CANDY CORN REVIEW

It’s Halloween weekend and a group of bullies are planning their annual hazing on local outcast, Jacob Atkins. When they take things too far, he’s resurrected to seek revenge against those that wronged him.

Starring: Tony Todd, P.J. Soles, Courtney Gains, and Pancho Moler 

Written and directed by: Josh Hasty

  Nothing good comes from bullying, and “Candy Corn” proves that. Jacob (Nate Chaney) has just been hired at a Freakshow that has come to town, and his boss, Dr. Death (Pancho Moler), reminds him that he is now one of them. He’s ready to work when he’s confronted by a group of bullies, who have picked on him annually. This time things go way too far, and they apparently kill him. Dr. Death makes good on his word that Jacob is one of them, as he brings Jacob back to life, but now as a killing machine.

  Most of the bullies aren’t too concerned with what they did except of Carol (Madison Russ), who might not have participated but witnessed what they did. Her guilt gets the best of her, and she alerts the sheriff (Courtney Gains) of what happened. The sheriff heads off to the freakshow to talk with Dr. Death, but he isn’t welcomed with open arms. Some of the best interaction in the movie comes between Dr. Death and the sheriff because Dr. Death definitely doesn’t like the police, and isn’t shy about letting that be known. 

  Everything seems alright until there is a report of a murder. This is very uncommon in this town, but that’s about to change. Jacob is now back to take revenge on all those who participated in his death. He’s got a pretty creepy mask to hide his face, and keeps his Halloween bucket with candy corn handy. Most of the deaths are pretty brutal with the removal of plenty of body parts. They take a risk and do something a little different by slowing down the final moments of the death scenes. It’s a little weird at first, but also allows the audience a chance to take in what’s happening.

  Without giving too much away, there’s more to Jacob including an interesting weakness. It shows that Dr. Death definitely is in charge of him, and uses him for a specific purpose seen once the show moves away. It’s a good conclusion to the movie, as it proves there’s something more than just revenge going on here. 

  In the end, “Candy Corn” will be another fun slasher movie for the upcoming Halloween season. Jacob is big, bad, and brutal with his victims. He likes candy corn, and isn’t afraid to share them with his victims whether they want them or not. It’s good to see Pancho be a big part of this movie, and do a good job of it. Dr. Death is pulling the strings, and isn’t to be messed with. Thanks to Jacob, I'm not sure if I'll ever eat Candy Corn again, but I will give the movie 2.5 pools of blood.

  HorrO

IT: CHAPTER TWO REVIEW

Twenty-seven years after their first encounter with the terrifying Pennywise, the Losers Club have grown up and moved away, until a devastating phone call brings them back.

Starring: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean, and Bill Skarsgard

Written by: Gary Dauberman and Stephen King

Directed by: Andy Muschietti

  No clowning around here, lets jump right into “IT: Chapter Two.” The famous scene with Georgie sets the tone for chapter one, so how would chapter two start? They set up a scene that unfortunately is much more common than should be these days. A gay couple is enjoying their time at the fair when they find themselves under attack. One of them is thrown into the river, and pulled out by Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard). With his partner watching, Pennywise finishes what the bullies started. Again they’ve opened with a powerful, hard to watch scene that definitely will get the audience’s attention. 

  It’s 27 years later and Pennywise hasn't forgotten about Losers Club, and neither has Mike (Isaiah Mustafa). Unlike the others, he stayed in Derry and has been waiting for the clown’s return. He calls each member of the club, and tells them to come home. Most don’t take it well, as they need a little reminder of why they had to come back. Mike tries to remind them as Pennywise tries to change their fortunes in a great scene in a Asian restaurant.

  Besides the scares, that scene really gives the audience a chance to reconnect with the club. It shows that even though they are grown up, they still have the qualities the audience loved about them as kids. The back and forth between Richie (Bill Hader), and Eddie (James Ransone) is hilarious from here on out. Just like when they were kids, no matter how scary the situation becomes one of them is always a tension breaker. 

  As many expected, this also shows right off the bat that they picked the right cast to play the adults. They are great as the club, but they also get some time alone to shine. Each actor really nails their part reinforced by flashbacks of when their characters were kids. It almost seems like the kids were used more than expected because they just kept taking the audience back to their childhoods. 

  However the real star of the show is Pennywise! There’s just so much of him, or some version of him that’s it’s hard not to like. Even if he doesn’t scare you, just having him continue to appear is wonderful. When they show each adult alone, they all have to face him one way or the other. The times when he opens his mouth to sink his teeth into someone are just are so freaky. And then there’s supersize Pennywise at the end. He presents such a challenge for the Losers, as he tries to make them all float. 

  Even though there are two movies, it’s very easy to see the continuance from one to the other just like the original. Which movie is better…I don’t know. I enjoyed them both for many of the same reasons. The actors from the kids to the adults play their parts so well. There is so much going on in the story from feeling for Bill’s loss of his brother to Ben’s affection for Beverly. Each character just has their issues to deal with, and then there is the giant clown in the room. Pennywise is a terrifying presence no matter what form he’s in. Like chapter 1, I give “IT: Chapter Two” 4 pools of blood.

  HorrO

IT Review

WHERE THE SCARY THINGS ARE EPISODE 11

In this Episode we review Piranah and speak to actress Belinda Balaski. We also have a bonus interview with Deborah Hyde who gives us a bone chilling look into the supernatural. Chris the Creature reviews The Flesh Eaters from 1964. HorrO joins us and gives us an awesome 666 Rundown discussing what is upcoming in the horror world. Enjoy!!

You can also listen at:

Web bit.ly/2PfeIWS

Apple apple.co/2N4d2O1

Spotify spoti.fi/305GN3b

Network bit.ly/2Htbetm

SATANIC PANIC REVIEW

A pizza delivery girl at the end of her financial rope has to fight for her life - and her tips - when her last order of the night turns out to be high society Satanists in need of a virgin sacrifice.

Starring: Hayley Griffith, Ruby Modine, Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O’ Connell, and Jordan Ladd 

Written by: Ted Geoghegan, and Grady Hendrix

Directed by: Chelsea Stardust

  There’s a lot of things you can eat while watching a horror movie at home like popcorn, candy, or ice cream. Nowadays you can even order from a local restaurant through your app of choice. Of course you can’t go wrong with a good old cheese pizza, but don’t forget to tip your delivery person! After all, you wouldn’t want a delivery girl like Sam (Hayley Griffith) to break into your house, and disturb your movie, or cult meeting!

  “Satanic Panic” gets off on the right foot with a hilarious sequence with Sam trying but failing to get tips on her delivery route. This frustration leads her to make one more delivery that she will never forget. She delivers to a house in a rich neighborhood, and still fails to get a tip. When her vespa doesn’t start she’s had enough, and breaks into the house to demand a tip. Unfortunately for her she’s stumbled upon a cult celebrating a very important date. 

  From here on out the audience is treated to a wild ride at Sam’s expense. The cult needs her in order to summon a demon, and Sam does everything she can to survive the night. She gets help from Judi (Ruby Modine), who isn’t on the cult's good side. While Sam has no clue what’s going on, Judi is well versed in what the cult is up to. The two work together to survive the bizarre attempts by the cult to catch them. 

  The same can’t be said for the cult, as they have a continuous internal battle for leadership between Danica (Rebecca Romijn), and Gypsy (Arden Myrin). Each have their tricks to try and find the girls, but it’s Danica that goes to the extreme on more than one occasion. When you’re looking for the blood and guts in the movie, all you have to do is look for her to supply them! 

  All four of these women shine, and are big reasons this movie is so enjoyable. Rebecca does some crazy things, and does them so smoothly. Arden is great at showing just how desperate her character is to take the reigns from Danica, but just can’t do it. And the pairing of Hayley and Ruby is gold! Hayley is perfect at being so innocent, while Ruby is so amped up and delivers some fantastic lines that couldn’t have been easy to do.

  Along with the great performances, there’s no doubt that the comedy is spot on even with the girls’ lives at stake. They make the most of Sam’s innocence, and put her in some situations that you just can’t help but laugh at. Also, they cleverly tie in some of the things that might seem insignificant, but end up playing a role in Sam’s survival. Even with all the evil intentions the cult has the audience can never take them too seriously. With that said, I give “Satanic Panic” 4 pools of blood, and am off to tip my pizza delivery person!

  HorrO

*Shown at the 5th Annual Popcorn Frights Film Festival

WHERE THE SCARY THINGS ARE EPISODE 10

Where The Scary Things Are Episode 10: THE HOWLING. HOW TO CREATE A SUCESSFUL PODCAST WITH BUZZSPROUTS TRAVIS ALBRITTON.

HEY THERE HORROR FANS. In this episode MonsterMash Ken and Muse talk to Buzzsprouts Head of Content Travis Albritton about how to make a successful podcast. If you have ever had any questions or wanted to know where to begin this is a can't miss episode. We review The Howling and talk all things Werewolves. HorrO returns with the 666 rundown on new movies coming out. The Creature Feature of the Week with Chris: SkinWalkers.