​There are times when making ends meet is something that seems very far off for us. Watching as some people seem to have an easy time in doing so, you wonder what their secret is and why you cannot do it as well. It is easy to fantasize how easy things would be if you were rich, I mean every once in a while, I play the lotto to just have a shot, but our lives are really what we make them. While money would help us on the daily, in the long run, it is really about your loved ones and what we all can bring to the table.
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Adam and Beth are struggling to make ends meet after their baby Emma is born. Wanting to treat his wife to something nice for a night, Adam is shot down when Beth is trying to pick up some more shifts. While at the laundromat, Adam helps out an old woman who lost her change under the washers, and while he does not have the money to spare, he shows that there are things more important than just money. Getting thanks from the old woman, Adam gets a call from his brother Jake who is sad to report that their mother has gone missing. Needing to get to the house as soon as possible, Adam and Beth are shocked to see the outpouring of help that they are going to receive. 

With all of their mother’s friends in the house, Adam and Beth see that the woman means a lot to a group of people who all belong to an organization known as Gateways. The couple know little about the group, outside of the fact that the leader is a little strange, but thanks to said group, the two are suddenly on their first vacation since Emma was born. Trying to find out what could have happened to his mother, Adam starts to snoop around the community but is coming up short at every junction. Trying to talk to his mother’s ex-boyfriend, he is shut down, yet there is someone that is willing to talk to him when he gets a visit from a childhood friend. With the promise of explaining everything to him, Angela knows something that only the members of Gateways know and is willing to fill Adam in.

While staying at the house and talking to her sister-in-law Christy about life, Beth is seeing that the lives of this group are so much better than hers and wonders why. Getting uplifting gifts and complements from the woman, Beth is starting to believe that everything that she wants in life can become her own. As Adam is more focused on finding his mother than taking care of his family, Beth starts to attend the Gateways meetings and with the promise of a better life, she may be willing to do something that her husband will not approve of, but that is not enough to stop her. 

I thought from reading the description of this movie that I would be looking at a ghost story and I could not have been more wrong. This is more of a ‘what would you do’ movie and I would have to agree with Adam; this is not the way for a better life. The storyline was very good, and I liked the little dreams being added in for some added questions that get tied up in the end. The creepiness of what is going on in the small town after a rash of fires took everything from them and how happy everyone seems to be is just something that I did not expect to see. With a possible cult, an unhappy married couple, creepy dolls, a child pastor and a trade that can make life a breeze, it is a good movie that leaves you questioning, what would you do for a better life? Stay Scared.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Midnight Mass’.

When we think of stories that explore the nature and the power of faith, we think of inspiration. For those tales often revolve around the journey of finding a belief in something more and how that heals one’s soul and gives one the strength to fight that which ails them, and this is a formula that is so engrained in storytelling… that it is downright shocking to encounter a tale that speaks ill of faith. Simply because we rarely if ever view religion and faith in a negative light, but that is starting to change… thanks to the shocking scandals that have come out of the church in the past twenty years and the vast amounts of strife and hardship that continue to wash over the world, some of which is caused by radical religious zealots.
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Which has in turn, allowed for popular media to begin to question the purpose of religion and faith in the 21st Century and one show that is excelling at this particular examination is Netflix’s Midnight Mass. For the next episode in this fascinating horror series, ‘Book II: Psalms’, goes full bore into that exploration and what it has to say about the modern role of religion, is fascinating to say the least. For this episode more or less make it abundantly clear… that the way religion and faith is structured now, honestly has no place in the 21st Century. Not because we are ‘Godless heathens’ or corrupted, but because it no longer applies to the world as it stands, a point that was hammered home by way of a powerful moment between Father Paul and Riley Flynn. For Paul set up an AA meeting for Riley, to make his attempts at redemption less cumbersome and well, what Riley had to say here… is what is of note.

Because Riley made it clear that everything the church taught him, about faith and God and how prayer and undying loyalty would bring salvation and forgiveness, was nothing more than a lie. Because none of those things saved the woman that haunts his dreams at night, nor did they bring him peace and forgiveness. For he killed a woman, plain and simple, and his words made it clear… that the real problem is that faith and religion… no longer speak to what matters in this world. Sure, it was fine to talk about faith and a better tomorrow during the era of Americana where there was peace and a desire to sweep our real problems under the rug. But now, in an era where mental health and self-accountability and a grand understanding that chaos is commonplace in this world, the message no longer resonates. Which is a powerful message to send across, one that has weight and honesty.

However, what made this episode so fascinating, is that it went above and beyond in its examination of the state of religion in 2021… by also taking a moment to examine why people are sometimes repulsed by what it has to offer, something that can be attributed to its outright hypocrisy. Which was put on display by way of Bev Keane in this tale, since this true believer, took the time to kill Joe’s dog with rat poison and pretend as though she’d done nothing wrong. Mirroring the many ‘good Christians’ in America that say and do awful things that aren’t very Christ-like but use the power of forgiveness and absolution to hide behind their hate, and that is indeed contributing to our disdain for religion and the desire to leave it behind. 
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But while these examinations made for some powerful and poignant commentary, there is still an underlying plot to advance and threats upon this island to explore and the show made sure to focus on that as well. Since whatever Riley saw in the middle of the storm, is still flying about the island and preying upon the weak, now that it has feasted upon all the cats and of course, Father Paul isn’t keen to just watch religion fade away from this island, as evidenced by the powerful twist at the end of this tale. For Leeza being able to walk in front of the congregation, is clearly an act to bring about a resurgence of faith on this island, one that will allow for it to thrive for generations… provided of course his methods of creating such a miracle… don’t backfire. 

Because let’s be honest, this isn’t something that would happen naturally, it required a gentle push from the pastor and likely the creature that has accompanied him to the island and it will be quite interesting to see how he was able to make this happen. But while we wait for that answer, we can revel in the wonder of one powerful and thoughtful tale. One that really did offer up some fascinating commentary on religion and faith, the kind that was honest and earnest and devoid of snark and that’s important to note. Since the observations here didn’t demand that religion go away or be abandoned… they simply asked for the church to change its messaging, to find a way to inspire faith in dark times that doesn’t involve threats and false promises and they also asked… for its followers to be better and uphold what religion stands for and there is nothing wrong with asking more of an institution and its believers, that already ask the world of everyone else. Until next time.   

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for Episode 403 of ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’.
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When we last settled in to discuss the phenomenal Shudder series, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, we talked at length about how the show was suddenly working to educate its fans on the more obscure corners of the horror genre. For the prior entry in this grand competition, fused two genres together for the monsters, by having them rock out at a Nosferatu themed beach party and that really did allow for fans of horror and the uninitiated to learn more about the humble origins of the vampire on the silver screen and the majesty of the beach themed horror film. And well, that level of effort in educating us on horror’s past left all of us wondering what corner of the genre the series was going to spotlight next.
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As it turns out, the Boulet Brothers opted to go even deeper into the history of horror, by spotlighting a part of the genre that is darn near forgotten at this point, the western horror. Yes, you read that right, western horror. Where the scares find their way into the wild west in the most unique way imaginable and that made ‘Weird, Wild, West’ an utter delight to watch. In part because it was incredibly cool to see this part of the genre be put on display once again, since there was a time where monsters and aliens and everything you could imagine found their way into western themed stories, to the point where there was once a television series in the 1960s that toyed around with this genre fusion.

Which meant, that to properly pay tribute to this sub-genre of horror, the Boulet Brothers wanted each competitor to bring a weird and wacky monster to life that featured a western theme and as is often the case, the monsters delivered through and through. But before we talk about the looks and some of the surprises that came about, we do need to discuss something important that happened in this episode. In that, this group of monsters, who at one point were at each other’s throats and talking all kinds of smack… actually came together in respect in this tale, for the most part. Which is a huge deal since it just goes to show that the Boulet Brothers did indeed pick the right artists. The kind that will support and push one another, and well… that definitely showed in the looks. 

Because good heavens, did the monsters deliver this time around. For their western themed looks were nothing short of breathtaking. For each and every one of them offered up a bizarre and wild costume, that properly fused together multiple genres in a magnificent manner, and the judges definitely took notice. Since they heaped all kinds of praise on the competitors this week. To the point where it was difficult to really see the difference between the victor and the runner up. But what is also of note, is how much harder the judges are judging the costumes and the performances. For as the field whittles down, they are expecting the best through and through, and that led to another stunning surprise during bottom looks and another unique elimination round. Wherein everyone had to ride a buckin’ bronco to test their wild skills, and for the bottom lookers, this wild ride was designed to determine whether or not they’d stay in the competition. 

As to who didn’t make it, well we won’t spoil that here. Nor will we speak to the winner, because once again, you need to experience the highs and the lows firsthand. Especially when it comes to this week’s loser, since they take part in a cinematic experience, courtesy of the most chilling and finest wraparound story the Boulet Brothers have assembled to date and well, once again, this show just delivers. Because it was just amazing to be treated to another exploration of a corner of the horror genre that isn’t spotlighted enough and the costumes just keep getting better and better every week and well, this really is the most amazing artistic competition on the airwaves right now. And it will be quite incredible to see what amazing creations and history lessons we are going to be treated to… come next week.  

​The thought of being replaced at work is not a good one and when it infects your mind it will hover over you like a dark cloud. Getting distracted from your job is the one thing that you do not want to have happen, but more often than not it does, and you start to suffer. While you think that you are doing the best that you can under the circumstances, thought alone will not be good enough to keep you from spiraling down the drain. What is sad, is that the same logic can be applied to life as well and while it seems like everything is going all right, pretending might not be enough to keep everyone as happy as they have become accustomed to.
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Five years have passed, and James is looking to make a big change in his life as he has invited his girlfriend Robin to move into his family’s home. While his youngest daughter Abby is open to the idea, the older daughter Kellie does not want to have any of it. Trying to convince her father otherwise, Kellie does not hide the fact that she likes the house as it is after her mother died. Taking note of this, James will not be detoured from moving on with his life and a fresh start is exactly what the family is in need of.

Watching as her father is packing up all of the pictures of their mom, Abby has something new that she is not sharing with anybody, an invisible friend. With giggles all around, Abby believes that she is talking to her deceased mother as Robin makes her way into the home. Trying to keep her little sister from pursuing this friendship with someone that is not there, Kellie tries to put her foot down, yet Robin overrules her and takes things a step further. While selling off some of their old stuff at a garage sale, Kellie is shocked to see what her future stepmom has added to the pile, her mother’s necklace. Taking the necklace and retreating to her room, Kellie has no idea what powers it is holding inside.

Getting a visit from her friend Todd, Kellie is found out when Abby’s window is slammed shut. While Abby claims that the spirit in the house is her mother, Kellie believes that it is something else and starts to wander the halls at night trying to get the spirit to go away. Being able to aggravate the spirit to the point where it kills the family cat, Kellie is certain that the spirit means the family harm. Getting a buy in from the adults in the house, Kellie holds the key to the nasty spirit that is going to try and keep the family from being happy and safe, but what she doesn’t know is that the spirit has a different intention altogether and is looking to make itself known before it is too late.

This is a pretty cool little movie and while I didn’t agree with the ending, it is what the storyline was driving towards throughout, so it made perfect sense. As the story really revolved around Kellie throughout, Robin was really a fun surprise with her very pointy artwork. The family dynamic was the main thing to watch as Robin was happy to take on some of the things that Kellie has been doing over the past years and seeing the young woman’s distrust in this was a little unnerving. I will just leave it at that because I don’t want to give away what happens at the end as a twist is in the making. With killer artwork, a family trying to move on, a protective daughter, an invisible friend, a haunted house, a cat no more and a dangerous spirit, this movie did a great job bringing everything together in the end and you will never forget the eyes of someone that does not want to go back to the way things were. Stay Scared.

What’s truly amazing about the world we live in, is that we are in fact… finally getting glimpses at the future. Not by way of awesome psychic powers or through a magic 8 ball or a bubbly cauldron… but through the internet. Because now, companies can make announcements that help us to know when something that will bring us joy will arrive and truly, the company that is the absolute best when it comes to this, is the streaming service Shudder.

Simply because they let horror fans everywhere know what treats are headed their way the instant the deal is done, allowing for those very fans to plan ahead for another spooky treat and this is relevant today, because earlier, Shudder announced the acquisition of another horror treat that will make its debut on the network in 2022. For Shudder has snagged the rights to the paranormal thriller, They Live in the Grey and well… here are all the details on this new addition to Shudder’s already impressive lineup.

‘Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, has acquired worldwide rights to supernatural feature They Live in The Grey. The Shudder Original Film, which is written and directed by Burlee and Abel Vang (Bedeviled), is set to release in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in early 2022. Vertical Entertainment will be  handling international sales for remaining territories at the upcoming American Film Market.

“The Vang Brothers have crafted a stylish, scary chiller, easily one of the year's most frightening films, led by a gripping central performance from Michelle Krusiec as Claire. We’re thrilled to invite Shudder members to see through Claire’s eyes and peer into that fascinating and haunting space between life and death,” said Craig Engler, general manager of Shudder.

“Most horror films with Asian leads are foreign films. We’re proud and excited to tell an Asian-American horror story – something you don’t often see,” said the Vang Brothers. “We can’t imagine a better partner than Shudder to help us bring this Asian-American narrative to the horror genre.”

In They Live in The Grey, Michelle Krusiec (Hollywood), plays Claire who, while investigating a child abuse case, discovers that the family is being tormented by a supernatural entity. In order to save the family, she must confront her own fears and use her emerging clairvoyance to stop the malevolent force.

They Live in The Grey is a Standoff Pictures Production in association with Whiskey Stream Films. The film is produced by Stephen Stanley and The Vang Brothers and features performances by Ken Kirby (Good Trouble), Ellen Wroe (For All Mankind), and Madelyn Grace (Don’t Breathe 2).

The acquisition deal was negotiated by Emily Gotto, VP, Global Acquisitions & Co-Productions on behalf of Shudder and CAA on behalf of the filmmakers.’

So, as you can see, this is a pretty slick announcement. One that reminds us of the fact that Shudder is on the cutting edge of both the horror industry, since this is a diverse film filled with meaning, and in keeping their fans appraised of things to come and well, all this announcement does is build incredible excitement for 2022. Since now horror fans know to set aside a little time to enjoy a bevy of quality horror films from a network that loves the genre through and through.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond’.
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When we last settled in to discuss the fascinating AMC zombie series, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, it appeared as though our survivors were about to go through some supremely hard times. For Hope and Iris were split on how best to handle the CRM and the lies it told them all regarding Omaha and the Campus Colony, and Huck was on an island unto herself after facing her past actions in a terrifying manner, twice in a single night. But rather than let the story surround itself with excessive drama revolving around a break in unity, the writers’ room used this tough moment as a grand opportunity to explore what can allow for us to put aside our differences and come together in a seamless and powerful manner.
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As it turns out, the best way to do that… is to help the people that we want on our side, to realize that we are in fact… on the same side and share the same goals and we should work toward those above all else and ‘Quatervois’ accomplished that examination, by way of two key plot threads. The first, involved a reunion of sorts at the clearing center where Silas was staying. Which took place, partly because this chunk of the group missed their friend and road brother and needed to feel that unity once again. But also, to launch a daring plan to get into the research facility post haste. For Iris believed that if she and Will were surrendered to the CRM and inside the facility, they could show Hope and Leo how serious they were about fighting the good fight and how badly they needed them at their side to make that happen.

But in order to get out without rousing any suspicion, they needed Silas’ help. Specifically, by having him steal a keycard and a truck so he could meet them at a relatively unguarded part of the station, wherein they could sneak onto the truck, grab Elton and Percy and head toward Portland. Then they could inform them of the betrayal and perhaps rally the last CRM colony to fight or reason with the CRM since Oregon’s resources were supremely important and well… the first leg of the plan mostly went off without a hitch. For Will and Iris and shockingly Percy, did get inside the facility and the reunion we’ve all been waiting for, took place. Since Iris and Hope and Leo, were able to embrace as a family and well, once the wonder of that ended, the second half of the plan went into motion.

Wherein Iris and Will sold Leo and Hope on their ideas and how they were in fact on the same side and wanting the same things and believe it or not, this part of the plan worked as well. For Leo realized that long and dangerous journey or not, his daughter was right, and this kind of injustice could not stand and the right thing to do was to make what was left of the world know of the treachery happening on the CRM’s watch. Which made it seem as though, we were barreling toward quite the happy ending in this tale. One where they would board the truck and start the long road west. Something that was reinforced by the fact that Silas got the truck as asked and was able to park it near the preferred exit zone. But alas, before we could enjoy that reality and see them escape into the night, something important had to happen.

In that, the audience at the very least, genuinely needed more substance in regard to this plan. Something that would give us a reason to root for these heroes harder than we ever have before and well, we got just that… by way of Huck. Because her mother’s chilling words at the end of last week’s episode, left her wondering what kind of lies were genuinely being told to her. And taking a moment to research what happened in the CRM while she was gone, alongside gathering valuable factual intelligence on Omaha, before having a low-key confrontation with her mother… finally allowed for Huck and the audience to learn exactly what the CRM’s plans actually are and what we learned, is quite chilling and terrifying to say the least. To the point where we now know that the CRM is no better than the dead that walk the earth.
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For Huck’s confrontation with mom, revealed the fact that her mother is indeed a monster. One that has no problem doing what must be done to accomplish the goals of an organization that is in the midst of a power grab. Because while she was gone, the CRM and the civilian government of the Civic Republic Military battled hard over who would maintain control of these colonies in the future. And of course, the civilian side was winning that particular argument. For the agreement in writing from the beginning of this nightmare, outlined a peaceful handoff after ten years of strife and that time drew near. Which means that the military side of things figured out a crafty and simple way to maintain the control and power and vision they believed they so rightly deserved to exert over the frightened and fragile populace. In that, destroying Omaha would allow for them to hold onto their power.

Because the sheer possibility that super columns of the living dead could assault Portland and the CRM’s home city, would be enough to engender great fear amongst the populace and the civilian arm of the government. To the point where Kublek and her cohorts would be asked to remain in power indefinitely, under the guise of keeping everyone safe, and well, that’s about as brilliant of an evil plan as it gets. Since it reminds us, that power always corrupts and is in demand, even at the end of the world and old habits die hard, since this was reminiscent of what the Bush Administration pulled off to bring about the Second Gulf War. But while that, and the data that Huck lifted from her mom’s office will be enough to rally so many to the cause, there is one large obstacle to making that happen. In that, Silas was captured in the closing moments of this tale, and it won’t be long until his friends are as well, adding a new wrinkle to this fight.

But while we wait to see where that takes us, we can revel in the majesty of one powerful tale. One that showed us that humanity hasn’t changed all that much after the fall of civilization. Since there are still power-hungry idiots eager to use crisis to exert control, making the CRM nothing more than another sorrowful annotation in the history of an endless cycle, with a slight twist. In that, by adding this twist into the mix, The Walking Dead: World Beyond is now prepared to explore a grand question that The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead are diving into right now. Specifically, is mankind worth saving? A question that demands an answer after seeing that a reformed America isn’t that much different from the one left behind, and it will be fascinating to see what the show has to say in regard to that as we barrel toward the finale of this unique tale. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 703 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’.
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Often times in storytelling, confronting the past and the trauma that haunts us… is explored in a supremely inspirational manner. Wherein the character suffering from those very things, comes to understand that keeping such darkness around… damages their life and their soul and the only way to be free and to move forward in life, is to confront it head on and beat it in a manner that is so bold and so dynamic… that the audience either puts down their book or walks away from a television or silver screen, feeling as though they can take on the world. But while that particular formula definitely sends our spirits soaring and reminds us to stand tall in the face of this challenge, this push to keep such matters in a constantly positive light… does the audience a great disservice.
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For in reality, confronting the past and dealing with the various traumas tough moments send our way… is not an easy task in the slightest. In fact, it is ridiculously difficult and cumbersome and filled with setbacks and tough days that make it seem as though our demons are going to win and sometimes, they do. Plus, what’s worse, is that usually the only way we come to discover that we have issues we need to address, is by making some kind of a grave mistake. One that hurts people we care about… which puts us in an even tougher place, where we feel shame and remorse over letting something we should have dealt with ages ago… take control. If anything, that uglier side to confronting out past is of note today, simply because it served as the focal exploration of last night’s episode of Fear the Walking Dead.

But it sure didn’t seem as though that was going to be the case early on. For the opening of ‘Cindy Hawkins’ fooled us into thinking that this story was going to be about the horrors of surviving a nuclear war. A feat that it was seemingly going to accomplish, by having us spend a little time underground with John Dorie Sr. and his daughter-in-law, June. Since they were working hard to keep to a routine inside the bunker they commandeered from Teddy and well… that routine was a touch unnerving. Because it quickly made it clear that keeping one’s mind busy is imperative to properly surviving a mushroom cloud. So that one doesn’t let the reality sink in that one is trapped in a metal tube below the ground. Which John and June appeared to be coping with, despite the sense of doom that sounds above provided them with.

But one fateful night changed the narrative of this story post-haste. For a little post-explosion quake revealed that this bunker had a spare room within its framework, which shocked June and John to no end. Because it turns out, that this newly discovered room wasn’t some kind of den or a place that offered opportunities to break up the monotony of being underground. No instead, this was Teddy’s killing floor. Where he took every last one of his victims and embalmed them and well, the discovery of this room awakened something within John. Because he and his fellow officers didn’t have a clue this place existed and that let his mind wander and allowed for the past to sneak into the present. Because in many ways, this room represented every failure that John endured and well… being in this space gave him quite the wild idea.

In that, perhaps he could finally do right by the one victim whose body was never recovered, a woman named Cindy Hawkins, whose mother he promised to bring to rest, and it didn’t take long for this seemingly impossible task to infect his mind. Because just like that, he was pouring over Teddy’s maps and notes and trinkets, hoping desperately to find a clue that would lead him to Cindy’s corpse and to complicate matters further… his obsession with yesterday revealed a powerful secret. As it turns out… John has had a drinking problem for some time and with their liquor being destroyed by the quiver that revealed this room, he was about to exhibit withdrawal symptoms and that is really where the exploration on the ugliness that can come about from confronting out past, got underway.  
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Because those early days of doing so, where we are determined and of the belief this will be an easy fight, plunges us into a world of obsession. Where we think that somehow hard focus on just beating this will allow for us to conquer it. When instead, all this does is prompt us to neglect our needs and the needs of others and this is where mistakes will be made, and dumb things are said and that’s precisely where John was at in this segment of the story. Since John didn’t listen a word June said about what he needed to do in the moment. He simply focused on Cindy and solving the case and the withdrawal took his obsession to new heights, since it motivated him to even hear things and see Cindy and well… for a time it seemed as though John was going to be lost to a worst-case scenario/grand fear we all share in during this phase. Wherein it appeared he might collapse from the power of the past and allow for it to consume him. 

In fact, he was so lost within his failures and the belief that the only way he could heal, was by solving a case that no longer mattered as much as it once did… that he abandoned June in a time of need and went off to where he thought Cindy’s body was waiting to provide him with peace. But seeing more of those mysterious men that Strand’s team encountered in the premiere, try to break in and harm June… finally allowed for him to come to a realization that we all eventually reach in this process. In that, our past is never resolved quickly, and it takes years of self-care and work to truly find that peace. But in the meantime, being the best person, we can be and working to help others can help keep us on the right path to heal, and that epiphany allowed for John to save June, and even discover that Cindy was buried in the bunker all along… right before the whole damn thing caved in on them. 

But thankfully, a Mister Victor Strand sent his lackeys to save them before things got rough and now, they will get a chance to heal both physically and emotionally within Strand’s compound. Which is imperative since we now know John has a lot of wounds to patch up and June does as well for that matter. Since she did a few unsavory things herself to avoid healing. But while we wait to see what a little quiet time and inflection and safety will do for this duo; we can celebrate one amazing tale. One that once again used the power of a double apocalypse to explore some of the more fragile aspects of the human condition and deeply scare us along the way. Since John’s psychosis and the world surrounding that bunker, were genuinely frightening. But what matters most is that story really does offer up quite the positive lesson in the end. Since it reminds us to always have a solid support network around when the going gets tough. So that we stay grounded and are constantly reminded… of what matters most in this life. Until next time.