Written by John Edward Betancourt ![]() Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘It’s a Wonderful Knife’. It is definitely safe to say, that we lament the dark moments in our lives, and understandably so. Because those dark days, put us through complete and utter hell. To the point where we are often depressed and frustrated with the direction of our lives in that moment. Because we feel awful, and it seems the dark days will never end. In fact, we hate them so much… that when we get away from them at last… we actually go to great lengths to avoid them in the future. Simply because we cannot stand how they made us feel and what they exposed us to about life, and potentially ourselves and well… while there is merit to despising dark days and unpleasant nights, we should in fact, embrace them. Which may seem out of this world to say, but that is a fact. Because the dark days we experience, aren’t just punishment from the universe or something to be avoided. They are… lessons in waiting. The kind that we should learn from when we’ve come out of the worst of it and have time to reflect upon it all. Because that’s what hardships are about, growth, and understanding, so we can handle things differently when the darkness comes again. But that isn’t easy for everyone to recognize, and that’s where storytelling comes into play. Because stories can break it down for us in a fun and dynamic, and digestible manner and it just so happens, that Shudder is now home to a film that offers up that lesson… in the most unique way imaginable. For It’s a Wonderful Knife, is not only an educational feature, but a splattery-slasher homage to It’s a Wonderful Life. A feat that this story accomplishes by introducing us to a young woman named Winnie Carruthers who is eager to leave home. Because Angel Falls is a pit to live in, thanks to the town’s resident egotist and narcissist, the veneer-loving Henry Waters. Who is eager to turn Angel Falls into a resort town and will stop at nothing to make that happen. In fact, he will straight up kill to get what he wants, and he does… by slaughtering a bevy of good people one fine Christmas Eve and is thankfully stopped and exposed by Winnie. But while that should give her a happy ending, a year after Henry’s rampage, she is beside herself. For her bestie is gone forever, her life feels hollow, and she’s stuck in this town thanks to a college rejection letter. Prompting her to wish upon an Aurora Borealis to have never been born to avoid such hardships, which is a wish… that is granted. For she finds herself in an alternate Angel Falls where she never existed and where Waters… has turned murder into a hobby and now if she ever wants to enjoy peace again… she will have to handle the bloodthirsty urges of this big-tooth buffoon or forever be trapped in this nightmare of a city. ![]() Which at first glance, seems to lean way heavier into homage and horror over lessons and there’s merit to that. After all, that plot really is a horror re-imagining of the holiday classic, and it does indeed feature a similar path of discovery for Winnie, and a guardian, via a friend turned crush in Bernie, a town outcast that she has more in common with than she knows. Plus, with Waters being all about that murdering lifestyle, the gore doth flow in this particular feature. In fact, the kills from the ‘Angel of Death’ in this story are simply sublime and hauntingly stunning. Thanks to the fact that the Angel wears all white and often finds itself covered in red as its bloody and inventive rampage continues along. But in between the carnage and the chuckle worthy Jimmy Stewart tributes, is a smart and meaningful plot. Because Winnie’s wish, is the personification of our hate of dark days. Because that’s what we want at our lowest, a chance to not be who we are and to not have to deal with the pain that the universe sent our way. But being in a darker version of her own world and being able to see the bigger picture and the power of her pain… gives her perspective. Specifically regarding how dark days… and suffering and strife… make us stronger, make us a better person and how our ability to endure them can help inspire others to fight through their own. Which makes for a supremely cerebral plot, one that is oddly uplifting and hopeful and well, all of these elements come together to provide us with an outright magnificent holiday horror film. Simply because, this one has it all for fans. It has gore galore and solid scares, since you don’t see the Angel’s attacks coming in any universe. Plus, it’s full of smart concepts, good messaging, and the right balance of humor to never make the film overwhelming. Plus, it features some pop culture royalty. Since horror legend Katherine Isabelle steals every scene, she’s in here, and Joel McHale is a true delight as both the loving and tortured David Carruthers and Justin Long is simply the perfect villain, and he plays Henry Waters with a twisted zest and zeal that makes him perfect for the role. If anything, this is just must-see holiday horror. Because it really is that rare holiday horror film that blends together so much, perfectly, and hopefully… this one becomes a true classic for the season. One that everyone pops on when the snow begins to fall. Watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Knife’
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Written by John Edward Betancourt![]()
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Finale of ‘Shining Vale’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
Over the course of the past two years, we’ve talked at length about the unique nature of the STARZ series, Shining Vale. Simply because… this is a horror/comedy that has outright defied convention at every turn. By offering up a fascinating story that spent a great deal of time toying with the concept that perhaps its protagonist might not be surrounded by evil forces but may in fact be mentally ill. Not to mention, it’s also provided us with some trope busting moments that send up some of horror’s more dubious decisions, especially when it comes to how women are written within the genre and its commentary is timely and relevant, since so much of it focuses upon women’s rights in modern America. All of which really has provided us with a horror/comedy unlike any other and well… for its season two finale, the show opted to defy convention one more time. For ‘Chapter 16: Redemption’ was an opportunity for the story to take us on a supremely traditional path. Wherein Pat could do something to combat the evil that was apparently growing in the very heart of her belly and that she was surrounded by. By potentially exposing the evil or fighting back. Which would have made for a very traditional ending. One that would truly put fine closure around two years of chaos in the Phelps home, but well… none of that happened in the slightest. For once Pat made the decision to fight this with very soul, did evil take control. First by revealing that her doctor was part of the cult that seemingly wanted this monstrosity to be born, which put her in grave danger. Especially when he ordered her to bedrest and sedatives. For then it meant that evil would win, and she would be helpless. So, she took the time to escape her homely bonds and attempted to fight back by busting into Ruth’s home to confront her about the strange potions and milk she had present, in that desperate all-out attempt to expose the Coven/Cult and make it fear the public eye. And when that didn’t work, she made her way to her mother’s house. All in the hopes of having mother keep her safe long enough to figure out a way forward to fight back and well… that backfired too. ![]()
Because sweet old mom, turned her into the doctor and Terry and that meant Pat was out of options and locked in a horrible fate. Which is where the episode briefly made it seem as though traditional elements were going to come into play. For following some feverish and wild dream-filled final days of pregnancy, she gave birth to a little girl, and when she finally recovered… everything seemed to be a wild dream. One where Ruth’s appearance changed, Terry was now the mayor, and her kids were on a new path. Since Gaynor wanted to be a writer, and Jake did not feel quite as lost. But that… was nothing more than a final ruse on evil’s part. Because it wanted Pat to be docile and ready to care for the baby so it could begin to assemble its true plan. Which was to use every member of the Phelps family to encourage evil to grow, with Terry leading the charge as the town’s mayor.
Which was the unconventional exclamation point on an unconventional finale. Because just like that… evil won. It took hold, it began to guide its agenda and that was just amazing to see. For it rarely wins in this kind of manner in horror, but it sure did here. Because this show holds nothing back and wants to see what can happen when a story goes in a different direction and well, what we got was nothing short of amazing. For that ending gave rise to a dark future for the family and the town, one where Pat might indeed be helpless to do nothing but sit back and watch the world be taken over. After all, the Coven has been here long enough to make all of this happen without missing a beat and well, that means we absolutely need STARZ to renew this series ASAP. So, we can see what Pat will do now that she stuck between a rock and an insane group of followers of evil, and to also see what bold direction this franchise will take us in season three and hopefully beyond. Because this show… really is something special and deserves the chance to continue to shake up the genre for years to come. Until next time. Watch ‘Shining Vale’
Written by John Edward Betancourt There was a time where horror and the holiday season, simply did not mix. For there was a majority that believed that only holiday movies could be seen in December, and only visions of sugar plums could dance in our heads. So, horror fans either did their best to forget about their favorite movies during the season or they would watch them in secret so as to not offend or bring about any battle royales. But somewhere along the line, that began to change, and the rise of horror’s popularity helped others to understand, it can be quite cathartic during the season and that holiday horror movies can be fun. Which has brought about a titanic shift during the season. For now, horror movies are acceptable to watch, and new horror releases are all the rage during the season. For horror has truly arrived and it is to be celebrated by those who wish to and well, one particular streamer that has helped to lead the charge in this, is Shudder. Because they provide horror fans and those who want to know more about the genre, with amazing movies and shows during the season and their 2023 lineup is no exception to that rule. For they are sending quite the bounty our way. One that will provide everyone with a Happy Horror-days, and without further ado, here is that lineup, courtesy of Shudder. It’s A Wonderful Knife |
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