We're starting the 2020 Fear-filled Phantasms series with Sala's version of some classic movie monsters.
Friday, October 2, 2020
The Fear-filled Phantasms of Richard Sala
Richard Sala, an artist and writer known for his offbeat, humorously macabre comics and cartoons passed away suddenly in May this year. We're going to celebrate his work with a gallery of color art every Friday until Halloween. (You can Click here to see samples of Sala's black-and-white art and read reviews of some of his books at our sister blog, Shades of Gray.)
We're starting the 2020 Fear-filled Phantasms series with Sala's version of some classic movie monsters.
We're starting the 2020 Fear-filled Phantasms series with Sala's version of some classic movie monsters.
Thursday, October 1, 2020
31 Nights of Halloween: The Hoaxing
Welcome to the Season of Halloween 2020! We're kicking off this year's month-long festival of mini- fright films with a tale that has its roots in classic horror stories, but which is thoroughly modern. It tells the story of a painter (Torrey DeVitto) who moves into a supposedly cursed and/or haunted loft with her performance artist boyfriend (Jimmy Gonzalez), so he can stage an "Amityville Horror"-style online hoax. Can you guess what ends up happening?
"The Hoaxing" is one of the longer films to be featured this year--15 minutes will be the maximum run-time--but every moment of it is well-spent. Its director has indicated there's a feature-length version in the works,or maybe some sequel shorts; I shall have to keep a close eye out for that one. (The promotional photos available for the flick don't reflect scenes that appear in the film, so I have high hopes for what may yet come!)
Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy this finely acted, expertly executed horror film. We're starting the 31 Days of Halloween strong this year!
The Hoaxing (2018)
Starring: Jimmy Gonzalez, Torrey DeVitto, and Nick Boraine
Director: Bevin McNamara
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars
"The Hoaxing" is one of the longer films to be featured this year--15 minutes will be the maximum run-time--but every moment of it is well-spent. Its director has indicated there's a feature-length version in the works,or maybe some sequel shorts; I shall have to keep a close eye out for that one. (The promotional photos available for the flick don't reflect scenes that appear in the film, so I have high hopes for what may yet come!)
Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy this finely acted, expertly executed horror film. We're starting the 31 Days of Halloween strong this year!
The Hoaxing (2018)
Starring: Jimmy Gonzalez, Torrey DeVitto, and Nick Boraine
Director: Bevin McNamara
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars
Sunday, September 13, 2020
Terror on the Thirteenth: Seagrass
Here's a little something that will bring a chill to the waning summer heat...
Seagrass (2019)
Starring: Charlotte Butcher
Director: Dylan Clark
Rating: Ten of Ten Stars
A teenager (Butcher) is cleaning up the beach at the end of summer when she comes upon something more than just trash.
More greatness from Dylan Clark will be seen in this space, next month.
Monday, July 13, 2020
Terror on the Thirteenth: Battery Low
As the last person on Earth who is still using a n old-school flip-phone, the main character in today's film is like a stand-in for me. I can relate 100 percent to the situation he's in... well, except maybe for the very last part.
Check out this little morsel of horror from Croatian filmmaker Dario Radusin. If you enjoy it, be sure to come back in October for the 31 Nights of Halloween, because I'll be featuring a couple more of his films. (And they are even better than this one!)
Battery Low (2020)
Starring: Miroslav Radovic
Director: Dario Radusin
Rating: Six of Ten Stars
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Tuneful Tuesday with Jason Vorhees
Jason has been doing his annual training regiment, so he can be in full fighting form come the next Friday the 13th. Please enjoy this mini-documentary (and music) all about everyone's favorite misshapen, demon-possessed, masked mass-murderer and how we works out.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Terror on the 13th: Reflection
Who ya gonna call when your bathroom's haunted? The young lady in tonight's film probably wishes she knew....
Reflection (2019)
Starring: Kelemen Orsolya
Director: Guzmits Z. Dániel
Rating: Six of Ten Stars
Reflection (2019)
Starring: Kelemen Orsolya
Director: Guzmits Z. Dániel
Rating: Six of Ten Stars
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Terror on the Thirteenth: Be Mine
It's the 13th of the month AND the day before Valentine's Day. So we bring you a very special short film!
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Avoid 'The Swamp of Ravens'
The Swamp of Ravens (1974)
Starring: Ramiro Oliveros and Fernando Sancho
Director: Manuel Cano
Rating: Two of Ten Stars
A mad doctor is exploring gene therapy to "cure" the condition known as death and to show its relation to evolution. Or something like that...
"The Swamp of Ravens" is an atmospheric film that sets out to be a modern-day take on the Frankenstein legend, with its protagonist being some sort of medical doctor or scientist bent on identifying the factor that separates life from death. Sadly, its story is so muddled, the motivations of the characters so confused, and the characters so ill-defined that you're going to be left wondering what the heck you've just watched by the time its over.
For example, the scientist SEEMS to have accomplished some sort of scientific breakthrough, given that his assistant is apparently a re-animated corpse... and the "failures" he tosses in the titular swamp outside his secret research shack are likewise undead and lurking just below the surface. Or are they? Are the presence of zombies in the muddy waters just figments of the mad doctor's imagination? They kill a vagrant, so maybe not. But then why isn't he trying to figure out what's animating them?.Is he trying to make the soul/awareness of his subjects stay with the body beyond death? Whether the writers knew or not, you won't by the time the film is over.
Although the film has plenty of atmospheric shots and stylistically presented violence, the creepiness of it all is undermined by perhaps one of the most wildly inappropriate soundtracks I've ever come across. Have you ever seen one of those British sex/manners comedies like the "Carry On" series? Well, that is where this music belongs, not in a film about a mad doctor who is a sexual sadist who turns his girlfriend into a test subject in a fit of jealousy. So, as far as the technical aspects of the film go, it's one point its favor and five points against.
Oh... a minor nitpick: There are no ravens in the film. The swamp in question seems to be home to a flock of turkey buzzards, but no ravens. Still, the shots of the buzzards are pretty creepy... and I suppose "The Swamp of Turkey Buzzards" doesn't make for a very attractive title.
Starring: Ramiro Oliveros and Fernando Sancho
Director: Manuel Cano
Rating: Two of Ten Stars
A mad doctor is exploring gene therapy to "cure" the condition known as death and to show its relation to evolution. Or something like that...
"The Swamp of Ravens" is an atmospheric film that sets out to be a modern-day take on the Frankenstein legend, with its protagonist being some sort of medical doctor or scientist bent on identifying the factor that separates life from death. Sadly, its story is so muddled, the motivations of the characters so confused, and the characters so ill-defined that you're going to be left wondering what the heck you've just watched by the time its over.
For example, the scientist SEEMS to have accomplished some sort of scientific breakthrough, given that his assistant is apparently a re-animated corpse... and the "failures" he tosses in the titular swamp outside his secret research shack are likewise undead and lurking just below the surface. Or are they? Are the presence of zombies in the muddy waters just figments of the mad doctor's imagination? They kill a vagrant, so maybe not. But then why isn't he trying to figure out what's animating them?.Is he trying to make the soul/awareness of his subjects stay with the body beyond death? Whether the writers knew or not, you won't by the time the film is over.
Although the film has plenty of atmospheric shots and stylistically presented violence, the creepiness of it all is undermined by perhaps one of the most wildly inappropriate soundtracks I've ever come across. Have you ever seen one of those British sex/manners comedies like the "Carry On" series? Well, that is where this music belongs, not in a film about a mad doctor who is a sexual sadist who turns his girlfriend into a test subject in a fit of jealousy. So, as far as the technical aspects of the film go, it's one point its favor and five points against.
Oh... a minor nitpick: There are no ravens in the film. The swamp in question seems to be home to a flock of turkey buzzards, but no ravens. Still, the shots of the buzzards are pretty creepy... and I suppose "The Swamp of Turkey Buzzards" doesn't make for a very attractive title.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Terror on the 13th: Did You See It, Too?
Every 13th between now and October, a horror morsel appear here at Terror Titans. We hope to keep visitors in shape so no one suffers heart attacks from fear come the next 31 Nights of Halloween! This month's offering was released too late in 2019 to be considered for inclusion in our festival of mini-frights... which is too bad, because it's a good one!
Do You See It Too? (2019)
Starring: Jay Podmore and Chlöe Crump
Director: Lliam Banks
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars
On a dark and stormy night, a strange creature invades a couple's home. But what (or whom) is it truly after?
Do You See It Too? (2019)
Starring: Jay Podmore and Chlöe Crump
Director: Lliam Banks
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars
On a dark and stormy night, a strange creature invades a couple's home. But what (or whom) is it truly after?
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
On a Christmas Night....
... a young private detective discovered what happens to people who are put on the Naughty List! (Yes-- it's another short film to replace your Christmas Cheer with Christmas Fear!)
On a Christmas Night (2017)
Starring: Jessica Crandall
Director: Josh Quillin
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
On a Christmas Night (2017)
Starring: Jessica Crandall
Director: Josh Quillin
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
It's the Night Before Christmas...
... and if you hear something stirring, it's best you just pull the covers over your head and stay snug in your bed.
Stirring (2018)
Starring: Joni Durian
Director: Enrique Cotou
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
(This film lost a Star on the Ten-star rating scale because of an overabundance of Stupid Character Syndrome, but gained it back because of the chuckle-worthy final shots.)
Stirring (2018)
Starring: Joni Durian
Director: Enrique Cotou
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
(This film lost a Star on the Ten-star rating scale because of an overabundance of Stupid Character Syndrome, but gained it back because of the chuckle-worthy final shots.)
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Tuneful Tuesday: The Spook Returns
During this year's 31 Nights of Halloween celebration, we featured the terrifying tale of "The Spook" by KSHMR. Now, with Christmas carols drifting through the air... the moment is upon us when "The Spook Returns"!
We hope the great music and video that comes with it will add an extra chill to the December air!
(This video features clips from "Deathly Presents", which we featured in this space, back during the 2015 Christmas Season.)
We hope the great music and video that comes with it will add an extra chill to the December air!
(This video features clips from "Deathly Presents", which we featured in this space, back during the 2015 Christmas Season.)
Monday, December 2, 2019
Spider Baby: Where the 1940s met the 1960s
Spider Baby, or The Maddest Story Ever Told (1968)
Starring: Jill Banner, Beverly Washburn, Lon Chaney Jr., Joan Keller, Quinn Redeker, Carol Ohmart, Mary Mitchel, Karl Schanzer, Sid Haig, and Mantan Moreland
Director: Jack Hill
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
The last remaining servant of the Merrye family, Bruno (Chaney), has spent his life caring for the three demented children (Banner, Haig, and Washburn) who are heirs to its fortune, keeping their deep psychopathies hidden and controlled. But greedy distant relatives and their lawyer (Mitchel, Ohmart, Redeker, and Schanzer) arrive to take the mansion and the money, Bruno's tentative hold on them slips... with deadly results.
"Spider Baby" is an atmospheric little movie that moves easily from horror to comedy and that amply proves the point that filmmakers don't necessarily need budgets in the hundreds of thousands to make good movies, nor does a film need to be graphic to be sexy or scary. In fact, I don't recall a scene that was more scary and sexy than the "seduction" scene between the homicidal underage vixen and wanna-be human spider Virginia and one of the dipsticks that have come to take her house and caregiver away.
Although the film suffers from uneven pacing, and the would-be explosive ending falls short of what writer/director Hill hoped for due to budget limitations, it is carried by striking performances from its young female stars, Jill Banner and Beverly Washburn, who manage to in turn be funny, sexy and scary; and from Lon Chaney Jr, who in the fading twilight of his career managed to shake off the weight of alcoholism long enough to turn in a performance that reminds viewers of the great performances he turned in during the 1940s and early 1950s. Carol Ohmart is also wonderful as a bitchy gold-digger whom viewers will delight in watching getting her come-uppence, while Mantan Moreland, in a small part, turns in performance that, like Chaney, evokes pleasant memories of the 1940s when he was at the height of his comedic powers (even if he also comes to a very creepy end).
In many ways, the film straddles cinematic time periods. It has the appearance and flavor of a quirky 1960s low-budget drive-in film, but it's not only the presence of a rejuvenated Chaney and Moreland that calls to mind the 1940s; "Spider Baby" has at its core a spirit of craziness reminiscent of Monogram Pictures horror films. The combination adds up to a movie that has a one-of-a-kind quality that more than makes up for any budget- and pacing-related shortcomings. It's a film that any lover of B-movie classics needs to experience.
Starring: Jill Banner, Beverly Washburn, Lon Chaney Jr., Joan Keller, Quinn Redeker, Carol Ohmart, Mary Mitchel, Karl Schanzer, Sid Haig, and Mantan Moreland
Director: Jack Hill
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
The last remaining servant of the Merrye family, Bruno (Chaney), has spent his life caring for the three demented children (Banner, Haig, and Washburn) who are heirs to its fortune, keeping their deep psychopathies hidden and controlled. But greedy distant relatives and their lawyer (Mitchel, Ohmart, Redeker, and Schanzer) arrive to take the mansion and the money, Bruno's tentative hold on them slips... with deadly results.
"Spider Baby" is an atmospheric little movie that moves easily from horror to comedy and that amply proves the point that filmmakers don't necessarily need budgets in the hundreds of thousands to make good movies, nor does a film need to be graphic to be sexy or scary. In fact, I don't recall a scene that was more scary and sexy than the "seduction" scene between the homicidal underage vixen and wanna-be human spider Virginia and one of the dipsticks that have come to take her house and caregiver away.
Although the film suffers from uneven pacing, and the would-be explosive ending falls short of what writer/director Hill hoped for due to budget limitations, it is carried by striking performances from its young female stars, Jill Banner and Beverly Washburn, who manage to in turn be funny, sexy and scary; and from Lon Chaney Jr, who in the fading twilight of his career managed to shake off the weight of alcoholism long enough to turn in a performance that reminds viewers of the great performances he turned in during the 1940s and early 1950s. Carol Ohmart is also wonderful as a bitchy gold-digger whom viewers will delight in watching getting her come-uppence, while Mantan Moreland, in a small part, turns in performance that, like Chaney, evokes pleasant memories of the 1940s when he was at the height of his comedic powers (even if he also comes to a very creepy end).
In many ways, the film straddles cinematic time periods. It has the appearance and flavor of a quirky 1960s low-budget drive-in film, but it's not only the presence of a rejuvenated Chaney and Moreland that calls to mind the 1940s; "Spider Baby" has at its core a spirit of craziness reminiscent of Monogram Pictures horror films. The combination adds up to a movie that has a one-of-a-kind quality that more than makes up for any budget- and pacing-related shortcomings. It's a film that any lover of B-movie classics needs to experience.
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