Horror Movies

Argento’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ (1998) a kitschy experiment

In my Dario Argento reviews up to this point in his filmography, I’ve given at least a mild recommendation to everything except 1990’s “Black Cat”

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‘StageFright’ (1987) hits slasher beats right between the eyes

A plot about an insane person in an owl mask slaughtering the entire cast of a musical needs no translation, but Amazon Prime offered only

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‘Sorority Row’ (2009) lines up worst traits of the Naughties

What horror film is the most Naughties? Not the best or the worst, but the one that most encompasses the formulaic excesses of unoriginality (remaking

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Giger, Henstridge, weirdly great cast keep ‘Species’ (1995) going

There was only one H.R. Giger (1940-2014) – and his creepily sexual creature-design work will never be confused with anyone else’s – but there was

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‘Companion’ and the shame of trailers telling the whole story

With roles in several horror-thriller films and TV, Sophie Thatcher (“Yellowjackets,” “Heretic”) seems here to stay as a new star, and “Companion” might be her

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Prowling for an unsung Eighties slasher? Try ‘The Prowler’ (1981)

“The Prowler” (1981) is one of those “more entertaining than it is good” Eighties slashers. It starts with a rare sense of pedigree as we

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No sophomore slump for Philippous with ‘Bring Her Back’

It’s now safe to say “Talk to Me” (2023) wasn’t merely a happy accident. Under the increased pressure of “What are they gonna do next!?”

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Bava lays a foundation with ‘Blood and Black Lace’ (1964)

If Dario Argento constructed beautiful horror castles, his mentor Mario Bava laid the foundations and dug out the basements first. As such, he’s a director

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‘Alice, Sweet Alice’ (1976) driven by a great Evil Kid performance

“Alice, Sweet Alice” (1976) is one of the most fascinating American proto-slashers to discuss, and it’s watchability factor isn’t far behind. Since the juiciest talking

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A penny for your thoughts on Death in ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’

Sometimes I wonder how Gen-Xers – the generation that didn’t give a crap – turned into helicopter parents. This is probably giving the power of

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