Classic-Horror.com | Reviewing the History of Horror Movies

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!

Review: Bug (1975)

Submitted by Brandt Sponseller on Sun, 2002-06-23 00:00

Yes, it is schlocky and yes it is prime fodder for the Sci-fi Channel's "Mystery Science Theater 3000" (MST3K), but it is also a decent way to spend a couple hours without MST3K (the truth is that MST3K annoys me unless I've already seen a film once without it).(read more...)

Review: The Devil's Nightmare (1971)

Submitted by Rob Wrigley on Fri, 2002-06-21 15:19

Jean Brismee's The Devil's Nightmare (1971) (aka La Plus Longue Nuit de Diable) isn't a film well known outside of the Eurohorror cultists. Directed by a virtual unknown, it is mostly remembered as a star vehicle for sex-icon Erica Blanc (Kill, Baby...Kill!, The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave). Her darkly sensual looks and frighten performance lend a solid center, around which a spooky, thoughtful film was built.

A tour bus full of colorful characters breaks down on the backroads of the German countryside. The passengers manage to find lodgings for the night at an aging castle, only to discover the place is, of course, cursed and haunted. With the arrival of a last, mysterious guest, the night takes a turn for the deadly.(read more...)

Review: The Horror of Frankenstein (1970)

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Thu, 2002-03-21 21:19

Hammer, perhaps in response to The Fearless Vampire Killers (Roman Polanski's spoof of their bloodsucker flicks), sends itself up in this black comedy remake of Curse of Frankenstein. They replace Peter Cushing with the then up-and-coming horror star Ralph Bates and inject the tale with more sex, more violent death, and a wicked sense of irreverence.(read more...)

Review: The Sixth Sense (1999)

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Fri, 2002-03-15 01:00

If I remember correctly, the last time that I saw The Sixth Sense was in August of 1999. The exuberant - if poorly constructed - review I wrote then called it a "definite 100% must-see". Over time, though, my feelings for the film faded, and I feared that I had overrated it. I kept wondering if I had just been swept up in the buzz. Plagued by doubts as to my own critical competence, I was starting to believe the small but growing negative backlash against the flick.(read more...)

The 2001 Caligari's Cabinet Awards

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Sun, 2002-02-03 01:00

It's difficult to believe that we've been running this poll for three years now, but it's true. Every year in that time, dedicated readers have cast their votes for their favorite horror films of all time, and every year we rank 'em as they're called. Voting in this year's Caligari's Cabinet Awards occured between November 1st and December 31st, 2001 and was open to all readers of Classic-Horror.com.

The list never gets any less surprising, either. Sure, there are some titles that have made it every year, but the ones that come and go are what's truly fascinating. For instance, this year, Horror of Dracula, a mainstay of the first and second lists, dropped off into Honorable Mention, while The Beyond, which wasn't even ranked last year, made it into the main list.(read more...)

Hammer, We Hardly Knew Ye

Submitted by Jenn Dlugos on Fri, 2002-02-01 01:00

I’m sure all you boils and ghouls remember the very first time you saw Peter Cushing swing across the screen in Brides of Dracula. Perhaps, you felt a twinge in your stomach when you saw Christopher Lee show his fangs for the first time in Horror of Dracula. Or maybe you just couldn’t help to be swept into the atmosphere of The Hound of the Baskervilles. Regardless, there is a certain feeling you expect to generate while watching the typical Hammer horror. To the classic horror fan, Hammer is to horror as plastic is the Michael Jackson’s nose. However, there is a whole other side the Hammer in which few classic horror fans venture to.(read more...)

Review: The Wicker Man (1973)

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Thu, 2002-01-10 01:00

One of the truly classic horror-thrillers of the 20th Century was most definitely The Wicker Man. Now, with Anchor Bay's Limited Edition DVD (packaged in an attractive wooden box), you can enjoy the near-complete 99 minute version of the typically cut-to-ribbons suspense masterpiece. It is this very special extended edit that I'm reviewing here.(read more...)

George A. Romero

Submitted by Matt Mulcahey on Tue, 2002-01-01 01:00

George Romero's legacy will be that of a filmmaker ahead of his time, in terms of both independence and visceral violence. But before merely relegating Romero to the status of torchbearer, it must be remembered that his legend isn't based solely on his innovations but in the fact that he made great films.

Review: Jason X (2001)

Submitted by John W. Bowen on Wed, 2001-12-05 01:00

Worst episode EVER! - Comic Book Guy on The Simpsons

Production of the tenth (!!!) installment in the indefatigable Friday the 13th series wrapped in my hometown of Toronto late in the summer of 2000. The film was to be released a couple of months later for Halloween, then bumped to March 2001, then summer, then Halloween, then Spring 2002... Is it just me, or does this suggest to you that maybe - just maybe - the producers are in a serious panic, desperately re-shooting or re-editing in vain before admitting defeat? Even if you haven't seen the unmitigated disaster that is Jason X, the multiple postponements of its release should help you do the math.(read more...)

Review: Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)

Submitted by Aaron Edgell on Tue, 2001-11-20 01:00

The things which most die-hard Friday the 13th fans dislike about Jason Goes to Hell are the things which I believe make it one of the best later entries in the series. Namely, its the movie's departure from the tried and true Crystal Lake formula that makes it interesting and actually engaging. Of course the plot, which we'll get to in a minute, is a little more involved than that of some of the previous films, but Jason Goes to Hell is full of little details that should have been part of the series for a long time and it even attempts to explain Jason's darn near immortal status.(read more...)