KALIFORNIA (1993)

Sadly this awesome little serial killer flick never got the release or the attention it deserved. Starring a sexy David Duchovny of X Files, Michelle Forbes, a hunky and psychotic Brad Pitt and a reliably great Juliette Lewis. It centers on a young couple writing a book about serial killers who decides to travel the country visiting famous murder sites and ends up travel sharing with an actual serial killer and his innocent girlfriend. The movie is stylishly made with gorgeous cinematography and a dread induced atmosphere. It all leads up to an unforgettable conclusion that's both intriguing and disturbing. It's a classic that's criminally underseen.

Budget: $8.5M

Box Office: $2.4M

8.75/10

RAVENOUS (2017 NETFLIX A.K.A. LES AFFAMES)

This french language Canadian zombie flick is a fresh, intriguing, scary example of how good this subgenre can be. Centered around a group of survivors whose lives intersect post apocalypse. The zombies are different in this one although the transmission is the same they still possess an intelligence that links them altogether. They gather to create large sculptures and they are able to set traps for their intended victims. They appear together and call out for help. It's hella creepy and although the finale is subjective it's intended message is clear, humans are the real monsters, it's definitely something that has been explored before just never like this, these creatures imitate what they once were. It's filled with chilling imagery and definitely leaves an impression long after the credits role. Props for including a lesbian couple as part of the survivors.

9/10

PARTY HARD DIE YOUNG

Shudder's latest entry is a lackluster mix of 90s slasher cliches. Although it has some good ideas as well as some creepy moments. It's a little dragged out with one note characters and performances. In fact the best thing about it is the stylish way it's shot. It's plot is simple as a group of friends do something naughty and pay for it a year later. I wish I could say something solid about it but its just not great, it is however not awful just overly mediocre.

5/10

I, MADMAN (1989)

I remember seeing this as a kid in theaters and it just scared the crap out if me. I still find the whole thing quite disturbing but its also, clever, inspired and entertaining. The movie centers on a young woman working at a book store whom picks up an old, pulp novel entitled I, Madman. It scares the crap out of her and begins to manifest itself as it brutally murders the people close to her. The movie is wonderfully creative and to this day there still hasn't been anything like it. Jenny Wright has Virginia leaves much to be desired in the acting department but all these years later everything just works. It's got that really cool 80s retro feel making for an overly entertaining watch.

7.5/10

MAN'S BEST FRIEND (1993)

From the director of Child's Play 2 comes this awesome killer dog flick that manages the rare task of being both brutal and heartwarming. Ally Sheedy stars as feisty reporter Lori Tanner who breaks into a company that's animal testing and accidentally releases their top project. A lovable mutant with a very dark side. She ends up taking him home and falls in love with him. But the dog targets and exterminates any type of threat. All the while his villainous owner searches for him and will stop at nothing to get him back. I've loved this movie since I first saw it. It's such a unique watch filled with horror and humor. At no point is the dog not lovable even when he's doing heinous things. And that's really what makes it all work so well. 

Budget: $6M

Box Office: $12.9M

8.5/10

WAXWORK II: LOST IN TIME

Although I feel the original Waxwork is a much better film this one is a hell of a lot of fun. It obviously doesn't take itself seriously and sets the tone as soon as it begins when Sarah is followed home by a severed hand which kills her abusive stepfather. She is than put on trial as Mark looks for evidence to free her. Both she and him are thrust back into different dimensions courtesy of a sort of time compass. This is where the movie flourishes exploring the worlds of different films. My favorites being the black and white sequences from the film the haunting and starring genre icon Bruce Campbell and the "Alien" sequel sci fi horror sequence. And there's a lot more than that. The movie is overly goofy which makes it less good than the original. But it's still a wacky, fun flick that has actually gotten better over time.

7.5/10