Our editor-in-chief Nate Yapp is proud to have contributed to the new book Hidden Horror: A Celebration of 101 Underrated and Overlooked Fright Flicks, edited by Aaron Christensen. Another contributors include Anthony Timpone, B.J. Colangelo, Dave Alexander, Classic-Horror.com's own Robert C. Ring and John W. Bowen. Pick up a copy today from Amazon.com!

Posts by Nate Yapp

Review: Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971)

Tombs of the Blind Dead poster
Submitted by Nate Yapp on Tue, 2001-04-17 01:00

Spanish/Portuguese co-production centering around the Templars, a group of medieval knights who were executed for their satanic practices and had their eyes plucked out by birds. Now, they arise from the grave in skeletal form, ready to drink the blood of any poor soul unfortunate enough to spend the night in their castle. Having no eyes, they find all of their victims by sound, but this isn't much of a handicap. If you were being chased by 600-year-old armored corpses, you'd make a lot of noise, trust me. The plot, incidental as it is, has a group of people investigating the death of a friend at the Templar ruins.(read more...)

Review: Addicted to Murder (1995)

Addicted to Murder poster
Submitted by Nate Yapp on Thu, 2001-03-08 01:00

When folks start talking "independent film," they usually jump to Miramax or the works of Kevin Smith. While both started out indie, they've far surpassed that point. Are they still different? Yup. Quirky? You bet. However, I'm sure Addicted to Murder director Kevin Lindenmuth would join me in some hearty laughter to suggest that either one is making "independent film."

This is indie at its finest: unknown actors, ultra-low budgets, cheesy special effects, and ideas that are is challenging and don't pander to the lowest common denominator. For all the flaws the film has (shot on video, some lousy acting, the aforementioned effects), it has one truly great asset. Its script, which deftly combines two horror standards, the serial killer and the vampire, is intelligent, filled to the brim with interesting concepts.(read more...)

Review: Peeping Tom (1960)

Peeping Tom poster
Submitted by Nate Yapp on Sat, 2001-03-03 01:00

In 1960, two films came out in a fluster of controversy, due to their new takes on audience terror. One, Psycho, proved to be a success, and furthered the notion that director Alfred Hitchcock was The Master. The other, Peeping Tom, torn apart by critics and snubbed by audiences, destroyed the career of helmer Michael Powell. In hindsight, though, Psycho looks more garish and nasty, while Tom turns out to be a much better film, a portrait of obsession that has lost little power in 40+ years.(read more...)

Review: Hannibal (2001)

Hannibal poster
Submitted by Nate Yapp on Wed, 2001-02-14 01:00

Hannibal is a sequel to Silence of the Lambs by way of continuing the Hannibal/Clarice Starling storyline. Stylistically, it's an entirely different animal, which is fine. Nobody could ever expect this movie to top the raw psychological mindscrew that was Silence. So, writers David Mamet and Steve Zaillian and director Ridley Scott went in a completely different direction, and came out with a success. Not a resounding, hands-down masterpiece, but a success.(read more...)

Review: Urban Legend (1998)

Urban Legend poster
Submitted by Nate Yapp on Sun, 2001-01-28 01:00

Another Scream-inspired hip horror film, filled with beautiful 20-somethings and a mystery killer. Unlike lesser examples of this trendy subgenre, though, Urban Legend benefits from expert direction and a hard-working cast.(read more...)

Review: The Seventh Victim (1943)

Seventh Victim poster
Submitted by Nate Yapp on Sun, 2001-01-28 01:00

Editor's Note: This review was written well before the Val Lewton Horror Collection became available on DVD.

Okay... could somebody please explain to me why great films like I Walked With a Zombie, The Body Snatcher, and The Seventh Victim aren't in video circulation, while The Devil Bat and The Ape can be picked up fairly cheaply? This just bothers me...(read more...)

Review: From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

From Dusk Till Dawn poster
Submitted by Nate Yapp on Sun, 2001-01-28 01:00

Quentin Tarantino makes a horror film - scary concept, no? Actually, he only wrote and co-starred in this movie. He left the direction and editing up to one Robert Rodriguez (Desperado), a man with a brilliant eye for fast-cut shots and unconventional direction, which mixes nicely with Tarantino's unconventional script.(read more...)

Review: The Gift (2000)

The Gift poster
Submitted by Nate Yapp on Sun, 2001-01-21 01:00

Having Sam Raimi at the helm of a film is a strong enough reason for most horror fans to watch. After the understated brilliance of A Simple Plan, it's a strong enough reason for anybody to go. However, in The Gift, Raimi is given an amazingly talented cast that threatens to overshadow his brand of cinematic exuberance. Most exciting is the presence of the beautiful and, heh, gifted Cate Blanchett.(read more...)

Review: The Lost Boys (1987)

Lost Boys poster
Submitted by Nate Yapp on Thu, 2001-01-04 01:00

Another one to mark down for "Things Nate should have reviewed earlier." This glossy teen vampire flick is a staple on cable channels like USA, and is immensely popular amongst disillusioned adolescents. It's the only review request I get with any frequency. I can see why.

It's not that The Lost Boys is a great cinematic masterpiece, one horribly overlooked in the 1987 Oscars. On the contrary, it's more style than substance, more flashy than focused. The whole affair smacks of the touch of director Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever, 8MM). It's not to say the movie is bad either. There's not a thing that annoyed me (beyond the really awful 80s hair and clothing), and I was entertained.(read more...)

Review: Night of the Ghouls (1959)

Night of the Ghouls
Submitted by Nate Yapp on Fri, 2000-12-29 01:00

What if I told you that everyone's favorite director of bad films, Edward D. Wood, Jr. directed a semi-decent film? Blasphemy, you say? Well, my brothers and sister in the Cult of Wood...read on about the Great Trashmeister's one odd film out.(read more...)

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