I must admit that there is something special about living in a small town. While it may not be for everyone, the ones that tend to make it comfortable for new folks, do not seem to care that everyone knows their business. What upsets big city folk when trying to make it in a less hectic lifestyle is the lack of privacy, but let me ask you, is that a bad thing? There is something to be said about knowing your neighbors very well, like family if you will, and knowing if they are going to flip out when your dog leaves a present in their yard, gives you an idea of what kind of people they are. Knowing your neighbor better than your own family can help out more than you could ever imagine, but since so many of us are afraid to allow anyone new into our lives, our isolation makes life much more difficult than it should be.
​
Struggling to stay awake while on the night shift, Officer Daniel Carter sees a man who seems to be in distress. Thinking that he is just drunk, Daniel sees that the man is covered in blood and rushes him to the local hospital. Being the dead of night, only a skeleton crew awaits him, but it should be enough to find out what is wrong with the stranger. But before Daniel is able to get a read on how things are going, the night takes a turn towards the unusual.

Heading to the stranger’s room, Daniel is greeted by Beverly who has a something special for him.  Brandishing a scalpel to attack the officer, Beverly is not in charge of her body and Daniel does what he needs to in order to protect himself. Killing the possessed nurse, Daniel is taken off the case by his ranking officer Mitchell who wants to get to the bottom of what is happening in the hospital. But not everything is as it should be when leaving the grounds as a group of sheet wearing followers descend on the hospital. Trying to leave is out of the question as Daniel takes a shallow knife to the chest. Knowing that there is something strange happening, nobody in the hospital truly understands what it has in store for them. 

Hearing screams from the stranger’s room, Daniel and Mitchell see a creature that is coming out of Beverly’s body and do not have any sort of plan to kill it. As two more strangers make it into the hospital, a father and son team who know that these things can die take a shot, but it may not be enough for anyone as the darkness closes in on them. With their own problems to worry about, there are still patients in the hospital that need tending to. Trying to take care of a young pregnant girl is the first step in making sure things will be all right, but when Allison the nurse goes missing, Daniel will do anything to reunite himself with his ex-wife and is willing to take steps he never thought he would ever need to take.

I think I will just leave it at that, because the more you know about the movie, the less impressed you are going to be. I will openly admit that after hearing what other people have said about this movie, I had high expectations and I was not bummed out at all. With all of the twists and turns and everything going wrong in the hospital, I did not think that anyone would be able to leave there alive. I liked how all of the different side stories pulled together in the end and you get to see what hell on earth might actually look like. With a couple of monsters, blind followers, plenty of blood and guts and never having to fear death again, this movie takes you down a rabbit hole that I tried desperately to climb out of. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season six finale of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’.
​
For the most part, the horror genre operates on a ‘rollercoaster’ edict. Wherein scary stories take us on quite the emotional ride, one complete with incredibly intense and horrifying sequences. The kind that that genuinely make our skin crawl or our faces cringe, before slowing things down for a little while. So that our hearts can stop pounding in our chests and we can take a moment to process the horrors we’ve just seen and their potential meaning as well, if applicable. If anything, going this route does help to make horror a safe and fun experience since we feel exhilarated once the story has come to its harrowing close and we can enjoy that high for as long as we so choose, before returning to the routine of our everyday lives.

But there was mention of the fact, that this is not a true constant within the genre and that’s because some creative minds in this genre, really want us to go on a powerful and terrifying emotional experience. One where we are left in a petrified and unsettled place when the story comes to a close. All because it held nothing back and did not give us that all-important processing break and one such series that is starting to dabble in this kind of intense territory is Fear the Walking Dead. Because the last episode put us on the edge of our seats by plunging us into the darkness and unknown ugly that can only come forth from a submarine that is full of the dead and it also ended in quite the sour manner, with Teddy enjoying some measure of success in his plans to bathe the gulf coast in a baptismal, nuclear fire.

However, while that was quite the wild ride, the show wasn’t quite done with ramping up the intensity and putting us in quite the uncomfortable place. For the series six finale of this storied saga was nothing short of a waking nightmare, one where danger hung heavy over just about every single second and that made ‘The Beginning’ quite the harrowing tale. For it saw every single one of our heroes, scrambling to figure out how to handle their potential final moments on this earth before the mushroom clouds began to spring up all around them and well… that led to some heartbreaking and stunning moments for certain. The kind that saw Morgan Jones and his beloved Grace ponder upon ending their own lives rather than risk soaking up more radiation than their bodies could handle, and they weren’t the only ones ready to just… accept fate. Since Dwight and Sherry were ready to just settle in and sip a beer and eat some pretzels while the sky lit up with nuclear light. 

But while some prepared for the end in a calm and somewhat accepting manner, others in this story were ready to do whatever it takes to try and survive. Since Daniel and his group of survivors were chugging along with a captured Riley to try and get to the hotel where Alicia was being held and well, despite running into some setbacks in their plan, since Rollie revealed himself to be the traitor, they stayed strong and eventually put all of their faith into rescue coordinates that Daniel may or may not have heard on the radio. And Victor Strand, well he once again found himself in a dark place as the end drew near. Because he was genuinely ashamed of himself for how things went down aboard the U.S.S. Pennsylvania, to the point where he lied to his new friend and referred to himself as Morgan Jones. All in the hopes of being seen as someone noble and worthwhile in his potential final moments and well, all of these vignettes made for sorrowful vibes. The kind that truly made it seem as though a great deal of death and/or suffering was about to head our way.

But what was truly wild about this segment of the story, is that one person was overjoyed at what was coming, and that was Teddy. For this was the culmination of his life’s twisted work and he reveled in the wonder of this forthcoming destruction, with the same glee as a kid on Christmas morn. Which was perhaps, the darkest moment imaginable in this particular tale, since it reinforced the horrible victory that evil brought to fruition and well, that’s when this story offered up quite the surprise. Because sometimes good things can in fact, happen in the absolute darkest moments of our lives and injecting that into this story allowed for some positive moments to come to fruition. The kind that saw John Sr. and June teach Dakota a fine lesson in how Teddy is only in it for himself. Since it was revealed that he had a bunker prepared to hide in, proving he was nothing more than a con man that loved to leave death in his wake.
​
Which is a revelation that led to some poetic justice for the villains of this tale since Teddy was robbed his life by his protégé when her fury could handle his lies no longer. Allowing for his teachings to rob him of seeing the miracle mushroom cloud that he was so desperate to enjoy. And speaking of that fiery fury, well it too consumed Dakota in its own metaphorical way, since she was consumed by fire once the bombs dropped and that made for quite the satisfying end for those particular monsters, and the glimmer of joy didn’t end there. For Sherry and Dwight found shelter with a family and will survive to see another day. As will Daniel and his group, since Althea sent Isabelle to pick them up at the last second and Morgan and Grace weathered the blast and got their hands on baby Morgan, who was kept alive by Rachel in a harrowing and dark manner. And of course… Strand made it out alive as well since he made it outside the blast zone.

But alas, those were the only real bright spots in this particular tale. For once the dust settled, it was revealed that hard times and dark days are ahead for our heroes. For the group is now scattered to the nuclear wind, left to their own devices and now Morgan and Grace and baby Morgan, will have to forage for food in the wasteland. And the same goes for Sherry and Dwight and while Daniel and company are safe, one must wonder how long that will hold. Since we now know that the CRM is about as ruthless as they come and having that mysterious organization exposed in this manner is bad news for everyone involved, and to top it all off, the darker side of Victor Strand has returned at last. For after years of trying to be good, this latest scrape with the end has him believing that his inner demons serve him in a far superior manner to his better angels and that’s bad news for the future. 

In the end however, this was nothing short of a powerhouse and well, bravo to the writing team and everyone involved for offering up such an incredibly bleak tale. Because this is no easy task to pull off in a manner that doesn’t turn off the audience. In fact, George Romero is one of the few that could do it on a consistent basis. But Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg and their team pulled it off and brought forth a game-changing finale in the process. Because this particular ending informs us that the series is heading into a bold new era of storytelling, one where the impossible can become possible and where we will need to brace ourselves before every episode since Fear the Walking Dead is now eager to embrace the true horror of the zombiepocalypse, and it will be quite interesting to see what kind of brave and horrifying stories await us when season seven gets underway. Until next time.

It is easy to get so lost in your work that you start to neglect your family. It is important to find a happy balance between your job and your family or you could wind up losing one or both of them without even knowing why. Making sure to get your priorities straight when it comes to what is most important to you could cost you some opportunities over time, but there is nothing that can replace happiness. Put your family first, that is something I have always said and while I might not be the richest man, I sure am happy with my decisions.
​
After over three years of hunting for a serial killer, Matt has finally put the case to rest. Killing the man and saving the girl, Matt knows that he has been a disappointment to his ex-wife and hopes not to be to his daughter Chloe. Reflecting on what caused the breakup, Matt will do anything to make his daughter happy so she will not want to leave him alone in this life. Visiting Chloe, Matt has a present in the car just for her, but she winds up taking a piece of evidence from the serial killer case that will change the broken family’s life forever.

Making her own jewelry for her mother’s store, Chloe opens the box to see some interesting wooden dolls that will help her new business. Making them pretty, Chloe holds on to one doll a little bit too long and starts to have what her mother thinks is a seizure. Trying to calm her daughter down, a couple of customers in the store buy the new necklaces that the young girl made, only to find out that there is a curse laid upon them. 

Catching his breath, Matt gets called into a local homicide and has no idea why. Watching the tape of an out of towner killing a station employee, he still does not see why he was called in, but seeing a familiar symbol being painted in blood on the counter, it appears that his dead serial killer has a following. With more questions than answers about what is happening to normally well-adjusted people, Matt must face the reality about what the dolls really are, a curse. Wanting to find out more, Matt turns to the woman that raised the killer and finds out that his daughter’s life is also in jeopardy and finding the dolls is the only way to save her. 

I must admit that when I saw the title of this movie, I was a little hesitant, mainly because I freaking hate creepy dolls altogether. While these were ‘Worry Dolls’, it did not make them any less creepy once you get to see the power that they hold. Watching the transformation of the people once the dolls hit their skin was really the best part of the movie, along with the blood flying everywhere. I was also drawn into the story with the exes fighting over what was right and wrong for their daughter and the poor girl fighting for her own life throughout. With a ton of blood, cursed worry dolls, a feuding family, hedge clippers, guns, glass and the need to kill, it really has made me think twice about haunted/cursed objects and what power they could really be holding on to. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Lisey’s Story’.
​
It is definitely safe to say that the AppleTV+ series, Lisey's Story, has done an incredible job of presenting its audience with a in depth examination of the power and the lasting impact of loss and grief. It has held nothing back in showing the audience how grief can stick with us for quite some time and how it can feel as fresh and as raw as the day it came into our lives. Although a grand exploration of that grief could have carried this series from start to finish, Stephen King has been keen to dive into every aspect of this particularly difficult aspect of the human condition. This series has also taken the time to consider how it's the little things that keep our grief as fresh as can be; those little moments that made us enjoy having that person around, and the moments that help us grow as individuals and as couples often pop into our minds because of the joy that they're supposed to bring us. Knowing that these moments will never come again or that we won't see how they were going to help our partner grow will always bring fresh tears to our eyes.

But even going into that particularly personal realm of storytelling wasn't enough to satiate the maestro's curiosity regarding how grief stays with us, as evidenced by the next episode in this fascinating series. ‘Under the Yum-Yum Tree’ spends a great deal of time reflecting on how the connection we share with our partners is another reason why we cry ourselves to sleep at night when they've moved on from this plane. A connection that comes forth by way of that incredible moment where we open ourselves up completely to the person we love, flaws and wonders and all, and being accepted by them creates an internal peace and a joy that few can speak to properly along with that aforementioned bond. In that moment, we realize that we're finally understood and we've actually managed to sync with another human being on a fundamental level. Being robbed of that feeling can create all kinds of anger and pain and strife—to the point where we have to readjust and learn how to be an individual again, rather than a team, which is something that Lisey pointed out later in the episode.

However, while those are powerful and poignant observations to make about grief, they mean nothing without showing us the power of that connection to help us or remind us of what grief does to us and for us. This is why we were privy to the moment when that happened to this couple: Scott finally opened up about his abuse-filled past to Lisey while they were on their intimate and beautiful winter wonderland honeymoon. Watching Scott open up like that and seeing Lisey accept him for who he is, regardless of his past, helped us to understand the power of their connection, how much it meant to both of them, and how devastating it can be to have it severed. What was truly impressive about this particular part of the story, Dear Reader, is that King was able to use this moment to shift gears and answer a question that we've all been pondering: Whether or not Scott can indeed traverse the multiverse and swing by Boo'ya Moon when the conditions are right.

As it turns out, he sure can. He even took Lisey to Boo'ya Moon while they were on their honeymoon. This was a moment that was so jarring, surreal, and unexpected for Lisey that she didn't know how to process this information or this reality and did her best to bury it down for the remainder of her time with Scott. However, it's clear that the time has come for Lisey to properly explore Boo'ya Moon and the path to get there because that's the only way to save Amanda from her catatonic state. Amanda is wedged tight into that strange universe—to the point where she is ready to harm herself further as a cry for help or as a means of escape—and it will be interesting to see what it will take for Lisey to accept the reality of the situation. Will Lisey be willing and brave enough to cross the threshold into Boo'ya Moon—because that does, in fact, take some serious guts.
​
However, before we can see what will come from Lisey's slow rediscovery of a world she knows little of, there's one big problem that she will have to contend with: Good ol' Jimbo reared his ugly and shockingly hungry head once again in this tale. Jim finally decided that the time had come to quit playing around regarding the manuscripts, and in order to finally get his hands on them, he committed a little act of creative arson so that the local deputy on overwatch at the Landon estate would head off to a bigger problem. His plan worked, and he got inside of his hero's domain. After securing works that would satiate and titillate his imagination once again, he decided to see how his hero lived and what helped to inspire him by walking around the office to soak in the full Scott Landon experience. Unfortunately, in doing so, he more or less trapped himself in a bad situation. Lisey headed into the office at the end of this episode—making it apparent that a grand showdown between this twisted fan and the protector of Scott Landon's private works is about to get underway.

Overall, this really was an engrossing episode, and Mister King deserves a round of applause for masterfully tying together a grand exploration on the human condition while also advancing the plot. Every plot point and moment here was tied together in a beautiful manner—to the point where this story felt as though it was a series of fateful moments playing out instead of a carefully assembled screenplay— and that is a wonderful thing. It means that Mister King has completely and utterly sucked us into this story. A story that's going to take us on a powerful journey through the human soul, psyche, and a world unlike any other we've seen in the King Universe—and that's saying something. It will be fascinating to learn all there is to know about Boo'ya Moon now that we're closer than ever to stepping into its healing waters and dim skies. It will be equally as incredible to see how Lisey gets past the obstacle that's preventing her return to this mysterious world—Jim Dooley is indeed a force to be reckoned with and he seems ready to make Lisey pay for keeping him from a fresh sermon from the Church of Landon. Until next time, Dear Reader.

​The art of telling a story is one that many people are never able to do. I am one that really stinks at trying to tell a story, whether it is something that has been passed down through the ages, or something that I am trying to make up. There is a special skill that is required to tell a story, this is the real reason why I think alcohol was invented, so you can listen to a bad storyteller without losing your mind. It takes years of practice to tell a good story and while some people like myself will never be good at it, the more chances you get to tell them in front of an audience, the better you should get.
​
The final day of high school has come and gone for Travis Brooks, and he is looking for a place to lay his head before his next adventure is about to take place. With his good friend Nate, the two have decided to make their way up to Canada for the weekend to just get away. Needing to get directions on their way, the two stop into a little gas station where they get a shortcut that should save them some time. Even though they don’t take the attendant’s advice and will attempt to cross the border when it is closed, there is nothing that can prepare them for what is coming their way.

On their way up a creepy road, Travis is able to convince Nate to finally pull over so he can take a leak, but when he starts to hear something weird in the woods, Travis runs back to the car and begs his friend to drive as fast as he can. Seeing strange hairy people in front of the car, Nate hits one of them causing the car to stall out and the two are forced to watch as the wrath of the unknown is about to take them over. Ransacking the car, the hairy beasts are finally able to get inside and take Nate out of his comfort zone. Seeing that his friend is gone, Travis needs to get help and runs back to the gas station to try and contact the police, but his phone continues to cut out during the conversation, so he calls Nate’s brother Chris instead, mainly because he has the guns.

​Waiting for Chris to arrive, Travis tries to get the attendant to help him, but finds that everything is not as it seems in the old rundown gas station. Seeing newspaper clippings about Bigfoot and people going missing in the area, Travis focuses in on one story that he knew inside and out from a year ago where his friends were killed. Getting to see an old video about what the attendant really thinks the Sasquatch is, Travis is able to put everything together and pinpoints the attendant as the professor that has been shamed out of the community with his off the wall ideas. But he may be on to something with his theories, as the Sasquatch that Travis saw looked like people that were just wearing a furry coat of some sort.
​
After Chris arrives, he and Travis head up to a little cabin and set up camp. Searching the area, they stumble upon a cave and head inside only to find that they have located the den of these beasts. Before they are able to look any further for Nate, they are ambushed by the group and stuck up in the cabin with no chance of escape. Firing in all directions, Chris is able to get Travis out with little harm to get help, but it may be too late to save anyone that has seen the Sasquatch in these woods as they are living up to their vicious reputation that has been passed down throughout the years.

This really is a decent Bigfoot movie. As the story continues to play out and the obsession of finding out where the Sasquatch really came from grows, you get a theory that might actually make sense for once, that they are people rather than an ape or bear hybrid. You never know, I guess someone will just have to find one someday. I liked how most of the movie was Travis telling the story and then the cop who listened to him delivered a completely different account of what he believed happened, possibly putting Travis in the hot seat. With killer Sasquatch, an obsessed professor, a disbelieving cop, a love triangle and a kid that wants to prove himself right, it is more than just a simple Bigfoot movie that will send chills down your spine, but a film that will make you question everything that may or may not make sense in your own mind. Stay Scared.

​There is something about the unknown that always fascinates us. Not knowing how or why something will happen leaves everyone to interpret exactly what happened in their own way. While opinions will vary from person to person, the final result is always seen and whether it be good or bad, everyone will remember. There can be plenty of disagreements about what is happening when the moment finally arrives, but there is no mistaking the final result.

After driving out of town to visit with a patent, Doctor Alan Chaffee is shocked to see a barrier has been formed between himself and his hometown. Finding out that everyone in the immediate area is unconscious and that it seems to be very contained, he is dying to get back to see his wife. Meanwhile Doctor Susan Verner has other things on her mind such as the possibility that this event could have spread further than the public will ever know. Waiting to see the folks inside the quarantine line start to wake up, the town is opened up once again, but with a major change that no one expected, all of the female residents are pregnant.

As tensions start to mount between some couples, others are taking it as a gift from above since they were not able to conceive on their own. Needing to decide what to do with their new gifts, Susan Verner has an offer for the town that nobody can pass up on. If they keep their child, they will receive three thousand dollars a month, plus have their medical expenses covered, even if their newborns will need to be poked and prodded for a short amount of time. As everyone decides to keep their unborn children, all of the women in the town go into labor at exactly the same time and seeing the healthy babies coming into the world, Susan is miffed that there is one that would not make it. Removing the baby from the barn, she has tests of her own that she is ready to administer to find out what was really behind this event.

Years pass, and the new white-haired children are finding their place in the small town, but at a cost to the adults that are trying to care for them. With a rash of accidents and suicides, there is no one else to blame but the children as they have powers that nobody in town can recognize. But Doctor Verner knows exactly what is happening in the town and wants to keep a close eye on everything until her time runs out. As the children continue to come of age, they pair off, but one is left without his mate as she died during childbirth and he wants to find out where she has been placed. Starting to have feelings, unlike the rest of his group, young David becomes more open to allowing his adult counterparts live and help him develop, but his gentleness comes too late as Alan’s daughter Mara is ready to inflict her wrath upon the entire world.

Quite the impressive little story that makes you wonder what might actually be out there. I will tell you one thing about me however, if my child comes out with funky eyes and white hair, I am bolting to another country to escape the wrath they will impose upon me. What I really liked about how the story played out is how David was never feeling the desire that his group shared to destroy everyone in their path and started to have feelings all his own. Showing that the evil can be defeated at least once is a huge victory for what little humanity was left in the town as Mara and her group were ready to unleash hell on Earth. With creepy kids, silly parents, messed up eyes, imaginative kills and a young leader who can control the hive, this is a story that will never get old, mainly because evil kids are just the creepiest thing ever. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Amusement Park’.
​
One thing that every horror fan can agree upon, is that the genre is quickly evolving right before our eyes. Because horror stories are no longer concerned with just grand fears of the unknown, instead they are making a concerted push to truly explore what scares us, specifically… what is in our hearts and in our minds. Which is why we are seeing a bevy of movies and books and shows explore the impact of trauma and taboo topics that have hidden in the shadows for far too long. Which has led to some powerful storytelling for certain, the kind that now leaves us in silence after the story has come to its end, while we ponder upon how everything uncomfortable, we just witnessed… applies to our everyday lives and how we might be able to conquer it.
​
But what is truly fascinating about this incredible paradigm shift, one that is genuinely forcing filmmakers to think hard about how they examine the human condition when they set out to make a horror movie, one particular filmmaker actually tackled this type of shift long before the pioneers of the industry today decided that the horrors of the soul might be worth exploring. But alas, no one ever knew that was the case since George A. Romero’s The Amusement Park was quickly buried and ‘lost’ by its investors after George completed work upon it. But thanks to his wife, Suzanne Desrocher Romero, and the George A. Romero Foundation and Shudder, this long-lost pioneering vision from George is now available for the whole world to see and well, what George explores in this particular motion picture, makes it one of his most horrifying creations. 

For George takes the time to tackle a bevy of topics both personal and external in this tale, with a vast majority of the themes focused upon ageism and the prejudice that older folks in our nation face on a consistent basis, alongside his trademark and visionary commentary on who we are and where we are headed and he accomplishes this particular feat by introducing us to an older gentlemen who wants to simply enjoy a beautiful day at a local amusement park. But not long after he enters the park with tickets in hand, does he come to realize that this park is nothing but a horror show, one filled to the brim with ignorance and cruelty and fear untold and well, that’s when George’s exploration on how we treat the elderly gets underway and that makes for some unsettling moments.

Because this story holds nothing back in making it clear that growing old in America can in fact, be quite the horrifying experience. For George makes it inherently clear, that there is a grand stigma that surrounds old age, one that leads people to believe that once you’ve hit retirement, you’re useless and likely incompetent at just about everything and Romero hammers that point home by offering up familiar and uncomfortable examples where people express that concern, and the indignity of those moments absolutely gives the viewer pause. Because we’ve likely thought what the characters are expressing, or we’ve seen it happen before our eyes and that definitely stays with you long after the movie has come to an end. As does what Romero has to say about the other reason why growing old in America can be a terrifying journey. 

Since George is quick to point out in this film, that older people are something of an afterthought in our nation. To the point where they are best out of sight and out of mind, so that youth can prevail and be celebrated and by ignoring the elderly and leaving them to their own devices and by making a point to spend as little time with them as possible, our actions create an air of fear. Because loneliness after spending a lifetime around people is scary indeed, as is the isolation. Since we depend upon one another for help and resources and not having a safety net around or not having someone to rely upon is about as terrifying as it gets and that too makes for a sobering segment of the story, one that really does hammer home the transformation our lives can undergo once our hair turns white and our bodies begin to show a little wear and tear.
​
But while that does make for an uncomfortable experience, that doesn’t necessarily offer up the elevated and personalized horror experience we find today. But it is there, in the subtle manner that only a George Romero story can present. For George uses quick visuals and cuts to also help us understand that we likely shun the elderly because they represent our collective fear of death and seeing someone of advanced age walking around reminds us that youth isn’t forever and someday that will be us too, so it is best to ignore them to ignore our biological fate and Romero expands upon that further, by pointing out that growing old is also a scary experience. Because we find ourselves facing the end once we hit a certain age. For once we start to see our friends and family leave this plane of existence for what lies beyond, we too have to start thinking about saying goodbye and well… few of us are ever ready to do that.

However, while George’s observations are powerful and downright horrifying through and through since this film does do a wonderful job of exploring external and internal fears all at once, this is of course a George A. Romero movie. Which means that his trademark grand commentary on America and its future is present here as well and that too, is powerful and poignant since George has a lot to say about the failings of the American health care system and how a great deal of the problems presented here and in America in general could likely be solved with a little compassion and decency. And putting that on display and realizing that he once again predicted that those issues might exacerbate with time, makes his commentary as prophetic as ever and well, in the end… all of these elements make this an utterly brilliant film. 

One that serves to remind us that George A. Romero was one of the finest filmmakers and storytellers out there, and that his ability to observe the pratfalls of our world remains unparalleled. But what’s truly special about this movie, is that we finally get to see it, and a round of applause and a thank you note is in order for Suzanne Desrocher Romero for her tireless efforts in ensuring that this movie was able to see the light of day. Because to enjoy a fresh Romero film some four years after his passing really is a magical experience through and through, and well, if you love movies in the slightest… log into Shudder and check this one out right now. For The Amusement Park really is a masterpiece, one that showcases Romero’s skill set to a tee and chills the viewer to the bone, with a shocking look at what growing old in America entails.

​Friendships are something that can take a lifetime to perfect. For some people, it is something that never really comes easy to them, but others have the gift of woo and are able to make something out of nothing in a matter of seconds. Maintaining a heathy friendship can be the hardest thing to do since life can get in the way of even saying hi once in a while. But once you are able to figure out how to keep a good friendship, it can last a lifetime and even if you don’t have a ton of friends, the closest relationships are what can keep you going.

Hearing the soldiers getting everyone ready for class, Melanie gets into her restraints and is happy to see them. Even with her gift of gab, the soldiers know what she is and will not give into becoming her friend. Arriving in the classroom with several other kids around the same age, Melanie’s teacher Helen Justineau comes in and delivers her next lesson. Asking questions and learning about the history of people, this is the highlight of Melanie’s day. But when the classes end, she is put back into her cell and waits to have only one more person talk to her, Dr. Caldwell, who asks questions that do not have a correct answer.

Getting a chance to write a story in class, Melanie is the only student that is willing to share what she has written. Telling a story that pulls at the heartstrings of Ms. Justineau, Melanie gets the special treat of a human touch that no one else has ever received. Seeing that Justineau is losing focus of what the children in front of her really are, Sargent Parks runs in and reminds her. Putting his exposed arm next to the face of one of the children, the well-behaved child snaps his jaws and the fierceness of the world that they are living in comes to light. Seeing the hunger in the faces of all of the children of the classroom, the real world is much different than it used to be as the Hungries have taken over.

​Melanie does not like what she is but has a little bit of control over herself and that has been noticed by Dr. Caldwell as she is ready to perform her next round of tests. Having Melanie delivered to her operating room, Dr. Caldwell is ready to put an end to the infection that has killed so much of the world’s population. Seeing the intentions of the doctor, Justineau puts her foot down and will not allow the little girl to be hurt, much less killed. But the doctor must work quickly to get Justineau under control, since time is running short for Caldwell to do her business as the Hungries outside are making their push into the compound. 
​
As the gates fall, a small group of survivors are able to escape their fate of being eaten alive by the former humans. Dr. Caldwell, Sargent Parks, Justineau and Melanie make their way towards freedom and try to get word to the main base about what has happened. Being out of radio range however, the group needs to make their way closer, but that will mean getting through Hungry populated areas. With their scent masking gel, the group is able to move silently through the streets and find a safe place to hold up, but when Melanie needs to be fed, questions are raised as to why she has not been put down like the others. Knowing that there is something very special about this girl, Dr. Caldwell does not want to risk losing her, but she may not have a choice as things outside of the compound are looking much bleaker for the human race than she ever expected.

Going into this movie, I did not expect it to be a zombie movie and thank goodness, because it was a happy surprise. As the story really started to move along, there are more questions than answers provided and while that can upset a lot of people, something about the story seemed to make that all right. I will admit that there are plenty of plot holes, but overall, I see where the story was going, and I like that it took its own turn with a fungus-based zombie virus to eradicate the world. Just that little difference gave this movie its own legs to stand on and the character of Melanie was just fantastic throughout. With a new spin on a zombie virus, a Hannibal Lecter mask, struggle for power, a way to save the world and plenty of head shots, The Girl with All the Gifts may not be for the hardcore zombie fans, but it will deliver a story that spirals downwards as the world is surely coming to an end. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 615 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’.
​
Fans of The Walking Dead Universe, tune into the dynamic shows that populate it for a bevy of different reasons. For some it is all about their love of the zombie and practical special effects, since the living dead are everywhere in this saga and Greg Nicotero’s KNB EFX team do a phenomenal job of providing us with realistic and disgusting zombies alongside gore that makes one cringe. Or they’re watching because of the drama, because despite being a horror universe… it has a lot of human and beautiful moments present within its framework. Plus, there are folks that tune in to ponder upon the nature of the world and our modern society since all three shows in the saga are filled to the brim with powerful social commentary on who we are and what we could become.
​
But while everyone has their own specific reason for tuning in, there is one in particular that everyone shares in. In that, we all love a good horror show, the kind that puts us on the edge of our seats and leaves us in silence with the bold and terrifying moves that it makes and when shows in the franchise offer that up, well the end result is nothing short of spectacular and it just so happens that the next episode of Fear the Walking Dead takes the time to accomplish just that. For ‘USS Pennsylvania’ undoubtedly left most of us filled with worry over what is coming next, thanks to the harrowing storyline that played out. One that saw a frenzied showdown take place between the forces of good and the forces of… whatever the hell Teddy stands for. 

Because the opening moments of this particular tale, enlightened us to the fact that Teddy and his closest associates were looking forward to not only firing off a hailstorm of nuclear fire from the ship that shares the namesake of this episode, but dying in the baptismal flames of fission as well. Making them a lost cause for certain, but one that was supremely deadly. For we also came to learn that Riley was once the weapons officer aboard this boat, so they absolutely had all the knowledge needed to send those missiles skyward and those revelations alone, set up the tension in question since now Morgan and his merry band of heroes were on the clock and if they failed… so many innocent lives would die a horrible death, one that could be viewed as worse than falling to the rotten hands of a walker. 

To complicate matters further, Morgan and his team knew little about the layout of a submarine and despite their best efforts to learn on the fly, they more or less had to guess which way would take them where they wanted to go, and of course… they had to contend with the walking dead. For this boat was once host to one-hundred and fifty sailors and their mottled corpses were shambling about the decks and the dark and that made for some terrifying sequences. The kind that absolutely made this reviewer jump at the sheer surprise of seeing a walker emerge from the shadows at the most inopportune moment possible and well, watching Morgan and his friends try to navigate that kind of terror, is what accomplished the episode’s goal of putting us on the edge of our seats.

But as Fear the Walking Dead is wont to do, there was some depth and meaning to be found in this story as well. Simply because not every corridor was wall to wall with naval corpses, which gave both Morgan and Strand a chance to be honest with themselves about what they wanted to accomplish in regard to this mission and unfortunately for the both of them, they wanted to be the hero for all the wrong reasons. For Morgan saw this as a chance to be a martyr and hopefully inspire a better tomorrow through his sacrifice and Strand… well he just wanted Alicia and everyone really, to know that he was in fact a team player, and a hero deep down. Meaning that his usual cycle of unhealthy behaviors was once again on display here and well, despite the sour nature of their actions, they did manage to accomplish something worthwhile after all. 
​
Because eventually, both men made it to launch control and their wild journey there, did allow for them to get their hands on a bevy of ID Access cards from dead officers aboard this boat and well, that likely meant that the tide was about to turn, and the heroes would be victorious at long last. A notion that was reinforced by the fact that they made it through the doors before Riley had the chance to the launch the missiles. But alas, that’s when this story took its utterly devastating and dark turn, for mere seconds before Strand or Morgan could pull either man away from the trigger, the two mad men scrambled and one missile was sent into the air, one that was loaded with ten warheads that were pre-programmed by Riley to give his wicked master exactly what he wanted for his twisted prophecy.

Which means, that the heroes failed, and the bad guys won, and that horrifying realization allowed for some poignant and heartbreaking moments to take place. The kind that saw Morgan let both Teddy and Riley go, so they could enjoy what was likely their final moments, and these dark moments also saw Morgan and Strand reflect upon their failure and that is what brought about the devastation in question. Because just like that, everything they’d worked for and fought for after all these years, was in jeopardy, courtesy of the evil of man and watching Morgan soak in that reality and know that the clock was ticking, definitely puts the viewer in a worrisome place and rightfully so. For this series has no qualms with going big and bidding farewell to cast members and well, a nuclear detonation could lead to a changed landscape for both Texas and the cast in season seven. 

But as the same time, while that is a powerful and unsettling and horrific way to end this tale, it is in fact… also quite brilliant. For it really does stand tall with the concept that this is the end of the world and that mankind is in a precarious place at this point in time, one where its survival will be decided by the actions of a small few and of course, it also sets the stage for a powerhouse and tense finale. Because Riley’s targeting orders, will dictate how long our heroes have to live and that means we are likely going to watch them suffer and ponder upon their journey and what to do with their potential final moments on this earth after fighting so hard to see tomorrow and well… that’s horror at its finest for certain. And it is definitely safe to say that we will all be counting down the minutes until next Sunday, to see where this terrifying twist will take us in the season six finale. Until next time.