Scary Stories Treasury: Alvin Schwartz, illustrated by Stephen GammellI missed this collection of revamped urban legends and folk myths when I was a kid. I went from Godzilla in kindergarten, to the TV edit of Jaws in first grade, to Stephen King books and adaptations by second. I can only guess, but I figure my … Continue reading The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Originally published in 2016 for the Terror Test episodes on The Purge, The Purge: Anarchy, and The Purge: Election Year. The Purge Will Be Televised. The Revolution Lost Its Corporate Sponsors. I wasn’t excited about watching The Purge. I figured it would be an extended home invasion movie played out as a joyride. To some degree it is, … Continue reading From the Eunoia Archives: The Terror Test: Test Prep #4
Originally posted with The Terror Test episode on Psycho (1960) and Frenzy (1972). This was the first time I got to talk with Murray Leeder, a professor, writer, and cultural critic. A short bio and some of his titles listed after the interview. I’ve found his work invaluable as I continue to watch and think … Continue reading From the Eunoia Archives: The Terror Test: Test Prep #3
My wife and I chose this as a Saturday date night movie. We had both seen it before, but decades ago. She was disturbed by it, having somehow happened onto it at age seven. I watched it not too long after it fizzled from theaters and found its way onto VHS shelves as a double … Continue reading Just Give Me the Crown: Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987)
Test Prep is a series of essays that I occasionally write to complement episodes of The Terror Test, a horror podcast. The guys are currently setting up a new website (actually, they are currently on a “monster trip” in Europe, and then they’ll be setting up the new website–I’ll provide links when it goes live). … Continue reading From the Eunoia Archives: The Terror Test: Test Prep #1
I Sell the Dead (2008) Well-acted and fun horror comedy about grave robbers that weighs in heavier as comedy than horror. It’s not bad, but these are often not my thing. I wanted to see Angus Scrimm in one of his last roles, especially since he was excited about playing violin in this. In the … Continue reading Halloween Horror Binge: Week Four, Part II
Winding down this one-man festival and excited about watching something other than horror movies. I don’t think I’ve ever said that before. Tormented (1960) Perfect late-night B-horror classic, like a Vault of Horror or Vampirella story. I remember watching these kinds of films in elementary school late at night on the weekends. I love the … Continue reading Halloween Horror Binge: Week Four, Part I
The Black Sleep (1956) If you’re a fan of classic horror, then this is a must-see. By the end, you’ve got a dungeon full of various weirdos and and monsters and, of course, they get loose. Can Dr. Gordon Ramsay(!) fight them all off and clear his name or will he join them in their … Continue reading Halloween Horror Binge: Week Three
Robot Monster (1953) This movie has one of the silliest monster/alien designs I have ever seen. The poster creature looks pretty cool, but trust me, the one on the film doesn’t equal the menace of the two-dimensional version. Still, if I had extra cash and could collect models, sculptures, action figures, etc., I would love … Continue reading Halloween Horror Binge: Week Two
Stephen McClurg 