First and foremost, Happy Halloween fellow horror fans, and I do hope your All Hallows Eve is filled to the brim with spooky movies and shows to get your horror fix before everyone demands that you put the scary stuff away to make way for the holiday decorations. In fact, it is that demand that is of concern today. Because there is a long-standing belief that somehow, horror movies should be put away for an entire year once Halloween comes to an end and well… that belief needs to go away.

Because horror is a year-round treat, one that should be celebrated whenever fans see fit and if you don’t believe me… just take a look at all the holiday horror themed movies that are out there… and the spooky stuff that is going to be available to us for the remainder of 2021. Because there are still plenty of horror films and shows waiting in the wings for us as the year winds down, and some stuff worth binging as well and with that in mind… here is my own personal list of spooky shows and movies to watch this fall and winter to keep the magic of the Halloween season, rolling. 

The fact of the matter is that Shudder is the finest horror streaming service out there. They simply get horror fans and what they crave through and through and their November line up speaks to that. Because they’ve got four new movies hitting the service in November, plus they’re got a bevy of horror themed shows for everyone to enjoy beyond November. For The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula will be airing well into December since there are so many competitors on this show and you absolutely need to check out, Behind the Monsters. Because it is a fascinating documentary on the horror icons we idolize.
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Plus, this streamer is host to Creepshow. Which is Greg Nicotero’s brilliant continuation of George Romero and Stephen King’s horror baby and there are three seasons of this gem that you can easily binge watch since each season is roughly six episodes long. If anything, we’ve only scratched the surface of what Shudder has to offer since there are also some horror classics available in their database as well and for a complete list of what they are sending our way in November, click here.

Normally, The Walking Dead Universe would be wrapping up its usual offerings right about now. But thanks to the wild nature of 2020, AMC has opted to keep the living dead on the air through the first leg of the holiday season. Since Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond will be airing episodes into December. As an added bonus, both new seasons of this series are offering up some powerful storytelling as well. Since season 7 of Fear is moving the show into some dark and bold new territory and of course, World Beyond is finally exploring the inner workings of the mysterious Civic Republic Military in its final season. Which makes both of these stories quite worth your while, since you can never go wrong with intelligent and engaging zombie stories, especially a pair that share connective tissue with the biggest zombie series in history.

Sometimes, you just need to lose yourself within a story and the best way to do that in this era of peak television… is to just settle in and binge a show and there are some delightfully devious horror shows to binge out there. For instance, there’s basically everything Mike Flanagan has put together on Netflix. Because no one is examining the horrors of life quite like he is and his honest takes on trauma and loss and addiction and recovery, make for some engaging viewing and the horror elements surrounding his commentary are equally as incredible. So definitely give The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor and Midnight Mass a look when you have a chance, because they’re simply top-notch.
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However, if you’re looking for something different and special, then I’d definitely recommend you give Servant on AppleTV+ a look. Because this particular series is unlike any other horror show on the market. In large part because it too deals with some incredibly relatable and brilliant subject matter, but also because… it has woven together a powerful and engrossing mystery surrounding one of the main characters, Leanne Grayson, and her purpose in this life. Which is slowly being revealed to the audience in an organic and compelling manner and it doesn’t hurt that this story is also filled to the brim with stunning performances, and quality scares and twists for days and a little humor as well… and it is also an easy binge. Since each episode in this dynamic story is roughly a half an hour.

Last, I would be a fool to not encourage you to watch NOS4A2 from AMC. Because this visual re-telling of Joe Hill’s iconic novel is brilliant horror through and through. In large part because it offers up a fresh take on the vampire mythos, but also because… it deals with some powerful themes and concepts. Such as how the sins of our parents are often imparted upon us, how evil is molded and never born and of course… what it means to combat our demons and our trauma. Plus, this is another one that features stunning performances since Zachary Quinto and Ashleigh Cummings are electric as Charlie Manx and Vic McQueen respectively and it is perfect as a true holiday binge. Since Christmas is a huge theme in this story and it is also another easy binge. Since sadly, there are only two seasons of this series and if you’d like to give it a go, you can easily find it on Shudder/AMC+ and Hulu.

Of course, if there’s one thing that horror fans love above all else, it’s big-time horror movies. Ones that feature a big budget and stars galore and there are plenty of those coming our way this holiday season. Of course, the four Shudder November features, Dead and Beautiful (11/4), Great White (11/11), Prisoners of the Ghostland (11/19) and The Strings (11/23), are worth mentioning again since Shudder has sent us brilliant horror films all year long and they are joined this holiday season by two other releases of note. 
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For Hulu is dropping a new horror/sci-fi flick on December 17th, entitled: Mother/Android. And this particular story… which stars Chloë Grace Moretz, plunges us into a world where the birth of artificial intelligence has gone wrong for humanity. For mankind is now embroiled in a horrific war with its creation and Chloë’s character Georgia and her boyfriend Sam (played by Algee Smith), are desperate to escape this war and begin a long trek to do so. Which is undoubtedly where the horror elements will come into play, since that will allow for the story to explore the horrors of unregulated technology and what mankind would become when faced with a revolution from its own creation and this should be quite the entertaining ride, one we will be sure to review.

Last, but certainly not least… there’s Black Friday. A horror film that features zombie mayhem in a toy store in the middle of Black Friday and well… that premise alone makes this movie worthwhile, since so many of us have a BF horror story to share with the world. But this movie made sure to go above and beyond for the audience, by casting Devon Sawa and horror legend Bruce Campbell and their acting chops and long-standing stature within the genre will only take this movie to the next level when it arrives on November 19.

So, as you can see, there’s plenty of horror to enjoy after Halloween has come to its end, and hopefully these recommendations help you get your horror fix. And if by chance I missed something or you’ve got some recommendations of your own the world needs to know of, shoot me a note on Twitter or drop a comment here and above all else, keep on enjoying horror movies whenever you please. Because Halloween only ends when you say so.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Eli Roth’s History of Horror’.
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There was a time, where the horror genre was limited in its scope and reach. To the point where certain topics and events weren’t showcased in the genre in the slightest and where it was only celebrated around the time of Halloween. For the world seemed to believe that there was a time and a place to be scared and that was that. But thankfully, the revolutionary era that was the 1960s and 1970s changed all that and allowed for horror to grow and expand into the pop culture juggernaut it is today. Wherein it is celebrated year-round and ironically… it took the invention of holiday themed horror films to make that happen and seeing as to how it is Halloween weekend, now seemed like the perfect time for Eli Roth’s History of Horror to explore holiday horror’s storied history.
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For ‘Holiday Horror’ took the time to explore the sub-genre’s birth and evolution into the staple that it is today and well, it’s humble origins can be traced back to two key films from the 1970s. For Bob Clark’s Black Christmas (1974) was really the first film that dared to challenge the idea that movies in this vein shouldn’t exist and that holidays should be sacred and free from the monsters that roam the shadows of the horror genre, and it was so well done and so intelligent in its commentary, that a level of public acceptance finally came about for this type of film. Enough in fact, that an up-and-coming filmmaker named John Carpenter… showed everyone just how great these kinds of movies could be, by way of his groundbreaking slasher film, Halloween (1978).

For the success of that film, motivated just about every single independent and major studio to get into the holiday horror business and just like that, theaters and home video were flush with all kinds of holiday horror flicks. Some followed in the footsteps of Bob Clark and offered their own horrific and sometimes controversial take on the holiday season, such as Silent Night, Deadly Night. While others… just picked any other holiday on the calendar and turned it into a waking nightmare. Which allowed for New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day and even Mother’s Day to be absorbed into the horror universe. In fact, these movies were so successful and so in demand that even April Fool’s Day received its own nightmarish venture, one that managed to be quite controversial because of its ending.

But what is so magical about this sub-genre’s storied history, is that it continues to thrive in the 21st Century. For John Carpenter’s vision has found new life and new legs by way of a reimagined finale trilogy that is near completion and of course, these movies have also evolved with the times and offer the same depth and commentary as their other horror brethren. For instance, Kramups is a holiday horror flick that genuinely explores not only the stresses of the holiday season, but the importance of finding some kind of beauty about the season so it doesn’t overwhelm us. And Happy Death Day, well that’s a film that gets into some supremely philosophical territory about our fears of death and how time escapes us and how those fears tend to relate to the importance of dealing with the trauma that comes about when loss and grief enters our lives.

However, while it was fascinating to learn about this sub-genre and its meteoric rise to prominence in modern pop-culture, what really fascinates us about this genre… is why we love it so. Because if the holidays are indeed this perfect nexus of joy and light, why turn to these types of films? Easy. Because the holidays aren’t as wonderful as we make them out to be. They can be a genuinely difficult time for us since there are so many tasks weighing upon us, and unexpected stresses and they can also dredge up rotten memories and well… these movies allow us to work through that and find the strength to deal with the season and… that one aunt or uncle that we simply cannot stand but always gets invited to holiday dinner because… ‘they’re family.’ But all of that aside, Eli Roth and his team deserve our thanks here. In part for showcasing a sub-genre that we tend to forget about sometimes and for also offering up some solid recommendations for us to watch… once the season and its stresses get underway. Until next time.

It is funny when you hear someone say, ‘if these walls could only talk’, because if they could, you would not be staying in that building. Some people are able to visualize what happened in places so many years ago from the stories that are put in front of them, while others get the pleasure of seeing some of the old inhabitants. While many of these people that say that they see these things are put on the spot and called crazy because there are no such things as ghosts, they know what they saw and stick to their stories. I still want to see a ghost at some point in my life, but not knowing what they really look like will leave me questioning myself and my own sanity.
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Getting ready to shoot a new ghost hunting show, the producer Becka is ready to rock, but her camera man Jeff is having a difference in opinion. Knowing that all reality shows suck, Jeff is not where he wants to be and is making sure that she knows it upfront. Not being detoured by her camera man and meeting her new cast members, the group is on their way to the old Ettersburg Hospital in Northern California to put an end to all of the rumors about the building being haunted.

On their nine-hour drive to the old building, the group of ghost hunters; Chris, Angelina and Callie all get to know each other along with their technical advisor Andrew. Getting some extra shots on their long journey, the group quickly finds out that Callie is looking for something grander than a reality show as she distances herself from everyone else. With all of the history surrounding the hospital, Chris has done his research and passes on everything that he knows about Ettersburg and its tainted past. Being very excited to be the first paranormal team to investigate the premises, the group has no idea what is housed within in the walls of the old building.

Arriving at the hospital and being greeted by the caretaker, the group is given a tour of the old building.  Not being a good storyteller, Jim tries his best to tell everyone what he knows and while he does not believe in ghosts, he will not enter the building at night, not anymore. After getting the tour recorded, the team is ready to set up for their night investigation, but there is a snag as Jim will not allow anyone to stay in the building overnight. Not being able to get her boss on the line, Becka and her group are forced to make the decision of the lifetime, to let the first episode of the show die, or break in and do their ghost hunt. Choosing the latter, the team enters the old building and gets set up to make paranormal history, but as members of the group start disappearing, they have to wonder if anyone will make it out of the Ettersburg Hospital alive.

I was rather impressed with how the story flowed and how much I started to enjoy the characters, that is until they were no longer seen. I liked the ghostly occurrences that happened around them and the tour was just too much fun as it was apparent that Jim was not used to telling stories but had an epic mustache. The group interaction was fun overall and when the spit started to hit the fan when members went missing, they tried harder to pull together, even though they were being pulled further apart.  With creepy ghost girls, plenty of ghost hunting technology, a group of strangers, lots of water and plenty of jump scares, this is not a bad movie to take you away from reality for a little while. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season three finale of ‘Creepshow’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that season three of the Shudder series, Creepshow, has been the show’s most cerebral and fascinating to date. Because week in and week out, it has offered its viewers some supremely unique monsters and some equally as powerful commentary. The kind that has forced us to face fears we often don’t think about in our everyday lives. Such as how time is a monster that we cannot fight but can instead, outwit, by living our lives to the fullest. Plus, the series also took the time to help us face and process the horrors of the past year with stories that truly reflected the terror of the pandemic and oddly enough, it is that latter bit of commentary that is relevant to today’s discussion. 
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Simply because, Greg Nicotero and his team recognized another fear living within the framework of a global pandemic, one that we also don’t address all that often. In that, we are terrified of the possibility that modern society might crumble under the right pressure and that allowed for the show to offer up a pair of tales that explored what could cause such a collapse and what we can do to prevent it and the first vignette brought about that examination, by offering up some contemporary commentary. For ‘Drug Traffic’ is a story filled to the brim with familiar moments. Since it takes place at the border, where a congressman is trying to show the world how broken our health care system is and how racism is alive in America, by using the wanton racism and ignorance of a Border Patrol Agent named Beau, to prove his point.

But the big problem that comes forth in focusing upon that, is that it allows for Beau and the congressman to argue endlessly about which side is wrong while something horrible happens behind the scenes. In that, a woman trying to return to America with experimental drugs, transforms into a terrifying monster because of her affliction and because of the arguments taking place, since they deny her that very medication. And this transformed being is eager to eat the flesh of anyone around, because that is what it hungers for, and it isn’t until the two men work together that its reign of terror (mostly) ends.

Making it clear that one of the big things that could bring our modern world to a collapse is ignorance and rhetoric and a belief that only our side is the right side. And in order to prevent that, we need collaboration and understanding and an honest and hard conversation about equality with those who believe otherwise (to start with, that is) and those were some solid and frightening points, the kind that definitely gave us pause and what’s amazing… is that the show still had more powerful things to say about this week’s theme.

For ‘A Dead Girl Named Sue’ opted to explore the dangers of rampant fear and how it could bring us down and it accomplished that feat, by resurrecting the wisdom of George A. Romero. For this tale was set on 10/23, the Night of the Living Dead, and when we catch up with small town Police Chief Evan Foster here… he’s struggling to deal with the events now happening. In part because, the end of the world at the hands of living death has arrived, but also because, the townsfolk are ready to just give into the chaos and settle some scores. Especially when it comes to the town’s resident monster, Cliven Ridgeway and well… despite Evan’s best efforts to maintain law and order in a time of need, he too eventually comes to realize that perhaps… now is the time to embrace a new and darker way. Which motivates him to bring Cliven in and lock him up… so that the townsfolk can enact quite the powerful plan for revenge.

For you see, Cliven killed a young girl named Sue, and got away with the crime courtesy of his scumbag dad… who also happens to be the mayor of this one stop town. And by putting him in a cell, with his hands firmly cuffed… Sue’s reanimated corpse can have her delicious revenge at last and the town can sleep easier knowing they did a good deed with the end times upon them and well… this brilliant vignette, based on the short story by Craig Engler, really is a perfect Romero tribute. Since it reminds us of the fact that fear can destroy civilization with minimal effort and motivate us to do terrible things. Since a genuine fear that America would be gone tomorrow, prompted these good people to abandon everything they cherish and abided by, to enact revenge. Which is meant to inform us that during times of crisis, we cannot lose our heads and we cannot give into fear, or all will be lost.

Which is a supremely relevant message to see play out in this vignette, since it reminds us of the uncomfortable moments that have popped up over the past twenty years where fear has indeed taken hold and well, this entire finale is quite sobering for certain. Since it puts some genuine concerns and problems on display, the kind that stay with you long after this episode has come to an end. Not because they’re so bleak in nature, but because they point out how foolish we can be and how common sense could fix a great deal of our problems and really, in the end, this is the perfect way to close out the third season of this phenomenal series.

Because not only does this vignette pay tribute to one of horror’s biggest icons and the messages he injected into his work, but because it points out that fear really is mankind’s biggest obstacle to overcome and the instant, we do that… so many of the worries we faced this season and in everyday life, will indeed fade away and that makes this season quite poignant and oddly hopeful. If anything, this just goes to show that Creepshow is genuinely evolving into something quite special and powerful and hopefully we get many more seasons of this series. So that we can properly face our fears and grow accordingly. Until next time, kiddies.  

​It is something that will always happen as you get older; your relationships will change over the years.  Most of the time they will strengthen as you continue to get to know each other better, but on rare occasions, they will dwindle as you just outgrow them. There is nothing wrong with that happening as you get older since there are some characteristics that do not mature as you do. But you need to remember that sometimes you need to fight to keep a healthy relationship, as nothing is a given in this day and age.
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Getting up to Mount Holliston without any ski passes, Dan has the idea of putting his girlfriend Parker to use. Asking her to put her flirt on with the agent running the chair lift, Parker is able to convince the man to let her and her friends get some runs in for only a hundred dollars. With the deal being struck, Dan, Parker and Joe take to the slopes for a day of great skiing, but it is not what Joe had hoped for. Sticking to the bunny slopes for Parker, Joe only wants to get one more run in for the night before they head back home.

Seeing that the lift operator is getting ready to shut down for the night, the group is able to convince him for one more run with the promise of being down as fast as they can. As the lift operator gets called to his boss’ office, he lets his replacement know that there are three more coming down the mountain, but his count is off. When seeing three skiers making it to the bottom of the hill, the replacement shuts down the lift stranding Dan, Parker and Joe high above the ground in the middle of the elements. Thinking that it must just be a glitch, the three sit and wait patiently for the power to come back on, but as the hours pass, they start to understand that there is no way off the lift, unless they do it themselves. 

Getting impatient after a snow groomer ignores them, Dan decides that he will jump down and get help.  With nobody stopping him, he takes the leap and breaks his legs upon hitting the snow below. Not being able to move, the group starts to hear the sound of howling in the woods and the fear of freezing to death becomes secondary as a pack of wolves have found some injured prey. Not being able to fight off the wolves, Dan becomes the first victim of the pack who is keeping a close eye on the stranded skiers above. Needing to wait until morning to make their next move, Joe decides that he will have to be the one to get help and makes his way over to one of the massive poles that holds the lift in place, but he is not alone in this thinking as the wolves are looking to feast again. With no options left, Parker watches as her boyfriend’s best friend heads down the mountain, but not hearing anything for several hours, she fears for the worst and must find her own way to safety before she freezes to death.

I have pondered over watching this movie for many months now and I don’t know why I did that. There is nothing more frightening than being abandoned with no way of escaping and that is what this movie explores, with plenty of scenes that will make you cringe. I liked the relationships being called into play throughout the movie as Joe is upset his best friend has a girlfriend that is taking away from their bro time. Parker is a good sport throughout and I am surprised that she even went up for the last run with the boys as she was tired from falling all over the slopes during the day. With darkness, snow, wolves, abandoned skiers, a slight chance of hope, frostbite and silence during the night and day, this movie will make you think twice about night skiing, that is for sure. I really enjoyed how the movie played as a whole and one might think that meaningless conversations while being stuck would be boring to see in a film, but for some reason, this movie made them work since it keeps you intrigued. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Behind the Monsters’.
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One would think that fans of popular culture… would be captivated by the hero of the story they’re enjoying, and the hero alone. For they are a champion of all that is right in the universe, and they risk life and limb and their sanity in order to defeat evil and keep the world safe. But alas, while pop culture fans do indeed gravitate toward heroes and celebrate the wonder of them often… sometimes the villain is quite captivating as well… and they manage to suck fans into their mythos and their motivations, despite the fact that they are as evil as they come and eager to do harm to the innocents of the world, and their ability to do that, does leave a great deal of us wondering… why?
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Why would everyday people be captivated and fascinated by fictional evil characters that have no redeeming value? Well as it turns out, there are some actual answers as to why people gravitate to monsters and a brand-new series on Shudder is eager to explore the why behind this. Which makes Behind the Monsters quite the fascinating new show, one that really does give us great insight into our obsession with monsters and how they rose to pop culture prominence and the first monster that this series opted to spotlight, just so happened to be ‘Michael Myers’. The very being that just enjoyed his latest release in a long-standing franchise of films and well, as it turns out, our obsession with him and his incredible longevity stems from the fact… that he is a mystery. 

After all, outside of what we saw develop in the opening minutes of the original Halloween, we know nothing of the man. We only know that when he returns to Haddonfield on that fateful October 31, he has nothing but bloodlust on his mind and he is eager to satiate it and that leads to a powerfully frightening film. One where Michael is nothing more than a force of nature and it is his ability to kill with impunity, without breaking a sweat or cracking a one liner, alongside his seeming superhuman strength and unremarkable appearance… that fascinates us. For he is pure mystery and unfettered motivation and that was something that was fresh back then and is fresh now. But while his mysterious nature definitely draws a viewer in, in Michael’s case, our obsession with his franchise and his mythos expands beyond the mystery his character provides.

For the Halloween franchise is in a way, its own Marvel Cinematic Universe, complete with its own multiverse. Since there are now four divergent timelines stemming from the original film and a bonus alternate timeline. Since Halloween III: Season of the Witch opens up a whole new Myers-less world to the audience where magic is real and of course, the cult grounded timeline tries to put answers to his powers, and there’s even a universe where he dies at the hands of his sister and there's Rob Zombie's alternate universe and now there’s a whole new timeline that resets everything beyond those chilling closing moments of the original film… and promises to bring closure to forty years of wild storytelling. If anything, the fact that you can pick your path in this saga and go down a route where answers await or where the story gets infinitely darker and more violent… captivates a viewer and demands our obsession. 

But of the many reasons that we love Michael Myers and villains in general, is the purity of their stories. For in many ways, Michael, and Laurie’s long-standing battle, represents the never-ending struggle of good versus evil, and Michael’s desire to sow chaos in suburban America… represents some long standing and xenophobic fears in our culture and makes Michael an icon of subtle commentary. Plus, the movies just plain kick ass and entertain to no end and well… all of these lessons made this premiere supremely worthwhile and engaging and truly… this writer is hooked. Because this is a series unlike any other horror documentary out there since it celebrates and educates and geeks out, all at the same time, and it will be quite interesting to learn more fascinating lessons about the monsters that captivate us as this series continues along. Until next time.  

There are times when traveling from one event to another can be fun, but most of the time it is just exhausting. Trying to do this for one summer, I must admit that it was far from the best time of my life, mainly because I was driving alone and had no one to talk to. It can be important to bring along someone that you don’t get tired of easily as there is much to be said about social interaction when on road trips. For all of you that make these trips from conventions, film festivals, business meetings or whatever else forces you to travel, I salute you for showing up with a smile on your face at every event.
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At her latest film event, Crystal heads outside to unwind as the movie plays on. Being upset that she will not be getting the prime slot at the next film festival, she is starting to question this director gig that she has found her way into. After the credits roll, the audience gets introduced to the cast and crew, and Crystal, Dawn, Lizzy along with the sister stars Kim and Sasha all head up to the stage. Being kind enough to hang around for the after party, Sasha finds that there is fan who wants to give her a gift, while Crystal is being hit on by a younger man. Needing to make their way to the next festival, Crystal calls for her crew to mount up and the ladies are once again on the road.

With her crew passed out in during the dead of night, Crystal needs something to keep her awake. Stopping at a public outhouse facility, Crystal gets out and grabs a quick smoke. But half an hour has passed, and their director has yet to return. Not knowing what is going on, Lizzy the writer, Dawn the producer and sisters Kim and Sasha need to come up with a plan on how to find her. Debating what will be the best means of attack, Lizzy is against breaking up the group with the worry that one of her scripts will come to life, but they need to be prepared just in case Crystal comes back when they are gone. Taking the responsibility of sticking behind, Sasha decides to stay in the locked car and after a long nap, she awakens to see that the old car from last night has appeared next to her.

While on their search for Crystal, Kim, Dawn and Lizzy stumble upon a large house a couple of miles down the road. Being greeted by Chris and his wife Astrid, the women are invited in for a cup of tea while they get their wits about them. Trying to use the phone, Dawn hears bodies falling in the other room and finds out that these nice country folk are not what they seem. Waking up in the basement of the house with no idea what is about to happen to them, much less where Crystal is, Dawn and Kim find a stranger being held with them. Heather has been in this awful house for too long already and knows exactly what the family above is doing to their victims. Letting the new ladies know what they are in for, it will be a long time before these women of horror will be seen or heard from again.

I don’t want to give up too much about what the family is doing with their new catch, but what I will say is that they have been around for a long time and their experiments will help humanity in the long run. I loved the twist with the killer family, Chris and Astrid, along with the extended family members that show up later. They made for good villains and over all their purpose was clear. The women of horror were just a joy, as they get separated and treated much differently from one another when Chris gets his hands on them. With little chance of escape for any one of them, how the ending plays out seems like familiar territory, but there is always a twist, and it was pretty darn good. With women filmmakers, a creepy family, a sledgehammer, experiments, blood and some more blood, you just have to watch to the end to find out all of the secrets of this family who have found a lifelong answer for many people. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Midnight Mass’.
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For the most part, the horror genre is willing to tackle just about any topic out there, commentary wise. Simply because it is the most intelligent genre in storytelling and the right creative mind can easily weave the most taboo or uncomfortable of topics into the fabric of a story with minimal fuss and that has brought about some quality and powerful horror films and shows throughout the years. The kind that gives us great pause as we work to unpack everything a particularly brilliant story had to say. But you’ll notice that there was mention of the fact that not every topic has been properly visited by this genre and there is a good reason as to why that is the case. Because some subjects are so complex and uncomfortable, that trying to comment upon them and analyze them could be risky, and that is likely why horror tends to steer clear of in-depth analysis of religion. 

Because religion and faith are quite sacred in this world, and while some horror stories have indeed spoken to such matters in a topical manner, there are few stories out there that truly address the concerns so many have about religion and its sorted past and pratfalls. Likely because to do so could indeed invite incredible backlash, since so many hold religion near and dear to their hearts and use it to guide a great deal of their lives. But as the horror genre continues to grow in popularity and the demand for bolder horror stories is high, there are creative minds that are starting to dare to examine the more raw and unsavory aspects of religion and ask the tough questions regarding it, and one series that is clearly going to dive into religion full bore, is the latest Netflix series from horror master Mike Flanagan, Midnight Mass.

For the series premiere of this new show, ‘Book I: Genesis’, wastes little time in examining how complicated mankind’s relationship with religion is and how we’ve begun to question it more and more because of the bad things that happen in our world and the lack of a response from the God we worship. As evidenced by the opening sequence of this tale where our main character, Riley Flynn, is faced with the reality that he has killed another human being while driving drunk. And being sentenced to jail for years and being forced to face the fact that God and his devout faith to Christianity did nothing to protect him or the life he watched fade before his eyes, leads him to ​question everything he’s been taught about religion and its purpose. 

Which is a conflict that only grows when he returns home to his hometown of Crockett Island, a tiny community of only 120 people that ironically, still believe that faith is the answer to all of their ails and well… Riley’s conflict really does inform the viewer that this series is going to go hard into the power and the pratfalls of religion. As evidenced by the intense and conflicted conversations that take place between Riley and his parents regarding their faith and what purpose they believe it serves. But what is equally as fascinating about this series, is that Riley's homecoming and the time in between those powerful conversations... sets the stage for a great deal more for this series. Since there are hints of an examination to come, regarding the decline of Americana and our desire to hold onto it, and of course… there is a horror mystery waiting in the wings for the viewer as well.

Because the arrival of a replacement Monsignor named Paul Hill… adds some vampiric undertones to this particular tale. Thanks to the mysterious crate in Hill’s belongings and the odd sightings of flying beings at night and of course… the death of a bevy of stray cats… is cause for great concern and a hint that something sinister has indeed arrived here. However, it should be noted, that we gain minimal answers or progress in regard to any of these plot threads in this story, and that is not a bad things by any means. Because Mike Flanagan is a master storyteller, and it is obvious that this premiere is designed to set the stage for a grandiose and powerful journey, where eventually, all of our questions commentary wise and plot wise will be answered. 

​Because Flanagan will undoubtedly force the realities of the world and the fantasies to religion to collide in this tale, and that is going to allow for some fine commentary to come to fruition. The kind that will undoubtedly give us the pause we seek from this genre and hopefully start some hard discussions on the nature of religion in the 21st Century and its purpose and as an added bonus, it looks like we are going to be treated to some serious scares as well. Since some of the sequences involving what lurks in the dark, were downright terrifying, and there is some heavy air surrounding Paul Hill and his intentions and his past and let’s be honest… devout faith is terrifying as well. Since we’ve seen what turns people into and truly, it will be quite interesting to see how all of these themes are going to come together in the weeks to come. Because this really is undiscovered country for the horror genre and anything can happen, now that the stage is set, and good and evil have assembled on this lonesome and forgotten island. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains some minor spoilers for Episode 402 of ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’.
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As we continue our journey through the latest season of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula on Shudder, it is becoming quite apparent that Drac and Swan are looking to indulge the audience in quite the unique experience. Because ‘Nosferatu Beach Party’ is an episode that informed us of the fact that week in and week out, the themes that the contestants are going to be taking part in, hold great meaning and go deeper than a cool and kitschy challenge designed to get their best work out of them. No instead, it is becoming clear now, that the Boulet Brothers are eager to use this season to educate us on horror history and celebrate corners of the genre that aren’t talked about enough and this week’s wraparound segment and theme… outright prove this.
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Because let’s be honest, we don’t celebrate the wonder of beach themed horror all that often. In part because there aren’t a ton of movies that feature creatures attacking beach parties, but they are there, and they are campy and glorious and that is undoubtedly why the Boulet Brothers chose to make those a focus. To educate us about the wonder of these films, and to pique our curiosity about what those movies are like so we can seek them out, and of course, the tribute aspect of this episode comes forth from the Nosferatu theme. For the vampire is a true staple of the genre through and through and many attribute the modern vampire to the 1922 film Nosferatu and having both of those elements here, really did educate the audience through and through and it also… got us quite excited about what was to come with the overall theme.

For this particular fusion was unique and creative and it really did motivate the contestants to not only create stunning looks that stood out on stage, but to really dive deep into their performances and wow… were we treated to quite the stage show. Since so many of the contestants lost themselves within their characters, to the point where several of them were unrecognizable. Such as HoSo and her partner (whom we won’t reveal because we simply cannot spoil THAT surprise), since they terrifyingly embodied their vampire characters and were utterly mesmerizing to watch. As was also the case for La Zavaleta and Saint, since they put on a perfect show, and truly transformed into thirsty beach going bloodsuckers before our eyes and that’s a huge deal since it signaled quite the turnaround for La Zavaleta, after her tough week in the season four premiere.

But of course, not everyone gave this particular beach party their all. Since Merrie Cherrie went a bit off script with the costume and made it inherently clear how little she enjoyed the theme this week, and Bitter Betty struggled mightily with her performance and in an odd twist of events, Astrud Aurelia, last week’s victor… found herself in bottom looks this week alongside Betty. All because her costume really didn’t blow anyone away and her performance was sub-par and well, that led to some emotional moments. The kind where Astrud made it clear how much this competition meant to her and how angry she was over hitting the bottom after tasting victory, and well, once again… we won’t spoil the fate of the bottom lookers this week, because you simply need to watch this episode and experience that powerful ending firsthand.

Because that ending really does give us an idea of what the Boulet Brothers are looking for this year and how fierce this competition is going to be going forward and, in the end, this is another episode that simply draws you in leaves you starving for more. Because every single second of this season has been nothing short of mesmerizing. Thanks in large part to the intimacy we’re receiving in regard to the contestants. For we really are getting to know them quite well, and what makes them tick and drives them and we genuinely care about them and their fates on this show. Plus, let’s be honest… the drama is hard to turn away from because it is top-notch and well, in the end, it really will be quite interesting to see what awaits us in this fierce and creative competition, in the weeks to come, now that everyone has an idea of what they need to bring to the table… to win. Until next time.  

​There are some things that families like to hand down through the generations. One of the main ones that you always see is Grandma’s wedding ring to help ensure that your love will last forever. While the sentiment is spot on, it is difficult to imagine that this could help in a relationship, but it is the thought that counts. Another thing that families like to keep within their bloodline is their old homestead, since some families have been able to stay there for many generations since they made their way to the States. It does not matter what the heirloom is, if you see the importance of it from your grandparents to your parents, you might want to take note that it should be important to you as well.
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Being taken away from his family years ago, Jesse is finally able to step into his parent’s old house that has lasted many generations. With his wife Kate along for the ride, Jesse wants to get to know who he is and where he came from, just for the fact he never got to know his parents before they died. While taking a look around the house and seeing a stand above the fireplace that should be holding something, Jesse starts to wonder what it could be. Trying to settle in for the night, the couple get a call from someone that they did not expect to hear from.

Arriving to the house drunk, Charlie and his wife Lana are ready to celebrate Jesse’s birthday and make it one for the ages. While the night is no longer young, both couples turn in for the night as they both have long days ahead of them. While Charlie is looking to get Lana a record deal with Kate’s agency, Jesse is more focused on the house and what secrets it holds. Digging through some old photo albums and finding a picture of his Great-Great Grandpa, Jesse finds out who he was named after, along with another family secret, a crystal skull. Wanting to know if the family legend is real, Jesse is able to convince his friend to go to the graveyard and dig up old Jesse and see if the skull actually exists.

Digging six feet down and pulling up the coffin of his Great-Great Grandfather, Jesse is shocked when a hand grabs his and the corpse attached to it, is looking to kill him. Being able to talk briefly with the old man, Jesse is able to convince old Jesse that he is family. Accepting this and returning to his old house, old Jesse a.k.a. Gramps is ready to liven the place up a little bit. After being given room and board in the basement, Gramps tells the stories of the ages to his Great-Great Grandson, but there is a rumbling upstairs. With a Halloween party in full swing, there is someone else in the house that is looking for the family prize as a Barbarian arrives and is looking to claim the crystal skull for himself. Knowing that Gramps cannot survive without the skull in his possession, Jesse and Charlie are tasked with getting it back for him, but little do they know what other horrors the old house has in store for them.

A very interesting sequel for the House franchise, as it is a completely different story, along with a different house. With that being pushed to the side, this story focuses on the importance of family and Gramps is the first one to let you know that there is nothing better. The different rooms in the household different secrets and while it might not get explained exactly why they are there, you should not really care, because the name of the game is adventure. I must admit that I liked this movie a little bit more than I should have, because it is just downright silly with an occasional scare being thrown in for good measure. With alternate dimensional rooms, a past love, a virgin, a barbarian, a crystal skull, some gunplay, some swordplay, and an electrician who can save the day, this movie is just plain fun and while it might be a little bit off the rails as the house comes back to life, it will remind you that there is nothing more important than family. Stay Scared.