Eric Butler's Blog, page 19

Uncomfortably Dark Horror is Raising the Bar for Horror Fans

The Book: The Baker's Dozen

As every good baker knows, every dozen has an extra thrown in for good measure, and we have kept that tradition with our anthology. 13 tales of darkly disturbing, gleefully gory, baked-good filled debauchery penned for you by some of the best horrors writers in the industry await you within the uncomfortably dark pages. Each author was challenged to incorporate some type of baked good or baking theme into their original story. You'll want to sink your teeth into this delightful treat, again and again.

Now is the time to secure your copy of a truly ambitious anthology. Candace Nola has created a "limited edition volume meant to be collected, cherished and passed down." She's doing this in a few ways.

The foreword will be done by horror legend, Jeff Strand. She's secured some of the hottest independent horror talents to provide stories. She's designed and is producing a book that takes the classic hardcover collector's experience up a notch with a beautiful classically designed cover by artist Don Noble. The interior pages will be a unique mix of glossy white and jet black pages with crisp black & white text. Each story will get its own "faux" cover by artist John Kostov. Each story will end with an exclusive Dark Dozen interview, only seen on Uncomfortably Dark, with the writer.

The contributing writers to this amazing collection

You will be able to check out the book in eBook and Paperback, but when I say a limited Hardcover - I mean there are only like 150 of these bad boys. This is something that people are going to be talking about and looking for in the years to come as these writers only get hotter and more in demand. While there are some copies that will be available when the book launches, the best way is to head over to her Indiegogo page and secure a copy now.

Now, what other reason should you rush out to make sure you get an amazing copy of this horror collectible? She's got quite a few in fact.

There are special artist tiers that get you that specific writer's gift package and a copy of the Hardcover. A Gold Tier that gets you an eBook, Hardcover, & a limited art print plus more. A Platinum Tier that secures the Hardcover, a paperback, & a limited art print plus more.

So what are you waiting for? Get your butt over there and grab your spot in the next hot thing in Independent Horror! Click Here: Bakers Dozen.

Don't forget you can get all these titles on Kindle Unlimited now:

,The Shadow Within

,The Pope Lick Massacre

,The Sins of the Past

Donn, TX 1969

1979 - Heavy at the top

As I continue this look into the horror movies released during my lifetime and the impact they had on cinema and fans, I was surprised to see 2 horror movies sneak into the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year. Since I started this list only 2 movies had made it into the top 10 over 4 years('75-'78). Both were PG-rated and both had extreme animals as the centerpiece - Jaws & King Kong. But here we have 2 R-rated films finishing #2 & #6.

Of course, this was before PG-13, and I have a feeling some of the R-rated movies coming up would have slid back and some of the PG movies of the past would get a bump up to PG-13 but we aren't there yet. It's going to be interesting to see how horror fares over the next few years.

Alien is a haunted house story in space. The ship is the house, and the Alien is the spirit. The main difference is this "spirit" bleeds acid, has 2 mouths and kills without thought.

This movie finished #6 in the Box Office and helped transform/fortify the Final Girl trope. Ripley stands heads and shoulders above the traditional and typical "final girl" - which is reenforced and expanded in the sequel. Add to that, a top-rate crew, and cast and Scott put his stamp on the genre.

While many will try and say this is a science fiction film, it is 100% a horror film with science fiction elements. Scott took Spielberg's use of the ocean as a new and scary location and turned it to 11. He showed us not only the vastness of space but how limited our knowledge really is of what might be out there.

You can stream on fubo and amc+.

Blurb - After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun.

https://youtu.be/jQ5lPt9edzQ

Next up for me is Phantasm. I saw this in the mid-80s and it got lost in the over-powering vibe of the 70s. 2 things did stand out, the Tall Man and the sphere. Those stuck with me and even though I ignored the sequels after the 2nd one, they always fascinated me as a horror fan.

I recently revisited the movie with a collector's edition Blu-ray so I could get some behind-the-scenes looks and while the hair, clothes, and settings still scream the late-70s, it didn't take away from the film. In fact, in its own way, it enhanced the movie. I've recently got Part 2 on Blu and plan on trying to complete all the movies before they pop up on the list. I think this underrated series will move up my board as I consume more.

Find it on Prime, tubi, Pluto, peacock to stream for free.

Blurb - A teenage boy and his friends face off against a mysterious grave robber, known only as the Tall Man, who employs a lethal arsenal of unearthly weapons.

https://youtu.be/xQFn0e5d00Q

The Amityville Horror is based on a true story - or so they say. I could easily do a whole blog post on that discussion, but instead, let's just focus on the movie itself. It was #2 in the top box office performances. It had a big director and cast, and a bestselling novel behind it to drive curious viewers to the theater. This film continued the success of previous supernatural horror movies - Exorcist, Omen, Rosemary's Baby - and reinforced to the studios, they were moneymakers.

This one can be streamed on HBOMax.

Blurb - Newlyweds and their three children move into a large house where a mass murder was committed. They start to experience strange, inexplicable manifestations which have strong effects on everyone living in or visiting the house.

https://youtu.be/6CC5IjKBtFY

David Cronenberg continues to add to his legacy with The Brood. Oliver Reed stars during the height of his bad boy phase and gives a stellar performance.

You could see this on HBOMax.

Blurb - A man tries to uncover an unconventional psychologist's therapy techniques on his institutionalized wife, amidst a series of brutal murders.

https://youtu.be/-QaK5N0pj7M

Nosferatu the Vampyre is art-house horror at its finest. This German/French-backed film embraces the European setting and attitude to give us this moody yet colorful interpretation of the 1922 classic Nosferatu. This is one of my favorite interpretations of Dracula and one you should see if you enjoy the cinema.

You can stream it on peacock and tubi.

Blurb - Count Dracula moves from Transylvania to Wismar, spreading the Black Plague across the land. Only a woman pure of heart can bring an end to his reign of horror.

https://youtu.be/fnJqLNGBAPc

Not to be outdone, Universal also put out a reboot of their Dracula franchise. They tagged the Saturday Night Fever director and gave the title role to Frank Langella. I'm going to be honest, I don't think I've seen this one ... I can't get past his hair. Plus when I think of Dracula I always default to Christopher Lee.

That said, it was well-received by the critics, and the director went on to have an impressive lineup of movies. If you can look past the hair, you can stream it on tubi.

Blurb - In 1913, the charming, seductive and sinister vampire Count Dracula travels to England in search of an immortal bride.

https://youtu.be/Q6QlpJWNTvw

When a Stranger Calls is always good for the first watch, but is best known for the big reveal - a twist everyone has heard even if they don't know the movie. It was strong enough to get a few sequels and a remake so it makes the list, even though honestly I don't remember much about it.

You can stream on Prime and VUDUfree.

Blurb - A psychopathic killer terrorizes a babysitter, then returns seven years later to menace her again.

https://youtu.be/PVAx84hpo-c

Zombie or Zombi 2 is an Italian gore-filled zombie masterpiece. If you like the old fashion zombie films Romero put out, then you most likely will love this movie. You might also find it named Zombie Flesh Eaters. This movie was rated X originally for the excessive violence throughout the picture. I'm guessing mostly as a marketing gag, just like the line at the end of the ad which promises movie theaters will provide barf bags for those that need it.

Watch it on amc+ or shudder.

Blurb - Strangers searching for a young woman's missing father arrive at a tropical island where a doctor desperately seeks the cause and cure of a recent epidemic of the undead.

https://youtu.be/BsfxVtFScPg

6 more movies from 1979 that helped shape my taste in movies, comics, and books.

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A new series in Horror - Donn, TX

This week saw the release of the first 2 parts of my new series The Donn, TX Collection. The series will focus on the fictional town of Donn, TX. Each part will focus on a specific year and will vary in length.

The first part was 1952 and is a short story, you can get the eBook and audiobook for free here. I honestly wrote it to see if the idea that was lurking in the back of my head had legs. It introduced us to the motel and the scarecrow; giving us a taste of what might lay ahead.

Once I finished it I began working on the next year, except halfway into that one I paused. For some reason, I felt like it wasn't time to tell that particular story, and I moved to 1969.

1969 is a longer story and fleshes out the town a little bit more. We get a feel for the mythology of Donn, TX, and come to realize there is a cycle to the madness. We also discover there are more monsters in the area than just the scarecrow which will allow for even more branches to grow from the tiny idea first formed in 1952.

Donn, TX is a combination of all my favorite horror genres. There are supernatural occurrences, elements of slasher horror, and the steady appearance of monsters. Some stories may lean to or embrace a specific sub-genre but rest assured they all will have flashes of everything you love to read in a good tale of horror.

Find Donn, TX 1969 here.

Listen to the audio book sample/book blurb here:

I've been asked if these will release in paperback form, and the answer is yes and no. The individual years will only release as eBooks and audiobooks if their length is under a certain word count. That said once I have a target amount of words written, these parts will be collected and released in Volume editions. Most likely you will see a paperback every 3-5 parts of The Donn, TX Collection.

Because 1952 is a short story, there will be 4 parts to the first collection. The paperback will release at the same time as the 4th part's eBook - November 2021 for Volume 1.

Keep an eye out for more news on Donn, TX, and other projects I'm currently working on here and on Facebook.

1978 - The birth of a legend

Something big happened 3 years into my existence, John Carpenter released Halloween. Now while Halloween isn't my favorite franchise of the big three, I do recognize its greatness. Carpenter laid down a very simple blueprint that went on to inspire some of my favorite movies in the horror genre.

However, Halloween wasn't the only movie in 1978 to change the landscape of not only horror but the way all movies were beginning to be made. Things are about to get interesting ...

I don't have much to say about this one. It's a classic and was the movie that started the Golden Age of the Slasher genre. You can watch with Hoopla, Shudder, and AMC+.

Blurb - Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.

https://youtu.be/xHuOtLTQ_1I

There was a time when the only person doing zombie movies was George Romero. Except when he did them, he wasn't making a simple horror movie, he was making commentary on the state of civilization as he saw it. Many point to Night of the Living Dead as a statement on society during the 60s. While Dawn of the Dead seems to focus on the commercialism of the 70s and the ever-growing "buy, buy, buy" lifestyle many Americans were guilty of by the end of the decade. I'm not sure why but you can't stream it and the Blu-ray/DVD copies are high-priced collectibles. You can watch the Snyder cut as he remade the movie in 2004, but it loses Romero's voice.

Blurb - Following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia S.W.A.T. team members, a traffic reporter, and his television executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.

https://youtu.be/Y_EviQj5tvA

I wasn't sure which way to go for the 3rd movie. There are several of choices but I think Invasion of the Body Snatchers needed to be next. With a star-studded cast, and directed by Philip Kaufman - who would go on to direct The Right Stuff - this remake of the 1956 movie was a hit with movie goers. Stream it on Prime, Shudder, and Hoopla

Plus it gave us this amazing picture ...

Blurb - When strange seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade San Francisco, California, where they replicate the residents into emotionless automatons one body at a time.

https://youtu.be/vc_0dlmSq7I

I hesitate to include I Spit On Your Grave on any list but there is no denying that this movie is influential not only to the genre but to the loosening of what was allowed in traditional movies by the late 70s. With extremely graphic and drawn-out sexual violence to the main character, the movie pushes past the boundaries of taste to the point of Roger Ebert calling the film "a vile bag of garbage" in his review.

Yet, the movie has been revisited in the last 10-15 years and rebranded as a potential feminist picture. While nearly 30 minutes of the 102 minute run time is used to show the excessive and brutal rape, the rest of the movie is dedicated to showing a determined and empowered strong female lead character taking control and killing her attackers.

I'm not sure which way you want to take the film as a whole, I just know that I saw it at a pretty young age and it left a horrifying and lasting impression on me. The trailer does a great job of showing you all you need to know about the movie without having to wash your eyes out afterward. I'd tell you where to stream it if you so choose to, but it is not available anywhere to stream or buy. That said, there was a remake in 2010. I haven't seen it but I'm sure it's just as unsettling as the original.

Blurb - An aspiring writer is repeatedly gang-raped, humiliated, and left for dead by four men whom she systematically hunts down to seek revenge.

https://youtu.be/NxxHVHEBPtc

So after I Spit On Your Grave we have to pivot to prove just about anything could be made in the 70s. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes gives us the blueprint of what needs to be done if tomatoes ever develop a taste for human flesh. You'll need this if you decide to watch the previous title. Find it on VUDUfree and tubi.

Blurb - A group of scientists band together to save the world from mutated killer tomatoes.

https://youtu.be/txfdGlxEsG8

Roger Corman, the king of the B-movie, grabs a slice of the Jaws pie with his take on killer fish with Piranha. This movie had way more to do with my fear of the water than Jaws ever did. This movie is just plain fun. Catch it on Prime, Shudder, and tubi.

Blurb - When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal.

https://youtu.be/XoCKGvVlNYM

Also looking to cash in on that Jaws money is Jaws 2. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, you get not only piranhas but another great white. At this point Brody should just move ... find it on Netflix and Prime (this rarely happens).

Blurb - Police chief Brody must protect the citizens of Amity after a second monstrous shark begins terrorizing the waters.

https://youtu.be/Wpr-X20Rrwo

It feels like the late 70s is when Hollywood and horror movies, in general, began to see what Universal knew all along. There's a benefit to simply making sequels. It's easier to live off a previous movie's success than starting from scratch. The Omen follows in Jaws' fin-prints and releases a sequel to the successful film about the anti-Christ. Damien: Omen II looks into Damien's life now that he is older and understands who he is. It is rent/buy only.

Blurb - Damien the Antichrist, now about to turn thirteen years old, finally learns of his destiny under the guidance of an unholy disciple of Satan. Meanwhile dark forces begin to eliminate all those who suspect the child's true identity.

https://youtu.be/57SQ9bDhxDY

If you like Supernatural horror then you need to check out The Legacy. Starring Sam Elliott before he was cool, this movie has all the things you need to make a good occult film hum along. Not sure where you can stream this or if you can, but you might find it on DVD for a reasonable price.

Blurb - An American couple in England stumble upon a rambling mansion where a number of powerful individuals have been summoned by its patriarch regarding the home's legacy.

https://youtu.be/7f8m4SCrrrc

Continuing with the supernatural, 1978 gave us the Brian DePalma movie The Fury. Written by horror novelist John Farris, The Fury shows us just how far the Government would go to get their hands on special individuals with superhuman powers. Starring Kirk Douglas, The Fury also was Daryl Hannah's first acting gig. You can stream it if you have Starz.

Blurb - A former CIA agent uses the talents of a young psychic to help retrieve his telekinetic son from terrorists, who want to use his mental powers for evil.

https://youtu.be/7Q1wI23U3W0

Throwing out this made for TV movie because it was directed by John Carpenter. Someone's Watching Me can be seen with rent/buy options from your favorite streaming service.

Blurb - A woman is being watched in her apartment by a stranger, who also calls and torments her. A cat-and-mouse game begins.

https://youtu.be/YTGFWOTacdg

Like the previous years, I want to include some movies that were important to me and/or made an impact on me. Dot and the Kangaroo was shown like every morning on TMC when I was growing up. If something is animated - especially when I was younger - I will watch it. The biggest one for me on here is The Lord Of the Rings, another amazing Ralph Bakshi movie. I know it is filled with changes, and there are a number of issues when compared to the source material, but this is my LOTRs. I love the live-action, but this will always be my favorite. I just wish they would have let him finish it with a second film.

Author side note - When I lived in Germany the 2nd time, we lived in base housing with like 19 other families in a building. There was 1 house that had a VHS player and I would show up at their house and knock on the door in hopes they would let me in to watch their copy of LOTR. Many times, the wife would just let me in and start up the video. The late 70s and early 80s were weird.

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A few quick movie suggestions

I've been working hard to get Donn, TX ready and out for y'all to dig into but I have a few suggestions to fill the time while you wait.

I've been waiting to see Love and Monsters for a while now and was excited to see this pop up on HULU. While the name implies elements of horror, the movie is more comedy/action than anything. In the end, I enjoyed this movie and I think it may have been a big hit in theaters in 2020 if COVID hadn't shut everything down around the same time it came out. You can also watch it on Paramount+ if you have it.

Seven years after the Monsterpocalypse, Joel Dawson (Dylan O'Brien), along with the rest of humanity, has been living underground ever since giant creatures took control of the land. After reconnecting over radio with his high school girlfriend Aimee (Jessica Henwick), who is now 80 miles away at a coastal colony, Joel begins to fall for her again. As Joel realizes that there's nothing left for him underground, he decides against all logic to venture out to Aimee, despite all the dangerous monsters that stand in his way. The fun-filled and action-packed adventure also stars Michael Rooker and Ariana Greenblatt.

https://youtu.be/1dzGhJ5QGsQ

Next up is a downer of a movie. Manic came out in 2001 and I'm not sure many people know about it. It's co-written by Michael Bacall who went on to write 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street, and did some writing on Scott Pilgram and while all 3 of those are funny movies - this one is not. It's filmed in a documentary style that almost hides the fact you are watching a movie filled with younger versions of people you recognize. It's on HULU.

The acting is top-notch and the stories are heartbreaking as you watch these kids struggle with a number of problems most adults can't handle or deal with.

Lyle Jensen is subject to sudden and violent outbursts, and he is committed to the juvenile wing of the Northwood Mental Institution. Several other youths are there with a variety of serious problems. Lyle interacts with other patients and staff on a human, and sometimes not so human level. The psychological problems of the patients also forms the fabric by which we see what's right with them, and what's wrong with the society that affects them.

https://youtu.be/-zVMC_eUsBo

I love movies set in the past, especially if they involve swords. If you like them and haven't checked out Pilgrimage you should fix that. It's on HULU. Starring a dwarf, the Punisher, and my favorite Spider-man, this movie is thrilling and action-packed and streaming on HULU.

Ireland, 1209. An island on the edge of the world. A small group of monks begin a reluctant pilgrimage across an island torn between centuries of tribal warfare and the growing power of Norman invaders. Escorting their monastery's holiest relic to Rome, the monks' progress is seen through the eyes of a pious young novice and a mute lay-brother with a violent past. As the true material, political and religious significance of the bejeweled relic becomes dangerously apparent, their path to the east coast becomes increasingly fraught with danger. The monks belatedly realize that in this wild land of ancient superstitions, the faith that binds them together may ultimately lead to their destruction.

https://youtu.be/FPDIbTvoYXk

Look for the first 2 installments to be available in 1 week. They will be released on eBook and have audiobooks released about a week or so later - it all depends on Amazon since they control just how fast audiobooks get it done.

Something big happened in 1977

Not in horror, but the movie world as a whole. I'm sure everyone has already guessed, but if not ... Star Wars came out. With Star Wars, movie executives were shown that outside-the-box genres can succeed and that franchises made money. Of course, Star Wars wasn't a franchise yet, but the writing was on the wall.

Looking at 1977 as a whole, there are several personal favorites and important movies to my development as an overall nerd but not a ton of horror movies. However, many of those are heavy hitters and big influences on what was just around the corner for the horror genre.

The Hills Have Eyes is the biggest horror movie of 1977 in my development as a horror fan. It paved the way for Wes Craven to have the freedom to develop and produce creative and imaginative horror spectaculars. It also continued the realistic horror that he had used in his first film, The Last House of the Left, with shocking success. Find it on tubi and Shudder

Blurb - On the way to California, a family has the misfortune to have their car break down in an area closed to the public, and inhabited by violent savages ready to attack.

https://youtu.be/pzLfsql1Yvc

Suspiria could easily be #1 and probably is for many people. An interesting bit of trivia, it was originally written as a school for children no older than 12. That idea was quickly squashed since the movie would most likely be banned in Europe and America. Dario Argento changed it to 20-year-olds but didn't rewrite the script, giving the girls an unnatural naivete. Find it on tubi.

Blurb - An American newcomer to a prestigious German ballet academy comes to realize that the school is a front for something sinister amid a series of grisly murders.

https://youtu.be/5Y0EEqtWrJI

David Cronenberg breaks away from directing TV movies and dives back into the world of horror with Rabid. In 1975, he tasted some success with Shivers and Rabid is the movie before he goes on an epic run of horror masterpieces. All, of course, we will visit on upcoming lists. You can watch it on HBOMax.

Blurb - A young woman develops a taste for human blood after experimental plastic surgery, and her victims turn into blood-thirsty zombies, leading into a city-wide epidemic.

https://youtu.be/Fr4ZLdhoQRY

I have the paperback of The Sentinel and it compares itself to The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby, and every other popular supernatural novel of the 60s and 70s. This movie has an amazing mix of experienced and up-and-coming actors. You have to rent or buy this one.

Blurb - A young woman moves into an apartment in a building which houses a sinister evil.

https://youtu.be/Z0YdJNeNXLE

1977 also gave us David Lynch's first full-length film, Eraserhead. You can find it on HBOMax.

Blurb - Henry Spencer tries to survive his industrial environment, his angry girlfriend, and the unbearable screams of his newly born mutant child.

https://youtu.be/oK-2_OsBe0s

Shock Waves was 1 of 4 Peter Cushing movies to come out in 1977. He simply didn't know what to do with himself and continued to pump out movies like he did when he was younger. This is on something called Night Flight Plus or you can rent/buy from the normal places.

Blurb - Visitors to a remote island discover that a reclusive Nazi commandant has been breeding a group of Zombie soldiers.

https://youtu.be/XEXN4FLGtBk

The other Peter Cushing Horror film, The Uncanny, returns Cushing to the anthology picture. Three tales of terror come together to give the viewer a full movie here. Stream on VUDUfree or tubi.

Blurb - Wilbur Gray, a horror writer, has stumbled upon a terrible secret, that cats are supernatural creatures who really call the shots. In a desperate attempt to get others to believe him, Wilbur spews three tales of feline horror.

https://youtu.be/8Ek35s7vmm0

Not ready to give up on the thrill and horror that gripped middle America Greydon Clark gives us a too tame for anyone movie called Satan's Cheerleaders. That said, if you realize the movie is coming at you with tongue firmly planted in cheek, you will find enough to keep you entertained for the 90-minute run-time. Not streaming anywhere as of now.

Blurb - The janitor at a local high school is actually the scout for a coven of Satanists on the lookout for a virgin to sacrifice. One day he kidnaps the cheerleading squad to use for their rituals. However, unbeknownst to the devil-worshipers, one of the cheerleaders is actually a witch, and has plans of her own for the Satanists.

https://youtu.be/PGZYBXl_YNs

The last 3 movies will continue the animal-theme horror that was popular in the 70s. First up is Orca. With Richard Harris starring, and Bo Derek making her debut Orca has enough to stand on its own, but Jaws will always hang over it since it came first. This one is a rent/buy-only movie.

Blurb - A hunter squares off against a killer whale seeking vengeance for the death of its mate.

https://youtu.be/gd8-MfC6LrQ

A staple of TBS/USA horror marathons, Kingdom of the Spiders stars William Shatner between Star Trek roles. One of my favorite movies Shatner did in the 70s. Rent/buy only on Amazon.

Blurb - In rural Arizona, countless killer tarantulas are migrating through a farm town, killing every living thing in their path. The town's veterinarian will do everything in his power to survive the onslaught.

https://youtu.be/VZa5GWiLje4

So you want to see Leslie Nielson in a different light? Check out Day of the Animals. This is the last of the horror movies I will highlight this week, and it's a fun one. You can stream on tubi and Amazon Prime's free service IMDB.

Blurb - A battle for survival ensues after a group of hikers encounters a chemically imbalanced forest.

https://youtu.be/fipR4q3mg7s

1977 saw the release of some of my favorite movies and the beginnings of many an important career. I may have to revisit these in another post, but as I have in the past here are some non-horror movies you should check out.

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Wizards was originally supposed to be called War Wizards but Lucas asked Bakshi to drop the word "war" so it would be confused with Star Wars.

The Hobbit is the one true movie for me. The live-action is fine, but this animated movie was a constant companion throughout my childhood.

Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger is the 3rd Ray Harryhausen Sinbad picture and once got me grounded for picking the movies at the library for a month. Good times.

Kentucky Fried Movie is the birth of the spoof movies that gave us Airplane and all the nonsense on Netflix today.

The Deep is one of my favorite Peter Benchley novels. If you were disappointed by Jaws, check it out or at worst find the movie and stream it.

After getting a taste of directing with Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Terry Gilliam went on to write and direct Jabberwocky. He went on to direct some of my favorite movies, and it's fun to go back and watch his early stuff.

Introducing Donn, TX the series

Just wanted to let everyone know I am hard at work at getting the world of Donn, TX ready for you to consume. Initially, they will be released as eBooks and audiobooks, with a new year coming out every month or two. So what is Donn, TX about?

Each tale will find us in a different year and at different times, but always at the same place. Each story will be self-contained but also adding to the backstory and mythos of Donn, TX.

The first year is 1952 and since it is a short story, I will have that one available for free to all interested in signing up for a newsletter that I promise won't spam the ever living out of you.

However, if you mention the word "moist" to me after it's released I will take that to mean you want the story without signing up for the most amazing newsletter ever and we can work something out.

The next year, 1969, will be longer and out around the same time. It will be available on eBook through Amazon and take advantage of Kindle Unlimited. There will also be an audiobook.

Following these will be 2 more tales, 1865 & 1926. I'm excited to share these stories with you, and many more as Donn, TX grows. Keep your eyes out here and on Facebook to find out exactly when these will be available.

Picture this ... 1976 top horror movies

While 1975 had 1 big blockbuster of a movie, 1976 brings us 3 heavyweights. I had trouble picking which one would get the #1 spot and have its poster featured as the cover art for today's post, but in the end I gave it to The Omen.

While 1976 has a rise in "slasher" films, I feel like 2 themes dominated horror movies during this year: animal-horror & supernatural/religious-based horror.

Directed by rising star Richard Donner, this movie has a deep and experienced cast. There is a move away from all horror movies being seen as niche or b-rated endeavors as they become more mainstream and adult-focused. Find it on HULU and Paramount+.

Blurb - Mysterious deaths surround an American ambassador. Could the child that he is raising actually be the Antichrist? The Devil's own son?

https://youtu.be/sS-sXcx30O4

The 1b to The Omen, Carrie is another one of the year's horror movies focused on capturing the attention of mainstream moviegoers. The first of a long line of Stephen King movies, this movie set the bar high. Find it on AMC+ or Shudder.

Blurb - Carrie White, a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom.

https://youtu.be/YuO26oJQLVs

Not to be left behind, Hammer Horror produced another picture with the Devil serving as the main plot device. By this time hammer had run out of steam, their franchise pictures were overdone and their stars were aging. This was the 2nd to the last film the studio would produce until reopening in 2008. This is available to stream on Hoopla.

Blurb - An American occult novelist battles to save the soul of a young girl from a group of Satanists, led by an excommunicated priest, who plan on using her as the representative of the Devil on Earth.

https://youtu.be/c8vd8gqmvbQ

Staying within the Supernatural genre we have Burnt Offerings, a classic haunted house/possession story. Directed by The Trilogy of Terrors' director Dan Curtis and packed with big-name star power, Burnt Offerings won a number of awards. You can stream for free if you have AMC+ or rent/buy on Amazon streaming.

https://youtu.be/Oo_6Fb5k2lo

One of the few slashers worth mentioning, Alice, Sweet Alice was also known by Holy Terror and Communion. A modern-day slasher film with religious overtones, this movie uses religion as a backdrop for some good old fashion bloodletting. You can stream on tubi.

Blurb - In 1961, a divorced Catholic couple's life is turned upside down when one of their two adolescent daughters is suspected of her younger sister's brutal murder during her First Holy Communion, and a series of subsequent stabbings.

https://youtu.be/qU2en24iAIs

The other slasher classic from 1976 is The Town That Dreaded Sundown. Find it on Paramount+.

Blurb - The story of a hooded, berserk killer who terrorized the border town of Texarkana, Arkansas in 1946--leaving no fewer than five murder victims in his wake. He was never caught. Based on one of America's most baffling murder cases.

https://youtu.be/4q5pboZz4rs

Now we enter the other sub-genre that dominated the theaters during this time thanks to the success of Jaws, animal-based horror. These movies dominated TNT, TBS, and USA during the 80s. First up is Squirm. You can stream it on tubi.

Blurb - A storm causes some power lines to break and touch the ground, drawing millions of man-eating worms out of the earth, and into town where they quickly start munching on the locals.

https://youtu.be/fvlohQWDKR8

As you can see from the poster, Grizzly was to be the Jaws of the land. A fun little B-movie. You can find it on Hoopla, tubi, and IMDB(through Amazon).

Blurb - An eighteen-foot-tall grizzly bear terrorizes a state park, leaving it up to a Park Ranger to save the day.

https://youtu.be/jPe4CDP8nhE

Loosely based in the H.G. Wells' story by the same name, this movie was played on TBS on a loop in the mid-80s. The Food of the Gods is one of those movies I'm surprised hasn't been remade a bunch now that CGI is a thing. You can stream on PLEX or buy/rent on VUDU.

Blurb - A group of friends travel to a remote Canadian island to hunt, only to be attacked by giant killer animals which have populated the place.

https://youtu.be/77KpoGDVkxk

Finally, the movie I almost put at the top, King Kong 1976. The only thing holding it back is the fact I don't think of any King Kong movie as a horror film. That said it did have the biggest opening weekend gross for any movie that year and dominated the Box Office.

The first time I saw this movie was in the Army base theater in Germany. It will always have a special place in my King Kong loving heart. You can watch it on HBOMax.

Blurb - A petroleum exploration expedition comes to an isolated island and encounters a colossal giant gorilla.

https://youtu.be/CeRD6sNB0Uk

1976 had some other interesting films, including the first Freaky Friday, the 2nd movie by John Carpenter, a Neil Simon play, Sherlock Holmes meeting Sigmund Freud, the first film with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor together, and David Bowie's first film.

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HULU has you covered this holiday weekend

Only Murders in the Building has a simple premise - Three strangers who share an obsession with true crime suddenly find themselves caught up in one - and an exciting super talented cast. The first 3 episodes are now available with a new episode coming out every Tuesday for the next 7 weeks.

https://youtu.be/-V1rQdXXXyI

Just before he appeared in his first Marvel movie, Idris Elba was beginning to craft one of the most dynamic detectives on either side of the pond. Luther is the perfect mix of an incredible cast and great writing.

The series blurb - DCI John Luther is a near-genius murder detective whose brilliant mind can't always save him from the dangerous violence of his passions

Like most BBC shows - especially once the star gets big in Hollywood - the seasons are all over the place. Overall, there are 5 seasons ranging from 2 to 6 episodes - 21 in total. They just announced a movie in the works so now's the time to get caught up with this amazing show.

https://youtu.be/qRcizKbrsws

Side note - if you have already watched the series and enjoyed it there is a novel from the show's creator, Neil Cross. Luther: The Calling focuses on the case the hangs over the main character throughout season 1 and gives you a deeper look into the characters and the way Luther thinks.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention one of my favorite shows from BBC/FX that is still available on HULU. I've featured and mentioned Taboo in many posts throughout the years but in case you missed those ... go watch it.

Starring Tom Hardy, Taboo is an amazing mix of suspense, mysticism, historical drama, and action/adventure story. There is a 2nd season in the works but no word when it may be available. Until then I'll just have to keep watching this one over and over again.

https://youtu.be/r9QvSry2-CM

The reviews are coming out for the audio version of The Shadow Within. Grab your copy on Audibles today.

US Audio

,UK Audio

Horror Movie Stand Outs - 1975

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I plan on focusing on the most memorable horror films from each year since my birth.

First up is the made-for-TV movie Trilogy of Terrors starring Karen Black. It was shown on ABC and traumatized a generation of TV viewers. You can stream it on Prime. I didn't find an actual trailer, so here's a short clip to give you a bit of a taste...

https://youtu.be/TBfR7QtDlTk

Jaws might be the biggest horror movie of the 70s ... definitely one of the biggest movies of 1975 if not the whole decade. You can stream it on Prime and tubi if you want to visit the water this month.

https://youtu.be/U1fu_sA7XhE

Is The Rocky Horror Picture Show a horror movie? I mean it's in the title, so I'm going with yes.

And more importantly, it's a fun and entertaining movie that showcases Tim Curry's immense talents.

Y'all will have to rent it if you want to watch it one time or dive in and get one of the many collector's editions out there. I don't know if it needs to be said but avoid the newer one. This is the only one you need.

https://youtu.be/Pgx1QZFNMz8

Death Race 2000 may be the last of the "recognizable" movies for casual movie fans. These last 3 movies are neck in neck for both the amount of time I've spent viewing them and for how much I love each one.

Death Race is a perfect B-level horror escape. It is a perfect example of a low-budget film getting it right. Something Roger Corman did so well throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Plus it is one of "King Shark's" earliest rolls ...

You can find this one on tubi

https://youtu.be/F2GEKV1dOgY

So you may know They Came From Within by another name, Shivers. Either way, you need to see this early David Cronenberg horror spectacular. Another one you can find on tubi.

https://youtu.be/XC-wkbUL814

I would have been out for this one in 1975. Bugs is on Redbox to stream.

https://youtu.be/oyPRoDLiHac

Keeping with the creepy crawling theme, The Giant Spider Invasion is here. I feel like the title is pretty self-explanatory. You can watch it on tubi or if you prefer there is a Mystery Science Theater 3000 version on amc+ or possibly tubi as well.

https://youtu.be/o3Mc0mgorZc

Inn of the Damned is one of Australia's earliest horror westerns. Another one you will find on tubi ...

https://youtu.be/-aWNwWyg_BE

The Devil's Rain is being moved to the top of my must-watch list. I don't think I've ever seen this movie. The cast is amazing - William Shatner, Tom Skerritt, John Travolta, Ernest Borgnine, and Eddie Albert. I mean WTF. Okay ... say it with me ... "You can stream it on tubi"

https://youtu.be/HAfio1Qht3c

Other than the full film, I couldn't find much for A Journey into Fear. This might be one of the few Vincent Price movies I've never seen. I will have to fix that soon. Here are the opening credits I think, and I've included the link below that to the full movie on youtube.

https://youtu.be/MCv5OfY3KAg

Journey Into Fear Full Movie - Click here

Black Moon is a French film. So right away there's a chance it's not going to make a lick of sense, but also if you decide to check out the trailer - be warned - there might be nudity. The best trailer I could find is a modern one so it's using actual footage in a way to grab your attention. You can only stream it on Criterion Channel if you have it or find a physical copy.

https://youtu.be/2zgWStXxJzA

In case it's not clear - To escape a gender war, a girl flees to a remote farmhouse and becomes part of an extensive family's unusual, perhaps even supernatural, lifestyle.

The last horror movie for 1975 is The Psychic Killer. I just want to say trailers from the 70s are so much fun. Also, this movie is PG, something I wouldn't have guessed from how they edited the trailer. You can stream for free on VUDU.

https://youtu.be/EmBttRGeT_Y

I wanted to throw in 2 favorites from 1975 that don't fit under the horror umbrella. First up is Monty Python and the Holy Grail. One of the funniest movies ever made.

I'm a huge fan of animation, and nothing says animation like a Ralph Bakshi production. Coonskin is a deep dive look at the inner city in the 70s. I consider it a must-see film if you are a fan of blaxploitation films from the time period.

Rabbit, a country-born trickster, takes over the organized crime racket in Harlem, facing opposition from the institutionalized racism of the Mafia and corrupt police.

Find it on kanopy and PLEX to stream or you can rent it where you usually go.