Revisiting 75+ Horror Movies Referenced in the ‘Scream’ Franchise

“Scream” has long been my favorite horror franchise. Ever since first seeing the original on VHS, I’ve been enamored with Kevin Williamson’s pithy dialog, the movie’s ceaseless barrage of references, and one of the genre’s most enduring Final Girls. Besides simply being one of the most influential franchises in horror, the “Scream” series also introduced

‘Fear Street Part 1: 1994’ Feels More like a Cliché-Riddled Dead End

It’s easy to dismiss R.L. Stine, but his influence on generations of horror fans is absolutely undeniable. For readers like me– which is to say, geriatric millennials– Stine’s Goosebumps and Fear Street series were an accessible, opportune gateway to the likes of Stephen King, Clive Barker, and Jack Ketchum. When Netflix announced a forthcoming “Fear

Latest “Conjuring” Film Loses Devil in the Details

“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” commits the cardinal sin of simply being boring.It’s by no means a terrible film, but it’s nowhere near as haunting, as creative, or as horrific as its predecessors. “The Conjuring” franchise was always rife with laughable proselytizing, inane Christian-babble, and a willful ignorance of who and what

Top 10 Horror Films of 2020:

Yearend “Best-Of” lists are traditionally published in November and December, but 2020 has been anything but traditional, conventional, or predictable. While I certainly watched more films this past year than just about any in my lifetime, shifting release schedules and the absence of a theatrical experience ensured that procuring and viewing new films was notably

Streaming Holiday Horror in 2020

If 31 in 31 during October feels a little pedestrian– cliché even– consider transplanting the concept to December and focusing on the oft-overlooked subgenre of holiday horror. Whether you are in the mood for slasher classics, blood-soaked giallo, musicals, or hilarious schlock, there’s something on this list to jingle your bells and deck your halls.

Quarantine Theater: Catch-up Edition

It’s been a while, huh? I’ve been terrible at keeping up with the weekly viewing reviews, but I’m back at it… in mid-July. If, for some reason, you’re curious what I’ve been watching, check out some of the franchise reviews and essays that I’ve written in the interim. Gallows II The premise of this film

Revisiting and Ranking the “Nightmare on Elm Street” Franchise: You are all my Children Now

When I first started. writing reviews while in lockdown back in March, I knew I wanted to eventually tackle the Holy Trinity of slashers: “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Given the number of films in each respective series, however, this is slightly more daunting than it initially seemed. “A Nightmare

Revisiting Ennio Morricone’s Best Horror Scores: A Sendoff to the Master

Ennio Morricone is largely unmatched as a film composer. Sure, John Williams may be more iconic and instantly recognizable, but he’s largely worked in a similar milieu his entire career. Danny Elfman is fine, but damned if all of his films scores don’t sound nearly identical. Hans Zimmer’s work is, likewise, incredible– as is the

10 Horror Movies to Watch This July 4th That Aren’t “Jaws”

We can all agree that “Jaws” is unquestionably the best 4th of July horror film of all time. If you have the means, go and rewatch “Jaws” right now (even if you’re seeing this post nowhere near the holiday weekend). And while that Steven Spielberg vehicle is an undeniable classic, there are plenty of other

Reexamining “Jaws” Amidst a Pandemic: I’m Not Going to Waste my Time Arguing With a man Who’s Lining up to be a Hot Lunch

Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” stands among the greatest horror films of all time. It’s one of relatively scant films that even those with zero interest in, or knowledge of, horror can admit is a veritable masterpiece. And, despite starring a monstrous, man-eating shark, the carnivorous creature beneath the sea has always been little more than wonderful