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.

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. 

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. 

Devilreaux (2023)

As I was making my way through the day trying to decide on what I was going to do, I did kick back and watch a movie to help pass the time. Unfortunately, my selection could have been better. 2023s low budget entry Devilreaux.

Plot: A series of murders in the 1800s will be avenged by forbidden voodoo, woken up accidentally by a group of teenagers.

I often ignore rating stars on streaming services when selecting movies and sometimes that is to my detriment. In this case, this was three stars on Amazon, but I went ahead anyway. My rating will be less than that three. This one didn’t do anything for me. The storyline was outlandish and too stereotypical, the performances flat and contrived and the effects were laughable at best. This is a bad movie and has almost no entertaining qualities. In the end, I am glad this only cost me roughly 90 minutes of my time. If I had paid for it, I would have been a lot more disappointed. You should definitely pass on this one, there are many more options out there.

The Devil Conspiracy (2022)

When I settled in after getting my NFL work finished this afternoon, I wasn’t sure what I was going to watch. I had debated going with some holiday horror, but I have watch a couple of those this week. Instead, I decided to take a more religious approach with the 2022 entry The Devil Conspiracy. 

Plot: A cult steals the Shroud of Turin for wicked purposes.

Going into this one, I had the mindset that it was going to be a low budget trainwreck. Boy, was I surprised. Yes, this movie is far from perfect, but there were parts that were pretty good and entertaining. The acting isn’t bad, the storyline does have some originality, there is blood, and the theme is interesting. Sure, there were a few weird moments that didn’t feel like it meshed and some of it was truly unbelievable, but those moments did not take it off-track. In the end, this was a lot better than I thought and worth watching at least once. Especially on multiple streaming services. 

A Creature was Stirring (2023)

Today was busy. Between some articles for my side gig at Titans Wire and bringing Illuminating the Abyss back online, I have spent most of the day on the computer. That did give me a chance to put on some true crime documentaries and a horror flick throughout the day. That included this one: A Creature was Stirring from 2023. 

Plot: A nurse taking care of her daughter's mysterious affliction struggles to hide her secrets when uninvited strangers take shelter in her house during a lethal blizzard.

I am not a huge fan of holiday horror, I don’t know why exactly, but that’s the case. This one was more interesting than I expected when reading the description on Shudder, but that isn’t saying it’s good. I will say that it is a strange one overall, with some weird lighting and some decent special effects. Unfortunately, the performances are shaky and the storyline is full of plot holes that are never really pulled together. In the end, this was entertaining on a cold day, but it really isn’t worth watching a second time. If you like wintery themed horror, give it a shot, you may enjoy it more than I did. 

Smile 2 (2024)

When I was searching for something horror related to watch last night, I had thought about starting some type of holiday theme. Holiday horror can be fun, but sometimes it really misses the mark. Instead, I decided to watch a sequel. 2024s Smile 2. 

Plot: About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her past.

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this one. I am a huge fan of the first movie and was unsure how they would be able to match that. But, they did and possibly took it up a notch. The cast, led by Naomi Scott was amazing and their performances were outstanding. Some will be turned off because there were really no new revelations and it is basically a replay of the first film, but this storyline is really good and uses the lore as a tremendous foundation. The atmosphere, tension and feel are spot on and along with the soundtrack and solid cinematography creates something enjoyable. The decision to focus on some of the psychological issues was great and allowed some realism to soak in.  In the end, I’m sure there will be those that dislike this movie, but I’m not one of those. While I do still like the original more, this one is a very close second. I can’t wait to see what they come up with if they decide to dive into a third installment. 

 

Oddity (2024)

 

I have to admit, 2024 has been a decent year for horror. In fact, I have seen a few movies that I have actually wanted to rewatch this year. That doesn’t usually happen. This next movie is one of those, the 2024 low budget flick Oddity. 

Plot: A psychic medium attempts to uncover the truth behind her sister's murder at the site of the crime.

There is a lot to like in this one. While it has a very simple premise, the execution and the atmosphere in this one is what hits home. Yes, it does have a couple jump scares, but it mainly  relies on the heaviness to create an unsettling aura.  The cinematography does a great job at pulling the viewer into the storyline and allowing it to saturate the entire film. Even the mystery elements are well done and keeps the viewer involved. While the acting and cast were also good, the ending was a bit uneven and did bring the overall feel of the movie down. In the end, this was an entertaining and interesting film and one that should be enjoyed by anyone that likes atmospheric horror.

The Breach (2023)

There is nothing more that I like then when multiple interests intersect inside a movie.  Especially,  when this happens by surprise.  Of course,  this does impact my overall view on things,  having a soft spot for certain topics. Too often, certain subjects become blown off by society when they appear inside horror or Sci-Fi movies and for me this is a great example of the unfortunate conditioning that mainstream media has perpetrated on society.  So many people have no clue what is really happening and that entertainment is used to lift the veil on reality via soft disclosure of information.  Something that was definitely in this 2023 entry,  The Breach.

Plot: When a mangled body with strange wounds washes up on the shores of the Porcupine River, John Hawkins is compelled to investigate one more case before retiring as the chief of police in the small town of Lone Crow.

From the described premise,  I expected a typical horror thriller story a touch of mystery thrown in.  Never would I have existed a money into cosmic horror with references to the Mandela Effect and CERN. That right there was the book that drew me in.  While the movie isn't perfect and never reaches its full cosmic horror potential, the storyline and subject matter is interesting and informative and definitely adds to the overall feel.  The performances are solid, the effects alright, and the scripting works,  there are some technical elements between the different characters and filming locations that felt disjointed. Especially with what was supposed to be a FaceTime encounter.  However,  those elements did nothing to ruin the entertainment factor.  And the fact that the filmmakers actually made reference to CERNs stated goal of opening a portal to see what comes through made me applaud. No one ever discusses the rituals and craziness that is CERN and ignore the fact that they are attempting to rip into the fabric of reality.  Personally, I believe it has already happened and we are living in ripples created by their created by their contact with the other side I f the veil. I would definitely recommend this one.  It may not be perfect but it's informative and entertaining.  

Dark Harvest (2023)

 

I decided that I needed a break from the world of Fallout 76 yesterday afternoon and decide to watch a few movies.  One I have watched before and this 2023 entry Dark Harvest.

Plot: Teens confront a legendary supernatural spectre that emerges from the cornfields of a small Midwestern town every fall.

At first glance,  I figured this was going to be another Slasher/Teenage based horror flick.  Fortunately,  I was wrong and this was quite entertaining and somewhat original campared to a majority of the movies coming out today. Although, the premise was a touch outlandish, there were some interesting elements within the storyline.  The performances were OK, the scripting decent,  the scenery and era fit,  and the effects were pretty good.  My biggest peeve was that I was able to figure out the twist about mid way through and spent the majority of the movie trying to figure out what was going to happen to rectify it. I did like the ending and the way it turned out.  But,  I'm sure some will watch and be turned off by both the end and the story itself.  In the end,  this was a fun movie and one I thought was a lot better than I expected.  I'm sure it will be polarizing, but if your look for some fun horror,  give it a shot. 

Creepypasta (2023)

After spending the day out and about exploring the trail of the Mothman in Point Pleasant, it was nice to come back to the AirBnB and relax. Luckily,  there were plenty of things to choose from for entertainment,  although this selection was,  well... The 2023 notification flick,  Creepypasta.

Plot: Trapped in an abandoned house, a nameless man desperately searches for clues to how he got there. The answer is hidden within a series of disturbing viral videos - each of which begins to infect his mind.

As a writer and a fan of the Creepypasta genre, I had hoped this would fit into that mold and possibly give me some inspiration. Unfortunately, this hopes we're quickly dashed and I feel into the two of a title sucking me into nothingness.  This low budget entry doesn't do anything to suck you in,  in fact,  it is hard to decide on what the main storyline is.  The cinematography may be the highlight,  and honestly nothing about that stood out.  The performances were uneven,  the stories ran together,  and there was really nothing creepy or scary within the confines of this movie.  So there it is,  and if you couldn't tell from that, there is no way I would recommend this one. 

Demonic (2015)

As the snow started to fall in this frigid weather,  I had to find something to watch.  While I internally debate on whether to continue having down the giallo path,  I couldn't bring myself to search for another one.  Instead I turned to something more modern,  2015s Demonic.

Plot: A psychologist and a police officer investigate the deaths of five people, who were killed while trying to summon ghosts.

If the plot sounds familiar,  it is.  Like many movies in the genre this one suffers from the lack of originality that seems to plague horror from time to time.  However,  that's not saying this is a bad film.  In the contrary it was rather emtertaing featuring a solid cast,  decent performances,  and some nice direction and cinematography.  In fact,  the main issue is the story,  which is both predictable and rather vanilla. Everything else works if you can deal with that. In the end,  there is nothing groundbreaking here,  but it isn't a total waste of time.  Something I found useful on this snow file evening.  I'm not saying it's a must watch,  but know,  you could do much worse.  

The Mutilator (1984)

Having traveled from Virginia Beach to Pennsylvania, it was like entering the tundra.  When I left it was in the 60s, now 20s with snow.  What fun. So, as I chill at the house,  I decided to revisit a 80s slasher as I transport myself back to my youth with the 1984 entry The Mutilator (AKA Fall Break)

Plot: Years after the accidental death of his wife, a deranged man starts to slice and dice his son's friends at a beachfront condominium.

Talk about a mindless slasher.  This is another VHS flashback that knew its place in the heart of the slasher craze. With a weird almost meaningless storyline,  this one navigate from kill to kill effortlessly with some interesting (yet predictable) kills,  a solid pace,  and gore. The performances are not bad and the movie is definitely entertaining.  Yes,  most of it feels dated today and the effects are not great,  but if you are searching for something to help you pass a winter day away,  this one should work. Not for everyone,  but if you love 80s slasher films,  give it a shot. 

Nefarious (2023)

It has been a busy day today as I did some work around the house.  Climbing on ladders still may not be the best idea, but oh well.  After that,  it was kicking back and really watching a movie I saw earlier in 2023, Nefarious. 

Plot: On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer tells a psychiatrist that he's a demon who can possess his body. As the evaluation ends, he also tells the doctor that he will soon commit three murders of his own.

After watching this a second time, it validated everything I thought when I saw it in the drive-in, this is one of the best movies of 2023. While I know that some will look at it strictly from a religious perspective,  which is understandable in some ways,  but it is some much more. The performances were top notch,  the cast amazing,  and the tension in the dialog was outstanding. It's amazing what can be done with a minimal cast and this one series how to pack a punch. Yes,  the soundtrack may have been lacking and the ending felt a touch forced and filled with a touch too much religious messaging,  but other than that it is a tremendous film that should have had a larger reception. I definitely recommend this one to everyone. 

Uninvited (1988)

After watching some Argento, I decided on a mindless afternoon of domesticated Creature Features. Yes,  there are a ton,  especially from the classic straight to VHS era. My first choice was the 1988 entry Uninvited.

Plot: A cat infected with a genetically engineered virus escapes from a lab and goes on a killing spree, finding its way onboard a shady businessman's yacht loaded with young guests.

Where do I begin? Growing up in this era, I do admit I have a soft spot for the films that came out during this time.  They did help shape my love for horror and always made for an interesting trip to video store and that is exactly what this movie would be.  Not only did it come across extremely dated,  there weren't many moments for it to hang its hat on.  The effects (especially the mutant cat) were laughable, the performance ranges from bagd to cardboard,  and the storyline was, well, beyond a stretch. I mean everything that could be wrong with it,  was, and it came across as more of a headscratching comedy than horror film. But,  honestly,  that was what I expected when I read the synopsis and saw the year on Prime. Would I recommend it? Absolutely not, but to be fair,  there are worse movies out there,  especially from that period. Beware!

It's a Wonderful Knife (2023)

I decided to take a break from Leave the World Behind to watch some holiday horror.  While this isn't anywhere near Halloween, there are some entertaining horror films that take place during this holiday season.  This movie from 2023 fits solidly into that realm,  It's a Wonderful Knife.

Plot: Winnie's life is less than wonderful one year after saving her town from a psychotic killer on Christmas Eve. When she wishes she was never born, she finds herself magically transported to a nightmarish parallel universe. With the murderous maniac now back, she must team up with a misfit to identify the culprit and get back to her own reality.

When I say down to watch this one,  I was actually somewhat excited, the idea of a slasher take on a Christmas classic looked fun.  Unfortunately, the execution didn't meet my initial excitement.  While there are some positive with the cinematography and overall feel,  the scripting was extremely incoherent and the movie suffered from that.  The characters were flat,  the performances were uneven, and overall it felt rather predictable after an interesting start.  Now,  this is far from the worst movie in the genre,  but,  I'm positive that there are many better choices out there.  My recommendation, stay away.

The Exorcism of God (2021)

For some reason,  exorcism or religious horror has become somewhat of a staple on my television lately,  Although, that may be changing as I finally picked up a copy of Diablo IV. I am a huge Diablo fan and am excited to venture back into Sanctuary. But, before I start that journey,  I wanted to hit on the latest movie I watched 2021s The Exorcism of God.

Plot: Peter Williams is an American priest in Mexico who's considered a saint by many local parishioners. However, due to a botched exorcism, he carries a dark secret that's eating him alive until he gets an opportunity to face his own demon one last time.

This one was a lot better than I expected it to be when I pulled it up. For a lower budgeted exorcism flick,  this one offered a somewhat original take featuring some dark n and heavy atmosphere, an intriguing storyline,  solid performances,  and some outstanding cinematography. It even threw in some jump scares and surprises, which was a nice change of pace. Unfortunately, the editing was kind of choppy and the effects were somewhat uneven. But, because of the lower budget, those factors are easily overlooked. If you are like me, and love exorcism themed films, then this is one that you should definitely check out.