Riffs and Reviews

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and ghouls, gather around as we embark on an uproarious journey through the twisted world of "Terrifier," the 2016 horror film that shook the genre to its core and left horror movie fans with their jaws dropped and their popcorn spilled. In this monstrously lengthy article, we'll peel back the layers of this gruesome tour de force, from its gritty production background to the diabolically delightful character of Art the Clown. Hold onto your seats, dear readers, for we're about to spill the beans (or should we say, guts?) on everything you've ever wanted to know about "Terrifier" and more! A Hair-Raising Affair: The Terrifying Tale (Spoiler-Free, Scouts' Honor!) If you've somehow managed to avoid spoilers for the past few years, congratulations – you're a rare breed! Fret not, we won't ruin the fun. "Terrifier" follows the bloodcurdling exploits of Art the Clown, a silent and sadistic force of evil who...

As a movie critic, I have seen my fair share of mediocre films, but Jurassic World: Dominion takes the cake for being one of the most underwhelming films of the year. The third installment of the Jurassic World trilogy and the sixth of the Jurassic Park franchise promised an epic conclusion to the saga but failed to deliver on every front. From the get-go, it was clear that this film was going to be a disaster. Jurassic World: Dominion begins with a fascinating idea of dinosaurs invading the world as an invasive species. However, instead of taking this concept and running with it, the movie decides to go with a safer route by keeping the dinosaurs confined to a conveniently contained park. This is just the first of many disappointments in the film. One of the most significant problems with Jurassic World: Dominion is its inability to live up to its own hype. The film was marketed as a grand finale to the Jurassic World trilogy, and fans were promised huge developments and a satisfyin...

M. Night Shyamalan is back with another thought-provoking thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Knock at the Cabin is a new entry in his filmography that leans towards the good side, much like his classic movie "Signs". This latest feature film is based on the book “The Cabin at the End of the World” by Paul G Tremblay, and it showcases the master storyteller's skill of subverting audience expectations and bringing a fresh twist to the tired cabin in the woods trope. The movie revolves around two fathers and their adopted daughter, who are taken hostage by four strangers during their vacation in an isolated cabin. The family is forced to make an impossible choice to stop the apocalypse: save their family or save humanity. This plot had me engaged the whole time, as I questioned what to believe and was curious to see how it would all play out. Dave Bautista as Leonard The performances from the talented ensemble cast, including Ben Aldridge ( Pennyworth ), ...

Walking into Kyle Edward Ball's latest horror flick "Skinamarink" is like taking a trip down the rabbit hole. It's a twisted, surreal experience that leaves you feeling both disorientated and disturbingly mesmerised. If you're a fan of horror, you'll relish the opportunity to get lost in its strange, unsettling visual language - and if you're not, well, this movie will change your mind. But let's not beat around the bush here - "Skinamarink" is not for the faint of heart. It's a movie that demands your attention and a working pair of eyes to take in all the madness. Ball's background in filming user-submitted nightmares gives him a unique perspective on what truly terrifies us, and he's not afraid to push the limits of traditional horror storytelling. This is a movie that wants you to experience it, not interpret it. The film follows two children who wake up in the middle of the night to find their father is missing and all the wi...

Caveman is a comedy film from 1981 that stars Ringo Starr as Atouk, a shy caveman who is in love with Lana, but is prevented from being with her due to the rule of Tonda. The film follows Atouk as he goes on a small excursion, meets new friends, and learns caveman wisdom, all while trying to win Lana's affections and avoid being eaten by dinosaurs. The film is known for its physical comedy and use of a caveman-language vocabulary. Despite being well-received by some audiences, the film was not a critical success. Caveman also stars John Matuszak as Tonda, Barbara Bach as Lana, Avery Schreiber as Ock, Dennis Quaid as Lar, Jack Gilford as Gog, and Shelley Long as Tala. The film is set in 1,000,000 B.C. and follows Atouk as he is kicked out of his tribe for his affection for Lana and his inability to forage for food. After being banished, Atouk meets Lar, who is injured and unable to walk, and the two form a friendship. Together, they rescue Gog and Tala from a tar pit and defeat a di...

The Wraith is a 1986 American science fiction action film starring Charlie Sheen as the titular character. Directed by Mike Marvin and written by John Shirley, the movie follows a supernatural being who is out to exact revenge on a gang of Arizona drag racers for the death of his girlfriend. The Wraith was released in November 1986 and was met with mixed reviews, but has since been recognized as an influential cult classic. At its core, The Wraith is an intriguingly unique take on the revenge genre. Through careful direction and clever writing, it creates a dark atmosphere that is both suspenseful and thrilling. Director Mike Marvin crafts some truly striking shots throughout the film’s runtime which help to amplify its spooky tone. He also utilizes a number of outdoor locations to create an even more surreal effect for certain scenes. Furthermore, Marvin successfully employs subtle visual cues - such as lighting and camera angles - to further heighten tension and drama in some sequenc...

"Day Shift" is a new vampire hunting movie starring Jamie Foxx and Dave Franco. The movie follows the story of a hard working blue collar dad who just wants to provide a good life for his quick-witted daughter, but his mundane San Fernando Valley pool cleaning job is a front for his real source of income, hunting and killing vampires as part of an international Union of vampire hunters. The premise sounds fun, but can director J.J. Perry deliver? The opening scene of the movie is a bonkers action sequence with Jamie Foxx shotgun blasting the hell out of an old lady who turns out to be a vampire. This then becomes a nuts fight sequence between the two of them that is such a blast. I feel like the movie really has fun with these kind of rag-doll physics in its action scenes, making those sequences pop in a way that a lot of the Netflix action movies (or action blockbusters these days) don’t. Day Shift was a very mixed movie. On one hand, there is a lot of fun action scenes and ...

Horror movie sequels are always a hit and most horror movie fans are looking for the next great scare. But what happens when horror movie villains go to space? Here are 5 horror movie villains that went to space. Some were successful, while others were not so much. 1. The Leprechaun Leprechaun 4: In Space is the sleeper of the Leprechaun horror movie series. Yes, it's set in space, but that's exactly what makes it so mind-numbingly great. Leprechaun 4 is a perfect example of how to take a totally ridiculous premise and turn it into something really "special." The movie is chock-full of practical effects, creative kills, and Leprechaun quotes that will have you rolling on the floor. If you're a fan of Leprechaun movies or horror movies in general, Leprechaun 4: In Space is a must-watch. 2. Pinhead Hellraiser: Bloodline is a fascinating continuation of the series that also serves as a prequel. The story spans three different time periods: the 1700s, the 1990s, and...

Night of the Living Dead , directed by George A. Romero and released in 1968, is widely regarded as the "zombie" picture that had the most impact and significance on the genre, but is it also the finest zombie movie ever made? It is not so much the use of zombies as it is the use of distinctive locales, realistic effects, gore and mayhem, witty social criticism, dark humour, or really horrific tension that determines which films are considered to be the finest zombie movies of all time. White Zombie was the first full-length "zombie" horror film, and it was also the first picture in Hollywood to popularize the idea of Haitian voodoo zombies. Bela Lugosi played a witch doctor in the film, and it was the film that popularized the idea. In the movie "Murder," a character named Lugosi plays the role of Svengali, who tries to turn a young lady into a zombie by using various powders and potions. Although it is somewhat monotonous and wooden, it did serve a...