Fantasia International Film Festival is almost upon us and as we here at Upcoming On Screen are getting the opportunity to cover it this year, I felt it was a good idea to let you have an idea of what is on offer. Roaring into its 25th year, the Montreal
Tag: horror
The B-Movie VHS Vault – Die Sister Die (1978)
Some films never make it to DVD, Blu-Ray or digital or if they did, their prints are long gone. This series wants to look back at those films, that almost slipped through our B-Movie grubby little fingers.
The Babadook – Second Sight LE Blu Ray ★★★★
Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook is a masterful horror film, that takes advantage of its human story to scare the life out of you. An unmissable film in an unmissable package and out from Monday 26th
Kandisha – ★★★ 1/2
An impressive horror from Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury utilises many well-used horror tropes and can bring something fresh to the table. Rife with tension and some gruesome scares, Kandisha demands your time.
Fear Street Trilogy Reviews – ★★ 1/2
The Fear Street trilogy misses the opportunity to be something special, instead, bogged down with too much worldbuilding, overbearing scores and mere moments of nostalgia. Disappointing with how forgettable it becomes.
Piccolo Corpo ★★★★ 1/2
Laura Samani’s hauntingly beautiful Piccolo Corpo is a triumph. This is a voyage of uncompromising love and sacrifice, utterly unmissable with enduring and memorable performances from Celeste Cescutti and Ondina Quadri.
The Stylist Short Cuts
Jill Gebargizian’s The Stylist began as a short film and last month to honour that, the good folks at Arrow decided to run a contest of for female filmmakers working on both sides of the camera to make and send their films in.
Son – ★★★ 3/4 (Shudder)
Andi Matichak shines in Ivan Kavanagh’s effective and surprising chiller Son. Filled with confidence, this is a film that makes sure to get the little things right and, by its finale, has you gripped.
Ten Minutes to Midnight – ★★★
Caroline Williams gives the best performance of her career in Ten Minutes to Midnight. This film has a wonderful underlying story that has you come in for the horror but stay for the on point and insightful commentary.
Army of the Dead – ★★★
#ArmyoftheDead flatters to deceive with a premise that should make it stand out. but is severely lacking in its script by being just too predictable. Neither disappointing nor great, this is a film that settles with being just okay.
Psycho Goreman – ★★★★
A practical effects-laden joy. Psycho Goreman is everything a genre fan would love but can also go beyond a niche B-movie to be a schlocky film that will entertain everyone. Siblings Mimi and Luke unwittingly resurrect an ancient alien overlord who was interred on Earth millions of years ago after a failed
Threshold – ★★★
Powell Robinson & Robert-Patrick Young’s Threshold works best when it focuses on its two siblings simply trying to reconnect. Despite the painfully rushed ending, it shows moments of beauty and allows the viewer to enjoy the overall journey
The Banishing – ★★★
The Banishing – ★★★
A solid ghost story, with some great performances, Christopher Smith’s The Banishing gets so close to being a tremendous, however it fizzles out all too soon before the end credits.
I Blame Society – ★★★ 3/4
Gillian Wallace Horvat’s wonderfully uncomfortable yet sharp debut feature I Blame Society, is a film that gets under your skin and once it gets going takes zero prisoners. We have a film that is as fantastic as it is creative.
The Reckoning – ★★
The high hopes of Neil Marshalls The Reckoning is quickly dissipated by a run of the mill story with woeful dialogue and one of the most overpowering scores in recent times. This is one that sadly needs to be avoided. Set against the Great Plague’s backdrop and subsequent witch-hunts against women, Grace
For the Sake of Vicious – ★★★★
Welcome to your new favourite cult midnight movie. For the Sake of Vicious is a film that wears its bloody heart on its sleeve and, after a tense opening half, let’s loose in ways that will have you clapping away in glee.
Willy’s Wonderland – ★ 1/2
Willy’s Wonderland is a stupid film, not a fun horror. It is a pointless film trying to piggyback on a tired videogame. Utterly terrible and devoid of anything worthwhile. Toss into the forget immediately pile. I wish I could.
Shortcut – ★ 1/2
We have a film that totally misreads what audience it should be targeting and by trying to go more mature, Shortcut never convinces its audience enough. This is a film that needs to be aimed at younger audiences to be more effective.
The Night – ★★★★
Kourosh Ahari’s The Night is a throwback of a horror that allows for its ample tension to build, coupled with a great script and two fantastic performances, this is a film that never lets you settle.
Sacrifice – ★★★
Sacrifice is a horror that forgets that it is trying to tell its audience a story and instead focuses on giving us beautiful shots and imagery. With an able cast who do their best, they are hindered by an underwritten script.
The Columnist – ★★★★
Ivo van Aarts horror satire delights in asking questions about free speech, censorship and validation in an online world. This sharp film is an absolute must-watch.
The Ice Cream Truck (2017) – ★★ 3/4
Lost in what direction and story it wants to tell, a film that could have so much promise as a drama or a horror. Instead, this mishmash doesn’t go far enough with either subplot to make itself felt.
The Stylist (Arrow) – ★★★★
Jill Gevargizian continues her upward trajectory as a filmmaker with her strong feature debut The Stylist. Led by the empathetic yet murderous Najarra Townsend, we are given a film that expands upon her 2016 short tremendously.
Lucky (Shudder) – ★★★ 1/2
It may not seem it at first, but Natasha Kermani’s Lucky is an angry film that challenges its audience while still wearing its heart firmly on its bloody sleeve. A sharp film that makes it’s presence felt.
Horror films to watch: Letter N Part 2
The letter N just had too many good horror films, so we venture into part 2 of 3. With a broad range of films here, there is something for any genre fans.
Butchers – ★★ 3/4
A decent homage to the well worn hill billy films. Butchers has the potential to be far more better than it ends up being floundering by being just too predictable with its story and plentiful clichés.
Demons and Demons 2 – Arrow Boxset ★★★★ 1/2
Lamberto Bava’s essential Italian horror films Demons and Demons 2 are getting the Ultra 4K treatment from Arrow. This marvelous boxset is a must buy chocked full of extras and commentaries. An splatter fest joy.
Shogun’s Joy of Torture – ★★★★
Exploitation cinema has been around for a very long time; how long? Well, Shogun’s Joy of Torture was made in 1968, and it has been given the complete Arrow Video treatment in this wonderfully depraved Blu Ray release.
Wrong Turn 2021 – ★★★ 3/4
We have a film striving to take a big step away from its predecessors, and it is all the better for doing so. Wrong Turn is an intense, well-written horror that puts its solid stamp on the genre.
The Owners – ★★★
Never rob from someone you know. That is the lesson in Julius Berg’s The Owners. . Not a knockout, but it might knock your granny’s false teeth out.
What Lies Below – ★★★ 3/4
Braden R. Duemmler’s What Lies Below is a stylish sci-fi horror driven by its three exceptional leads. With a great premise with a multitude of interesting elements, this is an atmospheric film not to let sneak under your radar.
The Curse of Dracula – ★★★ 1/4
A film that really comes from nowhere to become a surprising joy of a horror.
Skin Collector (aka Shiver) 2012 – ★★
Despite a strong performance from Danielle Harris, Skin Collector is held down by it’s laugh out loud bad script. With some great ideas, this should be far better than it eventually ended up being. Such a disappointment.
Shook ★★★ 1/2 – Shudder release
Jennifer Harrington’s feature is a stylish horror with a great premise. It’s problematic opening half is far outweighed by its excellent second. Shook offers a scathing look at the effects of social media on today’s influencer crazed society. A film that has so much potential, but just doesn’t quite hit
Broil ★★★ – Digital Release
Broil brings with it an interesting premise and a sprinkling of great moments. Yet struggles with this potential. In the end actually needing more runtime to flesh itself out. However, this is still a film where much reward can be found.
Tammy and the T-Rex ★★1/2 – Blu Ray Review
Tammy and The T-Rex is a shamelessly fun B-Movie that has been given its rightful cut by 101 Films. An utter joy of a cult comedy horror.
In Search of Darkness II – ★★★★★
In Search of Darkness II – ★★★★★
A perfect, 260-minute sequel doc that enhances & expands on its original. An utter joy for not only a fan of the genre but a fan of cinema.
Available now from February 5 to February 14th 2021 at http://www.80sHorrorDoc.com.
A Ghost Waits – ★★★★ 1/2
A Ghost Waits is a pitch-perfect film. With faultless performances from its two leads, this is a wonderfully empathetic film that won’t be long forgotten. A brilliant must see gem.
I Am Toxic (2018) – ★★ 1/2
Pablo Pares I Am Toxic is a missed opportunity of a horror that goes for the easy plot points when the more complex narratives were staring it squarely in the face.
Crone Wood (2016) – ★★ 1/2
Mark Sheridan’s Irish horror has elements that work tremendously, leads Elva Trill & Ed Murphy are particularly strong. Sadly Crone Wood just fades away by trying to do too much in the short runtime it has.
The Queen of Black Magic ★★★ 1/2
Indonesian horror The Queen of Black Magic will surprise you by just how good it is. A visually appealing film with some great scares to set a solid benchmark for the genre for the rest of 2021.
January ARROW Shorts Review: Part 2
Arrow Films Video presents an exclusive selection of the entries from its HORROR LOCKDOWN SHORTS contest. Little horror gems that show no matter the confines, creativity is endless.
Jan ARROW Shorts Review: Part 1
In January ARROW presents an exclusive selection of the outstanding entries from its HORROR LOCKDOWN SHORTS contest, short films delivering slick, sharp scares, delving into oft-uncharted and bizarre worlds,
![[REC] ★★★★ – Arrow Blu Ray Release](https://i0.wp.com/upcomingonscreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/0_8aDLnf5iCnUi94d3.jpg?fit=1011%2C538&ssl=1)
[REC] ★★★★ – Arrow Blu Ray Release
[REC] is a claustrophobic horror gem that took everyone by surprise and 13 years later, it still cements itself as one of the best horror films of the 21st Century. An exhilarating 74-minute ride
12 Hour Shift ★★★ – Digital Release
While lacking in development writer/director Brea Grant delivers a surprisingly entertaining flick that isn’t afraid to dip its toes into the absurd.
The Call ★★ 1/2 – DVD and Digital Release
Timothy Woodward Jr’s 80s centric horror jaunt The Call gives audiences a solid premise that is seemingly tossed away for no apparent reason by the time we reach the third act.
Horror films to watch: Letter B Part 2
A look back at horror films to watch beginning with the letter B. Part 2 as there was just too many to contain in one post!
Alone ★★★★ – Digital Release
Alone, is a rare survival thriller that rises above the well-deserved hype and allows it’s cast to shine in a minimalist film that packs one hell of a punch.
Let’s Scare Julie ★★★ 1/2 – Digital release
Let’s Scare Julie is a bold one-take horror that is rife with tension thanks to its excellent young cast, it just doesn’t provide us with enough scares.
Blind ★★ – Digital Review
Blind has the story and a lead that could have it be quite an interesting horror film. Yet it flounders in areas that it most certainly should not. A stylish looking film that offers nothing else.
Game of Death ★★★ – Digital Review
Game of Death is a great entertaining modern B-movie. Our seven young adults quickly decide whether it is better to kill or to await a gruesome death.
Horror films to watch: Letter N
We move onto the letter N in our A-Z of horror films we think you should watch. This is part 1 of 3.
Death of Me ★★★ – Digital review
Darren Lynn Bousman brings an unnerving and inventive concept with Death of Me. Maggie Q shines in a film that doesn’t takes the easy option too often.
Dawn of the Dead (1978) – Blu-Ray review
George A. Romero’s classic 1978 horror has been given a remarkable remastering in Second Sight Films limited edition boxset. An unmissable purchase.
The Cleansing Hour ★★★1/2
The Cleansing Hour is as entertaining as any horror you will see this year, with great performances and tremendous special effects, this is one to watch.
Ropes ★★★★ – Digital Release
José Luis Montesinos presents a claustrophobic feature debut in Ropes with Paula del Río giving a tremendous performance. Ropes is a brilliantly executed film.
Blood Harvest ★★★1/2 – Digital Review
Thomas Robert Lee’s sophomore picture Blood Harvest shows growing confidence in his ability as a storyteller coupled with strong performances from his cast.
Horror films to watch: Letter M (part 3)
We continue our Horror film series by finishing off the letter M with some underseen classics, some 80s horror comedies to some early cinema masterpieces.
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) – ★★★★ 1/2 Silent Sundays
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is a visually astounding picture that was as influential as they come to the future of the horror genre and cinema itself.
Spanish Horror Ropes set for digital release November 19th
Smart Dog Productions are delighted to announce that their latest Spanish horror thriller, Ropes, will be released on Digital Download from 19th November. Fresh from it’s screening at Manchester’s Grimmfest, where it won Best Feature Film and Best Actress, Ropes will be available on iTunes, Amazon and Google from 19th
Hellraiser: Revelations – ★★1/2
We are in the end game now gang. We are in the penultimate film of our series and I can almost guess that if you asked people how many Hellraiser films there are, they would not get close to 10. Anyway, Here we go Hellraiser: Revelations! Two friends Steven Craven
Hellraiser: Hellworld – ★★1/2
We reach the tail end of our Hellraiser series with number 8 in the franchise Hellraiser: Hellworld. Released an unthinkable and almost impressive 92 DAYS after Hellraiser: Deader was released. Honestly, I can imagine people renting out Deader and then three months later going back to Blockbuster (we had an
In Search of Darkness (2019) – ★★★★★
As In Search of Darkness states, the 80s was a booming time in the horror genre. There is a very good reason why the last 20 years has been rife with remakes from that period. Due to political frustrations at the time and a myriad of other fears of things
Hellraiser: Deader (2005) ★★
We are in the back end of our Hellraiser series and it sure as hell isn’t getting better. This time out we effectively return to the plot of Hellraiser: Hell on Earth. Being creative isn’t for everyone it seems. Welcome to Hellraiser: Deader Remember how we are left with Kirsty
The Mortuary Collection ★★★ 1/2
The Mortuary Collection is a wonderful horror anthology series from writer/director Ryan Spindell. This is an anthology that will entertain you thoroughly, with something for everyone inside. Sam (Caitlin Brown) answers the help wanted sign outside the mysterious funeral home of Montgomery Dark (Clancy Brown). During Sam’s interview. She queries
Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002) ★
A criminally stupid film, Hellraiser: Hellseeker is the first truly unforgiveable addition to the franchise that should be forgotten from your mind as soon as you finish watching it. Spoiler, there will be a lot of the film given away here, but it might be better to know this stuff
The Blair Witch Project (1999) ★★★★★
Do you know what is a great horror film? The Blair Witch Project. I am a little tired of people saying that it isn’t a good film. To what standards is it not a good film? Is it due to it not have the stereotypical jump scares that people are
Hellraiser: Inferno ★★★
Four years after the utterly wasteful Hellraiser: Bloodline, Dimension Films decided to have another crack at the Hellraiser franchise with Hellraiser Inferno. Detective Joseph Thorne (Craig Sheffer) is investigating the gruesome deaths of the serial killer The Engineer. Who leaves behind what looks to be the finger of a child
Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996) ★★
This will always be a hard film to review because it was not the version that was originally intended. There is a script out there for what Clive Barker and Peter Atkins envisioned for Hellraiser: Bloodline that seemed quite interesting. Though studio executive has got to meddle and we get
Hellraiser III : Hell on Earth (1992) ★★ 1/2
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, spelt the end of the franchise as we knew it. Away from its compelling origin and into the standard slasher fare that studios knew how to market. Trying to continue from where we left off, Pinhead is still in his sexy torture pillar. Or known
Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) ★★★
Oh, what could have been, Hellbound: Hellraiser II had everything going for it, except a coherent story. The ultimate in missed opportunities to truly kick on an intriguing franchise. Following up straight after the events of the first Hellraiser, Hellbound finds Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) trying to explain to doctors what
Hellraiser (1987) ★★★★1/2
We start our Hellraiser series with the first of the franchise, the rest of the reviews will be split into two or so films at a time. But the first (and best) Hellraiser deserves its own singular review. Clive Barker created an unrelentingly dark film in Hellraiser and one that
Rose: A Love Story ★★★★★ – LFF 2020
Sophie Rundle and Matt Stokoe are wonderful in Jennifer Sheridan’s atmospheric feature debut Rose: A Love Story. Making her a filmmaker to watch out for.
Relic ★★★★ – LFF 2020
Natalie Erika James’s impressive debut feature Relic is an uncomfortable tension-filled horror drama that will play at your emotions more than you would want it to. An elderly woman named Enda (Robyn Nevin) has gone missing from her secluded home in the countryside. Her daughter Kay (Emily Mortimer) and granddaughter
Horror films to watch: Letter M – Part 2
Last time out we left you with the first part of our trilogy for horror films beginning with the letter M. We continue on with our middle installment that has some modern classics, a wonderful 30s film and some under appreciated flicks. Lets get into it shall we? Midnight Meat
Ginger Snaps – 2000 ★★★★
Somehow Ginger Snaps is 20 years old and that has shocked me right down to my little horror fan core as I very much remember getting the DVD for this in 2003 and loving the ever loving hell out of it. We even have it in our horror movies to
Horror films to watch – Letter M
We are back and have gotten all the way to the letter M! Not only does M have some classics, we are also having the joy of having multiple parts in here. How many parts? Well we are going for the trilogy, so do not be sad if a favourite
Horror films to watch: Letter L
Horror films. The letter L. The ride continues! Let’s check out what we have today! This little series has gotten quite far and has been a joy to look back into, with a lot of films coming up that has made me quite nostalgic to the genre. This is a
First Thoughts: Come Play Trailer
The first trailer for upcoming horror flick Come Play was released last night, so we thought we would break it down a little and give you our First Thoughts. “Azhy Robertson (Marriage Story) stars as Oliver, a lonely young boy who feels different from everyone else. Desperate for a friend,
Horror films to watch – Letter K
Welcome back to another edition of Horror films to watch. This time we truck along to the letter K and we have a right little mix of horror films ready for you. Shall we? Kwaidan (1964) One of the best, if not the best anthology horror films ever made. Rarely
The Beach House (2020) – ★★★
Shudders new release ‘The Beach House’ is a slow-burning atmospheric film that really tries very hard not to pigeonhole itself into any one box in the horror genre. This works for is and against in equal measures and leaves the audience in quite the conundrum over what they have just
Horror films to watch – Letter J
Another week, another letter filled with horror films. This time out we move onto J and we are getting close to halfway through our list! This week we have an awful lot of under-appreciated or just plain forgotten horrors from years gone by, so let’s just get right into it!
Horror films to watch starting with I – Part 2
We return for our sequel to Horror movies to watch beginning with I. Is this a better sequel? Who knows, It depends on your horror flavour! We have some classics in store for you though, so let’s get into our second part! Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) What type
Horror films to watch starting with I – Part 1
Last time out we had a trilogy of posts with the letter H, this time we venture into horror films beginning with I, and again it is a bumper letter with us going for a double bill with the later coming out next week. The horror genre loves sequels so
B-Movie Saturday – Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) ★★★
On Saturdays, we pick the best (or worst) films to watch for that night. We do not go for some classic thoughtful film, oh no, no no, we go for the B-movie! So far we have come across The Blob, an Italian cannibal film and Rubber a sentient tyre that
Horror films to watch starting with H: Part 3
We finally come to the end of our trilogy through horror films that you should watch that begin with H, what a ride… With that said we have some classic horror films in the list today. Let’s get into it! Hush (2016) One of the standout reasons to love Hush
Horror films to watch starting with H: Part 2
Last time out it was decided that H was just too much of a monster of a letter in horror to have one post. So we split it into three! This week we present part two of this bumper letter. Let’s have a look at what we have today. Hellraiser
Horror films to watch starting with H: Part 1
This week we could have had a mammoth post, but I have decided to split H, not into 2, but 3 posts! Yes, H is filled! I could have added more, but these were my favourites. This week’s post will be from Ha to He just to simplify and make
B-Movie Saturday: The Blob (1958) review
Welcome back to another Saturday Night B-Movie review. Last time out we reviewed Rubber, a film about a sentient car tyre… Yep. This time out we lock at Irvin S Yeaworth Jr’s The Blob (1958). Synopsis When teenagers Steve Andrews (Steve McQueen) and Jane Martin (Aneta Corsaut) witness what they
World Cinema Friday: Let The Right One In (2008)
Every Friday we venture into world cinema and this week we are heading back to Scandinavia and specifically to Sweden for Let the Right One In, a modern classic adaption of the book from the same name. Shall we? Synopsis Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) is a lonely boy dealing with the
Horror films to watch starting with G
Welcome back to my series of effectively a massive list of horror films to watch. Last time out we got to the F’s in our ABC’s and now we move on to G! Fun times. Without further ado, here are 14 horror films to watch beginning with the letter g.
Saturday Night B-Movie Review: Rubber (2010)
A perfectly surreal experience that doesn’t feel the need to spoon-feed a story to you. Welcome back to another Saturday Night B-Movie review. Last time out we reviewed Umberto Lenzi’s cannibal film Eaten Alive! This time out we review Quentin Dupieux’s Rubber. A film about a homicidal car tire. Yep,
Horror films to watch starting with F
Welcome back to my series of effectively a massive list of horror films to watch. Last time out we got to the E’s in our ABC’s and now we move on to F! Fun times. Without further ado, here are 13 horror films to watch beginning with the letter F.
50 Mondays of Sci-Fi: Alien (1979)
For the next 50 Mondays we are going to be looking back at 50 science fictions that I love or maybe have missed. To start us off I thought it would be apt to look back at one of the best ever and one of my favourite ever films, Ridley
Saturday Night B-Movie – Eaten Alive! (1980)
Every Saturday we are going to look back at classic or not so classic B-Movies, because let’s face it, what night is better to watch a B-Movie than a Saturday right? To start us off we are going to look at Umberto Lenzi’s Eaten Alive! (or Mangiati Vivi! Doomed to
Horror films to watch starting with E
Welcome back to my series of effectively a massive list of horror films to watch. Last time out we got to the D’s in our ABC’s and now we move on to E! Fun times. Without further ado, here are 10 horror films to watch beginning with the letter E.
Horror films to watch starting with C
Welcome back to my series of effectively a massive list of horror films to watch. Last time out I wisely followed up A with B and now we come to C! Funny how that works! Without further ado, here are 13 horror films to watch beginning with the letter C.
Horror films to watch starting with B: Part 1
Welcome back to my series of effectively a massive list of horror films to watch. Last time out I wisely started with the letter A, so it makes all the sense that today B would be next. Funny how that works! Without further ado, here are 13 horror films to
In defence of: The Thing (2011)
With news that Universal is going to delve into The Thing franchise again (wisely going to the books this time) I thought it was a good opportunity to revisit the wrongly maligned prequel to 1982s The Thing… poorly titled, The Thing. For the purposes of this article, I am going
Horror films to watch: Letter A
I love a good horror film and thought that it would be a great idea to make a horror film list, but not just any horror film a list how about an ABC list? Granted this has become a lot more daunting than I imagined, but I think I have
Backseat writer, how to fix: Alien Covenant
We recently looked at how close Prometheus came to being a classic science fiction film and had a few solutions on what needed or could have been done to make it a truly great film. In this occasion of Backseat writer, we are looking at Alien: Covenant. Which sadly needs
First Thoughts: Saint Maud trailer
First-time director Rose Glass’ first trailer for her psychological horror Saint Maud was released today and we have some thoughts about it. Saint Maud follows a newly devout hospice nurse (Morfydd Clark) as she begins to become obsessed with saving a dying patient’s (Jennifer Ehle) soul from Hell. But in doing