Zep

For reasons unknown I’ve recently found myself basking in the seismic soundscapes of the Greatest Rock and Roll Band of All Time, Led Zeppelin. Okay, hold up, that’s not quite true. The part about “reasons unknown,” I mean. The part about greatest band ever might actually be true. You wouldn’t get an argument from me … Continue reading Zep →

Bad Girls We Love: Joanne Clayton from Tales from the Crypt

Out of all the segments in the 1972 British anthology film Tales from the Crypt, "...And All Through the House" makes the best use of its short running time, small cast, and limited setting—all of the action takes place in one house on Christmas Eve. It also happens to be genuinely terrifying. Plus it stars … Continue reading Bad Girls We Love: Joanne Clayton from Tales from the Crypt →

Bad Girls We Love: Barb from Black Christmas

When it comes to bad girls of horror, none are badder than Barb from the original, and still-supreme—no matter how many remakes they throw at us—Black Christmas (1974). The film is legendary, and so is Margot Kidder’s performance as the wisecracking, frequently intoxicated sorority sister Barb. It's filled with outstanding performances, including Olivia Hussey as … Continue reading Bad Girls We Love: Barb from Black Christmas →

From the Vault: Eyes of Laura Mars

This essay first appeared, in slightly different form, at my old site, four years ago. Eyes of Laura Mars is a favorite slasher/American giallo-style horror film of mine, so Halloween season feels like the perfect time to revisit it. As its title indicates, Eyes of Laura Mars (1978) is especially concerned with eyes, and specifically … Continue reading From the Vault: Eyes of Laura Mars →

Birthing the Brood Takes Time

Thirty seconds after you're born you have a past and sixty seconds after that you begin to lie to yourself about it. Julianna Kelly (Nuala Fitzgerald), The Brood, 1979 It's been almost two months since I last updated this space. Not for lack of trying, mind you, though lately there's been less trying and more … Continue reading Birthing the Brood Takes Time →

Rest in Paradise, Eddie

I think you had to grow up in wood-paneled dens, get rides in your friend's big brother's Trans Am, sneak-watch slasher movies when you were too young, and hang out at family parties where the adults let you take sips from their cans of Miller High Life. I think you had to live through all … Continue reading Rest in Paradise, Eddie →