Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Black Cab’.
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One particular concern that arises when a genre soars to new heights popularity wise, is that it sometimes forgets its roots. For instance, science fiction became focused on action and spectacle over analysis when it hit the big time and crime stories also leaned hard into a new dynamic. Wherein gritty stories, technology, grizzled detectives, and intelligent super villains ruled the day, and this all happens for one simple reason. In that, those elements help bring those genres to a new standing, so why not stick with what works and ride the positive waves? But fans do take concern with it because they don’t want those genres to lose sight of what made them so magical. But what’s fascinating about this concern, is that it doesn’t extend to horror.

Of course, one would think that it would. After all, horror from being a niche outlier to a mega genre. Where the living dead have dominated the airwaves and where people are flocking to theaters to enjoy stories that are deep and brooding and powerful. So, why aren’t more people crying foul and citing worries that the genre will become more cerebral and leave scares behind? Because it doesn’t forget its roots and it knows that sometimes… fans aren’t interesting in seeing a story that explores grief or our trauma. They just want to plunge into a corner of a world that is filled with bad vibes and scary things and ugly people and for proof that it maintains such films, look no further than the latest release on Shudder, Black Cab.

For this particular film plunges us into a tough time for a woman named Anne. For she’s dealing with some hard personal changes in her life, one of which remains a secret while the other, is being celebrated by everyone but her. For she’s said yes to marrying Patrick. Her garbage boyfriend, now fiancé, and well… Anne is clearly at a crossroads here and eager to figure out what comes next. But before she can do that, a voyage home from a night out, makes everything outside of survival unimportant. For her and Patrick’s cab driver, a fellow named Ian, is nothing short of a monster. One that is eager to capture them both and drag them out to the middle of nowhere… to fulfill the wishes of a sinister being that may or may not be real.

Which is straight up, old school horror for certain. Because there are no lessons to be found here about what’s right and what’s wrong, and no discussions regarding the human condition. This is just, a sour story about people caught up in bad situations across the board and that makes… for a genuinely unsettling story. One that really does just showcase how being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be a terrible thing, with a depressing chaser regarding how we tolerate mediocrity and suffer greatly for it, and the end result… is a hideous road trip. One that becomes more terrifying and uncomfortable by the minute, as Ian becomes more unhinged and leans harder into his belief that there is a spirit he must serve or face pain through punishment.
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A move that adds to the chaotic nature of the feature, since we never really know if that spirit exists or not, or if we are at the whims of a broken man that has simply snapped and needs justification to harm others, and that setup leads to a supremely scary feature. One grounded in the power of our cruelty and our fears of the unknown and of people. Since this is a worst-case scenario moment/nightmare/worry for so many of us. But of course, in order to properly sell this kind of story and these kinds of scares, you need a magnificent actor to pull it off and this film has that in genre legend Nick Frost. Who has showcased over his illustrious career that he can play the straight man, and he can play the loose cannon, and he is all of those things in this feature in a manner that is powerfully convincing and chilling.

All of which brings forth, just a dynamic and engaging horror film. One that defies convention and leaves the norms behind to scare the living hell out of us, and it truly does accomplish its mission. Courtesy of a series of downer moments and genuine cruelty from this broken man and setting the story in a cab and in the isolated countryside, adds to the tension and gives it a claustrophobic feel. Which makes one feel even more uncomfortable and plunges us into the middle, of a horror film that understands the true core of the genre. Which also makes this, an absolute must-see, because it really is an oasis of terror in a sea of elevated scares and a truly refreshing feature. Courtesy of its unique story, one that reminds us… that evil just exists in the world and strikes when it feels the time is right.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Hysteria!’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about the sheer brilliance of the new Peacock and USA Network series, Hysteria!, and rightfully so. For this show is horror at its finest, since it features good scares, good gore and some hard commentary regarding modern America. But sometimes, a horror story doesn’t have to lend itself to higher concepts. It can just explore fear and the world that fear is working to take over and that’s why the next episode of this show is of note. Because ‘Dance Macabre’ mostly left the commentary behind to ponder upon the mysteries introduced in last week’s episode and the grand question… what the hell is happening in Happy Hollow?

As it turns out… it all relates to someone eager to create chaos. For Faith came to learn that her mother is a pawn for someone. Someone that identifies as a reverend and wants Tracy to do his bidding and keep her daughter silent so that whatever plan they have in place, can be completed. In fact, to keep it on track, he had ‘Officer Hartman’ head over to the police station to clear his name. An act that didn’t go well since the chief put him in cuffs for a traffic infraction. But this revealed that someone has plans for this town and none of them can be good in the slightest. But that was all we and Faith received answer wise on that front, and that discovery was enough for Faith… to flex her own muscles and enjoy a little freedom for a change. Such as taking Jordy to the big dance that was coming up soon. 

In fact, the dance was quite the point of contention in this tale. Mainly because Dylan’s desire to go with Judith and continue to feed into her desires for a cult, began to put real pressure on the band. To the point where they avoided one another, and interaction slowed outside of general band stuff. Because Jordy and Spud really believed that she was going to cause great trouble for Dylan, and the band, and they were right. Because she full on tried to consummate her relationship with Dylan in front of cult members, and thanks to the arrival of the chief, this was the weirdest moment of Dylan’s life and has him hot water, and well, that moment and whatever the hell Tracy is up to, spoke to the reality that it appears that someone is trying to shake this town to its roots for reasons unknown.

Something further reinforced by the shock encounter that Faith had when she got home, with the other half of the kidnapping duo that ripped her away from home. But of course, it would seem this push by the reverend and others to scare an American town into thinking evil has come, may have awakened something evil after all. For the rashes continued to break out in this tale and Linda had more harrowing encounters with whatever evil seems to have taken notice of her. Which is a stroke of genius storytelling wise. Because long term, that will speak to how our fear and our ignorance often leads to greater problems, while at the same time, providing us with some wild moments that will make every 80s horror movie proud.

Which means this episode deserves a round of applause. For its quality worldbuilding. For the reveal that there is indeed more human evil at work here than previously thought, and for hinting that something else has been poked awake by people screwing around with things they simply don’t understand. But while we wait to see that backfire, we can also celebrate a damn good story that reflected the high school experience and how hard it is to find freedom as a teenager and how hard it is to make changes to our lives during that era. Which added wonderful depth to an already wonderful story. One that has us eager to continue the journey to see what happens next, now that fear is beginning to potentially feed something dark and twisted. Until next time.

Please enjoy this sneak peek of Episode 304 of Wicked City. Which debuts on ALLBLK, tomorrow, 11/7/24!

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Finale of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular truth that none of us like to speak aloud, is that the only way forward in this life is to let go of our past, and it makes sense as to why we don’t want to say that aloud. Because then… it becomes tangible and holds us accountable to bad habits and bad behaviors that we hold to and rely upon. Which is… to hang onto the past, for reasons we think are somehow helpful. Such as say, keeping the memory of lost loved ones alive by constantly honoring them daily. Or by keeping past transgressions in the top of our mind so that we hold ourselves accountable to mistakes made so we never make them again, and we also hold to the words spoken in ugly conversations with people that mattered in the moment, where we believe we overstepped bounds, to keep us humble.

But deep down, we all know that holding onto the past is a punishment of sorts. Since sometimes honoring the dead is a form of survivor’s remorse, and holding to old mistakes punishes a soul, and believing that someone was right in saying dark things about us is the wrong way to look at their words. For they said that to hurt over inspire, and those words have no meaning. And we do this, simply because the past has gravity and it can impact us deeply, and we believe that holding onto such things will keep us strong and drive us forward. But deep down we also know, this act doesn’t do any of that. It freezes us in place and leaves us miserable, so we must speak that truth and resolve the past or let go of the stuff that we are hanging onto, to find peace, and that was a lesson that Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier had to learn in the season two finale of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol on AMC.

However, it did not seem as though that was going to be the case in ‘Au Revoir Les Enfants’. For this particular tale opened up with a fight to protect Laurent. Because as Ash finished repairs upon the plane, something sinister was heading to the racetrack. For the remnant of Losang’s twisted cult were eager to find Laurent and continue their work, and when an attempt to attack Codron and Fallou to learn about the plane’s location failed, they turned to the next best source of information in the City of Lights… Anna. For she truly was always in the know in this town, and she of course, was forced at gunpoint to take the cultists to that racetrack/airfield, and she only agreed… because she had one last ace up her sleeve. 

In that, she made every attempt to kill them by plunging them into an enclosed space filled with the dead. But that plan only did minimal damage and cost her everything. But she believed in Laurent’s freedom and thankfully… that bought Daryl, Carol, Fallou and Codron enough time to prepare to fight against these forces long enough to get Laurent and Ash into the air and off to the United States of America. Giving him a second chance at a better and far more normal life, but of course… it left Carol and Daryl stranded in France. But their decision to give the future a chance wasn’t totally in vain. Since the loss of Laurent was more than the cult could bear, and just like that… the group collapsed and went its separate ways and Carol and Daryl… worked with their friends to begin to figure out a new exit strategy from France.

Wherein they would meet up with some smugglers from the United Kingdom, who, for a price, would lead the group through the English Channel and into London where perhaps they could find better charter back to America, and that brought about some serious downtime and a chance for everyone to reflect upon this harrowing experience. Which brought about the exploration in question. For everyone was forced to face the past in some form or fashion. Fallou for instance came to realize that he used the past as an excuse to push forward constantly, out of the belief that the darkness kept him strong and made him a survivor. Only for him to learn that he already was a strong survivor, and it was okay now to live a little. Which was why he stayed behind, to love. 
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Whereas Codron came to understand that he held onto the anger of his brother’s death for far too long and made too many poor decisions because of that, and it was either let that anger go or continue down this dark path, and of course… Carol and Daryl had their own demons to settle up with. Since Daryl felt real survivor’s remorse over Isabelle’s death and didn’t feel himself worthy of returning home, and of course, Sophia still haunted Carol and they both briefly pondered upon letting all that go but resorted to the norms. Because they are both survivors, and both people who have used the darkness to give them strength to go on and use their pain to find purpose. But this time around, there was not going to be another escape from the pain in the hearts, for the Channel forced them to face it.
 
Through of course, wild circumstances. For it turned out that a segment of the channel that the guides were unfamiliar with, harbored some genuine surprises. Specifically, mutations in nature. For the bat guano present in the channel, along with the rotten corpses of the living dead down there, combined to create toxic, mind altering fumes, and hideous bioluminescence. Which brought forth hallucinations and fear. The kind that drove Codron to run off to heaven knows where and that forced Daryl and Carol to face their pain and face the horrors of the past. So that they could finally resolve it, let go and move ahead with new purpose and new direction. Which is where we left them, free of their burdens and off into the world in a new chapter of the story.

All of which brought forth, a stunning finale. One that set the stage for season three in a fascinating manner, but once again… did what few horror stories ever do and offered up character growth and healing for these two emotionally wounded individuals. Which made for a bittersweet tale really. One that spoke to how hard it is to let go, and how we aren’t bad people because of it. Just that we are creatures that live with fear, and we are terrified of change and the unknown and what life will be like without a pain that gives us so much in a time of need. But truly, we have to let it go, we have to be free of it so we can truly live life and enjoy every precious moment we get, and that really is a lovely message to find here, and it will be interesting to see what Carol and Daryl do with their emotional freedom come season three. Until next year.

One thing that fans of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon can agree upon, is that The Book of Carol was a magnificent season of storytelling. One that dug deep into some powerful topics that horror rarely touches upon, and it harbored some amazing moments as well. That brought us to tears of sorrow and joy, and outright took our breath away. For it was a grand and sweeping, and impressive story that ended in a fascinating manner as well. But that, we will discuss deeper in tomorrow’s recap of the show, and for now, we need to talk about quite the gift from AMC.
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For shortly after season two wrapped, AMC dropped a magnificent sneak peek/first look at season three of show, alongside some amazing details regarding what season three is going to focus upon, and well… since you’ve got Caryl on the brain, now is the perfect time to share those goodies with you. As we begin the countdown to the next chapter of this incredible journey through Europe, with two absolute fan favorites from a series that we deeply love and adore.

‘AMC Networks debuted a teaser for season three of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon during the finale of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - The Book of Carol on Sunday evening, November 3. Starring Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride as the beloved characters “Daryl Dixon” and “Carol Peletier,” the new season is set to premiere in 2025 on AMC and AMC+. Production of season three is currently underway in Madrid with extensive location shooting in the Galicia, Aragón, Catalonia and Valencia regions, each providing a new and unique backdrop for the post-apocalyptic world.
 
Season three will follow Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier as they continue their journey to somehow return home and to the ones they love.  As they struggle to find their way back, the path takes them farther astray, leading them through distant lands with ever-changing and unfamiliar conditions as they witness the various effects of the Walker apocalypse.
 
In addition to Reedus and McBride, Eduardo Noriega, Óscar Jaenada and Alexandra Masangkay join as series regulars in season three. Additional cast includes Candela Saitta, Hugo Arbués, Greta Fernández, Gonzalo Bouza, Hada Nieto, Yassmine Othman, Cuco Usín and Stephen Merchant, amongst others.
 
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season three is executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, Showrunner David Zabel, Reedus, McBride, Greg Nicotero, Brian Bockrath, Angela Kang, Jason Richman, Dan Percival and Steve Squillante along with Silvia Aráez and Jesús de la Vega from Ánima Stillking.’

​Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Hysteria!’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It really is quite a wonderful moment, when you realize that a television series that is loaded with unique and fascinating concepts is going to take its time in exploring said concepts in a supremely detailed manner. Simply because it means you’re going to get a quality story that truly is eager to offer up a quality lesson or lessons regarding something important, and that is why Hysteria! on Peacock and USA Network is a show that deserves our attention and praise. Because… it is that show. It wants us to properly understand how fear spreads and how it grows in strength, so we can try to stop the cycle of madness that keeps happening in our world, and it had plenty for us to ponder upon in its next episode.

For ‘Can I Play with Madness?’ took the time to further explore how fear spreads and in turn how it inspires movements and calls to action, something we’ve seen happen in our modern world and well… as it turns out… a lot of that is related to some key behaviors. Wherein scared individuals don’t feel as though their concerns are being heard, and since no one will listen, someone has to take action. So, they step up and push back and others who feel the same join them, and away we go… and this was put on display in the simplest manner, by way of Dethkrunch’s second concert. Which took place at the Campbell homestead and leaned hard into the order of the hour… which was Judith’s desire to be part of a cult.

Because during that concert, the one person that wanted no part of this, Tonya, pushed back upon what was happening because of those golden Midwest values, and was embarrassed by Jordy. Who wanted to teach Tonya a lesson for picking on her at one point and for not going with the flow, and that truly spoke to the lesson at hand and how it creates the problem at hand, as evidenced by the fallout of that moment. Since Tonya, spread fear and cried foul and demanded to be whole again, and this was further explored by Tracy Whitehead’s actions here. Who gathered townsfolk, including Linda, to talk about the evil in this town, and give it a face, which was Linda, and sadly… this plan did work and let fear breathe and grow and well, those were fine lessons for certain from a show that really is diving deep into such matters… while still scaring and unsettling us.

Because once again, the unexplainable took place here, and some questions were raised about Tracy and her role in the genesis of fear in this town. Since a surprise body part showed up in the Chief’s home, one he was looking for, and that seemed to awaken something in his own home. Not to mention poor Faith came to realize that her mother was lying to her. Because Faith realized the inhaler that Ryan used had been removed by her mom, and that it should be in the hands of the police. Which Tracy claimed she would turn in, after admitting that she removed it an effort to clean up the horror left behind from the kidnapping. But she didn’t, and that forced Faith to dig about the house and the town, and discover her mom bought a car from the very man that kidnapped her. Which was quite the shock and well, related to the central theme as well.

For there is always someone that wants to stoke fear and sow disdain to truly be heard and what better way to do that, then to force their concerns into existence if it gets them what they want. Which is a sad truth that leaves us wondering if any evil exists in this town, or if Tracy is the problem. But then again, the rash now appearing one people’s bodies, and what Chief Dandridge dealt with, keeps that wonder of something evil alive and well, all of these elements made for a great episode. One that truly explored its central themes to a tee and really set the stage for tough times in this town. Because everyone is on edge, everyone is vying to be heard and seen, and that is a recipe for disaster. One that we are steadily barreling toward as frustrations grow, and it will be interesting to see how this comes to a head in the weeks to come. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Finale of ‘Teacup’. To revisit the previous two episodes, click here.
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One particular answer we’ve heard to one particular question, one that we’ve even spoken… is that yes, we will do whatever we absolutely must for our family. Because they are everything to us, and if anything were to ever harm them or threaten them, we will do what we must. Which is said often to reinforce the wonder of family, and our dedication to it, and thankfully… few of us ever have to face that question or the worst-case scenario regarding it. Because few of us will ever be in the position where we have to ask ourselves if we can harm someone to keep our loved ones safe, and even fewer of us will have to ponder upon the possibility, that we will have to harm family to save family.

But if by chance, there was ever a curious corner of your mind that wondered what such an extreme moment might look like… well… horror has you covered. Because the Chenowith family was tasked with that quandary in the season one finale of Teacup on Peacock. That is… shortly after some unsettling stuff took place. Because ‘This Is Nowhere, Part One & Two’ took the time to play a horribly dark game in the household. Wherein everyone had to figure out where Assassin was, to neutralize this entity, and well… that was all a tough ask for Maggie and James. Because they weren’t sure if they could bring a person to death’s door, or kill them, to save their family, and that led to some powerful talks between the two of them. Open ones that spoke to maybe salvation for their marriage.

However, while everyone moved about with caution to find the monster, which was eerie since no one knew who was who, Ruben and Donald decided they couldn’t just stand around and wait for Assassin or potentially face someone they cared about. So, they opted to handle matters on their own, and ensure that there be no more attacks. All by heading out to the other farm to burn that tree, hoping to stop any more aliens from coming down from the stars. Which reunited them with McNab. Who helped them to wound the tree enough to end this and get them what they need, the goop that would let everyone cross the thin blue line. 

But alas, there was mention of a horrible quandary in this tale, and that came forth when Assassin made his move and jumped from body to body to get to Arlo/Harbinger and killed more along the way. Which meant, Maggie and James had to decide if they could harm their daughter. For Meryl was the new host and she had to be drowned to save everyone, and well… James decided he could not go that far. So, he let Assassin jump into him so Meryl could live. A move that while noble, still held the question in the air. Could Maggie harm her family to keep them safe and well, with Arlo’s help, the answer was: yes. Because this wouldn’t end unless they made it end, and that brought about a horrible fate for a transformed James. Wherein he was locked in a freezer with a limited air supply.
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Which meant, the clock was ticking to save him and that prompted so many to leave, and thanks to McNab and his knowledge, they did. To get help to free James and to get everyone patched up properly, with only Ellen staying behind to keep an eye on Assassin or see James off into the great beyond if time and air ran out. But rather than just end it there, the universe expanded. Since we learned in the final minutes that there are other people out there eager to help the bad aliens, and more good ones like McNab and now the family is in a quandary as they face a new chapter in this nightmare. One where we still don’t know if James will survive.

All of which brought forth, an amazing finale. One that was dark, bleak, devastating and powerful, all at once. Courtesy of a story that truly asked some ugly questions and truly tasked the Chenowith parents to do some horrible things. In fact, at times this finale was tough to watch because of how far they had to go to save their family. But perhaps, if the situation was that dire, that would be the final call. That would be what we have to do. Which made for some powerful storytelling, that we want more of. After all, this finale did open the door to a bigger universe and a bigger galactic battle at play here, and hopefully this series gets a second season and more if needed. To see if this family can be reunited and healed and to see how this fight between good and evil ends.