Fantastic Fest 2023: Pet Sematary: Bloodlines

★★★ Sometimes, dead is better. At least, that’s what Jud Crandall would say. The iconic character—originated in Stephen King’s seminary Pet Sematary novel before being depicted onscreen by Fred Gwynne and John Lithgow—finally has his origin story explored at great depth in co-writer/director Lindsey Anderson Beer’s directorial debut, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines. I used to genuinely … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: Pet Sematary: Bloodlines

Fantastic Fest 2023: The Fall of the House of Usher

Mike Flanagan, creator of two of the all-time greatest Netflix miniseries in The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, dips back into the murky waters of gothic horror in an eerie, atmospheric masterpiece dedicated to Edgar Allen Poe. The aptly-named The Fall of the House of Usher weaves Poe’s prose, themes, and melancholy into … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: The Fall of the House of Usher

TV Review: Chucky Season 3 – Part 1

Sorry Jack, Chucky’s back! Chucky returns for round three, albeit in a truncated, four-episode part one rather than a full course. Showrunner Don Mancini, overlord of all things Chucky, takes the series in a surprising direction. The killer doll at this point has been involved in all manner of body swaps, horrifying deaths, army camp, … Continue reading TV Review: Chucky Season 3 – Part 1

FrightFest 2023: The Darkside of Society

★★★ 1989’s Society is one of the most batshit crazy horror movies ever to emerge out of the genre. Perhaps most remembered for its iconic orgy/shunting sequence in the final act, Society goes down in the annals of goopy practical effects history. As of the past decade, all-encompassing horror documentaries (such as In Search of … Continue reading FrightFest 2023: The Darkside of Society

FrightFest 2023: The J-Horror Virus

★★★★ The early 2000s were a vital time period of transition for the horror genre. Just as the post-Scream slasher boom was winding down and audiences were losing their interest in such features, J-horror exploded in popularity. Characterized by the ghostly figure of a woman with long black hair and atmospheric, tech-based terrors, these movies … Continue reading FrightFest 2023: The J-Horror Virus