In Bride of Frankenstein, Dr. Pretorius, played by the inimitable Ernest Thesiger, raises his glass and proposes a toast to Colin Clive’s Henry Frankenstein—“to a new world of Gods and Monsters.” I invite you to join me in exploring this world, focusing on horror films from the dawn of the Universal Monster movies in 1931 to the […]
Author: Brian Keiper
Catherine Corman on Growing Up Corman and Shooting Short Film “Lost Horizon” on Super 8 [Interview]
Catherine Corman is a photographer, filmmaker, and talented artist in her own right. She is also the daughter of the legendary filmmaker and launcher of careers Roger Corman and producer Julie Corman. Catherine recently made a short film titled “Lost Horizon” starring her father and sister, Mary Tessa Corman, which is currently in competition for […]
The Quiet Revolution: Roger Corman’s Edgar Allan Poe Cycle is One of the Best Series in Horror History
When it comes to classic horror, the Universal and Hammer monster movies come immediately to mind. Next, perhaps the Amicus anthologies or the films Val Lewton produced for RKO in the 1940s. But there is another great classic franchise worth consideration. The series of films directed by Roger Corman in the early 60s that have […]
“Are You Even a Horror Fan?” On Toxic Fandom and Gatekeeping in the World of Horror
Fandom can be a funny thing. People become very protective of the things they love. As horror fans, most of us have likely had to defend our love of the genre a time or two…hundred, which can cause some jading over time. This is perfectly understandable considering the deep chords that horror has the ability […]
Danger Zones: The Transgressive Nature of Horror
In my defense, I thought it might be helpful, a kind of catharsis. First of all, I must say that my wife is the purest soul I’ve ever met, unendingly compassionate and completely selfless. Honestly, I have no idea how she puts up with me, but I am grateful for it every day. She’s never […]
Chaos Reigns: ‘Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer’ is Just as Terrifying 35 Years Later
The thirty-five years that have passed since its premiere at the Chicago International Film Festival in October of 1986 have done nothing to diminish the impact of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. It is a film about reality—truths that are in some ways distant, but in others deeply relatable. It is about chaos and […]
A Beautiful Desolation: Poe, Price, Corman, and ‘The Masque of the Red Death’ [Gods and Monsters]
In Bride of Frankenstein, Dr. Pretorius, played by the inimitable Ernest Thesiger, raises his glass and proposes a toast to Colin Clive’s Henry Frankenstein—“to a new world of Gods and Monsters.” I invite you to join me in exploring this world, focusing on horror films from the dawn of the Universal Monster movies in 1931 to the […]
Steal Your Soul: Satanic Panic and Halloween Horror Gem ‘Trick or Treat’
By the mid-80s, the Satanic Panic was in full swing. Its favorite targets were horror movies and heavy metal, so naturally, it was only a matter of time before all these factors were exploited to make a buck at the box office. In the years to come, The Gate, Black Roses, Slumber Party Massacre II, […]
The Longest Night: The Original ‘Halloween II’ at 40
Halloween II has always stood in the long shadow of its practically perfect predecessor. In many ways, it is a meaner film than the original. While the first has more in the way of trick or treating, carving jack o’ lanterns, and teenage mischief, the sequel is the razor blades in apples, carved up bodies, […]
[Review] New Book ‘Puppet Master Complete: A Franchise History’ is an Exhaustive Must Own
In the introduction to his new book Puppet Master Complete: A Franchise History, author Nat Brehmer asks a question that will no doubt be on the minds of many: why Puppet Master? Even fans of the series have to admit that it’s a pretty good question. It is not one of the big franchises, has […]
Standing in the Shadows of Hammer: Amicus and ‘The House That Dripped Blood’ [Gods and Monsters]
In Bride of Frankenstein, Dr. Pretorius, played by the inimitable Ernest Thesiger, raises his glass and proposes a toast to Colin Clive’s Henry Frankenstein—“to a new world of Gods and Monsters.” I invite you to join me in exploring this world, focusing on horror films from the dawn of the Universal Monster movies in 1931 to the […]
Mark of the Beast: ‘The Wolf Man’ at 80 [Gods and Monsters]
In Bride of Frankenstein, Dr. Pretorius, played by the inimitable Ernest Thesiger, raises his glass and proposes a toast to Colin Clive’s Henry Frankenstein—“to a new world of Gods and Monsters.” I invite you to join me in exploring this world, focusing on horror films from the dawn of the Universal Monster movies in 1931 to the […]
Requiem for a Vampire: Remembering Bela Lugosi 65 Years After His Passing
The voice, the gestures, and those eyes. Few actors in the history of cinema are so instantly recognizable as Bela Lugosi or have had such an effect on the collective imagination. Though best known for his inescapable portrayal of Dracula on stage and screen, Lugosi’s career is long and varied. From the heights of fame […]
The Weak and the Wounded: Danvers, Demons, and the Heart of Darkness in ‘Session 9’
“We need to talk about Gordon,” as Phil (David Caruso) tells Mike (Stephen Gevedon) not long before all hell breaks loose in Session 9. But before we do, I should mention that this will not be a spoiler-free review but a deeper look into this unnerving cult film. I wouldn’t normally issue a spoiler alert […]
Pure Celluloid Mayhem: Stephen King’s ‘Maximum Overdrive’ Turns 35
Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe it’s my undying devotion as a “Constant Reader.” Maybe I’m just a sucker for seeing Pat Hingle fire a bazooka. Whatever the reason, I shamelessly love Maximum Overdrive. This first and only film directed by Stephen King is pure celluloid mayhem. Universally panned by critics and nearly as disliked by audiences, […]