31 on 31 for Halloween: Scary Stories to Tell In The Dark

Good morning everyone. I hope everyone had a great devil's night. Happy Halloween!!

Last night I had the pleasure of watching a movie with my partner and our son. He's slowly being introduced to horror movies. He's seen the tv cuts of Halloween and The Thing. He loves Goosebumps (the series and the movie) and Are You Afraid of the Dark (the original and the more recent revival). He has been really interested in checking out more scary movies. The next movie is going to be Tim Burton's Beetlejuice. But last night, we got to share Scary Stories to Tell In The Dark with him. 

Now for me, the Scary Stories books were something I grew up on. I remember being in second or third grade and getting hold of it for the first time. It was absolutely fantastic. It was definitely a crucial part of my reading journey. It allowed me to get spooked by these over the top stories. They also had those amazing pieces of art. I know they tried rereleasing them with updated art, but why? I know by today's standards they are morbid and horrible. But that's the beauty of them - they allow the reader a small glimpse into the world. There's definitely a reason why these books have stuck around. Even if they ended up being banned from schools. They are a solid gateway entry to the horror genre. 

I also enjoyed the Goosebumps series growing up. Now when that film came out, I took my partner to go see it cause they love Jack Black and Goosebumps. The films, well the first one is pretty solid. Yeah, it's a light jaunt that incorporates elements of Stine's work. But that's the point of that series. 

I remember after seeing it wondering what a Scary Stories movie would be like. How would that even work? Could it be something that follows a similar structure to Goosebumps? Would it hold up to what I imagined Scary Stories was like from those memorable art pieces I mentioned before? Apparently I wasn't the only one. 

The crew behind Scary Stories is pretty fantastic. Everyone involved had such a clear passion for this project. I mean they were able to bring those horrifying pieces of art to life. That's pretty incredible. It also helped that Guillermo del Toro had a hand in this as well. Whenever I know that he's involved in a project, I get excited because he is incredible with his eye for horror. 

The story for Scary Stories does follow a little bit of the Goosebumps framework. Sarah Bellows was someone who had told the Scary Stories to children. The town strongly believed she was a witch and murdered the children. Our characters of Stella, Ramone, Auggie, and Chuck are trying to uncover if that was true. It's a simple story that is layered with five of the classic stories and bringing them to life. But it works so well.  Especially when reflecting on the theme of the movie, stories can hurt and stories can heal. Rumors will tear and hurt someone till they become something else entirely. But the truth can set them free and unburden them. It's all really good themes for a movie that could be considered a family horror. At the very least, it's a solid entry for someone just getting into the horror genre. And each of the stories that were included are pretty great. My favorite being Harold. Its such a distinct part that immediately sets the tone for what the film is going to be. 

Yes, the cast delivered pretty solid performances in this film. Is it award winning? No. But are they believable? Yeah, the cast ground this film in such a way that lends to creating a retro horror feel to it. It's honestly trying to be fun. 

Is there gore in this? Not really. It's PG-13 but it does it very well. It has a very distinct feel and tone that the books had. It doesn't try to be gore in the face. It's more cool with illiciting creepy imagery in key moments. Other than that, it provides some solid moments of dread.

Personally, I feel like this film does a great job in capturing the tone I remember the books having. It's not trying to be something it's not. It's a bit of a rollercoaster that's fun and has that Halloween feel to it. It's one that will probably become a key part in our horror movie marathons each Halloween season. 

I really hope that one day we will get a sequel. It deserves it so much. The story of where things could go next is pretty incredible. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5. 

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The Activity is Reborn: Paranormal Activity Next of Kin

 

Hello everyone. Hope everyone's having a fine Friday so far. It's definitely fall weather one hundred percent around here. The grey sky, the constant rain fall, the small chill in the air, and the leaves changing colors. It means it's the perfect time for more spooky movies. Especially as we have Halloween coming up on Sunday. So earlier this year, the Wrong Turn franchise took a branch off it's tree to dive into a new story. It worked really really well for me. Yeah, I had a small issue with it - the way the story was formatted. But it was a bold new territory for the franchise. Next up, we had Spiral: From The Book of Saw. It was a back to basics approach in a lot of ways while pushing the boundaries. And again, it was successful. 

This year, we have the reemergence of the Paranormal Activity series. It was one that seemed to be a bit of a hit or miss with fans. Some really like it and are able to find something out of each installment, even if it's something as small as one specific sequence for it. Paranormal Activity is a very interesting series. It was one that helped usher in a new age of found footage films back in 2009 with the original's success. With each new installment, there seemed to be a bigger story that they were working towards. I mean we have The Marked Ones that broke the franchise in a way with its storytelling but opening the door wide open for what was going to happen. Unfortunately, The Ghost Dimension was a bit of a miss. It didn't answer any of the questions that had been building up in the story. And it was labelled to the culmination of everything that had happened so far. To say I was disappointed, that's an understatement. 

When I had heard that there was going to be a new Paranormal Activity film, I couldn't help but be excited. This is a franchise that just works well for me. It hit at a time when I was in a rough time in my life. So it was my getaway from things. Instantly, I started trying to figure out how they could possibly make a new film and what the heck that would even look like. Because The Ghost Dimension was supposed to be the end of the initial set of films. But when I heard that William Eubank was going to be directing from a script by Christopher Landon, I was even more pumped. William Eubank had crafted the amazing film - Underwater. If you haven't seen it, go check it out. It's an amazing film that was lost in the pandemic. 

I had known that the trailer had hit. However, I made it my personal mission to stay away from the trailers. I did not want to see anything before seeing the film itself. I wanted this to be the first time when I see a film, I got the chance to go in completely blind. The only thing I had known about Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin was its story sypnosis. 

The film follows a documentary crew led by Margot (Emily Bader), Chris (Roland Buck III), and Dale (Dan Lippert). It's a very small crew. Actually that's one of the really best parts of Next of Kin is its cast. Everyone delivers some really fantastic performances. Though with Tom Nowicki's performance as Jacob, it feels like he's channeling his inner Clancy Brown. That's not really a knack against because it's still a solid performance. Back to the story, the crew is investigating Margot's connection to an Amish family. That's about as much into the story as I'll discuss at this moment. If I go into things much deeper, then it'll be heading into spoiler territory and that would do a disservice to the film. 

Now when people hear 'Paranormal Activity', they immediately know exactly what kind of film they are in for. It immediately has a set of expectations. I am happy to say that all of the expectations I had for this film were blown away. The best comparison I can make is that this does for Paranormal Activity what Wrong Turn '21 did for that series. Does it have a lot of spooks in it? It does to an extent. However it takes any of the expectations of what a Paranormal Activity movie is and completely redefines it. This is definitely new ground while also harkening back what made the original film so successful. 

There is one sequence that very much felt like Eubank's work on Underwater. And that is such a fantastic thing. 

The best thing about this film is that its characters have a lot of heart to them. They are not cookie-cutter shallow tropes. They have a history to them. They are grounded in a way. The world that is crafted is a more realistic take on things. But by the end of the film, I was floored by where the story ends. It has me so excited to see if there is another installment in this new storyline. And if there is, are they going to find a way of tying things back to the original franchise? Only time can tell. I am hoping for a sequel.

Now this film was originally to be released back in March, but due to pandemic times. Everything got pushed back to ensure the safety precautions. And then it wasn't known if it was going to be released at all this year. Thankfully the film was able to see release due to Paramount+. Yeah, its weird that another streaming service has another exclusive film. So to keep up with things, it means signing up for another. But honestly, it's not that bad of a deal. It allows people to experience the film in a bit of a safe manner. The way I actually look at it, it reminds me of how films used to be released direct to video. It feels like its the modern day version of that. How will that affect the film's performance? Honestly, I have absolutely no idea. I'm hoping that people will go in with an open mind about it because Next of Kin is very much a solid entry to the franchise. 

Rating: 4 out of 5. (It's one that will be fun to return to from time to time.)

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31 on 31 for Halloween Day 31: The Mortuary Collection

Hello everyone, welcome to our culmination of 31 on 31 for Halloween. We have went on a journey this spooky season. This was a huge accomplishment as I had started this countdown back on August 20th. It's crazy how fast the time decided to go by. We have been through 31 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to get here. 

Who has enjoyed this? If you have, let me know on Twitter, Facebook, or comment on here. 

And just because it's the end of the countdown doesn't mean anything. BlazinBlue's Horror Review is still going to be here and continue going strong. Because spooky season is not just a specific time of year, it's a way of life and a year long celebration. So stay tuned as there is still great content coming. Coming up we have a look at some Thanksgiving time horror, the debut of I Watched It With My Partner series, a retrospective on the Paranormal Activity series, and others. We are only hitting our stride. 

Today, I spent some time thinking about what the final film could be. I have seen a lot of others checking out 2008's Trick 'r Treat. While it is a fantastic film and one of my family's favorites (our son still hasn't seen it yet), it's one that gets a lot of love. Why not shed light on a more recent film released by Shudder? Join me as I dive into The Mortuary Collection from Ryan Spindell. 

The Mortuary Collection is an interesting film as it is a celebration of anthology films in a way like Trick 'r Treat.  It's pretty cool seeing all of the anthology films that have popped up over the years. Some have been successful and others have been not as successful. 

Desperate for work, a young drifter applies for a job at the local mortuary on the outskirts of town. There, she meets Montgomery Dark, an eccentric mortician with more than few skeletons in his closet. Montgomery chronicles the strange history of the town through a series of twisted tales. Each of these stories more terrifying than the last. 

Clancy Brown plays the mysterious Montgomery Dark. It's always a pleasure getting to see Brown in a film. I mean, there's a reason that he's such a fantastic actor. He definitely brings his A-game to this performance. It is a bit in the vein of the Crypt KeeperIt c, but there's actually bit of heart and depth to it. Caitlin Custer (formerly Fisher) plays the role of the young drifter, Sam. There's not much known about Sam. She's there looking for employment. The chemistry between Brown and her is very engaging. They play off each other very very well. Actually all of the actors and actresses deliver some solid performances with what they are given. 

With the five stories in this film, there is definitely a variety to them. Each one feels a bit like a breath of fresh air while retaining some of the feel of Creepshow. The wraparound story, The Mortician and the Drifter, is one that was highly engaging. Yeah, it's basically Montgomery Dark interviewing Sam and setting up the stories. But with Brown, it's very interesting. The first story, The Pickpocket, is interesting. It does feel a little safe as it is a smaller entry when compared to the others. It is also very simple. It chronicles a night of a young lady, a pickpocket, getting more than she bargained for when she steps to the little lady's room. It wouldn't felt out of place in an old EC Comic. The second story, Unprotected, is a whole other element entirely. It utilizes the era of the 60s very well. It focuses on a young gentlemen of the fraternity variety learning a hard lesson about one night stands. At first, it's a bit light hearted. But as it progresses, it is more terrifying as its very clear what is going to occur. The third story, Till Death, is a whole nother nightmare. It truly goes to show how far one's commitment to another can go. This was truly horrifying and haunting. It's definitely one of the standouts. The last story, The Babysitter Murders, was something else. I was engaged through the entirety of it. It does play on the typical horror tropes but twists them in such a unique fresh way that I never saw coming. There's a good reason why this ultimately is the reason the film was created around. Especially considering this was filmed first as a short. 

All of these stories are highly original. It makes for an incredible rollercoaster of a film. It all leads to an ending that I didn't see coming. I am hoping that as word gets out about it, that it will result in a sequel. This is definitely an anthology series that could use another installment. It does prove that the anthology is resurging and that's 100% okay. 

If you haven't checked out The Mortuary Collection yet, check it out on Shudder or purchase it from Amazon. 

Rating: 4 out of 5. (Unfortunately two of the stories held the film back.) 

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31 for 31 on Halloween Day 30: Night of the Demons (2009)

As we all know by now, I am a big fan of the original Night of the Demons. It is a fun film that I tend to throw on from time to time. Typically whenever I need some good background noise but then I'll find myself sitting and watching it. It's one that never seems to get old for me. There are a few others in the horror genre that are like this as well. Evil Dead II is probably a very good example of that. 

When I had heard that Night of the Demons was receiving a remake, I was a bit unsure. Why? Why did it need to be remade? I mean sure, if the right approach was there, it could have potential. I said Okay, let's see what they do before grilling it too badly. 

Part of me appreciates what they did. It allowed a new take on the material to be made. However, gone are the characters or some semblance of the ones from the original. I mean hey, we get Linnea Quigley back in a cameo alongside Amelia Kinkade. It's nice seeing them again. But gone is Stooge and Rodger. I mean I can understand Stooge, he's a bit of an acquired taste. But I stand by what I'm saying, the first strike against the film is the characters and cast.

Yeah, we get a version of Angela in Shannon Elizabeth. However, she does not deliver the same gravitas that Kinkade brought to the role. It's kind of hard to take her in the role to begin with. But I think the way they approached Angela in this version is a good representation of what this film is trying for altogether. 

It literally replaces the characters from the original film and leaves a sexy and stylistic version of them or a new character altogether in their place. That's the whole goal of the film that kept coming at me: Let's make it sexy and stylized. If it was more subtle and not so in my face, it may have helped the film. 

Now, I'm not trying to say the actors and actresses are terrible. They could have been better. It just feels lackluster and shallow. 

The next strike against the film is the story. Yeah, it loosely shares a plot that somewhat resembles the original film. Creepy mansion? Check. Angela? Check. Demons? Check. Having to survive till dawn? Check. While it has all those elements, this is very much a reimagining. It gives a little more background and history to the demons and such by placing it in New Orleans. It adds a whole new layer to the film. Yeah, there's a little less Halloween and a little more In The Bayou feel to it. I hope that makes sense. There's a backstory involving Evangeline Broushard. She had a Halloween party that had a breakout of demons in it. Actually, that's the whole little bit of prologue that is interesting. The rest of the story felt a bit bland and forgettable. 

The demons are...well...felt lacking. They lacked the grimness of the original. The original had flair to them. This just feels like a whole bunch of CG when necessary or generic look to them. There is some gore to the movie as well. If you are here for it, well then congratulations you are in luck. It's got that going for it. 

Honestly in the end, Night of the Demons (2009) feels like remake in name only. It lacks what made the original so memorable. It is one that I don't see myself returning to again. I hope that one day - we could get a better take on the material. Till then, I'll go check the original out again. 

Rating: 2.5 out of 5. (A bit vanilla and shallow)

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31 on 31 for Halloween Day 29: Night of the Demons (1988)

 

Hello everyone, hope everyone's been doing well. Sorry for the brief hiatus here at The Blue. I have been a bit busy fighting off a cold and being a stay at home Dad with a 7 year old that is being home schooled through online virtual academy. It's definitely a lot to take on. But so far, it's been worth it. 

We are closer and closer to closing out this Halloween season. There were quite a few movies that I kept tossing around on what to have to close out the spooky season. Pretty much as early as this countdown was starting out, I was trying to figure out exactly what would be a good way to close things out. The more time I spent, the more I started to notice others lists. I thought I'd take the time to close it out with some movies that maybe haven't received a whole lot of attention lately. 

To kick things off, I received an invitation to a party. It was from my friend Angela. She's really into the Halloween season - it's like her Christmas. So I thought I'll give it a shot. Soon after, strange things began happening...

Join me as I dive into Night of the Demons (1988). 

Night of the Demons (1988) was written by Joe Augustyn and directed by Kevin Tenney. It starred Cathy Podewell (Judy), Alvin Alexis (Rodger), Hal Havins (Stooge), Billy Gallo (Sal), Linnea Quigley (Suzanne), and Amelia Kinkade (Angela). 

This is a film that oozes the Halloween atmosphere and feels that Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers was oozing. It just encapsulates everything so perfectly. Children trick or treating? Check. Apples with a surprise inside? Check. Creepy old house? Well, it's actually an old funeral parlor but check. Group of teens that looking to have a good time? Check. All perfect elements of the spooky season. 

It all starts off in innocent jokes and a light atmosphere. It's showing that it's going to be a fun film. It's not taking itself seriously. I mean there's a character named Stooge, who is a bit of a tool that could be taken as a bit crass. But underneath it all, it's a bit light-hearted. Well, except for the little brother being a bit of a perv. That's just super weird. 

All of characters are pretty likeable. The cast delivers solid performances. They know exactly what kind of moving that they were making. They were proud of the fact that they were trying to have a good time with things. In the making of feature on the Shout! Factory release, everyone behind the scenes seemed to be having a great time making this film. They wanted to make a film that emulated the experience of a haunted house. Did they succeed? I would say 100% that they were able to succeed. 

The story is a bit light. But honestly, I think that's part of the reason why the film works so well. It works in absolute spades in my opinion. On the night of Halloween, 10 teens decide to go to a party at an abandoned funeral parlor. "Hull House", rumored to be built on an evil patch of land & underground stream, is the place. While starting the party, the teens gather around a big mirror to perform a seance...BIG MISTAKE. They awaken some evil force and find themselves trapped and taken over one by one. Now it's a battle for who can survive and cross over the stream before going to hell....

That's the basics of this movie in a nutshell. I know I don't go too much into the specifics of which characters survive and such and such. That's okay. This is a film where I don't necessarily want to spill everything. Because at that point, what's the fun of watching and experiencing this unique spooky thrill ride? I will say though that Amelia Kinkade rocks it as Angela. If you look into this film series, you'll notice that it does have a poster character for the film and that it's Angela. She is a big reason why the film works so well. She relishes in just being evil when she turns. Yeah, there's a bit of camp to it. But that's okay cause it makes it fun. I am 100% happy with putting Angela up into the Horror Movie pantheon alongside Freddy. Yeah, this is a smaller film than anything in there. But it definitely stands equal alongside it. 

The demons. The demons are all creepy as can be. They start off having some oddities to them akin to Evil Dead-ish. However the really intriguing part is seeing how they progress through the film. They are not impervious. They take on damage and lots of it. By the end of the film, it is an absolute horror seeing the monsters that they become. Oh and by the way, don't ask Suzanne about her lipstick. It's something that once see, it cannot be unseen. 

There is some gore in the film. Actually there's quite a bit of it. However, it's used really well. It's not too over the top to Evil Dead II or Army of the Darkness levels. But it's still there. 

Overall, this is a small film. It's one that managed to spawn two more films and a remake. That's pretty good in my book for a simple low budget film. Plus it's one that's fun to return to from time to time. Especially during these spooky months. 

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Night of the Demons can be found on Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, and Shudder. 

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A Closer Look at 'Slumber Party Massacre (2021)': A Chat with Director Danishka Esterhazy (Spoilers)

Hello everyone, hope everyone has had a good few weeks. So who watched SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE (2021)? It had a successful premiere over on SYFY. And it's available now to buy digitally. 

If you haven't checked out my first chat with director Danishka Esterhazy, you can check it out. Today, I am happy to share the second half. Now it says in the title that this will be spoiler filled, if don't wish for spoilers - turn away and check out the film. Okay, still there? Cool, you can check out the chat below.

SPOILERS.....LAST WARNING....

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The beginning of the film is fantastic. Like I had mentioned in my review, it felt in tone with how say the My Bloody Valentine from 2009 began. It's like a short sweet bite sized version of the original film. What was the decision that decided to set it in the early 90s as opposed to the early 80s? 

Thank you! We wanted that opening sequence to feel very retro. We had to move the date to the 90s so that Dana could be a young woman in 2021.

The Driller Killer Russell. Is there more to his story? He seemed a little one note in a sense. But again, that was done in the original as well. Is he just an escaped patient from an asylum?

There is a hint about our backstory in the Crime Bandits podcast that Dana is listening to in her first scene…

The second killer. This was something that I didn't see coming. The reveal was fantastic. It's nice cause it fleshes out Russell's backstory a little more. It feels like there could be more with his mother. Was that an homage to Friday the 13th? 

We were definitely thinking of Friday the 13th. And Psycho. And Carrie. Who doesn’t love a killer mom?

It feels similar to Pamela Voorhees. But in a funny way, could see those two being good friends and teasing recipes. 

I sense a short film in the making …

The bros over at the cabin.This was a fantastic thing that caught me off guard at first. It just adds a whole layer of fun to the film. Because we see what the girls view as a typical slumber party etiquette. But then when the girls see the guys, they manage to outdo them.

Reversing the gaze was a lot of fun. I wanted to poke fun at the ridiculous sexism of 80s and 90s horror. Because … sheesh!!!!

Also what were the guys going to do if they found Russell? Just say Hi? 

They didn’t have a great plan! And they didn’t really expect to find him. The just wanted to drink and fanboy together.

I also love that the guys end up calling two of them Guy 1 and Guy 2. That whole through line with the joke was so good. Were there names really Guy?

That was Suzanne’s joke from the beginning! I was skeptical that the joke wouldn’t work. But it did! Always trust your writer.

The character of Matt. What is his deal? He seemed like a huge red herring for a bit of the film. It was to the point where I thought somehow he was going to be Russell's son. But I just can't stop thinking there's more to him going on than we see. Was he just some average bro?

Ha! I did hope that the audience would suspect Matt or John of being the killer. They are an intentional red herring. But, in the end, they are just bros.

There was also a moment or two that I thought maybe Dana would somehow turn out to be Russell's daughter. Especially after Dana's mom is reintroduced towards the end of the film with her interaction with Russell's mom at first.

Interesting! Nope. Russ is definitely not the Dad.

How was it getting to have a Battle of the Moms in a way? 

Super fun. Jennifer and Schelaine are both amazing actors. Smart, committed, nuanced. Working with them was a total blast.

Who is Dana's father? 

A man that Trish met several years after Russ killed her friends. Dana’s dad was in one of the earlier drafts of the script but we later cut him out. Decided that Trish was now a single mom.

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Thank you everyone for checking this out. This has been a great experience getting to chat about the new Slumber Party Massacre. This was my first big film that I had the chance of officially covering. Never thought I'd get the chance to do so and am super grateful for. Check out BlazinBlue's Horror Review on Facebook and Twitter. 

Coming up we are going to be closing out 31 on 31 for Halloween series. Who is excited for that? We also have some great stuff coming up as well. So stay tuned and come on back.

31 on 31 for Halloween Day 28: Cabin in the Woods

Hello everyone. Welcome to Day 28 of our celebration of Halloween. Whose ready for Halloween next week? Everyone have their Silver Shamrock masks so they can tune in during the spooky hour? 

Tell me if you've heard this one before. A group of friends go to a cabin in the woods. Once there, shenanigans begin to ensue. It all leads to a discovery that unleashes a deadly force. Now, they must band together to survive. That sounds like Evil Dead.

Wait...it's not Evil Dead? Oh man. There's an underground installation located underneath the Cabin? Really? Huh. 

Welcome to my thoughts on Cabin in the Woods from Drew Goddard.

So, Cabin in the Woods like I mentioned earlier is about 5 college friends going out to a cabin in the woods. That was the by and large the main selling point of the trailer. However, there is so much going on this film. It is a massive love letter to the horror genre. It completely smashed apart my preconceived notions of what to expect from it. 

The beauty of Cabin in the Woods is how meta it is. It is a world where nothing happens by chance. Underneath the cabin, there is a group of military/private sector scientists that are manipulating the events befalling the college friends. It is just one of many different attempts at completing a ritual to appease some  of the Old Gods. 

While the college friends story is a typical aspect that we normally see in these movies, it's the military/private sector corporation story that is definitely my favorite. Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford are the biggest highlights as they are our lead scientists. They definitely don't take things seriously and it's not their first rodeo. It's the little things that they had to find to make this enjoyable for them. One of these little things is a betting pool of what exactly the college kids are going to be unleashing. And these aren't shallow characters - I mean look at Bradley Whitford's character's dream, he just wants to see a merman. 

Thinking back on this film now, it's very clear that the military/private sector scientists are representing the filmmakers. They are trying to craft a story that will appease the 'Old Gods', but in this story - the audiences are the Old Gods. Honestly, it's something that I never really thought to much about before. 

I think one of the things that makes Cabin in the Woods so special is the many many many layers the film has. Each rewatch is just another way of noticing something new. Whether it being noticing a new entry on the giant whiteboard or noticing a new monster that's hidden in the underground complex below. There is just so much going on. It never makes the film a dull watch. Plus, what other film are we going to see a stoner come out on top in the end? Or the stoner sterotype bashing zombies...sorry backwoods zombies with a collapsible bong? 

Going back to the college kids, each one of them represents an archetype within the genre. Stoner (Franz Kranz), Jock (Chris Hemsworth), Ditz (Anna Hutchison), The Brain (Jesse Williams) and The Final Girl (Kristen Connolly). Yeah, each of them has a character name. However, I don't recall them. I think one of them is Dana. Each of them deliver such a fantastic performance that is just interesting to watch. And it's not just the ones that I mention - literally every actor or actress in this film does something interesting with what they are given.  What's really interesting is that this was Chris Hemsworth first performance as it was filmed before Thor. Jesse Williams also would go on to become something of a bigger name on the show Grey's Anatomy - I believe. It's kinda cool to see where they would end up. 

The basement where the kids find the backwoods zombie diary is also littered with so many fun different nods to horror. It literally feels like each element could have turned it into a different movie. Which when the film was released, a lot of people were hoping for a sequel. It's easy to see why because there are limitless possibilities for it. However, the film is so much better as a one-off because the meta angle can only be done once. And that's what makes this film so special is the journey of it. 

Everything in this film - each of the elements work so beautifully together to craft a film that is so much fun to watch during the spooky season. 

Rating: 5 out of 5. 

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Terror Chart: The First 95 (Part III)

Hello everyone, welcome to the final entry in the Terror Chart series. If you missed it - here's Part I (95-60) and Part II (59-26). Now let's finish out with the top 25.

25 - Jakob's Wife

This is a film that I had a bit of a wait for. When it was released on dvd, everywhere around me seemed like they were sold out of it. It stayed that way for awhile. Till it finally was available on Shudder to watch. This is a film that is really outstanding. It is definitely a different kind of vampire movie. The fun part was seeing such an amazing performance from Barbara Crampton. She just owns it as her character begins the film in her husband's shadow and comes into her own. Honestly, the fact that it's a vampire film is just icing on the cake. 

24 - A Quiet Place

John Krasinski really hit out of the park with this film. It is very much a lightning in a bottle situation. That was a bit evident with the sequel. Both films work together beautifully. However, this is the one that could stand on its own if it needed to. Every actor and actress deliver such strong performances. There were a few times where the feels are felt so strongly. As a father, the biggest point is Krasinski's final monologue. It just hits me right in the feels so so much. It is a beautiful family film. And that's everything outside of the fact that there are creatures/aliens in it.  

23 - Jason Rising

While this fan film begins as a typical Friday the 13th fan fare, it is far from it. I mean the best aspect of this is that it differentiates itself from Womp Stomp's Never Hike series. It feels like a solid addition to the franchise as it continues off the The Final Chapter branch of the timeline. Plus, it brings back Pamela Voorhees into things as well as sticking the landing with two amazing cameos. It really has me hoping for a sequel. 

22 - Spiral: From the Book of Saw

Spiral is a solid evolution of the Saw franchise. It takes a step away and lets John Kramer rest. I won't call him the replacement John Kramer or the copycat. But the killer definitely has a good motive for why he's targeting members of the police force. It also introduced a face for him with the Mr. Snuggly puppet as Billy was to Jigsaw. Chris Rock also delivers a pretty incredible performance. Yeah, there's a small amount of humor. But it never felt forced. I only wish there was a bit more of Samuel L. Jackson. 

21 - Sawyer

If Ghostface was a solid take on how the SCREAM films could evolve, Sawyer does the same for the Texas Chainsaw series. This takes a bit more of a found footage approach as a documentary crew is investigating the legend of Leatherface. This leads them into the depths of hell as they uncover an Old Man Leatherface. The story is fairly simple and acts as a solid sequel to the 1974 classic. The masks that are used in this film are pretty incredible. Another great example of fans keeping a franchise alive in such a fantastic way. 

20 - Purge Anarchy

Here we are with the second entry in The Purge franchise. This blew the doors wide open with the world. No longer are we confined to the suburbs. There are multiple different tales that make up this film, but the fantastic way is the way they manage to converge. It is a bit more action packed than the first. Frank Grillo is a fantastic standout in this film. There's a reason why the fans keep responding and wanting him in this sandbox. In this entry, he's a bit more of an antihero - very much in the vein of The Punisher. 

19 - Purge

This was a fantastic starting point with The Purge. It literally did an incredible job with its world building and establishing the different rules and politics in this new America. The film definitely hits a lot stronger now as more of the topics covered are a lot more relatable now. The brilliant part was that it's small. It's simple story about a family trying to survive after saving a man's life. 

18 - It's Me Billy: A Black Christmas Fan Film

The original Black Christmas is a timeless holiday slasher classic. It's one that many hold in such high regards. For me, I appreciate it for what it is and what it did for the genre. The fantastic aspect of this fan film is that it seamlessly recreates the tension felt throughout that original film. Dave McRae and Bruce Dale crafted a beautiful follow up. The only down side for me is that I wish it was longer.

17 - Puppet Master 3

The puppets are back. This time, they are entering the war times and fighting Nazis. The strongest aspect of this film is Toulon and the explanation of whose essence are in each of the Puppets. 

16 - Fear, Inc.

After signing up for an experience that brings greatest fears to life, a horror fanatic and his friends are in for the night of their lives. This subverted all of my expectations as I found myself caught off guard by the many twists and turns the story took. 

15 - Slumber Party Massacre '21

I would consider this to be a very successful remake. It takes all of the knowledge that have with the original '82 classic and shows that you don't know where it's going to go next. It's a very fun rollercoaster that continuously subverts expectations. This is probably among my favorites of 2021 so far. 

14 - Child's Play 2

This is definitely among my favorite installments in the Child's Play franchise. This gave us the Chucky we know. He doesn't take no crap from anybody. I mean, come on - he beats a teacher with a meter stick. The beginning is also such a strong one as Chucky manages to take out a business guppy. Whenever I think of Chucky, it's this design that is so striking and iconic. I mean look at the new Chucky series - they went back to that original design. 

13 - Halloween Kills

Okay, I love Halloween Kills. It has its ups and downs. But in the overall package, this is a solid entry and continuation of the story in Halloween '18. Actually the best comparison is that this is to Halloween '18 what Halloween II ('81) was to the original. It's all one large story. The bits of carry overs from Halloween '18 is also pretty cool. Plus the fact that we see Dr. Loomis again is awesome. And yeah, by the end of this film it delivered on answering if it was the boogeyman. Because in fact, it was.

12 - Candyman '92

Candyman '92 has a great story to it. We are able to follow Helen as she delves into the depths of literal madness because she said his name. Treat something like a joke and don't be surprised if it turns out to be true. This also laid the great groundwork that would be followed upon later. It also solidified Tony Todd as a horror icon. 

11 - Hell House LLC.

When people ask for spooky season recommendations, this is one that I recommend. It is a great use of the found footage aspect as it chronicles the behind the scenes of a Halloween Haunt company. The only downside is that they chose to base their business out of the Abaddon Hotel. It is a bit of a slow burn but it drips in the spooky season atmosphere. The use of practical effects is pretty nice to see. After this film, I will not look at a clown mannequin the same way again. 

10 - Never Hike In The Snow

This was a fantastic prequel to Never Hike Alone. It sets up more of the world in the Never Hike series. Whenever I watch, I always double feature them now. 

09 - Fear Street: 1978

The Camp Massacre. This was hinted at in Fear Street: 1994. It's very much in the vein of a Friday the 13th film. The only downside is the twist of which sister survives isn't much of a mystery. Neither is the mystery of who exactly is behind the camp massacre. Both of these things are answered really early on. Honestly, I would say the film has a secret twist that when its revealed in Fear Street: 1666 causes one to rethink the events of this film. It's a bit by the book though. 

08 - Underwater

This one was a huge surprise for me. I know it has Kristen Stewart in it. However, this is a terrific performance by her. It is a bit Alien under the sea. But the cool thing is that I never expected to be floored by the film. The creature design is really top notch. It reignited my love for film as I delved into the special features of how it was made. And it's a film that I cannot recommend enough. The only sad thing about the film is when it was released. It should have been a bigger hit than it was. I think with time it will find the audience it deserves. I can only hope that we get a sequel as the ending blows the world wide open. 

07 - Blood Fest

This is a fun film. It knows that it's ridiculous but its over the top nature is what makes it so damn fun. The cast is also so good. I mean what other film could you see a circus of clowns. Its very much in the vein of Cabin in the Woods a little bit. But honestly, I will say that for me this tops it. 

06 - Fear Street: 1994

This just hit me with so much nostalgia. 90s. Check. Slashers. Check. Solid characters. Yeah, to some, they may feel a little shallow. But check. Rewatchability. Check. This had a lot to do with setting up the world of Fear Street. It delivers in its premise in spades. By the time the film was over, I was all in on this series. I was ready for the next two installments. 

05 - Never Hike Alone

Womp Stomp broke new ground for fan films with this film. They showed people that fans can deliver films that could be just as good as the studio films. For me, this is canon with the franchise. They were able to deliver a Friday film that delves into the found footage genre before switching gears into the traditional Friday formula. The idea of a content creator discovering Crystal Lake and finding Jason is awesome. And this take on Jason is so good. It's very unique and distinct. This Jason is more of a force than anything else. 

04 - Candyman '21

I really like the original Candyman. However, this film amped everything up to 11. It's very modern in its sensibilities. I found myself very much liking Anthony as a character. It wasn't much of a surprise about who Anthony is. Marketing kind of killed that one. But its a solid connection to the original. The legend and legacy of Candyman was very powerful. Especially with the shadow puppets during the end credits. Honestly by the time the third act hit, I found myself just so invested in the film and heartbroken with it. Nia DaCosta delivered an amazing film.

03 - Halloween '78

A quintessential cult classic. What else can be said for John Carpenter's masterpiece? It's easy to see why the film hits and continues to hit with audiences. It's a staple of every Halloween season.  

02 - Evil Dead '81

Another genre classic. This is one that I revisited time and time again. Sam Raimi crafted a simple film that just hits all the right gears. Its creepy and tense. What is there not to love about it? 

01 - Mayhem

Okay, so you haven't seen Joe Lynch's Mayhem yet? Well, get on it. This film is such a rollercoaster of bombastic awesomeness. It's loud and proud. It never takes itself seriously. This is a film where people can do everything and anything they wish. Their base instincts just unleashed to the fullest potential. Sky's the limit. Steve Yuen and Samara just rock it in this film. This film has a lot of replay value - each time I watched it, I've noticed something different each time. The background is littered with so many layers of performances from all of the actors getting to just do whatever they feel like doing. 

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31 on 31 for Halloween Day 27: Behind the Mask The Rise of Leslie Vernon

 

Welcome to Day 27 of our 31 on 31 for Halloween celebration. It's crazy how fast things are going. We are very much almost at the finish line. Looking back now, I honestly did not think I would make it through this series. It was definitely a lot to take on. But it's been very interesting getting to highlight some films that maybe you haven't seen yet while checking out new ones. Yeah, there's been one or two that I watched in thought of including it in the celebration. However because of one thing or another, it just didn't fit. 

However, today's film is one that is an interesting addition to this celebration. In 2006, Anchor Bay released a new horror comedy from Scott Glosserman. At the time, it was something that people hoped it would one day be a cult classic. Through the years, I can safely say that people remember the story that happened in the town of Glen Echo. This was a breath of fresh air. It definitely broke new ground as it felt like a hybrid film. One part of it was the slasher genre that we all love, but there was a part of found footage to it. That film gave way to a new villain in the horror genre. Say hello to Leslie Vernon. 

Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon was a small film. It was one that grew through word of mouth. The title character itself, Leslie Vernon, was something vastly different. It was a new approach to the horror genre. It paid its homage and felt like a love letter. But at the same time, it felt like a much needed deconstruction of the genre as well. 

The world presented in this film was something that was new. It was a world where the slashers of the 70s and 80s existed. We even get to see familiar locations from those films. Who has been taking care of the Elm Street house? Well, it's none other than Kane Hodder himself. That was a super cool cameo. Getting to see the different locations is so cool cause it establishes this world in such a unique way. And no, it's not just Elm Street. We see Haddonfield and Crystal Lake as well. 

One of the coolest fan theories about this film is the character of Eugene played by Scott Wilson. During the film, it's established that Eugene was a slasher and that his wife was one of his former victims. This is a really cool parallel to Leslie's story. Now, fans being fans. This theory goes that Eugene was Billy from the original Black Christmas and that his wife was the final girl. How cool a thought is that. It makes a lot of sense. So much that this became my personal headcanon for it. 

This film isn't afraid to have fun. Throughout the first two acts of the film, we go on a complete journey with Leslie as he literally breaks down all the typical horror tropes. Oh, that door surprisingly shuts behind the girl so that then she catches a glimpse of the killer? It's as easy as being because of a string tied to a brick. Oh, the killer seemingly teleports from one place to another? He may have brushed up on his parkour. It's a lot of fun seeing all the work that can go into being a slasher. 

Nathan Baesel steals the show as Leslie. He literally is a complete goof at times and that helps make him a bit likeable. However, at the drop of a hat, he is able to just turn on the darkness within. It's also intriguing to see just how well thought his plans are. Angela Goethals is another standout in the acting as Taylor. This here is a woman that is trying to make a quick documentary. She is likeable. However, as the film goes on, we begin to see just how much of a good person she is. She's not afraid to turn back and try to help others. Scott Wilson, Robert Englund, and Zelda Rubenstein also deliver solid performances. Again, look at the paragraph above about Scott Wilson. He's such a good actor that is here to have fun. Robert Englund gets to have fun with not playing a slasher, but getting to basically be the Loomis to Leslie's Michael. And then Zelda just shows how awesome she is with her performance as the librarian. She still displayed the power that she had in the original Poltergeist. She was able to bring such a gravitas to things that make you believe what she is saying. 

The whole third act of the film was something that I didn't see coming when I originally watched it. It is a showcase of why we love horror films. And that's a strength to this whole film. I won't go into any more details. This film is one that if you love horror films, you need to check out. 

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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Terror Chart: The First 95 (Part II)

Welcome back to Terror Chart. In the previous installment, I shared my rankings of films 95 through 60. It has been interesting experience and experiment with this series so far. Some have mentioned that there were some heavy hitters that went out already. What's going to be in the next installment? Check it out below.

59 - Purge Election Year

At this point, I still haven't seen The Forever Purge. For my chronology viewing order, this was the last installment. It brought back Frank Grillo as his character from Anarchy. Honestly, I still don't remember what his character's name is. I just call him The Punisher. 

This was another interesting installment. However the politics is at the forefront of the story. There is so much politics in this, it's hard to keep up. But Frank does what he does best. We also see the guy that the family saved in the original film. Gotta love that continuity. 

58 - The Littlest Reich

When I first watched this film, I was appalled by it. It felt a little like a slap in the face to fans of the franchise. However, I have spent time with it and appreciate it more. 

This is a film that is a bit dark. I mean come on, that's what happens when you have a film with killer Nazi puppets. But Thomas Lennon and the rest of the main cast do a great job. It still has me wishing for a sequel.

Something that I have noticed is that it feels a little like a mashup of elements from the older films. It works well for the most part. I mean besides the reanimated zombie Toulon monster at the end. 

57 - Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask

This was a staple for spooky season when I was growing up. I still remember when it premiered. 

When I rewatched it with my son, I was surprised at how well it still holds up. I have a feeling this hit for him like it did for me when I was his age. 

56 - Farewell to the Flesh

This sequel to Candyman delivers a solid story. It transformed Candyman into more of anthology in a way. This film fleshed out the back story in a very New Orleans way. Actually think this was the first usage of Daniel Robitaille's name. The kills are a bit simple and formulaic. But definitely a step up over the third installment. 

55 - The Curse of La Llorona

It's weird that this feels like an installment to the Conjuringverse yet the studio and director say no. Still calling it a part of it. 

Anyway this is a pretty creepy film. There was a few spooky moments. It holds no bars with La Llorona's attack on children. It's done a bit tastefully. The most iconic moment is a little girl seeing La Llorona's reflection in an Umbrella then she disappears when it's lowered. It's so simple yet so good.

54 - Leprechaun Returns

This is one of the best entries in the Leprechaun franchise. It delivers on continuing the story of the original film with Tori's daughter and the Leprechaun. Plus we got to see Ozzie again. Also Linden Porco kills it as the Leprechaun - it feels very much in the vein of Warwick Davis' Leprechaun. 

53 - Bride of Chucky

This installment felt like Chucky being mashed up with the Universal Monsters. It set the franchise on a whole new track with the introduction of Tiffany. Plus John Ritter playing a creepy overprotective Uncle that's trying to be overbearing of his niece's life. It was electrifying.

52 - Venom

After many years of reading the comics, I was pleased with Venom. It wasn't the same as the Spider-Man movies released by Sony. It had some weird and creepy elements. But Tom Hardy just owns it as Eddie Brock.

51 - A Quiet Place Part II

The world was blown wide open in this sequel. It took the family on an adventure. However, they end up on separate ways as the daughter wishes to fulfill her dad's wishes. She is able to give humanity a better chance against the mon....no wait it's established their aliens. Plus, she also helps a family friend regain his humanity. 

50 - The First Purge

Title says it all. The Purge is unleashed on an island full of the underprivileged and poverty stricken. They would do whatever it takes to last till morning to earn the money they were promised. This had a cool idea with those participating using colored lenses. It helped make things very distinct and something wished was featured in later installments.

49 - Jason X

Jason in Space. It's a fun rollercoaster of a ride. It never takes itself too seriously. It takes the concept of space and blows it wide open unlike Leprechaun in Space. This was a fine last entry for Kane Hodder as Jason. 

48 - The Guest

Terminator meets Halloween. Brilliant mashup of genres as David infiltrates a unsuspecting family that's grieving over the loss of their son.

47 - Halloween Inferno

This is a fantastic fan film that expanded the world of Halloween '18. It honestly gave a very good idea of what Halloween Kills could be. Had some pretty interesting kills in it as well.

46 - Rob Zombie's Halloween

Here is the first part of the Rob Zombie duology of Halloween films. He was given a mighty large task of crafting something that we hadn't seen yet with a flair of the known. With this installment, the first half of the film is very much a Rob Zombie film. It definitely doesn't feel all that different than say House of 1000 Corpses especially with the interactions between the Myers family. Loomis is a bit of a different take with Malcolm McDowell delivering an good performance. The 70s Loomis was one that actually wanted to help Michael. He seems very optimistic. By the time it's present day, Loomis has changed drastically as the system has just beaten him down. It doesn't help that Michael completely shut him out by that point as well. There are many things one could discuss when diving into these films that allows for repeat views. In the second half, it's very much a more streamlined version of the familiar John Carpenter story. It all culminates in a chase between Michael and Laurie that brings the Myers house down in a way. 

45 - Jason Goes to Hell

This is one of my favorite installments of the Friday franchise. It was New Line's first attempt at crafting a Friday film. The biggest strength is the layers of mythology that is introduced into this film. The biggest example is setting up that Jason is a deadite - it makes so much sense that Pamela Voorhees would search out the Necronomicon to bring her son back. The film also doesn't hold back and Adam Marcus was allowed to tell the story he wanted to tell. It's something that is a bit of a rare thing nowadays. 

44 - Digging Up The Marrow

Adam Green delivered a fantastic found footage film. It's small indie feel allows it to feel a bit grounded in such a unique way. It helps it feel more relatable as well. It's definitely a love letter to the Monster genre. It doesn't overstay its welcome either. This is one that is a lot of fun to revisit from time to time. 

43 - Weird Fiction

This was the first indie horror film that started this blog. It was released at a time that anthology horror hadn't resurged just yet. It was very much a breath of fresh air. It definitely feels out of the same vein as the original Creepshow. The best thing about it is what they were able to do with such a small budget. This was 100% a guerilla filmmaking where a couple of guys were like Let's go make a movie with some friends. 

42 - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

While Halloween '78 was very much set on Halloween, it is this installment that cements the feel of the spooky season. It just completely oozes it and definitely is thanks to the opening titles of the film. It brilliantly sets up the spooky season with all of the imagery presented. This definitely feels like a solid sequel to Halloween '78 as compared to Halloween II ('81). Michael is a force that will not stop till he is able to find his niece. How does he know that? Who knows but it's interesting to watch. 

41 - The Empty Man

The Empty Man. This film was such a surprise. It still is when I think back on it. It felt like it was going to be one thing. Ultimately, it resulted in just so much cult and that final twist. I have not seen many films like it. 

40 - It Follows

What's that creeping behind in your peripheral? It. This is one that just astounding. It is such a simple premise. Something is following you. Something is slowly following you. You have the time to think about what you may do. You have the time to think about what it will do. It will do whatever it takes to get to you. It results in many creepy scenes. The most striking visual being the Tall Man lumbering his way through the door after our main character. 

39 - Child's Play 3

How can we top Child's Play 2? Hmm...we gotta do something different. We got to do something that no one will expect. We can't have Andy with a foster family. That'd be repeating things. Hmmm...how about Chucky goes to military school? Sorry that's just how I imagine it was when it was time to write the script. It tried to subvert expectations a little bit by having Andy as a supporting character. But for the most part, it feels like Chucky vs. Andy for the third time. However, it's not a bad thing as this is the film that gave us Pizza Faced Chucky. That image is just so creepy, weird and cool. 

38 - Puppet Master 4

This brought Toulon's puppets to a more modern time after a trip fighting nazis. This was the first time that they expanded the mythology by introducing the demon Sutek and his minions. This resulted in the puppets becoming more good guys as they worked to protect Rick and his friends from the evil forces that were invading this realm. This is the installment that I tend to go back and revisit the most as it just is interesting seeing the puppets be good guys. 

37 - Friday the 13th (2009)

Jason's Greatest Hits. This film is a love letter to the franchise. It manages to take the first four installments and mash their stories into a modern story. It also presents Jason as more of a human hunter in a grounded take. Yeah, some people were upset because Jason used tunnels to get around the camp. But come on, what other way can you explain that? The only down part of the film is that because of Jared Padalecki - it feels a little like a Supernatural film. We also were introduced to the world's greatest thunderdouche with Trent. It's a fun popcorn film but don't expect anything with more depth to it. 

36 - You're Next

Home Invasion invades a family gathering. That's one way to approach this film. It is a movie ultimately about family. Especially after the first viewing. But initially it feels very much in the vein of The Strangers. One of the best parts is when the film flips the script and shows that the heroine can take on the killers. It's ending is one that is largely dark when many other films may have had a bit more of a happy ending. 

35 - Wrong Turn '21

People were expecting more the favorite inbred hillbillies from the first set of Wrong Turn films. Instead, they were given something different. Some would say it's a bit of a Midsommar-lite. I still haven't seen that yet. But this film kept me invested in seeing where the story was going to go next. It was a bold approach to present no one person as good or bad. This is a film with a lot of grey. There are no monsters outside of humanity itself. We are the monsters. I appreciate the more grounded approach and take for this franchise. I would gladly welcome a sequel. 

34 - My Bloody Valentine '09

Jensen Ackles just rocks this film. Whenever I think back this film, it's his performance that I always remember. It's different than his performances as Dean Winchester. There is a bit of darkness to him. It was also really cool to literally showcase a retelling of the original film in its opening moments. It gives us so much more time with these characters to see how things progressed after. It was very refreshing when most remakes by that point would just retell the original. Plus, this delivered one hell of a 3D presentation. 

33 - Rob Zombie's Halloween II

With the initial story out of the way, this is Rob Zombie unburdened. He was able to craft such a unique story. It's a deep look into the Halloween mythos. Plus it's interesting to see how the events and trauma effected the survivors from the first film. Michael is a force of nature in this film. Yeah, he's rocking a bit of a hobo look in the film. But it's a very unique take. It's Rob's take and pretty cool to see what he did with it. 

32 - Child's Play '19

This was very much a modern update to the Child's Play story. Andy and his mom are more fleshed out characters. Andy's no longer a 6 year, but an actual teenager. That's something that was pretty cool to see. It also presented a more natural way with Detective Mike being included into the story. Honestly, this was the best way to do a Child's Play film without having the voodoo element or the Charles Lee Ray element. 

31 - Halloween '18

After Rob Zombie's take, this felt like a more classic approach. It's what fans were asking for. It does present Laurie Strode in a different light than the way she was in Halloween: H20. This Laurie is one that spent years preparing for Michael's return. Honestly, I think it was out of fear. Especially given that in the forty years since the original she had a daughter. Laurie was 1000% determined to make sure she was not caught off guard. Ultimately, it felt like a return to the world of '78 Halloween just years later. But some points it feels a little aimless. Though, Michael is presented as a beast in it as well. 

30 - Fear Street: 1666

The concluding part of the Fear Street had a lot to handle. There was a lot of story left. It ultimately did a decent job of handling all the loose ends. The 1666 section of the story is pretty interesting as we are given time to know Sarah Fier and the world she lived in. It definitely changes the way the first two installments hit. The second half of the film was a complete smash to the face when I originally watched it - especially as it completes the story in a solid fashion.

29 - Malignant

This film caught me off guard. Those trailers presented it very much as in the vein of the Conjuring films. Not sure if that was a good thing or not. Probably a good thing because it is so different. It is a complete breath of fresh air and one hell of a rollercoaster of a film. Gabriel is a super unique character in the Horror genre. Time will tell whether it gets a second installment or not. 

28 - Leprechaun

Honestly, there's not much to say about Leprechaun. It's a fun film. Warwick Davis steals the show and delivers a hell of a performance. It's easy to see why there were further installments in the series. 

27 - Crawl or Die

This indie film is so good. Again, solid indie filmmaking is on display here. The cast delivers solid performances. It's nice that the alien/creature isn't on full display all the time. It allows the viewers to fill in the blanks. The biggest standout for this film was the claustrophobic feeling that is this film. No other film has managed to capture that feeling for me. 

26 - Ghostface

This was Brandon Tobatto's first fan film that I had seen. It managed to capture the spirit of the Scream films in such a unique way. Its tone is really solid. It had a lot to do with its story. But it was able to do with a bit of ease. One of the strongest points is presenting a new take on Ghostface. The mask was older and had a more decay look to it. Ghostface, itself, was meaner. At the time when this was released, SCREAM (2022) was just a fan's wish. So this did a solid job of presenting what a next chapter could look like. 

Thank you for checking out this installment of Terror Chart. Stay tuned for the final installment where we rank the final 25 films. 

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31 on 31 for Halloween Day 26: The Monster Squad

Welcome back to 31 on 31 for Halloween! How has things been going? I know we have been having lot of things just kicking off this year. It's official that we, as horror fans, are spoiled this year. There is just so much good horror content coming. And we are not even at the end of the month yet. 

So to continue our countdown with Day 26 - The Monster Squad. 

This is an amazing film. It is one that was ahead of its time. But it is a unique entry to the horror genre. It's one that lets its freak flag fly. Its one that pays so much love, attention and homage to the Universal Monsters. 

By this point in time, the Universal Monsters were something that was super special. Don't get me wrong - they still are. It just seems that with time, they have lost their importance in the general public's mind. There used to be times where during the AMC Fear Fests and other Halloween movie marathons would take the time to showcase the Universal Monsters. These days it's about the Slashers. For today's generation and the public mind, Freddy, Jason, Michael, and the others have filled that place in the pantheon of horror. 

Now, the Universal Monsters have seen better days. They have had some missteps when trying to become relevant to modern times. But honestly, it was by studios attempting to follow the modern trend. Everything needed to be connected or have some massive attempt at recreating the Marvel Cinematic Universe's success. That's what happened with the now infamous Dark Universe that was first going to be started with Dracula Untold and then Tom Cruise's The Mummy. It probably didn't help that the third Mummy movie was a massive disappointment to many that loved the previous two entries in the Brendan Fraser series. But there is hope. Blumhouse is taking the steps to help and succeeded with 2020's The Invisible Man. 

The Monster Squad presents the Universal Monsters in a pretty iconic versions of themselves. For me, this was my first introduction to them. Yeah, they may have some differences to the versions seen in the original Monsters films. However, Dracula is practically taken from that original incarnation and plugged in. The Mummy is another that relatively plugged in with minor updates. The Wolfman updates from the Lon Chaney original into something more akin to American Werewolf In London. That's not a bad thing as this incarnation is pretty dang sleek. It even delivers on a few pretty cool wolf transformations. The Creature...sorry, The Gill Man is fantastically updated. It's just a cool take that adds some layers to the original creature design. I mean look at his back, he has some interesting quills that I hadn't noticed till the film was released on DVD. And then there's Frankenstein. He is really iconic in this incarnation even. He has such a childlike wonder and innocence from the original take. But he has a lot more personality now, it's to the point where we care about what happens to him. We go on a journey with him as he gets to learn more of the world and even some words. Plus the bolts that are usually seen on the neck have been moved to the upper cranium area. It's just such a subtle difference, but once notice it makes a lot of sense. 

I know, I have a lot of love for the Universal Monsters. It was right around when that Van Helsing movie was released. Yeah, you know the one. My Dad and I collected the various Universal Monsters collections that were being released. So then I spent my time watching Lugosi, Karloff, Lon Chaney amongst many others. It was a fantastic time. Something that I cannot wait to some day share with my son. He's not old enough yet as anything black and white kinda makes him feel like it's going to be a boring movie. Heck, recently he was able to watch the tv version of Halloween '78. I asked him if he originally thought he was going to be bored with it. He admitted he thought it would be boring, but he loved it. Again, those 70s-80s slashers have joined the pantheon of Horror in that same sense of where the Monsters resided. 

Now, The Monster Squad was made by Fred Dekker. It is a genre mashup to the best extent. It's like how they made Abbott and Costello meet the various Universal Monsters. Except this time around, it's been updated so that we have a group akin to The Goonies meeting the Monsters. When it was originally released, it had a hard time finding its audience. Thankfully with time, it has become a huge cult classic. 

All of the cast delivers so many fantastic performances. Andre Gower, Brent Chalem, Robby Kiger, and Ryan Lambert deliver such good performances as the main members of The Monster Squad - Sean, Horace, Patrick and Rudy. They help ground the film so much. I strongly believe if it wasn't for them the film could be seen as a massive parody instead of a heartfelt love letter to the Universal Monsters. Of course, we also can't forget Ashley Banks as Phoebe. She is such an integral character that helps befriend Tom Noonan's Frankenstein. They are so lovable in their genuine friendship. And plus it was also very cool that she gets to call her brother and his friends out on being chicken shits. 

Each of the different actors portraying the Monsters had a massive job to do. It is such a massive undertaking to deliver a performance that may pay homage to the original but make it your own. And each one of them do it so wonderfully. Those actors are Duncan Regehr (Dracula), Carl Thibault/Jon Gries (Wolfman), Tom Noonan (Frankenstein) and Tom Woodruff Jr. (The Gill Man). 

The story is also pretty simple. Dracula and the monsters are trying to get an amulet that will unleash a darkness upon the world. Sean and the Monster Squad have to step up and stop them before its too late. As that was what happened to Van Helsing in a wonderful opening. 

This film is just so good. It's a fantastic film to watch with family. I shared this one with my son. He loved it so much. It has literally become his go-to horror movie for this Halloween season. I am super happy to see that. It's literally helped him see a more classic take on the Monsters outside of the more family friendly take presented in Hotel Transylvania series. 

Overall, this film is a classic. There's no beating it. It's such a unique film that it would be so incredibly difficult to remake. Or even pay respects by rebooting in a Halloween 2018 way. Well, maybe in the Ghostbusters Afterlife way. 

Rating: 5 out of 5. 

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