Deathwoods
– (2026) – A group of friends vacate to the woods where they’re picked off by a killer when not hounded by local hillbillies. Yet another run-of-the-mill slasher that pits a so-called legendary killer against people with ordinary issues. There’s some blood n’ boobs here n’ there, but not enough to salvage a dull experience that isn’t as provoking as it wants to be.
Amityverse
– (2025) – Anthology of 10 stories that focus on Halloween night, a murderous clown, an evil spoon, a skeletal cop, a mime, a lawn ornament, a toilet, an invisible person, a killer dirtbag, and a hammer. While nothing presented can be considered prime entertainment, each segment moves too fast to leave behind the lingering stench of failure. Every tale breezes through shoddy action and dollar store F/X, and as such forms a harmless yet forgettable dungheap.
Spider Island
– (2026) – Influencers attending a new island resort encounter a murderous breed of arachnid, which the owner finds a minor inconvenience. Takes some digs at the annoyances of online attention whores, but there’s not much actual horror taking place. The spider activity is incredibly sparse, cheap, and ineffective, while the drama can’t handle the bulk of the remaining length.
Leviticus
– (2026) – Two young men are terrorized by an apparition that appears as each other. Begins by offering insights into homosexuality and religion, but not long after becomes just another tale of who’s who among drab characters in any form. It’s well made and has spouts of violence, but the whole time I kept longing to watch It Follows instead.
Amityvillenado
– (2026) – A few who visit the site of a murder house that was wiped out by a tornado become possessed by evil forces. Has points of progression and moves relatively fast while doing as much as it can with a meager budget. Still, there’s nothing here one hasn’t seen before, aside from a guy who’s possessed with sinister Hershey squirts. Mostly easy to withstand, despite an overlength of 111-minues.
Wizard of Death: Tinman’s Rise
– (2026) – A small family is hunted by a killer who’s donned in tin and sporting an ax. An experience not unlike banging your face against concrete, since there’s virtually nothing to observe that’s meaningful or memorable. Characters often scream, a stiff villain kills them in unimaginative ways, and the credits finally roll. There’s virtually nothing of substance here.
– (2004) – A pregnant woman going through a break-up starts seeing ghosts that are determined to live again. The drama is gripping from the start, while the horror gradually works its way in and causes many problems for the quiet but well drawn characters. Offers a variety of thrills and surprises.
– (1986) – Vacationing friends come under attack from a family of hungry hillbillies. Has an awful beginning, but once the hicks start their attack the pursuit never stops. In more capable hands, this could have been a classic bloodbath.
– (1977) – An ex-convict gets into the movie making business by filming the murders committed by his gang. Violent and depraved, but the characters are either unknown or unlikable and can’t provide a single emotion.
Halloween II (2009)
– (2009) – Laurie Strode nears the brink of madness while coping with her previous and recent encounters with Michael Myers. A vast improvement over the remake thanks to sympathetic characters, a brisk pace, and an absolute killing machine in Myers. A nightmare constructed of brutal violence and surreal imagery. Not for the weak.
The Birds
– (1963) – A small town is invaded by flocks of pissed off birds. The winged activity is okay, but the character relationships irritate. The whole set-up is without any conviction (the lead seriously travels 60 miles to break into a stranger’s house to give him birds) therefore, the action lacks emotion.
Creepshow
– (1982) – Anthology of five stories that focus on a zombie, a meteorite, a cheated husband, a Tasmanian devil, and a plethora of cockroaches. One of horror’s best thanks largely to a fantastic cast, grotesque F/X, and a steady horror/comic mood. A masterpiece propelled to legend by “The Crate.”
The Skeleton Key (2005)
– (2005) – A woman is hired to care for an elderly man in a house of hoodoo secrets. Some parts of the mystery are intriguing, and the conclusion is bizarre, but the overall pace makes every second feel like an hour. Best when dealing with atmosphere, since the character stories leave much to be desired.
S.I.C.K.
– (2003) – So-called friends and a hitchhiker vacate to a cabin where they’re tormented by a fat clown. Okay as an idea, but the horrid acting and repetitive banter wear thin fast. Terrible, but often amuses with its overbearing stench.
Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
– (1991) – A cop who’s possessed by the spirit of a kabuki man transforms into one to fight a prophecy-fueled crime spree. Clever in spots, but terribly lame in most others. Strives for a Toxic Avenger vibe, but lacks the Troma energy and pizzazz.