Giger, Henstridge, weirdly great cast keep ‘Species’ (1995) going
Frightening Friday (Movie review): This sub-“Alien” creature feature should theoretically go extinct, but it’s weirdly watchable.
Horror Movies
Giger, Henstridge, weirdly great cast keep ‘Species’ (1995) going
‘Companion’ and the shame of trailers telling the whole story
Movie review: Thatcher is great in a darkly winking thriller about budding mistrust at a lake retreat. After the spoiler warning, I share thoughts on the marketing.
Prowling for an unsung Eighties slasher? Try ‘The Prowler’ (1981)
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Slathered with trope-building sequences and sub-Hitchcockian suspense, Zito’s film nonetheless has a shlocky pull.
No sophomore slump for Philippous with ‘Bring Her Back’
Movie review: The brothers follow “Talk to Me” with an even more meticulously crafted film, although it trades scares for an overall unease.
Bava lays a foundation with ‘Blood and Black Lace’ (1964)
Frightening Friday (Movie review): But later works would put his style innovations to scarier use than this procedural murder plot.
‘Alice, Sweet Alice’ (1976) driven by a great Evil Kid performance
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Though it lacks the intense scares of pure slashers, this film’s mystery hits on a psychological level.
A penny for your thoughts on Death in ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’
Movie review: Generational trauma goes to the extreme in the saga’s sixth film overall and first in 14 years.
‘A Bay of Blood’ (1971) shows where ‘Friday the 13th’ came from
Frightening Friday (Movie review): The style and practical gore effects remain outstanding, but the plot of this Bava film has never been strong.
Coogler, Jordan team up again for too-safe ‘Sinners’
Movie review: It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive, but it’s hard to imagine a worse place to exist than stressfully racist 1931 Mississippi.
‘Stendhal Syndrome’ (1996) is stupid but rather engaging
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Asia Argento plays the least plausible cop ever, but her father Dario’s directorial style remains a high point.