Eric Butler's Blog, page 12

Mark your calendar

I'm working hard on 2 projects and want to get them completed and out to you ASAP so I don't have much for today except a reminder that you can come out and meet me in July. I'll be the guy under the table, so really you'll get to meet my wife most likely. A few authors had to drop out, and they've been replaced. Once I get some new artwork from the art guy, I'll let you know who's in and who's out.

Some exciting news ... I've been invited to participate in the first-ever Texas Author Con. Come and meet 12 local writers (horror and fantasy mostly) and discover a new favorite writer. From what I understand, we will have door prizes and I will have some fun exclusives just for this event. Come out and make new friends and get some summer reading. I'm going to showcase the participants for future posts so you can get an idea of what to look forward to.

I'll have copies of all my paperbacks available with some cool swag, and my barely legible signature if requested.

2013 - some new faces join a ton of remakes and sequels

We will start and end this top 10 list with a remake, in between you will find quite a few franchise starters. I'm missing a few popular films and some potential hidden gems, but this is still during my dark period. I did see #1 in the theater though, and it ... was ... awesome.

I really thought they did a great job paying tribute to the original while adding some new parts to give the Evil Dead remake its own flair. It's gory, funny, and super entertaining. Check it out on tubi.

Blurb - Five friends head to a remote cabin, where the discovery of a Book of the Dead leads them to unwittingly summon up demons living in the nearby woods.

https://youtu.be/ZDbnniZh4X4

I didn't see The Conjuring until the lockdown, but I thought it was a well-executed haunted house tale. Director James Wan takes over possession and haunting horror films in 2013 after successfully starting the Saw franchise. Check it out on HBOMax & Netflix.

Blurb - Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.

https://youtu.be/k10ETZ41q5o

Adding to The Conjuring, director James Wan expands the Insidious franchise with Insidious Chapter 2. You'll also find Patrick Wilson in this movie as well as The Conjuring as he puts his stamp as the face of haunting movies. Find it on Netflix.

Blurb - The Lamberts believe that they have defeated the spirits that have haunted their family, but they soon discover that evil is not beaten so easily.

https://youtu.be/fBbi4NeebAk

After 2 short films, Writer/Director Damien Leone put together All Hallows' Eve. It's a well done anthology film where Leone got to showcase his special effect talent. One of the stories introduces us to one of my favorite horror movie monsters, Art the Clown. This first time it's played by Mike Giannelli and he's just as creepy as David Thornton but David offers more physicality to the role. Stream it on tubi and VUDUfree.

Blurb - A babysitter finds a VHS tape which features various sinister murders performed by a psychotic clown.

https://youtu.be/OCbgfnVXM3I

The Purge has a special place in my heart as it is one of the last films my son and I sat down and watched. He's of this new generation who won't watch much unless it's a YouTube video of someone else watching something and reacting. But he wanted to see this film and best of all, I enjoyed it. I think the whole franchise is entertaining, and this one sets the stage for all the crazy stuff coming in future films. Stream it on HBO and Cinemax.

Blurb - A wealthy family is held hostage for harboring the target of a murderous syndicate during the Purge, a 12-hour period in which any and all crime is legal.

https://youtu.be/K0LLaybEuzA

World War Z was Brad Pitt's highest-grossing film in his career up to this point. Who knew Zombies and Pitt were moneymakers. Of course, this version embraces the fast-moving zombie, which I find way more exciting to watch than the shuffle version. Stream on Prime, Paramount+, and Epix.

Blurb - Former United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop a zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatens to destroy humanity itself.

https://youtu.be/Md6Dvxdr0AQ

Speaking of shuffling zombies, I think Warm Bodies is one of the most fun and clever films of 2013. Nicholas Holt & Teresa Palmer have great chemistry. Check it out on HBOMax.

Blurb - After a highly unusual zombie saves a still-living girl from an attack, the two form a relationship that sets in motion events that might transform the entire lifeless world.

https://youtu.be/07s-cNFffDM

The director of the Nazi zombie film Dead Snow wrote and directed this fun and over-the-top gory action-horror movie, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. Jeremy Renner & Gemma Arterton have good chemistry as siblings who have dedicated their lives to hunting down and killing witches. Stream on Prime, Paramount+, and Epix.

Blurb - Brother/sister duo Hansel and Gretel are professional witch-hunters who help innocent villagers. One day they stumble upon a case that could hold the key to their past.

https://youtu.be/9246msCh7x4

Written by Thunder Levin, SyFy gave us the what-if combination of tornados and sharks with Sharknado. I don't know what more I have to say. Find it on Prime.

Blurb - When a freak hurricane swamps Los Angeles, nature's deadliest killer rules sea, land, and air as thousands of sharks terrorize the waterlogged populace.

https://youtu.be/M-pXDoe5a0E

Ending the top 10, we find another look at Leatherface with Texas Chainsaw 3D. It follows the Leatherface format, 4-6 attractive 19-24 years old show up to a place where Leatherface is ready to kill everyone. It's a good format and works. Stream it on Netflix.

Blurb - A young woman travels to Texas to collect an inheritance; little does she know that an encounter with a chainsaw-wielding killer is part of the reward.

https://youtu.be/75TvtJIbbNY

Before they were Marvel stars - Part 2 The Chris-es ..

So this week we're going to take a peek at the 3 Chrissssssss(how many S's do I need to add?) Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Pratt all boomed as leading Marvel men. However, there are some gems out there that you should see ... Let's start with Captain America.

Of the 3, Chris Evans has the largest amount of choices, 58, and made for the toughest decision to narrow it down to 3. He's great as Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four, Not Another Teen Movie is hilarious, and I could have pointed to another comic-based movie The Losers, but instead, you get the following ...

#1 Snowpiercer

So yes, technically it came out after he began his stint as Captain America, but it's so different from the Marvel movies and characters, I'm counting it. The movie is an adult dystopia, and a look at just how divided a group can get when faced with a class-based system. The film is terrific and inspired a show on TNT so it's more well known than when I stumbled across it back in the day. Stream it on crackle, plex, and Redbox with ads.

Blurb - In a future where a failed climate change experiment has killed all life except for the survivors who boarded the Snowpiercer (a train that travels around the globe), a new class system emerges.

https://youtu.be/nX5PwfEMBM0

#2 Before We Go

Chris Evans not only stars in this movie but also directs. It's one of my favorite looks at the beginning of a relationship as they both are dealing with major changes to their "norm". He and Alice Eve have great chemistry, and you can feel the love they have for this little indie movie. You can stream it on tubi, VUDUfree, and freevee(Amazon's new w/ads streamer).

Blurb - Two strangers stuck in Manhattan for the night grow into each other's most trusted confidants when an evening of unexpected adventure forces them to confront their fears and take control of their lives.

https://youtu.be/vNzaiGzPoUg

#3 - Street Kings

Before David Ayer tackled Suicide Squad, he did a lot of cops and robbers-style films. I think this is one of the better ones. The cast is amazing. It's a rent/buy-to-stream but worth it.

Blurb - An undercover cop, disillusioned by the death of his wife, is implicated in the murder of an officer and must struggle to clear himself.

https://youtu.be/4m2axi2J4Sg

Next up we have Cris Hemsworth, the Mighty Thor. He's so good as the God of Thunder, and I'm excited to see where they go with the 4th film. Now I could have included The Cabin in the Woods, but it was just in the 2012 top 10 horror list so I skipped it here. There's also Star Trek but he's in that for like 2 minutes, so I decided to pick a few that might have slipped by but came out during the early Thor and Avengers days.

#1 - A Perfect Getaway

This is one of my favorite movies. I love Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant, but the rest of the cast is near perfect in this film by the creator of Pitch Black & Riddick. If you like suspense, you will love this movie. Stream it with Starz or the freevee app.

Blurb - Two pairs of lovers on a Hawaiian vacation discover that psychopaths are stalking and murdering tourists on the islands.

https://youtu.be/FYw_OUresio

#2 - In the Heart of the Sea

This had all the makings of a Christmas blockbuster but like most ocean-based epics, it fell short. I have a soft spot for movies and shows based during this period and with the ocean as a major member of the cast. Also stars Spiderman's Tom Holland so it won't make his list. Check it out on HULU.

Blurb - A recounting of a New England whaling ship's sinking by a giant whale in 1820, an experience that later inspired the great novel Moby-Dick.

https://youtu.be/K-H35Mpj4uk

#3 - Bad Times at the El Royale

Written and directed by Daredevil's show creator, Drew Goddard, this movie has the feel of a classic whodunit. If you enjoy tons of twists and turns, and some fun performances from some big named stars, then you should enjoy your trip to the El Royale ... no matter which side you decide to visit. Stream it with FXNow.

Blurb - Early 1970s. Four strangers check in at the El Royale Hotel. The hotel is deserted, staffed by a single desk clerk. Some of the new guests' reasons for being there are less than innocent and some are not who they appear to be.

https://youtu.be/y7wzBVARwaU

Last up is Star-Lord himself, Chris Pratt. He has a weird career, you can draw a line and say after this point he's a superstar leading man but on the other side, he was a small role/comic relief kinda guy. I was going to suggest Passengers, and if you haven't seen it you should. Also, he is great in Parks and Recs.

#1 - The Lego Movie

Chris Pratt shines as the voice of Emmett. It's a super funny movie and it gave us Lego Batman so that's a win by itself. It's a rent/buy-to-stream.

Blurb - An ordinary LEGO construction worker, thought to be the prophesied as "special", is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the LEGO universe into eternal stasis.

https://youtu.be/fZ_JOBCLF-I

#2 - Moneyball

This is a Brad Pitt movie but Pratt plays an important role as Scott Hatteberg. The movie is well done, and the book it's based on is fantastic. If you love baseball, I'd suggest the book, but if you are a casual fan or just know about the sport, go with the movie. Stream it on HULU and AMC+.

Blurb - Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.

https://youtu.be/-4QPVo0UIzc

#3 - Delivery Man

Pratt has a bigger role in this one as Vince Vaughn's comic relief/sound-board. It's one of those feel-good comedies, Vaughn likes to slip between his harder Rated-R comedies and it works. You'll have to rent/buy to stream this one.

Blurb - An affable underachiever finds out he's fathered 533 children through anonymous donations to a fertility clinic 20 years ago. Now he must decide whether or not to come forward when 142 of them file a lawsuit to reveal his identity.

https://youtu.be/yGAktL45XNQ

2012 - The horror resurgence continues

2012 introduced us to some creative and fun horror movies. On top of some amazing new stories, it gave us a continuation of some popular female-led action/horror franchises and gave a comedic re-imagining of a cult-favorite TV show from the 60s & 70s.

Before Scott Derrickson directed Dr. Strange, he gave us my favorite horror movie of 2012, Sinister. I saw it a few years later as this was smack dab in the middle of my dark period. When I sat down to watch it, I found myself generally creeped out and a number of times I found myself laughing in glee. The movie is so well put together, and there are some very good jump scares, and WTF did I just see moment. Check it out on Peacock Premium.

Blurb - Washed-up true crime writer Ellison Oswalt finds a box of super 8 home movies in his new home that suggest the murder that he is currently researching is the work of a serial killer whose legacy dates back to the 1960s.

https://youtu.be/_kbQAJR9YWQ

Before Drew Goddard became the force behind the Netflix Marvel series, i.e. Daredevil, he co-wrote and directed this very clever take on horror movie tropes, The Cabin in the Woods. It was a project that almost never got a release as MGM went into bankruptcy before it could be sent to theaters. Goddard never thought it would get free of the whole mess, but Lionsgate saw the finished product and got it out into the wild. It probably didn't hurt that one of the stars is Chris Helmsworth and Thor had just come out.

Any other year, it would be my #1. The movie is clever. funny, and filled with some fun horror movie gore. You'll have to rent/buy to stream it now.

Blurb - Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin, where they get more than they bargained for, discovering the truth behind the cabin in the woods.

https://youtu.be/NsIilFNNmkY

Produced by WWE, you will see a few wrestlers in roles, but nothing takes away from Luke Evans's captivating performance in No One Lives. This movie is filled with twists and turns, and a whole lot of violence & gore. I do have a gripe with the script in places, but overall this movie could easily be my favorite of the year. You can check it out on tubi, VUDUfree, and freevee(Amazon-owned w/ads).

Blurb - A gang of ruthless highway killers kidnap a wealthy couple traveling cross country only to shockingly discover that things are not what they seem.

https://youtu.be/E46le6Jtny0

Daniel Radcliff's first film after finishing the Harry Potter franchise was The Woman in Black. We are going to find him in a bunch of cool and interesting roles as he tries to shrug off the HP typecast. This is also the next movie from James Watkins since 2008's Eden Lake. It's got a great gothic vibe, and they do a good job giving you the willies. It pops up on the popular streams but right now is only free on PlutoTV.

Blurb - A young solicitor travels to a remote village where he discovers that the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.

https://youtu.be/VnY0fEV30Wk

Don Coscarelli, the brain behind Phantasm, found the novel John Dies at the End because of an Amazon "you might like" suggestion. He liked it so much, that he made the movie using the same name. It's a classic example of bizarro horror and does a good job of leaving the viewer with many WTF moments. You can check it out on HBOMax.

Blurb - A new street drug that sends its users across time and dimensions has one drawback: some people return no longer human. Can two college drop-outs save humanity from this silent, otherworldly invasion?

https://youtu.be/IfJp417dyig

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter could have been done 2 ways. Russian super-director Timur Bekmambetov(Nightwatch, Wanted) tackles the idea of the President who led the fight to keep the Union hole, started as a vampire hunter. The movie is action-packed and played straight up. There are no tongue-in-cheek moments that could be used to let the audience in on the joke, instead, they take the idea of vampires very seriously. I think they did it the right way. You can check it out on occasion with Netflix, but right now it is on MaxGo.

Blurb - Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers vampires are planning to take over the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them.

https://youtu.be/wZp7eBStN1U

The Collection is the sequel to The Collector. Written and directed by the same guys, it has the same gritty feel of the Saw franchise. You don't have to watch the first one to get it, but I think you will enjoy them if you watch them together. Either way, you can see this one on HULU, and Amazon Prime.

Blurb - A man who escapes from the vicious grips of the serial killer known as "The Collector" is then forced to help rescue an innocent girl from the killer's booby-trapped lair.

https://youtu.be/n08aIH-Bhcc

Kate Beckinsale returns to the franchise with Underworld Awakening. The war is no longer just vampires vs werewolves now that humans know they all exist. This was during the height of the 3D craze, so lots of scenes that were cool in the theater but maybe not so much on tv. Check it out on HBOMax.

Blurb - When human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrior Selene leads the battle against humankind.

https://youtu.be/tUcrbUCWKQc

Paul W.S. Anderson returns to the Resident Evil franchise to give us Resident Evil: Retribution. Milla Jovovich with long hair is enough to get me on board. It's also one to embrace the novelty of 3D, so beware. There is only 1 more chapter to go before the Alice saga is complete, so you might as well keep going. Stream it on HULU.

Blurb -Alice fights alongside a resistance movement to regain her freedom from an Umbrella Corporation testing facility.

https://youtu.be/hoyMT-7wEqs

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton team up to give their take on the cult classic "soap opera" Dark Shadows. It has witches, vampires, werewolves, and 70's culture, but is pretty much all camp and the suggestion of horror. You can stream it on Netflix.

Blurb - An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.

https://youtu.be/N6tVdffCr_M

Before they were Marvel stars part 1

In my never-ending search for content, I've decided on Wednesdays when I don't have pressing news, I will showcase 3 stars from the Marvel Universe and suggest 3 movies you should see. Some may be mainstream films that I feel are essential to view, and others may be indie gems that somehow slipped past you. This is the first installment and I've decided to pick 3 stars from the Iron Man franchise. First up is the main man himself ...

Robert Downy Jr. (Tony Stark) has 94 credits to his name and had a period where he was in and out of rehab and jail. Before scoring the Iron Man gig he was still trying to make a comeback, but being the face of Marvel helped slingshot him back to the top. The dude can act and I've always been a fan. So while I could say Back to School, Weird Science, Chaplin, or Less Than Zero, here are 3 films I think you need to see:

#1 - U.S. Marshals

So first off I am a Wesley Snipes fanboy, especially his late 80s & 90s stuff. Add in the fact this is a semi-sequel to The Fugitive, and this is a must-see action-packed popcorn fest. You can stream it on Netflix.

Blurb - U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard and his team of Marshals are assigned to track down Sheridan, who has been accused of a double-murder.

https://youtu.be/_shXM-868Q8

#2 - Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

Shane Black knows how to make a good movie. He's written and directed some of my favorite movies. The really good ones let the talent do their thing, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang does just that. Robert Downy Jr and Val Kilmer have great chemistry in this buddy "cop" / actor misadventure. You can't stream it for free right now but it does pop up on Prime and Hulu.

Blurb - After being mistaken for an actor, a New York thief is sent to Hollywood to train under a private eye for a potential movie role, but the duo are thrown together with a struggling actress into a murder mystery.

https://youtu.be/__PnD1HWXSo

#3 - A Scanner Darkly

Based on a Philip K Dick story and directed by Richard Linklater, this science fiction film is rotoscoped to give it that extra WTF feel. The cast is amazing, and this is a fun film to consume. If you have the Criterion App, you can stream it but it's worth a purchase.

Blurb - An undercover cop in a not-too-distant future becomes involved with a dangerous new drug and begins to lose his own identity as a result.

https://youtu.be/hkjDUERgCQw

Next up is The Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson. She has 75 credits to her name. She's never in any trouble and has a wide range of movies in her catalog. I think she's been fantastic as Natasha and hope they find a way to bring her back. Here are the three films I think you need to see ...

#1 - The Prestige

I'm sure most movie fans have seen this but if not, add it to your list. Christopher Nolan sandwiched this film between his first Batman movies, and it has Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, and Mrs. Johansson. It pops up on Netflix, but right now you will have to pay to stream this one.

Blurb - After a tragic accident, two stage magicians in 1890s London engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.

https://youtu.be/RLtaA9fFNXU

#2 - Lucy

I'm a huge Luc Benson fan, especially when he's both writing and directing, and Lucy is no exception. Full of action and sharp dialogue, watch Johansson in all her butt-kicking glory. You can stream this one on Peacock Premium.

Blurb - A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

https://youtu.be/MVt32qoyhi0

#3 - Jojo Rabbit

Director of Thor 3 & 4, Taika Waititi, tackles the Third Reich in this comedy. You can stream it on something called fuboTV, but I'm thinking most people will have to rent or buy to stream this one.

Blurb - A young German boy in the Hitler Youth whose hero and imaginary friend is the country's dictator is shocked to discover that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home.

https://youtu.be/tL4McUzXfFI

Last we have Don Cheadle. He's been in 104 productions, and made the character of James Rhodes his after Marvel gave Terrence Howard got the boot. He's been in a ton of great shows and movies, and while you probably should see Traitor, Hotel Rwanda, and the Ocean trilogy, I'm going to suggest the following ...

#1 - Traffic

This is a powerful and depressing look at how both sides are affected by the war on drugs. I saw this in a packed theater, where some morons brought their 2 young children and allowed them to run back and forth of the last row. Luckily the movie was so good, I don't remember what they were up to after it began. You won't have that issue when you rent/buy to stream this one.

Blurb - A conservative judge is appointed by the President to spearhead America's escalating war against drugs, only to discover that his teenage daughter is a crack addict. Two DEA agents protect an informant. A jailed drug baron's wife attempts to carry on the family business.

https://youtu.be/6TetUbh6jrU

#2 - Manic

This movie is a gut punch, but well written & acted. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Cheadle have a great dynamic, and there is real chemistry between Gordon-Levitt & Zoey Deschanel. Check it out on HULU.

Blurb - After attacking another player with a bat during baseball at school, Lyle's sent to the psych ward. He meets other teenagers with problems. Will group therapy help?

https://youtu.be/-zVMC_eUsBo

#3 - Swordfish

2 X-Men & War Machine team up with John Travolta to give us a fun and action-packed spy movie. You can catch it on HBOMax.

Blurb - A covert counter-terrorist unit called Black Cell led by Gabriel Shear wants the money to help finance their war against international terrorism, but it's all locked away. Gabriel brings in convicted hacker Stanley Jobson to help him.

https://youtu.be/lFwtY1bxlNc

2011 - A hodgepodge of horror

I'm going to miss out on some movies as we continue through my dark period. Not making the list is Final Destination 5 - you should get it by now, I saw the Devil - I just haven't seen it yet, Attack the Block - another one I haven't watched, and a ton of found footage horror films. 1 thing I love about this year is the diversity of film choices. There's something for every fan of horror. That said, if I only mentioned 1 movie from 2011, it would be the first one ...

I absolutely love You're Next. It's a fun and ultra-violent home invasion film. Stream it on Starz.

Blurb - When the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of the victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back.

https://youtu.be/ufUQWpEkbf0

One of my favorite movies is the original The Thing by John Carpenter, and I think it was clever to make the 2011 sequel, The Thing, an actual prequel. In the original, the creature comes from the Norwegian station and ends up at the U.S. station. This movie shows us what happened in the Norwegian station and fills in some of the questions the original movie asks. It's not a perfect movie but I'm a big fan of Mary Elizabeth Winstead & Joel Edgerton and the overall idea of this movie. I like to watch this one and then the original for a good double feature. Check it out on tubi.

Blurb - At an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson.

https://youtu.be/0IBCWdlr-fA

So I get that we're tired of Kevin Smith and his insufferable know-it-all attitude, but he did something interesting in 2011 - he made a horror movie named Red State. While it has some of his characteristic banter, if you weren't told, I don't think you'd ever guess Kevin Smith did this movie. Michael Parks steals the show with his take on the Preacher from a pretend church that was inspired by the Westboro Baptist Church. The movie is intense, fast-paced, and not for the closed-minded. You can't find it anywhere right now in the US but you can get an import for a semi-decent cost.

Blurb - Set in Middle America, a group of teens receive an online invitation for sex, though they soon encounter fundamentalists with a much more sinister agenda.

https://youtu.be/KOvbSKO6SMM

Rebecca Hall & Dominic West are terrific in The Awakening, an old-school atmospheric horror picture. If you liked The Others or The Woman in Black then you'll like this one. Check it out on tubi.

Blurb - In 1921, England is overwhelmed by the loss and grief of World War I. Hoax exposer Florence Cathcart visits a boarding school to explain sightings of a child ghost. Everything she believes unravels as the 'missing' begin to show themselves.

https://youtu.be/3yneMKpmA8w

Wes Craven visited the Scream franchise one last time before he passed away with Scream 4. Kevin Williamson and many of the surviving cast members returned to the project, which at the time was an unusual thing. You don't get the director, writer, and many of the actors to return over and over again. Of course, the Weinsteins brought in another writer as they continued to clash with Williamson. Many feel this movie made up for the trainwreck that was Part 3 and put the franchise back on track. You have to rent/buy to watch but it should make its way to Peacock or Paramount + at some point.

Blurb - Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.

https://youtu.be/JKRtyVLWV-E

Coming off his stint as an angel in last year's Legion, we now find Paul Bettany playing the title role in The Priest. Karl Urban is also in the movie and does a good job as the hybrid vampire. The movie is based on the manga of the same name and does a good job of capturing the overall vibe of the book.

Now the main drawback is actor Cam Gigandet who at times seems unable to act his way out of a paper bag. It's not enough to remove the movie from the list, but you will have to fight through it a bit. It says you can stream with USA so I'm assuming that means you just have to have cable or Directv to access it.

Blurb - A priest disobeys church law to track down the vampires who kidnapped his niece.

https://youtu.be/-VNczhWD2ao

Director Dominic Sena's(Gone in 60 Seconds, Swordfish, and the very underrated White Out) last film came in 2011. He reteamed with Nicholas Cage to give us a period piece horror story with Season of the Witch. Cage was excited to do the project because he saw it as a throwback to the Roger Corman films of the 60s with Vincent Price and Christopher Lee. He was over the moon when he discovered Lee was actually in this film as well.

The film was in development hell as it was first picked up in 2000. It went through 3 studios and a number of changes. Even in the end, there were still issues. Filming ended in 2009, but Brett Ratner was brought in some months later to do some additional green-scene footage. He brought his editor to not only work on his parts but to tighten up the film as a whole.

You can check it out with Starz, tubi, and freevee(an Amazon with ads streamer).

Blurb - Fourteenth century knights transport a suspected witch to a monastery, where monks deduce her powers could be the source of the Black Plague.

https://youtu.be/PE6QUf1b-Xw

Cage had 5 films released in 2011. Oddly enough, the two films on this list are connected because of their rating. A favorite scene of Cage's was removed from Season of the Witch to keep the rating at PG-13. A similar scene is in Drive Angry, and Cage was happy the film was embracing the chaos and going for a hard R rating. The movie is completely wild-ass, but also so much fun. It embraced the 3-D fad of the time, and many of the shots still work in a 2-D viewing.

Don't hold Amber Heard's presence against the film, she wasn't thought of as a psycho at this time. You can stream it on Peacock Premium. I recently learned if you have Charter(Spectrum) cable, you might have access to Peacock for free.

Blurb - A vengeful father escapes from hell and chases after the men who killed his daughter and kidnapped his granddaughter.

https://youtu.be/jouaan70m4c

Long before Ezra Miller acted like a psychopath in real life, he played one in We Need to Talk About Kevin. Tilda Swinton is fantastic (I can't remember a performance where she's not) and John C Reilly is always a treat to watch in dramatic roles. You can check it out on Prime, Crackle, and tubi.

Blurb - Kevin's mother struggles to love her strange child, despite the increasingly dangerous things he says and does as he grows up. But Kevin is just getting started, and his final act will be beyond anything anyone imagined.

https://youtu.be/SfQaRK3BCYU

I'm going to be honest, I haven't seen this version of Fright Night. The original is darn near perfect, and I saw no reason to check it out. But looking at films from this year, I noticed a number of differences between the 2 and I'm going to go check it out. I have a feeling I'm going to be like Tom Holland(the writer-director of the original) and not like it, but I will at least give it a shot. I will be streaming it on Hulu.

Plus at the time I was not a big fan of Colin Farrell, but have come to appreciate him these last few years. I've watched some interviews and behind-the-scenes stuff that have cast him in a new light. If you love quirky movies, hunt down The Lobster. He shines in that film.

Blurb - When a nice new neighbor moves in next door, Charley discovers that he is an ancient vampire who preys on the community. Can he save his neighborhood from the creature with the help of the famous "vampire killer", Peter Vincent?

https://youtu.be/sUipgKdTi_k

Mark your calendar

Some exciting news ... I've been invited to participate in the first-ever Texas Author Con. Come and meet 12 local writers (horror and fantasy mostly) and discover a new favorite writer. From what I understand, we will have door prizes and I will have some fun exclusives just for this event. Come out and make new friends and get some summer reading. I'm going to showcase the participants for future posts so you can get an idea of what to look forward to.

Since today's post is short, I wanted to include this fun animated short of Edgar Allen Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart.

https://youtu.be/wDLLHTdVSgU

2010 continues the resurgence in horror movies

Okay, this was during my dark period. I missed stuff from 2002 to 2015 in theaters, so some of the most popular stuff might not make my list. All I can do is shrug and move on. Not included this time are sequels to Resident Evil & Hatchet & Saw, remakes of I Spit On Your Grave and Piranha, and foreign films Troll Hunter & I Saw the Devil. I'm giving you 10 films I enjoyed or thought were important in some way ...

First up we have one of the funniest movies I've seen, Tucker & Dale vs Evil. It hits all the right notes in this satirical look at slasher films and the division of people by education. Stream it on VUDUfree, tubi, and Crackle

Blurb - Affable hillbillies Tucker and Dale are on vacation at their dilapidated mountain cabin when they are mistaken for murderers by a group of preppy college students.

https://youtu.be/l1t8OZn_uhE

Before directing Captain America's first movie, Joe Johnston tackled the remake of Universal's The Wolfman. I know this movie is flawed, especially the one they released in theaters, but I love it. The original is one of my favorites of the original Universal Monsters, racing neck to neck with The Mummy. The cast is fantastic, and the use of CGI and location puts us back into the 19th century. I also sold it as a love story to my wife for our Valentine's Date making it the 2nd werewolf picture in a row for us. Stream it on HULU.

Blurb - Upon his return to his ancestral homeland, an American man is bitten and subsequently cursed by a werewolf.

https://youtu.be/5JB1NY2xut8

I may have mentioned my man-crush on Timothy Olyphant but I don't know if I've stressed my love for Radha Mitchell. Both are great in this George Romero remake. Check it out on VUDUFree & tubi.

Blurb - After a strange and insecure plane crash, an unusual toxic virus enters a quaint farming town. A young couple are quarantined, but they fight for survival along with help from a couple of people.

https://youtu.be/f-i_qEALpGY

Before Matt Reeves showed us his version of The Batman, he directed the remake of Let Me In. I think this remake is more difficult than the usual one since the original foreign language version came out 2 years earlier. Chloe Grace Mortez is mesmerizing in this film as the woman who can't grow up. Plus you don't have to read it. Check it out on Netflix.

Blurb - A bullied young boy befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian.

https://youtu.be/x3guLR8aBpU

I wrote about this on Wednesday's post about movies to stream right now. I love throwback movies like black death. Of course, Sean Bean is in it, and Eddie Redmayne has a strong performance as well. Stream it on HULU.

Blurb - Set during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is given the task of learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life in a small village.

https://youtu.be/sj3Jw1DLGpA

I enjoyed this stuck in the elevator thriller from M Night Shyamalan - it says he came up with the story which means he probably said "people stuck in an elevator - GO." I like the chemistry of the actors involved. I saw it on Netflix years ago, but now it's a rent/buy to stream.

Blurb - A group of people are trapped in an elevator and the Devil is mysteriously amongst them.

https://youtu.be/wYy7igKD21A

My 2nd favorite "Angel" movie is Legion. It has a solid cast and plenty of action. Plus you get to see Doug Jones without a ton of gear on. Stream it on Starz.

Blurb - When a group of strangers at a dusty roadside diner come under attack by demonic forces, their only chance for survival lies with an archangel named Michael, who informs a pregnant waitress that her unborn child is humanity's last hope.

https://youtu.be/P6p01-in6-k

I haven't seen the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. I do own it in a box set and have planned on checking it out but in the end, I always decide to go on with my life. This came out a year after the Friday the 13th remake but it just didn't make me excited like the Jason reboot. I wish I knew why. Maybe this one is important because it tells studios to quit remaking our classic films if they aren't serious. Check it out for yourself on Netflix and HBOMax.

Blurb - The spectre of a disfigured man haunts the children of the parents who murdered him, stalking and killing them in their dreams.

https://youtu.be/ZuYoEtEI_go

Many people might have this at 1 but I've never seen Insidious. 2 franchises start around this time and I never got into either - this one and The Conjuring. James Wan continues to make popular scary films and this one is on my to-watch list. We can stream it together on HBOMax.

Blurb - A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.

https://youtu.be/zuZnRUcoWos

Before Amber Heard was terrorizing Johnny Depp she had 2 horror movies come out in 2010: The Ward and And Soon The Darkness. Both are worth a watch, and both have solid casts. You can only buy/rent the Ward to stream but you can check out Karl Urban and Amber Heard their movie on VUDUfree & Roku.

Ward Blurb - An institutionalized young woman becomes terrorized by a ghost.

And Soon the Darkness Blurb - When two American girls on a bike trip in a remote part of Argentina split up and one of them goes missing, the other must find her before her worst fears are realized.

https://youtu.be/buF-keImNYkhttps://youtu.be/GO8BZF_yNBA

Looking for something to watch? Here are some hidden gems to stream

Here are 12 movies available to stream on 4 services in May of 2022. I've picked 3 movies from each and hopefully, you'll find something new and exciting ... Let's start with Amazon Prime

First up is this 1959 classic The Bat starring Vincent Price. I love Price and will always take a break to watch his stuff. This is before his big run of horror classics and it is more of a mystery/suspense story.

Blurb - A crazed killer known as "The Bat" is on the loose in a mansion full of people.

https://youtu.be/WmOA5USmLf0

I love watching Sherlock Holmes movies and shows and may do a post full of hidden gems and stand-out performances. Growing up, we had The Movie Channel (it was cheaper than HBO) and they ran 2 Holmes movies for what felt like 24-7. Both starred Ian Richardson as the detective and for the longest time were my go-to Sherlock Holmes films. I'm picking The Sign of Four for this list.

Blurb - Hired by a young lady, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the strange recent deaths of her missing father's friends from the army, as well as the whereabouts of the Great Mogul, the second-largest diamond in the world.

This is the intro of the film - couldn't find a trailer ...

https://youtu.be/JgpLr5U0Cho

Last on Prime is The Watch. Ben Stiller & Vince Vaughn team up once again to give us some laughs. Stiller plays the stiff no-nonsense neighbor and Vince is pretty much the same as he always is in these movies. Add in a slimmed-down Jonah Hill & Richard Ayoade and you get a very funny and believable chemistry between the 4 neighbors.

Blurb - Four men who form a neighborhood watch group as a way to get out of their day-to-day family routines find themselves defending the Earth from an alien invasion.

https://youtu.be/PhN1xnCyqR8

Now let's head over to Netflix

I love Broken Lizard - the comedy minds behind Super Troopers, Club Dead, & Tacoma F.D.. In 2006, they gave us one of my favorite comedies, Beerfest. They put together a stellar cast around the 5 guys of the group. I think one of the things that make the movie work is how many of the cast play it like a traditional thriller. Many of the jokes work simply because of that.

Funny side note - after they put the movie together, the big shots of WB decided the movie needed nudity and gave the group a specific number. To make them happy and get their movie completed, they have a funny and quick way to make their boob quota.

Blurb - Two brothers travel to Germany for Oktoberfest, only to stumble upon a secret, centuries-old competition described as a "Fight Club" with beer games.

https://youtu.be/g9a1vZ2Ww5o

Sam Rockwell can rub me the wrong way, but he's charming in Mr. Right. Anna Kendrick plays the same kind of character that America fell in love with within Pitch Perfect. The movie is a good mix of action, comedy, and the right kind of over-the-top violence to keep your attention.

Blurb - A girl falls for the "perfect" guy, who happens to have a very fatal flaw: he's a hitman on the run from the crime cartels who employ him.

https://youtu.be/2TatqilQ8rI

The last one on Netflix is St. Vincent. Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, and Naomi Watts all shine in this comedy-drama which introduces audiences to Jaeden Martell(Bill from It). Like many of Murray's later movies, there's a warm and gooey center to his character that is hidden behind a thick shell of cynicism and sarcasm.

Blurb - A young boy whose parents have just divorced finds an unlikely friend and mentor in the misanthropic, bawdy, hedonistic war veteran who lives next door.

https://youtu.be/9dP5lJnJHXg

Heading over to HULU

Shane Black writes and directs this action mystery with his usual style of big action and snappy dialogue that reminds you of the movies of the 70s & 80s. Russel Crowe & Ryan Gosling are The Nice Guys and quickly show us there are 2 sides to the nice guy coin.

Blurb - In 1970s Los Angeles, a mismatched pair of private eyes investigate a missing girl and the mysterious death of a porn star.

https://youtu.be/GQR5zsLHbYw

The guy who gave Batman nipples in the 90s directs Nicholas Cage in the super dark thriller 8MM. I've never thought of it as a horror movie, but I've recently seen many people do. This is the perfect movie to balance with the comedies suggested.

Blurb - A private investigator is hired to discover if a "snuff film" is authentic or not.

https://youtu.be/mjIGbTTw3i8

Recently in the Horror Movies of 2009 list, I highlighted Christopher Smith's Triangle. He came back in 2010 and gave us Black Death. I'm always on the hunt for good sword & sorcery-type movies and this one gives you all the mud and muck you can stand.

Blurb - Set during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is given the task of learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life in a small village.

https://youtu.be/sj3Jw1DLGpA

Finally, let's see what tubi has to offer

Check out Rum Diary to see a time when Johnny Depp & Amber Heard liked one another. A Depp pet project for years, he finally was able to get the Hunter S. Thompson book adapted and on the big screen in 2011. I love Depp and especially like to watch him disappear into roles that are not at all fantastical but actual everyday people.

Blurb - American journalist Paul Kemp takes on a freelance job in Puerto Rico for a local newspaper during the 1960s and struggles to find a balance between island culture and the expatriates who live there.

https://youtu.be/R8KblG1S0_A

I love Wesley Snipes, and one of my favorite movies he's in is Murder at 1600. It leans more towards mystery than action, but it still has him kicking some butt. The cast is great and there's nice chemistry between him and Diane Lane - which is nice because there are a ton of stories of how much of an ass he can be.

Blurb - A young woman is murdered in the White House. Homicide detective Regis (Wesley Snipes) investigates while Secret Service works against him. He's assigned agent Chance (Diane Lane). She eventually cooperates after a man's framed.

https://youtu.be/GpnoKlV41dU

Apocalypto is a thing of beauty. The cinematography, the jungle setting, and the realistic costumes all lend to an eye-candy type of movie. You're going to have to read as Gibson filmed it in the original language of the Mayans and surrounding cultures.

Blurb - As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, a young man is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression.

https://youtu.be/ngWBddVNVZs

There you go. 12 movies I enjoy watching and hope you will too ...

2009 Horror Part 2 - Remakes & Sequels

So now we're going to take a look at the next ten movies of 2009 with a focus on remakes and sequels. I think I've mentioned before that during this time I didn't see too many of these in the theater but my #1 I got to see right after checking out Coraline with my family. It was the perfect double feature ...

Marcus Nispel(Texas Chainsaw Massacre) returns to the world of horror remakes with my #1 choice for this collection Friday the 13th. The franchise returns to Paramount for the first time since 1989. Although it's an updated remake, they wrote it to seem more like a sequel so they didn't have to pay the original writer as much ...

This is the 1 of 2 horror movies staring the boys from Supernatural as the show was in hiatus. Jared Padalecki takes the main role in this film, but it's really a solid ensemble cast. I also like how Derek Mears plays Jason in this version. Check it out on Netflix & HBOMax.

Blurb - A group of young adults visit a boarded up campsite named Crystal Lake where they soon encounter the mysterious Jason Voorhees and his deadly intentions.

https://youtu.be/cCfO1aB8CIE

The Spanish horror franchise REC came out with the first sequel in 2009, [Rec]2. With the success of the 1st movie, this one is a much bigger production. Manuela Velasco returns to continue the story from the first one. You're going to have to read it, but it's worth it. Check it out on amc+.

Blurb - In order to ascertain the current situation inside, a supposed medical officer and a GEO team step into the quarantined and ill-fated apartment building.

https://youtu.be/GGKNxtZLXIE

Special effects expert Patrick Tatopoulos stepped behind the camera to direct the 3rd installment of the Underworld franchise. This one is a look back at what started the vampire/werewolf war with Rhona Mitra takes center stage with Michael Sheen. At this point, the wife and I rarely had time to go see movies by ourselves but this was our Valentine Date for 2009. As I've said in the past, she's not a fan of horror and luckily this one wasn't too gory. I sold it as a love story because in the end it kinda is. You'll have to rent/buy it to stream it.

Blurb - An origins story centered on the centuries-old feud between the race of aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.

https://youtu.be/7HCWQjIHJic

Rob Zombie returns to direct the next chapter in the Halloween remake, Halloween II. Initially, he thought it would be a one-shot but once the studio green-lit the sequel, he came back to make sure his vision wasn't ruined. In the end, he regretted dealing with the Weinsteins and names making the 2 Halloween movies as the worst experience he's had in film making. Rent/buy to check it out.

Blurb - Laurie Strode struggles to come to terms with her brother Michael's deadly return to Haddonfield, Illinois; meanwhile, Michael prepares for another reunion with his sister.

https://youtu.be/qGK-9-ZKr2Q

Although it's the 4th movie in the series, they went with the name The Final Destination and put it in 3D. This is the first one that didn't have Tony Todd in the franchise. It's also the only one not filmed in Canada - for whatever that's worth. Check it out on Netflix.

Blurb - A horrifying premonition saves a young man and his friends from death during a racetrack accident but terrible fates await them nonetheless.

https://youtu.be/bkmaPmf8Od0

One of the most brutal films Wes Craven made in the 70s, The Last House on the Left, returns all slicked up in 2009. It was originally going to be direct-to-video but the test screenings did so well, they released it to theaters. Check it out on Starz.

Blurb - After kidnapping and brutally assaulting two young women, a gang unknowingly finds refuge at a vacation home belonging to the parents of one of the victims: a mother and father who devise an increasingly gruesome series of revenge tactics.

https://youtu.be/DKMn2i3Z11Y

Jigsaw's story continues with Saw VI. Banned in Thailand and not screened for critics, the film also got an X-rating from Spain for glorification of violence. It got beaten out by Paranormal Activity at the box office. It's a rent or buy to stream if you want to watch it.

Blurb - Agent Strahm is dead, and FBI agent Erickson draws nearer to Hoffman. Meanwhile, a pair of insurance executives find themselves in another game set by Jigsaw.

https://youtu.be/XKxcf50t1xE

The editor of The Descent, John Harris, returns to direct the sequel, The Descent Part 2. It's a rent/buy to stream.

Blurb - Refusing to believe her story about cave-dwelling monsters, the sole survivor of a spelunking exploration gone horribly wrong is forced to follow the authorities back into the caves where something awaits.

https://youtu.be/KXf1BCYtcgI

Supernatural's Jensen Ackles stars in My Bloody Valentine 3D. I think 2009 was either the beginning of the 3D craze or its last gasp, and this movie embraced it in all its glory. You can check it out on HBOMax.

Blurb - Tom returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine's night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people. Instead of a homecoming, Tom finds himself suspected of committing the murders, and it seems like his old flame is the only one that believes he's innocent.

https://youtu.be/mJFCJaSr2Xk

George A Romero's continued his zombie-verse with Survival of the Dead. While it was the least successful of the franchise, it was the first horror film to be nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival since 1932's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He planned to make 2 more in the series, but he got ill and passed away before he was able to follow through. You will have to rent or buy to stream it.

Blurb - On an island off the coast of North America, local residents simultaneously fight a zombie epidemic while hoping for a cure to return their un-dead relatives back to their human state.

https://youtu.be/Rl_XZvC1CIQ