Welcome to the new home of Creepercast.com. Where we let the fear creep in with all things horror genre. News, Reviews, and more! STAFF:
J.P.: Editor (EIC - Editor in Cheif), Writer (CC - Content Contributor);
Joel Kenyon: Editor (AE - Assistant Editor), Writer (CC - Content Contributor); William S Mayfield: Writer (CC - Content Contributor)
Shaenon K. Garrity, the self-professed Mayor of Horror Movies, is mostly a cartoonist who just happens to watch a lot of scary movies while drawing cartoons. Check out her thematically appropriate horror movie for each day of the year at Horror Every Day. Continue to visit the Creepercast every day for that days featured Horror offering.
We continue to look back in retrospect at the Halloween franchise films that we have loved, or at least found entertaining, before they cease to exist with the release of the new Halloween II on October 19th. We continue our fond remembrance of the Halloween franchise with the worst of the Halloween franchise, HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION and pretty much sunk the franchise to nothing but constant remakes.
"Evil find its way home."
Wikipedia Synopsis: HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION is the eighth installment in the Halloween series. It continues with Michael Myers continuing his murderous rampage in his hometown of Haddonfield. Yet, this time, the killer's old, derelict childhood home is being used for a live internet horror show.
HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION is directed by Rick Rosenthal, who had also directed Halloween II in 1981. The film builds upon the continuity of Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, and that is only the first mistake. Writers Larry Brand and Sean Hood apparently wanted Michael Myers to compete with Jason X, and thereby created something just as bad if not worse. Jamie Lee Curtis had agreed to H2O believing they would be ending Michael once and for all. Instead the writers found a way to bait and switch the ending and mistaken identity allows RESURRECTION to happen. It is reported that Jamie Lee only agreed to reprise her role as Laurie yet again because this time, at least one of them, would be killed once and for all. It seems only right and fair that the man who introduced the relationship between Laurie and Michael be at the helm. What makes it confusing is RESURRECTION is literally two movies in one. The first part representing the culmination of the brother and sister storyline and serving as an excuse as to how it is possible that Michael can continue his reign of stabbings. It also appears that Jamie is there just to lend credibility to the film. After that, in the guise of nostalgia, Michael returns to his childhood home to find it has been invaded by modern day ghost hunters seeking a living spirit, which he is obliged to provide, while returning to his original roots of being a hulking killer.
The second part of HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION stars a crazy mix of actors and non-actors like Busta Rhymes, Bianca Kajlich, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Ryan Merriman, Sean Patrick Thomas, Katee Sackhoff, Daisy McCrackin, Luke Kirby and Tyra Banks. With such an ensemble its obvious the film makers were hoping to create a more 00's type slasher film that borrowed from films like Scream. The character of Michael became more of an anguished killer, miles away from the hulking figure we grew to love. As a whole the idea behind HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION implies Michael has returned from the dead to pay vengeance upon the TV crew that has invaded his childhood home. Then things get ridiculous. Tyra Banks plays herself, at least so it seems, and rapper Busta Rhymes tries desperately to be LL Cool J (in a worse way then LL). As you watch you can't help but feel bad for Katee Sackhoff stuck in a stereotypical role that, thankfully, did not define her career, like it did Busta. Finally, the last thing I'll question... is it just me or does Michael's mask look more like a tired Ray Liotta?
HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION is one of the Halloween franchise films we wish we could say we would miss now that the timeline has been rewritten. But, in the end, there is still entertainment value, even though it did kill the continuing saga that was once the Halloween franchise.
We continue to look back in retrospect at the Halloween franchise films that we have loved, or at least found entertaining, before they cease to exist with the release of the new Halloween II on October 19th. We continue our fond remembrance of the Halloween franchise with Halloween H2O...
Its been 20 years since the events that happened in the original Halloween. In this installment of the franchise Michael Myers has been on the run or just in hiding but he is returning. Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie. She has moved far from Haddenfield. She is in constant fear that Myers will return. Now the headmistress of a boarding school in northern California with here 17 year old son who has no interest in the legend of Michael Myers. The school is on the verge of a annual camping trip and Laurie will not let her son go due to her fears, but of course, he has a girlfriend... well, we were all that age. Michael finds his way to Northern California and once again the hunt begins.
Josh Hartnett plays Lauries son, and even though his mom says he can go camping, he decides to stay and not tell her. Him, his girl and a few others want to have a Halloween party since Laurie has never let her son. L. L. Cool J plays the schools security officer, but I was really not sure if he was playing the cook from Deep Blue Sea. I'm not wanting to say this movie is the worst movie in the franchise, but it the worst one I can remember. I know its a slasher flick but when you go from a small low budget to the big Hollywood treatment most of the time it winds up hurting the production more than helping, especially with horror movies. Myers systematically goes on a killing spree and there is a decent kill count but it still falls very short of the original. The third act feels like it was an after thought and the final confrontation was one of the biggest WTF moments I have ever seen on camera. I would like to give this a recommendation because its a good film, but all I will say is if you want a laugh or two this might be the sequel for you. As always please check out all the films I review and make up your own mind.
We continue to look back in retrospect at the Halloween franchise films that we have loved, or at least found entertaining, before they cease to exist with the release of the new Halloween II on October 19th. We continue our fond remembrance of the Halloween franchise with HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982), not to be confused with another horror masters witch classic (George Romero's Season of the Witch).
"Kids all over America want Silver Shamrock masks for Halloween. Doctor Daniel Challis seeks to uncover a plot by Silver Shamrock owner Conal Cochran."
Wikipedia Synopsis: HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH follows the story of Dr. Dan Challis as he tries to solve the mysterious murder of a patient in his hospital. He, along with the patient's daughter Ellie Grimbride, travels to the small town of Santa Mira, California. The pair discover that Silver Shamrock Novelties, a company run by Conal Cochran, is attempting to use the mystic powers of the Stonehenge rocks to resurrect the ancient aspects of the Celtic festival, Samhain, which Cochran connects to witchcraft. Cochran is using his Silver Shamrock Halloween masks to achieve his goal, which will be achieved when all the children wearing his masks watch the Silver Shamrock commercial airing Halloween night.
Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace; Written by John Carpenter, Tommy Lee Wallace, and Nigel Kneale; Produced by John Carpenter and Debra Hill; Starring Tom Atkins, Dan O'Herlihy, and Stacey Nelkin. Tommy Lee Wallace, is a long-time friend and collaborator of John Carpenter, began as an art director for Carpenter's Dark Star and was one of the editors on the original Halloween and The Fog. His other directing credits includes Fright Night Part 2, Vampires: Los Muertos (2002), and the miniseries It (1990). Carpenter initially offered directorial responsibilities for Halloween II to Wallace but Wallace declined, citing disappointment with the script. The fact he agreed to direct HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH is testament to their belief in the over-arching project.
On the lead actors front, Tom Atkins (Dr. Daniel Challis) had appeared in several John Carpenter films prior to Halloween III. Atkins played Nick Castle in The Fog (1980) and Rehme in Escape from New York (1981). As the doctor investigating into the strangeness of the Silver Shamrock he is the perfect protagonist and has expressed how much he loves vanquishing evil. Atkins has been quoted by Fangoria as saying "I wouldn't mind making a whole career out of being in just horror movies." On the opposite side of the spectrum, as much as the acting cred of Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis added to Halloween, Dan O'Herlihy as Conal Cochran (The Cabinet of Caligari, The Dead) does the same for HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH. Of course his Irish heritage helps in relation to the story being told about a 3000 year old Celtic witch wanting to replace all the children with robots. Atkins' protagonism as a stereotypical, mans man, modern American starkly contrasts with O'Herlihy's ancient European royalty mask over barbarian intentions antagonism.
Speaking of masks, the purpose of the mask story line in the film has been explained as a commentary on the fixation children have on Halloween masks and the desire to be seen for something other than who they are. This is a running theme in Carpenters Halloween franchise and especially Zombie's retelling as well. In Michael Myers case it is truly a way for him to hide behind a face that doesn't look anything like him (which is why his eyes, the windows do the dark soul, became so important to the character). In HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH the mask is a many layered tool. In Samhain celebrations the mask is a way to hide among the spirits that return to the living for the night. Cochran is wearing a mask that makes it possible for him to hide among us. The masks are also the tools by which the evil will control the living, and eventually destroying them. Thus, the method by which the living traditionally uses to hide from evil will lead to their destruction. But I digress...
Writer Nigel Kneale (BBC, Hammer Film Productions) may be the main writer of HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH, or at least idea man behind the Celtic rooted story. Which perhaps even explains the Hammer like appearance of the entire movie. Unfortunately some producers managed to bastardize the script trading cerebral horror in favor of more kills. So much so that Kneale was ready to have his name removed from the credits. This is one of the real reasons the film failed on most fronts and our first lesson on how the wrong people involved in the creative decisions can destroy a good idea. A lesson Carpenter and Hill always refer back on when they are asked to give advice to young film makers. Hill told Fangoria that the film was supposed to be "a 'pod' movie, not a 'knife' movie." As such, director Wallace drew inspiration from Don Siegel's Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956). The fictional town of Santa Mira was originally the setting of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The plot was also similar in that children were to be replaced by robots (rather than emotionless aliens) and the timing and build up were comparative. As for the rest of the plot it begins to fall apart about the time we realize the witches plans of creating little Stepford children makes title to no sense.
Though the idea behind HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH is admirable, putting it under the Halloween franchise banner was not the best move. Unfortunately, Carpenter had created a conundrum when he brilliantly agreed to name his babysitter killer movie after the pagan holiday. On one hand he had invented an icon in Michael Myers that grew more popular with every Halloween that passed, cemented in history once the sequel hit. But, it was also a good idea to have a Halloween franchise that was actually an anthology of full length films, perhaps even drawing the stories from pagan beliefs that brought us the holiday. As a stand alone film, HALLOWEEN: SEASON OF THE WITCH would be the perfect introduction to that kind of anthology. Despite the attempts at tying it to the first two films like same music, opening pumpkin, and the appearance of Dick Warlock (who donned the mask in Halloween II) as an Assassin Android and Jamie Lee Curtis' uncredited Curfew Announcer/Telephone Operator, it comes off more as an homage or even real world counterpart rather than fictionalizing everything from the first two films as intended.
Through its success and failings HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH is quintessential Halloween fodder. Putting aside the failures of having no Michael, a massacred original script, and a poorly orchestrated attempt at reinventing the Halloween franchise, HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH is a Halloween holiday film that deserves its cult following. Be fairly warned, it is not the most brilliant film you'll find. But it is entertaining and, if nothing else, infected us with the Silver Shamrock jingle that will never leave your mind. just when you think you forgot it, it will creep its way into your dreams.
A24 horror films are sometimes touch and go, I mean, The Witch and It comes at Night were brilliant additions to the genre with deserved praise. But, HEREDITARY is one of those films that came on the heels of an outrageous ad campaign that promised the most disturbing horror film you've ever seen. As usually turns out to be the case, I assure you that it isn't. I'm still a fan of the style of shock advertising made popular in the 50's and love the way HEREDITARY was able to make it work. The film is disturbing, although only because of the misleading story line. Yes, HEREDITARY is very reminiscent of Rosemary's Baby. It's also not a bad film, with decent jump scares and mind numbing mental horror, its hardly the film the advertisements and critics are promising.
Though I still believe there is nothing amazing that makes HEREDITARY stand about above other demon possession type films, it is still worth a watch if you have to the time.
Jeff's really short reviews are designed to briefly highlight those movies that Jeff either loves, or in some cases, hates, without any fluff in between.
I've mentioned many times that our introduction to the writing/directing team of Moorehead and Benson were first brought to our attention by our patron saint Bill Oberst Jr who had the pleasure of playing a creepy Frenchman in their film RESOLUTION. I've also debated and reveled in the new wave of cerebral horror Benson/Moorehead were a part of and gave, them especially, my hopes that they would bring us more. I was extremely excited when their next big project, SPRING, was announced, and definitely did not let now. Once a sequel to RESOLUTION was announced I waited with anticipation for what I knew was going to be thrilling and mind bending on a level that only story tellers like them could manage, and they did.
THE ENDLESS takes us into the heart of two young survivors (played by Benson and Moorehead) of what may have been a death cult as they decide to go back and visit after escaping. Their lives haven't gotten much better since leaving, so why not? Once there the film turns into exactly what you expect as thing go from ok to downright creepy. There are few writers and directors in the independent world that can weave a tail as engrossing as Benson/Moorehead and still keep it on the edge of horror. THE ENDLESS is another winner on both the psychological and entertainment front.
As with all things Moorehead and Benson, THE ENDLESS comes highly recommended by the Creepercast. Although already suggested, definitely check out RESOLUTION first since there are important elements of THE ENDLESS that calls back to it. At last look both were available on NetFlix.
Jeff's really short reviews are designed to briefly highlight those movies that Jeff either loves, or in some cases, hates, without any fluff in between.
Shaenon K. Garrity, the self-professed Mayor of Horror Movies, is mostly a cartoonist who just happens to watch a lot of scary movies while drawing cartoons. Check out her thematically appropriate horror movie for each day of the year at Horror Every Day. Continue to visit the Creepercast every day for that days featured Horror offering.
Brad Dourif and Liv Tyler helm this modern Grimms style fairy tail about a child that could be more than she appears. Relative newcomer Bel Powley plays the coming of age monster to be deftly. I found Liv to be as laid back in her role as usual and Brad stuck to tough love surliness. Director/cowriter Fritz Böhm has created an excellent atmospheric exploration into the human condition versus monster that would no doubt make Hans Christian Anderson proud. That much said, from the moment of discovery to the end it felt like WILDLING was an extension of Jack Ketchum and Andrew van den Houten's 'Offspring'. More likely comparisons can be made to the brilliant Lucky McKee sequel 'The Woman'. Powley's transformation looks eerily simlar to McIntosh's character to the point I imagined it was somehow related.
If, like me, you're a sucker for dark fairy tales or a fan of either the 'Offspring' and/or 'The Woman' than WILDLING is a worthy monster flick for you. Just don't feel bad when the the true monster turns out to be you.
Jeff's really short reviews are designed to briefly highlight those movies that Jeff either loves, or in some cases, hates, without any fluff in between.
In honor of Mother's Day we are going to take the next few weeks to countdown the Top 10 Horror Mom's and mention why we love them. Horror Mom's are the most notorious and supportive Mom's there ever were and here is why...
10. Patty McCormack as Mommy: Mommy (1995)
Patty McCormack, who portrayed the evil little girl in 1956's killer kid pic The Bad Seed, returns as an evil adult in the low-budget Mother's Day film. She plays the perfectionist mother of a 11-year-old honor student whom she believes should receive the Student of the Year award. When the girl doesn't win, Mommy takes things into her own hands.
9. Mama as herself: Mama (2013)
On the day that their parents die, sisters Lilly and Victoria vanish in the woods, prompting a frantic search by their Uncle Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his girlfriend, Annabel (Jessica Chastain). Five years later, miraculously, the girls are found alive in a decaying cabin, and Lucas and Annabel welcome them into their home. But as Annabel tries to reintroduce the children to a normal life, she finds that someone -- or something -- still wants to tuck them in at night.
8. Essie Davis as Amelia Vannick: The Babadook (2014)
A troubled widow (Essie Davis) discovers that her son is telling the truth about a monster that entered their home through the pages of a children's book. In the end what we learn is that the monster is a lot closer to this mother then we would have liked to believe.
7. Kathleen Turner as Beverly Sutphin: Serial Mom (1994)
In this indie crime/horror/thriller/comedy a seemingly perfect wife and mother (Kathleen Turner) from Baltimore gains celebrity status as a serial killer.
6. Rose Ross as Mother: Mother's Day (1980)
As our favorite horror movies continue to remind us, it takes a special kind of love for a mother to always be there for her demented offspring. Someone had to nourture their psychotic tendancies after all. Rose Ross does so with as much positive re-enforcement as a mother can provide.
5. Karen Black as Mother Firefly: House of 1,000 Corpses (2003)
Every psychotic family needs the most perfectly twisted matriarch to keep them all together and Karen Black is the iconic woman you want to portray her. If only we all had a mother as dedicated to her family.
4. Piper Laurie as Margaret White: Carrie (1976)
Margaret White is a religious fanatic, her extreme views primarily targeted against sex, which she believes is a sin. This stems from her belief that Carrie's father was the devil because he inpregnated her as a teenager and left her. Ms. White is the embodiment of adolescent catholic guilt and doesn't let an awkward teenage moment go by without reminding and punishing Carrie for sins not yet committed. As any parent would, she is there to protect her child from the sinful ways of the young and is probably the best mother at it.
3. Norma Bates as Herself : Psycho (1960)
As the influence behind Norman's behavior, Norma is able to reach beyond the grave and still influence her psychotic son, as any good mother would. Granted, she is really just a piece of bad taxidermy or in Norman's mind, but she still acts as his catholic guilt ridden conscious. Seems catholic guilt runs in a lot of these horror families.
2. Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford: Mommy Dearest (1981)
In this biographical film, glamorous yet lonely star Joan Crawford (Faye Dunaway) takes in two orphans, and at first their unconventional family seems happy. But after Joan's attempts at romantic fulfillment go sour and she is fired from her contract with MGM studios, her callous and abusive behavior towards her daughter Christina (Diana Scarwid) gets crazily out of hand. Reported as a bio-pic the scariest aspect of this film is the idea that it may have actually happened by one of the greatest icons of Hollywood.
1. Betsy Palmer as Pamela Voorhees: Friday the 13th (1980)
I know we don't have to explain why we would say that Jason's mom is the number one best worst mother of horror. Once we get past the fact that Friday the 13th brought us several of the most important elements of slasher horror, Jason has a face that only a mother can love. Pamela Voorhees is the quintessential mother that not only loves her son to death, she will kill to prove it. If that's not enough she'll continue to influence Jason even after death. Death, disfiguration, and murder would never keep her from her son.
A terrible plague has left the planet's population divided between zombies and humans. An unusual zombie named R sees his walking-dead brethren attacking a living woman named Julie and rescues her. Julie sees that R is different from the other zombies, and the pair embarks on an unusual relationship. As their bond grows and R becomes more and more human, a chain of events unfolds that could transform the entire lifeless world.
Directed and scripted by Jonathan Levine based on the novel by the same name by Isaac Marion; WARM BODIES stars Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Dave Franco, and Rob Corddry.
Initially, WARM BODIES was kind of funny. But when it turned into a Romeo and Juliet zombie romcom I wasn't into it anymore. The filmmakers where banking on the love story, even releasing it around Valentine's Day, but what we got was a barely lukewarm ridiculous concept. Seriously, zombies are dead, they can't just come back to life because they fell in love warming their cold dead heart.
Available in all formats although I'm not sure why you'd want to see it.
Jeff's really short reviews are designed to briefly highlight those movies that Jeff either loves or in some cases, hates, without any fluff in between.
In honor of Mother's Day we are going to take the next few weeks to countdown the Top 10 Horror Mom's and mention why we love them. Horror Mom's are the most notorious and supportive Mom's there ever were and here is why...
1. Betsy Palmer as Pamela Voorhees: Friday the 13th (1980)
I know we don't have to explain why we would say that Jason's mom is the number one best worst mother of horror. Once we get past the fact that Friday the 13th brought us several of the most important elements of slasher horror, Jason has a face that only a mother can love. Pamela Voorhees is the quintessential mother that not only loves her son to death, she will kill to prove it. If that's not enough she'll continue to influence Jason even after death. Death, disfiguration, and murder would never keep her from her son.
When slacker teen Anton Tobias has his right hand possessed by a demonic force, he finds that his life gets a lot more interesting. While Anton himself is an amiable guy, his hand proves to be an appendage of death, killing his two best buddies, Pnub and Mick, who return to life as wisecracking zombies. In addition to murdering those closest to him, Anton's evil hand significantly hinders his chances with lovely neighbor Molly.
Directed by Rodman Flender from a script written by Ron Milbauer and Terri Hughes; IDLE HANDS stars Devon Sawa, Elden Henson, Seth Green, and Jessica Alba.
Probably one of the first teenage zombie romcoms and how can you hate it. Seth Green steals the show most of the time but the classic possessed hand helps move along the humor.
Available in all formats and is brilliantly one of the best horror comedies you'll ever see.
Jeff's really short reviews are designed to briefly highlight those movies that Jeff either loves or in some cases, hates, without any fluff in between.
Shaenon K. Garrity, the self-professed Mayor of Horror Movies, is mostly a cartoonist who just happens to watch a lot of scary movies while drawing cartoons. Check out her thematically appropriate horror movie for each day of the year at Horror Every Day. Continue to visit the Creepercast every day for that days featured Horror offering.
Shaenon K. Garrity, the self-professed Mayor of Horror Movies, is mostly a cartoonist who just happens to watch a lot of scary movies while drawing cartoons. Check out her thematically appropriate horror movie for each day of the year at Horror Every Day. Continue to visit the Creepercast every day for that days featured Horror offering.
Shaenon K. Garrity, the self-professed Mayor of Horror Movies, is mostly a cartoonist who just happens to watch a lot of scary movies while drawing cartoons. Check out her thematically appropriate horror movie for each day of the year at Horror Every Day. Continue to visit the Creepercast every day for that days featured Horror offering.
Shaenon K. Garrity, the self-professed Mayor of Horror Movies, is mostly a cartoonist who just happens to watch a lot of scary movies while drawing cartoons. Check out her thematically appropriate horror movie for each day of the year at Horror Every Day. Continue to visit the Creepercast every day for that days featured Horror offering.
In honor of Mother's Day we are going to take the next few weeks to countdown the Top 10 Horror Mom's and mention why we love them. Horror Mom's are the most notorious and supportive Mom's there ever were and here is why...
2. Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford: Mommy Dearest (1981)
In this biographical film, glamorous yet lonely star Joan Crawford (Faye Dunaway) takes in two orphans, and at first their unconventional family seems happy. But after Joan's attempts at romantic fulfillment go sour and she is fired from her contract with MGM studios, her callous and abusive behavior towards her daughter Christina (Diana Scarwid) gets crazily out of hand. Reported as a bio-pic the scariest aspect of this film is the idea that it may have actually happened by one of the greatest icons of Hollywood.
Shaenon K. Garrity, the self-professed Mayor of Horror Movies, is mostly a cartoonist who just happens to watch a lot of scary movies while drawing cartoons. Check out her thematically appropriate horror movie for each day of the year at Horror Every Day. Continue to visit the Creepercast every day for that days featured Horror offering.
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