Joshua M. Hayes Fantasy, Horror, Television, Thriller

TV Review: Yaga – Season 1

Could there be a more fitting show to debut just before Halloween? Yaga, a dark, witch-infused delight, is a pure Canadian production through and through. It was on my radar thanks to Heated Rivalry breakout Hudson Williams, but the pedigree of talent involved is staggering. Hunky heartthrob Noah Reid—David's love interest in Schitt's Creek—and femme fatale … Continue reading TV Review: Yaga – Season 1

Joshua M. Hayes Comedy, Fantasy, Festival, Horror

Brooklyn Horror 2026: Trick ‘r Treat

★★★★★ As far as quintessential Halloween movies go, other than maybe Hocus Pocus, and the titular masked babysitter slasher, it really doesn’t get much better than Trick ‘r Treat. Writer/director/creator Michael Dougherty revealed an obsession for Halloween and his early inspirations for making an avenging mascot during a Q&A celebrating the 30th birthday of his … Continue reading Brooklyn Horror 2026: Trick ‘r Treat

Joshua M. Hayes Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, Festival, LGBT, Romance, Sci-Fi

Fantasia 2026: Zsazsa Zaturnnah vs the Amazonistas of Planet X

★★★★ For campy ridiculousness and queer joy, it doesn't get much better than preposterously-named Zsazsa Zaturnnah vs the Amazonistas of Planet X. Based on the Filipino sensation, this gem was a blast from start to finish, supercharged with a specific energy that I’ve only tasted from seasons of Drag Race Philippines. These characters, the super … Continue reading Fantasia 2026: Zsazsa Zaturnnah vs the Amazonistas of Planet X

Joshua M. Hayes Action, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Film Review: Moana (2026)

★★ Disney's latest live-action remake arrives in theaters just ten years after the original Moana, making it one of the studio's most baffling reduxes yet. With countless animated classics still waiting for the live-action treatment—including Hercules and Tangled—why was Moana deemed worthy? Where is Aladdin 2? The original isn't old enough to inspire much nostalgia. … Continue reading Film Review: Moana (2026)

Joshua M. Hayes Drama, Fantasy, Horror, LGBT, Musical, Television

TV Review: The Vampire Lestat

Absence certainly makes the (undead) heart grow fonder, as our favorite gay vampire romance series rises from the dead nearly two years since last season concluded. Billed as The Vampire Lestat rather than Interview With the Vampire III, this explosive evolution of Anne Rice's iconic Vampire Chronicles douses Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) in glam-rock … Continue reading TV Review: The Vampire Lestat

Joshua M. Hayes Action, Comedy, Fantasy

Film Review: Masters of the Universe

★★★★★ Masters of the Universe is exactly the kind of big, crowd-pleasing blockbuster that Hollywood has shied away from in recent years. Despite appearing on surface level to be a cookie cutter action flick based on a pre-existing property, the truth could not be any further from the concept. Colorful and unapologetically silly, this meta-actioner … Continue reading Film Review: Masters of the Universe

Joshua M. Hayes Animation, Family, Fantasy, Festival

Berlinale 2026: Chimney Town: Frozen in Time

★★★★ Poupelle of Chimney Town was sweet and delightful, a 2021 delight that flew under the radar with its sweet celebration of Halloween and... trash. Telling the story of chimney sweep Lubicchi and his magical garbage-made best friend, Poupelle, that first film had some heartwarming, Ghibli-esque magic. When I heard there was a sequel produced, … Continue reading Berlinale 2026: Chimney Town: Frozen in Time