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Howdy there, Twitch fans! If you’ve been wishing for our latest Watch Party, have I got some good news for you. But be careful what you wish for, as this time around we are gathering on Wednesday, March 19th at 8pm Eastern for a dose of everyone’s favorite evil genie in 1997’s Wishmaster.

Wishmaster is 90s silliness at its finest with wacky one-liners from Andrew Divoff, oodles of crazy death gags, and a slew of cameos from horror greats like Angus Scrimm, Tony Todd, Tom Savini, and more! Plus it’s streaming on a ton of free streaming services including Tubi, Roku, Pluto TV, and Amazon so it won’t be hard to find! We hope you get a chance to tune in at DailyDeadTwitch and join the party!





The post Join Us on Twitch Tonight at 8:00pm Eastern for a Wishmaster Watch Party! appeared first on Daily Dead.

Phantasm franchise star Reggie Bannister is entering home hospice care, and he’d like to hear from you.

As anyone who ever met him at a convention or worked with him on a movie can attest, Bannister is a remarkably kind man who is truly grateful for his “phans.”

In his time of need, fans are encouraged to share their appreciation for Bannister by sending letters to:

Reggie Bannister

Po Box 4387

Crestline, CA 92325

The cult actor was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease in 2016, which were stabilized until last week when he collapsed. Friend and colleague Russell “GreWolf” Mauck shared the update on Facebook:

“He’s still cognitive, so that’s good, but his body is failing. Reggie and Gigi [his wife] had planned ahead and made an advanced directive. As a result, Reggie will be going home from the V.A. soon, for home hospice care.

“There is no prognosis or time frame.

Ranking high on the list of the all-time greatest heroes in the horror genre is the badass ice cream man Reggie, who took on The Tall Man and the forces of evil in all five of the Phantasm films. Reggie was named after the actor who played him, Reggie Bannister – and some sad news about our hero has made its way online this morning. Bannister associate Russell GreWolf Mauck, who recently worked with Reggie and his wife Gigi Fast Elk Bannister on their fan fiction script-turned-novel Phantasm SurVIval (which is available for purchase on Amazon), has taken to social media to reveal that Reggie’s health has taken a turn for the worse and he will now be in home hospice care.

Mauck wrote, “My beloved Phantasm Phamily and Phriends. Most of you know, beloved Reggie Bannister was diagnosed with Dementia and Parkinson’s in June 2016. They were able to...

After taking a look back at the John Ratzenberger cameo in House II: The Second Story, the beginning of House of 1000 Corpses, the awesomeness of Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight, the leg smashing in the Stephen King adaptation Misery, three separate moments from John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China, the “Jason vs. Tina” battle in Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, the “all hell breaks loose” sequence from the start of Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead remake, the opening sequence of Pitch Black, a cool moment from The Crow, a memorable shark attack from Jaws 2, a creepy moment from Lost Highway, the climactic factory chase sequence from Child’s Play 2, the “Stigmata Martyr” dance scene from Night of the Demons, the beginning of Strange Days, and the Tech Noir club scene from The Terminator, JoBlo’s own Lance Vlcek is...

Wishmaster’s Star Andrew Divoff join’s Academy Award nominee and three-time Golden Globe nominee Eric Roberts (Babylon), Vernon Wells (The Road Warrior), Richard Tyson (Black Hawk Down),and Jimmy Drain (Realm of Shadows),the cast of the upcoming feature film ”The Dead Rose”. This much anticipated film follows Robby Duray (Drain) as his faith is put to the …

The post Wishmaster’s Andrew Divoff Join’s Eric Roberts, Vernon Wells, Richard Tyson, & Jimmy Drain in the cast of the upcoming feature film ”The Dead Rose” appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.

Wishmaster’s Star Andrew Divoff join’s Academy Award nominee and three-time Golden Globe nominee Eric Roberts (Babylon), Vernon Wells (The Road Warrior), Richard Tyson (Black Hawk Down) and Jimmy Drain (Realm of Shadows) the cast of the upcoming feature film ”The Dead Rose”. This much anticipated film follows Robby Duray (Drain) as his faith is put [...]

The post Wishmaster’s Andrew Divoff Join’s Eric Roberts, Vernon Wells, Richard Tyson, & Jimmy Drain in the cast of the upcoming feature film ”The Dead Rose” first appeared on Horror Screams Video Vault - Supporting Independent Horror.

No longer just a day, Black Friday sales now kick off the week before Thanksgiving.

In fact, Amazon has already launched sales on dozens of horror (and genre-adjacent) 4K Ultra HDs, Blu-rays, and DVD, compiled below.

These discounts aren’t guaranteed to last, so act fast!

4K Uhd Collections:

Dune / Dune: Part Two – $29.99 The Dark Knight Trilogy – $29.99 Rosemary’s Baby / Pet Sematary / Crawl / Smile / Sweeney Todd – $39.99 Friday the 13th Part 2 / Breakdown / World War Z / Orphan: First Kill – $47.39 Jurassic World: 6-Movie Collection – $49.99 The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy – $54.99 The Ring Collection – $59.29 Mad Max: 5-Film Collection – $69.99 Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment – $80.00 Universal Classic Monsters: 8-Film Collection – $96.98

4K Uhd Movies:

Escape From L.A. – $8.99 Cloverfield – $8.99 Brawl In Cell Block 99 – $9.96 Talk To Me – $9.99 King Kong (2005) – $10.99 Godzilla (2014) – $10.99 Kong: Skull Island – $10.99 Godzilla: King of the Monsters – $10.99 Godzilla vs Kong – $10.99 The Thing – $10.99 Shaun of the Dead – $10.99 The Shining – $10.99 A Quiet Place – $10.99 M3GAN – $10.99 Nope – $10.99 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse...

Wishmaster has everything a horror fan could want, from great practical effects to an abundance of horror cameos, all brought together by an all-timer villainous performance from Andrew Divoff as the Djinn. Conceptually, it is ripe for creativity as the titular Wishmaker has no bounds to his wish-granting abilities. This allows the movie to use practical effects to create bold and extravagant kill sequences orchestrated by director Robert Kurtzman, who has a background in special effects makeup. Wishmaster is packed full of gross, gory sequences but also has a fun interactive element of trying to decipher what the Djinn will do. It never quite achieved the status of other big horror icons such as Michael Myers and Freddy Krueger, and likely suffered from being released the year after Scream. However, it captures the fun of '80s horror, blending dark humor with disturbing visuals. And most fun of all is...

Iconic actor Tony Todd has died at the age of 69, it has been confirmed. As reported by THR, the Candyman, Platoon, and Star Trek: The Next Generation star, who amassed in excess of 250 professional credits over the course of an astonishing, five decade spanning career, passed away on 6 November at his home in Los Angeles after a long battle with illness.

Anthony Tiran Todd was born in Washington D.C. on 4 December, 1954 to Evetta Lyons Gaither. At the age of just three a young Tony Todd moved to Hartford, Connecticut where his auntie, Clara Elliston, took custody of him and nurtured his adolescent curiosity with the arts. Having enrolled Todd in summer acting courses as a boy, Elliston supported her nephew — artistically, financially, and emotionally — as his interest in theatre led to spells at both Eugene O’Neill National Actors Theatre Institute in Connecticut and Trinity Repertory Company in Rhode Island.

Tony Todd at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023 Photo: Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA

The actor Tony Todd has died, aged 69, after many years of illness, it was announced today. Widely admired for his versatility yet often cast for his deep, resonant voice, he was a popular member of the genre community who enjoyed attending events and meeting fans.

Perhaps most widely known for his iconic performance in Candyman, Todd appeared in numerous horror films, including the Final Destination series, Wishmaster, Hatchet, The Crow, Hell Fest and The Final Wish. He also made an impression in more mainstream far, however, such as Platoon, Le Secret and The Rock.

On the small screen, he endeared himself to fans as Klingon character Kurn in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as well as making appearances in Scooby-Doo and Xena: Warrior Princess. His voice work included being the...

Tony Todd, the actor best known for playing the Candyman in Cliver Barkers horror movies, has died at the age of 69. The actors death was confirmed by Deadline, although no cause of death has been released at this time.

Todd's career spanned 40 years, and in total he had over 240 movie and TV credits to his name. Todds began his career in the 1980s when he appeared popular TV shows such as Simon & Simon and 21 Jump Street. However, his first big role and one that would set his course in the film industry was starring as Ben in the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead. Instantly imprinting his intense performance and commanding presence on audiences, Todd then went on to take on the role that would really define him for a generation of moviegoers: Daniel Robitaille, better known as Candyman.

The 1992 horror movie based on the short story...

I have very sad news to report tonight. It has been announced that Tony Todd has died at the age of 69. The legendary actor is best known for his roles in Candyman, Final Destination, Platoon, The Crow, Night of the Living Dead, and his many appearances in the Star Trek franchise. He was a massively talented actor whose incredible baritone voice made every project so much better. This is a huge blow.

Todd’s wife, Fatima, told THR that he died on Wednesday at his home in Marina del Rey after a long illness. New Line Cinema, the studio which produces the Final Destination franchise, wrote on Instagram: “The industry has lost a legend. We have lost a cherished friend. Rest in peace, Tony, -Your Final Destination Family.“

After studying theater at the Eugene O’Neill National Actors Theatre Institute, Todd made the leap to the silver screen, making...

All of us here at Bloody Disgusting are devastated to learn that horror icon Tony Todd, the legendary actor who played the title character in Candyman (1992) and its sequels, passed away on November 6 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 69. Deadline first reported the news.

The prolific actor amassed more than 240 film and TV credits spanning his four decade career. While the actor’s big break came when he was cast in Oliver Stone’s 1986 Vietnam War epic Platoon, he would secure his name in the genre pantheon just a few short years later.

Todd starred in Tom Savini’s 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead as Ben, the role played by Duane Jones in George A. Romero’s iconic 1968 original. Todd’s warm, commanding performance was one of the primary reasons this remake was so successful and it was a precursor to his turn as Candyman. Despite...

Prolific actor Tony Todd, especially popular with horror fans for his roles in the genre, passed away on Nov. 6 at his Los Angeles Home. Per Deadline, Todd's death was confirmed by his reps, but the cause of death is not yet known. He was 69 years old.

Todd was born on Dec. 4, 1954. After studying theater at the Eugene O'Neil National Actors Theatre Institute, he began appearing in movies and TV shows by the mid-1980s. One of his very first roles was in Oliver Stone's acclaimed 1986 war film Platoon alongside Charlie Sheen, Johnny Depp, and Willem Dafoe. The film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, among other Oscars, helping to further launch Todd's career.

In 1990, Todd took on one of his most recognizable horror roles by starring as Ben in Tom Savini's remake of George A. Romero's zombie movie Night of the Living Dead. He'd follow this...

New month, new horror recommendations from Deep Cuts Rising. This installment features five selections reflecting the month of November 2024.

Regardless of how they came to be here, or what they’re about, these past movies can generally be considered overlooked, forgotten or unknown.

This month’s offerings include a horror western, a gory tale of bad science, and a supernatural slasher.

Craze (1974)

Image: Craze (1974)

Directed by Freddie Francis.

The choices for movies to watch on Occult Day (November 18) are endless, but what about the lesser known Craze? This adaptation of Henry Seymour‘s novel The Infernal Idol is a grisly delight. Jack Palance (Alone in the Dark) is the murderous antiques dealer whose killing spree is done in the name of an African idol.

Here Palance goes around butchering women as part of a series of sacrifices for the aforesaid idol. His plans to lure and slay his targets become...

1989 was the year director J.R. Bookwalter’s debut feature, the zombie epic The Dead Next Door (which Sam Raimi not-so-secretly had a hand in), made its way out into the world – and it also happens be the year when his follow-up feature, the “dark, splatter-drenched” oddball comic book homage Robot Ninja (watch it Here) was released. Thirty-five years later, Robot Ninja has now received the novelization treatment and the result, Robot Ninja: The Official Novelization by Damien Casey, is now available from Encyclopocalypse Publications! Copies can be purchased at This Link.

Shot in Ohio for $15,000, with David DeCoteau credited as an executive producer, Robot Ninja features cameos by Burt Ward (best known for playing Robin in the ’60s Batman TV series) and legendary scream queen Linnea Quigley and has the following synopsis: Leonard Miller (Michael Todd) is a frustrated artist. His publisher (Burt Ward) and his agent (Mike Shea) are...

American Zoetrope's filmography is kind of mind-boggling. Co-founded by "Movie Brats" Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas in 1969, the distributor and production company has stayed pretty true to its mission statement of backing not just projects by Coppola and his family, but also experimental and international cinema. The list of directors that've had American Zoetrope in their corner at some point or another is just as extraordinary. There's Jean-Luc Godard, Akira Kurosawa, Wim Wenders, Paul Schrader, Agnieszka Holland, Hans-Jürgen Syberberg, Godfrey Reggio, Carroll Ballard, and, of course, Tim Burton. Wait, what?

It's true: At the peak of his powers in the 1990s, the ringmaster of the "macabre funhouse" (as /Film's Bj Colangelo has aptly put it) teamed up with Coppola's American Zoetrope for 1999's "Sleepy Hollow." 

When you think about it, it's not so surprising that Coppola got in on Burton's creep-tastical revamp of Washington Irving's 1820 short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Quick Links Why Wishmaster's Disturbing Opening Outdoes Ghost Ship How Wishmaster is an Underrated Wes Craven Cult Classic What Modern Horror Movies Can Learn From Wishmaster Wes Craven is the Master of Horror Openings

Ghost Ship's initial minutes are often regarded as the best horror movie opening, but arguably, horror icon Wes Craven gave audiences something better. The art of the opening can be grossly underrated and taken for granted by audiences. Filmmakers don't have more than a few moments to capture moviegoers, keep them gripping their seats, and convince them to see where things are going. When it comes to horror movies, the best usually have an iconic opening kill or a thrilling villain to let people know what they're in for. Ghost Ship's opening is undeniably slick and creative, often remembered as the film's standout moment. However, revisiting Wes Craven's Wishmaster reveals an opening that terrifies,...

Stars: Tom Butcher, Russell Biles, Ray Calleja, Aryana Neo, Corrinne Wicks, Lola Knight, Sylvester McCoy, Paul Foot | Written and Directed by James Eaves

It was pretty much inevitable that we’d get a movie like The Apocalypse Box at some point this year. With a contentious election and political rioting in both France and the UK, where the film is from, and a divisive vote just a few months away in the US, someone was going to make a politically themed horror film. And that someone is writer/director James Eaves.

Two armed men kill an elderly antique dealer, making her death look like a suicide. A shot of a box-shaped object transitions to one of a ballot box. It’s the day before the election and Piers Stonesmith is making a campaign appearance. Running on the slogan “Keep Britain British” his party is behind by eight points in the polls,...

Brad Anderson’s Session 9 has been one of my favorite psychological horror films ever since I caught a theatrical screening of it at a 24 hour horror marathon in 2001, so it’s cool to hear that horror and dark fantasy author Christian Francis – who has previously written novelizations of the films Wishmaster, Titan Find/Creature, and Vamp – is giving Anderson‘s cult classic the novelization treatment, with Echo Horror Publications planning to send the book out into the world on October 4th – just in time for Halloween season reading!

Starring David Caruso, Peter Mullan, Paul Guilfoyle, Josh Lucas, Stephen Gevedon, and Brendan Sexton III, Session 9 features one of the most epic F-bombs in cinema history and tells the following story: Grand, imposing… abandoned and deteriorating, the Danvers State Mental Hospital, closed down for 15 years is about to receive 5 new visitors. Donning protective gear, the men of the Hazmat Elimination Co.

Just in time for its 10th anniversary, fans of Circus of the Dead will be excited to hear that official novelization is on the way! Written by Joshua Millican, and available starting on November 26th from Encyclopocalypse Publications, pre-order links just opened and we have all the details:

Synopsis: A sadistic group of clowns kidnap an unsuspecting man and his daughters, forcing him to play a deadly game in order to save his family.

Written by Billy “Bloody Bill” Pon and Lee Ankrum, Circus of the Dead has amassed a rabid cult following in the years since its release. The film stars Bill Oberst Jr., Parrish Randall, and Chanel Ryan. A sequel was recently announced and is currently in pre-production.

The novelization was written by Joshua Millican, and has been 100% approved by “Bloody Bill”.

“I’ve been a fan of Circus of the Dead for almost as long as anyone,...

Horror was in a bit of a funk in the late 90s. Then 25 years ago, in July 1999, The Blair Witch Project came along and changed everything.

In a 1996 article published in The Philadelphia Enquirer, film critic Desmond Ryan bemoaned the state of mainstream films. Citing such films as Independence Day, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Eraser, and that year’s hurricane thrillride Twister, Ryan argued that Hollywood had become more interested in special effects than logic or character.

“It all began,” Ryan wrote, “when Twister’s killer tornadoes sucked up everything in their path – tractors, cows, common sense, continuity, plausibility, and the quaint notion that movies should have characters you care about.”

By the end of the 1990s, the horror genre appeared to have descended into a creative funk of its own. Of the horror films released toward the end of the decade, many of the most high-profile examples were remakes or sequels in somewhat tired franchises.

Quick Links The Mythology of Wishmaster's Djinn Explained Why Wishmaster's Djinn is One of Horror's Greatest Villains Why Wishmaster Deserves Better Wishmaster introduced one of the most entertaining horror villains of the '90s. The Djinn has appeared in multiple movies yet doesn't get the fanfare he deserves. Wishmaster has a lot to offer in relation to the modern horror landscape.

Everyone knows Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Pinhead, but Wishmaster gave audiences one of the most underrated horror villains. From Dracula to Jigsaw, a horror movie is usually only as good as its villain, and typically why they tend to get top billing. While horror fans love to discuss their favorite creatures, slashers, and evil scientists, Wishmaster's twisted Djinn rarely gets a seat at that table. When reflecting on the horror antagonists that chilled viewers to the bone, made them laugh silly, or even root for them, it...

The German legend of The Pied Piper of Hamelin is the basis of two recent horror productions. The first of these “twin films” to receive a wide release is Erlingur Thoroddsen’s take, which shares the same title as Anthony Waller’s adaptation. And although both reimaginings feature demonic updates of that famous ratcatcher, only Thoroddsen’s story appears to underscore the musical component.

The Piper finds Charlotte Hope’s (The Nun) character Mel trapped in a familiar situation: her aspirations come at a great cost, and the consequences will be harmful. Here the young composer wants a future in her orchestra ensemble as well as the means to take care of her deaf daughter (Aoibhe O’Flanagan). Stealing a concerto from the estate of her recently departed mentor (Louise Gold) seems like the only option, but once the protagonist goes through with the plan, Mel’s conductor (Julian Sands) then...

This week is notable for bringing two recent big screen releases into our homes, one a horror comedy from the writer of Jennifer’s Body and the other an Oscar nominated genre favorite.

Here’s all the new horror releasing February 27 – March 3, 2024!

For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.

Less than one month after being released in theaters, the horror-comedy Lisa Frankenstein is now available at home. You can own or rent the film on Digital starting today.

Directed by Zelda Williams and written by Diablo Cody (Juno, Jennifer’s Body), Lisa Frankenstein first dug up someone special in movie theaters nationwide on February 9.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review for Bloody Disgusting, “Billed as a coming-of-rage tale, Lisa Frankenstein instead offers a celebration of outcasts and weirdos.”

“It makes for a sugary sweet, almost wholesome effort held together by a trio of infectiously winsome performances,” Meagan’s review continued.

Camp Pleasant Lake: "DeskPop Entertainment will release Thomas Walton's refreshingly indie new horror film Camp Pleasant Lake in select cinemas and on VOD February 27th! The picture, which stars 90s screen icon Jonathan Lipnicki alongside a bevvy of genre film icons, is a loving throwback to the thrilling, violent summer camp slasher films of the 1980s.

In Camp Pleasant Lake, Rick and Darlene Rutherford breathe life into the eerie remnants of an old campsite, unaware of its dark past. Strange occurrences haunt the area, mirroring the tragedies of the old camp, where two decades earlier, a young girl was kidnapped and her parents brutally murdered. Amidst chilling atmospheres and long-forgotten secrets, the couple grapples with a horrifying revelation—they are entwined in the camp's history. And as the shadows of the past collide with the present, the Rutherfords must confront the haunting histories of a sinister crime.

Written and directed by Thomas Walton,...

Fourteen years have gone by since director Vincenzo Natali’s sci-fi horror film Splice (watch it Here) reached theatres – and now Fangoria has broken the news that Splice is finally getting the novelization treatment! This novelization has been written by Claire Donner, “New York City and online branch director of the Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies, who has written essays for Severin Films’ releases of Michele Soavi’s Dellamorte Dellamore, The Sect, and The Church“, and is coming our way from Encyclopocalypse Publications, the company that’s also behind such novelizations as Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Redneck Zombies, Re-Animator, Wishmaster, Fright Night, and more.

Scripted by Natali, Antoinette Terry Bryant, and Doug Taylor, Splice had the following synopsis: Genetic engineers Clive Nicoli and Elsa Kast hope to achieve fame by splicing animal DNA to create hybrids for medical use at the company N.E.R.D. (Nucleic Exchange Research...

The slasher movie resurgence is most definitely upon us – not that slashers really ever went anywhere – and another upcoming one has come to our attention this morning. Deadline shares a first look at Camp Pleasant Lake, which has just been dated for release. DeskPop Entertainment will release Camp Pleasant Lake in select theaters and VOD on February 27.

The 1980s-inspired slasher movie was directed by Thomas Walton.

“Camp Pleasant Lake follows Rick and Darlene Rutherford, who attempt to breathe life into the eerie remnants of an old campsite, unaware of its dark past. Strange occurrences haunt the area, mirroring the tragedies of the old camp, where two decades earlier, a young girl was kidnapped and her parents brutally murdered.

“Amidst chilling atmospheres and long-forgotten secrets, the couple grapples with a horrifying revelation—they are entwined in the camp’s history. And as the shadows of the past collide with the present,...

Legendary makeup effects artist Robert Kurtzman (Evil Dead II, Misery, Tusk, Doctor Sleep) has in the past shared his original concept artwork for films including Wishmaster and From Dusk Till Dawn, and Bloody Disgusting has learned this week that Kurtzman has now turned that concept art into oil paintings – and he’s offering them up to horror fans!

The 18″ x 24″ oil paintings are only available online via Robert Kurtzman Mufx, and you can either purchase the original oil paintings themselves or prints of that original artwork.

The official press release details, “Robert has returned to his roots by painting original oils based on concept design sketches. During the strikes and the subsequent shut down of the film industry, Robert revisited original concept design sketches for various projects. The sketches are either by Robert himself or concept artist, and dear friend, John Bisson.

“The paintings range from old school classics Wishmaster and From Dusk Till Dawn,...

Nearly every culture in the world has contributed to the horror genre at one point or another, but it’s pretty clear that Hollywood is still the de facto capital of genre filmmaking. That’s why it makes sense that most popular horror tropes and monsters are based on traditional western mythology and religions, as these films are usually made by – and meant to appeal to – a certain demographic.

However, dealing with the same old ghouls and possessions can get old after a hundred and thirty years of cinema, and that’s why we’re lucky that some filmmakers decide to incorporate elements from lesser-known cultures into their scary stories. Whether it’s a foreign film daring to apply the “Hollywood” treatment to a local monster or a north American production taking inspiration from international legends (like Bishal Dutta’s recent It Lives Inside), some of the best horror experiences...

Back in 2021, I started a recurring column here on Bloody Disgusting called The Silver Lining, where I’d try to find the good parts of movies that were generally considered “bad.” Not only did I have a lot of fun looking back on less-appreciated films while finding hidden nuggets of entertainment where there should only have been schlock, but these articles also taught me to take in the good with the bad when watching genre pictures that at least tried to do something different.

I was reminded of this lesson while revisiting Warlock: The Armageddon this past week, as I believe this strange little film contains both the best and the worst moments of the Warlock franchise in an unexpected blend of sheer creative madness and aggressively bland characters. That’s why I’d like to invite you to join us on our second foray into the Warlock series retrospective...

Despite how prevalent they are in spooky media, you’d be surprised at how rare it used to be for traditionally recognizable witches to be the main antagonists in scary movies. Sure, we got the eerie crones of the pseudo-documentary Haxan and even a dancing coven in Suspiria, but for the longest time, witches were relegated to humorous stereotypes akin to the Sanderson Sisters rather than anything truly terrifying. It’s only recently that modern classics like The Witch and Gretel and Hansel have made potions and broomsticks scary again, revisiting the disturbing origins of these myths in ways that genre films of the 20th century simply couldn’t handle.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, and one of my favorites just so happens to be a bizarre trilogy that dared to ask what would happen if a potion-brewing maniac from the early days of America found himself transported to modern times.

Back when video shops and horror aisles were still common, it was hard not to be creeped out by the classic box art for The Fear. Wooden antagonist Morty attacks onlookers with his unrelenting stare. The tagline “He’s Whatever Scares You The Most” is as intriguing as it is foreboding. And while this 1990s horror oddball has found itself a fanbase over the years — albeit a small one — its sequel continues to go unnoticed. A lot of folks don’t even know it exists to begin with.

Not too long after Morty’s debut, someone gave the mannequin a killer makeover. Whether or not the update was an improvement is arguable, and reviews of this sequel are indeed more negative than that of the original. However, The Fear: Halloween Night has at least one thing its predecessor doesn’t: a clearer sense of identity.

The ‘90s gave rise to...

Alright, horror buffs and Tony Todd enthusiasts, gather ’round! Have you ever found yourself deep into a late-night Google search, hunting for the “best Tony Todd movies” or diving into the depths of “Tony Todd horror movies”? And who can blame you? The man is relentless, boasting over 250 acting credits on IMDb!

Look no further; your search ends here. We’re gearing up for a Tony Todd-centric cinematic journey that spans from pure, unadulterated horror to a hint of dark action. Sure, some of these roles might be cameos, but let’s be real: Todd’s iconic presence is the cinematic equivalent of a perfectly-timed jump-scare. Even in the briefest of appearances, he leaves an unforgettable impression.

With his resonant voice, imposing stature, and the uncanny ability to shift seamlessly between menacing and deeply empathetic characters, Tony Todd transcends the typical. He’s not just an actor; he’s a horror legend.

Today and tomorrow (October 10 and October 11) are Prime Big Deal Days on Amazon. Get a jump-start on holiday shopping for the genre fan in your life (or treat yourself!) with slashed prices on horror 4K Ultra HDs and Blu-rays ranging from classics to recent releases.

Although the event runs through tomorrow, some of these deals may not last that long — so act fast!

Here are the top horror highlights from the Prime Big Deal Days event…

4K Ultra HD Collections:

Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection – Volume 1 – $29.99 Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection – Volume 2 – $29.99 Halloween 2018 / Halloween Kills / Halloween Ends – $34.99 The Shining / 2001: A Space Odyssey / Full Metal Jacket – $29.99 Jurassic World: 6-Film Ultimate Collection – $44.99 The Last of Us: Season 1 – $27.99

Individual 4K UHDs:

Poltergeist – $9.99 The Lost Boys – $9.99 It (2017) – $9.99 The Goonies – $9.99 Mad Max: Fury Road – $9.99 Zack Snyder’s Justice League – $9.99 Van Helsing – $9.99 Dracula Untold – $9.99 Vertigo – $9.99 Get Out – $9.99 Us – $10.99 Nope – $13.99 Vfw – $10.99 The Shawshank Redemption...

Robert Englund, the star of A Nightmare on Elm Street, recommends a mix of popular and lesser-known horror movies for the Halloween season. Englund's suggestions, such as The Witch and Get Out, reflect his decades of experience in the genre and his love for horror movies. His diverse recommendations, including Sisters and May, show his extensive knowledge and passion for horror films beyond his own iconic role in A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Robert Englund, star of the A Nightmare on Elm Street movies, has offered up a smattering of horror film suggestions for the Halloween season. Englund is best known for playing Freddy Krueger in Wes Craven's classic slasher franchise, having taken up the role in eight different films. He has been involved in other horror movies as well, such as Wishmaster and The Mangler, underscoring his love for the genre.

Now, Bloody Disgusting reports that, at Terror Con in Marlborough,...

The horror genre thrives upon cautionary tales where arrogant individuals believe that they can outsmart some supernatural force for their own gain. It’s for this reason that the greed-quenching Djinn and parables where people learn to be careful what they wish for, usually in the most morbid ways possible, are popular horror tropes. Djinn are a fascinating concept, but they’ve struggled to truly make their mark in cinema between largely-forgettable films like Jinn, The Djinn, Wish Upon, and even George Miller’s Three Thousand Years of Longing. But Djinn stories can still be fun and effective in the right context. And Robert Kurtzman’s Wishmaster is still the premier djinn horror film over 25 years later.

Wishmaster is a movie that understands the unabashed joys of a big, dumb plot where there’s a giant magical gemstone that’s the key to the Djinn’s powers because why the hell not?...

Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment is thrilled to be releasing Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story. The film will premiere exclusively on the Icon Film Channel from 2nd October 2023, with Special Collector’s Edition Blu-ray and Tvod/Est available from 6th November 2023. From the makers of Pennywise: The Story of It and the widely-anticipated movie RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop comes an all-new documentary, celebrating the legacy and career of one our generation’s most beloved horror icons, the legendary Robert Englund. Shooting to super-stardom with his revolutionary portrayal of Freddy Krueger in the ‘Nightmare On Elm Street’ franchise – a moment without doubt as visceral to the horror genre as Chaney’s werewolf or Karloff’s ground-breaking realisation of Frankenstein’s monster – Englund has firmly earned his place in the pantheon of horror movie legends. The documentary features a host of horror icons including Robert Englund himself, as well as...

Fans weren't happy at the news of Kumail Nanjiani being recast in the newest Adventure Time spin-off, Fionna and Cake, but it appears it wasn't a choice he made willingly.

Before being cast as the Wish Master, Prismo, in 2012, Nanjiani was a relatively unknown comedian. However, he slowly began to garner fame over the years, with his role as Dinesh Chugtai in HBO's Silicon Valley in 2014, in the romantic comedy The Big Sick, and finally a lead in Eternals as Kingo.

The last time Nanjiani voiced the Cosmic Entity was in the video game Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion in 2018, so while it's been years since he voiced the character, fans were still shocked to learn of his recasting.

Read full article on The Direct.

Exclusive: Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment has acquired UK distribution rights to the Ben Kingsley and Ezra Miller pic Dalíland alongside docs RoboDoc – The Creation of RoboCop and Hollywood Dreams and Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story. All three titles will debut on the Icon Film Channel.

Dalíland will debut on September 4, with a theatrical release scheduled for October 6 and home entertainment on November 6. Set in 1973, Dalíland follows a young gallery assistant who goes on a wild adventure behind the scenes as he helps the aging genius, Salvador Dalí, prepare for a big show in New York. Pic stars Ben Kingsley (Schindler’s List) in the title role of Salvador Dalí. Alongside Kingsley are Barbara Sukowa (Two of Us), and newcomer Christopher Briney, in the role of James, the young art enthusiast who finds himself thrust into the center of Dalí’s remarkable and unexpected world. The wider ensemble features Andreja Pejić (The Girl in the Spider’s Web...

The Screambox Original documentary Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story, which hit Screambox back in June, is now available on Blu-ray!

The SteelBook – featuring art by Creepy Duck – is available exclusively from Walmart (extremely limited) and the Collector’s Edition Blu-ray is available where Blu-rays are sold.

Make sure to grab your limited edition SteelBook Blu-ray while supplies last!

Special Features for both Blu-ray versions include…

Horror Icons Nightmare Cafe with Jack Coleman A Conversation with the Directors Robert Englund: Chatterbox A Peek Behind the Curtain: Dance Macabre Official Trailer

The documentary was shot over the course of two years, highlighting the life and career of the classically trained actor and director.

Featuring interviews with Robert Englund and his wife Nancy, as well as fellow genre icons Lin Shaye, Eli Roth, Kane Hodder, Tony Todd, Adam Green, Bill Moseley, Heather Langenkamp & more, the documentary follows Englund’s...

Cineverse, in conjunction with Cult Screenings UK Ltd and Unannounced Film Company, announced today that the Screambox Original documentary Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story will get a Steelbook release and a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray (pre-order on Amazon now)!

Releasing on July 25, the Steelbook – featuring art by Creepy Duck – will be available exclusively through Walmart (extremely limited) and the Collector’s Edition Blu-ray will be available where Blu-rays are sold.

Special Features Include (featured in both the Steelbook & Collector’s Edition Blu-ray):

Horror Icons Nightmare Cafe with Jack Coleman A Conversation with the Directors Robert Englund: Chatterbox A Peek Behind the Curtain: Dance Macabre Official Trailer

The documentary was shot over the course of two years, highlighting the life and career of the classically trained actor and director.

Featuring interviews with Robert Englund and his wife Nancy, as well as fellow genre icons Lin Shaye, Eli Roth,...

The Bubba Ho-Tep episode of Wtf Happened to This Adaptation? was Written and Narrated by Andrew Hatfield, Edited by Mike Conway, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian. Here is the text of Hatfield’s script:

Sometimes you find out that your favorite movies were adaptations of novels. While everyone knows when they are getting a Stephen King adaptation, a lot of the time you won’t know that a movie is based on an existing story until you get hit with it in the credits. Bubba Ho-Tep (watch it Here) is one of those properties. All of the advertising and certainly the feeling of the movie is that it’s a Bruce Campbell and Don Coscarelli movie, but the short story was written by Joe R. Landsdale. The movie was the little indie that could that was destined for cult fame and make...

Seven years ago, Lionsgate Home Entertainment revived the defunct Vestron Video label for the Vestron Video Collector’s Series of Blu-ray releases, and over the years that series has turned out to be pretty impressive. The list of Vestron Blu-rays includes Chopping Mall, Blood Diner, the Waxwork movies, Return of the Living Dead ///, The Gate, the Wishmaster films, the Warlock films, Slaughter High, Class of 1999, Beyond Re-Animator, Dagon, Maximum Overdrive, Shivers, Little Monsters, The Wraith, Dementia 13, Steel Dawn, Candyman: Day of the Dead, Dream a Little Dream, Extreme Prejudice, Earth Girls Are Easy, the Dentist movies, the Silent Night, Deadly Night sequels, and more. The thirtieth release from the revived Vestron is a Blu-ray of the 1987 horror comedy My Best Friend Is a Vampire – and the street date is next Tuesday, July 25th! Copies can be pre-ordered at This Link.

Directed by Jimmy Huston from a screenplay written by Tab Murphy,...

The Anaconda episode of The Black Sheep was Written and Narrated by Andrew Hatfield, Edited by Ryan Cultrera, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

I’ll be the first to admit my mistakes. When I made that Alligator 2 defense, and no, doing that video is not the mistake I’m referring to, I mentioned that the giant monster movie had become somewhat of a lost art, particularly in the ’90s. Then I ended up rewatching Anaconda (watch it Here) and realized I had totally forgotten about it. That’s because it got lost in the likes of Deep Blue Sea and Lake Placid. Both those movies seem to have longer lasting impacts. Deep Blue Sea has that great surprise kill and Lake Placid has, well, it has Betty White. There are others, too. The Relic is a gory fun time, Bats isn...

The Wishmaster episode of Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie? was Written by Emilie Black, Narrated by Jason Hewlett, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

Horror has had many periods and the late 1990s were very much for self-referential films, dark humor, and cameos. Wishmaster, or Wes Craven’s Wishmaster (watch it Here) as it was marketed at the time, is more on the dark humor side of things than self-referential. Still, it does have plenty of cameos and references to other movies to be found by those paying attention.

While the film was marketed as Wes Craven’s Wishmaster, the film was in fact, written by Peter Adkins and directed by Robert Kurtzman, two creators the world of horror already knew. Craven was an executive producer here, but his name put butts in seats back in the day,...

Halloween Team #4: "The Thrilling Conclusion! After uncovering the dark secrets of Red Circle, the team rushes to save Tommy before he's sacrificed as part of an evil plot to bring about hell on earth. But what does the future hold for Halloween Team? And how does this latest adventure connect back to the mysterious Laura? In this action-packed final issue ... big decisions will be made, a new path will be forged, and a shocking secret about the team's past will be revealed. You won't want to miss this one."

Halloween Team Issue #4 (of 4) will be available to purchase digitally via Amazon/Comixology and GlobalComix on June 20th. Issues #1-3 are also still available for purchase. For more news and updates, follow @HalloweenTeam22 on Twitter or Halloween Team on Facebook.

Amazon/Comixology: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BGFZW3K5?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks GlobalComix: https://globalcomix.

Robert Englund’s most famous role as Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise only scratches the surface of his prolific career. With over 150 credits in film and television and counting, the actor remains a heavyweight in the horror space. That includes cameo appearances, where Englund’s history and experience bring welcome depth to each part, no matter how fleeting.

Some Robert Englund cameos offer a wry wink to horror fans, while others intentionally play on audience expectations based on his more prominent roles.

For #RobertEnglundDay, here are six of the best Robert Englund cameos in horror.

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare

Writer/Director Wes Craven warmed up his meta-horror muscles with this 1994 franchise entry. Englund plays Freddy Krueger, who crosses over from his fictional film franchise into the real world to torment the cast and crew behind his films. While Englund plays a prominent role as Freddy Krueger,...

Happy #RobertEnglundDay!

About one third of the 150+ acting credits accumulated over the course of Robert Englund’s 50-year career fall under the horror genre. Screambox is streaming five of them, along with the all-new documentary, Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story.

Here are six Robert Englund movies you can watch on Screambox now…

Galaxy of Terror

Before moving to Elm Street, Englund went to space for 1981’s Galaxy of Terror, the first of two back-to-back Alien knock-offs produced by Roger Corman. The film follows a ragtag spaceship crew on a rescue mission to a barren planet, where they encounter a deadly creature. In a slight twist on Ridley Scott’s sci-fi/horror classic, Galaxy of Terror uses its victims’ own fears against them — which, incidentally, is similar to Freddy’s modus operandi.

Englund plays the ship’s second technical officer, Ranger, but he’s not the only notable...

The Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead episode of The Black Sheep was Written and Narrated by Andrew Hatfield, Edited by Brandon Nally, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

It’s a rare thing to see a horror series with near complete creative control from one person. Currently, Damien Leone seems to be in the drivers seat for the Terrifier series that we are certain to get more entries in and I’ve talked about the Chucky/Child’s Play series that Don Mancini is the driving force for. There’s also another Don that’s in charge of another important horror series. Don Coscarelli gave us one of the most original and successful independent films of all time with 1979’s Phantasm. He wrote, directed, shot, and edited that first movie with his dad helping produce it and his mom doing costumes, production design,...