REVIEWS
Cinema, Blu-ray/4K, Streaming and VOD Releases - Reviewed By Fans For Fans
THE SCREAMING SKULL
THE SCREAMING SKULL - A troubled newlywed’s encounters with a screaming skull lie at the heart of this 1958 gothic horror, remastered and released on Blu-ray by Eureka Entertainment. Our review of a fun 50’s B-movie that more than deserves its own little spot in the gothic horror canon.
WHALEFALL
WHALEFALL - Austin Abrams bad luck streak continues as he ends up getting swallowed by a whale, all the while trying to reconcile with his recently departed father, whose strict controlling nature, may hold the key to his escape. Our review of a film that mixes nautical body horror with mawkish family drama to unsuccessful effect.
OTHER MOMMY
OTHER MOMMY - Jessica Chastain pulls double duty as a distant mother and an evil doppelganger that seems intent on stealing her daughters affections and so much more. Our review of a film that aims for sustained terror but only trips itself up every time it tries to convince you that Jessica Chastain smiling is supposed to be scary.
HER PRIVATE HELL
Nicolas Winding Refn makes his long awaited return to cinema with the dreamlike sci-slasher HER PRIVATE HELL. Sophie Thatcher stars as an actress who crosses paths with a leather clad serial killer and Charles Melton’s GI stalking the streets looking for his missing daughter. Iain MacLeod reviews what should have been an enticing return to form but instead turns out to be an empty, vapid experience in self-indulgence.
RESIDENT EVIL
Zach Cregger takes creative control of the horror franchise, steering it into new territory that should please both longtime fans of the games and of his own highly successful works. Iain MacLeod reviews a video game adaptation which satisfies for the most part before descending into farcical chaos.
LEVITICUS
Adrian Chiarella’s Australian horror detailing the horrifying effects of a biblical curse affecting the lives of a young queer couple. Iain MacLeod reviews a mostly effective horror that is at its best, and most terrifying, when it concentrates on its real world aspects as opposed to the supernatural.
TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA
Jane Schonebrun’s fun, meta take on the slasher genre arrives onscreen, exploring a young queer director’s obsession with the titular franchise and its reclusive Final Girl played to great effect by Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson. Our review of a film that attempts to marry an academic approach to the genre with its more base elements to mixed effect.
ICE CREAM MAN
ICE CREAM MAN - Looking for the worst film of the year? Here it is! Eli Roth returns with a truly terrible film that struggles to raise any feeling at all in the viewer apart from boredom. Iain MacLeod reviews an extravaganza of a plotless, unfunny and boring film where the most horrifying elements are the shoddy AI scenes.
EVIL DEAD BURN
EVIL DEAD BURN - The Deadites return, in the darkest and goriest entry yet, to wreak havoc on a grieving and unsuspecting family who have a secret that the demons are very interested in. Check out our review of a mostly successful sequel that paves a new way forward in its own brutal and sadistic fashion.
DEAD MAN’S SHOES
DEAD MAN’S SHOES BLU-RAY REVIEW - Shane Meadows and Paddy Considine’s stone cold classic of bloody revenge finally makes its hi-def debut in an absolutely stacked and essential Blu-ray release from Second Sight Films. Iain MacLeod reviews a film that transcends the revenge genre, turning it on its head to create a film that has still to be matched.
THE COLD PREY COLLECTION
THE COLD PREY COLLECTION - Second Sight Films release the Norwegian slasher throwback trilogy in a lavish Blu-ray set. Steven West revists the films and finds much to enjoy in both the films and substantial extras.
THE CREEP TAPES: SEASON TWO
THE CREEP TAPES: SEASON TWO - Blu-ray Review - Cheery killer Peachfuzz returns to play with another round of victims in his own, twisted fun way. Chris Ward reviews the Blu-ray of a second season that tweaks the formula just enough to keep things fresh and twisted.
BACKROOMS
BACKROOMS - Liminal horror goes mainstream as Kane Parsons mysterious and dangerous world makes the jump from YouTube to cinema screens. Iain MacLeod reviews a striking and eerie debut that more than delivers on the promise of its web series and suggests a new direction for horror cinema.
THE DEVIL’S CANDY
THE DEVIL’S CANDY - Sean Byrne’s heavy metal themed horror arrives on 4K in a stacked special edition from Second Sight Films. Chris Ward reviews the whole package to see if the story and the scares match up to its rocking soundtrack
OBSESSION
OBSESSION - Be careful what you wish for as a young man's crush on his best friend takes a truly unsettling and terrifying turn in Curry Barker’s OBSESSION. Iain MacLeod reviews the film that will please his online fans as well as a new legion who will find much to admire in this expert mix of cringe inducing comedy and truly unnerving horror.
HOKUM
HOKUM - Struggling author Ohm Bauman visits the Irish hotel so beloved by his deceased parents only to discover the local legend of a malevolent witch could be the least of his worries. Iain MacLeod reviews Damian McCarthy’s latest film, that proves he is one of the genres most exciting talents with one of the scariest and most entertaining films of the year.
MOTHER MARY
MOTHER MARY - Anne Hathaway plays the titular and literally haunted popstar in need of a dress from her estranged friend played by Michaela Cole in David Lowery’s underwhelming attempt in melding horror and pop music together. Iain MacLeod reviews a film that plays everything in a timid coy fashion that becomes severely patience testing.
LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY
LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY - The Egyptian creature of classic Hollywood gets yet another look, but not really, in Lee Cronin’s sprawling, messy yet entertaining film. Iain MacLeod reviews the grisly take on an old favourite that is often at odds with itself in a number of ways.