Shelby Oaks (2024)

I will admit that I have become addicted to true crime documentaries and YouTube over recent weeks since the whole Bricks & Minifigs / Reckless Ben - Salem Brick Trial has gone down. I know it's not horror, Sci-Fi, or some unexplained documentary, but man, it could be. The corruption being uncovered by the researchers has been incredible, and it is quickly developing into a "what not to do" expose. Seriously, Bricks & Minifigs, you suck! 

That being said, I decided I wanted to revisit a movie I watched a few months ago and enjoyed more than some people did when it was first released. The 2024 entry, Shelby Oaks. 

Plot: A woman's obsessive search for her missing sister leads her into a terrifying mystery at the hands of an unknown evil.

This movie definitely feels like one people will love or hate. After rewatching it, I am somewhere in the middle. Yes, some of it felt disjointed, and the ending didn't truly hit home, but there were some positives with the atmosphere, the storyline, and some of the investigation angles. The performances were solid, and the idea was interesting. Unfortunately, besides the ending, the pacing was off, and the depth of the story appeared to lose its way the longer the movie went on, and this definitely held it back. Yes, it's not in any way groundbreaking, but it is entertaining and a fun watch with some creepy moments.

Evil Dead Burn (2026)

2026 has been a good year for horror, and there has been an interesting mix of new movies, and even some solid sequels added into the mix. One of those, Evil Dead Burn, was even a lot better than I expected, and was one that made me want to see the next entry in the series. 

Plot: After the loss of her husband, a woman seeks solace with her in-laws. As one by one they transform into deadites, she comes to discover that the vows she took in life - survive even in death.

While I did really enjoy this one, I have to admit that I didn't like the last segment and felt like the drug it out a bit too much and could have ended it about 10 minutes earlier. While I understand why they did it, to securely close the door on this chapter, it really wasn't needed. It's everything else before that point that had me wanting more. The story was interesting, and added some new stuff to the mythos. It was bloody, brutal, and everything that I loved in the originals growing up in the 1980s. Was it great, probably not, but it was a fun ride into the darkness and one that fans of the Evil Dead should watch.

Faces of Death (2026)

It has been a while since I reviewed a horror movie for this page, but tonight I felt it was the perfect time to get back on track. While I have watched quite a few since my last review, I decided that the 2026 reinterpretation of Faces of Death was the way to go. 

Plot: Margot Romero, a content moderator haunted by a viral tragedy, must track down a sadistic filmmaker who recreates legendary snuff cinema to silence the internet's obsession with her own past trauma.

Going into this one, I had no idea what to expect. Having grown up in the 1980s and watched the original entries in this legendary series, I honestly rolled my eyes when I first heard about the release. With all that being said, I was surprised by this entry and enjoyed the way the storyline sprinkled in the source material and created some lore. Although the film had uneven performances and lacked atmosphere, it was an easy watch with some good moments (even if the first kill was trash). While it does not compare to some of the other horror films of the year, it is a decent entry and a fun watch. I'm just glad I waited to watch it when it was streaming. 

The Woman in the Yard (2025)

After an October full of horror movies, I decided to take a break for a few days. But after enjoying It: Welcome to Derry, I have been energized to catch up on some of the horror movies I skipped or just didn't find interesting when they were released. 

Plot: A mysterious woman repeatedly appears in a family's front yard, often delivering chilling warnings and unsettling messages, leaving them to question her identity, motives, and the potential danger she might pose.

I found this one a lot more interesting than I expected from the trailer or advertisements. While it didn't fully deliver on its promise, it did offer a nice mix of atmosphere and tension, especially early on with the cloaked woman sitting there. The performances are strong, and the characters are well developed, but something is missing that prevents the movie from truly bringing it home. The pacing is good, and the cinematography is excellent, but the storyline and scripting seem to drift toward the end as the climax approaches, and the movie's ending feels rushed. In the end, it made for an entertaining evening's watch and a movie that could be a strong gateway into the horror genre for those in search of something tame. 

Watch the Skies (2025)

After another extended absence, I decided it was time to give the blog some updated material. With October ending, I have seen plenty of fun movies over the past month and figured it would be a great time to jump back in with Watch the Skies (2025) on Amazon Prime. 

Plot: A rebellious teenager who believes her missing father was abducted by aliens joins forces with a quirky UFO club of endearing misfits. They embark on a high-stakes adventure that defies the law and challenges the very fabric of reality.

This Swedish entry was a fun watch that brought back the 80s Spielberg vibes that made Sci-Fi mainstream and enjoyable. The storyline is interesting and the characters work within what is a rather vanilla and basic premise. While there are truly no major effects or aliens, the story and performances drive what is more of a drama with extraterrestrial and comedic overtones (with some time travel thrown in). The dunning was noticeable in spots, which did detract a little, but it was much better than a lot of the dubbed movies that make their way to the streaming services. In the end, this one made for a relaxing and fun afternoon watch. Check it out. 

The Cellar (2022)

Today was another long day, but it did allow me to enjoy a variety of different selections. I did some UFO/Alien documentaries, some classic horror with original silent Nosferatu and finally, I ended it with the 2022 low budget entry The Cellar. 

Plot: Keira Woods' daughter mysteriously vanishes in the cellar of their new house. She soon discovers there is an ancient and powerful entity controlling their home that she will have to face or risk losing her family's souls forever.

This movie was set up to be extremely good. It had an interesting premise, the scripting was solid, it had some atmosphere and who doesn’t love a creepy house? Unfortunately, it never truly matches its potential due to uneven performances and a lack of character development throughout. I’m sure there were some budget constraints involved and those never allowed the movie to breathe. In the end, this one was better than expected and one found entertaining. Would I watch it again? Probably not, but it was worth watching this afternoon.

Creature from Black Lake (1976)

Sometimes I search for some weird stuff while working and this week that has happened a lot. With my side job with Titans Wire keeping me busy, I am finally able to sit back and catch up on some of the movies that caught my eye. This one was one I haven’t watched in decades and was excited to see it streaming on Amazon, the 1976 bigfoot inspired Creature from Black Lake.

Plot: Two men exploring the Louisiana swamps encounter a Bigfoot-type creature.

As much as The Legend of Boggy Creek inspired me to get into researching the unexplained, this one may rank a pretty close second. This is another example of the classic B-Movie creature features that influenced a generation. This low budget film is a more entertaining overall film than Boggy Creek and takes on the subject in an interesting way. The documentary style really works and this one does offer some suspense. While the performances are uneven and some of the cinematography doesn’t hold up, for the low budget and time period this is a decent entry and entertaining. In the end, this one definitely should be viewed in the same way many hold the Legend of Boggy Creek. This one is a drive-in special and an interesting watch. 

Slingshot (2024)

While doing some research earlier today, I decided that I wanted something more space related to play while working. After some searching through streaming services, I decided on Slingshot from 2024. 

Plot: An astronaut struggles to maintain his grip on reality aboard a possibly fatally compromised mission to Saturn's moon, Titan.

This movie was more of a space drama than I had hoped for. It is a psychological thriller that doubles as a Sci-Fi flick. That’s not saying it isn’t good or entertaining, it is, but it wasn’t what I was searching for today. The storyline is interesting, although the pacing seems a bit off and it tends to drag at some points, the acting is solid, and the atmosphere is claustrophobic, matching the situation being portrayed.  Other than that it is an entertaining afternoon. In the end, if you are looking for action and adventure this one isn’t for you. But, it you want something more thought provoking, that will make you think, give this one a shot. 

28 Days Later (2002)

For the past week I have been in Pennsylvania dealing with some family medical stuff. While I was there, the weather was cold and I had plenty of time to ring in the New Year with some horror. The series I did for the holiday started with the classic 28 Days Later from 2002. 

Plot: Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the United Kingdom, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.

There is nothing like the Rage virus! I remember when this came out, the impression 28 Days Later made echoed throughout the saturated zombie genre. This movie was different, taking the traditional zombie film to a new level. It honestly was an influence on me as I was working my way through what would eventually become After the Static. The characters are amazing, the storyline navigates away from the traps that plague many horror flicks, the cast is outstanding, and the atmosphere is almost perfect. Plus, the zombie characteristics were fresh and new. This movie is outstanding and definitely set a standard. In the end, if you haven’t seen this one, you are missing out. Try to find it soon as a new installment is rumored to be on the way. 

Nosferatu (2024)

I was so excited when I watched the first trailer for Nosferatu. I knew that I had to go see it. I originally planned for opening night, but family got in the way. That changed today as I made it out for an afternoon showing of 2024s Nosferatu. 

Plot: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

This was an amazing film. Every aspect of the movie was finely crafted to give it life and allow it to breathe and it does. The overall visuals are amazing and work extremely well at creating a dark yet beautiful experience. The cast was tremendous and their performances were top notch. The atmosphere was amazing, storyline interestingly updated while staying true to the classic, the dialog was outstanding, soundtrack perfect and the effects work well within the story. The pacing started to become uneven toward the end and Count Orlock could have had a little more depth, but those are extremely small issues. In the end, this movie should solidify Robert Eggers as a master of the genre and quickly become a classic. It already has become my favorite Christmas movie and it is one I am sure I will revisit many times. If you haven’t seen it yet, head out and do it. It is well worth it. 

Exhume (2018)

Another day, and what has become a trend, another dud. I really hoped to break my streak, but that didn’t happen with this low budget entry, 2018s Exhume. 

Plot: Patrick Connor's life is quickly turned upside down after taking a job at an abandoned probationary camp for boys.

I had hoped that this would be a bounce back for my movie viewing. I have been in a rut and my selections have not been the greatest. Unfortunately, this one starts out rather promising before flying off the rails. Yes, the acting is ok and there are some good cinematography elements, but the positives dwindle after that. The storyline and plot make little sense and are full of holes and the effects don't hit home. Not to mention the pacing is a bit disjointed and there is no real plot twist to give a payoff. In the end, I wanted to enjoy this one, as I am a huge fan of lower budgeted films. Unfortunately, this one falls short and is not memorable in any way. At least I streamed it and didn’t pay extra for it. Stay away, there are better options available. 

Looking Glass (2018)

I had debated going to see Nosferatu today.  But, in the end, I decided to just kick back and relax today. To help pass some time while I was cooking, I decided to give the 2018 flick Looking Glass a go. Nosferatu would have been a better choice.

Plot: A couple buy a desert motel where they find that strange, mysterious events occur.

I’m not quite sure what to say. This movie has so many issues, yet there was a creepy element that kept me waiting to see what was going to happen. And nothing ever did. The pacing is slow and the performances are OK, but that is about it. The storyline is full of holes that are never answered, film elements are mixed together that don’t relate and many of the themes are completely unrealistic. I did make it to the end and was left uninspired. In the end, there was some potential there for this one to be better than it was. Unfortunately, the storyline and execution never meet to create anything more than an average indie film. It is streaming, so it won’t cost anything, but there is no reason to search it out. 

Meteor (1979)

I was searching for something to watch earlier today and stumbled onto one of the classic disaster flicks that I grew up with. This was ironic, because just yesterday I mentioned this genre to someone on X. Because the conversation was still fresh in my mind, I decided to sit back and enjoy 1979s Meteor. 

Plot: The U.S. must join forces with the U.S.S.R. in order to destroy a gigantic asteroid heading straight for Earth.

Ahh, the 70s were such a good decade for fear mongering and disaster films. While this one isn’t one of the better entries, it is an interesting throwback to that era and genre. The ensemble cast is deep and they put on solid performances. While some of the storyline seems a bit out of touch, having grown up in that time, I felt at home with the Cold War aspects that were a constant throughout the film. The effects are dated, the soundtrack doesn’t blend, and some of the overall feel was uneven and cheesy, but that is what made those All-Star disaster films so much fun. The story lacks tremendous depth but it is interesting, casting is spot on, and there are moments of suspense that do hold up. In the end, this one didn’t age well because much of the underlying atmosphere was tied to the Soviet Union and the Cold War. If you grew up during that time frame like I did, then this one will be appreciated. It is far from perfect and nowhere near the best disaster movie from the era, but it is a fun trip back to when the world and attitudes were totally different.