The Curse of Frankenstein is one of two films, the other being Horror of Dracula, that cemented Hammer Films horror reputation. Horror of Dracula might be the more iconic of the two films. When people think of Hammer they think of Christopher Lee prowling the frame and look imposing. They they think of him in... Continue Reading →
Hooptober 2022 #27: Seed of Chucky (2004)
About a third of the way through Seed of Chucky, Glen (occasionally Glenda) sees their parents, murderous dolls Chucky and Tiffany, brutally murder someone. Later that night, they asks their parents why do they kill. The two dolls look at each other flabbergasted. It’s framed as the awkward question a parent isn’t ready to explain... Continue Reading →
Hooptober 9.0 – Deadstream (2022)
Being Film #28 for Hooptober 2022 I'm as shocked as you are that I am reviewing Deadstream. Found footage is not my thing, and yet here we are, not only reviewing a found footage film but sheepishly admitting it worked like gangbusters on me. All credit to Joseph Winter, who along with his wife Vanessa... Continue Reading →
Hooptober 9.0 – Dark Glasses (2022)
Being Film #27 for Hooptober 2022 There are a lot of folks saying that Dark Glasses, the first film from Dario Argento in a decade and his return to giallo in even longer is a return to form. Certainly it's his best film in over 20 years, but if you look at those film (and... Continue Reading →
Hooptober 2022 #26: The Bride (1985)
Something that rarely works is the “prestige” horror film. Before elevated horror was a thing, studios occasionally tried to legitimize horror films by casting with A-list stars instead of genre stalwarts, getting well known directors, and making the films variations on classic stories. The idea being they would make the “good” horror film. These films... Continue Reading →
Hooptober 9.0 – Troll 2 (1990)
Being Film #26 for Hooptober 2022 I don't know if Troll 2 is the absolutely worst horror sequel from the 90s per the Hooptober guidelines, not do I know if the documentary about the film is correct in labeling it the "Best Worst Movie". What I do know is the film has gained enough notoriety... Continue Reading →
Hooptober 2022 #25: The Unknown (1927)
One of the toughest criteria for Hooptober this year was the Lon Chaney requirement. I originally read it thinking his son and planned to watch Spider Baby again until a friend pointed out my mistake. When I started looking for a replacement and one that was Phantom of the Opera, that proved difficult since 102... Continue Reading →
Hooptober 2022 #24: Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)
A friend and I earlier this year lamented that Yoshiaki Kawajiri hadn’t directed a movie since a 2006 animated Highlander movie. If Japanese animation, or anime, hooked you in the 90s, that disappointment is palpable. Kawajiri’s work on the surface displays every cliche about anime from the 90s. His work tends to be both ultra... Continue Reading →
Hooptober 9.0 – Mimic (1997)
Being Film #25 for Hooptober 2022 In the annals of studio meddling few stories break my nerd heart more than reading about how much grief and outright bullying Miramax and the Weinsteins laid down upon Guillermo del Toro and Mimic, his first foray into the Hollywood system. 14 years after the film's release some semblance... Continue Reading →
Hooptober 9.0 – Firestarter (2022)
Being Film #24 for Hooptober 2022 I came into the latest remake of Firestarter with little in the way of expectation; I left with those little expectations satisfied, but not in the way I thought. The biggest sin of Firestarter is that it feels so small and uninspired, like it's just there to get you... Continue Reading →
