ErnestoPrague Nights 1969, B, streaming, directed by Milos Makovec, Evald Schorm, Jiri Brdecka, starring Melena Dvorska, horror anthology. There are some similarities with Mario Bava’s Black Sabbath but this is its own thing. The film looks good but it doesn't have Bava's lighting.
The Rule of Jenny Pen, B+, streaming, directed by James Ashcroft, starring Geoffrey Rush, a judge who suffered a stroke deals with a psychopath patient in an assisted living facility. Wonderful horror/thriller with two wonderful actors that elevate the whole film. John Lithgow's portrayal of the bad guy turns this very well made horror film into something special.
Blood Diner 1987, C+, streaming, directed by Jackie Kong, starring Rick Burks, cannibalistic brothers try to raise an Egyptian goddess through sacrifice. I wasn't a big fan of Jackie Kong's first film The Being but I enjoyed this one more. A crazy idea with bad acting, poor script, and decent practical effects come together to make something interesting.
Fear Street Prom Queen, C+, streaming, directed by Matt Palmer, starring India Fowler, a slasher, starts killing off prom queen candidates in 1988. Enjoyable but I wish the lore was a little bit deeper. The first Fear Street films had better mythology but it was a trilogy so they had room.
The Blackening, B-, streaming, directed by Tim Story, starring Antoinette Robertson, a friend's get together is ruined by a killer. I liked it but I was fighting a cold when I saw it so I didn't fully enjoy it, so I got to see it again someday.
The Dark Half 1993, C+, streaming, directed by George A. Romero, starring Timothy Hutton, an author with a pseudonym, has it revealed publicly and then killings that match one of his book characters begin. The story's good and does feel like a Stephen King story but I do wish the protagonist and antagonist played off each other more.
Screamtime 1983, C-, streaming, directed by Michael Armstrong, Stanley Long, starring Robin Bailey, horror anthology. The stories are interesting and good, except the wraparound story, but there's a visual mediocrity through the whole film that just kept me from getting into it.
The Woman In Black 1989, C, streaming, directed by Herbert Wise, starring Adrian Rawlins,Man goes to a small village to settle in a state and deals with the supernatural. It was decent but I prefer the remake.
The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue 1975, C+, streaming, directed by Jorge Grau, starring Ray Lovelock, some type of sound wave device is being tested out in the English countryside that makes the dead rise. I saw this years ago and found it boring but enjoyed it this time. Enjoy the daylight scenes and the Italian horror feel.
Mute Witness 1995, B+, streaming, directed by Anthony Waller, starring Marina Zudina, a mute makeup artist working in Russia sees a snuff film being filmed and has to outwit the Killers. Fantastic thriller with a very light slapstick comedy vibe in the background that works surprisingly well and makes it feel like a 1930s or '40s film.
Night of the Reaper, B, streaming, directed by Brandon Christensen, starring Jessica Clement, college student comes home and deals with slasher. The story actors and build up work nicely together although I do wish the violence was a little bit better, good stuff.
Hell of a Summer, B, streaming, directed by Finn Wolfhard, Billy Bryk, starring Finn Wolfhard, camp counselors deal with a slasher. Cliche but a lot of fun. As long as everybody cares what they're doing, an old story can always be good.
The Lair of the White Worm 1988, B-, streaming, directed by Ken Russell, starring Hugh Grant, some type of snake vampire lady tries to raise a worm god. I saw this as a kid and I didn't really enjoy it back then. Now it's more fun, the comedy works and the dream sequences are entertaining.
Curse of the Crimson Altar 1970, C+, streaming, directed by Vernon Sewell, starring Christopher Lee, dude looks for his missing brother and uncovers some type of ancient witch stuff. The story is decent but I wasn't blown away, it's always a treat to watch Boris Karloff and Christopher Lee work together.
The Boneyard 1991,C, streaming, directed by James Cummins, starring Deborah Rose, cop and psychic versus ghouls in a hospital, also let's not forget the ghoul poodle. Dumb but fun and I enjoyed watching an old cop and fat lady be the heroes. The practical effects are cheesy but I also enjoyed that especially the ghoul poodle.
Happy Hell Night 1991, C-, streaming, directed by Brian Owens, starring Darren McGavin, Halloween rip off. The movie isn't garbage but the good parts are overshadowed by how derivative the story is.
The Monkey 2025, C+, streaming, directed by Osgood Perkins, starring Theo James, cursed toy monkey screws up twin brother's lives. Enjoyable but I felt that the comedy needed to be tighten up a bit, the kills are good have a final destination feel to them.
The Man with the Black Umbrella 2025, C, streaming, directed by Ricky Umberger, starring Max Johnson, a double murder is committed by a man in black with an umbrella that leads to some supernatural shenanigans. I've been a fan of the director's films but this one felt like a miss to me. I'll try to give it another chance next year.
Alice Sweet Alice 1976, B, streaming, directed by Alfred Sole, starring Paula Sheppard, young psychologically damaged child is prime suspect in a series of killings. There's a good seedy vibe that this film has which many horror films of the '70s had. The actors are good and the violence is decent, the whole story works.
Blackout 2023,C-, streaming, directed by Larry Fessenden, starring Alex Hurt, artist bit by a werewolf goes back to his hometown for some payback. The pieces are there for a good movie but they never come together and worse the low budget nature makes all the faults even more visible.
House of Eden 2025, B, streaming, directed by KallMeKris, starring KallMeKris, 3 Ghost hunters head out to an abandoned house, you know the rest. I don't care that the story has been told many times before. It worked for me, good stuff.
Vamp 1986, B-, streaming, directed by Richard Wenk, starring Grace Jones, two buddies head to an after dark club run by vampires. A fun horror comedy with good practical effects and okay violence. I do wish the two main buddies had more to do with each other after the midway point.
Weapons 2025, A, streaming, Zach Cregger, starring Julia Garner, kids from one class go missing except for one child. Fantastic horror film but even though I rated this higher than Barbarian I think I like the story of Barbarian more. This gets a higher rating because characters are better and work better with the story as a whole. I can't wait to see what he does with Resident Evil.
The Company of Wolves 1984, B-, streaming, directed by Neil Jordan, starring Angela Lansbury, anthology of werewolf stories. The core of the movie is visual but it's fun seeing these stories with horror and fantasy combine to make something unique. I also enjoyed the anachronistic elements that reminded me of James Whale’s Bride Frankenstein.
Trick or Treat with Reed Richmond 2025, C+, DVD, directed by Chris LaMartina, starring George Stover, 100% cheesy fake documentary about Halloween but also 100% fun.
V/H/S/Halloween 2025, B-, streaming, directed by various, starring various, The yearly horror anthology returns. The beginning stories were making the film feel like a letdown but it picks up and redeems itself in the end. The serial killer story was creepy and good but my favorite was the final story.
All Hallows Eve Trickster 2023, C-, streaming, directed by various, starring various, horror anthology. There's maybe one or two interesting stories but everything is just done so poorly, especially the CGI used in the wraparound story.
All Hallows Eve Inferno 2024, C, streaming, directed by various, starring various, horror anthology. A better film than the last one with some okay stories but again the wraparound story doesn't do anything for me. Although it does remind me a little of MTV's liquid TV.
Poltergeist 1982, A, streaming, directed by Tobe Hooper, starring Heather O’Rourke, family moves into new home with supernatural shenanigans going on. I haven't seen this one in a while and I forgot how emotionally powerful it is. The actors, story, and the music come together perfectly for a fantastic experience. The effects are a little outdated especially in 4K but I liked them. Count me in with the people that feel this is a Spielberg movie not a Hooper movie.
Poltergeist 2 The Other Side 1986, B-, streaming, directed by Brian Gibson, starring Heather O'Rourke, The family has moved but the bad guy has found them. The emotions of the story feel more manipulative rather than natural but it didn't bother me much. The actors did a good job but the story isn't as strong, music is also not as strong as the first. The Preacher is a fantastic villain and the new spiritual guy also does a good job. Good time but nowhere near as good as the first one.
Poltergeist 3 1988, C+, streaming, directed by Gary Sherman, starring Heather O'Rourke, The family sends their daughter to live with her aunt and uncle but you guessed it the bad guy followed her. When I was a kid I found this movie both boring and also scary at the same time, I can't explain it. Now, while not as strong as the first one it's enjoyable. Good actors, weak script, okay score, and a good location make this a good time.
Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde 1932, B, streaming, directed by Rouben Mamoulian, starring Fredric March, adaptation of the famous story. I enjoyed the film and March does a good job with good makeup but I prefer the silent version. I find the Spencer Tracy version a little too stuffy for my liking.
Five Dolls for an August Moon 1970, C, Blu-ray, directed by Mario Bava, starring Ira von Furstenberg, vacationers on an island are picked off one by one. Not a fan but hearing the story how it was made Bava does a good job with what he had. The story and characters had me losing interest.
A Bay of Blood 1971, C+, Blu-ray, directed by Mario Bava, starring Anna Maria Rosati,folks deal with a bunch of killings at an expensive beach property. This one is ground zero for some slasher tropes and the story and characters are fun with some decent kills that were probably fantastic during its time of release.
Baron Blood 1972, B-, Blu-ray, directed by Mario Bava, starring Joseph Cotten, folks deal with a creepy supernatural dude that lives in a castle, who likes to torture and kill people. Online I see that there's some folks that really don't like this Bava film but I enjoyed it. The story is classic spooky stuff with a decent villain and okay kills, the location is also suitably creepy.
Lisa and the Devil 1974, B+, Blu-ray, directed by Mario Bava, starring Telly Savalas, a woman gets lost and finds herself in a mansion full of creepy stuff. Fantastic Italian horror, the story’s dreamlogic, the great atmosphere, and Savalas strange character all come together to show that Mario Bava still got it. The violence is adequate and appropriate. I just wish it was a little more.
Full Eclipse 1993, C, streaming, directed by Anthony Hickox, starring Mario Van Peebles, a bored cop gets invited into a secret task force of…you guessed it folks, WEREWOLVES! I was liking the film in the beginning because there was some crazy stupid s*** happening but a little before the midway point the script started to turn a little too serious and the main actor just like the description says seemed to be bored until the end of the film.
The Dreaming 1988, C+, Blu-ray, directed by Mario Andreacchio, starring Penny Cook, archaeologist opens a cave with Aboriginal remains that unleashes supernatural stuff. The movie is a bit slow but the story is interesting and the actors do a good job. The soundtrack has these loud moments that oddly feel appropriate for what's on screen.
Kadaicha 1988, B-, Blu-ray, directed by James Bogle, starring Zoe Carides, teens deal with the supernatural when a housing development is built over an Aboriginal burial site. The story and lore are good and interesting, also having a good buildup towards the climax. There's a scene with the kids and teacher that I felt had a good idea but was ignored.
IL Demonio 1963, B+, Blu-ray, directed by Brunello Rondi, starring Daliah Lavi, a lady curses a guy who marries somebody else. Powerful film where the horror might seem it comes from the supernatural but it's more about a woman's mental health breakdown and the continued horrors she goes through because of her community's ignorance and superstition.
Penda’s Fen 1974, C+, Blu-ray, directed by Alan Clarke, starring Spencer Banks, a pastor's son deals with his politics and sexuality through a series of Christian and old English pagan encounters. I enjoyed the story and the characters' journey through it but some of the imagery went above my head with its meaning. The location was good but I wish it was used more to build up the creep factor.
Robin Redbreast 1970, B-, Blu-ray, directed by James McTaggart, starring Anna Cropper, Lady moves to the countryside to start over again. Quick Ernie tip before the review, ladies if you're leaving a long-term relationship and you see a well built guy who is a poor conversationalist, not very smart, and won't STFU about the Nazi SS, please don't hookup, please. The story and build up to the climax was enjoyable.
Lokis A Manuscript of Professor Wittembach 1970, C, Blu-ray, directed by Janusz Majewski, starring Edmund Fetting, a pastor studying folklore who stays with a nobleman who might be a bear. The structure is just like Dracula where a dude goes to visit somebody who is supernatural but the problem comes with the individual not really being supernatural during most of the film. There's maybe two scenes that are menacing with the individual and the ending feels anti-climatic and the pacing is slow.
A Field in England 2013, B, Blu-ray, directed by Ben Wheatley, starring Reece Shearsmith, alchemist forces deserters to help him find a treasure during the 17th century English civil war. I saw this when it came out the first time and enjoyed it but I appreciate it more now especially the cinematography, although there are a few soundtrack choices that I wish were changed. Not really scary but I enjoy horror that takes place in the daylight.
Anchoress 1993, C+, Blu-ray, directed by Chris Newby, starring Natalie Morse, Girl is walled in by religious figures because she sees visions of the Virgin Mary. The movie's visuals are good and the story is very interesting with good actors but intellectually I understand the horror. I just don't feel it, well, not until the end anyways.
The Haunting of Rosalind 1973, C, Blu-ray, directed by Lela Swift, starring Susan Sarandon, Lady likes a handsome guest but dude marries the sister, supernatural stuff happens. A classic ghost story that might come off old fashioned today but the ending is more modern. The sets look like a stage but that didn't bother me, I found it charming.
The Screaming Skull 1973, C+, Blu-ray, directed by Gloria Monty, starring David McCallum, dude gets rid of his wife but the wife's spirit keeps bothering him from beyond so now he has to get rid of the spirit. The feeling on this one has a slight EC comics vibe to it. I enjoyed it more than Rosalind.
The Deadly Visitor 1973, B, Blu-ray, directed by Lela Swift, starring Perry King, writer moves into a boarding house and is haunted by something that might be an old lover. The story always kept my intention and the idea of the entity is both interesting and disturbing. Somebody can make a good remake of this one.
The House and the Brain 1973, B+, Blu-ray, directed by Gloria Monty, starring Carol Wiliard, a warlock captures a lady in a house never to leave and to suffer emotional distress throughout time. Good story with actors that pull it off and an ending that is pretty creepy.
And the Bones Came Together 1973, C+, Blu-ray, directed by Henry Kaplan, starring Herbert Berghof, a graveyard caretaker who is being forced out of his house and then unleashes supernatural vengeance. The strengths of this one are the acting and the script that come together to create believable drama but sadly that overshadows the creepiness of the story.
R. L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead 2025, C+, streaming, directed by Jim Gerard, starring Bean Reid, kid's brother who goes missing and everybody seems to forget so he has to find out what's happening. Gateway horror for kids that if you're a fan of Goosebumps should be right up your alley. The practical effects are good and so is the story and the actors.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad 1949, A+, streaming, directed by various, starring Bing Cosby, the classic spooky tale through a Disney lens. Yes I skipped the Mr toad segment and I'll probably continue to do that until the end of my life. Fantastic and you have to watch this during this spooky holiday season.
Casper 1995, B+, streaming, directed by Brad Silberling, starring Christina Ricci, Casper deals with a family that moves into his home. I saw this as a kid and really enjoyed it and it still holds up for me today, no way I can review this movie was that over my head. Editor's note, I was 12 when it came out and the first showing was sold out and I got really emotional to the point of tears, yeah I know!
The Peanut Butter Solution 1986, C+, streaming, directed by Michael Rubbo, starring Mathew Mackay, Ghosts help a balding kid get his hair back but it won't stop growing…Don't ask. A weird kids movie that never stops being weird but it also has a heart to it and competence behind and in front of the camera.
To Fire You Come At Last 2023, C+, Blu-ray, directed by Sean Hogan, starring Mark Carlisle, in 17th century England a group of men carry a coffin on a pathway steeped in superstition and as usual s*** gets real. The beginning of Halloween 4 there's wonderful opening shots of open fields with creepy music that picks up the fear factor and this film does something similar but it ignores it the rest of the movie. The story and actors are good and the short length helps the film.
Psychomania 1974, C, Blu-ray, directed by Don Sharp, starring Nicky Henson, Rich spoiled leader of a biker gang makes a pack with a frog god and causes mayhem. I enjoyed the film but there's a British dryness that keeps me from getting into it. Some music choices also bother me but it's trying to put humor to something macabre like George Romero's Dawn of the Dead but it just doesn't work for me.
The Enchanted 1984, C+, Blu-ray, directed by Carter Lord, starring Will Sennett, dude returns to his family ranch and deals with a family living in the woods. The story is interesting but some of the actors' abilities are pedestrian, not too bad though. The mystery of what's going on and the buildup is handled well and I didn't find the ending anticlimactic but I understand somebody thinking that.
Who Fears the Devil 1972, C+, Blu-ray, directed by John Newland, starring Hedges Capers, a wandering hillbilly singer travels the Appalachian mountains dealing with supernatural stuff. The narrative structure feels episodic so the ending feels to be continued, even though it's not. The main actor is not that good but he's not terrible. I enjoyed it. I just wish some of the folklore was explained more.
The White Reindeer 1952, B-, Blu-ray, directed by Erik Blomberg, starring Mirjami Kuosmanen, horny neglected lady buys love potion, turns into vampiric reindeer, DEAL WITH IT! The film was slow and at times almost became boring but I enjoyed it. The folklore sounds crazy but the movie wasn't crazy.
Edge of the Knife 2018, B, Blu-ray, directed by various, starring Tyler York, two friends deal with conflict when one becomes accidentally responsible for the other son's death. A strong film about guilt. The horror is psychologically based and done to show the seriousness of the situation but I wanted to see something else, not something so serious, not the film's fault.
Born of Fire 1987, C+, Blu-ray directed by Jamil Dehlavi, starring Susan Crowley, flutist and astronomer versus, um, evil flutist. The film gives off more of a spooky rather than creepy vibe although there's some surreal dream-like imagery that moves it a little towards the creepy area. The story has this thing about the world ending and I don't think the film pulls off that feeling very well. There's a little handicapped dude that helps out the flutist which I appreciate.