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: The People Under the Stairs (1991)

Submitted by Chris Justice on Tue, 2007-10-09 01:01

Three chapters define Wes Craven’s storied directorial career: the early years, the Elm Street years, and the Scream years. The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes were pivotal because they not only shoved modern horror into its current existence, but helped shape the American New Wave that emerged during the late 60s and early 70s. The Elm Street franchise revitalized slashers and revolutionized the commercial and aesthetic aspects of horror. No villain has captivated audiences the way Freddie Kreueger has.(read more...)

Shocktober 2007: Wes Craven Week

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Mon, 2007-10-08 01:08

Each week in October this year, as part of our Shocktober Classics event, we'll be featuring a different director who has significantly contributed to the horror genre, with new reviews for that director's films from Monday to Friday of that week. Our next master, Wes Craven, probably needs no introduction. Instead, we'll be posting a full biography for him in our Masters section on Saturday, October 12th. It should be sufficient to note that Craven has directed a number of the best and best-known horror films, including Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Scream.

Shocktober Craven Week Reviews:(read more...)

Review: Summer of Fear (1978)

Submitted by Julia Merriam on Mon, 2007-10-08 01:01

As I watched Wes Craven's television movie Summer of Fear, I couldn't help but think of cabbages. Yes, cabbages. Those noble, leafy denizens of the garden, those stoic vegetables whose nutritional value is so often overlooked. In particular, as the scenes from Craven's film flashed across the television and the dialogue assaulted my ears, I couldn't help but think how cabbage might have done a better job making this movie.(read more...)

A Look Ahead to "Torchwood" Season 2

Submitted by Emily Langton on Sun, 2007-10-07 01:13

Warning: Spoilers for "Doctor Who" season three and "Torchwood" season one below. Mild spoilers for "Torchwood" season two.

If you're hooked on BBC America's airings of "Torchwood," you'll be glad to hear that work on season two has already begun. It won't air until January of 2008 in the UK and no word yet on a US air date, so the creators were understandably tight-lipped about what was coming. "If I say too much now, it'll be old news by the time it comes out," says head writer Chris Chibnall. Still, they did share a few tidbits from the upcoming season.

Chibnall says, "In season one, It's almost like a dysfunctional family It's about these kind of disparate people trying to work together, trying to work each other out. In season two, that family is much more tight-knit. And it's about them going out in the world as a very close-knit team."(read more...)

Review: Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)

Submitted by Chris Justice on Sat, 2007-10-06 00:00

The word “leech” carries a pejorative meaning that describes anyone or anything with parasitical qualities. People or objects that “hang on” unwittingly may be known as “leeches”. Through this lens, one should view 1959’s schlock gem Attack of the Giant Leeches, which was co-produced by the Corman brothers, Roger and Gene.(read more...)

Attend the Trailer of "Sweeney Todd"

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street poster

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Fri, 2007-10-05 09:47

Yahoo Movies has the first trailer for Tim Burton's upcoming Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, an adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's stage musical of the same name. In Sweeney Todd, a falsely imprisoned barber (Johnny Depp) escapes from prison and returns to London, giving himself a new name and taking up residence in his old barber shop above the pie store run by Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter). Determined to have his revenge on the judge (Alan Rickman) who set him up, raped his wife, and stole his daughter, he begins a reign of terror the likes of which London has never seen.(read more...)

Review: Frankenstein Unbound (1990)

Submitted by Eric Miller on Fri, 2007-10-05 01:01

What if Mary Shelley was not a novelist, but an historian? What if Victor Frankenstein was a real person and not merely a character? What if a 21st Century scientist created a monster worse than Frankenstein? These questions are addressed in Roger Corman’s 1990 film, Frankenstein Unbound, an adaptation of noted sci-fi author Brian Aldiss’s novel of the same name. The film marks horror legend Corman’s return to the director’s chair after a nearly twenty year absence, but unfortunately, this is not a triumphant return, but a film with a reach that far exceeds its grasp. It grapples with some profound and disturbing themes, but it does so in a silly and unconvincing manner. Despite some solid moments and a few strong performances, Frankenstein Unbound is ultimately unsatisfying.(read more...)

Possible Directors for "Hellraiser" Remake?

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Thu, 2007-10-04 09:59

The fine folks over at Bloody-Disgusting have exclusive word on who might be directing the on-again, off-again, on-again Hellraiser remake for Dimension Films. The news is cool enough that I'll let them tell you all about it. You can click here to read the news over at their site (link opens a new window).

Review: The Terror (1963)

Submitted by Eric Miller on Thu, 2007-10-04 01:01

When Roger Corman completed filming The Raven in 1963, it turned out that star Boris Karloff still had two days left to go on his contract for the picture. Not wishing to waste those two days, Corman, and four other uncredited directors, improvised a script and filmed a new film; thus was born The Terror. Corman used sets, crewmembers, and cast members from The Raven. The film itself is an interesting, but ultimately unsatisfying, trip through the familiar ideas of Corman’s Edgar Allan Poe films, with the tried and true motifs of the lonely traveler and the man with repressed guilt manifesting itself. Although it is well acted and directed, The Terror does not offer enough shocks to justify its name.(read more...)

Full Details for Unrated "Hatchet" DVD

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Wed, 2007-10-03 09:41

Anchor Bay has passed word to Fangoria that Adam Green's retro-slasher Hatchet (read our enthusiastic review) will be hitting DVD on December 18th, 2007, just in time for Christmas. Not only that, but the film will be uncut and unrated, which is great news for gorehounds. Special features will include:(read more...)