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.

Publisher's Weekly Review of The Terror at Miskatonic Falls

This is a review of an anthology that I was lucky enough to have two pieces picked up in. It will be released in January 2024.

Publishers Weekly weighs in on THE TERROR AT MISKATONIC FALLS!

"Lovecraftian mythology and American folklore collide in this sprawling, shared-world horror anthology from Lucia. State trooper Steensma responds to a phone call made from the town of Miskatonic Falls, Mass., wading through an ungodly amount of snow and ice to unravel the bizarre occurrences that have seemingly annihilated the town’s population. An entity called the Long Man appears to be behind the influx of madness and death in the community, causing such bizarre phenomena as torrential snowfall, unidentified objects falling from the heavens, and a burning desire among the townsfolk to scrawl poetry on any available surface.

The poems, appearing throughout each chapter and gathered from 33 contributors, slowly reveal the town’s and its residents’ histories, with Lucia’s prose providing only slight connective tissue. Steensma’s investigation concludes in a moldering mansion, where the Long Man finally makes itself known, threatening to swallow the trooper’s mind with otherworldly knowledge. Readers looking for propulsive story won’t find it here, but the eerie feeling of wandering through an empty town may appeal to fans of the Silent Hill video game series." - Publisher's Weekly 

Cthulhu (2007)

After spending the day Saturday attempting to get some work done and failing miserably, I decided that I wanted to dive into some of the works of H.P. Lovecraft. After a search of my streaming services, I was a bit shocked at the lack of material available from this horror master. After some time, I settled on the 2007 indie entry Cthulhu. 

Plot/ A Seattle history professor, drawn back to his estranged family on the Oregon coast to execute his late mother's estate, is reacquainted with his best friend from childhood, with whom he has a long-awaited tryst. Caught in an accelerating series of events, he discovers aspects of his father's New Age cult which take on a dangerous and apocalyptic significance. 

When I saw this one streaming on Amazon Prime, I was excited. I was in the perfect mood for some Lovecraft and hoped this would hit the spot. Unfortunately, this one never came together in a way to quench my desire for something from the Cthulhu Mythos. While not terrible, featuring a few moments of creepiness, some bizarre moments that worked well, and a story that made the perfect vehicle to bring this to life, still, the movie never took off or came together in a way that made it entertaining. The performances were uneven, as was the cinematography, the political and sexual overtones weighted too heavily inside the story, and the scripting left the atmosphere behind. It really played more like a flawed comedy than a horror movie. In the end, if you are a fan of Lovecraft and anything from the Cthulhu Mythos, stay away. I know there are much better choices out there.

The Void (2016)

After taking a week to focus on movies that had a Cryptozoological feel, I decided it was time to dive back into the true horror genre. After searching Family Video, I sat back and decided on the 2016 entry The Void.

Plot/ Shortly after delivering a patient to an understaffed hospital, a police officer experiences strange and violent occurrences seemingly linked to a group of mysterious hooded figures.

It has been awhile since I found a modern horror film take me on a ride similar to the classics that made me a fan of the genre in the 1970s and 1980s. That all changed with The Void. This was one of the best horror films I have watched in some time and honestly, one that I may decide to pick up a copy of. This film has an intriguing storyline that feels like a mixture of classic Clive Barker and H.P. Lovecraft complete with amazing visuals and a dark atmosphere. The effects are solid, the performances decent, the cinematography works, and most importantly, this movie pushed the boundaries of horror filmmaking by creating a film that could crawl under a viewer's skin and create nightmares. Yes, there are some uneven moments with the dialog and scripting, but those moments are forgotten when you focus on the graphic images that grace the screen. In the end, this movie is a must see for a true horror fan, especially those that enjoy the works of Barker and Lovecraft. If that is you, find it, and watch it; you should definitely enjoy it.

Night of the Seagulls (1975)

It seems as though the weather is changing yet again this winter. On Saturday, I could have worn shorts outside all day as the temperatures reached into the 60s. Now, we are back into the 30s with a chance of snow. What fun! Of course, the change in weather gives me a great excuse to sit back and enjoy the finale of one of the most famous zombie series out there. What is that movie? It is the 1975 conclusion to the Blind Dead series, Night of the Seagulls.

Plot/ The Knight Templars return in this fourth installment of the Blind Dead series. On this outing, the Templars haunt a fishing village, where they rise seven nights every seven years to claim their sacrificial offerings in return for the safety of the townspeople.

In this fourth and final installment of the Blind Dead series, the zombie Knights Templar again take center stage and wreak havoc. In fact, the Templars are probably at their best in the somewhat H.P. Lovecraft inspired (Dagon?) entry. While in my eyes, this one may not quite match the overall quality of the original; it does give it a run for its money and is arguably the best in the series. Not only is this one entertaining, but also it features better scripting, some solid performances, an atmospheric and creepy soundtrack, and in interesting storyline that seems more layered than the first three installments. Yes, the special effects may feel dated, the is not much character development, and the historic elements of the Templars seem to mix with a more occultist feel, but those small flaws really do nothing to bring this film down. In the end, this movie is the perfect climax to the series and a movie that cries Eurohorror.

The Beyond (1981)

There really is nothing better than the classic Italian horror films of the 1980s. Whether it was Argento, Bava, or Fulci, there understanding of the genre was incredible. Tonight, I decided to revisit one of those masters, with the 1981 Lucio Fulci entry The Beyond on Shudder.

Plot/ A young woman inherits an old hotel in Louisiana where after a series of supernatural accidents, she learns that the building was built over one of the entrances to Hell.

As a horror fan, growing up in the 1980s was a dream come true, as some of the best horror movies came from that era with the Italian horror maestros creating some of the greatest films of the genre. In this Lucio Fulci classic, you will find everything that made those films great. This is a great combination of atmosphere, gore, and storyline that created a movie that may be one of the most influential films of the era. The performances are solid; the special effects are outstanding, the cinematography flows perfectly within the atmospheric soundtrack, and there is enough gore to make every fan of the genre smile. Sure, the nonlinear storyline and structure may not agree with everyone, and some may seem slow, but those are but minor flaws in this entry. In the end, this movie is one of the best from the decade and a movie that has stood the test of time. Plus, with some Lovecraftian elements sprinkled in, there is a lot more to like than with most films from this period. If you have not seen it, you are missing out! Watch it now!

Beyond Re-Animator (2003)

This was a long weekend full of college papers (two), softball practices (two), and the PIA Christmas party. Honestly, I was burnt out by the time the Steelers came on and was ready to go back to work. To help pass some time, I needed some mindless horror; and in my quest for that I found the 2003 Lovecraft inspired, Beyond Re-Animator.

Plot/ Everyone's favorite mad scientist Herbert West is currently in jail after having state's evidence turned against him by his former assistant, Dan Cain. While being led away, some re-agent falls from his pocket where a young man picks it up who was camping nearby. The young man finds Herbert down in his jail cell and learns for himself just what the re-agent is capable of.

When I saw this one, I could not resist and what I found was a combination of blood, gut, gore, and comedy that helped pass the frustrations of a busy weekend. I absolutely loved it, in fact, I was disappointed that I had not watched it earlier. As usual, Jeffrey Combs channels his at his best as the deranged mad scientist. While this movie is by no means perfect, it does feature some tremendous special effects and a tremendous amount of gore, enough to make any gorehound appreciate it. In the end, not for everyone, but if you love blood, guts and gore within a film that does not take itself seriously, you should definitely check this one out!

Wisdom From Beyond - A Lovecraft Themed Transmedia Journey

Uncle, what did you do? Did you accidently summon Nyarlathotep, the faithful servant of Azathoth, who rose to power during the reign of the evil pharaoh Nephren-Ka? In my research into this mysterious stone, that is the only thing that would make sense when comparing the information to your somewhat incoherent ramblings in your journals. Yes, you had to have awakened the Crawling Chaos, but how?

This is an opening paragraph on one of the blog posts from Wisdom From Beyond. Wisdom From Beyond was an extremely detailed transmedia project that my group built for class and has created a tremendous journey into the world of H.P. Lovecraft. This immersive, interactive, transmedia story based on H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Haunter of the Dark,” was designed and produced by students of Full Sail University's Creative Writing for Entertainment BFA program and I am proud to say that I was the project manager for this story.

If you are unfamiliar with transmedia writing, that is OK. It is a rather new literary form that sets out to create Alternative Reality Games (ARGs), using multiple storytelling techniques and platforms. In our case, we used Blogger, Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter, Google+, and Gmail to accomplish our goal. In the end, I feel that we created something that is creative, entertaining, modern, and most importantly, stays true to the source mythos. Honestly, if you are a fan of Lovecraft, you should enjoy it.

I would love to hear your feedback on the project, especially the content. I honestly have fallen in love with this type of storytelling and am considering venturing into my own project. If you want to get started follow this link to the first YouTube video and follow the prompts left inside the videos, descriptions, and blog.

Re-Animator (1985)

Sorry that I have been away from the blog for a while, with softball and college, my schedule has been excessively hectic to keep up. However, with this being October and with Halloween in the air, I decided it was time to venture back into some movies and writing. Hopefully, I can keep up. My first movie selection for the month is a movie that really does not need a review, it is a classic; 1985s H.P. Lovecraft’s Re-Animator!

Plot/ A dedicated student at a medical college and his girlfriend become involved in bizarre experiments centering around the re-animation of dead tissue when an odd new student arrives on campus.

This is one of the best examples of how someone can create a cult classic on a minimal budget. Shot for less than one million dollars in the 1980s, this H.P. Lovecraft entry is an amazing film to watch. Yes, it is filled with schlock, and there is a tremendous amount of gore, graphic nudity, and violent activities, but it is accomplished in a way that makes it fun and entertaining. This movie has a great mix of comedy and horror, with Jeffrey Combs delivering one of his best performances. Sure, some of the luster has worn off and there is definitely a 1980s feel to the wardrobe and styling’s, but those have no bearing on the film at all. In the end, Stuart Gordon created a memorable masterpiece that never gets old. If you have not watched this one yet, you are missing out. Check it out!

Writing Updates - October

Being a creative writing for entertainment major, I know that I should submit more of my works for publication to help build my portfolio for the future. Unfortunately, I often blow that off, and lose focus when I see a cool call for submissions. That has changed some in the past month now that I have realized that I am less than a year from graduation.

Last week, I actually submitted three works for potential publication to some different literary outlets. Last night, I got word back that two of them were accepted for publication, one to Z-Composition (zombiepoetry.com/) and another was accepted for the anthology Lovecraft After Dark.

Hopefully, these are the first of many.

Cthulhu Surge, et libera nos,

Since this is National Poetry Writing Month and there was a mention of a cult today, I ask, is there any more famous literature cult than the mythos created by H.P. Lovecraft and Cthulhu? Personally, I think not. While I may never reach a point of anywhere near the creative genius of Lovecraft, it is sometimes fun to try.

Cthulhu Surge, et libera nos,

The murky depths surround me

The sea of life poisoned by the uninitiated

Virtuous beliefs, now forbidden

The ancient temple crumbles

Darkness and despair abound

The cult leader rises in front of the mass

His followers prostrate to the false idol

Mocking the godliness of the Great Old One

Defiling ageless texts

Alas, the Necronomicon burns

The echoes stir the seas

Earthquakes touch the mountains; shake Innsmouth

Voices join the chorus of thunder

Lightning dances

Vocate ad Vetus Ones

ut resurgat

Da nobis absolutio

nos tibi cthulhu

R'lyeh calls, oh great and righteous one

Rise again and walk among us

The dying embers of life call to you

Your golden sanctuary tainted by the malefactors

I may not be as pious as thou art

My sins sentencing me to an eternity in exile

Yet, my faith in thy greatness never wavers

Protect me from the unrepentant

Free me from the despair
Cthulhu, I call to thee

Arkham Sanitarium: Soul Eater (2014)

WOW, yesterday was a crazy weather day complete with whiteout conditions, blowing snow, and temperatures dropping to sub-zero chills. Of course, all of that was easy to overlook while watching the West Virginia University High School honors band and my talented daughter Genesis. Once I got back, it was time to find something to watch, and after some thought I decided on 2014s Arkham Sanitarium: Soul Easter.

Plot/ Arkham Sanitarium was vacant for years after a sex and death cult was arrested for committing heinous acts on patients. Today paranormal investigators are trapped and battling malevolent forces as they grapple with the very creatures created by H.P. Lovecraft.

As I have said, the found footage genre is definitely saturated. However, every once in a while something different pops up and adds something to the mix. While Arkham Sanitarium is not a great flick, it does have some original moments, and is a lot better than one would expect from the low budget. The storyline is interesting (although there is some clichéd moments), the performances are sound, and the special effects are decent. Yes, there are some minor pacing issues, and the lighting is all over, but honestly, it is better than many of the no-budget entries that have popped up over recent years. In the end, this is in no way a perfect movie and it has some down moments, but it also has some bloody and entertaining moments (and the killer cult storyline works), and is definitely watchable. If you have not seen it, give it a shot.

The Thing on the Doorstep (2014)

After putting off my planned trip into the strange world of H.P. Lovecraft, last night I made the journey into his mythos. Fortunately, I was able to find something that filled that desire. After a quick search at Family Video, I decided upon the 2014 low budget entry The Thing on the Doorstep.

Plot/ Daniel Upton's relationship with his friend Edward Derby is abruptly changed after Edward becomes romantically involved with Asenath Waite, a hypnotist with an odd reputation. As Edward's behavior becomes more erratic and events unexplainable, Daniel investigates. Is it madness...or something far more terrifying?

I love H.P. Lovecraft and definitely enjoy when I find movies that stick close to the vest and look at the core of his work. Unfortunately, these are not always easy to find. In this case, the no budget indie flick takes on that exact ideology, and crafts a solid debut. Yes, it does have some flaws relying too much on the uneven performances and narration, but those are minor issues in an entertaining film. The cinematography is sound throughout; there is an eerie atmosphere, and enough of Lovecrafts’ warped sense of being flows through (amazing considering this is one of his least known works from Weird Tales in 1937). In the end, this may not be a perfect movie, but it is a realistic modern adaptation of Lovecrafts’ work that should satisfy those who appreciate the literary works of the master. Not for everyone as it relies on story more than gore, this low budget gem should be seen.

Dead Shadows (2012)

Before heading to the drive in to see the new X-Men movie and Godzilla, I needed something to help me get into the mood as I finished my homework. After some debate (with myself), I decided to throw on the 2012 import Dead Shadows.

Plot/ Chris' parents were murdered on the same day the Halley comet was visible from Earth. Eleven years later, a new comet lights up the Parisian sky, but as the night goes on, people begin to transform into horrible creatures.

This entry from France is a bit confusing to say the least. As combination of Night of the Comet and some strange H.P. Lovecraft influenced story, this one is just all over the place. The run time is short, the acting blah, the story, and scripting lacking and there is no tension or atmosphere at all. What you do have is an incoherent 70-minute trip into some type of strange Lovecraftian (bad) CGI fest. In the end, I really cannot recommend this to anyone there is little entertainment value and it is just a struggle.

Chronicle of the Raven (2004)

When I am home alone, I often look for obscure flicks to watch. I love the fact that I really do not have to worry about what may pop onto the screen, something that is becoming more important every day as the daughters grow older. Last night I stumbled upon Chronicle of the Raven, better known as Jennifer's Shadow from 2004. 

Plot/  Jennifer Cassi travels to South America to claim the inheritance of her recently deceased twin sister. While there, she contends with her eccentric grandmother, who has damned the family with an ancient curse. Jennifer immediately starts to suffer from scary visions of a sinister raven every time she goes to sleep.

I am always a sucker for movies that may give a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, this one sounded like it may have some of the elements. While it did, with some elements of H.P. Lovecraft thrown in, it was nothing like what I expected. Yes, it is far from perfect, there were some positives. There was some dark gothic atmosphere, the dream sequences worked and the story is interesting. Unfortunately, the execution, the acting and especially the pacing leave a lot to be desired. On top of that, there is a lot of cliche moments inside that really drag it down. In the end, this one has some moments, but could have been a lot better. If you are in the mood for a supernatural themed low-budget movie, you can give it a shot, but be warned, there is nothing memorable. 

Lurking Fear (1994)

One of the best things I have done during this Halloween season, especially as I am swamped with hamlet practice at the Phoenix Arts Center (I am the narrator), was sign up for ScreamBox on YouTube. It is so nice being able to pop in an obscure low-budget horror flick as the kids are practicing. One such movie is my next select, the 1994 entry Lurking Fear from Full Moon Entertainment.

Plot/ The town of Leffert's Corners has been plagued by unearthly beings for decades, and now there is only a few people left, including the local priest and a woman traumatized by the death of her sister. But when John Martense turns up to claim his illicit family fortune, with bad guys in pursuit, the last stand had become a lot more complicated.

When this is advertised as an H.P. Lovecraft adaptation I had to watch. Unfortunately, I also laughed. To say this one is even loosely based may honestly be a stretch. From the archives of Full Moon, this low budget entry is not for everyone, as it suffers through the same elements that haunt these flicks. While this did have an interesting idea, the execution fell flat. There were some positives with the creatures, and some of the performances (Jeffrey Combs), but that is about it. The editing was choppy, the cinematography all over and the characterizations were not a hit. More importantly, it stagnated throughout and felt extremely forced. In the end, this entry from Full Moon did not age well and will not appeal to any true Lovecraft fan. Yes, as a straight horror flick, it does have a minimal appeal, but not one that can be more than minimally watch able.