CategoryReviews
Honest horror reviews of films, series, games and books — no hype, no spoilers, just whether it is worth your time and your nerves.
3,463 stories
Film FestivalsMoviesReviewsShort Films
Legend of El Cucuy Folklore horror meets problems of modern parenting in writer/director Cynthia Garcia Williams’ short film Legend of El Cucuy. Laura (Diana Sanchez) and Carlos (Effie Cacarnakis) are attempting to raise their young daughter Isabel (Obriella Genesis Witron) with as much freedom from rules at home and school as possible, but when the girl starts really acting up, Carlos attempts to straighten her out some by telling her the tale of El Cucuy, a ghostlike monster that kidnaps disobedient children, with origins in folk tales from Spain and Portugal. The short boasts great cinematography and a fine score, impressive performances, engaging direction, and impressive CGI and practical effects makeup work. It is certainly worthy of being expanded into a feature-length film. PU EKAW TNOD In writer/director Rebecca Culverhouse’s U.K. horror short PU EKAW TNOD, a young couple (Dorothea Jones and Harold Addo) watch a horror film together when they discover that they are suddenly in a dreamworld —
Continue reading →
AdaptationBooksMoviesReviews
What do you get when you combine Corey Haim, Gary Busey, werewolves and The King of Horror himself? Horror fans will immediately guess 1985’s fright flick Silver Bullet. And non-horror fans… well I have no idea what they would think… and what the hell are they doing on this website anyway? Anyway, Scream Factory have unleashed a 4k/Blu-ray combo release of Silver Bullet, and yours cruelly is going to slap his putrid peepers upon it! In the quaint small town of Tarker’s Mills nothing exciting seems to happen… until the murders begin that is! Enter: Marty Coslaw (Corey Haim, The Lost Boys), a wheelchair (a motorized number which just so happens to be named Silver Bullet) bound lad who lives with his family… including his beloved (by Marty only) freeloading drunk of an uncle, Red (Gary Busey) smack dab in the middle of The ‘Mills. Being an ‘80s movie (based on an ‘80s book… novella, whatever… it’s Stephen King’s 1983-released
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesReviews
Being the forgetful fiend that I am, yours cruelly oft forgets that our pals South of the Border can deliver the gory goods among the best of them… and Unearthed Film’s new Blu-ray release of arcane anthology México Bárbaro II (the follow up to 2014’s México Bárbaro) reminded me with a nice, big, bloody open-handed slap right across my putrid puss! Let’s put our eerie eyeballs on the sinister segments that comprise this fright flick one by one and see just what makes this picture tick! La Leyenda De Juan Soldado: Coming from writer/director Abraham Sánchez; our first yarn concerns a soldier by the name of Juan (Uri Meza), who is accused of rape and left to die in the desert by his commanding officer. The thing is, our hero is innocent… so naturally the denizens of hell give him a chance to settle the score with those that wronged him! Entertaining, fast-paced, and full of a pseudo-EC Comics vibe
Continue reading →
K-HorrorNetflixReviewsStreaming TVTrailersTrue Story
The K-horror series “Gyeongseong Creature” has arrived on Netflix, offering a thrilling blend of historical drama, monstrous horror, and poignant romance. Set in 1945 Seoul, then known as Gyeongseong, the series plunges us into darkness and desperation, where a terrifying creature emerges from the shadows. While the premise is captivating, the series does come with a caveat: the CGI depiction of the monster falls short. Its hulking, mutated form lacks the polish and menace seen in other contemporary K-horror productions. However, if you can look past this visual misstep, you’ll find a show brimming with strengths. Director Jeong Dong-yun excels in character development, weaving rich backstories for both heroes and villains. Each individual feels profoundly human and compelling, from the stoic Jang Tae-sang ( Park Seo-Joon) to the fiercely determined Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee). Their struggles resonate, making their fight for survival against the monstrous threat, both human and not, all the more gripping. And while much of the series
Continue reading →
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Apple TVReviewsStreaming TV
With Apple TV+’s series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, based on Legendary’s MonsterVerse, having ended its first season run of 10 episodes (click here for my reviews of episodes 1-4), I’m generally satisfied with the series and looking forward to what a second series might offer. Following are my spoiler-free thoughts on series one overall. The story, which takes place after the battle between Godzilla and the Titans as seen in Gareth Edwards’ 2014 Godzilla, focuses on different timelines, mainly the reunion of half-siblings Cate Randa (Anna Sawai), whose up-close witnessing of Godzilla’s 2014 emergence in San Francisco has left her with PTSD — and Kentaro (Ren Watabe) as they attempt to uncover the mystery of their usually absent father Hiroshi Randa (Takehiro Hira), which leads them to meeting up and eventually adventuring with former U.S. Army Colonel Lee Shaw (Kurt Russell), who had plenty of experience as a younger man (played by his son Wyatt Russell) with Monarch and tracking
Continue reading →
IndieMoviesReviews
Back in the far-flung past of 1963, Godfather of Gore Herschell Gordon Lewis unleashed Blood Feast; a blood-soaked tale of an Egyptian caterer who serves up feasts of human flesh, upon unsuspecting drive-in goers, and the world of horror films got that much more extreme. As is the case in the horror biz, it was high time for the picture to get the ol’ remake treatment ‘round 2016 courtesy of writer/director Marcel Walz (along with co-writer Philip Lilienschwarz)… and it’s this version that got the deluxe 4K treatment recently thanks to the fine fiends over at Synapse Films. Moving the action from Florida to Paris, our tale follows Fuad Ramses (Robert Rusler, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge) who have transplanted his wife Louise (Caroline Williams, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) and daughter Penny (Sophie Monk, The Hills Run Red) to France where he has established a restaurant that serves homesick American tourists authentic diner food. Sounds solid
Continue reading →
From the CryptProductReviews
Love Coffee? That’s a dumb question. Of course you love it, or at least enjoy it from time to time. Sometimes, you need a boost of energy from caffeine to help you stay up for a movie, meet a deadline, or mow down zombie hoards with friends during a gaming session. Or ultimately, you’re trying to drop a nasty habit. Grinds Coffee Pouches can help. I want to first thank Grinds for sending over some cans for me to try! Inside each can of Grinds are small pouches full of coffee grounds, yes you read that right, coffee grounds. You take a pouch and stick it between your lips/cheeks and gums, and just let the flavor flow. No need to spit, unless you want to but then you would be wasting coffee! The flavor I’m enjoying at this very moment is Irish Cream that’s part of the Build Your Own Pack section on the site where you can customize your
Continue reading →
NewsParanormalReviewsStreaming TVTrailersTrue StoryYouTube
Are you craving a chilling blend of reality and the paranormal? Step into the mesmerizing world of “Confessions of the Unknown,” the groundbreaking podcast that captures the true essence of ghostly encounters. Available biweekly on creepybonfire.com and all major platforms and now brought visually to life on YouTube; the series offers a unique foray into the unknown. The podcast’s host’s smooth and eerily calm voice sets a deceptively calm stage as you gather around the virtual fire. Only for it to be shattered by the bone-chilling accounts of personal encounters. Each episode delves into intimate narratives, blurring the line between our world and the unknown. It leaves listeners questioning their reality and pondering if ghosts really exist. This immersive audio experience pulls you into each unnerving tale. It leaves a shiver down your spine as the shadows dance around you. “The sound is phenomenal,” raves a dedicated fan. “It’s like being right there in the story – every creak and
Continue reading →
MoviesNetflixNewsReviewsStreaming TVTrailers
J.A. Bayona’s brilliant Netflix film Society of the Snow takes a heart-wrenching plunge into the true story of the Andes tragedy of 1972. We witness the plane crash, the harsh reality of the remote mountains, and the desperate fight for survival against unimaginable odds. The film doesn’t shy away from the darkness. Death hangs heavy, both immediate and agonizingly slow. Yet, amidst the despair, glimmers of resilience shine through. The survivors face a horrifying truth: their only hope may lie in an unthinkable act, cannibalism. Bayona paints a stunning backdrop of snow and peaks, contrasting the beauty of nature with the brutal struggle for life. The characters, played by Enzo Vogrincic Roldán and others, become deeply real, their emotions raw and relatable. Creating an incredibly moving and unflinching glimpse into the true story of survival. The True Story: In the icy grip of the Andes, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 plunged to Earth on October 13th, 1972. Among the 45
Continue reading →
BooksComic Books/Graphic NovelsReviews
Gear up for a gut-punching journey into the shadows of the American West with Storm King Comics’ “Long Haul.” This isn’t your typical cowboy yarn – it’s a brutal and gripping graphic novel that exposes the darkest corners of the highway. A place where monsters lurk in sun-bleached 18-wheelers and missing person cases pile high. Fuelled by the unyielding fire of vengeance, Danny and Carl Blake embark on a twisted odyssey: finding their missing sister, Sarah. She has disappeared in the sinister underbelly of America’s interstate highways. Writers Cullen Bunn and Heath Amodio craft a narrative that pulsates with raw emotion, weaving a tragic family story into a tapestry of bone-chilling suspense. Andrea Mutti’s gritty pencilwork, complemented by Gigi Baldassini’s inky shadows and Valerio Alloro’s haunting colors, paints a landscape of desolate highways and blood-soaked back alleys. “Long Haul” doesn’t shy away from graphic violence. But it’s not mere shock value. It’s a visceral depiction of the brutal reality hidden
Continue reading →
More from Reviews
Film FestivalsMoviesReviewsShort Films
Legend of El Cucuy Folklore horror meets problems of modern parenting in writer/director Cynthia Garcia Williams’ short film Legend of El Cucuy. Laura (Diana Sanchez) and Carlos (Effie Cacarnakis) are attempting to raise their young daughter Isabel (Obriella Genesis Witron) with as much freedom from rules at home and school as possible, but when the girl starts really acting up, Carlos attempts to straighten her out some by telling her the tale of El Cucuy, a ghostlike monster that kidnaps disobedient children, with origins in folk tales from Spain and Portugal. The short boasts great cinematography and a fine score, impressive performances, engaging direction, and impressive CGI and practical effects makeup work. It is certainly worthy of being expanded into a feature-length film. PU EKAW TNOD In writer/director Rebecca Culverhouse’s U.K. horror short PU EKAW TNOD, a young couple (Dorothea Jones and Harold Addo) watch a horror film together when they discover that they are suddenly in a dreamworld —
Continue reading →
AdaptationBooksMoviesReviews
What do you get when you combine Corey Haim, Gary Busey, werewolves and The King of Horror himself? Horror fans will immediately guess 1985’s fright flick Silver Bullet. And non-horror fans… well I have no idea what they would think… and what the hell are they doing on this website anyway? Anyway, Scream Factory have unleashed a 4k/Blu-ray combo release of Silver Bullet, and yours cruelly is going to slap his putrid peepers upon it! In the quaint small town of Tarker’s Mills nothing exciting seems to happen… until the murders begin that is! Enter: Marty Coslaw (Corey Haim, The Lost Boys), a wheelchair (a motorized number which just so happens to be named Silver Bullet) bound lad who lives with his family… including his beloved (by Marty only) freeloading drunk of an uncle, Red (Gary Busey) smack dab in the middle of The ‘Mills. Being an ‘80s movie (based on an ‘80s book… novella, whatever… it’s Stephen King’s 1983-released
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesReviews
Being the forgetful fiend that I am, yours cruelly oft forgets that our pals South of the Border can deliver the gory goods among the best of them… and Unearthed Film’s new Blu-ray release of arcane anthology México Bárbaro II (the follow up to 2014’s México Bárbaro) reminded me with a nice, big, bloody open-handed slap right across my putrid puss! Let’s put our eerie eyeballs on the sinister segments that comprise this fright flick one by one and see just what makes this picture tick! La Leyenda De Juan Soldado: Coming from writer/director Abraham Sánchez; our first yarn concerns a soldier by the name of Juan (Uri Meza), who is accused of rape and left to die in the desert by his commanding officer. The thing is, our hero is innocent… so naturally the denizens of hell give him a chance to settle the score with those that wronged him! Entertaining, fast-paced, and full of a pseudo-EC Comics vibe
Continue reading →
K-HorrorNetflixReviewsStreaming TVTrailersTrue Story
The K-horror series “Gyeongseong Creature” has arrived on Netflix, offering a thrilling blend of historical drama, monstrous horror, and poignant romance. Set in 1945 Seoul, then known as Gyeongseong, the series plunges us into darkness and desperation, where a terrifying creature emerges from the shadows. While the premise is captivating, the series does come with a caveat: the CGI depiction of the monster falls short. Its hulking, mutated form lacks the polish and menace seen in other contemporary K-horror productions. However, if you can look past this visual misstep, you’ll find a show brimming with strengths. Director Jeong Dong-yun excels in character development, weaving rich backstories for both heroes and villains. Each individual feels profoundly human and compelling, from the stoic Jang Tae-sang ( Park Seo-Joon) to the fiercely determined Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee). Their struggles resonate, making their fight for survival against the monstrous threat, both human and not, all the more gripping. And while much of the series
Continue reading →
Apple TVReviewsStreaming TV
With Apple TV+’s series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, based on Legendary’s MonsterVerse, having ended its first season run of 10 episodes (click here for my reviews of episodes 1-4), I’m generally satisfied with the series and looking forward to what a second series might offer. Following are my spoiler-free thoughts on series one overall. The story, which takes place after the battle between Godzilla and the Titans as seen in Gareth Edwards’ 2014 Godzilla, focuses on different timelines, mainly the reunion of half-siblings Cate Randa (Anna Sawai), whose up-close witnessing of Godzilla’s 2014 emergence in San Francisco has left her with PTSD — and Kentaro (Ren Watabe) as they attempt to uncover the mystery of their usually absent father Hiroshi Randa (Takehiro Hira), which leads them to meeting up and eventually adventuring with former U.S. Army Colonel Lee Shaw (Kurt Russell), who had plenty of experience as a younger man (played by his son Wyatt Russell) with Monarch and tracking
Continue reading →
IndieMoviesReviews
Back in the far-flung past of 1963, Godfather of Gore Herschell Gordon Lewis unleashed Blood Feast; a blood-soaked tale of an Egyptian caterer who serves up feasts of human flesh, upon unsuspecting drive-in goers, and the world of horror films got that much more extreme. As is the case in the horror biz, it was high time for the picture to get the ol’ remake treatment ‘round 2016 courtesy of writer/director Marcel Walz (along with co-writer Philip Lilienschwarz)… and it’s this version that got the deluxe 4K treatment recently thanks to the fine fiends over at Synapse Films. Moving the action from Florida to Paris, our tale follows Fuad Ramses (Robert Rusler, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge) who have transplanted his wife Louise (Caroline Williams, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) and daughter Penny (Sophie Monk, The Hills Run Red) to France where he has established a restaurant that serves homesick American tourists authentic diner food. Sounds solid
Continue reading →
From the CryptProductReviews
Love Coffee? That’s a dumb question. Of course you love it, or at least enjoy it from time to time. Sometimes, you need a boost of energy from caffeine to help you stay up for a movie, meet a deadline, or mow down zombie hoards with friends during a gaming session. Or ultimately, you’re trying to drop a nasty habit. Grinds Coffee Pouches can help. I want to first thank Grinds for sending over some cans for me to try! Inside each can of Grinds are small pouches full of coffee grounds, yes you read that right, coffee grounds. You take a pouch and stick it between your lips/cheeks and gums, and just let the flavor flow. No need to spit, unless you want to but then you would be wasting coffee! The flavor I’m enjoying at this very moment is Irish Cream that’s part of the Build Your Own Pack section on the site where you can customize your
Continue reading →
NewsParanormalReviewsStreaming TVTrailersTrue StoryYouTube
Are you craving a chilling blend of reality and the paranormal? Step into the mesmerizing world of “Confessions of the Unknown,” the groundbreaking podcast that captures the true essence of ghostly encounters. Available biweekly on creepybonfire.com and all major platforms and now brought visually to life on YouTube; the series offers a unique foray into the unknown. The podcast’s host’s smooth and eerily calm voice sets a deceptively calm stage as you gather around the virtual fire. Only for it to be shattered by the bone-chilling accounts of personal encounters. Each episode delves into intimate narratives, blurring the line between our world and the unknown. It leaves listeners questioning their reality and pondering if ghosts really exist. This immersive audio experience pulls you into each unnerving tale. It leaves a shiver down your spine as the shadows dance around you. “The sound is phenomenal,” raves a dedicated fan. “It’s like being right there in the story – every creak and
Continue reading →
MoviesNetflixNewsReviewsStreaming TVTrailers
J.A. Bayona’s brilliant Netflix film Society of the Snow takes a heart-wrenching plunge into the true story of the Andes tragedy of 1972. We witness the plane crash, the harsh reality of the remote mountains, and the desperate fight for survival against unimaginable odds. The film doesn’t shy away from the darkness. Death hangs heavy, both immediate and agonizingly slow. Yet, amidst the despair, glimmers of resilience shine through. The survivors face a horrifying truth: their only hope may lie in an unthinkable act, cannibalism. Bayona paints a stunning backdrop of snow and peaks, contrasting the beauty of nature with the brutal struggle for life. The characters, played by Enzo Vogrincic Roldán and others, become deeply real, their emotions raw and relatable. Creating an incredibly moving and unflinching glimpse into the true story of survival. The True Story: In the icy grip of the Andes, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 plunged to Earth on October 13th, 1972. Among the 45
Continue reading →
BooksComic Books/Graphic NovelsReviews
Gear up for a gut-punching journey into the shadows of the American West with Storm King Comics’ “Long Haul.” This isn’t your typical cowboy yarn – it’s a brutal and gripping graphic novel that exposes the darkest corners of the highway. A place where monsters lurk in sun-bleached 18-wheelers and missing person cases pile high. Fuelled by the unyielding fire of vengeance, Danny and Carl Blake embark on a twisted odyssey: finding their missing sister, Sarah. She has disappeared in the sinister underbelly of America’s interstate highways. Writers Cullen Bunn and Heath Amodio craft a narrative that pulsates with raw emotion, weaving a tragic family story into a tapestry of bone-chilling suspense. Andrea Mutti’s gritty pencilwork, complemented by Gigi Baldassini’s inky shadows and Valerio Alloro’s haunting colors, paints a landscape of desolate highways and blood-soaked back alleys. “Long Haul” doesn’t shy away from graphic violence. But it’s not mere shock value. It’s a visceral depiction of the brutal reality hidden
Continue reading →
