Category: Horror
“Arcadian” (2024) starring Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell & Maxwell Jenkins / Z-View
Arcadian (2024)
Director: Benjamin Brewer
Screenplay: Michael Nilon
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins, Sadie Soverall and Samantha Coughlan.
Tagline: The next sunset might be their last
The Plot…
Fifteen years ago the world as we know it ended. Now the few who survived live in fortified houses away from cities. Paul (Cage) and his twin sixteen year old sons, Joseph and Thomas, live in a remote farmhouse. They scavenge during the day, but make sure they are behind locked doors and windows before nightfall. It’s not safe to be outside when the nocturnal killing creatures begin to hunt.
One day when Thomas doesn’t make it home before dark, Paul makes sure Joseph is safely locked in. Paul then heads out to find Thomas before the monsters do.
This will not end well.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I like the originality of the monsters. When their jaws start clacking it’s dinner time!
Arcadian (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Shadow of the Wolf” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
“Shadow of the Wolf” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Deal me in.
Shadow of the Wolf – Watch the trailer now!
On Demand and On Digital March 25. Starring Raniero Monaco Di Lapio, Marianna Di Martino, Elisabetta De Vito, Fabrizio Vona, Simone Riccioni, Ettore Belmondo, Massimiliano Vado, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, and Christopher Lambert.
Christopher Lambert and Maria Grazia Cucinotta star in a chilling tale of horror. When Nico returns from overseas to say farewell to his ailing mother, he discovers something monstrous is happening in the small town he once called home. As the list of grizzly murder victims begins to grow and the authorities fear the killer is a beast unlike anything they have ever seen, Nico senses a savage transformation within himself and uncovers the terrifying secret his family could never reveal.
“Nosferatu” Alt Poster by TheBoysInTheLab!
This Nosferatu alt poster by TheBoysInTheLab is fire!
“Brotherhood of the Wolf” (2001) starring Samuel Le Bihan & Mark Dacascos / Z-View
Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
Director: Christophe Gans
Screenplay: Christophe Gans, Stéphane Cabel
Stars: Samuel Le Bihan, Mark Dacascos, Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci.
Tagline: The year is 1766… The hunt for a killer has begun
The Plot…
The year is 1764. A beast, some call it a monster, is killing the people of Gévaudan. Grégoire de Fronsac (Le Bihan) and his Iroquois friend Mani (Dacascos) are sent to find and kill the creature.
They have no idea what awaits them.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Brotherhood of the Wolf has a toe in history. There really was a Beast of Gévaudan. It was described as a wolf-like creature. (It was probably a wolf or wolves.) During the years 1764 to 1767, the beast was blamed for as many as 100 killings.
I saw Brotherhood of the Wolf when it was first released in 2001. I liked it better then (4 of 5 stars). I downgraded it now partly due to the creature effects and the fact that everyone knows martial arts in 1764 France. Mark Dacascos as Mani, is still my favorite part of the movie.
Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Hitler’s Executioners” aka “The Nuremberg Trials” (1961) / Z-View
Hitler’s Executioners aka The Nuremberg Trials (1961)
Director: Félix Podmaniczky
Writers: Joe J. Heydecker, Johannes Leeb
Tagline: THE ACTUAL FILM! Written by Hitler Himself in the Blood of His 6 Million Victims! With Scenes Actually Filmed by Hitler! REVEALED AT LAST!
The Plot…
Documentary covering the Nuremberg trials.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Originally released as The Nuremberg Trials in 1958. Rereleased in 1961 as Hitler’s Executioners.
The movie posters look like they are for a 1950s/1960s horror movie. Sadly, the horror is all too real.
Hitler’s Executioners aka The Nuremberg Trials (1961) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“The Devil Rides Out” (1968) starring Christopher Lee / Z-View
The Devil Rides Out (1968)
Director: Terence Fisher
Screenplay: Richard Matheson; based on THE DEVIL RIDES OUT by Dennis Wheatley
Stars: Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Leon Greene.
Tagline: The beauty of woman… the demon of darkness… the unholy union of “The Devil’s Bride”!
The Plot…
Duc de Richleau (Lee) discovers that his friend’s grown son is mixed up with aa devil-worshipping coven. It may be too late to save him, but De Richleau is going to try.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
It was Christopher Lee’s idea to adapt the Wheatley novel. Lee has said it is one of his favorite of the Hammer films.
The Devil Rides Out (1968) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Sinners” directed by Ryan Coogler & starring Michael B. Jordan – The New Poster and New Trailer are Here!
I’m diggin’ the new poster and trailer for Sinners.
Deal me in!
The night belongs to sinners. #SinnersMovie only in theaters April 18.
From Ryan Coogler — director of “Black Panther” and “Creed” — and starring Michael B. Jordan comes a new vision of fear: “Sinners.”
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
“You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home.”
Written and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Coogler, “Sinners” stars Jordan (the “Black Panther” and “Creed” franchises) in a dual role, joined by Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld (“Bumblebee,” “True Grit”), Jack O’Connell (“Ferrari”), Wunmi Mosaku (“Passenger”), Jayme Lawson (“The Woman King”), Omar Miller (“True Lies”), and Delroy Lindo (“Da 5 Bloods”).
The film is produced by Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Ryan Coogler. The executive producers are Ludwig Göransson, Will Greenfield and Rebecca Cho.
Coogler’s behind-the-camera artisans include his “Black Panther” franchise collaborators: director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Oscar-winning production designer Hannah Beachler, editor Michael P. Shawver, Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson, and Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents A Proximity Media Production: “Sinners.” The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theaters only nationwide on April 18, 2025, and internationally beginning on 16 April 2025.
Bernie Wrightson’s Cover for the 1998 World Horror Convention. Now THAT is a Werewolf Attack!
Check out Bernie Wrightson‘s cover for the 1998 World Horror Convention. Now THAT is a werewolf attack!
“The Bad Shepherd” (2024) directed by Geo Santini; starring Christos Kalabogias, Scotty Tovar, Justin Taite, Brett Zimmerman and Geo Santini / Z-View
The Bad Shepherd (2024)
Director: Geo Santini
Screenplay: Ryan David Jahn
Stars: Christos Kalabogias, Scotty Tovar, Justin Taite, Brett Zimmerman, Annie Gonzalez and Geo Santini.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Paul, John, Leonard and Travis — four friends loaded into one truck driving on a remote dirt road for a weekend hunting. The truck accidentally strikes and kills a woman walking alone. When the friends get out to check on the woman’s condition, they find she’s dead.
Not far from the dead woman is a bag full of cash.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Bad Shepherd is a low-budget crime/horror/thriller. I love the twist. The acting was fine — especially Scotty Tovar and Geo Santini. Kudos also to Santini for his direction. After viewing the movie, the title makes me smile.
The Bad Shepherd (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962) directed by Robert Aldrich; starring Bette Davis & Joan Crawford / Z-View
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Director: Robert Aldrich
Screenplay: Lukas Heller; based on WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE by Henry Farrell
Stars: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Wesley Addy, Anne Barton, Marjorie Bennett, Bert Freed, Anna Lee, Maidie Norman, Dave Willock, Russ Conway, Maxine Cooper, Robert Cornthwaite, Michael Fox and Barbara Merrill.
Tagline: Things you should know about this motion picture before buying a ticket: 1) If you’re long-standing fans of Miss Davis and Miss Crawford, we warn you this is quite unlike anything they’ve ever done. 2) You are urged to see it from the beginning. 3) Be prepared for the macabre and the terrifying. 4) We ask your pledge to keep the shocking climax a secret. 5) When the tension begins to build, try to remember it’s just a movie.
The Plot…
1917. Baby Jane Hudson is a national treasure. The child actress/singer is in such demand that vaudeville stages across the nation are sold out for every performance when she’s in town. Baby Jane dolls are all the rage. Unfortunately success has spoiled the little girl. Little Jane realizes that she’s the family money-maker. She has the power to call the shots. That means bossing her father/manager around, ignoring her mother and mistreating her slightly older sister Blanche.
When movies become all the rage, Baby Jane learns that the magic is gone. She’s aged out of being the cute little girl performing on stage. The Jane Hudson that shows up on screen isn’t a very good actress.
But Blanche Hudson is. Audiences love her and studios want her in their pictures. If her parents were still alive Blanche would be the breadwinner. Thankfully Blanche treats Jane better than she was treated when their roles were reversed.
That was decades ago. A terrible accident crippled Blanche and cut short her movie career. Now it’s just Blanche and Jane living in the big old mansion bought with Baby Jane‘s money. Thankfully Blanche’s movie career provided the funds for Blanche and Jane to survive. But those funds are dwindling. Jane’s drinking and mistreatment of Blanche is getting worse.
Wheelchair bound and confined to the upstairs floor, Blanche is getting worried. Baby Jane is planning a comeback… but has a few things she plans to do first.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? was nominated for five Academy Awards winning one…
- 1963 Nominee Best Sound – Joseph D. Kelly (Seven Arts-Warner Bros. Glen Glenn Sound Department)
- 1963 Nominee Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Ernest Haller
- 1963 Nominee Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Victor Buono
- 1963 Nominee Best Actress in a Leading Role – Bette Davis
- 1963 Winner Best Costume Design, Black-and-White – Norma Koch
Betty Davis created her own make-up look for the film. She say her character as never washing her face and each day adding another layer of make-up. At first, the director and producers felt it was too over-the-top. When the author visited the set, he said Davis looked just as he imagined Baby Jane. The studio and director made the right decision to keep Davis’ look.
This features Victor Buono’s feature film debut. It was also the only time he was nominated for an Oscar.
If the beach house seen at the end of the movie looks familiar, you may be remembering it from director Robert Aldrich’s 1955 film, Kiss Me Deadly where it was also seen at the end of the movie.
Kudos to Robert Aldrich for another excellent film. More people should be aware of him.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Prince of Darkness” (1987) written & directed by John Carpenter; starring Donald Pleasence / Z-View
Prince of Darkness (1987)
Director: John Carpenter
Screenplay: John Carpenter as Martin Quatermass
Stars: Donald Pleasence, Lisa Blount, Jameson Parker, Victor Wong, Dennis Dun, Susan Blanchard, Anne Marie Howard, Dirk Blocker, Jessie Lawrence Ferguson, Peter Jason, Thom Bray, Joanna Merlin and Alice Cooper.
Tagline: Before man walked the earth… it slept for centuries. It is evil. It is real. It is awakening.
The Plot…
A priest (Pleasence) discovers a large cylinder of green bubbling liquid hidden in a church. The priest can sense that the container holds something evil. In an effort to discover exactly what the substance is, the priest brings in Professor Howard Birack (Wong) and several of his best students. The team begins running tests to determine the age, make-up and other properties of the green liquid. At the same time others work to decipher the ancient manuscripts found with the cylinder.
The unknown substance is at least 7 million years old, made of pre-biotic material and is quickly evolving. The priest feels the increasing power of the substance and fears that it may be Satan or some other ancient god. Soon homeless people begin showing up outside the church. They stand a stare as if waiting for something. Then the team members begin to experience the same dream – a menacing dark figure coming towards them.
Soon the team will know the truth…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I’m a John Carpenter fan, but I feel that Prince of Darkness falls far short of Carpenter’s best work. As always, your mileage may vary.
Prince of Darkness (1987) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Rounding” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
The poster is so-so, but the trailer for Rounding has me on board.
Deal me in.
ROUNDING opens in select theaters and on digital February 14.
After a traumatic incident, a driven young medical resident transfers to a rural hospital for a fresh start, but the demons of his past start to catch up to him when he becomes consumed by the case of a patient with mysterious symptoms.
Cast: Namir Smallwood, Sidney Flanigan, Michael Potts, Rebecca Spence
Director: Alex Thompson
“Nosferatu the Vampyre” (1979) written & directed by Werner Herzog; starring Klaus Kinski & Isabelle Adjani / Z-View
Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)
Director: Werner Herzog
Screenplay: Werner Herzog; based on Nosferatu by F. W. Murnau; and DRACULA by Bram Stoker
Stars: Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz.
Tagline: Nosferatu…he who is doomed to wander alone in darkness. Nosferatu…he who is condemned to destroy even those whom he loves. Nosferatu…a tale of seduction in the dark night of the soul.
The Plot…
Jonathan Harker (Ganz) is sent to Transylvania to finalize an estate purchase with Count Dracula (Kinski). Harker is unaware that Dracula is a vampire that will soon become infatuated with his wife, Lucy (Adjani).
Dracula intends to leave Transylvania for his new manor in Wismar, Germany. In this new metropolis Dracula will be able to feed without fear of discovery. Dracula will also take possession of Lucy.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Nosferatu the Vampyre is a melding of Dracula (1931) and the 1922 film Nosferatu. For my money, Dracula (1931) is by far the better of the three. (And of the four if we include 2024’s Nosferatu.)
Much of Nosferatu the Vampyre is filmed during the day which isn’t the best time for a vampire movie. The character design of Nosferatu and his portrayal wasn’t frightening or intimidating. The still photos from the film were creepy, but lost something on screen.
I did like the idea that much of what happens to Harker and what he sees in Dracula’s castle might just be in his mind. Is the castle a ruin or fully intact? Is the boy who plays the violin real? I also liked the ending’s twist. Still, the movie overall fell short for me. I was expecting much more.
Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) rates 2 of 5 stars.
