While horror cinema has always been away from the gaze of the mainstream, that doesn’t make it less susceptible to trends. Ghosts and zombies are unaffected by the passing trends of the time. Everything else though passes with whatever is the cutting edge discourses of the time. Now, it is […]
Rob Simpson
Duel to the Death (1983) One of the unsung action movies of the 1980s (Review)
Duel to the Death, 1983, Hong Kong, Dir. Ching Siu-tung (A Chinese Ghost Story) Set up as a modern facing alternative to the then traditionalist Shaw Brothers, Golden Harvest is an icon for any fan of martial arts cinema albeit one that Jackie Chan built. It was through Golden Harvest […]
Children of the Corn (1984 -1995) The also-ran horror franchise that keeps on motoring (Review)
Stephen King must be the most adapted author in horror: there are over 60 direct efforts to bring his work to the big screen. The number of movies that those 60 have inspired or the sequels they have spawned, his influence is indisputable. One of the weirder is the Children […]
Cat O Nine Tails (1971) Dario Argento’s Grizzly Americanised Giallo (Review)
In 1970, Dario Argento came flying out of the gates with one of the best genre debuts you’re likely to see. Bird with the Crystal Plumage not only made a lot of money on the international box-office, it also made Argento a name on the international scene. He followed that […]
PTU (2003) The work of a heroic bloodshed artist (Review)
Hong Kong Action, when you hear that term, a few things come to mind – first will be one of the biggest movie stars of the past 40 years, Jackie Chan. Second is balletic shootouts, thanks to John Woo, Tsui Hark and Ringo Lam and their stunningly choreographed movies that […]
Blow Out (1981) Travolta & De Palma’s Masterpiece (Review)
Getting right to it, the 1981 movie, Blow Out, is Brian De Palma’s masterpiece – with Carrie a close second. The Philadelphia shot movie is based on Antonioni’s 1966 classic, Blow-Up, albeit with all the danger and purpose of the New Hollywood era and a focus on the craft of […]
Vengeance Trails (1966-70) Four Classic Westerns (Review)
Westerns have always been one of the more troubling genres for me, not because of any traits or questionable standards, on the contrary, I love martial arts cinema which is far more problematic on that level. My problem with westerns is that I am not a fan, and from the […]
The Psychic (1977) Style, legacy, and Lucio Fulci’s Halloween 3 (Review)
Lucio Fulci, there’s a name from horror cinema that has a unique legacy. Known for the like of The Beyond, City of the Living Dead and Zombie Flesh Eaters – his filmography is one of over the top gore and nightmare logic, well, logic is a strong word, his films […]
Boys from County Hell (2020) Deliriously Dark Irish Comedy Horror (Review)
First made as a 17-minute short in 2013, Boys from County Hell continues the tear that Irish horror has been on in recent years. The emerald isle has been punching way above its weight, delivering some of the most compelling new low-budget horror movies made anywhere in world cinema. While […]
Daimajin Trilogy (1966) A forgotten kaiju trilogy with a unique shintoist spin (Review)
There are two telling facts that need establishing first and foremost when discussing Arrow Video’s new release of the Daimajin trilogy. The studio landscape for the monster movie was divided between Toho and Daiei. Toho had the spoils with Godzilla and Mothra, whereas Daiei had Gamera and the Daimajin. Secondly, […]