Season of the Witch (1972)

After watching some holiday horror, I decided that I needed to go into the time machine and check out a classic. Growing up in the Pittsburgh area, no one was bigger than George Romero, his living dead series is woven into our fabric. While this one isn’t part of that series, it is one that I remember renting on VHS in my youth, 1972s Season of the Witch AKA Hungry Wives. 

Plot: A neglected, unhappy suburban housewife gets mixed up in witchcraft with unexpected consequences.

I know this one isn’t for everyone and it is likely one of Romero’s weakest entries, but there is something about that I love. Not a true horror film by any means, this one is more artsy and almost experimental within the confines of a dark, almost exploitative drama. There are occult overtones and multiple dream sequences that dive into more horror elements, but it is definitely nowhere near horror. The performances are solid and the ideas are there to outline what he was thinking, but it is a bit wordy and slow at times. The pacing does bring the film down, likely turning off many with the way it slowly builds. The technical aspects are rather good and overall it isn’t a terrible film. In the end, this one definitely isn’t Romero’s best work and won’t be for everyone, but it is worth watching at least once. Romero laid the foundation for horror as we know it today and he could have never achieved that without his early entries like this

Blood Sabbath (1972)

I took a few days away as I have been busy around the shop.  Between that and the weather, I haven't wanted to watch anything or really do anything, but I figured that I would get back to some movies today I was the best skies continued above us.  My selection was a 1970s witchcraft flick Blood Sabbath. 

Plot: A coven of witches captures a young man travelling through the woods. He gets involved in a power struggle between a beautiful witch and the evil queen who heads the coven.

Ok,  this one is exactly what you would expect from the early 70s. Surely made for the drive-in era,  this is a strange one.  Not really a horror movie,  but from the beginning of the Satanic Panic, it was clearly playing on the fears of the population with the nudity and the Occult and witchcraft overtones. The storyline makes little sense and had me scratching my head on multiple occasions, the pacing is slow,  and performances are in no way convincing. I'm sure this was a low budget entry,  but still,  there aren't many things to make it worthwhile.  Fortunately,  it was streaming on Tubi, so I didn't have to spend anything to take up 90 or so minutes.  Stay away.  

Summer of Fear (1978)

I decided to take a break from cryptids today and did into another interesting topic, Witchcraft.  After did quick searching,  I decided on the made for Television Wes Craven entry Summer of Fear. (AKA Stranger in Our House)

Plot: A teenage girl's life is turned upside down after her cousin moves into her house, and as time goes by she begins to suspect that she may be a practitioner of witchcraft.

For this looking for a precursor to Freddy and a Nightmare on Elm Street, this one will likely disappoint. Origins this third horror entry for Wes Craven was a made for television movie,  thus,  it lacks the impact of typical theatrical releases. However,  the cast and performances are actually pretty good.  Yes,  the setting, costuming, and some of the technical aspects feel and appear dated, but for a movie from the late 70s, most of it holds up quite well.  The storyline is interesting (although a bit predictable) and it did keep me interested to see how it was going to end (did they make a sequel?). In the end,  this wasn't a bad time at all.  Yes,  it won't be for everyone,  but if you are looking for a subtle witchcraft bar film give it a shot.  

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

Having spent most of the day working on yard work and updating my Etsy shop, I decided to take some time and relax. In doing so, I discovered that Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among  Thieves was streaming on Paramount+. So, let the campaign begin.

Plot: A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.

I went into the new Dungeons & Dragons not knowing what to expect. While i haven't played in years,  i was one an extremely avid player and have been looking to get back into it.  What i found amazed me.  This is an is an absolute blast of a movie. Ther cast and performances are outstanding, the storyline is lighthearted and fun, and the action sequences really work. Best of all, it can be enjoyed by everyone, even those that have never enjoyed the fun and mishaps that take place within a real campaign. Yes, some of the CGI is uneven, but that is easily overlooked. Personally, i loved the small nods to the lore of the series and would hope all of fans pict it up. This is a great journey into a combination of action and comedy, and a movie i totally recommend.

Suspiria (2018)

I know that I keep saying that I am going to make more of a concerted effort in writing reviews of the movies I watch or at least, keep you updated on what is listed on the Ringmaster’s Realm over at ETSY. Unfortunately, between kids and then being sick, I haven’t been able to do everything that I wanted to do. That should all change soon, as I am definitely ready to buckle down and knock some stuff out (it also helps that I brought my Mac back to life). With that, the next movie for review is the 2018 remake (reinterpretation) of Suspiria.

Plot/ A darkness swirls at the center of a world-renowned dance company, one that will engulf the artistic director, an ambitious young dancer, and a grieving psychotherapist. Some will succumb to the nightmare. Others will finally wake up.

I had mixed feelings about this movie when I originally heard about it. I am a huge Argento fan and next to Deep Red, the original Suspiria were my first forays into his works. Because of that, I was unsure how I would feel about this one and wanted to stay away. Now, having finally watched it, what I found was something much better than I could have ever imagined it would be. Yes, this film is not for everyone and will likely fall into the love/hate spectrum of movies. For me, I loved it. While it does lack the transcending beauty of a classic Argento film, the cinematography is amazing; capturing every shot flawlessly, the atmosphere is dark and heavy, the performances are strong, and the soundtrack was a perfect match for the darkness on the screen. Sure, it isn’t the original (which will turn some people off) and some of the elements are difficult to totally put together, but those are easy flaws to overlook. In the end, this version of Suspiria will never overtake the status of the original and shouldn’t. This is a different version of a great story and it should be judged on its own merits. If you have not watched it yet, give it a shot. There are other films out there that are much, much worse.

Salem - Season Three (2016)

With this being eight days into NaNoWriMo, I am spending time breaking down my own characters in my book. While my project is supernatural in nature, it is not a straight supernatural entry. With that in mind, I decided to binge watch the final season of Salem over the past couple days.

Plot/ The witches’ plan to remake the New World by bringing the Devil to earth and making Salem his capital, but the Devil is a liar, and instead of a New World free from murderous Puritan hypocrisy, his own plan will bring nothing but death and slavery with the ultimate aim of leading humanity to destroy itself. And there’s only one person on earth who can beat the devil — the very witch that birthed him, his mother, Mary Sibley — the only problem is she’s dead. Or is she?

In some ways, I am upset that I finished watching Salem and really think that I may have to break down and purchase it. In many ways, Season Three takes the series to an entirely different arena featuring an insane storyline the delved in many different and darker directions. In fact, the writers seemed to embrace ever taboo that was thought of and decided to bring them to life on the screen. In many ways, this season came across as a modern, almost more action-packed version of something that would have been perfected by Argento or Bava during their artistic peak. The cinematography, performances, practical special effects, and storyline are amazing, and the character development is brought to life perfectly by the cast (Marilyn Manson was crazy) and honestly, it was a shame to see the series end. Yes, there are still some dialog issues that felt out of place and too modern for the period and there were a few disjointed moments that felt out of place, but those issues are extremely minor and did not impact the overall feel of the series in any way. In the end, this was a series that left the air too soon and one that should be seen (especially now that it is available on the different streaming services). If you have finished Stranger Things and are in the mood for a darker more adult period piece, give this series a shot. You may be like me and become a huge fan.

Salem - Season Two (2015)

For some reason, I have been trapped in a Saw mood lately and while I could continue with a review of Saw V, I decided that I needed to go a different direction tonight and catch up on something I should have written about a few days ago. The next review is for Salem Season Two from 2015.

Plot/ the consequences of the Grand Rite are apparent: Salem is afflicted by a terrible plague and a witch war is on the horizon. Mary is reunited with her son; trying to seize power, Mercy kills the Elders, effectively starting an open fight with the remaining witches; Anne is learning about her powers while keeping them secret; John's fate is revealed; Cotton deals with his failures and his father's death. But Salem's biggest threat comes in the form of the Countess an original witch that is trying to raise the devil. It's soon revealed that the Dark Lord himself possesses Mary’s son, and this starts a full-scale witch war that could destroy the town—and the entire world.

After thoroughly enjoying season one of Salem, it was a no-brainer to dive back into it during the month of October with season 2. What I found when venturing into this is something that pushed the limits even further than it did during the first season. While this fictional tale was interesting and at times somewhat over-the-top, the quality and depth of the storyline made it interesting and the subject matter was perfect for viewers like me that love dark and violent period pieces that are loosely connected to real events. This one definitely continued with the action, the torture, the blood, and the explicit sexual tension that made the first installments adult friendly. In this case, the added details to the storyline with the Grand Rite and the Dark Lord may turn some viewers off, but for me, this was the perfect step that the series should take. As in season one, the characters are interesting and the cast is solid, the cinematography and effects are tremendous, and the action and atmosphere do a great job working in tandem to create an entertaining show. Unfortunately, the series is still littered with historical inaccuracies and the performances are still a touch uneven, and the dialog isn’t where it should be for a period piece. Fortunately, these flaws are easily overlooked and do little to bring the series down. In the end, while this one may not be on the top of the list for some people, it is an entertaining and dark journey into a different time and a series that talks about some subjects that should be talked about. In many ways, the social commentary sprinkled into the storyline speaks volumes about where we are in society today, and that alone makes it a must-see.

The Plague of the Zombies (1966)

This weekend I had a great time at Monsterfest 14. Not only was I able to debut my two new books After the Static and Salvation, but also I was able to interact with some horror fans of all genres. By the end of the night, although tired, many of us came to the zombie double feature. The first movie from the evening was the 1966 Hammer Horror entry The Plague of the Zombies.

Plot/ A medical professor and his daughter link a Cornish epidemic to a village squire's voodoo.

It’s funny when you think that you had watched something, but get the ultimate surprise when you realize you were mistaken. That was the case with this one and what I found was one of the best Hammer Films I have seen. From 1966, this atmospheric zombie entry (Hammer Films only venture into the genre) predates the groundbreaking George Romero zombie epic Night of the Living Dead and lays the groundwork for what has developed over the years. The pacing is sound, the atmosphere is amazing, and the cast and performances are solid. Honestly, it is one of the best Hammer films I have seen and gives credence to the thought that the studio should have expanded their catalog to other creatures in the genre. Yes, some of it does feel dated and the story is somewhat predictable, but those flaws are minor. In the end, this was a perfect way to end the evening at Monsterfest 14 and an underrated entry that all zombie fans much see. Check it out.

Salem - Season One (2014)

Period pieces have always been one of the things that I like to take in when attempting to find something to watch. After spending multiple hours in the colonial period at Friendship Hill, I decided to change some things up today. It has been a while since I have reviewed any type of true television show. But now, after finishing season one of Salem (2014), I figured I would give it a shot once again.

Plot/ Season One follows Mary Sibley, a witch conspiring with other witches to bring forth the Grand Rite, as she brings forth hysteria among the Puritans of Salem. Her former flame, John Alden, returns after years of absence, complicating her wicked plan.

While I did bypass this when it first premiered, after finishing season one, I have to ask myself why. For me, this interesting mixture of historical fact and pure fiction has turned out to be one of the most entertaining series that I have watched in some time and I look forward to starting season two later tonight. For fans of dark and violent shows on television, this one should sit near the top of your list. Between the action scenes, witch tortures, and executions, there is enough blood to go around. Couple that with some gratuitous sexual situations, it is clear that this a show for adults. The characters are interesting, the storyline may not be authentic, but it is intriguing, and the cinematography and effects are outstanding. Yes, there are a ton of historical inaccuracies with both the setting and the characters, the performances are uneven, and the dialog lacks an authentic time period feel, but those did not hurt the overall feel of season one.

For some, this show will not resonate in the same manner as it has with me, and that is understandable. However, the network and writers should be applauded for the way they take on the subject manner without fearing a backlash. Sure, season one was not perfect, but it definitely should have opened some eyes on the hypocritical nature of some religious practices that still take place in the world today. If you have not got into this one, give it a shot; just don’t expect to find a watered-down trip back to Salem.  

Salem Witch Trials (2002)

After watching Witchery yesterday before practice, I found myself in a witchcraft mood last night when I got home. So, I did what I always do, and turned to my streaming services to find something that would help quench my appetite. I eventually settled on the 2002 entry Salem Witch Trials for my journey into the occult and witchcraft.

Plot/ A masterful work accurately details the current consensus of what exactly occurred to prompt the colonial witch trials.

This was another movie (mini series) that I somehow missed during my time in the Navy. In fact, when I saw it last night, I thought it was a documentary. I am excited that it wasn’t. What I found was an entertaining journey into the times of the Salem Witch Trials, one of the historical events that helped shape my interests as I have grown older. The ensemble cast led by Shirley MacLaine and Kirstie Alley was tremendous and the performances definitely were in harmony with the dark storyline. The cinematography was outstanding, the storyline was layered, and the entertainment and educational value really came together. While the film does have a drawn out feel, because it was a miniseries, that was to be expected. In the end, the story of the Salem Witch Trials and the hysteria that overtook society is something that can never be forgotten in our history. It is part of the fabric of our Nation and demonstrates what can happen when greed and panic become one. This may not be perfect, but it is a story (and movie) that must be seen and remembered. If you have not watched it, find it on Amazon and check it out.

Witchery (1988)

When it became evident that the West Virginia game was over, I decided to find something on television to help pass the time before I had to leave for Prestige softball practice. After some searching, I decided on the 1988 entry Witchery (AKA Witchcraft and Evil Encounters).

Plot/ When a storm strands a group on a Massachusetts Island where the only dwelling is an old hotel supposedly haunted by the ghost of a former German actress their worst fears are brought to life.

This is a film that I can honestly say that I do not remember from my youth. That is funny because, between the subject matter and Linda Blair, I almost certainly would have picked this one up. What I found today when watching it was a movie that was clearly part of that 1980s big box horror with some outrageous effects and many head-scratching moments. Of course, this also has the typical flaws with uneven performances, some strange cinematic decisions, laughable moments, and a pace that seems to teeter between slow and fast. That being said, the setting was amazing and the storyline (while somewhat predictable) was entertaining. In the end, this was not a great movie, but it was not the worst either. Feel free to give it a shot if you are searching for something and need something mindless, you could do much worse.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

After making it through Alien: Covenant this weekend, I decided to change genres completely for my next flick. That movie is the 2017 action/adventure King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.

Plot/ Robbed of his birthright, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword from the stone, he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy - whether he likes it or not.

I can see why this is polarizing. On one hand, this is definitely not your traditional King Arthur movie, which would leave traditionalists up in arms. But, there are some interesting aspects that make it entertaining. Personally, I did enjoy the action sequences, the performances, and most of the effects. However, the lack of character development, the modern dialog, and the overall lack of Arthurian atmosphere did not do it for me. Was it a terrible movie? No, in fact, had it been made outside the King Arthur universe it would have likely received a better reception. In the end, if you like period pieces and can look past the idea that this is Arthur and Excalibur, then you may enjoy this one more than I did. Not a terrible movie, but not quite what I was expecting.

Suspiria (1977)

Over the past few days, I have been working another 10-minute play potentially for an event later in the year in Pittsburgh. I have been so amazed by how my first play, Not Always What It Seems, continues to grow as the performance date approaches. Personally, I think I am hooked and love the process. Getting back to the blog before finishing my next play, I decided to venture into some darkness for some inspiration. My selection was the 1977 classic Suspiria.

Plot/ A newcomer to a fancy ballet academy gradually comes to realize that the school is a front for something far more sinister and supernatural amidst a series of grisly murders.

Staying inside the 1970s can be a fun time for any horror/sci-fi fan, as there are many classics that left an imprint on the genres to choose from. Suspiria is one of those films, and one of the movies that left a lasting imprint on me when I first started watching horror in my youth. In revisiting it this week, I found what I already thought; this Dario Argento masterpiece stands the test of time. Filled with a tremendous color pallet, a perfectly unsettling soundtrack from Goblin that blends into the atmosphere like a character, decent performances, and an incredibly dark and heavy atmosphere that that is woven into every second. Yes, the plot is thin with some giant holes in the storyline and the vibrant use of colors may turn some viewers off, but those are but minor flaws inside this mesmerizing journey into the depths of horror. In the end, this trip into darkness is one of the greatest Italian horror films ever made and a classic that every horror fan should watch. Find it and check it out.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

After clearing my mind with a mindless Godzilla flick, it was time to get back to some real horror. After a long night of softball (practice and watching a game), my selection for last night was the 2016 entry The Autopsy of Jane Doe.

Plot/ A father and son, both coroners, are pulled into a complex mystery while attempting to identify the body of a young woman, who was apparently harboring dark secrets.

This is a movie I have been looking forward to watching. While I did not know much about the storyline or what to expect, from the few promo clips and artwork I had seen, I thought it could be something that I would enjoy. I was right, as this was one of the best horror films I have seen in some time and it backs up my thoughts that this has been a tremendous year for the genre. There was a lot to like with some creepy and dark atmospheric elements, some outstanding make-up effects with some graphic scenes, solid performances, and a nice mixture of horror and suspense within a thought-out storyline that was quite engaging. Yes, there are a few clichéd jump scares thrown it and the ending could have been a touch better, but those are but minor flaws inside this tremendous film. In the end, if you are a true horror fan, you should definitely enjoy this one. True, some of the autopsy scenes may not be for everyone, but it is well worth watching.