening zombie fueled sequence of this tale, it quickly transforms itself into a bleak and devastating film. One that showcases how a complete collapse of society as we know it, would likely lead to the chaos that we see play out in this film. Where it is survival of the fittest and where the rules for what’s couth and uncouth are decided in the moment and while that alone could have carried this tale to the finish line by showing us how hard that kind of environment would be to survive in… there’s more darkness waiting for the viewer in this story.
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Because it takes the time to pose the theory that if by chance, everything was to fall apart, that a lot of the good nature that we normally exhibit would likely fade away with our memories of society. Instead, such thoughts would be replaced with the survival instincts we believed we buried deep down when we built our first cities and that in turn… would allow for our savagery to be put on display when necessary. Which allows for the film to offer up moments that leave the viewer quite uncomfortable. Largely because what we see play out on screen feels painfully familiar, as though we are watching footage from grocery stores at the start of the pandemic, all over again and this aspect of the story just serves to remind us of what mankind really is capable of when panic sets in and that is what makes this story genuinely chilling, and supremely bleak. 

But while this is the kind of motion picture that doesn’t leave you feeling good in the slightest when it comes to an end, since there is also little to no hope to be found in the story’s finale, this is still a worthwhile watch when all is said and done. Simply because this is horror in the raw, and its unforgiving and unyielding approach to bringing terror and disaster to the screen really isn’t something you see in the horror landscape these days since so many production companies want to appease the audience and keep this genre as mainstream as can be. So, if you’re looking for a good old-fashioned horror flick, one that takes you on an ugly ride and never lets up, then give this one a shot. Because it really is quite the brave horror flick, one that stays with you, long after its unsettling visuals have faded from your sight.  

​Since Supernatural (CW/Warner Bros.; 2005-2020) came to a close last fall, I’ve spent time here and there watching old episodes, surfing Twitter hashtags, and in general, mourning a show that for well over a decade, has shaped my television watching experience. Saying goodbye to Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester has been, to put it mildly, tearfully and agonizingly difficult. And though the mantra “Nothing ever really ends, does it?” lives on in the wildly successful Supernatural Family, charities and cast and crew events, nothing beats settling in for some good old fashioned middle America hunting with my boys. That’s why, for my first post-show article on Erik Kripke’s “The little show that could,” I’m ecstatic to review the Complete Series Box Set out now. Available at multiple outlets, the set comes in standard DVD and Blu-ray and has 58 discs (NICE!!) with over 220 hours (Blu-ray version) of episodes, Special Features and Gag Reels to pour over. In Dean’s own words: “Awesome!” *WINK* Opting for the Blu-ray version, which includes digital codes for every season, I coughed up a few extra bucks to pick up this hefty set via Best Buy preorder for the release on May 25th, 2021. So… just over $314.00 later (includes tax), let’s dive in and see what I got.

First thing’s first – the case! Thick, sturdy and absolutely beautiful, this case is donned with an original CW ring of fire Supernatural series ad photo that for me has always felt like an amalgamation of Title Cards. Especially Seasons 2, 8, 12 and 13 which all also have fiery orange colors. But, unlike Title Cards, these ads also feature Sam and Dean driving Baby (YAY!!) down a dusty midwestern farm road with the ring in the sky far ahead. The words: “GOOD TIMES. BAD TIMES. END TIMES.,” seen at the top of the CW image, instead rests just below Baby’s tailgate on the box set. This immediately conjures thoughts of years past and “The Road So Far,” as well as the 327th and final episode 15.20: ‘Carry On’. AWWW!!! Continued round the box, the midwestern scene wraps to the sides with the back showing our two heroes standing in front of Baby with the ring amplified behind them. Overall, the entire box is a “spectacu-lacu-lar” (*WINK*) choice to embody the series as whole and I LOVE IT!!
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Further represented on the inside, the ring is seen in the distance on every disc case. This time we see the boys with their backs to us sitting on Baby’s hood looking rather than driving towards the ring. This combined with the case cover shows just how much time our boys spent in motion. A circle if you will… TEEHEE! Always on the move. Always on the hunt. And forever… on the road! Not to mention, the show just wouldn’t be the same without all the wonderful scenes inside Baby, am I right?!? For, she’s truly the anchor, the glue and the heart of the show!! *SNIF*

As you wrap around the back of each disc case, the picture changes to show progression over the 15 seasons. A neat and thoughtful concept for sure! We see Sam and Dean throughout plus Castiel (Misha Collins) on one case by himself (Seasons 3-4). Even Jack (Alexander Calvert) is included on the final case (Seasons 13-15) along with Sam, Dean and Cas. AWWW!! All of which bring a nostalgic smile mixed with a twinge of sadness to be sure!! Inside the cases, each disc is coved with a shiny holographic-like traditional Supernatural pentagram and a different color for each season. OOOOO!!

Next, the final disc, which contains the Special Features for Season 15, is housed in its own hard card case with an encircled pentagram on the cover. Inside, there’s a close up of Sam and Dean – a bit worse for the wear – driving in Baby. All of it feels again like a strong depiction of something we know all too well with this crew – the road! And speaking of features… as Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino) would say: ”Hail to the King. Baby!” (LOL!) they are fantastic. Chock-full of the fans, cast, crew, writers and directors, every part ooze the magic that makes this show so uniquely beloved. NICE!! And of course, the Gag Reel rocks… LOL!! The other seasons also have their own set of Special Features and Gag Reels. And similar to the season individual Blu-ray editions, extra when compared to the standard DVD versions.

Finally, exclusive to either of the box sets, the 68-page Collectible Booklet is truly icing on an otherwise plentiful cake. Thumbing through this book is a walk down Winchester Lane you don’t want to miss. In particular, a letter from Kripke, a note from Bob Singer (Producer/Director), and Baby’s Backstory are some of my most favorites. But, let’s not forget the immense amount of set photos showing tons of memorable occasions from scary to funny and everything in between. Including many of the shows guest stars over the years! YES!! There’s also a breakdown of the Special Features for each season, a small synopsis for every episode, and my personal favorite, a lightning bolt next to episodes featuring songs for the “show’s classic rock moments.” As Gabriel/Loki (Richard Speight Jr.) would say… ”HELLS YEAH!” LOL!

Setting aside the lovely case and Collectible Booklet, the price for each disc comes in at less than $5.50 and that’s at pre-order prices. The cost has actually come down quite a bit with the Blu-ray version now just under $270.00 before tax. Considering the individual season Blu-ray discs are often $25 to $30, that in and of itself is a bonus for any fan, am I right?!? Adding in the exquisite case and booklet means the deal just gets sweeter! LIKE PIE!!! *BIG GRIN* Plus, as previously mentioned, it’s never a bad idea to have a digital copy of our boys. I mean… who knows when you’ll be out and about and meet someone who’s never seen the show and you’re beyond compelled to show it to them… LOL!! Keep in mind though, the entire piece should be handled with care. For the box itself is strong, but the paper on the outer case could easily tear or show wear and fingerprints from too much handling. Additionally, the discs do not always snap in and stay in place which might render them easily scratched if you’re not careful. Ugh… with all the power of Rowena (Ruth Connell) I say: ”Bollocks!!” with a side of *EYEROLL*!! LOL!
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Looking at the individual seasons, I’m crazy happy that they’re in Blu-ray format. However, it certainly would’ve been nice to see 4K, no? Though, with how old the show is, I’m sure the remastering process would be a nightmare. Next, the bonus material accompanying each season appears to be nothing new when comparing this set to each season’s individual release. In fact, the individual releases arguably have more with extra commentary on certain episodes that isn’t listed in the box set. Bobby (Jim Beaver) comes to mind here… ”BALLS!” Finally, the digital copies, though I love them so, do not include the majority of the Special Features. Pretty much just a few Comic-Con panels. Considering the set silliness is a very large part of what we love so much about this crew, this is my biggest let down. Because having digital Gag Reels and extras would not only preserve the actual discs but also make for some excellent “Eat it Twilight,” (LOL… oh, Cas!!) on-the-go fun for any fan. Though, there’s a lot to be had on YouTube, not having your own collection after coughing up over $300.00 is like: “No one in the history of torture has been tortured with torture like the torture you’ll be tortured with!” HAHAHAHA… Crowley (Mark Sheppard) rules!!

​All in all, for the superfan who wants the entire series and 15 years-worth of trials and tribulations and greetings and salutations all rolled into one package, this box set is ideal. The price is excellent considering all that you get. On the flip side. If you already own previous box sets or individual seasons, you’re really just paying for the same material housed in one box along with the 68-page Collectible Booklet which seems a little excessive. *WAH-WAH* It definitely would’ve been nice to see said booklet as a separate release option as well. Maybe even as a John Winchester (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) Journal complete with monster details and a leather binding. Now that’s definitely something ANY Supernatural fan would rejoice in seeing. This one included!! I mean, just take my damn money, woudja?!? LOL!! Maybe we’ll see one down the road (pun intended… LOL!). Until then: “Peace out, bitches.”  

When moving to a new area it is important to know what the history is. If you are moving to a place where crime runs rampant or where people like to eat people, you might want to know about it. The history of small towns is amazing and should be spread around, because most of them are places that big city folks would like to move to. But there could be something in the area’s past, like an axe welding giant, or a coven, that could put a stigma on your potential new home that could help to affect your decision. 
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After getting a promotion at work, Linda Lebon has great news to pass on to her husband, but Jerry is feeling pretty down. Knowing that he is just letting his life pass him by, he does not want to miss anything that his life is supposed to offer. Having dinner with their friends, Jerry and Linda hear about a small island community that might offer exactly what they are looking for. Getting a real-estate agent to look around Devlin’s Island for a property that they can afford, they are given one listing that might seem out of the ordinary, but it is too good to pass up.

Meeting with the current homeowner, the newly widowed Beatrice Gower, Jerry sees all of the potential for the house and even keeping the old woman on the property is not enough to drive him or Linda away. With Beatrice moving to the cabin behind the house, the massive floor plan is ready for the city slickers to make it their own. Exploring the house and finding that everything seems to be perfect, Linda is starting to think that there is something strange about the people living on the island as none of them like her dog. 

Making their way into town with their friends Josh and Debbi, the group stops at a shop and does some sneaking around in the basement only to find an old coven set up. Being told to leave, they are shocked to see Linda’s dog has been hit by a passing car. Knowing that this is no accident, Linda does some more snooping around the neighborhood and when receiving a visit from her old friend Slater, her concerns about the area become real. Not being able to find a grave on the island newer than three hundred years old, Slater makes the promise to check out what has been happening on the island but gets shot off a cliff before he can do any digging. Knowing that something is amiss on the island, Linda wants answers, but has no idea where they will lead her.

If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times, I miss the eighties, especially the movies. With storytelling needing to be the key focus, these older movies really do put the story front and center for the audience to get into. I loved watching the relationship between Linda and Jerry deteriorate as their time on the island moved on. Not knowing but knowing that there was witchcraft practiced on the island, Linda is able to get all of the answers that she needed from an unexpected place while her husband is willing to shoot it down and embarrass her. With some witches, lightning, strange chanting, a tormented island history and a lack of dead people, it is really just a fun story to get into overall. Not being afraid of witches in the past, I have a new-found respect for them and will need to do a little bit of checking on my family’s past to make sure I will not be recruited. Stay Scared.