Caution: This article contains spoilers for the finale of ‘Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that horror fans can all agree upon, is that the Shudder documentary series, Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror, has done an excellent job of teaching us how horror is a genre deeply grounded in the queer experience. For we now know, it came to life courtesy of LGBTQIA+ individuals and that many of those fine people were eager to express their experiences and frustrations as a queer individual via the iconic stories they brought to life in print or on the silver and small screen. Not to mention, we even have newfound empathy now regarding the prejudices that queer individuals experience on a daily basis, thanks to this documentary. Since it helped us to learn how to spot the emotions that writers and directors poured into their work.
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If anything, all of those elements have made for a powerful journey. One that seemingly has covered all the bases. But that’s simply not the case. In fact, this series saved its best exploration for last. For the finale of this saga made sure to explore how queer women are part of the fabric of the genre, and how their stories reflect the times and how their journey… helped to begin to shatter stigmas surrounding LGBTQIA+ individuals in modern times. But alas, getting that happy ending was no easy task, since the early days of queer women themed stories sadly reflected the power of the patriarchy. After all, since men love control and so many seek to maintain that power, the thought of a woman being strong and independent in her sexuality is terrifying to those very men. 

Which is why so many of those early stories, featured women that in essence preyed upon other women sexually in a monstrous light. Often through retellings of classic tales about iconic queer women that found themselves discovered by the close minded and later through lesbian themed vampire films. Which of course would help to satiate the sexual curiosity men had about two women being together in a controlled place where such ‘impure’ (eyeroll) thoughts and behaviors could be purged by having the vampire be defeated. Which more or less sent the message that letting women be independent in every way imaginable was a terrifying idea… one that sadly continued to permeate for decades on end in these films.

But a funny thing happened in the 80s and 90s. In that, while movies such as The Hunger and Basic Instinct still featured queer and bisexual characters in a somewhat negative and stereotypical light… there was enough character development and plot in between the wilder stuff such as the murdering and tropes… to allow for representation to take place. For it presented queer individuals in the raw, the kind that other queer individuals could actually relate to and find agency from. Something that reached a pinnacle in the thriller film Bound, since that film portrayed LGBTQIA+ individuals in a positive and realistic light, and while that movie may not be a horror film… it would not exist without queer horror in the slightest and well, that motion picture and what followed… makes for a happy ending to this journey. Because it opened everyone’s eyes to those silly stereotypes and allowed for acceptance to finally begin.

To the point where representation is more commonplace now in all genres, and while we still have a long way to go… the needle is moving and for proof… look no further than this powerful documentary. For this wouldn’t have existed a few decades ago. But at last, the story of Queer Horror has been told and it ended in the perfect manner by giving queer women their day in the sun and well… while this journey may have come to an end… what it has done for LGBTQIA+ individuals is nothing short of extraordinary. Because it let queer individuals be seen and helped us to just… learn, and that’s historic and this is likely only the beginning of what this documentary will accomplish. For it will be studied in classes and these stories will reach more and conversations will come and slowly but surely… stigmas will fall. All because Shudder and Bryan Fuller and every other talented individual involved in this series, told a story that has been hidden in the shadows, for far too long.   

It is definitely safe to say that nostalgia is all the rage right now, especially when it comes to the 1990s. For so many born in that era and those that grew up during that era… are reaching that point where reflecting upon it and the joy those days brought them has become top of mind and that has led to a glut of nostalgia for the decade in popular media and it is seen often on social media as well. Allowing for everyone to reflect upon the majesty of what television offered in that day or how there were some unique toys and vibrant pop-culture moments from the era, all of which brings forth fond memories of a time when it really did seem as though life was simpler and better. 
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But was it though? Because the inherent problem with nostalgia is that it tends to always view the past in a supremely positive light, the kind that ignores the struggles of that era and the problems that it allowed to persist and whether we like to admit it or not, the 1990s had its issues. For while the economy was indeed rolling along while we enjoyed Capri-Suns and Lunchables while X-Men played on our afternoon viewings or while we enjoyed a round of TGIF with the family… there were real societal problems happening around us. The kind that laid the groundwork for some of the issues we face today and well… those unfortunate realities and taking a good long look at what the 1990s were really like is top of mind today, because a new film on Shudder does just that.

For V/H/S/99, the latest film in the V/H/S saga, plunges us back into that era to examine how it wasn’t always as rosy as we remember it to be. A feat that it accomplishes by once again offering up several unique and visceral vignettes that are stacked to the brim with terror and they all cover some fascinating topics. Some of which truly aren’t spoken to enough. For instance, we don’t like to talk about how bullying was rampant during that era and how our views upon it were so vastly different then. Since there was a mantra that you just had to suck it up and deal with it when in fact, it was toxic and costly to one‘s psyche, and that is explored in a fascinating and ugly manner in not one, but two stories here.

Not to mention, the 1990s was awash in toxic masculinity, which undoubtedly helped to keep bullying thriving and this film addresses the disgusting nature of that and how problematic and widespread it was and how it inspired so many to indulge within it and its awful behaviors and create a lasting legacy we battle now. Not to mention, this film uses the nostalgia factor to really hammer home race relations in the 1990s and how that boiled over, making this film… a powerful reminder that while nostalgia does indeed bring people joy and a sense of wonder… it should never overshadow the reality of the era and should be seen as more of a personal reflection instead of a be-all view of a time that was just as rough as any other in American history.
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However, while it is lovely to enjoy some fascinating satire on a collective happening in our world right now, make no mistake about it… this is still a horror film through and through holy cow does the movie deliver on the scares. For the first and second vignettes prey upon our fears of claustrophobia and death in unique and terrifying ways and of course… the third segment strikes a chord with some genuinely simple and primal fears, such as cleanliness and germs and the finale even taps into our fears of the afterlife and what lay ahead when we take our last breath. And it also doesn’t hurt, that these segments are full of wondrous and sticky gore and eerie creatures that are ripped from our nightmares.

If anything, this film is nothing less than the finest entry in the V/H/S franchise. Simply because it is comfortable in how it tells it story and the vignettes it presents are as bold and satirical as they come, and above all… the scares are simply top notch and horribly unsettling at times. All of which makes this a must-see movie. For you simply cannot go wrong with a horror anthology film that features dynamic and fun and intelligently disturbing stories, that are home to buckets of gore and unsettling scares. The kind that are at times so gross in nature that you turn away. Which means you may need to watch this one a few times to properly observe and absorb the horror on the screen and the best news of all… is that you can do that right now. For V/H/S/99 is streaming on Shudder and we hope you give it a look, for it really is an intelligent and twisted treat.

It seems to be silly to think this way, but legends are based off of something and usually it is something that really happened. Now, every part of the story may not be the same as what actually happened but that does not mean it should be discounted to mere fiction. When stories are told generation after generation, some of the aspects of the story start to fade, but hopefully the finer points are still there by the time you get to hear about it. Make sure to listen to the legends that people tell you, then come up with your own conclusion, but you should never discount it completely, as the story had to come about for some reason.
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Still having a difficult time after she took the head off of Mrs. Voorhees, Alice is not able to get a full night’s sleep. Even though it was five years ago, she is still trying to cope with what happened at Camp Crystal Lake after all of her fellow counselors were murdered by the woman. But there is more fear now more than ever because after she was pulled from the lake, the boy that pulled her in was never found. Knowing that Jason is still walking the planet somewhere, she will never be able to rest again, unless it is in peace.

Getting a summer camp up and running, Paul has his hands full and is welcoming his new batch of counselors on. Knowing that everyone has had experience one way or another, this should be a good first year for the camp, but there is a looming problem that he is running into. Being next to the old site of Camp Crystal Lake or Camp Blood as the locals like to call it, he has been met with some warnings. But it is no matter to Paul and his new crew, all he needs to do is to make sure that none of his workers venture over to the old camp and stir things up.  

Getting his new counselors into his training program with Ginny, the group seems to be in high spirits and looking like they will be ready for the season to open. Sitting the group down for a scary story by the campfire, Paul tells the legend of Jason Voorhees who roams the surrounding woods, looking for his next kill. Giving the group a scare with his assistant Ted, everyone agrees to stay away from the old camp site, but Sandra is strangely fascinated by the story and wants to take a look for herself. Sneaking off with her boyfriend Jeff, the two are surprised to see an officer waiting to bring them back to camp. As the officer does not want to upset the spirits around the lake, he makes sure that Paul understands what can happen if he does not keep control of his employees. But it may already be too late as Camp Crystal Lake has been walked upon and its son wants nothing more than revenge.
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As the counselor training comes to an end, Paul is ready to give his kids a little time to relax. Taking Ginny, Ted and a couple others out to the local bar for a couple drinks, the rest of the crew lies low at the camp and get into trouble of their own. When Terry heads out for a skinny dip, Scott starts to harass her, but is caught in a tree trap and the old style of killing commences. As the remaining counselors are taken out one by one, the legend of Jason has come to life before their very eyes and there is no way of stopping the killer who only knows one thing. Getting back to the camp after lights out, Ginny and Paul notice that nothing seems to be shut down and the killer is waiting patiently in the shadows for his next victim. It does not matter what the name of the camp is, when it is on Crystal Lake, it belongs to Jason Voorhees and he does not like to share.

This is the second installment of the Friday the 13th franchise and although it may not be as good as the first, it still has plenty of shock value for everyone to enjoy. With Jason just being a legend, it is confirmed that he is alive and well and staying in his own place by Crystal Lake, yet nobody in town knows this as a fact. He has grown and is ready to exact revenge for his mother being killed five years ago and will not stop until he has gotten every ounce of blood from his victims. The storyline took a fun turn while at the bar when Ginny starts to try and psychoanalyze the legend that she has been told. Seeing that she is right about what is happening, she is able to keep Jason from killing her for the time being, but a son’s love for his mother never goes away, it just gets stronger when they are no longer together. Stay Scared!

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that modern television is awash with a bevy of documentaries and understandably so. After all, this is an era where networks are eager to have a healthy variety of programs on the air and where anyone can pick up a camera and create, and that in turn has indeed inspired folks to finally explore the topic that interests them the most. But of course, with such power comes an interesting mix of results. Since some of these documentaries are a touch bias, and others… are just a download. Which means we are all on the lookout for the very best, the ones that do what great documentaries do and teach us something worthwhile and that is why the Shudder documentary, The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time is of note.
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For it is that rare documentary that teaches instead of just informs, which can only help the next generation of horror filmmakers… all while it entertains and truly, the penultimate episode of this stunning series is the perfect example of how well it teaches people about what goes into a genuinely scary movie moment. For once again, weeks of lessons regarding innovation, shock value and outright depth to scares came together with another storytelling element to help us really understand why these iconic moments are still discussed to this day and dissected by the various scholars of the industry. In that, ‘#23 – #11’ also inject a powerfully strong sense of realism into their scares, and for proof… look no further than the keystone disaster sequence present in Final Destination 2.

After all, that features a situation we are all familiar with. Since time and time again, we’ve kept our eyes on a semi-truck carrying a questionable payload and of course, on those dubious drivers that seem to forget they are operating a two-ton hunk of metal moving at fifty-plus miles per hour and this sequence brought that fear to life in a shockingly realistic manner. By playing out in a whip smart and terrifying fashion that felt as though we were in the midst of an actual pile up like this, one full of shockingly realistic gore and deaths, that while dazzling, seemed akin to something we’d hear about on the six o’clock news and well… that made for an impactful scare. One that raised our awareness on the road, and this is one we revisit often because of its outright realism and its realization of a deep-rooted fear. 

Of course, this wasn’t the only movie that perfectly brought to life a nightmare in a manner that felt a little too in the flesh for our liking. Since The Descent is another story that not only preyed upon primal fears, such as that touch of claustrophobia we all harbor and our fear of the dark… but it really did take an age-old fear of something being in the dark with us to a whole new level. But not every moment in this episode related to nightmares come to life. Some of them just plain felt a little too real at times thanks to the camera work and the structure of the story. Take REC for instance. Since a story about zombies shouldn’t ever feel as real as this one. But being plunged behind the camera and seeing actual demonic/reanimated nightmares come to life and attack in a manner where we feel helpless, did the trick and made this… quite real.

All of which just goes to show that the best horror movie moments in history, blur the line between fantasy and reality, and truly grab hold of us and never let go. And they are of course, relentless with the terror and are so impactful and raw… that all we can do is try our best to shake off the horrors we’ve seen. Which is of course, no easy task and well… all this particular episode does is leave us excited, terrified and a little sad to continue the journey. Simply because… the top ten awaits and this list has been so spot-on and so dynamic and educational that we are dying to know what Shudder selected as the scariest horror movie moment, ever. But at the same time… it also means we are near the end of a powerful and enlightening journey, and no one wants to say goodbye. But like it or not, the end is indeed in sight, and it will be fascinating to see what moments are featured in the top ten and what kinds of lessons await us, as we enter the endgame for this phenomenal series. Until next time.

It has been ages since I have sat back and watched a classic horror movie that scared the heck out of me when I was a kid. There are so many good ones from my generation and I hope that they have not all been lost to time at this point since there are remakes galore hitting the big screen. Something about these movies and their very basic effects I think is what made these movies so enjoyable and why people are trying to give them a rebranding. I am a firm believer that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it and while many people agree with this, there are others that want to see all of the classic horror movies get a face lift to bring them back to the masses.
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Wanting to get Camp Crystal Lake back on the map from its jaded past, Steve Christy has decided to reopen the camp. With Brenda, Alice and Bill already on hand, the group is working their hardest to get everything done that they possibly can and with four more counselors on their way, it looks like it is going to be a great summer. Marcie, Jack and Ned are eagerly making their way to the camp as well and with their own set of wheels, will not be held back from the summer of a lifetime. But young Annie is having a hard time making it to Camp Crystal Lake as everybody in town is trying to keep her away from what they call ‘Camp Blood’. Not being deterred by this name, Annie needs a summer job and this is the best one for her since all she has to do is cook.

As Marcie, Jack and Ned arrive at the camp, they are put directly to work and even though the doors do not open for another two weeks, they see that Steve is in a rush to get everything finished. With everyone working on their assignments, Steve is able to head into town to get some supplies and let his young staff get everything finished. But with them being young adults, nobody wants to focus, and they decide to let their tasks derail for a little bit to have some fun. While getting back into the work mood, the group is visited by Officer Dorf who is on the lookout for Crazy Ralph who loves to spit his gospel around town. While the new counselors have no idea who the old man is, they find him hiding inside the pantry with a message and trying to get the kids to leave before it is too late.

With his name being Crazy Ralph, the counselors realize that the old man is crazy and they continue on with their assignments. Separating into their own little groups, Jack and Marcie sneak off to have a little fun in the bunks while Brenda, Alice and Bill get set to play a hard game of strip Monopoly. As a violent rainstorm arrives at the camp, everyone battens down the hatches for the ride, but there is something else in the camp that is bringing death to anyone that it finds. Staying in the shadows, a new killer has found a way to eliminate the new counselors of Camp Crystal Lake, one that nobody ever saw coming.

As far as horror movies go, this has to be one at the top of the list that everybody wants to emulate. With an unseen killer moving around in the shadows, you never know who you will be able to trust. One of the things that made me really enjoy how the story played out is that nobody knows what is going on until it is too late to do anything about it. Keeping the bodies hidden from the rest of the group, the killer is able to work her magic until she wants to be seen. It is a frightening thought that something like this could happen without a proper motivation, but as you soon find out, a mother’s love is undying, even at a summer camp. I must admit that I really like how easy the kills came in the movie and keeping the killer hidden from view is key to keeping the audience guessing who is behind it and why so many cute young coeds are forced to die. Well, it’s Camp Crystal Lake or Camp Blood, that’s really why. Stay Scared.

There was a time where the end of October was bittersweet for horror fans. After all, Halloween signaled the end of the horror season and the start of the holiday season. Wherein scary stories and spooky movies were nowhere to be found on television and it was frowned upon to even view them since Thanksgiving and the holidays were all that mattered. But thanks to the fact that horror is more popular than ever, and that Shudder now exists… all of that has changed.
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For now, the spooky celebration never ends since horror fans can gather round and enjoy more terrifying offerings from the best horror streamer around and it just so happens, that we now know what to expect from Shudder in November. For earlier today they released their November 2022 lineup and well… here is what horror fans will be watching while they plan their turkey dinner, courtesy of Shudder.  

The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans brings together some of the most popular drag icons from the show’s previous seasons competing in a grand championship of drag artistry and shocking physical challenges for a one hundred-thousand-dollar grand prize, the headlining spot on the upcoming world tour, and the first ever “Dragula Titans” crown and title. Guest Judges include Cassandra Peterson (Elvira), Harvey Guillen, Justin Simien, David Dastmalchian, Poppy, Alaska, Katya, Joe Bob Briggs, Bonnie Aarons, Barbara Crampton, and more. (A Shudder Original Series) WATCH TRAILER HERE.

The terrifying sequel to the Shudder Original Satan’s Slaves from acclaimed writer-director Joko Anwar (Impetigore). Satan’s Slaves: Communion follows a family living in a rundown apartment after escaping terror from an evil cult and their undead mother, unaware that their new home is a bigger threat to their lives. Returning cast members to the franchise include Tara Basro, Bront Palarae, Endy Arfian, Nasar Anuz, Egi Fedly and Ayu Laksmi.The film, which was the first Indonesian film shot with IMAX technology, will be available exclusively on Shudder in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. (A Shudder Original)  VIEW TRAILER HERE.

Mandrake follows probation officer Cathy Madden, who is given the task of rehabilitating notorious killer ‘Bloody’ Mary Laidlaw back into society after twenty years of jail. Cathy has always believed that every client deserves a shot at redemption, but her beliefs are firmly tested when two children disappear near Mary’s farm. Starring Deirdre Mullins, and Paul Kennedy, directed by Lynne Davison. (A Shudder Original)  VIEW TRAILER HERE.

The sleepy village of Pangnirtung wakes up to a typical summer day. No school, no cool boys (well… except one), and 24-hour sunlight. But for Maika and her ragtag friends, the usual summer is suddenly not in the cards when they discover an alien invasion threatening their hometown. These teenagers have been underestimated their whole lives but, using makeshift weapons and their horror movie knowledge, they show the aliens you don’t f*** with the girls from Pang. Starring Tasiana Shirley, Alexis Vincent-Wolfe, Nalajoss Ellsworth, Chelsea Prusky, directed by Nyla Innuksuk. (A Shudder Exclusive) VIEW TRAILER HERE.

Francis, a 115-year-old Yiddish vampire, still looks 35. He’s been roaming American backroads in his beat-up muscle car for decades, keeping to himself, and liking it that way. One day, Jane, a teenager, shows up. She says she’s his daughter, and she’s got the fangs to prove it. They go on the road, deciding whether to sink their teeth into family life. Written and directed by Noah Segan, who stars with Victoria Moroles. (A Shudder Original) VIEW TRAILER HERE.​

November 1

Anna and the Apocalypse
The night before Christmas, a zombie apocalypse threatens the sleepy town of Little Haven. Anna and her friends must fight, slash and sing their way to survival, facing hellish snowmen, an undead santa and bloodthirsty elves in a desperate race to reach their loved ones hiding out at their local high school. But the lucky few that make it find out that the human threat they face there is the most terrifying of all... With civilization falling apart around them, the only people they can truly rely on are each other.

To All A Good Night
The Calvin Finishing School for Girls is closed for Christmas vacation. However, Mrs. Jensen (the housemother), five teenage girls and their mischievous male companions are all that remain at the school...or are they?

Silent Night Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out
After being gunned down by police at the end of the previous film, the infamous Santa Claus Killer, Ricky Caldwell, has been comatose for six years, with a transparent dome affixed to his head by doctors. Wanting to contact Ricky, the eccentric Dr. Newbury begins using a blind clairvoyant girl named Laura Anderson to try reach out to him.

Silent Night Deadly Night 4: The Initiation
A beautiful reporter investigates the death of a girl who was set on fire and then thrown from the top of a building in Los Angeles. As she gets deeper into the story, she falls prey to a sinister cult she-demons who seek to "initiate" her into their satanic sorority.

Silent Night Deadly Night 5: The Toymaker
Malicious toymaker Joe Petto and his creepy son, Pino, terrorize the residents of a small town with the deadly toys they create. After her husband is killed by one of Petto's toys, Sarah and her troubled son Derek set out to stop the evil toymaker.

Silent Night
As their small Midwestern town prepares for its annual Christmas Eve parade, Sheriff Cooper and his deputy discover that a maniac in a Santa suit is murdering those he judges as 'naughty.' Their sins? Making porn, adultery, greed... and he will make sure they rest in heavenly pieces.

Creepshow
A young boy's horror comic book comes to life in a series of five terrifying tales from Stephen King and George Romero: A dead father comes back for the piece of Father's Day cake that his murderous
daughter never served him. A meteorite turns a hapless yokel into a form of plant life. A cuckolded husband plots a seagoing revenge. Something in a crate under the stairs is eating people. And an obsessively clean billionaire suffers an uncontrollable infestation of cockroaches.

Alone in the Dark
A secluded mental institution keeps the nearby neighborhoods safe from menaces like Frank Hawkes (Jack Palance) and "Preacher" (Martin Landau). When a sudden a power outage leaves the town in chaos, the maniacs are free to roam the streets and hunt down their new doctor, who they believe has killed off their former therapist.

November 7

Evil Dead Trap
A TV station employee takes a camera crew out to an abandoned factory to investigate a purported snuff film that was made there, only to end up running for her life.

Evil Dead Trap 2
A killer is on the loose in Japan. Young women are being horribly mutilated. Aki, a young woman who works as a film projectionist, is haunted by a childlike ghost. Her girlfriend Emi is a TV news reporter covering the horrible mutilations. Everyone involved has a dark secret and something evil is taking control of them. They are pawns in a game being played by forces beyond their understanding.

Bloody Muscle Body Builder in Hell
known as "The Japanese Evil Dead," this legendary, sought after independent Japanese cult film will enjoy its first ever North American release in any format and features new bonus content. Trapped inside a haunted house, a body builder must survive a blood soaked night of insanity to save himself and his friends from a demonic ghost that is hell-bent on revenge.

November 14

Dr. Tarr’s Torture Dungeon
A mysterious man is sent into the forest to investigate the bizarre behavior of the notorious Dr. Tarr. What he stumbles upon is the doctor’s torture dungeon, a hellish asylum completely cut off from civilization and presided over by the ultimate madman. Innocent people have been savagely chained, tortured and stuck in glass cages, then forced to take part in gruesome games of ritual slaughter.

The Last Broadcast
On December 15, 1995, a four-man team from the cable-access program Fact or Fiction braved the desolate New Jersey Pine Barrens determined to deliver a live broadcast of the legendary monster The Jersey Devil. Only one came out alive. It took the jury 90 minutes to sentence the lone survivor to life in prison. One year later, filmmaker David Leigh decided to mount his own investigation. Convinced that the man convicted of these terrible crimes was innocent Leigh proposes the murders were committed by someone — or something — else. Could The Jersey Devil still haunt the barrens?

November 21
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Sweetie, You Won’t Believe It
What begins as a fishing trip with the boys quickly spirals out of control when they witness a mob hit in the forest, and that’s just the beginning of this insane, violent, hilarious misadventure from Kazakhstan.

I think perhaps the greatest challenge facing a major horror franchise is finding a way to stay relevant as the sequels roll on. It usually calls for radical changes in storytelling, the design of the franchise and the characters, and let's be honest, when those chances are taken the results are often mixed.  

Sometimes we get a brilliant horror sequel, one that leaves us terrified and sleeping with the lights on. Other times we get a sequel that leaves us with grand disappointment and sometimes...we just get something so out there that we are left pondering exactly where it falls in terms of quality and I would have to say that the latter of all those categories is where I would place V/H/S: Viral.

Much like its predecessors, V/H/S: Viral has no true plot to speak of. It is a collection of tales courtesy of a mysterious set of VHS tapes that drive its viewers mad. But seeing as to how the last film in the franchise was a rousing success, it's obvious the filmmakers here wanted to up the ante and find new ways to tell this tale and the end result of experimenting with the core formula is a unique one to say the least. 

The film to me, is entertaining to say the least, but it truly is the weakest entry in the series due to the fact that well...it isn't a horror movie through and through. While its predecessors went to extremely dark and twisted places, this movie delves into other genres. There's elements of fantasy and science fiction with stories about magic and parallel dimensions, and while horror elements are peppered into these tales, they are simply not scary.
 
In fact, the only story that seems to fit into the horror genre is the skateboarding segment and even that is played more for laughs than for scares. Perhaps the best story in the bunch is the wraparound story, where the VHS tapes that have terrorized so many for so many years have found a way to broadcast onto cell phones via an ice cream truck, and seeing the tapes be given a new purpose and life and all the wild things that happen because of this twist, makes for some interesting storytelling. Especially since it seems that evil's plan all along is to punish the wickedness of the world.  
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But outside of that, V/H/S: Viral is so radically different that it polarized its fan base. I've met people that love it, others that hate it and others who really have no clue what to think of it. In my opinion, it's worth watching, simply because I'm quite impressed with the bold risks the movie took to stay original and give us something fresh and new. Sure, this decision may not have completely worked, but you have to respect a franchise that flat out lets its fanbase know that it wants to evolve. And while this may not have been the most terrifying film I have ever seen; it was certainly entertaining and interesting and there is definitely nothing wrong with that. ​

There was a time, where the Halloween prime-time special ruled the day. Sometimes they were animated, sometimes they were live action, but one way or another, a good old fashioned Halloween special prompted everyone to huddle around the ol’ 27” tube television to enjoy some spooky entertainment. The kind that just put a smile on everyone’s faces because they were genuinely designed to keep a family entertained over anything else, and while these kinds of specials have evolved in the streaming world… they are still indeed family themed and family focused, leaving one to wonder… will it ever be possible to enjoy a more mature Halloween special? One that was just for the adults and could provide them with entertainment that is a touch saucier in nature?
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You know, the kind that is both gory and fun and perhaps a little twisted? Well, good news. For Justin Roiland and his talented team have brought that to life at last for the Halloween season. For yesterday saw The Paloni Show! Halloween Special! make its debut on Hulu and well… make no mistake about it, this is indeed an adult Halloween special. A feat that this special accomplishes in several ways. First and foremost, by removing any filters for the dialogue. Which means we are treated to some enhanced conversations, the kind that are complete with all your favorite swear words, used for impact of course, and thankfully, the wonder of this special extends well beyond some saucy language that elicits a chuckle, for the storytelling is quite lovely as well.

For this is at heart, an anthology special, one that features shorts galore that are as unique as they come. Because not only do they feature Claymation and other unique forms of animation, but they also feature some wild and off the wall stories. The kind that are gory and twisted and go to some jacked up places. Such as revolving around cannibalism and aliens that want to cook a baby inside of a microwave and well, while it may be a touch out of place to type this… these are all good things. Because it reinforces the fact that this is a genuine Halloween special. One that leans hard into horror and even features a ton of homages to the classics. Since you’ll find shoutouts to all your favorite slashers, Evil Dead 2 and Hellraiser here, and that makes for some fun viewing for certain, the kind that is further enhanced… by those aforementioned laughs.

Because this is also… a horror comedy at heart. For every single one of these vignettes feature a comedic twist of sorts. Some will straight up make you laugh out loud, some will make you laugh in discomfort over the twisted nature of the joke. But laugh you will and often, because all of the gags and jokes work here through and through and add to a great deal of the stories and as an added bonus, this episode also offers a complete story courtesy of the bumper tale involving the Palonis. Since their quest to provide everyone with an amazing Hulu special, leads to more laughs and one incredible adventure on this Halloween night, one that also features some amazing tributes and some stunningly hilarious moments that lampoon the genre at times. 

Not to mention, this is a special that features a who’s who from a voice acting perspective. For not only does Roiland and voice acting legend Kari Wahlgren lend their talents to this story, but you’ll find David Tennant and Macaulay Culkin in this special as well, amongst a bevy of big names that would require a second article alone just to list. All of which, makes this a delightful and hilarious and worthwhile special. One that truly offers up a good old-fashioned Halloween special. The kind that you can sit back and lose yourself within for an hour and enjoy some fine jokes. The kind that are so good and so hilarious, that you might need to watch this one several times to catch them all, and the best news of all… is you can. For The Paloni Show! Halloween Special! is available to stream on Hulu right now, and we certainly hope you give this special a look, for it really is a great time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Hocus Pocus 2’.
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Hello kiddies! It’s spooky season again which means we here at NTG are loading up the Horror vault with monster mayhem, ghastly ghouls, and zany zombies. And no dark crypt would be complete without its share of wicked witches, am I right? With that in mind, and keeping this one family friendly, I’m here to discuss the follow up to the fan favorite and Halloween cult classic, Hocus Pocus (Walt Disney Pictures; 1993).
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Simply titled Hocus Pocus 2 (Walt Disney Pictures; 2022), the infamous Sanderson Sisters have risen again and are in search of more of the same – youth, beauty and children! *QUEUE CACKLING WITCH LAUGHTER HERE* Since I’m such a big fan of the original, I went ahead and made it a double feature by watching it first. So, before we look at the follow-up, let’s revisit a few favs, shall we?

For me, part of the magic the first time around came from the dynamic between the witches themselves. Played by Bette Midler (Winnie), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah) and Kath Najimy (Mary), these ladies were fantastic together. Easily my favorite is Sarah Sanderson!! Whose naivety and fluffy ditzy nature coupled with her dark undertones made me love her instantly.

Next up… Doug Jones as the lanky, awkward zombie William “Billy” Butcherson. I LOVE him!! Unfortunately for Billy, Winnie poisoned him as a man then summoned him to rise from the grave 300 years later to do her bidding. *SHEESH – POOR GUY* With almost no lines, the character stands out by using physical comedy and facial expressions. both of which are awesome. His utter annoyance with Winnie being the best part… LOL!! A few other favorites include the cat Thackery Binx (voice: Sean Murray) and the two bullies Jay and “Ice” (*smirk*) played by Tobias Jelinek and Larry Bagby respectively. As well as the cameos of film and TV juggernauts Garry and Penny Marshall. All of which help round out this campy, family friendly Halloween flick that’s celebrated year after year. Did lightening strike twice with the second installment? Another cult classic perhaps? Let’s discuss.

Providing more backstory on the Sanderson sisters, part 2 opens in 1653 Salem, Massachusetts – 40 years before the original which began in 1693. The young Sanderson sisters, with no surviving parents, are under the care of the town’s Reverend Traske (Tony Hale) who demands that 16-year-old Winnie (Taylor Henderson) marry. Refusing this order, rather than be separated from her sisters, Winnie instructs them to flee with her into the Forbidden Forest. There they befriend a bird turned human name Mother Witch (Hannah Waddingham) who gives Winnie her magical book of spells. But not before mentioning a spell left out of the first film – the Magicae Maxima *OOOOO, SPOOKY* Apparently, this incantation makes the user an all-powerful witch and Mother Witch firmly warns against casting this nefarious spell, but gives no details as to why. Yeah, that’s not coming back around later or anything… LOL!! From there, the rest is history.

In present day Salem we’re introduced to a new would-be trio, two of which are tricked into conjuring the Sanderson sisters once more. At the center of the threesome, Becca (Whitney Peak) who is now 16, heads to the forest with Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) for her yearly birthday ritual. Only this time, they are aided by the enchanted candle given to them by Gilbert (Sam Richardson) the owner of the Olde Salem Magic Shoppe – the former home of the Sanderson sisters. *Raised eyebrow* Nothing nefarious going on here folks… move along! LOL!! The third girl, Cassie Traske (Lilia Buckingham) – daughter of Mayor Traske and descendent of Reverend Traske – is on the outs with Becca and Izzy but is later forced to team up with them to fight off the Sanderson sisters. By the end, the trio learns the value of sisterhood and telling the truth. *AWWW*
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Similar to the first film, the overall tale is predictable and campy, but still works. And let’s not forget, the 1993 Hocus Pocus was far from a smash hit! In fact, it was a box office flop before finding new life on cable and home video – including VHS *WOW* It took years for it to fully resurrect (*WINK*) itself to eventually become part of the yearly Halloween zeitgeist today. Interesting, no? Either way, knowing that all three ladies retuned for the sequel was reason enough for me to watch it no matter what. With Sarah Sanderson still my favorite, I loved seeing her scatterbrained character again!! Let alone the fact that Doug Jones reprises his role as Billy Butcherson (*YAY!!!*), this time, with more dialogue and a fitting backstory. *HECK YEAH!* Plus, Sam Richardson is a nice addition to the mix! I also thought the writers did a good job explaining how he fit in and why he would want to conjure the Sanderson sisters to begin with. Tony Hale is also his usual weirdly funny self which was great! And even Winnie’s book of spells has more of a prominent role giving me a tiny bit of Thor: Love and Thunder (Marvel Studios; 2022) Stormbreaker vibes… LOL! I also really loved the story and strife surrounding the three teenage girls. Very typical of high school and well blended into the major plot making it easy to introduce coming of age themes without seeming too heavy handed against the silly and quirky leading tale. Additionally, the Walgreens scene is absolutely hilarious and perfectly on brand with our out of time witches! And though the replacement brooms this time around were… um, a bit over the top… it all worked in the end giving the audience a mix of nostalgia and modernity. There are a few Easter eggs as well. A couple I spied included a blip of Gary and Penny Marshall from the original film seen on a townsfolk TV and a lady in the dance sequence dressed like Madonna harkening back to the kids mother from the first installment. *VERY COOL*

Finally, the overall story and its characters include a great deal of diversity and inclusivity not seen the first time around. As well as discussions on bullying and some small commentary on the patriarch. All of which are lockstep with Disney’s newer more progressive policies. True, it felt just a teensy bit forced and I could certainly see a plethora of man babies shouting woke SJW (social justice warrior) nonsense. *HUGE EYEROLL* However, progress, just like representation, matters and Hollywood – with Disney often leading the charge – is finally catching up and I LOVE IT!! Besides, the majority of fans will find it refreshing to say the least. And quite honestly, Hocus Pocus 2 is the perfect type of film to boast costumes, famous drag queens (*NICE*) and musical numbers without seeming over intentional.

All that aside, one area that struck me as odd is the fact that by the end the Sanderson sisters are portrayed in a bit of a redemptive light. Set up by the beginning sequence showing the girls somewhat seduced into the dark arts as well as the fact that Winnie expresses her unwillingness to go on without her sisters then and now softens their evilness which seems a little weird. I mean… they eat children… lol!! Besides, we love the Sanderson sisters BECAUSE they’re evil. That’s the whole point. Three bumbling witches lusting after power fail again and again and we love it because they’re good at it… LOL! They’re not supposed to win OR be redeemed in my opinion. And reportedly, due to the initial ending having a poor reception with test audiences, reshoots were done in June which makes me wonder how I might feel about seeing an alternate ending for comparison. Does this hint of redemption still exist? And what about the fact the Mother Witch bird is seen flying in the end as the new teenage trio walk towards home. Or, how about that final conclusion? I guess post credits scenes aren’t just for Marvel anymore folks! Not to mention, I certainly took note that there was a whole shelf of Grimoires in Gilbert’s magic shop like Winnie’s book. *INTERESTING!* Is a third installment in the works? Only time will tell. Regardless, unless a part 3 were to explore this redemptive arch further (NO…. please, just… NO!!), I can live with the small amount we’re given. Because seriously, the sisters caused too much damage and likely killed too many. They had to die! Now, that’s not to say I wouldn’t want to see these ladies again. If Midler, Parker, and Najimy are on board who knows. I mean… I thought the original was finite with the black flame candle and their deaths yet here we are… lol! Alternatively… moving away from the Sanderson sisters… what about a TV series? Disney’s answer to a new Sabrina (ABC/WB; 1996-2003) perhaps? *Raised eyebrow* Either way, cult classic or not, I hope you enjoy Hocus Pocus 2 as much as I did!

Until next time.

Scott's Review
Watching movies can be one thing but letting them determine how your life goes is another. If the movie ends with a positive message, you are much more likely to take a look back at how you live your own life and see what you could do better. If the movie comes out with a negative message however, you could be more likely to not reflect on anything you have done and just think about how much better you have it in your life, or that the movie has your troubles in this world pegged. Either way, movies do change our outlook on life in one way or another, it just depends on what you want to take from them.

After a job gone bad, private investigator Larry and his girlfriend Ayesha have taken on another project. Getting a call from a worried mother, they are now on the hunt to find her wayward son. Being given an address and the guarantee that there will be an open door or unlocked window to get into his last known residence, the couple are able to enter the home, but what they find is much more than they could have ever expected.

With the young man’s laptop sitting on a chair in a room littered with television screens, Ayesha starts to piece together what he was doing.  Putting notes on all of the VHS tapes in the room, the young man was trying to unlock their power and make up his own. While Larry searches the house for more clues as to what has happened, Ayesha pops in one of the tapes and is astonished to see what is on the screen before her. As a man is featured leaving the doctor’s office with a new eye implant with a camera embedded in it, he is ready to start his life over again. Seeing some things out of the corner of his new eye, he dismisses it as a glitch, but as he continues to see what appears to be dead people coming at him, and he tries to get his doctor to correct whatever is going wrong with the implant. Being pushed away, he runs into a young woman who can smell the dead and tells him not to focus on them and only keep his eye on her. Thinking everything is all good, he tries what she tells him, but finds out that what he keeps seeing may be realer than he could imagine.

A second tape is inserted into the player showing a young man riding his bike which is affixed with Go Pro Cameras. Enjoying his ride, he is shocked to see a hysterical woman running towards him asking for help. When he sees a zombie herd that she is running from, he tries to gather her and get to help before it is too late. Being bitten, he is not able to control his urges and a firsthand account of a zombie attack is recorded, but is there still some of him left in his lifeless body? The third tape is put into the player and a documentary about an Indonesian Cult is reviewed. The reporters are trying to gather the truth about what is happening in the building where the cult is held up and find that the Father is not ashamed to be who he is and is proud to 'cleanse' all of his followers regardless of age. Being equipped with hidden cameras to record everything inside of the compound, the reporters are shocked to find out that they are on the premises to witness the time of reckoning. Being outsiders, they are not required to drink of the same water as the followers but are all targeted when the transformation comes to life.

Checking on his girlfriend, Larry is shocked to see her lying dead on the floor in front of the televisions.  With one tape still sitting on the floor, he pops it in and gives it a view. Two brothers and a sister are being left at home alone for the night and they are all looking to have a great time. The sister calls her friends over, and the boys follow in suit. The brothers only want to torment their sister since she is supposed to be studying and have decided to have some adult fun. As the sleepover progresses, both groups take shots at each other, but a loud scream comes from outside of the house. Not knowing what is happening, aliens have entered the house and take everyone out for testing. Being able to escape, the brothers and sister run for their lives, but the grey men are close on their tails and let out a loud scream whenever they are close enough to capture the humans. Finding refuge in a barn, the group think that they will be safe, but the aliens have a plan up their sleeves. Not knowing what is really happening between the tapes and his girlfriend’s death, Larry finishes the tape and reviews the final moments of the video left on the laptop, only to find that there is something much more powerful at play and he can forget about getting paid.

Much like its predecessor, V/H/S/2 is a group of horror stories that have been compiled into a larger story. Still covering a vast array of horror genres, it is hard to look away as you wait to see what the next story will bring. With more zombies and undead than you can shake a stick at, you are left wondering what the power of these tapes really is and if something like this really did come out, would you be able to survive watching it?  I think this is better than the first for one reason, there is someone trying to explain what the power of the tapes entails, although I still don’t see why anyone would be trying to put new footage on old technology. Stay Scared.

​John's Review
Ah, the sequel. We love them, no bones about it. Especially horror sequels. But despite our love of seeing the story continue, it's often a mixed bag. The story can certainly let us down, or it ends up being just 'okay'.  But thankfully, there is a gold standard when it comes to sequels that is sometimes achieved where the second film in a series is far superior to the first. Dawn of the Dead, ALIENS and The Dark Knight are all fine examples of this, but today we will take a little time to discuss one sequel that quite frankly, blew me away by easily surpassing the first one...V/H/S/2.

A young college student has gone missing and his worried mother has called in a pair of private investigators to discover her son's whereabouts. When the P.I.'s arrive at his last known location they discover a strange television setup and VHS cassettes that bear brutal and disturbing imagery. While they work the case, little do they know that watching these tapes will unleash total terror upon them and it just so happens that all of this, is part of a grand plan. 

When I heard that V/H/S/2 was coming out, I was admittedly excited. The first one was a breath of fresh air and new stories could only enhance this franchise further. But what I did not expect, was a stellar sequel that left the first film as nothing more than a distant memory in my mind. It isn't the production values that do it, simply because with a low budget flick like this you get what you get, oh no...it was all about the stories and the middle of the film is simply spectacular.

There are four stories this time around, with the first and last paling in comparison to the middle two. While ghosts and aliens are scary, the first story that completely captivated me was 'A Ride in the Park'. For one, it features zombies, which is awesome any time they show up, but the story is told from a point of view perspective courtesy of a Go Pro camera, and it makes for stunning storytelling. How it does that I won't say much more because I flat out don't want to spoil it. But the gem of this film is 'Safe Haven' which takes place in a cult compound reminiscent of the Branch Davidian compound, and wow. This one left me uncomfortable. With multiple themes that are extremely taboo present, even for horror, this one is a scary freaking story. I was literally on the edge of my seat as this one played out and I cringed at the gore and the surprises that awaited me.  

Flat out, this is a great horror flick. You need to watch it, and as quickly as possible. Only because of the fact that the two stories that I just highlighted, really push the envelope in the right kind of way. Plus, it's great to be able to sit down and enjoy a far superior sequel, and my only hope when it comes to the third entry in this trilogy, is that it manages to top this one.