Some land just isn't suitable to be built on. Or so is the message *I* get from this film. It's moody and creepy from beginning to end, but, I confess to not fully "getting it." Maybe someone out there smarter than I am can enlighten me?
The Surveyor (2026)
Starring: Chloe Breen, Michael Pare, Simon Martin, and Jacob Sidom
Last week, we featured a chiller where the plot and horror revolved around A.I.-generated material; this continues the grand tradition of horror films using the latest tech trends as delivery vehicles for terror.
Tonight's film, however, takes thing one step further: The special effects and creature effects were all generated using A.I.... and I think the filmmakers did a fine job. (It helps that the story is well-paced and creepy.)
Tonight's terror morsel was brought to us by a husband-and-wife team, who, bored one night, decided to make a horror film. It turned out better than many more thoroughly organized, planned shoots.
Pizza Delivery (2026)
Starring: Taylor Skeens
Director: Taylor Skeens
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars
(And "Pizza Delivery" gets extra points for having the main character watching a Betty Boop cartoon at the beginning. Betty's a favorite over at the Shades of Gray blog and many of her early cartoons have a horror edge to them. You can watch and read reviews of some of them here!)
This is one of the scariest films (if not THE scariest) we'll be featuring during this year's 31 Nights of Halloween festival. It's also making me rethink the heavy use of AI that we've recently been doing for illustrations over at the NUELOW Games blog and for most of our recent releases.
Mora (2024) Starring: Tim Torre, Jamie Taylor Ballesta, and Valeska Miller Director: Sam Evenson
Tonight's mini-fright film is well-filmed, well-acted, and expertly paced. I do not, however, get the ending. Hopefully, one of you far-smarter viewers will be able to enlighten me in the comments!
Welcome to this year's 31 Nights of Halloween! Instead of splitting the action between two blogs, the terror will be focused here. We're starting off with another mysterious menace from a mainstay of these annual festivals -- Alex Magana!
It's a great little morsel to get the month started!
The Mime is the second-best series from the twisted mind of writer/director Alex Magana, with The Smiling Woman being well ahead of the completion.. The Mime is giving the haunted yellow dress a run for its money, though...and with The Mime 5, the silent and prone to overreacting street performer has matched The Smiling Woman at her creepiest. This one is a solid 10 out of 10 stars!
The Mime 5
Starring: Isabella Moore and Lindsey Shelton
Director: Alex Magana
Rating: Ten of Ten Stars
(As much as I enjoyed The Mime 5, I am starting to think that Magana, once in a while, needs to give us a surprise ending where the victim in his story does not die in the end. He's come close to it in a couple of films, but it might be even more horrifying to leave a victim alive and suffering every now and then.
Dylan Clark returns to Terror Titans with a film that seems fitting for a Sunday!
Portrait of God (2022)
Starring: Sydney Brumfield
Director: Dylan Clark
Rating: Nine of Ten Stars
A young woman (Brumfield) is preparing a presentation on a painting titled "Portrait of God". It's a mysterious work where some claim to see God in it while others only see blackness. Despite her strong religious convictions, she is in the second group. Or is she...?
"Portrait of God" is an atmospheric film that turns downright chilling in its final moments. While I may be in two minds about the ending, I can't deny that it's good. I just wanted a little more. Nonetheless, watching this is a good use of your time during this Halloween Season.
Five Minute Dating" is one of those films that is ruined if one says too much about it. So all I'm going to say is prepare to get your heart-strings tugged at. and keep in mind that this is horror film fest!5 Minute Dating (2010)
Starring: Gustavo Franko, Anne-Marie Caccio, and Pamela Farrauto
Director: Peter Hatch
Rating: Ten of Ten Stars
Will tonight's round of speed-dating lead to soulmates finding each other, or is it just another meat market?
When you've watched as many horror movies (short and long) as I have, nothing much seems all that surprising or fresh. "The Empty Room" is one of those rare films that kept me guessing until the end... and even then they added a minor twist that I didn't see coming at all. This is definitely a creepy film that will get that Halloween Spirit stirring in you.
The Empty Room (2025)
Starring: Maya Morales
Director: Ethan Hunt
Rating: Nine of Ten Stars
A young woman (Morales) finds herself locked in a room with a tablet warning her she is not alone.
It's been a few years since we last checked in with filmmaker David Fershtadt, but we noticed that he just released a new short film so now seemed like the perfect time. His supernatural domestic troubles are continuing... much to his detriment but for our entertainment.
We hope you enjoy this mini trip into mysterious moodiness as much as we did!
This first short film of this year's 31 Nights of Halloween celebration is a treat! Or maybe a trick? Or maybe both? Watch it and see for yourself... and let us know what you thought of it!
Starring: Jonathan Stephens Director: Vincent Dormani Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
A man unknowingly hangs a cursed painting in his home... and lives to regret it.
"Open Casket" is another excellent chiller from Vincent Domani. I could mention a few nitpicks about the film, but the good outweighs the bad so heavily that it would be unfair. The only real complaint I can make against this film is that it manages to maintain a creepy atmosphere and then turns outright horrorific at the climax... but then crashes and burns during the last few seconds. It's almost like Dormani was at a loss for how to end the film, so he went with the easiest no matter how nonsensical.
That aside, I still have to give this film the highest possible praise I can -- I want to know more. I want the backstory of the painting, why it is the way it is, and what happens with Stephens' character. Like I said above, despire my disappointment with tbhe ending, the good far outweighs the bad here.
This is one of the better short films I've come across built around the trope "kids f--- around and find out" with Ouija Boards. It's a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it. In fact, I don't think I've seen a short film of this sub-genre present a more perfect ending. Behind the generic title, awaits an excellent student film! (It's ten years old, so I hope the people involved went onto successful film careers... they certain had talent!)
Ouija Board (2013)
Starring: Mia Vera, Shaun Sutton, and Hannah Halvorson
Look for tales of Ouiji Board misadventures in this space, each Wednesday from now until the Big Night is here!
Quija (2022)
Starring: Marielena Rodriguez
Director: Alex Rendon
Rating: Six of Ten Stars
A girl (Rodriquez) learns why it's a bad idea to play with Ouija Boards when you think you alone.
"Ouija" is a decent entry into the "don't mess with Quija Boards" sub-genre of horror films. Sadly, it drops the ball at the end. Or so it seems to be. Take a couple minutes to check out the film and let me know in the comments if you agree or disagree.
This is the first time I've come across the work of Alex Rendon. I will be checking out more of his movies and see if one or two more need to be brought to you during this year's 31 Nights of Halloween. (Say... what is it with people named Alex and horror short films? I seem to be gathering a collection of directors with that name....)
