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 Julia Merriam

Review: Monster House (2006)

Monster House poster

Everyone has something they were terrified of as a child. Sometimes it was the shadows lurking in the closet, sometimes it was the malevolent clown doll perched on the highest shelf, and sometimes it was that creepy house across the street. But what happens when those imagined dangers, often considered the folly of childhood, become a very dangerous reality? The answer, of course, is Monster House, the directorial debut of Gil Kenan (City of Amber). An innocent and yet surprisingly mature film, Monster House explores both the mystery of the neighborhood's haunted house and the complexity of adolescence with minimal belittlement. Offering a fresh take on an old idea, Monster House approaches its youthful themes with maturity, dignity and a healthy dose of good ol' supernatural fright, making it nothing less than a top-notch children's horror film.(read more...)

Review: Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation poster

Texas Chainsaw Massacre Month. In 1974, Tobe Hooper created what would prove to be one of the most memorable and enduring horror films of the late 20th century: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Like so many memorable and enduring horror films, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre spawned a franchise of sequels, most of them worse than the one preceding it. The worst of the bunch, however, has got to be Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation. A sad, anemic parody of the original film, TCM:TNG is an awe-inspiring confluence of bad dialog, absurd storytelling and epileptic pacing that is almost painful to watch. But, like any good train wreck, it's hard to look away.

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Review: The House on Haunted Hill (1959)

House on Haunted Hill 1959 poster

The first time I watched The House on Haunted Hill I was impressed. It was creepy and captivating, Vincent Price was brilliant and the atmosphere and story-line were completely immersive.  I was in love. However, when I re-watched the film for this review, I made a startling discovery: my memory is a dirty, filthy liar. On second pass, Haunted Hill was far less opulent, the casting less appropriate, and the overall experience somewhat dull and stunted. While it's certainly not a bad film, this review, sadly, is tinged with bitter disappointment.
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Review: Dark Waters (1993)

Dark Waters DVD

That was weird. Those were the first words that spilled out of my mouth as the end credits rolled on Dark Waters, a British/Italian/Russian co-production filmed in post-Soviet Ukraine. Directed and co-written by Mariano Baino, Dark Waters is a singular experience. Steeped in Lovecraftian influence, the film can be dizzying, even maddening, to watch. However, with the captivating direction and surprisingly engaging story, Dark Waters may actually be worth your time. It is not, however, a film for the feeble-minded.(read more...)

Review: Whispering Corridors (1998)

Whispering Corridors poster

If I had to pick a word to describe Whispering Corridors, I think I’d have to go with quixotic. In many ways, Corridors is typical of 1990s Asian horror: one dead girl, creepy chilling atmosphere, and a fairly predictable plot. Unlike American films, which are almost always plot driven, Whispering Corridors is driven by mood, so much that, at times, the story only seems to exist to get the film from one tension filmed scene to the next. Unfortunately, the screenwriting isn’t necessarily up to the task.(read more...)

Review: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

Cabinet of Dr. Caligari 1920 poster

Everything has to start somewhere. And, in Post-World War I Germany, a cinematic breakthrough was brewing: Carl Mayer, an Austrian scenarist and Hans Janowitz, a Czech poet, conceived the tale of a psychotic madman who could control another human being and drive him to murder. While that may seem rather common place these days, the concept, which influenced later films of the genre (such as Murders in the Rue Morgue, 1932), was positively novel in 1920. With the help of director Robert Wiene, a meddling producer, and a team of brilliant production designers, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is now a landmark in film history, both within and without the horror genre.(read more...)

Review: Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein (1972)

Dracula Prisoner of Frankenstein poster

There are some movies that are avant-garde in their disuse of dialog. There are some movies that are brilliantly post-modern in leaving out most of the soundtrack. There are movies that are insightful because of their dubious logic and shifting plot. Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein isn’t any of those films. It’s possible that I might have missed something on the first viewing, some nugget of inspiration that I’d pick up on if I watched the film again. Unfortunately, you couldn’t pay me to watch Prisoner of Frankenstein a second time. I probably should have skipped it the first time around.(read more...)

Robert Englund (Zombie Strippers) interview

Robert Englund at the Jack Brooks panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2008

Just as he did in 2007, Robert Englund sojourned to San Diego Comic-Con this year to talk about his latest projects, including Zombie Strippers and Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer. Zombie Strippers, a humorous and irreverent callback to 1970s exploitation cinema, will be released on DVD by Sony on October 28th. Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer, a horror-comedy about a plumber who fights monsters, will be out in a limited theatrical release starting this month.

Classic-Horror had the opportunity to spend a few minutes speaking with this legendary horror icon about his latest forays into the genre. In addition to discussing his current projects, Englund was also more than happy to offer his insight on current filmmaking practices, his legacy as a horror icon and, of course, his wealth of experience in the genre.(read more...)

Costumes and Comic-Con Culture (The Comic-Con Experience 2008 #6)

Comic-Con logo

One of the most amazing things about Comic-Con is the floor itself, and the people it attracks. The crowds are overwhelming, the enthusiasm is contagious, and the costumes are alternately impressive and terrifying. The sixth and final installment of the Comic-Con Experience is going to be mostly photography, since pictures speak much louder than words. Without further ado, we give you the 2008 Comic-Con Exhibition Floor.

All photos by Nate Yapp unless otherwise noted.(read more...)

Cory Glaberson and Reel Art (The Comic-Con Experience 2008 #5)

Banner at the Reel Art booth

One of the trademarks of Comic-Con is its nostalgia for what has passed. While this mostly manifests in the plethora of comic book vendors dealing in rare and vintage comics, there are some definite highlights for those of a more cinematic persuasion. One such highlight is Reel Art, a dealer in vintage movie and pop culture memorabilia, and our Comic-Con Experience 2008 #5.

Cory Glaberson is a self-proclaimed pop culture enthusiast: cult television, classic movies, vintage comic books – he loves it all. He loves it so much, in fact, that he’s made it his business. You can’t help but notice the Reel Art booth, since the back of it is lined with posters, many of them beloved classic horror films, which, of course, drew us right in.


The wall of posters at the Reel Art booth