The Corner of Terror

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

2023-03-25T13:14:00.001-07:00

In every franchise, there are installments that don't quite work at continuing the story... and others that not only perfectly conclude one part of it, but open up a new chapter of possibility...

Callie Spengler and her children have been evicted from their home, and forced to move to her estranged father's "dirt farm". As she struggles with her memories of his abandonment, her daughter Phoebe discovers a ghost trap that had been hidden by her deceased grandfather. Soon, Phoebe, her brother Trevor, and new friend Podcast uncover a supernatural threat and the return of an old enemy of The Ghostbusters...

After the less than stellar performance and reception of "Ghostbusters: Answer the Call" (2016), fans of the franchise were cautiously optimistic about the announcement that there was to be a direct sequel to "Ghostbusters II" (1989). Fortunately, this sequel proved to be everything they needed, and wanted from a "Ghostbusters" movie.

The story, for me, was a perfect blend of the fantastical elements of ghosts and the end of the world that the original film had, while also bringing a very grounded element in the personal plotlines for the characters. Callie's thread brought the depth of emotion inherent in a character dealing with the conflict of love for her father battling with the pain of his abandoning her- and the emotions that come with being forced to confront all those things. The theme of a child who's "different" trying to find her place in the world is a wonderful story element brought to the table by the character of Phoebe. Finally, Trevor adds the story of a young man who's trying to be "the man of the house", while still trying to enjoy his childhood. This thread isn't really elaborated on in this movie, and I hope it gets explored further in the next one.

All of the characters are great. They are all very human and relatable in various ways- much less cartoony than the 2016 characters. Each personality meshes nicely and contrasts well with the others. You very much come to like, care about, and cheer on the characters. I'm looking forward to seeing them develop in time.

The characters wouldn't be worth a damn if it wasn't for the excellent performers. Carrie Coon as Callie Spengler brought humanity, charm, wit, and depth to her character that laid a nice family baseline for McKenna Grace's and Finn Wolfhard's roles as her children. There was a nice realness to her interactions with Grace and Wolfhard that made you believe they were a family. I also enjoyed the chemistry and charm that came with her interactions with Gary (Paul Rudd). Finn Wolfhard was a great choice for the role of Trevor- brining a well grounded and relatable tone to the character and his interactions with McKenna Grace, and Celeste O'Connor as Lucky.

Of course though, the star performance was by McKenna Grace as the science minded Phoebe- who learns about her family's history, and discovers her place in the world. Her performance is what ties and holds the movie together. She brought a superb amount of depth, awkward charm and dry wit to the character. It was really a pleasure to see her character grow during the course of the movie, and take the weight of bringing the franchise back to its roots.

Finally, we can't have a review of this film without discussing the return of the OG Ghostbusters, and how it paid tribute to "The Lost Buster", Harold Ramis. It was great to see them return at the end, and I'm glad that they didn't overwhelm the rest of the movie. The use of CGI to bring back Ramis was well done, and helped to bring a gentle, but still emotional conclusion to the original crew, while also paying a tender good-bye to Ramis.

When all is said and done, "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" is a wonderful addition to the franchise. It created an opportunity for a new direction, while also paying respect and bringing the original films full circle. I would absolutely recommend this for watching and owning. It gets a "Good".

Demon Seed (Dean Koontz)

2023-01-21T18:00:00.001-08:00

Susan has withdrawn from the world after her divorce from her abusive husband. Her mansion contains state of the art household automation. She is secure from the dangers of modern Life. She is safe from an unsafe world...

Too bad her mansion had other ideas...

The idea of a Alexa/Siri controlled house going haywire may sound like something written within the past decade, but you might be surprised that Dean Koontz actually wrote this book back in 1973.

That's right. Just five years after "2001: A Space Odyssey" hit theatres, Koontz wrote this book brining HAL to a more personal level, while predicting the advent of programs like Alexa and Siri.

This book is actually a pretty quick read at 301 pages. The story progresses and builds at a steady and fast pace. The writing is smooth and seamless as the tension and events unfold before you. I lost track of time as I turned page after page. I loved that this book was written from the perspective of the errant AI. The wording and sentence structure perfectly reflects the "almost human" thought and speech patterns of a computerized intelligence.

Unlike many novels that focus on the protagonist, and develops their character, "Demon Seed" develop the antagonist over the "hero". Proteus is a chilling and very plausible example of an AI created by less that perfect humans- reflecting the gender biases and darker elements of male aggression and entitlement.

With "Demon Seed," Koontz gives the world a precise and biting indictment of male based sexism and "superiority", as well as a warning that any AI created will contain the same flaws and vices as those that create it. This book serves also as a warning about letting technology rule our lives and control the environment around us.

All in all, I have to give "Demon Seed" a place in "The Good".

"Re-Animator" Herbert West Figure (Reel Toys)

2023-01-14T18:00:00.001-08:00

Horror fans enjoy surrounding themselves with items connected to their passion. It can be Halloween masks, movie posters, prop replicas or collectible figures.

This week, I'm going to show you one of the collectible figures I've recently acquired- Reel Toys' "Re-Animator" Herbert West!

The "bubble box" for the figure is pretty simple, but effective. I like the balance between the figure and the illustration on the front. The packaging also gives you a clear look at all the bibs and bobs that come with the figure.

The illustration is great in my opinion. It stretches across the whole of the packaging- providing a nice background for the figure. The art style is nicely atmospheric and moody without going over the top.

In fact, the backing card illustration is suitable for collecting on its own. The artist- Justin Osbourn, did a great job with it.

The reverse of the backing card is also pretty good. There's a nice harmony between the font, text colour, and placement of the features list and blurb in relation to each other and the "action poses".

I love how in the left hand photo, the head of Dr. Hill is just peeking over the rim of the medical tray.

Together, both sides of the backing card provide that extra little bit of collectability and fun to the figure's packaging.

Simple, but well designed.

The figure itself, and the accessories that come with it are pretty good. The lab coat is removable, and the hands actually are capable of holding things like the syringe and the shovel- which is a plus for those that enjoy posing their figures as part of a diorama.

The detailing on Herbert West, Dr. Hill's head, and Rufus the cat are quite good, and helps compensate for how thick the material for the shirt and lab coat is. I loved how they actually put some detail into the entrails spilling out from Rufus, and the gore along the bottom edge of Dr. Hill's head.

There are also enough bibs and bobs to create a few "action poses: a bottle of reagent, a syringe, medical tray, and a shovel. With some creativity, and a few miscellaneous items from other figures, one could do some pretty impressive scenes.

All in all, I'd have to say that I was quite satisfied with this figure. I'm giving it a "Good".

Let Me In (2010)

2023-01-07T18:00:00.001-08:00

One phenomena of the North American film industry is the practice of taking successful and popular European and Asian horror films, and Americanizing them. Some are as successful as their original source materials, others not as much... and some leave you wondering if the process was necessary...

Owen is a young boy growing up in a broken household. Isolated, and neglected, he faces brutal bullying at school that further pushes him towards a breakdown and violence...

Then Abby moves in. Abby makes him smile. Abby makes him feel special. Abby make him feel wanted.

Abby needs blood...

2010's "Let Me In" is an Americanized version of the Swedish film "Let the Right One In"- which is based on a novel of the same name. The story is fairly simple to follow, yet deep enough to keep you mentally and emotionally engaged. There are no wasted moments in the story- every scene helps to support every other story element. This is lean, smooth story telling at it's best.

The core of this movie is the theme of losing your innocence, and the lengths people can/will go in order to escape loneliness- even if that escape puts us at the mercy of a potentially toxic relationship. The ambiguous nature of Abby's motivations towards Owen causes the viewer to pause and think about their own past relationships that could've been considered emotionally "vampiric".

The characters are both simple and complex. They're simple in that the majority of them are more archetypes than fully fleshed characters, while Abby and Owen are full of depths and crannies to explore. The bully- Kenny and his gang are pretty archetypical High School bullies. The only depth to Kenny comes when it's revealed that he's bullied by his big brother- who hurls the same taunts at Kenny that Kenny uses to demean Owen.

The performers- especially Chloe Grace Moretz (Abby), and Kodi Smith-McPhee (Owen). They bring a wonderful, darkly innocent chemistry to their characters' relationship. Smith-McPhee capably layers sympathetic and mentally unstable elements into the role of Owen, while Moretz manages to walk the razor thin line of horror and pathos in her portrayal of Abby. While you know that there's an underlying sediment deposit of darkness to these characters, the performers draw you forward into wanting them both to have a "happy ending". Just an enjoyable experience watching them.

Matt Reeves does a wonderful job directing "Let Me In". From the subdued and dusty colour palette used, to making the violence explicit- without the use of graphic use of gore, to his ability to make the every day brutality of bullying as horrific as the vampire feeding. Just amazing. He paced this film a smooth, flowing narrative that pushes you forward headlong without you feeling that time was passing.

I would have to say that, while it may not have been necessary to Americanize this story, "Let Me In" is a decent adaptation of a foreign film that I would certainly recommend. I'm putting it in "The Good"

Hunting the Haunted: The Enfield Poltergeist

2021-04-19T13:01:00.004-07:00

Hey everyone! I've got a special treat for you today!

My friends Jason and Pete have banded together to give the world a show that delves into the unusual. Kind of a modern day, "In Search Of".

Well, this week, their show, "Hunting the Haunted" did an episode one of my favorite cases- the Enfield Poltergeist.

This case covered a span of two years- from 1977 to 1979. It started with Peggy Hodgson calling police saying that furniture was moving. Soon the Society for Psychical Research sent Maurice Grosse and Guy Lyon Playfair to investigate. Their investigation is covered in Playfair's book, "This House is Haunted".

This case has been called "England's Amityville" due to it's validity being as hotly debated as the case in Amityville.

But enough of my rambling, click on the video below- and give it a watch!

"War of the Worlds" (1953)

2021-01-15T15:00:00.001-08:00

Some might argue Byron Haskin’s adaptation of H.G. Wells’s classic novel is more sci-fi than horror, and technically, they’re right. But the story of Martians attacking Earth, and pretty much kicking our collective asses all over the planet, is a scary one. And Haskin delivers scenes of mass destruction and human tragedy with such panache and gritty realism (for the era) that this film is still horrifying.

That’s my pretzel logic on the matter, anyway.

Owing more than a bit to Orson Welles’s famed Halloween radio broadcast, this version quickly brings audiences up to speed on the Martian plan, and settles in on a small California town that becomes the focus of much of the film. As with the radio version, the Martian reveal is slow at first, building suspense and drama, before the attack happens.

Haskin and screenwriter Barre Lyndon borrow heavily from Welles for the first half hour, but that’s fine. It’s understandable, given what a landmark production his radio play was. Spielberg and company did much the same at the outset of their 2005 adaptation, only taking from this movie instead.

Even by today’s standards, some of the action and scenes of destruction- especially during the film’s final act- are harrowing. The devastation of Los Angeles particularly so. It helps that we care about the heroes: square-jawed scientist, Clayton Forrester and his lady love, Sylvia- who has the classic good looks of a pin-up model thanks to actor Ann Robinson. We like them. We want them to survive and be together, hence the action works.

This version of "War of the Worlds" has aged well. Sure, some of the effects are dated, and things slip into melodrama, but this was the 1950s, and things were different than. But good filmmaking stands the test of time, and this film still packs a cinematic punch. A Good.

"Firestarter" (1984)

2021-01-11T15:00:00.001-08:00

We're back with a new review! Yaaaaay!

This week, we're checking out a Stephen King adaptation from 1984- "Firestarter"!

Andy McGee and his daughter, Charlie, are on the run. They are running from a mysterious agency known only as "The Shop". They're running because The Shop wants Charlie for her abilities.

The ability to set things on fire... with just a thought...

This is one of the earliest adaptations of a Stephen King novel. Originally, John Carpenter had been tapped to direct, but was replaced when "The Thing" proved to be a financial failure (little did they KNOW). The new director, Mark L. Lester commissioned a re-write that kept fairly close to the original novel.

The story isn't bad, though not really scary. The slow, plodding pace, and rather stiff dialogue actually make it a little dull and the equivalent of white noise. It's came across as insignificant background noise. I found myself drifting off and thinking of other things, rather than being engaged in what was happening on the screen.

The characters, as portrayed in the movie, are pretty thinly developed. There's no real emotional meat to them that would allow you to actually connect and relate. They were like, paper puppets- which is sad, because you performers like George C. Scott, Martin Sheen, Art Carney, and a young Drew Barrymore. They're great actors, but the script and characters were hollow.

As a Stephen King fan, I have to confess that I was rather disappointed in "Firestarter". I really can't recommend it for viewing. I'm going to have to give it an "Ugly".

"Paperbacks From Hell" (Grady Hendrix)

2021-01-08T15:00:00.009-08:00

Today in "The Corner of Terror," we have a special Guest Reviewer: Jason H from "From the Basement", so let's see what offering he brings to our dark corner of the internet...

There was a time when books were sold pretty much everywhere. Grocery stores, drug stores, smoke shops, you name it. And individual paperbacks could sell 12 million copies in North America alone. That was back when writing a best seller really meant something.

This was the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and one of the most prolific – and profitable – genres was the horror novel. What set these books apart from their modern counterparts was an unashamed desire on the part of the writer to gross out, offend, titillate and, at times, outright disturb.

Or, at the very least, baffle.

Psychic Nazi dwarves who enjoy S&M? These paperbacks had them. Armies of mutant rats eating the populace of London, England? You betcha! Mystics that bite off young boys’ penises? But of course.

This was a time when anything that could go, went. Political correctness hadn’t been invented yet. And the goal of any publisher was to sell, sell, sell. Welcome to the era when Paperbacks from Hell ruled the book racks!

Horror author Grady Hendrix explores the tropes, trials, and tribulations of this “literary” period in his book "Paperbacks From Hell", shining the spotlight on these often forgotten books. But not so forgotten that, once I caught a glimpse of many of the beautiful covers, I was taken back to my youth when I spent a good hour wandering the book sections of drugstores and shopping marts, perusing these titles while my mom shopped.

Hendrix, who’s penned such witty modern horror as "My Best Friend’s Exorcism" and "Horrorstore" (this one is about a haunted Ikea) brings humour to the exploration… because how could one not? Some of these books sound downright silly, but were played completely straight and went for the jugular more often than not.

He dedicates equal attention to the cover artists, many of whom painted their work because, well, computers didn’t do graphics back then. And his focus isn’t on the big guns like Stephen King, although he does get some mention, but lesser known – but no less prolific – writers like James Herbert, J.N. Williamson, and Ruby Jean Jensen.

This book is a hoot to read, and is a fun trip down memory lane to simpler times. Hendrix was also kind enough to start a "Paperbacks From Hell" publishing line, bringing many of these long out-of-print-novels back on the market. I appreciate this, but my bank account doesn’t as I’m tracking down many a title as we speak. These books certainly sound like they’re a lot more fun read than many modern publications.

As you can tell, "Paperbacks from Hell" is a" Good", and I highly recommend it for fellow horror fans.

"The Addams Family" (1991)

2021-01-04T18:00:00.002-08:00

After the horror show that was 2020, I feel that we should start the New Year) with something lighthearted and fun. And you can't get any more fun while remaining in the "horror" genre than with that ooky, kooky, spooky family... The Addams Family!

Fester Addams has been missing for 25 years after a falling out with his brother Gomez. During their annual seance to try and contact Fester, a mysterious figure arrives at the door... a figure who claims to be the long lost brother.

But is he? And what are his intentions towards the family... and their vast wealth?

I have been a fan of The Addams Family since I was a kids and used to watch the old black and white TV series. When I heard in 1991 that the "fam" was coming to the big screen, I was excited- especially when I heard that Angelica Huston, and Christopher Lloyd were going to be in it. I hadn't heard much about Raul Julia at the time, but when I saw him in stills showing him as Gomez, I was impressed, and eager to see what he could do with the role.

The story is simple and even a little cartoon- which is very fitting for a fairly cartoony set of characters. Despite that cartoonish element, the plot gives a nice bit of depth to the characters, and is more than enough to hold the antics, plot twists, and whimsy. It was paced nicely as well- with a wonderful flow to it that carried you along willingly and at times eagerly. There is never a dull moment in it- each scene, while not necessarily laugh filled, served to add texture to the world of the Addams's, and set up what's to come later. All in all- a pretty tightly written story.

I loved the characters. While they are obvious parodies of gothic characters- and satirical symbols of "normal" people, this doesn't detract from their relatability, or likability. In fact, it enhances those traits. You essentially cheer for them from the start of their darkly funny antics. The underlying theme of family bonds is the glue that holds the characters together, and pulls into their lives.

All the performers beautifully brought these characters to life. I was especially impressed by Raul Julia as Gomez, and Christina Ricci as Wednesday. This was Ricci's third movie, and it helped to cement her as a future star- with good cause. I don't know a single person who DOESN'T think of this movie first when it comes to her. She brought such a seriously humorous tone to the character that set the bar for future representations of her. Ricci brought charm, wit, and "cuteness" to the role that was brilliant.

Raul Julia did the same for Gomez. He created a beautifully suave, sophisticated aura around the character. Julia was so endearing and masterful in the role, that he can be forgiven for not being as... "ugly" as the original cartoon version. His interactions with Huston's Morticia and Lloyd's Fester are marvels to watch and enjoy. He WAS Gomez.

Casting Angelica Huston as Morticia was a stroke of genius. She as the beautiful, angular face that suits the character the height, the voice, and that special "mysteriously impish" look in her eyes at times. Just as Raul Julia owned the role of Gomez, Huston took the role, and made it truly hers.

As for Christopher Lloyd in the role of Fester Addams? Well, let's just say that he was a riot. He has shown that he's a master comic actor, who's able to bring a sense of humanity and believability to his roles. Fester was the perfect role to allow him to chew the scenery a bit, and let loose the more mad cap side of himself.

Due to the restricting nature of his costume, he had to rely on his voice and facial expressions to portray the character- and he did it wonderfully. Watching his facial reactions to events was amazing. Rubber faced Jim Carrey could take lesson from Christopher Lloyd in this department in my opinion.

Also of note was Jim Workman as Pugsley. This was his first film, and I think he did a great job in the role. He brought a wonderful sort of naivete and murderous innocence to the character that was a great balance to Ricci's Wednesday.

Of course, the performances would've meant nothing if the characters didn't look right. And boy, did they look right. Other than Gomez being handsome, the remaining characters absolutely had that lovely gothic and slightly "off" look and feel of the original versions. The costumes were gorgeous recreations of their comic counterparts... which only served to make Julia's Gomez even more handsome in fact.

Is "The Addams Family" worth watching? Absolutely! Is it worth owning? Absolutely! Is it worth re-watching? Absolutely! And that makes it a "Good"!

Halloween Day By Day: Steamworks Brewing Pumpkin Ale

2020-10-09T19:00:00.001-07:00

I'm not going to lie... I get hesitant around October, because I know I'm going to be expected to sample the Halloween themed beers that come out.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the taste of pumpkin.

And last week's beer left a really bad taste in my mouth.

However, I'm willing to take one for the team, and put my taste buds on the line for our readers...

I have always enjoyed the steampunk styling of Steamworks' labels- and the label for their Pumpkin Ale is no exception. There's a nice touch of Victorian style to the artwork- the sort you'd find in newspapers at that time, almost.. They aren't elaborate, but are still full of interesting and fun details.

The colour is a deep, brown amber... and looks like there's "heft" to it. It doesn't keep a head of foam very well, unfortunately.

I must say that I the first sip was pretty smooth. There's a subtle hint of the various ingredients of pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. They dance together in a nice, gentle flow across the tongue. Each ingredient meshes with the others, without overpowering you. All in all, this pumpkin ale has a balanced flavour that is subtle and smooth. By the end of the bottle, I was quite satisfied.

While I'm not a fan of pumpkin in general, Steamwork's Pumpkin Ale was a nice treat at this time of year, and I would certainly be open to having another bottle next October. A Good from me.

Halloween Day by Day: "The Invisible Man" (2020)

2020-10-08T15:00:00.001-07:00

Halloween is the time of year where the world of the unseen and the world of the seeable, meld and blend together. It's a time when hidden horrors stalk us on the big and small screens.

For some, however, they are stalked by unseen terror everyday of the year...

Cecilia has left her abusive relationship, and is ready to start a new life. Soon, however, that new life is shattered when she becomes convinced that her ex is stalking her... and that he is invisible...

2020's "The Invisible Man" offers a modern take on the H.G. Wells classic, while taking advantage of the rising awareness and conversations about domestic violence. Sadly, beyond that modern tech used, and the modern and relevant theme, this movie doesn't really offer that much.

The story plays out more like a drama than a suspense/thriller. Any strength the story has comes from the number of viewers that can relate to having been in an abusive relationship, or had been stalked (my first relationship involved my being emotionally abused and stalked in fact). Without the power of viewer's own experiences, this movie kinda feels flat and predictable. Speaking for myself, I wasn't even able to find any sort of catharsis in the ending. Poetic justice? Yes. A sense of closure? Not really.

The characters are the same. Cecelia only has the depth given to her by the experiences of the viewers who had gone through a similar experience trying to flee an abusive relationship. Even then, the character themselves are a rather blank canvas for us to project our own experiences on. There is actually, every little "character" to the Cecilia, and we learn very little about her during the course of the movie other than her having been a suburban girl drawn into an abusive relationsihp. The only anchoring point of attachment to her is the shared experience of domestic violence given her by the audience.

In fact, ALL of the characters, the abusive Adrian, his weasley brother Tom, the cop James, her sister Emily, etc are just blank templates for us to project onto. They all felt incomplete and just sketched out.

There is some nice camera work, a couple of the slow panning shots were able to send a bit of a tingle across my arms. The rest is... well, rather standard for the genre. Nothing overly new or innovative, or noteworthy.

I was left with a sense of disappointment in "The Invisible Man". The best way I can sum it us is thus: The story is see through, the characters transparent, and enjoyment dissipated. An Ugly.

Halloween Day by Day: "The Omen" (1976 & 2006)

2020-10-07T15:00:00.001-07:00

In this day and age, it seems that we're destined to be flooded with an endless deluge of remakes, reboots, reimaginings and even rehashes of classic movies- including conversions of old TV shows into movies. I have noticed however, that the horror genre seems to be suffering the heaviest torrents of revisitations. With that realization, I'll be doing a "double bill" today...

Let's start with the 1976 release of "The Omen", shall we? The premise is interesting and simple enough to provide potential directions for storytelling:

A prominent politician's pregnant wife suffers a loss when the son dies shortly after birth. Before she can find out, the politician agrees to subsitute a newborn orphan for his own... Too bad that the son is the spawn of Satan...

The acting is a little lifeless at moments, but in general was pretty good. I enjoyed Gregory Peck as Robert Thorn- the politician, and Lee Remick as his wife was nice to look at, though her acting was a little off at times. I really enjoyed David Warner as the photographer, Keith Jennings. We was sleazy, lively and sardonic- an interesting character. I actually found his character a little more interesting than the somewhat stilted politician. Patrick Troughton as Father Brennan was fantastic, I thought. Harvey Stephens was an excellent choice for the role of Damien Thorn- Satan's spawn. He had the cute, angelic, and charming face of a sweet kid, while giving us a sense of the evil waiting to blossom in later years.

There is some decent scenes in this movie. The scene where the politician and his wife are taking Damien to church was good, the way Damien started to huff and huff, then go ape shit was well done and energetic. I also really liked the scene where Father Brennan meets with Robert Thorn to warn him... just before the priest dies- just a fantastic scene. Another great scene is where Keith Jennings gets decapitated. The camera work is simple, but effective- as were the special effects used. The only scene I really had any problems with was the one in the abandoned graveyard when Thorn and Jennings are seeking the grave of Damien's biological mother. I just couldn't get over how much like a set it looked. It looked artificial, and I couldn't help be disappointed in it- even though the acting set the mood, etc well.

This movie isn't super fast paced, but once things start to happen at Damien's birthday party (the montage just before it was nicely done), there is a constant sense of tension and apprehension that really made me engaged by the story and characters. I would definately sit down and watch this on more than one occaison. I'm going to place this release of "The Omen" in "The Good".

So, now we move onto the 2006 remake. I was interested in seeing what new stuff the makers could bring to the franchise in terms of concepts, character points, etc. Sadly to say, I was a little disappointed.

This is a very slick production in terms of visuals, but beyond that, it falls a little flat. I copies the original in many regards- including at some points almost verbatim dialogue. There are some minor changes, but they're too few to really make you see this as an original look at the source material. Most of the changes are simply cosmetic- the decapitation scene being a good example. The method was changed, and looks great, but lacks any real storytelling punch due to the rest of the movie moving almost beat for beat the same as the original. Unlike the original, the remake lacks the sense of constant tension and impending dread that is needed in a slow paced story like this.

I honestly didn't like Liev Schreiber as Robert Thorn. I found the character and the acting to be a little fake and shallow. Julia Styles as Katherine Thorn wasn't bad, but not great. To be perfectly honest, I found the supporting characters more interesting and better acted than the main characters. David Thewlis wasn't bad as Keith Jennings, and Michael Gambon as the archeologist Bugenhagen was great. I loved the scene where the two characters meet, because of the look the two exchange. It was as if the two actors were a little surprised to see each other, since they both star in the Harry Potter movies too (Thewlis plays Remus Lupin, while Gambon plays the second Dumbledore). It was nice to see Mia Farrow as the nanny, Mrs. Baylock. No stranger to horror movies, Farrow brought a nice sense of sinister intent to the character. I also thought that Pete Postlethwaite's turn as Father Brennan was fantastic- his face brought a lot of emotion and depth to his character. The actor who portrays Damien- Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, wasn't bad, but lacked the contrast of looking sweet and innocent while harboring a dark evil. Just looking and listening to him, you KNOW he's evil incarnate. He was good at creeping me out though.

Even though it's a slick looking production, with great performances by the supporting cast, the lack of any emotional connection to the leading characters and an almost identical copying of the original movie, I don't feel any great desire to sit down and re-watch this anytime soon. I would recommend it for at least ONE viewing, just so people can see great performances by Mia Farrow and Pete Postlethwaite. Those two great performers though aren't enough to keep me from placing the 2006 release of "The Omen" in "The Ugly"

Halloween Day by Day: "The Servants of Twilight" (Dean Koontz)

2020-10-06T15:00:00.001-07:00

Horror literature has been with us for almost forever- from tales about vengeful gods making it thunder, campfire stories about the beastie in the trees, to books about fanatical cults.

Some horror authors seem to have been with us for almost forever too- from Bran Stoker, to Mary Shelly, to Stephen King, to Dean Koontz...

An ordinary parking lot in southern California.

Christine Scavello and her six-year-old son are accosted by a strange old woman. "I know who you are," she snaps at the boy. "I know what you are." A scream, a threat- and then a grotesque act of violence. Suddenly, Christine's pride and joy, her only son, is targeted by a group of religious fanatics. They've branded him the Antichrist. They want to kill him. And they are everywhere...

Dean Koont's "The Servants of Twilight" was my introduction to his writing back when I was in High School. He was being hailed as the "next Stephen King", and this book was evidence of his skill.

The story is tightly written, and quickly paced, building up tension and suspense before releasing it just enough for you to feel safe again. He also takes an unlikely scenario, and makes it all too plausible. The characters- Christine, her son Joey, and Charlie- the detective hired to protect them, are unique, interesting, and emotionally engaging. You get carried along on their journey to confront the cult targeting them, and you root for them.

If you've never read Dean Koontz, I certainly recommend this particular book. A "Good".

Halloween Day by Day: Top Five Stephen King Adaptations

2020-10-05T15:00:00.001-07:00

If there is one writer who's indelibly linked to horror, it'd have to be Stephen King. And when you're as skilled- and prolific a writer as Stephen King, there will inevitably be adaptations of your writing.

So, today, I present you my "Top Five Stephen King Adaptations"!

1. "The Dead Zone" (1983)- Directed by David Cronenberg, and starring Christopher Walken, this is one of my favorites. It is a well crafted, and spooky retelling of the story of a man who becomes psychic after an accident, and whose life get entangled with that of a politician who's fated to destroy the world.

2. "Misery" (1990)- One of the most faithful adaptations of a story about a writer who meets his "number one fan" after she rescues him from a car accident. Starring Kathy Bates, and James Caan, director Rob Reiner gives us a slow burning, tale of horror that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The sledgehammer scene especially is shudder inducing.

3. "The Mist" (2007)- This story of a small town invaded by a strange mist hiding untold horrors is chilling and a fearful examination of what happens when people are isolated amidst a crisis with no leadership. The ending especially is gut wrenching and horrific.

4. "Carrie" (2013)- The second adaptation of the story about a young girl with telekinetic abilities, having to deal with a fanatical mother, and high school bullies... until she's finally had enough. A great modern take on the book with stunning visual effects, and marvelous acting.

5. "It" (2017)- The first part of the most recent adaptation for the story of childhood friends coming together to defeat an ancient evil stalking the children of their small hometown. A well paced, visually stunning, and definitely scary movie that brings more of the original source material to the screen.

So, there you have it- my "Top Five Stephen King Adaptations"... and yes... you're absolutely right... Stanley Kubrick's version of "The Shining" IS NOT on it...

Halloween Day by Day: "Sleepaway Camp" (1983)

2020-10-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

There was a time when going to summer camp was a common thing for children to do. They got to socialize with other people of their ages, the parents got a few weeks of quiet to themselves... and a psycho was gainfully employed killing them...

Angela and Ricky are sent to Camp Arawak for the summer. Angela, unfortunately becomes the target for bullies.

When those bullies start to die...it becomes clear that someone has a lust for blood... but who's doing it- and who'll be next?

"Sleepaway Camp" is one those films that can- by many, be considered a "guilty pleasure". You know you shouldn't enjoy it that much... but you do.

But is it any good, though? Well, on the surface, it's rather shallow. At first viewing, it reads and looks like a cheap knock off of "Friday the 13th". But, on closer viewing- and contemplation, there is a fair bit of depth to it.

Especially if you view it through the lense of being a trans-narrative movie.

The story is pretty basic for the genre back in the day- campers + killer = movie. It's when you consider that transgender element that it actually becomes a much more interesting movie. Those in the LGBTQ+ community could probably relate to the ostracisation, harassment, and bullying that Angela goes through- as would most teenagers. There is also the sense of empowerment that comes when her bullies start to get dealt with- a standing up for her right to the person she is, and her right to live her life without being ashamed.

The movie is all about Angela. Her past, and her present- the reality of who she is. She is shy and introverted; quiet and tries to move among people unseen- reflecting what Society would like the LGBTQ+ community to be in general. But she's also comfortable with who she is. She's not confused at all- she's Angela. Pure and simple. She could be a metaphor for the community finally stepping forward and declaring that they exist, and aren't about to "go away".

So, the story and character are pretty deep and thematic on closer examination... but the execution takes some of the shine off of that philosophical gold. Let's be clear- this movie wasn't made in order to be a positive narrative regarding trans-individuals. That element- as evidenced by the twist ending was intended to shock and horrify the audience; to use the nature of transitioned people, and Society's prejudice against them to repulse the audience.

While "Sleepaway Camp" has been embraced by many within the LGBTQ+ community for being a "milestone" movie (a rare one with a trans protagonist), it is still at it's core an exploitive movie. It exploits the audience's bias against the community to scare and disgust them- rather than make them ponder what it's actually like from Angela's point of view. With the modern lense of trans-narrative, the movie has some depth. Without it, it's pretty standard fare. Either way, it is worth at least a single viewing- so it falls into "The Bad".

Halloween Day by Day: "Slayaway Camp: Butcher's Cut" (X-Box One)

2020-10-03T15:00:00.001-07:00

I love to play video games- especially horror themed ones. I especially love when the game pays homage to classic horror movies, while having a bit of fun with it.

You are a masked killer at the titular "Slayaway Camp". Your objective is to move around the map and kill the campers, cops, etc. The mechanics are easy. You can only move in a straight line until you hit an obstacle, so you have to chart your course using the obstacles. You can get some "special" kills by scaring the victims into "traps" (holes, fire, water, etc). You can also use the environment at times- as in the case of toppling a book case on a hapless camper.

But you need to be careful that you don't run straight into a trap yourself- you end your "turn" in a cop's target spot.

And that's it. It's a simple enough game that can provide a nice mental work-out as you plot your moves. I would imagine horror loving chess players would probably really quite enjoy this game- though as a casual player, I quite enjoyed it too.

The series of maps are divided into "movies". You can unlock the sequels and other movies as you progress. You can also unlock various kills-and skins for your killer. The default killer skin- Skullface is a wonder homage to Jason Vorhees and Michael Myers.

The art style is fun and whimsical- contrasting nicely with the "gorey" nature of the game. The special kills you unlock are worth a chuckle, and are a nice tribute to some of the classic ways our favorite psychos have killed people in the movies.

My only wish is that there was actually some storytelling in between the maps- especially since the map sets are called "movies". There's a starting cut scene, but not much in the way of story afterwards. I feel that such a feature would really add to the fun and enjoyability of this game.

Despite that one complaint, I would have to say that Blue Wizard Digital and Stage Clear Studios have produced a simple, but enjoyable game that serves nicely as a way to give your brain a bit of a work out, and divert it from the troubles of the world, I'm going to go back to playing "Slayaway Camp: Butcher's Cut" after giving it a bloody "Good".

Halloween Day by Day: Parallel 49 Shadenfreude

2020-10-02T19:00:00.001-07:00

Jay recently suggested that I avoid reviewing any beers produced by this week's brewery- due to reports of a toxic work environment within the company. I asked myself if it was possible for a company that produced toxic feelings within it's staff to produce a non-toxic beverage...

I must confess that I found the label to be kinda lackluster. I do like the font used- as it hints a the Germanic origins of the brew's name... but was left wondering WHY they went with that particular name... and what did a pumpkin headed scarecrow have to do with it?

Maybe it was because the company execs took pleasure in the toxic environment they fostered- revelled in the sexist, racist, and transphobic comments, etc reported to be frequently uttered by managers, supervisors and the like.

Or maybe, as the name suggests (taking pleasure in the misfortune of others), they found it amusing and entertaining to contemplate the customer's reaction to tasting this concoction...

I liked the colour- which is a nice, deep amber. You could almost imagine the pumpkin taste to it.

If you're expecting a pumpkin taste that is...

There is no sense of proportion, harmony, or balance in the flavors in this brew. With the first sip, I was overwhelmed and overpowered by the strong, wince inducing punch of nutmeg. Just nutmeg. I couldn't taste ANY other thing. Not the pumpkin, not the cinnamon, not the ginger, not the all spice. Nothing. Just nutmeg. It also had a rather gritty texture to it- as if they didn't bother to filter out the actual nutmeg. I managed a total of three sips before throwing up.

A very poor trick or treat, I'd say. The disharmonious, foul taste seemed to echo and reflect the reports of the harassment that occurred in the company's workplace.

Shit company, shit beer, shit rating.

Halloween Day by Day: Trick or Treat

2020-10-01T15:00:00.001-07:00

October. It's a time when the leaves start to fall, and the air gets crisper. It's a time when mysterious fogs start to roll through the trees, and strange sounds echo from the bushes. It's a time when the veil between the Living and the Dead tears a little.

It's a time when The Corner of Terror awakens to bring you "Halloween Day by Day"!

That's right, we're back for a FULL MONTH of horror related fun and frivolity! We have some great treats for you... and maybe a trick up our sleeves.

What sort of stuff do we have to offer this year? Well- let's reach into the candy bowl, and find out:

I'll will be bringing you horror book reviews every Tuesday, and comic reviews on Saturdays. Mondays will see him counting out some of his "Top Five Lists", while checking out "The Omen" movies on Wednesdays. Friday's is "tip and sip time" as he kicks back and samples some horror and October themed brews. And don't worry- I haven't forgotten Sundays and Thursdays! You can expect a wide range of horror movies to be reviewed by me on those days! So, make sure you check here DAILY to see what's new!

And! That's right- there's an AND! If scheduling permits, I might also be able to hijack The Basement's Twitter account in order to do another 24 hour horror movie tweet along! Stay tuned for more on that as "Halloween Day by Day" progresses!

Woooo! It's a scare packed month ahead, and we invite you to join us for the party!

Top Five: Viral Outbreak Movies

2020-03-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

The world has entered a pandemic with COVID-19 spreading like... well, like a virus. Since I'm a sick bastard with a twisted sense of humour, I figured it was a great time to bring you a Top Five List of Viral Outbreak Movies!

"12 Monkeys" (1995)- In this film, Bruce Willis is sent from the future to prevent the release of a virus by eco-terrorists that'll wind up wiping out the majority of humanity- and pushing them underground.

Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt put in great performances in this film. The book is pretty good too.

"28 Days Later" (2002)- The UK has been hit by a virus that is turning people into rage filled killers.

Great acting, great mood, and a realistic sense of isolation. Especially note worthy for introducing the concept of the "rage zombie" to the genre. Definitely a film to watch while the streets empty of people hoping to avoid COVID-19.

"Cabin Fever" (2002)- A group of friends go to an isolated cabin... only to discover that a flesh eating disease has started to spread amongst them...

One of the "gooier" of the virus films. The pre-empted "finger bang" scene probably accounted for the lack of foreplay women received around that time... *shudder*

"Masque of the Red Death"(1964)- A wealthy nobleman is holding a party filled with debauchery and depravity. A mysterious red clad guest arrives... and death soon follows them...

One of the better Roger Corman adaptations of an Edgar Allan Poe story. I have always had a soft spot for this movie..

"The Last Man on Earth" (1964)- A virus has swept the world- turning people into blood thirsty undead. Only one man remains... bound and determined to rid the world of the vampiric menace...

Another film I have a soft spot for. Based on the book, "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson. Surprising, Matheson said that although it was the closest retelling of his story... he wasn't a fan of it.

BONUS MATERIAL: "Quarantine" (2008)- The worst virus outbreak movie winner.

I'm not going to say much else.

I'm just going to direct you to my review of it, if you hadn't read it previously.

"Quarantine" (2008) movie review!

And there you have it- my Top Five Virus Outbreak Movies... and the worst one.

The Book Nook: "Bag of Bones" (Stephen King)

2020-03-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

My introduction to horror literature was via a hard cover edition of "The Shining" by Stephen King. I feel that one of the first books reviewed during The Corner's relaunch should be by him as well.

Mike Noonan, experiencing nightmares about his deceased wife's hometown, moves there to confront his fears at the source. Soon however, he finds that the nightmares are real... and leading him to face ghosts from his and the town's past...

This is one of the tightest, most emotionally intense books written by King. It's on par with "The Shining" for mood, setting, and scares. It flows smoothly along- building slowly but inevitably. Once I began reading, I could not stop- I had to keep going until the end.

Even then, I had troubles stopping myself from dwelling on it- especially how it treats the themes of grief, and how even when you've known someone for years- they can still surprise you.

The characters are equally well crafted in my opinion. They are very human in all their glory and gore. They aren't perfect people. They have a depth of emotion and reality to them that helped engage me in their plight, and want to keep reading. None of the characters- antagonists included, are simple two dimensional cut outs. They all have light and dark within them, and this book explores that in a very natural and entertaining way.

Next to "The Shining", I would have to say that "Bag of Bones" is one of my favorite Stephen King novels. It gets a very firm "Good".

The Animated Addict: "The Addams Family" (2019)

2020-03-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

The Animated Addict his The Corner of Terror running today as we pay a visit to the ookiest, kookiest, spookiest family... The Addams Family!

Chased from their home by pitchfork carrying villagers on their wedding night, Gomez and Morticia flee to New Jersey. Once there, they settle into an abandon house to raise their family... safe from prying, judging eyes.

Until one day, the fog surrounding their safe haven lifts... and exposes them to the horrors of "normal" folk...

The story is fairly simple and straightforward, with a couple of side plots to keep things interesting. The theme of family solidarity, and the right to express one's individuality are at the core of this movie- and as become the main theme associated with The Addams Family movies. It's a positive theme to have, and is put forth in a up front fashion without the use of blunt force trauma. Despite the positive message, there are some weak points in the story that made me go, "meh". Most of those weak points involved the "main" plot and the antagonist. It just wasn't as interesting as the more intimate family moments.

The characters are very similar in portrayal to what has come before, while still remaining fresh and interesting. While the family is engaging, and darkly charming, the antagonist is not. They are rather weak and flat. I just couldn't get myself to care about the "threat" she posed.

The CGI isn't bad, but not great. While I loved the character designs of the Addams family themselves, the rest of the characters just seemed to be too generic in look and feel. A lot of the animation reminded me of the sort of stuff that came out around the time of the 1st "Toy Story" movie. It didn't feel or look like it was living up to the full potential of the technology available. As I said, I loved the design of the family itself- especially the fact that they went to the original Charles Addams cartoons for their looks. It's just the overall feel of the movie felt... underwhelming.

I love the Addams Family- dating back throughout the franchise's history. Unfortunately, I couldn't really muster up a lot of emotional involvement in this installment. I'm going to have put it in "The Ugly".

Update: Plans Plans Plans!

2020-03-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

Tuesday saw the first article in the relaunch of "The Corner of Terror". Today, I'd like to take the opportunity to give you an idea of what to expect in the days, months, years ahead.

First off, you've probably noticed a sleeker new look that's very similar to our partners at "From the Basement". Well, it's so the two blogs can put forth a more united, and cohesive "brand" in terms of being recognizable by those just sauntering through. When you see us, hopefully you'll think of them as well- and vice versa. I've also streamlined and tidied up the banner a bit, while keeping a nice horror element to it.

You've probably also noticed that I prefaced Tuesday's article with "The Game Room", and that it matches many of the articles I write over in The Basement as well. Once again- it's intentional, so we can create a stronger tie between the two blogs. Also it'll help make it a bit easier to search for articles since you can just do a search for "feature category" now too.

So- what can you expect moving forward from me?

Well, you can absolutely expect two articles a week from me- every Tuesday and Thursdays, I will post my articles at 7:00 pm (PST). I will then post the links on Twitter and Facebook.

Over the next few days, I will be working on a new "logo icon" that I can use for Twitter, etc to replace my current "Zombie Mike" one... though I still love it very much.

Due to my current schedule, I won't be able to bring back "What Movie Wednesday". I will however TRY to arrange something similar each month. TRY being the operative word here.

I will also be working on updating the items on my CafePress Shop. Over the course of the year, I will be showcasing some of the items that can be purchased through it

If I can learn the sound editing software I have, I'm also planning on starting a bi-monthly podcast. It would be about 1/2 hour long. I'm going to try to get it set up to debut in Jan 2021. If the audio podcast does well, I might also try to do a video version as well for YouTube- but that's down the road.

I'm hoping to do some networking, and interest various film makers, performers, etc in doing some "Grave Questions" interviews as well.

I want to create a bit of a community if possible around "The Corner of Terror", so will also be doing my best to reach out to Followers and get ideas, etc.

So, that's where we stand right now. It's an exciting time for me. It feels great to be posting here again, and looking forward to making The Corner grow and hopefully prosper in the future.

The Game Room: "Afterparty" (X-Box One)

2020-03-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

We're back from the dead folks!

And to commemorate this momentous moment, it's somehow appropriate we review a game that deals with... the ultimate after party!

Lola and Milo wake up the day after their graduation party to discover that they are dead... and in Hell. Desperate to find a way back to the Land of the Living, they learn of a way out:

Drink The Devil under the table...

Night School Studio brings you a fun little romp through the underworld. The story is interesting, and maintains a nice flow of humour and a serious examination of the morally ambivalent choices many adventure games force you to make to complete your quest. The story also throws in a bit of philosophy as it asks you to re-examine your attitudes about sin- and how hard line and unmoving the rules are relating to punishment for them. Certainly deeper in concept than many of the games out there these days.

The characters are interesting as well as complicated. You learn about them and their lives as the game progress, and the questions that their actions and reactions to Life make it a bit more complicated determining who burns in Hell, or not. They are likable, charming and witty characters. The supporting cast are equally well rounded, and add more than just filler to the story and world around them. Even Satan himself is shown with human frailty and issues.

The graphics are not super complex- but are pleasing to the eye, with an amazing colour palette that creates a stylish, yet pretty recognizable world for the characters and player to travel through.

While the game mechanics are shit simple, they are more than compensated by the story, characters, and visual style of the game. It shows you don't need complicated button combinations to tell a well thought out and thought provoking story.

"Afterparty" was a joy to play, and often made me pause to think about the choices I made, and the nature of sin and its consequences at it relates to Religion. I would absolutely recommend- and will be playing again to see which of the multiple endings I can get next. A solid "Good"!

Halloween Day by Day: "Halloween" (2018)

2019-10-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

The big day is here- Halloween! And what better way for me to wrap up this year's month long celebration of all that's spooky, creepy, and scary than with a review of the latest offering in the "Halloween" franchise?

It's been 40 years since Michael Myers went on his infamous killing spree in Haddenfield. While being transferred to a new facility, he escapes... and heads straight for Haddenfield.

Laurie Strode has been waiting in terror for the day that Michael would come home. News of his escape sends her on a dangerous quest to protect those she loves... and leads her to a final showdown with the Boogeyman of her past...

2018's "Halloween" is what I would consider the perfect reboot of this franchise. While the others in the series were fun, I found that the story threads tying them all together started to get silly and rather convoluted. This installment goes back to the core concept of what Michael Myers is, and keeps it simple.

Michael has always, in my opinion, worked best when you knew very little about him. Making him Laurie's brother, and being imbued with supernatural power via the cult of Thorn, blah blah blah weakened the essence of the character. This movie takes him right back to those basics: he's unstoppable death, pure and simple.

Laurie is a very believable character, and I love the direction they went with her. She's strong, powerful- but also flawed and vulnerable. She's afraid- but shows how brave she is by overcoming that fear. Just a great development for her.

Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie is simply amazing. She brings the character to complete life, pulling into the movie. You cheer for her, not because she's the iconic Laurie Strode, but because she makes this version of the character one you can't help but emotionally invest in at the most basic level. I'm looking forward to seeing what she accomplishes with Laurie in the next movie.

Nick Castle- who played Myers in the original movie, makes some cameos as the character- his breathing, and a couple of other shots. Just a great way to honor his contribution over the years. James Jude Courtney also puts in a solid performance as Myers. He really brought a nice sense of sinister, unstoppable evil to the character.

The 2018 "Halloween" deserves to be in any fan of the franchise's collection- and watch on Halloween. It's an absolute "Good"!

Halloween Day by Day: "Halloween" (1978) Theme

2019-10-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Did you honestly think I'd let this year's "Halloween Day by Day" go by without covering THIS particular theme?

Shame on you, ye of little faith!

John Carpenter's musical theme to his first movie is just a masterpiece of horror movie music. It's a pulse quickening, uneasy melody that matches your racing heart and panicked thoughts. It always sounds as if it's coming from the shadows behind you- just like the stealthy stalking of Michael Myers himself. The different layers of tones and melodies keeps changing sides, and makes you look over your shoulder at any little sound in your empty house.

This theme is the sound of slow, inevitable fear and death coming for the unwary- relentless in it's approach, unyielding in it's mission, uncompromising in it's plans for you.

It is the sound of "Halloween", the night death came home.

My words can't do this piece of music justice, really. Just listen to it below, and simply enjoy!