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Movie Review/Rant: 'Penny Lane Is Dead' Is a Meanspirited Movie That Crosses the Line

Shudder Nabs 1980s Ozploitation Slasher ‘Penny Lane Is Dead’

If you like your slasher movies drenched in ’80s nostalgia, dark comedy, and uncompromising Australian carnage, Shudder has a major treat lined up for your late-summer watchlist. The horror streaming giant has officially acquired the rights to Penny Lane Is Dead. It’s the feature directorial debut from Australian writer-director Mia-Kate Russell. Following its world premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival, the blood-soaked film will celebrate its North American Premiere today (July 20, 2026) at Fantasia. Then it will hit Shudder on August 28. Spiked Cupcakes and Unhinged Revenge Set on a sweltering summer night in 1986 Australia, the story centers on 17-year-old Penny Lane. She is out celebrating her college acceptance with her best friends. However, things take a sharp, sinister turn when Penny’s jealous and deeply troubled cousin decides to pull a cruel prank involving spiked cupcakes. What starts as a thoughtless prank quickly devolves into a nightmare of bloodshed, betrayal, and relentless rage. Aussie Royalty Behind (and In

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 21, 2026
Slash-Produced Documentary 'Black Zombie' Digs Up the Monster's True History

Slash-Produced Documentary ‘Black Zombie’ Digs Up the Monster’s True History

Long before the zombie became Hollywood’s favorite excuse for a video game kill-streak or a multi-season television drama, it was something far more terrifying and historically grounded. This Halloween season, director Maya Annik Bedward is ready to unleash her acclaimed new documentary, Black Zombie. Kino Lorber has snagged the rights.The film will skip the typical jump scares to exhume the deeply unsettling, buried origins of pop culture’s most profitable monster. The Ultimate Monster Makeover After making its world premiere at SXSW, it hit Hot Docs and the Blackstar Film Festival. Then arrived at Fantasia to terrorize audiences. The film tracks how a complex figure born from colonial enslavement, Haitian Vodou, and spiritual resistance. IT has been systematically whitewashed, stripped of its roots, and packaged into a cinematic cash cow. Bedward re-examines horror staples like White Zombie, Night of the Living Dead, and The Serpent and the Rainbow. There’s also archival footage and raw, observational vérité scenes. A Packed Roster of

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 20, 2026
Tubi FrightFest 2026 Unleashes Its Mind-Blowing Fear Fare Lineup

Tubi FrightFest 2026 Unleashes Its Mind-Blowing Fear Fare Lineup

London’s Tubi FrightFest is always a top-notch film festival destination for scare fare devotees, and this year the fest presents its biggest lineup ever! The event takes place Thursday August 27–Monday 31 August. Get your drool cups ready and have a gander at the official press announcement. Be prepared for a terrifying, record-breaking selection of World, International, and UK premieres as Tubi FrightFest 2026, the UK’s No.1 horror & fantasy film festival, returns to the Odeon LUXE Leicester Square and the ODEON Luxe West End for its annual five-day celebration of nerve-jangling eeriness, hair-raising shock, and epic scares. This year’s line-up highlights the genre’s transforming landscape and reflects the amazing span of progressive global genre filmmaking. Running from Thursday August 27 – Monday 31 August, Tubi FrightFest will showcase a record-breaking eighty-two features across five screens, including the popular ‘First Blood’, Documentary, and Retrospective strands. This year there are twenty-four world premieres, with sixteen countries represented, spanning four continents. The

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 16, 2026
Director Nick Taylor Discusses His New Documentary, Rubberhead, ahead of Its Premiere

Director Nick Taylor Discusses His New Documentary, Rubberhead, ahead of Its Premiere

Before CGI turned blood and guts into sterile ones and zeros, cinema was ruled by foam latex, animatronics, and pure madness. At the center of that glorious time sat Steve Johnson. Johnson is a man whose relentless obsession with breaking new ground gave rise to some of the most iconic monsters in sci-fi and horror history. Now, Johnson’s wild ride is getting the documentary treatment in Rubberhead: The Life and Monsters of Steve Johnson, a hilarious, heartbreaking, and brutally honest look at the golden age of special effects makeup—and the genius who nearly let it destroy him. . . The Director The film is from director Nick Taylor, who co-wrote the doc with Joseph Krings. Taylor and I had the chance to talk about this new deep-diving doc. He spoke about what drove him to make it, his respect for Johnson, and so much more. Watch it below. However, this isn’t Taylor’s first dive into the industry. He served in

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 15, 2026
Sink Your Teeth into the Trailer for 'Ferine' Ahead of Its Fantasia Premiere

Sink Your Teeth into the Trailer for ‘Ferine’ Ahead of Its Fantasia Premiere

Unleash your inner beast, because the most feral psychological thriller of the summer is about to break its cage. Fresh off her chilling performances in Oddity and You Are Not My Mother, star Carolyn Bracken is back to lead Ferine. It is a dark, atmospheric dive into the eternal tug-of-war between human civility and pure animal instinct. The highly anticipated film is heading to Montreal this month to make its mark at the legendary Fantasia International Film Festival on July 23. Based on writer-director Andrea Corsini’s acclaimed 2019 short film of the same name, this English-language feature debut promises a stylish, claw-sharp descent into madness. High Society Meets Low Instincts In Ferine, Bracken stars as Irene, a wealthy, highly influential art collector who seems to have it all. But beneath her polished exterior, a terrifying, primal instinct begins to claw its way to the surface, dragging her into a spiral of destructive, animalistic transformation. Irene’s path soon collides with Dama

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 14, 2026
Comics, Creators, and Cusack: Mad Cave Studios Announces SDCC Events

Comics, Creators, and Cusack: Mad Cave Studios Announces SDCC Events

Get your spinner racks ready and your wallets out, because independent comic juggernaut Mad Cave Studios is heading to San Diego Comic-Con International (July 23–26, 2026) with an absolute behemoth of a lineup. Mad Cave is taking over Booth #2806. It’s packed to the brim with Eisner-nominated creators, exclusive signings, and a sneak peek at an upcoming release slate that spans from high-flying ’80s nostalgia to literal Hollywood royalty. Whether you’re a hardcore collector or a casual reader, Mad Cave—alongside its specialized imprints Nakama Press, Maverick, and Papercutz—is proving they have a story for just about everyone. An Eisner-Nominated Victory Lap Mad Cave isn’t just showing up to sell books; they’re showing up to flex. The publisher is arriving in San Diego riding a massive wave of industry recognition. That includes an impressive six nominations for the 2026 Eisner Awards. Keep an eye out for these booth celebrities: Best New Series: Temporal Best Writer: Stephanie Williams (Temporal) Best Cover Artist:

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 14, 2026
Our Frightening Five: A Quintet of Films We Can’t Wait to See at Fantasia 2026

Our Frightening Five: A Quintet of Films We Can’t Wait to See at Fantasia 2026

The 30th edition of Fantasia International Film Festival kicks off later this week, running from July 16–August 2 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The fest is world famous for its annual droolworthy array of genre films from around the world, including horror, science fiction, dark comedies, animation, and beyond. I’ve taken an early deep dive into some of the films slated for this year, and here I present previews of five highly promising feature-length films. The following film descriptions and festival details are from Fantasia’s official website and related press information. Ancestral Beasts Director Tim Riedel’s psychological horror ANCESTRAL BEASTS was a 2025 Frontieres Platform project at Cannes, and it’s coming to Fantasia for its world premiere! Four years after the loss of her mother, Elyse (Morgan Holstrom, OUTLANDER, SHADOW OF THE ROUGAROU) can’t get her head right. She’s messing up at work, needs stress leave, and her sister, Nikki (Darla Contois, LITTLE BIRD, ABERDEEN), is on her case about everything.

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 13, 2026
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence Unveils a Tasty Poster and Premiere Date

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence Unveils a Tasty Poster and Premiere Date

Just when you thought it was safe to step back into the produce aisle, the most deadly fruit in cinema history is rolling back into town. After more than three decades rotting in the vault, the cult-classic horror-comedy franchise is officially back. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence is rolling your way. Fresh off the vine, the movie has unleashed its brand-new poster alongside a massive announcement: the tomatoes are invading theaters this August. But before they stomp across the country, the killer fruits are heading home. A special presentation is locked in for San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 24, at 7:15 PM in Room 6A, where lucky attendees will witness the world premiere of the movie’s first official trailer. The Theatrical Rollout However, if you can’t make it to SDCC, you won’t have to wait long to catch the juicy carnage on the big screen. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence will slash its way into

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 11, 2026
2026's Spooky Season is Officially Here! Spirit Halloween Opens its Doors Today!

Spook Season Has Begun! Spirit Halloween Announces Opening of the Flagship Store Event!

Can you smell it? That crisp, chemically perfect blend of artificial fog liquid, rubber masks, and pure, unadulterated joy? That’s right, ghouls and boils: the autumn breeze is practically tapping on your window, and Spirit Halloween is ready to rise from its ten-month slumber. While your local abandoned big-box store is still being cleared of lingering hardware supplies, the Spirit Halloween Flagship Store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, has officially announced its grand opening for Saturday, August 1, 2026. Yes, August. Because waiting until October to plan your horror-filled autumn is for amateurs. Here is everything you need to know about the ultimate, live, free-to-attend kick-off to the spooky season—including how to get inside without causing a real-life horror scene. 🎟️ Secure Your Spot (Before It Vanishes) You can technically show up without a ticket, but if you want to skip the massive regular line, you need to register early. -The Cap: Registration slams shut after 2,000 tickets are claimed.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 11, 2026
Director Adam Wingard and the 'ONSLAUGHT!' Cast Heading to SDCC

Director Adam Wingard and the ‘ONSLAUGHT!’ Cast Heading to SDCC

If your idea of a perfect movie involves high-stakes action, genetically modified muscle, and an absolute avalanche of practical violence, Adam Wingard is about to deliver your new favorite obsession. The director is officially making his explosive return to San Diego Comic-Con to tease his highly anticipated action-thriller, Onslaught. To make things even sweeter, none other than indie cinema icon Kevin Smith will be moderating the panel. Fans can catch Wingard alongside stars Adria Arjona, Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, and Drew Starkey on Thursday, July 23, at 5:30 PM in Ballroom 20 at the San Diego Convention Center. One Mother vs. An Army The premise is beautifully straightforward and intense. A rogue squad of genetically engineered super-soldiers cuts a bloody path across the desert. Unfortunately for them, they cross paths with a lethal, badass Army sniper who is also a fierce mother. When her young daughter’s life is put on the line, she is forced to unleash absolute hell to

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 10, 2026

More from Events

Movie Review/Rant: 'Penny Lane Is Dead' Is a Meanspirited Movie That Crosses the Line

Shudder Nabs 1980s Ozploitation Slasher ‘Penny Lane Is Dead’

If you like your slasher movies drenched in ’80s nostalgia, dark comedy, and uncompromising Australian carnage, Shudder has a major treat lined up for your late-summer watchlist. The horror streaming giant has officially acquired the rights to Penny Lane Is Dead. It’s the feature directorial debut from Australian writer-director Mia-Kate Russell. Following its world premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival, the blood-soaked film will celebrate its North American Premiere today (July 20, 2026) at Fantasia. Then it will hit Shudder on August 28. Spiked Cupcakes and Unhinged Revenge Set on a sweltering summer night in 1986 Australia, the story centers on 17-year-old Penny Lane. She is out celebrating her college acceptance with her best friends. However, things take a sharp, sinister turn when Penny’s jealous and deeply troubled cousin decides to pull a cruel prank involving spiked cupcakes. What starts as a thoughtless prank quickly devolves into a nightmare of bloodshed, betrayal, and relentless rage. Aussie Royalty Behind (and In

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 21, 2026
Slash-Produced Documentary 'Black Zombie' Digs Up the Monster's True History

Slash-Produced Documentary ‘Black Zombie’ Digs Up the Monster’s True History

Long before the zombie became Hollywood’s favorite excuse for a video game kill-streak or a multi-season television drama, it was something far more terrifying and historically grounded. This Halloween season, director Maya Annik Bedward is ready to unleash her acclaimed new documentary, Black Zombie. Kino Lorber has snagged the rights.The film will skip the typical jump scares to exhume the deeply unsettling, buried origins of pop culture’s most profitable monster. The Ultimate Monster Makeover After making its world premiere at SXSW, it hit Hot Docs and the Blackstar Film Festival. Then arrived at Fantasia to terrorize audiences. The film tracks how a complex figure born from colonial enslavement, Haitian Vodou, and spiritual resistance. IT has been systematically whitewashed, stripped of its roots, and packaged into a cinematic cash cow. Bedward re-examines horror staples like White Zombie, Night of the Living Dead, and The Serpent and the Rainbow. There’s also archival footage and raw, observational vérité scenes. A Packed Roster of

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 20, 2026
Tubi FrightFest 2026 Unleashes Its Mind-Blowing Fear Fare Lineup

Tubi FrightFest 2026 Unleashes Its Mind-Blowing Fear Fare Lineup

London’s Tubi FrightFest is always a top-notch film festival destination for scare fare devotees, and this year the fest presents its biggest lineup ever! The event takes place Thursday August 27–Monday 31 August. Get your drool cups ready and have a gander at the official press announcement. Be prepared for a terrifying, record-breaking selection of World, International, and UK premieres as Tubi FrightFest 2026, the UK’s No.1 horror & fantasy film festival, returns to the Odeon LUXE Leicester Square and the ODEON Luxe West End for its annual five-day celebration of nerve-jangling eeriness, hair-raising shock, and epic scares. This year’s line-up highlights the genre’s transforming landscape and reflects the amazing span of progressive global genre filmmaking. Running from Thursday August 27 – Monday 31 August, Tubi FrightFest will showcase a record-breaking eighty-two features across five screens, including the popular ‘First Blood’, Documentary, and Retrospective strands. This year there are twenty-four world premieres, with sixteen countries represented, spanning four continents. The

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 16, 2026
Director Nick Taylor Discusses His New Documentary, Rubberhead, ahead of Its Premiere

Director Nick Taylor Discusses His New Documentary, Rubberhead, ahead of Its Premiere

Before CGI turned blood and guts into sterile ones and zeros, cinema was ruled by foam latex, animatronics, and pure madness. At the center of that glorious time sat Steve Johnson. Johnson is a man whose relentless obsession with breaking new ground gave rise to some of the most iconic monsters in sci-fi and horror history. Now, Johnson’s wild ride is getting the documentary treatment in Rubberhead: The Life and Monsters of Steve Johnson, a hilarious, heartbreaking, and brutally honest look at the golden age of special effects makeup—and the genius who nearly let it destroy him. . . The Director The film is from director Nick Taylor, who co-wrote the doc with Joseph Krings. Taylor and I had the chance to talk about this new deep-diving doc. He spoke about what drove him to make it, his respect for Johnson, and so much more. Watch it below. However, this isn’t Taylor’s first dive into the industry. He served in

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 15, 2026
Sink Your Teeth into the Trailer for 'Ferine' Ahead of Its Fantasia Premiere

Sink Your Teeth into the Trailer for ‘Ferine’ Ahead of Its Fantasia Premiere

Unleash your inner beast, because the most feral psychological thriller of the summer is about to break its cage. Fresh off her chilling performances in Oddity and You Are Not My Mother, star Carolyn Bracken is back to lead Ferine. It is a dark, atmospheric dive into the eternal tug-of-war between human civility and pure animal instinct. The highly anticipated film is heading to Montreal this month to make its mark at the legendary Fantasia International Film Festival on July 23. Based on writer-director Andrea Corsini’s acclaimed 2019 short film of the same name, this English-language feature debut promises a stylish, claw-sharp descent into madness. High Society Meets Low Instincts In Ferine, Bracken stars as Irene, a wealthy, highly influential art collector who seems to have it all. But beneath her polished exterior, a terrifying, primal instinct begins to claw its way to the surface, dragging her into a spiral of destructive, animalistic transformation. Irene’s path soon collides with Dama

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 14, 2026
Comics, Creators, and Cusack: Mad Cave Studios Announces SDCC Events

Comics, Creators, and Cusack: Mad Cave Studios Announces SDCC Events

Get your spinner racks ready and your wallets out, because independent comic juggernaut Mad Cave Studios is heading to San Diego Comic-Con International (July 23–26, 2026) with an absolute behemoth of a lineup. Mad Cave is taking over Booth #2806. It’s packed to the brim with Eisner-nominated creators, exclusive signings, and a sneak peek at an upcoming release slate that spans from high-flying ’80s nostalgia to literal Hollywood royalty. Whether you’re a hardcore collector or a casual reader, Mad Cave—alongside its specialized imprints Nakama Press, Maverick, and Papercutz—is proving they have a story for just about everyone. An Eisner-Nominated Victory Lap Mad Cave isn’t just showing up to sell books; they’re showing up to flex. The publisher is arriving in San Diego riding a massive wave of industry recognition. That includes an impressive six nominations for the 2026 Eisner Awards. Keep an eye out for these booth celebrities: Best New Series: Temporal Best Writer: Stephanie Williams (Temporal) Best Cover Artist:

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 14, 2026
Our Frightening Five: A Quintet of Films We Can’t Wait to See at Fantasia 2026

Our Frightening Five: A Quintet of Films We Can’t Wait to See at Fantasia 2026

The 30th edition of Fantasia International Film Festival kicks off later this week, running from July 16–August 2 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The fest is world famous for its annual droolworthy array of genre films from around the world, including horror, science fiction, dark comedies, animation, and beyond. I’ve taken an early deep dive into some of the films slated for this year, and here I present previews of five highly promising feature-length films. The following film descriptions and festival details are from Fantasia’s official website and related press information. Ancestral Beasts Director Tim Riedel’s psychological horror ANCESTRAL BEASTS was a 2025 Frontieres Platform project at Cannes, and it’s coming to Fantasia for its world premiere! Four years after the loss of her mother, Elyse (Morgan Holstrom, OUTLANDER, SHADOW OF THE ROUGAROU) can’t get her head right. She’s messing up at work, needs stress leave, and her sister, Nikki (Darla Contois, LITTLE BIRD, ABERDEEN), is on her case about everything.

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 13, 2026
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence Unveils a Tasty Poster and Premiere Date

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence Unveils a Tasty Poster and Premiere Date

Just when you thought it was safe to step back into the produce aisle, the most deadly fruit in cinema history is rolling back into town. After more than three decades rotting in the vault, the cult-classic horror-comedy franchise is officially back. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence is rolling your way. Fresh off the vine, the movie has unleashed its brand-new poster alongside a massive announcement: the tomatoes are invading theaters this August. But before they stomp across the country, the killer fruits are heading home. A special presentation is locked in for San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 24, at 7:15 PM in Room 6A, where lucky attendees will witness the world premiere of the movie’s first official trailer. The Theatrical Rollout However, if you can’t make it to SDCC, you won’t have to wait long to catch the juicy carnage on the big screen. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence will slash its way into

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 11, 2026
2026's Spooky Season is Officially Here! Spirit Halloween Opens its Doors Today!

Spook Season Has Begun! Spirit Halloween Announces Opening of the Flagship Store Event!

Can you smell it? That crisp, chemically perfect blend of artificial fog liquid, rubber masks, and pure, unadulterated joy? That’s right, ghouls and boils: the autumn breeze is practically tapping on your window, and Spirit Halloween is ready to rise from its ten-month slumber. While your local abandoned big-box store is still being cleared of lingering hardware supplies, the Spirit Halloween Flagship Store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, has officially announced its grand opening for Saturday, August 1, 2026. Yes, August. Because waiting until October to plan your horror-filled autumn is for amateurs. Here is everything you need to know about the ultimate, live, free-to-attend kick-off to the spooky season—including how to get inside without causing a real-life horror scene. 🎟️ Secure Your Spot (Before It Vanishes) You can technically show up without a ticket, but if you want to skip the massive regular line, you need to register early. -The Cap: Registration slams shut after 2,000 tickets are claimed.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 11, 2026
Director Adam Wingard and the 'ONSLAUGHT!' Cast Heading to SDCC

Director Adam Wingard and the ‘ONSLAUGHT!’ Cast Heading to SDCC

If your idea of a perfect movie involves high-stakes action, genetically modified muscle, and an absolute avalanche of practical violence, Adam Wingard is about to deliver your new favorite obsession. The director is officially making his explosive return to San Diego Comic-Con to tease his highly anticipated action-thriller, Onslaught. To make things even sweeter, none other than indie cinema icon Kevin Smith will be moderating the panel. Fans can catch Wingard alongside stars Adria Arjona, Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, and Drew Starkey on Thursday, July 23, at 5:30 PM in Ballroom 20 at the San Diego Convention Center. One Mother vs. An Army The premise is beautifully straightforward and intense. A rogue squad of genetically engineered super-soldiers cuts a bloody path across the desert. Unfortunately for them, they cross paths with a lethal, badass Army sniper who is also a fierce mother. When her young daughter’s life is put on the line, she is forced to unleash absolute hell to

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 10, 2026
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