★★★ Sometimes, dead is better. At least, that is 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 … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: Pet Sematary: Bloodlines
Film Review: King on Screen
★★★★ One of the most prolific creatives of all time, Stephen King, is an absolute legend for a reason. His timeless stories and deep character work make any given tale uniquely original. As with many folks in documentary King on Screen, my introduction to him came during my childhood; my horror-obsessed Grandma who voraciously devoured … Continue reading Film Review: King on Screen
Film Review: The Boogeyman
★★★★ Stephen King’s “The Boogeyman,” from his best-selling novel of short stories Night Shift, remains one of the simplest and creepiest he ever wrote. In just twelve brief pages, a disheveled father spills his guts to a therapist regarding the mysterious murder of his three children. With an entire story set solely at a therapist’s … Continue reading Film Review: The Boogeyman
Film Review: Children of the Corn
★ Back in 2018, a close friend and I decided to start our next horror movie marathon by approaching a series that will be familiar to most Stephen King fans: Children of the Corn. However, while some may know the name, how many are aware that this newest take is actually the eleventh entry? That’s … Continue reading Film Review: Children of the Corn
Film Review: Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
★★★★ An eerie meditation on our relationship with technology, leave it to Stephen King to craft an interesting, unconventional narrative tackling death head-on. Though it may be rated PG-13, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone has some bite by way of its creepy staying power, and thrall over the viewer. Superproducers Jason Blum and Ryan Murphy work with … Continue reading Film Review: Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
TV Review: Stranger Things 4, Volume 1
I remain in awe of the massive, ever-growing fanbase for Netflix’s Stranger Things—from a sleeper hit in 2016 to emerging as one of the streamer’s finest offerings, this a horror/sci-fi success story unlike any other. The third season was my favorite so far, evolving into a campier, large-scale 80s horror extravaganza. Thanks to the worldwide … Continue reading TV Review: Stranger Things 4, Volume 1
Film Review: Firestarter
★★★★ Usually when a movie is shielded from being screened for critics, it is a very bad omen of imminently awful quality. As far as Blumhouse/Universal collaboration Firestarter is concerned, I never had a worry as to its pedigree. Namely, I knew it could not possibly be any worse than Firestarter: Rekindled, which remains a … Continue reading Film Review: Firestarter