If there is one thing that horror fans can agree upon, it would be that it is never too early to start planning for which horror movies to watch next. For this is the golden age of the genre and great horror is pouring out onto the market and that’s why horror fans are always combing the web to learn more about future releases, so they know when they can get their fix and thankfully, Shudder continues to help with this process.
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For they keep acquiring amazing horror films, and they let fans know about what they have acquired as soon as possible so we can put that release on our radar, and let the hype build in our minds and this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because Shudder is once again building anticipation for tomorrow, today. For earlier, it was announced that Shudder and Well Go USA have acquired the rights to the Irish horror film, Unwelcome, and well… here are all the details on this creature feature, including its projected release dates, courtesy of Shudder.

‘Leading international and indie film distributor Well Go USA Entertainment has acquired North American rights to the chilling creature feature UNWELCOME, which spins a tale of what happens to people who come in contact with the violent, bloodthirsty goblins known originally in Irish folklore as the fear dearg or “far darrig,” now often referred to worldwide as the “Redcaps.” The film, releasing in the United Kingdom by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc, will open in U.S. theaters from Well Go USA on March 17, 2022. In addition, AMC Networks’ Shudder—the premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural—has negotiated exclusive North American streaming rights with Well Go, with the film set to premiere later in 2022 following the conclusion of the theatrical window.

UNWELCOME, which is directed by Irish-born Jon Wright (Grabbers, Robot Overlords) and based on an original screenplay by Mark Stay, stars Hannah John-Kamen (Red Sonja, Black Mirror, Ant-Man and The Wasp, Ready Player One) and Douglas Booth (Loving Vincent, hit Netflix film The Dirt, Jupiter Ascending, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) as a couple who escape their urban nightmare to the tranquility of rural Ireland only to hear stories of mysterious beings who live in the gnarled, ancient wood at the foot of their new garden. As warned by their new neighbors, in Irish mythology, the Redcaps will come when called to help souls in dire need of rescue, but it’s crucial to remember that there is always a dear price to pay for their aid.

“We are thrilled to bring this new spin on an age-old Irish legend to North American horror fans, who may or may not know about the legend behind this mysterious group of faerie folk,” said Doris Pfardrescher, President and CEO at Well Go USA Entertainment. “The entire ensemble of stellar, tried-and-true cast and crew members have really outdone themselves bringing this story to life, and we believe audiences will be delighted by the result.”

Additional cast members include Golden Globe nominee Colm Meaney (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Get Him to the Greek, Gangs of London) Jamie-Lee O’ Donnell (6 Degrees, Screw, Derry Girls), Chris Walley (The Young Offenders, Bloodlands) and Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones, The Appearance). The film also has reunited the Grabbers creature team. The powerhouse ensemble includes prosthetics by Shaune Harrison, who has worked on some of the world’s highest-grossing blockbusters (including the Harry Potter films, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Avengers: Age of Ultron), creature designs by Paul Catling (Maleficent, Thor, Fantastic Beasts) and longtime Wright collaborator VFX supervisor Paddy Eason (28 Weeks Later, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Grabbers).’

So, as you can see, Shudder and Well Go USA, have locked up the rights to what appears to be a fascinating horror film. One that features a fresh twist on an age-old legend and well… it just means that Shudder has done it again. Because it is definitely safe to say that this is now on everyone’s mind, and we will all be keeping a close eye for a hard release date from Shudder… so we can make plans to enjoy another quality addition to the genre, from the comfort of our homes.   

​Sometimes you take a look at your life and wonder what it could have been if you did something else. I have done this many times over the years and it is a good practice to do, mainly because it makes you think about a different skill set that you can work on to not only better your work performance, but yourself. While I have always tried to improve my creative storytelling (writing) skills, I always seem to have one aspect holding me back from making it a career. As I continue to contemplate what the future might have for myself, I urge you all to do the same thing, think about what you would rather be doing, because you never know if the opportunity will come knocking one day.
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On top of his game, author Roger Cobb is nearing another deadline and needs to get another book out by the end of the month. After getting word that his aunt killed herself, Roger decides that he wants to take possession of her old house, if only for the short term to finish his book. But the house has something else about it that Roger and his ex-wife Sandy cannot put their fingers on, as their son Jimmy went missing there a year ago. While the two were never able to get back into the married mode after this took place, they both still love each other and wish nothing but the best for each other’s futures.
 
Thinking back to that hapless day, Roger remembers his aunt saying that the house took the boy and can’t seem to get that out of his mind. When walking through the house on his own, he is shocked to see his aunt in her room getting ready to hang herself. Barking out a warning not to let the house fool him, Roger is forced to watch the tragic even unfold in front of his eyes. Starting to believe that the house might actually be haunted after seeing his aunt’s ghost, Roger wants to know what really happened there and if it had anything to do with his missing son. Keeping an ear out for strange things and remembering a painting that his aunt made of her room, Roger gets up the nerve to take a look into her closet that her painting depicted as some sort of gateway. Opening the door once and finding nothing, Roger hears the clock strike midnight and gives it another try, releasing a beast that can only be found in his nightmares. Being able to free himself from the beast, Roger is ready to prove that he is not crazy and purchases top of the line video equipment to get it on tape.

Watching as his new neighbor is slowly descending into the mouth of madness, Harold Gorton decides to keep a closer eye on his favorite author. Showing up at the most inopportune times in Roger’s mind, Harold is worried about his mental health. Bringing over food while Roger is trying to coax the monster out again, Harold does not see anything and needs to take a more drastic step. Calling Roger’s ex-wife Sally for help, she is stuck at work and cannot make it out right away but wants to support Harold in trying to keep Roger sane. Watching as Roger starts shooting at things that are not there, Harold gets the police called in for a possible suicide watch, but nothing will keep Roger from the house and all of the horrors it has in store for him, along with a chance to be reunited with an old friend for the rest of his days.

If you have seen this movie, you can see that I tried to hit all of the main bullet points of where the story was trying to go, if you have not seen the movie, well, then you are in for a surprise. While this movie makes me miss the 80’s horror genre more than anything else, the storyline jumps all over the place and you have to have a pretty good memory to try and piece most of it together. The silliness that takes place on screen, along with the innuendo is more than enough to keep you entertained throughout, so don’t let a fractured storyline keep you from watching, because it is just too much fun. With a witch, a creature looking to kill, a mounted fish coming to life, Vietnam flashbacks, Bull from Night Court, Norm from Cheers and the Greatest American Hero front and center, this movie is just fun from start to finish and if you are looking for some not so serious scares, this is the movie for you. Stay Scared.

October really is quite the bittersweet time to be a horror fan. Because despite being in the midst of the best month for the genre, wherein everyone is watching scary movies and celebrating every monster out there… November means the world will shift gears almost immediately and try to leave the wonder of horror in the dust, to instead celebrate a jolly man in red and his many elves. Which is a tad disheartening but that shift doesn’t keep good horror fans down. For they know, the genre thrives year-round, and the horror network Shudder has their backs on the matter.
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Because Shudder, doesn’t rest when the season ends, it continues to release phenomenal horror film after phenomenal horror film, as part of its own quest to ensure that everyone understands the wonder of this genre and that it is to be celebrated every day of every year and for proof… then look no further than today’s announcement. For earlier, the network released its phenomenal programming lineup for the month of November, so that horror fans and the uninitiated have something to watch while they digest their Thanksgiving meal and well, without further ado… here is what you can expect from Shudder in November.

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UK and Shudder ANZ) 
Five rich spoiled Asian twenty-somethings (Gijs Blom, Aviis Zhong, Yen Tsao, Philip Juan, Anechka Marchenko) are suffering from upper class ennui, unsure how to spend their days when so little is expected from them. In search of excitement, the five friends form the “Circle,” a group where they take turns designing a unique, extravagant experience for the others. But things go wrong when the privileged urbanites awaken after a night out, to find they have developed vampire fangs and an unquenchable thirst for flesh, blood, and adventure at any price. View Trailer HERE.

(Available on Shudder US and Shudder CA)
A blissful tourist trip turns into a nightmare for five passengers when their seaplane goes down near a shipwreck. Stranded miles from shore in an inflatable life raft, they find themselves in a desperate fight for survival as they try to make it to land before they either run out of supplies or are taken by a menacing pack of sharks lurking just beneath the surface.Great White stars Katrina Bowden (Piranha 3DD, 30 Rock), Aaron Jakubenko (Tidelands), Kimie Tsukakoshi (Riptide), Tim Kano (Neighbours), and Te Kohe Tuhaka (Love and Monsters, The Dead Lands). Written by Michael Boughen (Dying Breed), the film was featured directorial debut of Martin Wilson. View Trailer HERE.

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder UKI)
In the treacherous frontier city of Samurai Town, a ruthless bank robber (Nicolas Cage) is sprung from jail by a wealthy warlord, The Governor (Bill Moseley), whose adopted granddaughter Bernice (Sofia Boutella) has run away. Strapped into a leather suit that will self-destruct within five days if he doesn’t find the missing girl, the bandit sets off on a journey to find the young woman — and his own path to redemption. View Trailer  HERE.

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI, and Shudder ANZ)
In the dead of winter, Catherine (Teagan Johnston), a talented musician who, having recently broken up her successful band, travels to her aunt's remote coastal cottage to work on new material in solitude. Once there, she and local photographer Grace (Jenna Schaefer) spark up a budding romance while visiting an abandoned farmhouse with a disturbing past. Soon after, strange and seemingly supernatural occurrences begin to manifest at the cottage, escalating each night and dangerously eroding Catherine's sense of reality. View Trailer HERE.

The groundbreaking Shudder Original series follows ten drag artists from around the world competing for a $100,000 grand prize – the largest in show history. Season four guest judges include Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical film series), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones), Misha Osherovich (Freaky), Queer country music icon Orville Peck, pop metal star Poppy, Ray Santiago (Ash vs Evil Dead), Bob the Drag Queen (We're Here) and more. Learn more about the cast, here. View trailer HERE.

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI and Shudder ANZ) 
Behind the Monsters takes an in-depth exploration of the creation of favorite horror icons including Candyman, Chucky, Michael Myers and Freddy Krueger. No horror icon came out of a filmmaker’s first draft fully formed. There were early drafts, wrong turns, experimentation. Once made flesh (or latex), there’s presentation, impact, audience response and legacy. Each episode examines a horror icon who has broken free of the confines of the film from which it was born and become the stuff of legend. View Trailer HERE.

November 1

Wait Until Dark  
​(Available on Shudder US)
A recently blinded woman is terrorized by a trio of thugs while they search for a heroin-stuffed doll they believe is in her apartment.
 
Blood on Satan’s Claw
(Available on Shudder US)
Horror thriller set in 17th century England about the children of a village slowly converting into a coven of devil worshipers.
 
The Velvet Vampire
(Available on Shudder US)
A newlywed couple is delighted to be invited to spend some time at their alluring neighbor's beautiful home, but the excitement quickly turns to horror when they discover that she is actually a predatory vampire.
 
The Dark 
(Available on Shudder US)
A haunting and deeply intense atmospheric film about love, monsters and revenge that is being compared to the spine-chilling 'Let the Right One In'.
 
The Closet 
(Available on Shudder US)
Following the death of his wife and disappearance of his daughter, a successful architect enlists the help an exorcist to help him find his daughter. 
 
Prom Night 
(Available on Shudder US)
A masked killer stalks four teenagers who were responsible for the accidental death of a little girl six years earlier, at their high school's senior prom.
 
Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II
(Available on Shudder US)
Thirty years after her accidental death at her 1957 senior prom, the tortured spirit of prom queen Mary Lou Maloney returns to seek revenge.
 
Leatherface 
(Available on Shudder US)
A teenage Leatherface escapes from a mental hospital with three other inmates, kidnapping a young nurse and taking her on a road trip from hell, while being pursued by a lawman out for revenge.

November 8

Tailgate
(Available on Shudder US)
A cocksure, road-raging man on a family road trip finds himself pursued and terrorized by the vengeful van driver he chooses to tailgate.
 
The World of Kanako
(Available on Shudder US)
As former detective Akikazu searches for his missing daughter, Kanako, he soon learns she has a mysterious secret life.
 
The Visitor
(Available on Shudder US)
An intergalactic warrior battles alongside a cosmic Christ figure against a demonic 8-year-old girl and her pet hawk, as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance.
 
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
(Available on Shudder US)
Arriving in Chicago, Henry moves in with ex-con acquaintance Otis and starts schooling him in the ways of the serial killer.
 
Darlin’
(Available on Shudder US)
Found at a Catholic hospital filthy and ferocious, feral teenager Darlin' is whisked off to a care home run by The Bishop and his obedient nuns, where she's to be rehabilitated into a "good girl" as an example of the miraculous work of the church. But Darlin' holds a secret darker than the "sins" she is threatened with; The Woman who raised her, equally fierce and feral, is ever present in the shadows of Darlin's psyche and is determined to come for her no matter who tries to get in her way.

November 11

Honeydew (Available on Shudder US)
Strange cravings and hallucinations befall a young couple after seeking shelter in the home of an aging farmer and her peculiar son.

November 15

Kill List
(Available on Shudder US)
Nearly a year after a botched job, a hitman takes a new assignment with the promise of a big payoff for three killings. What starts off as an easy task soon unravels, sending the killer into the heart of darkness.
 
A Dark Song
(Available on Shudder US)
A determined young woman and a damaged occultist risk their lives and souls to perform a dangerous ritual that will grant them what they want.
 
The Hallow
(Available on Shudder US)
A family who moved into a remote mill house in Ireland finds themselves in a fight for survival with demonic creatures living in the woods.
 
Pyewacket
(Available on Shudder US) 
Feeling isolated and hopeless, Leah turns to Black Magic to release her anger. She naively performs an occult ritual found in a book on her bedroom shelf to invoke the spirit of a witch to kill her mother.
 
The Isle
(Available on Shudder US)
When three shipwrecked sailors land on an island abandoned except for four sole residents, one sailor starts to question what happened on the island. He must uncover the truth while he battles to save his own life and escape the isle.
 
Fender Bender
(Available on Shudder US)
A teenage girl who just got her driver's license gets into her first fender bender, innocently exchanging information with an apologetic stranger, a serial killer who stalks the streets, hungrily searching for his next unsuspecting victim.

November 16

Blood Rage
(Available on Shudder US)
As kids, Todd is institutionalized for a murder whilst his twin goes free. 10 years later, on Thanksgiving, Todd escapes and a killing spree begins in his neighborhood.
 
Etheria Season 1(
Available on Shudder US)
From post-apocalyptic westerns to demented comedies to terrifying horror and gore, ETHERIA serves up the perfect blend of mind-bending and panic-inducing excitement from the best emerging women genre directors in the world. Each episode showcases a vision of the fantastic in this new anthology series created to introduce amazing directors to devoted genre fans.

November 22

Exorcist III
(Available on Shudder US)
A police Lieutenant uncovers more than he bargained for as his investigation of a series of murders, which have all the hallmarks of the deceased Gemini serial killer, leads him to question the patients of a psychiatric ward.
 
November 29

Wake in Fright
(Available on Shudder US)
A British schoolteacher’s descent into personal demoralization at the hands of drunken, deranged derelicts while stranded in a small town in outback Australia.

One of the biggest benefits of having horror’s popularity be at an all time high, is that long lost formulas for scary stories, the kind that audiences used to consume with joy, are being rediscovered and resurrected to keep new fans happy… such as the anthology horror story. Because back in the day, Friday and/or Saturday night television, was dedicated to short tales of terror that offered up powerful lessons and incredible scares, and of course, there were movies galore with them as well. But alas they did fade. But thanks to shows like Creepshow, people are being reminding of how wonderful anthology horror stories are that’s motivated a bevy of creative minds to resurrect this storytelling format on the small screen. 

But what’s truly magical about this resurrection, is that motion pictures featuring them are also returning to production. For creative minds now know that not only are audiences craving this kind of story, but that they can use the power of film to finally push the envelope with these types of stories and tell dynamic tales that are unfettered horror through and through, and that really is giving life to far more terrifying anthologies. But while it is wonderful to enjoy gorier and creepier anthology films, we’ve yet to really see one that is genuinely groundbreaking and game changing and thankfully, the folks at Shudder are here to change that. For Thursday will see the premiere of the new horror anthology film, Horror Noire, and well… it is definitely safe to declare this movie to be an instant and revolutionary horror classic, and here is why.

In large part, this is accomplished by way of its diverse and unique style of storytelling. Because there is no wraparound story here or hidden theme designed to bring this all together, this is simply a horror anthology movie that offers up six individual vignettes of terror. The kind that aren’t limited by time in the slightest. Because while a majority of anthology horror films try to keep things trim and tight out of the belief that the viewer wants a quick experience, this movie doesn’t subscribe to that. It believes that the audience wants a quality and complete story and that allows for in-depth mini features to play out. The kind that let the terror and the tension build and give you enough time to get to know the characters and what makes them tick before dropping the scares into your lap and that is complimented nicely… by some powerful social commentary.

For these six stories each have depth and meaning to them, and they explore a bevy of topics that aren’t explored in horror enough. Such as say, how running from our past and not taking responsibility for our actions can transform us in negative and terrifying ways. Alongside how in this day and age, lies and misinformation and bombastic rhetoric can transform even the most intelligent of minds into a modern-day zombie, one that feeds on hate and fear. But of course, where this anthology truly shines, is by way of what it has to say commentary wise on racism in America and what it means to be an African American in the 21st Century and those powerful messages are accomplished by way of the revolutionary manner in which this film was assembled.
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For every single vignette in Horror Noire was written and directed by African American creatives and it stars black actors and that allows for powerful stories to be told. The kind that gives the viewer great pause in a good way, because what they have to say is quite meaningful and they offer stunning perspective on racism and gentrification and appropriation and there are even some powerful history lessons about the lasting impact on racism in America and that makes this particular anthology film… a genuine game-changer. Since it elevates voices and spotlights stories that need to be heard and it is simply a bonus that the most intelligent genre in storytelling was utilized to make that happen.

Which means that in the end, this is simply a brilliant horror film through and through. One that quite frankly, is as terrifying as they come. Because these stories feature shocking images and stunning storylines that take your breath away and the gore is impactful and never superfluous in the slightest and really, the true scares in this anthology come from the mirror that it holds up to the modern world, since that puts some awful things on display. The kind of stuff that should start conversations and finally bring awareness to topics that so many have tried to avoid and this writer, applauds for Shudder for giving a green light to this magnificent horror film, one that is historic and frightening and intelligent and will be fawned over for generations, thanks to its many layers and messages.

‘Horror Noire’ will be available to stream on Shudder on October 28, 2021.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond’.

When we come of age and prepare to set out into the world to achieve our dreams and carve our own path, we quickly learn some powerful lessons. Such as the fact that obtaining our dreams isn’t as easy as we thought it was going to be, nor is making a major impact. Because we aren’t the only ones trying to make all that happen, and the universe loves to send chaos our way, and in order to get what we want, we have to roll with the punches and adapt accordingly or the world might motivate us to abandon what we are chasing. Plus, we also come to learn that the world is a cold place, one where few care about us or what we want, and we have to create our own inner circle of quality people to give us the connections and care we crave. But even that comes with some serious surprises.    

Because we also come to find, that creating meaningful connections is no easy task, and friends will come and go when we realize they aren’t who we thought they were. Plus, to top it off, some of the friends we thought would be there for us from beginning to end, also fade away as they chase their own path and transform because of their pursuit. Which makes it seem as though, the pursuit of what we want is futile, and forming relationships of any kind is nothing more than a waste of time, but that’s simply not the case. Because all of these roadblocks make us stronger and teach us patience and to enjoy the journey. For there will come a day when we not only get to enjoy the fruits of our labor and find fulfillment. But we do so with the right people around us.

But make no mistake about it, those lessons are indeed tough and heartbreaking to learn and it takes a long time to embrace their meaning and really, this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because those hard lessons came about for the Campus Colony survivors during last night’s episode of The Walking Dead: World Beyond. For ‘Family Is a Four Letter Word’ is an episode that saw Iris and Hope reunite at last and share in the wonder of family again. Initially making it appear as though this story was going to be the opposite of the aforementioned theme and give us unity in a broken world. Where two sisters finally came together and worked toward toppling a quasi-fascist regime. But alas, it didn’t take long for this story to make it clear… that something was amiss between these two sisters.
 
In that, their ideas were no longer in alignment in the slightest. For while Hope tried to talk her sister into coming back to the research facility with Felix, so they could work on their plans to topple the CRM and rescue their father from this weird place under the protection of their enemy, Iris did not agree with this idea in the slightest. Instead, she believed that the time had come to just take the fight to the CR, and make it known that people were no longer going to put up with their totalitarian ways and that led to heartbreak for these two sisters. Because in that moment, they realized now that they were growing up fast in this disturbing world and starting to see that there were other paths to take, the kind that offered incredible self-fulfillment and that sadly meant that unity was not in the cards.

But while that did indeed do a fine job of hammering home the show’s central theme, it decided to offer up an additional lesson, one that Huck was shocked to learn. Because there also comes a point in adulthood, where we come to understand that our consequences have serious actions, regardless of our justifications and that examination came about while she meandered about the forest to clear her head. Because her vulnerability, put her within an inch of losing her life, twice. All because Felix and Percy were still furious over the fact that she was quick to enact the CRM’s murdering ways when it suited her best. Which in turn allowed for Felix and Percy to show her what that kind of apathy does to a person when it is imparted upon them, and it how motivates revenge fueled consequences and oddly enough…  that’s not the only lesson Huck learned in this tale.
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Because she also enjoyed a taste of the cruelty of the world, by way of her mother. Whom she quickly confronted after the Lieutenant Colonel gave a garbage speech about perseverance and unity in the face of events the CRM brought to fruition. In fact, it is the end of Omaha and the campus she once called home that she asked her mother about, courtesy of what she learned from Iris and Felix, only to receive more lies and fury from her own flesh and blood. Which in turn, helped her to realize how ugly this world can be and how people have no problem telling lies when it suits their needs and the emotional weight of that and the lessons that old friends taught her, finally brought Huck to tears and well, the only positive that can come out of this, is that hopefully Huck finally understands that the time has come for her to atone for her sins and that maybe… the CRM needs to be dealt with. 

Yet, as this series is wont to do, it also found ways to produce some measure of beauty alongside its harsher lessons, as evidenced by Silas and Elton’s journeys in this tale. Since the both of them were forced to face the darkest parts of their sorted pasts. Since Silas’ new ‘friends’ were eager to force him to kill and Elton had to face the person that harmed his mother so long ago and well, they handled their respective confrontations admirably. For Silas learned he can control his temper and use it for good when needed, since he was an empty-killing machine when the moment called for it and Elton eventually came to see that letting the past stay in the past wasn’t a bad thing, thanks to an assist from his new friend in that tiny little community, and it was just beautiful to see these two broken characters grow.

If anything, this was just a quality transitional episode when all is said and done. One that once again offered up some beautiful lessons after focusing on action and adventure and the CRM for the past couple of weeks, and undoubtedly these harsh lessons were featured here, to prepare our heroes for the future. Because these characters have been laser focused on rescuing Leo and fighting the Civic Republic Military and well, now that the world of the dead has thrown a few wrenches into their machinations, they, will have to adapt accordingly and find a new way to accomplish goals that keep everyone’s specific dreams satisfied. And it will be quite interesting to see how these conflicts change plans and people as this fascinating series barrels toward its end. Until next time.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 702 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’.
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When we last settled in to discuss the brand-new and supremely dark season of Fear the Walking Dead, we talked at length about that aforementioned darkness. Because placing this already bleak universe within the realm of a nuclear winter land was quite the bold storytelling choice, one that gave the audience great pause and also challenged the characters like never before. To the point where we are now wondering as to what will become of Victor Strand, since he has changed his behavior greatly in the face of the mushroom cloud, he watched form at the end of season six. But it is the potential that this darkness provides that really makes it of note. Since it more or less gives the series freedom to break down walls and tell supremely devastating tales and for proof… then look no further than last night’s episode.
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For ‘Six Hours’ is a story, that took the time to go beyond how nuclear winter and a zombie apocalypse can perhaps twist one’s mind into a strange heroic/villain hybrid akin to what Strand is going through. To instead examine how this kind of devastation and excessive stress, can in fact outright break someone through and through and put them at their lowest. Plus, this was also an opportunity to explore how this environment could motivate some people to do horrible things they wouldn’t have done under ‘normal’ circumstances in this world, and it accomplished this examination… by reuniting us with Grace and Morgan. Who as it turns out, have been living it up as best they can, within the belly of the USS Pennsylvania, the very vessel that brought about the situation on the gulf coast and well… they’re facing some ugly odds when we catch up with them.

Because we quickly come to learn, that their food stores on the ship are at an all-time low, and baby Mo is starting to cry non-stop out of hunger pangs and well, that meant that Grace and Morgan had to take turns exploring this devastated part of the world, in six hour shifts, in the hopes of finding radiation free food for themselves and for the baby. Which was of course, no easy task. Since Grace came to discover the same issue that Will did in the premiere. In that, healthy food stores were scare and the fight for them was fierce since Grace had a scary encounter with hungry survivors that wanted what she wanted and well… that’s really when the in-depth examination of what this double apocalypse can do to a person got underway. Because it took a matter of minutes for Grace to have a breakdown when the food run failed, the kind that made it clear she was struggling to find hope in this doubly devastated world and her struggles only grew stronger as the story continued, even with genuine hope on the horizon.

For Morgan revealed that he spent some of his six hour runs preparing the perfect escape vehicle for a nuclear wasteland. One that was stripped down to the bare bones to improve fuel efficiency and featured enough protection and shielding to give them a shot to drive out of the blast radius and enjoy a better life, as a family, at last. But despite making great progress in this slick little ride, Grace continued to have some serious anxiety and even fell into a panic attack. One so severe, that Morgan lost sight of the road and damaged a wheel, and being stopped in a one stop town of the dead, was enough to allow Grace to reveal that she was done at this point, and ready to let the radiation or the dead take her and that was an admission that shocked Morgan. 

After all, they had been through so much and fought so hard to even reach this particular point. So, to hear that Grace was ready to give up, was more than he could bear in the moment, and it really did hammer home, that this much hopelessness and devastation can and will allow for severe depression to settle in. The kind that is amplified in an individual that has suffered through great trauma, as Grace has in the past couple of years. A revelation that motivated Morgan to do his best to talk her out of this decision and come with them after all, but she seemed resigned to her fate. At least, until she had an opportunity to see exactly what she might become when her survival instincts kicked in as they are wont to do, courtesy of a frightening chance encounter.
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Because Grace and Morgan ran into a couple named Fred and Bea who were, in a worse place mentally. For they were wild and caring and dangerous all at once and eager to use the car to escape to a supposed safe zone known only as Padre. But their chaotic nature and desire to inflict harm wasn’t what made them terrifying. After all, we’ve seen that before on this series and Morgan was once in that state. No instead, what made them so horrifying and in turn, the pinnacle of the show’s examination of what a double apocalypse can do to a person… was the secret they harbored. For they also claimed that they had a baby, named Emma, that needed to be moved away from the devastation post haste. But alas, there was something quite wrong with Emma. In fact, she was a member of the living dead, and she became that which humanity now fears… because her father couldn’t reconcile her cries and how they carried on the wind to rotten ears.

A reality that stunned both Grace and Morgan, to the point where Grace finally realized that this kind of behavior could be her fate, unless she did what Morgan said and fought and fought hard. Maybe not for herself in this exact moment, since that kind of epiphany doesn’t immediately heal, but for the future. For Mo. Because there was a real chance they could survive and find a better place where Grace could heal, if they took a moment to work together on a genuine plan to escape and well… that finally motivated her to do what must be done to save the baby and herself, and it’s a wonderful thing that she did. Since her quick change of heart and decision to fight for tomorrow, allowed for them to return home in time safely, and discover wonders with their adopted daughter. Since they found food and formula underneath some of the deck plates of their temporary home. Giving this already powerfully bleak episode, a slightly happy ending.

How long those good vibes will last however, has yet to be seen. Since this episode did include an encounter and brush off from Strand’s boys and of course, a new stranger in this land that has quite the beef with Morgan. But while we wait to see how all of those little twists and turns catch up with Morgan down the line, and what Padre is all about… we can revel in one stunning tale. Because this really was a powerful examination of how extreme duress can break us and transform us into something we are not, and it served as a fine reminder of the importance of having a support network when we fall to the darkness, since that is the key to keeping us from losing ourselves, and well, despite how dark this episode turned out to be, it really does deserve a round of applause. Simply because, this was horror at its finest and it worked so well because of the incredible performances put on display. Since Karen David and Lennie James brought their A game to tale that hammered home the fact, that this series is going to hold nothing back in season seven, and we need to be prepared for genuine terror and unsettling moments, going forward. Until next time.  

There are theories out there that suggest that space is not the final frontier. That the building blocks of life exist in places unknown to us and because of that, other worlds and other creatures thrive in various dimensions that we will likely never interact with. 

The idea of multiple dimensions is nothing new in science and science fiction and horror, simply because the endless realm of possibilities fascinates us, and while there are men of science posing these theories, the real work in discovering the worst parts of these potential universes falls to the horror and science fiction genres, and one film that stands out for its wild ideas of what could be out there, was the 1986 horror gem... From Beyond.  

Dr. Edward Pretorius believes that man is capable of seeing beyond our world and his newly invented device, the Resonator aims to prove that theory.  But his first major test of the device ends in disaster, with his death. His assistant, Crawford, is blamed for the good doctor's untimely passing and committed to a psychiatric hospital.  But a routine medical exam shows changes to his body that cannot be explained, and Dr. Katherine McMichaels is now curious as to what Edward discovered and returns to the lab with Crawford, only to find that the Resonator works and what it shows man, should have stayed beyond our sight.  

Simply put, this is a surprisingly good horror flick. Loosely based off the short story of the same name by the legendary H.P. Lovecraft, From Beyond does a fine job disturbing and disgusting the audience, because it flat our preys upon our fears of damage and pain when it comes to the human body. But in addition to its ability to unsettle the audience, of the big reasons that this film stands out is because it is filled to the brim with horror legends. The iconic Jeffrey Combs is in this, as is scream queen Barbara Crampton and the legendary Ken Foree, and each one of them do an incredible job selling the wild aspects of this story. 

But the film goes above and beyond in bringing eerie and disturbing to the table. The special effects are nothing short of awesome and quite frankly, something that at the time I had never seen before and haven't seen since. The creatures that arrive from this secondary dimension are truly the stuff of nightmares, and the worst of the worst when it comes to these beings... is what becomes of Dr. Pretorius. I won't say much more than that because... these are effects that have to be seen to be believed. Either way, this is one you need to see. The scares are top notch, the cast is incredible, and this is a movie that will leave you shaking your head to clear your mind of the disturbing events that just played out before your eyes long after the credits have ended. 

One particular concept that modern man ponders upon often… is the end of the world. Because there is something that is quite fascinating about the end and what it would or could entail and well… is it something that fascinates us so much, that it has become a staple of popular culture. Because studios and networks have no problem producing all kinds of content about the end so we can satisfy our morbid curiosity about the matter and the history of horror films that feature an apocalypse is so rich and so diverse… that the time was right for Eli Roth’s History of Horror to explore these films, in great detail.

For this week’s episode was all about ‘Apocalyptic Horror’ and well… this episode wasted zero time in diving into the wondrous history of this subgenre of films, starting with perhaps the most popular iteration of this story right now, specifically, films that involve the end of the world at the hands of the living dead. For the dead returning to life and attacking the living, really is a horrifying scenario, one that truly allows for the viewer to get a sense of what a genuine collapse of society might look like in the face of a powerful threat and how a true threat in that manner would conquer us no problem. Plus, these films hold weight with audiences, because they are often grand and sweeping in nature, allowing for them to offer up epic and horrifying moments, and fascinating commentary on our modern world.

Oddly enough, the decision to pack a great deal of themes into those stories, has motivated other horror films to dive into our collapse in a more intimate manner. For instance, The Last Man on Earth, The Omega Man and I Am Legend, are eager to ponder upon what we would become when isolated from the rest of our fellow man, and what being removed from the rules would transform us into morally. And there are others, such as Soylent Green, that dive deep into which rules and concepts that we cherish now, would be easily abandoned in the face of the end of everything, which led to quite the chilling film for certain, since it postulates the theory… that we would be willing to abandon a great deal of what we celebrate… to eat and see another day.

However, while those movies do a great job of exploring a darker side of the human condition when great adversity comes into play… one cannot forget about the majesty of the the alien apocalypse film. Because this type of story does a wonderful job of teaching us the importance of humility. Since War of the Worlds (1953) and The War of the Worlds (2005) speak volumes to how modern man has grown complacent and arrogant in its ability to survive crises, and that could lead to disaster if a powerful enemy decided it wanted what we have. And of course, otherworldly apocalypse films tie into some painfully real moments as well. Since The Invasion of the Body Snatchers and its many iterations, instantly make one think of our experiences from the past year… courtesy of a silent threat that asserts itself over mankind.

But what truly made this episode so worth our while, is that it not only spotlighted a diverse array of apocalyptic themed horror films, but it also took the time to examine why we are so captivated by them. As it turns out, they do indeed provide us with a sense of safety from our real world worries, since we get to work out our fears on the screen, and that allows for us to return to the everyday world with a touch of hope in our hearts. Which shouldn’t be the case after watching a story where the dead conquer mankind, but the hope is there because these stories serve as cautionary tales. Ones that inform us that the end is something that can be avoided or survived, if we take the time to do the opposite of what society does in these films. Until next time.  

How far would you go to find out the truth? It is a good question to ask yourself sometimes when you are watching the news these days, since some reporters take the easy route and only report on a little bit of the story and leave the rest up for you to decide. Do you want to know more, do you want to know the entire story, do you need to know? If the answer is yes, then make sure to make your voice heard and it is very simple to do these days with social media blowing up. There is nothing wrong with calling out reporters for not doing their jobs, but when you do, give them some constructive feedback because saying ‘You Suck’ does not work out very well as we have seen in Colorado, as we have some feisty reporters.
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Finishing up her latest piece and sending it into her editor, Jessica Lake is surprised to hear back from him so soon as she was just getting her bath on. Listening to her next assignment about a ghost hunt that has gone wrong, she is up for the challenge. Loving the ghost stories that she has done in the past and getting some awards for them, she may be right for the job, but is the job right for her?

Meeting with the ghost hunter Justin, Jessica can see that he is physically shaken about his experience. Passing on the tape from the trip to the reporter, Justin warns that there is evil hidden in the footage, but needing to do her job, Jessica will have to watch it one way or another. Plugging in the drive to her laptop, Jessica watches the start of the tape featuring Justin, Haley and Aaron breaking into the catacombs under an abandoned church. As the group is ready to try and find a ghost, Aaron has his heart set on finding an altar for the Scaler, a fallen angel that has been banished to earth. With all of his research pointing to this location, he is positive that they will find something in the darkness, but what they find will change their lives forever.

Only watching the footage a little bit at a time, Jessica is more focused on getting the information for her story. As her reporter gene kicks in, she first gives Aaron’s grandfather a visit to find out what he knows about this Scaler character. Looking through Aaron’s notes and laptop, Jessica is turned to the ghost hunter’s old professor who is able to shine a little bit more light on the situation that she has gotten herself into. But no real answers are making their way to the reporter, at least not ones that she will be able to use in the article. Being able to talk to the Priest that turned Aaron on to the ghost hunt, Jessica sees that this Scaler is something real, but will she be able to fight it off if when she discovers that true evil resides on Earth?

One thing that I took away from this movie is that if you are looking for something that is referred to as a ‘fallen angel’, that is a demon and don’t invite it into your life. With how smart Aaron seemed to be and with all of his research on the subject of the Scaler, he could not put all of that together, he was just so obsessed with the creature. I liked the scenes in the catacombs with the group starting to be harassed by the spirit who only wanted to make itself known to them, it was actually like a ghost hunt I attended years ago. Also watching as the spirit somehow locked on to Jessica as she was getting information for her story was pretty awesome, and thanks to the tiny events that were always getting bigger, she did not seem to know if they were real or if she was going crazy. With a ghost hunt, some religion, a demon, a freaky priest, a mystery unlocked and too much dust, the overall story is great and while I have some problems with the characters, it just means that the movie makers and actors got it right. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Creepshow’.

​One would think that a series such as Shudder’s Creepshow, would eventually run out of terrifying new concepts to explore. After all, there’s only so much that scares mankind, and only so many monsters that one can put on display in a fresh and dynamic manner. But the fact of the matter is, our fears are nearly endless, and that reality… is going to give this series seasons of material to work with. Since there are so many fears that we harbor, that we barely acknowledge when we encounter them because they don’t hold the weight they once did, or because pondering upon them will indeed send us into a panic. Such as say… our fear of time.
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Because deep down, we know we are on the clock and the timer is counting down and while we don’t acknowledge that fear all that often because of that panic potential… it’s there and we will worry about it, and the terror that comes with knowing we’re on borrowed minutes, was explored in great detail in this week’s edition of the show. In fact, ‘Time Out’ examined that specific aspect of our fear of the clock, by way of a unique parable involving a young man named Tim. For when we catch up with him here, he’s cramming for a huge exam at school so he can solidify his future in law and he’s simply out of time. Or so he thinks. For the arrival of a cabinet that his grandmother promises can give him the time he needs, turns out to be a gift humanity would fight wars for. Because an hour in there, equates to minutes out here and that allows for Tim to not only become an expert in law, but a pioneer in the industry.

But of course, this cabinet comes with a few strings attached, since Tim is living a lifetime away from the rest of humanity when he is inside it, and his health suffers accordingly and well… this is a tale that of course ends badly for Tim when his aging mind prompts a critical error. But what matters more here, is that this story really does prey upon our fears of time and its ravages. Since Tim is forced to deal with the horrors of his health coming into decline because of old age, and of course, the terror that comes with the realization that we are on borrowed time and no matter how hard we fight it… we cannot escape it, is hammered home here in an impactful manner. Which makes this quite the philosophical horror story for certain, one that honestly gives the viewer a measure of pause since it does motivate one to reflect upon their own life and the time, we worry we’ve wasted. 

Yet as this series is wont to do, it had so much more to explore about time and our fear of it and the second vignette found a way to blend real-world concerns once again into a compelling and animated story entitled ‘The Things in Oakwood’s Past’. Now in this particular tale, we are thrust into the idyllic town of Oakwood where an important celebration is about to take place. For a two-hundred-year-old time capsule has been uncovered and its contents are about to be revealed to the world. That is until the town’s historian/librarian, a woman named Marnie Wrightston, starts to dig deeper on the mystery surrounding this capsule and well, what she finds terrifies her. Because history informs her that there is something supremely sinister about this capsule and if her father, the mayor, were to open it as planned… it would likely unleash a form of hell upon their small town.
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Which of course… is what happens. Because this is Creepshow, and you must have that payoff and boy, is it worth the wait. Since we are indeed treated to a powerful evil that’s been waiting two centuries to feast upon human flesh, and that brings forth a gory animated sequence that pays homage to Lovecraft and Heavy Metal. But all of that aside, the key to this story is its underlying theme of history and time. Specifically, how we are terrified of the fact that history tends to repeat itself more often than not, because of humanity’s ignorance and belief that time marches on and leaves bad things behind, and those fears are being realized in Modern America, courtesy of the horrifying return of Neo-Nazis and the hardcore fascism that some were working to install and even the pandemic fits in here. Since we’ve seen photographs and editorial cartoons from a century ago, speaking to the problem that is the anti-vaxxer, popping up in our feeds and well, this also gives us great pause… since it leaves us wondering what it will take for mankind to pay better attention to its mistakes from yesterday. 

But where this episode truly shines, is in its push to not offer any easy answers on these issues. It simply presents the terror in the raw and asks the viewer to ponder upon solutions and that’s powerful as well. But all commentary aside, the fun factor is also present here, since the first vignette does play into our fantasies, since so many of us have imagined the possibility of having all the time in the world to better follow our own pursuits and uh, you simplify cannot go wrong with an animated horror story that features a trio of acting icons. For Ron Livingston and Danielle Harris and the incredible Mark Hamill headline the Oakwood vignette, and uh, let’s be honest, the WGON-TV shout out in that segment, was a true delight. And now that this journey through terror has come to an end, we are definitely left wondering… as to what other fears this series is going to explore when it returns for more gore and mayhem, come next week. Until then, kiddies.