★★★★★ A decade ago, if anyone had said several of the greatest modern slasher movies would debut to Netflix, not a single soul would have believed it. After some of my personal favorites made a splash on the streamer—including The Babysitter films, the Fear Street trilogy, and There’s Someone Inside Your House—even a foreign import … Continue reading Film Review: The Conference
Fantastic Fest 2023: Totally Killer
★★★★★ For my final film of 2023’s Fantastic Fest, retro slasher horror/comedy Totally Killer closes out the festival with a bloody bang! In the vein of camp-tastic slashers The Final Girls, Freaky, and Happy Death Day, this Blumhouse/Amazon Studios production appears destined for yearly Halloween-season viewing. New blood in the genre sometimes reaps the best … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: Totally Killer
Popcorn Frights 2023: That’s a Wrap
★★★★ In the style of the classic cheesy slashers of yesteryear, Marcel Walz’s instantly iconic That’s A Wrap brings gory mayhem and campy fun to a film wrap party environ. Old school horror aesthetic, propulsive synthy soundtrack, intimidating, androgynous masked killer donned in a flowy blonde wig, a chopping block of various character archetypes, and … Continue reading Popcorn Frights 2023: That’s a Wrap
Popcorn Frights 2023: Founder’s Day
★★★ Any upcoming slasher movie is always cause for excitement, let alone one led by filmmaking brothers the Bloomquists (Night at the Eagle Inn). I was excited to see what they would bring to the table with politically-charged Founder’s Day. The concept and aesthetic should be an instant home run—who doesn’t want to see a … Continue reading Popcorn Frights 2023: Founder’s Day
Film Review: We Might Hurt Each Other
★★★★ Formerly titled Pensive, co-writer/director Jonas Trukanas makes his directorial debut with instant-classic slasher, We Might Hurt Each Other. Jason Vorhees may be in the rearview for some horror fans—after all, the iconic villain has not seen a proper cinematic entry since 2009’s gory Friday the 13th. Yet, Lithuanian horror We Might Hurt Each Other … Continue reading Film Review: We Might Hurt Each Other
Film Review: Sick
★★★★★ Anytime Kevin Williamson takes on writing duties for a horror film, there is cause for celebration. Responsible for some of my favorites in the history of the genre—including the Scream franchise, I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Faculty, and Cursed—Williamson’s name amongst the credits for any project warrants attention. His latest script, … Continue reading Film Review: Sick
Film Review: Dark Glasses
★★★★ Known for popularizing the giallo slasher, legendary director Dario Argento returns to the horror fray for the first time in a decade, since 2012’s Dracula 3D. His comeback film is a loving tribute to the earliest days of his career—this translates to substantial, gory kills, a propulsive orchestral score from Arnaud Rebotini, and a … Continue reading Film Review: Dark Glasses
Fantastic Fest 2022: Terrifier 2
★★★★★ At long last, new horror icon Art the Clown makes his triumphant return to the big screen! Terrifier 2, from writer/director Damien Leone, is one of the best cinematic bloodbaths in years. Evoking Halloween Kills, The Devil’s Rejects, and A Nightmare on Elm Street, the nightmarish delights of this high-concept indie slasher title easily … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2022: Terrifier 2
Film Review: Bring It On: Cheer or Die
★ At best, I would call myself a casual fan of the Bring it On franchise. I was absolutely obsessed with the Kirsten Dunst-starring year-2000 original. The first movie came out at a seminal time in my life, and I soon knew the opening cheer lyrics from front to back, but about most of those … Continue reading Film Review: Bring It On: Cheer or Die
TV Review: Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
All the way back in 2010, ABC Family (now Freeform) had a hit on their hands. Based on the bestselling book series by Sara Shepard and showrun by I. Marlene King, the original Pretty Little Liars was a mixed bag of minor horror inspiration, pulpy soap-opera dramatics, and a never-ending array of mysteries to be … Continue reading TV Review: Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin