It is definitely safe to say that horror is hands down, the most intelligent, brave and downright educational genre out there, and for proof… just look at the genre’s body of work. For time and time again, it has addressed topics revolving around our world and the human condition in an objective manner that offers us perspective. Not to mention, it is always eager to handle taboo topics that people shy away from to put the problems we face front and center and that has led to some powerful storytelling throughout the years. The kind that is iconic in nature, since so many horror stories are passed down from generation to generation because of what they tackle. 
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But what is truly amazing about the genre, is that it continues to evolve regarding its examinations of the human condition and our modern society. Which in turn has allowed for the genre to begin to tackle more intimate topics such as depression, trauma and the like, and it has also allowed for it… to begin to explore some of the biggest problems that plague us. The kind that we seemingly cannot shake regardless of knowing how bad the issue at hand is, and it makes sense as to why. Because we are desperate to have those answers and solve these problems so the world and our species can move forward at last, and it just so happens that this Thursday, Shudder will be host to a film in that vein. One that ponders upon the genesis and potential solution to a problem that we cannot be free of… racism. 

A feat that Burial accomplishes by taking us on quite the unique journey. One that starts in 1991 in London on the day the Soviet Union fell, wherein we are introduced to a woman named Anna, who is carrying quite the secret, one a Neo-Nazi is eager for her to reveal. For back in 1945, Anna was known as Brana Vasilyeva, a Soviet soldier that was tasked with quite the mission. Wherein she and her squad were to bring the remains of one Adolf Hitler to Moscow so Josef Stalin could see proof that his nemesis had fallen. A voyage that proved to be problematic, thanks to Nazi Werewolves. A crackpot team of commandos sworn to uphold the ideals of Reich, who knew of her cargo and its value to the Nazi remnant, and now to put the past to bed once again… Anna/Brana must tell the tale of how this fight ended… and how it changed her life and will soon change the life of the man that dared to dig up old ghosts.

Which is… the perfect way to explore racism and its power and how we potentially combat it. Because that meaningless corpse, and the plans intended for it… really do offer up stunning insight into how hate spreads and how bad ideas resonate with the wrong people and that in turn… gives the viewer pause. Because it quickly teaches us how fear is weaponized and used as a rallying cry when introduced through misinformation and ire and fury and how quickly men adopt it and above all, it teaches us how hard it is for people to let go of. Because despite seeing such lies be exposed through the end of the war, the villains still believe in the Reich, and are determined to be near the body of the foolish buffoon that started such madness, and that too… leaves one in silence. Since it parallels our own world quite well and reminds us of the fact that this problem hasn’t gone away.
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It’s instead festered and grown in silence, as has the fear that motivates it and that in turn… is where we find ourselves eager to learn how to combat it, and this film offers up some fascinating common sense answer to that. First and foremost, it informs us that it must be stood up to. For it cannot be tolerated, for that is how it grows and when it appears it must be fought against and shut down, so that those who would spread it and nurture it, live in fear of exposing themselves and their wrongful beliefs and that we also need… fundamental change. Be it to education and whatever else is necessary, so that men like the Werewolves… and Hitler, are never to be seen again in this lifetime or any other. Which are hopeful and welcome thoughts to find alongside such dark subject matter.

However, at this point, you may be asking… how on earth does a story about Hitler’s corpse and his twisted followers denote any sense of horror? To which I counter, how does it not? For Hitler was a monster as were his most devout followers as well, and time has proven that humanity is the greatest monster of all in horror, when it chooses to embrace its demons, and having people cherish the corpse of a little man that dreamed monstrous thoughts… is about as horrific as it gets. If anything, all of these elements make this a powerful and poignant horror film. One that we have made a point to not spoil so you can enjoy all the darkness and gravitas it has to offer when it debuts on Shudder this Thursday, December 29, 2022, and we certainly hope you give it a look. Because it really is an intelligent and thoughtful film, one that truly offers the right advice at the right time… since that brand of evil is trying hard to make a comeback.    

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season finale of ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that second chances are rare. For moments are fleeting in this life and if we don’t do everything by the book in some situations, or don’t give it our all or go for it in the first place… a grand opportunity will pass us by. The kind that can either haunt us forever or leave us hoping for a do-over, or it can be our finest hour. Wherein we learn a great deal from that experience and grow and learn how to handle a similar situation if it ever arises again, when we know it likely will not. But… if and when that second chance does arise… it unlocks something special within us and pushes us like never before to grab hold of what we thought we lost.
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If anything, the second chance and what it means to us and how it drives us is top of mind today, simply because that was put on full display in the season finale of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans. For introspection was everywhere to be found in ‘Grand Finale’, since the final three monsters came to realize… they had done something incredible. In that, they had grown, and they had learned so much from their prior time on Dragula, and well… they fully understood that this was a grand second chance to show the Boulet Brothers their absolute best and prove something to themselves along the way, all in the name of finally being crowned the winner of this prestigious series. But what was truly amazing is that the deep reflection the final three went through, extended well beyond the opening moments of this finale.

For the first leg of their final challenge, wherein Veronica, HoSo, and Koco sat in on the Boulet Brothers’ Podcast, Children of the Night, revealed that Drac and Swan… saw this show as a milestone moment. As though this was the culmination of years of work, and it would signal the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. Which is a fascinating rumination, one that leaves all of us curious as to what this incredible duo have planned for the series going forward. But alas, we’ll get back to that later. For the competition was still alive and well, and that brings us to the powerful interview with this trio the Boulet Brothers conducted. The kind that was supremely revealing and intimate and really helped us to understand what this show and this second chance meant to all of them. 

Which in turn, led to the floor show. Where each of them would construct a creature worthy of the four tenants of Dragula, alongside preparing a lip-sync routine to the Boulet Brothers’ new song, ‘Ascension’, and that incredible work… led to the absolute best floor show of the season. One where Koco Caine transformed into a giant and horrifying Black Widow that feasted upon flesh in between bouncing about the stage. Where HoSo transformed before our eyes into an insect queen courtesy of a pair of unique costumes, and Victoria… well she opted to use her performance to reflect upon her journey, and the growth it provided her with. Once again putting our favorite judges in the toughest place imaginable. Since they had two seasons of work and growth to ponder upon. 

But in the end, someone must be crowned, and the winner of this season… just so happened to be Victoria Elizabeth Black. Who will now enjoy all the comforts and wonder that comes with being the true Titan of Dragula and her title is well deserved. Since she impressed all of us often this year with amazing looks that embodied the wonder of drag and Dragula alike, and well… now that a winner has been chosen… we are left in a unique place when it comes to this series. For there was at least… one hint from the Boulet Brothers in this finale as to what was to come. In that, they appear to be ready to shake things up regarding the competition and truly, that is going to make the wait for next season all the more painful. Since we are now dying to know what the next iteration of this iconic and revolutionary show is going to look like. Until next time.  

One thing that fans of horror films can agree upon, is that the sequel is a supremely difficult venture, for a variety of reasons. Because more often than not, the original movie… is beloved through and through, and was super successful, and the team that has to put together part two and beyond… has those shadows hanging over them. Which can lead to all kinds of trouble. Because creating a follow-up to a film that big and that important, can intimidate a creative mind and push them to make some unique decisions, the kind that offers up proof about how difficult a task this truly can be. Since time after time, we’ve seen sequels that try to take the story in a bold new direction to try and not tread upon the original’s accomplishments, or they play it safe by being nothing more than a light rehash of the original to appease. Or in the worst-case scenario, the sequel is a cash grab, and we know what that looks like.
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But now and again, you run into a horror sequel, that manages to satisfy and/or impress. All because those that made a part two, knew exactly what was needed to make the fans happy and/or blow them away. And wouldn’t you know it, those movies offer up a wonderful blueprint on to how to make that happen. Because one can easily see from those movies that giving the audience connective tissue to the original is critical, as is growing the story in a new direction that feels familiar but has just enough spice to differentiate it. But above all else, it needs love and care and really… the importance of what creates a quality sequel is top of mind today, simply because… a follow-up to a beloved horror film on Shudder is going to arrive on the streamer this Thursday and it just so happens that, Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge, is a masterclass on how to create a proper and respectful sequel. 

A feat that this film accomplishes by checking off all of those boxes in an intricate manner. For this is a movie that fully acknowledges the carnage of Scare Package, and the fact that poor Rad Chad, a horror expert, didn’t make it out of the original story. And therein lies the connective tissue. Since when we enter this world again, we are in fact, alongside a group of friends and family (and many acquaintances) at Rad Chad’s funeral. Wherein… bad things happen. For someone is displeased with the fact that Chad wasn’t respected in this life and that he is gone from it, and believes that some of the folks in attendance, should be punished for their disrespect toward Chad, and their perceived role in his passing. Which means several unfortunate souls are about to be plunged into a horrific game for survival, wherein they must learn from horror movies to escape their captor before this twisted game of vengeance claims their lives.

Which of course, is the perfect way to connect to the first film, but that connective tissue extends beyond all of that. Since this motion picture is once again filled with short vignettes that explore the wonder of the genre and neatly tie into the wraparound story. Allowing for this film to perfectly fit into the saga in a comfortable and genuinely organic manner. But of course, the fact that someone wants others to pay for what happened to Rad Chad, is how this movie differentiates itself from the original. Since now we are surrounded by a wondrous new plot that keeps us curious as to who exactly is behind this madness and of course, that alone keeps you engaged, as does the house of horrors that this evil entity subjects everyone to, and the wonder of this story doesn’t end there.
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Because there was mention that for a sequel to truly be worthy of its predecessor, it must be filled to the brim with love and care, and that’s present here as well. Because the vignettes are carefully assembled to be perfect homages to the horror films of the 1970s and 1980s, and to a lesser extent, the 1990s, and even the wraparound story features all kinds of shoutouts and nods and winks to the genre, and they’re all engaging and enjoyable and make this a love letter to the genre. Plus, we’ve be remiss to not point out, that the horror elements here are simply top notch. Since the gore is next level and the gags are gross and twisted and of course… the humor and camp present in part one can be found here as well. Which leads to some hilarious moments for certain, the kind that allow for the uglier stuff to never get heavy and it serves to remind us that horror is and will forever be… fun.

If anything, it is safe to call this film, a perfect horror sequel. Much of which can likely be attributed to the fact that Aaron B. Koontz and Cameron Burns, the brain trust from the original, returned to shepherd this sequel and did their absolute best to ensure that the critical elements that go into making a great sequel were made a priority here, alongside holding the stories to the right standard. And really, all of these elements make this… must-see horror. Since everything we love about the genre is present here and it really is a wonderful way to spend an hour and a half… and the good news is that we don’t have to wait all that much longer to enjoy this delightful anthology. For Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge, makes its debut on Shudder, this Thursday, December 22, 2022.

As Christmas gets closer, one of the things we are all worried about is finding the best gift possible for our loved ones. A lot of things go into finding the perfect gift for someone and that is the reason it takes so long to find one. Not trying to wait until the last minute is the best advice that can be given, but you always seem to forget to keep looking throughout the year to find it.  

Sometimes the perfect gift appears when you're not even looking for it and that is what happens to local inventor Randall Peltzer. When trying to sell his latest invention, Randall runs into something he cannot resist for his son, a Mogwai. Taking full advantage of the situation, Randall is able to purchase the rare animal and bring it home for his boy. The animal has some rules however and that is not lost on the old man as he gives his son an early Christmas present.  

The Mogwai needs to be kept out of bright light, he is not allowed to get wet, and no matter how much he complains, he can never, ever be fed after midnight. Relaying these rules onto his son Billy, Randall is content that the new addition to the household will be just fine. Although Billy is basically taking care of his family, he will not be overwhelmed by the new responsibility. Responding to the name Gizmo, the new pet is a big hit in the household as he can mimic and sing along with music.  ​

​Billy takes care of his new pet and is amazed by how different, yet how human it is. Showing one of his closest friends Gizmo, he thinks that everything will be okay, but when a cup full of water gets spilled on the Mogwai, everything starts to change. The Mogwai starts to multiply and instead of one, Billy now has five more that are more rambunctious than the first. Getting closer to Christmas, the family decides not to do anything, as they could be the greatest gift to date. Nothing bad could possibly happen with the harmless Mogwai running around the house, until they outsmart young Billy and get fed after midnight.  

Gremlins keeps you running around the small town of Kingston Falls as Christmas approaches. With your local nice guys and villains, the town does not know what to expect when a band of little green creatures take over. Trying to make right what he did wrong, Billy teams up with co-worker Kate to take on the menace. Knowing what will make the gremlins grow and multiply, they try to keep the town from being overrun. Having to worry about loved ones and the safety of others, the two are joined by little Gizmo on their fight against the Gremlin threat.  

As a fantastic holiday movie should do, Gremlins makes sure that you understand the importance of giving the right gift. As the movie progresses, you get to see that the thing you thought would be the perfect gift may not be the right one at the time. With the special effects being run mainly by puppeteers, this movie feels more realistic than most since it has creatures that the actors can see and touch. I love how the story progresses and seeing that everyone could be a hero in one way, or another keeps this movie near and dear to my heart. Also, with having a release date in June, the studio had enough time to focus on what is most important to the bottom line, merchandising. I don’t know about you, but I really wanted a Gizmo doll after this movie came out (I still do).  Keep looking for that perfect gift, but just remember that your loved one needs to be able to take care of it… at all costs. If they cannot, there is always fruit cake. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Apology’.
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The holiday season is more than just a season of giving and a time for unity. For it is also a time for great reflection and a chance to really seek out truth and direction. Because once the gift giving is over, all we have are our memories and time to reflect upon them and the year, and the life we’ve enjoyed, and that in turn prompts us to ponder upon if we are happy with where we are at and whether or not we need to make changes to our lives to find what we need. Not to mention, those same thoughts leave us wondering if we’ve settled all of our affairs that are outstanding at the moment and for some… they find satisfaction on such matters while others… find themselves in stir.
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For they are in fact, not happy with the direction of their lives and/or come to realize… they have a lot of unfinished business in this life that needs to be resolved. Which is why the New Year’s Resolution exists, to get us started on finding what we need. But for some, waiting is not enough, they must have their answers now or must resolve the unresolved right away and that… can lead to an emotional and potentially painful end to the year in question, and the season. Simply because those thoughts are fresh and handling unfinished business that’s been lingering too long is often ugly and uncomfortable. But it is essential to healing and to finding peace in life, if we handle it right, and really, that particular aspect of the human experience during the holiday season is top of mind today, because a new film on Shudder explores such matters in the darkest way imaginable in The Apology.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a woman on Christmas Eve named Darlene Hagen. Who is a recovering alcoholic and a person in pain. For this Christmas marks the 20th year without her daughter Sally, who went missing all those years ago and well, Darlene is indeed… in a reflective place on this night. For she desperately wants answers regarding the status of her daughter, and she wants justice if someone bothered to harm her and while she is at her lowest in this reflective time, quite the surprise arrives at her doorstep. For her former brother-in-law, Jack Kingsley, has shown up out of the blue courtesy of a horrible storm outside that has stopped him in his tracks and Darlene of course, invites him to stay. Which gives him the opportunity to express that he too is looking for resolution and peace on this night, by confessing some ugly secrets to Darlene. The kind that will forever change her outlook on Jack and give her the opportunity to decide how she wants to handle justice, with the truth in hand. 

Which is… the perfect way to explore the troubles that come about from seeking the truth and fighting for a different tomorrow. Because the surprise that Jack offers up to Sally, which is horrifying to say the least, really does give her want she wants and she is ill prepared to handle the reality of what happened to her daughter, nor is she ready to face the fact that someone she trusted was involved in such harm. Which leads to some powerfully bleak moments for certain, the kind that makes this film appear as though it is going to focus upon the horrors of the truth and searching for it and how that can destroy some. But there was mention of the fact that the truth is necessary for growth, as is the search for it, if we learn from what we uncover and that leads to a satisfying turn for Darlene… who finds agency within the freedom of the truth and acts accordingly.
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However, all of those elements do make this seem as though this is a motion picture that is grounded more in dramatic elements over horror, but make no mistake about it, the scary stuff is there, and it all comes forth via Jack. For his involvement in this matter and the secrets he carries, and the darkness in his soul, leads to some genuinely horrific moments. The kind that reminds us of the cruelty that men are capable of and the audacity that men like Jack thrive within, and that really does make him a terrifying villain for certain. Who often leaves the viewer unsure of how far he is willing to go on this night, and he leaves the audience disgusted as well, when it becomes clear what a pathetic coward this man truly is. But what matters more is that the scares he generates are impactful and realistic in nature and absolutely leave you on the edge of your seat. 

If anything, this is just a stunning horror film when all is said and done. For it is intense, emotional, and utterly horrifying, courtesy of Jack and his actions. In fact, we need to take a moment and fire off a quick warning regarding this film because of him. For his secret in this movie really is devastating and uncomfortable and triggering if you aren’t good with discussions regarding sexual assault. So, please exercise caution there. But if you’re willing to go along on one dark ride that will leave you squirming and angry, give this one a look. Because it really is quite the experience and it will terrify you in ways you never thought possible, courtesy of a bold plot that goes to incredibly dark places to help Darlene find the light.  

​As the debate rages on as to whether or not Hollywood is ruining the motion picture industry by flooding it with too many sequels and remakes, one cannot forget that this debate and this problem, is nothing new when it comes to the industry as a whole, and for proof, look no further than 1980’s horror films. Because back in the day, any successful horror film received a slew of sequels to cash in on its popularity, with mixed results of course. Because for every Nightmare on Elm Street 3 there was a Critters 3 waiting in the wings and well, not having the internet back then made life complicated for horror fans.
 
Because often times, these sequels featured some fantastic artwork, the kind that made them look as good as the original. Which in turn suckered you in and made you damn excited to rent one and get it home as quickly as possible to enjoy another magnificent entry in the tale in question, and sadly, that joy quickly turned to disappointment when you realized you were watching a sub-par offering, the kind that made your blood boil over how bad and cheesy it turned out to be and in 1989, a film that meets that infuriating criteria hit the shelves in C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.
 
Now the plot for this one, does do its best to tie into the original C.H.U.D. by offering up a twisted science experiment involving an enzyme that was discovered in the flesh of the mutated individuals from the first film, the kind that could yield military results if properly studied and used and of course, that all goes haywire, a C.H.U.D. named Bud gets loose and starts to create his own army of C.H.U.D.’s and really, that’s all you need to know about the plot because it’s messy from here on out, but it sure is fun to say C.H.U.D. in your head though, isn’t it? And if it seems as though cracking a joke like that makes it look like I’m stalling when it comes to analyzing this film, you’d be right because… man, this sucker is awful… but, it had potential.

After all, had it stuck with that weaponization plotline and thrown in some morality to go with that, it could have held a flame to the original with its own unique throwback to those 1950’s science fiction/horror flicks where science was downright evil, but instead, it chooses to tread into rip-off territory by trying its best to resemble George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead. I mean come on, an undead-ish and intelligent looking creature named Bud is the centerpiece of the story and has military men after him and Bub in Day is an intelligent zombie who has military men ready to kill him, so…they’re not exactly hiding what storyline they wanted to replicate in this one.
 
But really, where this movie fails through and through, is the sheer fact that it embraces the camp nature of the plot and ramps that up to a whole new level, something that its predecessor refused to do in the slightest and that, makes this sequel a silly affair, one that actually features a one liner from Bud since he says ‘Meat’ often and he even manages to get a catch phrase going for his minions and its stuff like that which makes this movie more farce than scare fest and to make matters worse, this movie truly features quite the talented cast, and their talents are simply wasted in this film. 
 
Which stinks because veteran character actor Gerrit Graham (who plays Bud), and screen legend Robert Vaughn (who plays Colonel Masters), deserve better than a horror flick that simply tries too hard. But alas, it is what it is, and there’s no changing what Bud the C.H.U.D. turned out to be. So really, if you’re simply a fan of camp horror flicks period, and you want to see what part two of the C.H.U.D. saga looks like, then this is the film for you. But, if you’re expecting a little more from your horror films, then I cannot in good conscience recommend this one, because it does fall short and you’ll never forgive me for the whole ‘yum, yum, yum’ chant. 

​I would venture to say that the list that breaks down why I love the horror genre is ridiculously long and with good reason. It’s a genre that simply knows how to captivate our imagination in ways we never thought possible, case in point, the fact that horror knows how to prey on our absolute worst fears. If you fear death, the living dead are there to send chills down our spines. If you fear things that go bump in the night, well there’s something waiting for you in the dark when the lights fade away in the theater.
 
But perhaps horror’s crowning achievement when it comes to this storytelling superpower is the sheer fact that it knows how to prey upon our sillier fears from when we were children, like say…the worry we all used to have about what lived in the sewers beneath us. Because we heard plenty of stories about alligators growing up in the depths of the city, or we pondered upon whether or not a wayward snake would jump out and surprise us in our most vulnerable moment and since the 1980’s turned out to be an era where ‘anything goes’ when it comes to this storied genre, one such film took the time to explore the notion of what might lurk in the sewers in the 1984 feature, C.H.U.D.
 
Now in this particular tale, the city of New York is having quite the strange problem plaguing its streets in that…people, the homeless to be specific, are going missing at an alarming rate and it seems as though there is no end in sight to this silent exodus. But two men who spend plenty of time with the homeless population in the city, have their own ideas as to what might be going on and the wildest of these notions, turns out to be true in that… there’s a government conspiracy going on within the city limits so that certain officials can cover up a horrible truth. Because it turns out, toxic waste that was dumped into the sewer system of the city has brought forth mutations amongst the homeless population that lives down there, creating a species of sub humans known as C.H.U.D.’s (Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers) and these creatures are responsible for the recent disappearances in the city, since they’ve been using people for food, and unfortunately for the rest of the population, they’re ready to emerge from the shadows… and feed.

​So, let’s not mince any words here, there’s a reason that plot description sounds so over the top, because it flat out is. If anything, the plot features only the finest elements from the films of yesteryear when science was the villain so to speak since it is man’s nuclear creation that gives birth to these abominations and while one might expect such a doofy plotline to end up being a disaster on the screen, that’s simply not the case. Because C.H.U.D. is a surprisingly dark horror feature, one that works because it plays the source material as straight as possible and it preys on our fears of the dark and the unknown to weave its magic so to speak.
 
Plus, it also helps that some seriously talented actors are part of this film as well because Daniel Stern and John Heard absolutely kill it in this motion picture and sell the outlandish plot to a tee and well, they’re backed by some seriously good and gory special effects because the C.H.U.D.’s are indeed quite a sight to behold, since they only exhibit an echo of their former humanity and their newfound abilities as mutants allow for them to do the impossible and make you squirm in your seat in the process and also, just on a side note, one guilty pleasure when it comes to this film, is the sheer awesomesness of a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ cameo from a very young John Goodman, who reminds us of his incredible acting talent during his brief time on the screen.
 
However, I digress, simply because we haven’t answered the million-dollar question when it comes to this film, is it any good? The answer is yes. This is just a fun, good old-fashioned horror flick. There’s no deeper meaning to be found here, just monsters and blood and guts and some solid scares and really, this is one that has surprisingly withstood the test of time in my opinion since visually it still holds up well and looks timeless thanks to its simple setting. So, if by chance you haven’t seen this little gem, please do so. It’s just a fun way to kill a couple of hours and you’ll definitely find yourself entertained and it will definitely take you back to a time where we were terrified of the possibility that something outside of a clown, was lurking beneath a manhole cover.  

One particular aspect of the Shudder franchise, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, that fans everywhere love… is the ‘Horror Icons Reanimated’ episode. Simply because that is when this show really pays homage to the franchise in a manner that no one else does. By having the contestants on this series, recreate and refresh a horror icon that means the world to them. Since that speaks volumes to the impact that horror has on its fans and how those stories find meaning within our hearts and well, it is safe to say we were all left wondering if this would find its way into the new series, Titans. Simply because Titans is unlike anything the Boulet Brothers have done to date, but thankfully… this isn’t an episode that Drac and Swan were willing to part with for this dynamic new show. 
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Because they truly believe in celebrating every aspect of horror, including how fans connect with it and since we are nearing the end of the Titans’ journey, now seemed like the perfect time to bring that episode into the fold. But not before… the Boulet Brothers had another matter resolved. For while this show features some drama and some tea now and again, because, human nature, it is never the focus of this series. The work and the art, and horror and the individual creating art are the focus of this show and that’s why Drac and Swan made a point to take the drama that came about from Melissa Befierce’s exit, and have it resolved in this episode in a unique manner. Through lie detector tests so that honesty and clear air could prevail and that worked wonders for certain and allowed for the underlying trouble to end.

Once that was in the clear, the celebration was on, and each of the remaining competitors worked extra hard on their horror icons and with good reason. For the Boulet Brothers let it be known that this week’s episode would feature a dual elimination and move us right into the finale after that. So, everyone had to be at the top of their game, and they did indeed create and update some powerful icons. For instance, Koco went with a Boulet Brothers inspired look, to pay tribute to a duo that have indeed done a great deal for horror over the past few years. Meanwhile, HoSo brought out a grand tribute to The Ring, one that was both nostalgic and terrifying. Evah, went with a resurrection of the iconic Mars Attacks! alien, while Astrud opted to recreate the wonder of the Predator with a Blade Runner twist and Victoria… took us into a new chapter for the Crypt Keeper from Tales from the Crypt.

In fact, these tributes were so well done, as were the performances, that Drac and Swan were in quite the bind decision wise, as to who to send home. Which meant, in order to make that call… they had to dig deep and really ponder upon the quality of the drag on display here, right down to whether or not something as simple as enough adhesive was applied to a prosthetic, alongside the overall body of work from the Titan was enough to determine who would go home. Because this is the finale we are talking about here and if a particular Titan couldn’t handle it, they had to be on their way, and well… after much debate, they made the hard call and of course, made it quite the event. For shortly after a winner was declared for this week’s reimagining, four souls ascended the stars and only two made the finale and these final decisions on the roster should lead to one epic final battle. 

But what is equally as important about this episode, was its homage and love letter to the genre. Because it was special to hear from the Titans about why they chose their icon and why said icon was important to them. Because that’s the stuff that makes horror so special to us, since we all have that story and that moment where the genre changed our lives and took on incredible meaning for us, and a round of applause needs to be offered up to the Boulet Brothers for finding a way to get this important episode into their dynamic new series since it always means so much to the competitors and the fans, and undoubtedly Drac and Swan as well, and well… now that we’ve reached the end of this beautiful tribute to horror… the time has come for us to focus on what comes next, which is indeed… one final floorshow to determine the winner of this clash of the titans. Until next time.

​It can be difficult to move on from situations, but you need to be able to, in order to keep your life moving forward. While a change in venue can help, being able to let go of the situation is the key to moving on. Many of us have tried this over the years and while some of us are able to make it work, many of us are still left with the memories. Not willing to forget the past in many circumstances and being comfortable enough to accept it all may be the only way that we can see that things sometimes do happen for a reason.
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While watching potential customers critique his art, Shawn Burnett gets a phone call from his wife.  Telling her husband to close his eyes for ten seconds, Helen has a special surprise for him that he would never expect. Showing up to the art show, Helen is laying claim to her loving husband and the couple is almost ready to start their next stage in life as Helen is almost ready to give birth. But the fates have a different path for the happy couple as Helen falls ill in the bathroom and has a miscarriage.

Months have gone by, and the Burnett’s have gotten an offer they cannot refuse from Helen’s brother Frank who has gotten some land at a great price. Moving back to the country should be a good thing for Helen to get her mind back together after losing the child, but Shawn is still having a bit of concern, especially since he has never lived out of the city. But their new house is massive and will be all theirs until Frank is able to get to building his next housing development on the land. Yet there is something strange about the property and while Helen does not feel it, Shawn does, and it has something to do with the old cabin on the corner that seems to have some sort of sinister past attached to it.

Checking out the cabin and breaking a jar filled with dirt and teeth, Shawn also gets a prick on this thumb that will change his life forever. Keeping an eye on the old cabin at night, Shawn starts to think that there is someone playing a trick on him, especially after finding out that there was an old witch that lived there. Hearing screams in the middle of the night and seeing a figure, along with a familiar crow tormenting him, Shawn wants to get Helen off of the land before his nightmares become reality. But there is a big problem with this, as Helen feels like she is at home and nobody wants her to return to the city, especially when she reveals that she has another child on the way. As the torments of the witch persist on Shawn, he starts take things into his own hands, but little does he know what is really haunting him as his mental state is called into question.

Not a bad little flick that gives you some jump scares and a creepy crow that will not leave well enough alone. I really enjoyed the backstory of the witch that used to live on the property and while not everyone wants to believe the stories about her, Shawn takes it seriously and tries to get the curse to be lifted before he loses his new baby to it. The change that Helen goes through when entering the house is great, going from shut down to very loving to very reserved, even she does not seem to understand what is happening to her. With a cute dog, a new house with a history, a creepy cabin, an overprotective brother, a curse, a pissed off farmer, a witch and a very annoying crow, it is not a bad witch movie to get you in the mood for something more horrifying. With a great cast on screen and a secret history that is not revealed until the end, I must admit that if I buy a place that has this kind of tainted history, I will do anything to keep the ghosts happy, especially if they are thinking about taking my kid. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Christmas Bloody Christmas’.
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When one thinks of the Holiday Season, one thinks of some supremely positive concepts. Such as unity since this is a time where everyone comes together to break bread and spend time with one another. And of course, we also think of joy, since presents are handed out and received and the happiness that brings to everyone is contagious. But above all, we truly believe that everyone is enjoying this season, and why would they not? For there are cheerful songs surrounding us and beautiful lights to be seen and you cannot go wrong with a season of giving and love. But alas, that really is an incorrect perception. 
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For the Holidays are sometimes a nightmare for some people. Thanks to the stress it creates and the fact that they have to spend time with people they really don’t like out of tradition and courtesy. Not to mention, some folks are alone during this season and don’t care to share in cheer they cannot find when they have little to celebrate or give, and some folks… just don’t want to celebrate the season. Plus, there are plenty of folks out there who think the season has transformed into something more. A commercial nightmare really, that is both oppressive and forceful upon the world and those latter two concepts are top of mind today, largely because they serve as the central themes of a brand-new anti-holiday Shudder film, Christmas Bloody Christmas.

Now in this particular movie, we are plunged into an everyday town on Christmas Eve where some of its citizens are just going through the motions. For Tori and most of her friends really don’t care too much for the holiday and what it stands for. They just want to get through it and move on with the year and on this night, what better way to do that than through the power of good booze, good weed, and good company? Which is precisely what Tori and her bestie Robbie work to accomplish on this wintry Christmas Eve. But alas, the activation of a defective robot Santa Claus will complicate their attempts to enjoy the holiday as they see fit. Since it is angry and ready to punish anyone who isn’t filled with Christmas cheer and now it will be up to Tori’s keen mind to escape a murderous Santa Claus that has come to town to provide the non-believers with Season’s Bleedings.

Which is a plot that really does hammer home… the oppressive nature of Christmas for folks that really don’t enjoy celebrating the holiday. Since this evil Santa Claus really does appear to target anyone that isn’t filled with gumdrops and Christmas Cheer and makes them pay accordingly, with hardcore violence. Speaking volumes to the endless people that shame folks who don’t exhibit the ‘cheer’ they believe they should during the season, and of course… how one simply cannot escape the season even if they try. Since somehow, someway, it finds its way to a person’s doorstep. Making this movie an anthem for those who just want to go about their December as they decide and that is brilliant. Since it really does offer a different kind of view of the Holiday Season.
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However, while it is nice to have perspective, we are obviously in this for the scares and the gore and that is present here in spades. Because Robo-Santa is a walking Yuletide nightmare in this film and is relentless in his bloodlust and quest to spread Christmas Carnage and that leads to some epic moments. The kind that features buckets of crimson and screams and pain, as one would expect from a good slasher, and some wicked kills to boot. Ones that will have you hooting and hollering at your screen as Santa slays with impunity and the wonder of this film extends beyond what ol’ Satan Nick has offer, it’s also a supremely respectful horror feature, one that pays great homage to several classic movies along the way.

Since it tips its cap often to, RoboCop, Chopping Mall, The Terminator, and Friday the 13th as the story plays along, and that, and some surprise humorous moments and one-liners, only adds to the majesty of a horror film that also features some strong performances. With Riley Dandy leading the charge as the resourceful and strong final girl, Tori. All of which makes this, essential holiday viewing. Because it is rare to find that perfect holiday horror film that is both intelligent and savage in nature, but this one has it all really, and hopefully this movie becomes a new holiday tradition for everyone that finds themselves struggling with the weight of the season. So that they can gain catharsis and know, they’re not alone when it comes to the struggle that accompanies maintaining holiday cheer.