BLOOD ON HER NAME REVIEW

A woman’s panicked decision to cover up an accidental killing spins out of control when her conscience demands she return the dead man’s body to his family.

Starring: Bethany Anne Lind, Will Patton, and Elisabeth Rohm

Directed by: Matthew Pope

Written by: Don M. Thompson, and Matthew Pope

  “Blood on Her Name” opens right after a murder has been committed. It’s a dark and rainy night, and Leigh (Bethany Anne Lind) has found herself alone in her auto shop with a dead body. She seems confused at what to do, and weighs her options as she paces around. She decides to dispose of the body in a lake, but just can’t do it once she’s on the water. Instead, she returns the body to a shed outside of the dead man’s home. It’s a decision that will haunt her from that point on.

  The opening scene is a good hook because it leaves the audience wanting to know what happened in the auto shop. Did Leigh commit the murder? It seems likely she did, but then the audience is introduced to her young son Ryan (Jared Ivers), who's on probation. Maybe Leigh is covering up the murder for him. If she did kill the man was it self defense or was something else going on? 

  The mystery continues with the introduction of her father Richard (Will Patton), who’s also a cop. They have a rocky relationship to go along with a few secrets of their own. There are a few flashbacks that Leigh has when she was a little girl riding along with her father. Lets just say that he might not have always done things by the books. 

  Seeing how unstable Leigh is, it’s hard to believe she could pull off not getting caught. When she realizes she lost a necklace at some point, she scrambles to retrace her steps and find it. She has no idea if she just misplaced it, or it was lost during the murder. Her father warned her that she would make a mistake, and what a big mistake it turns out to be!

  As the story moves on, the audience gets to know Leigh more, and her previous relationship that plays a role in everything that happens. They really play with the audience giving reasons to both like and dislike Leigh. Has life just gotten the better of her, or is she responsible for the choices she’s made and people in her life? Actually, many of the characters in this story leave the audience wondering are they really a good person or not.

  As events play out the audience finds out what happened that rainy night. While it doesn’t turn out to be the biggest murder mystery ever, it sets up one hell of an ending. The final scene is full of tension, suspense, twists and turns. Again, how the audience feels about certain characters might effect how they feel about what happens. Regardless, the final seconds will leave them saying, “damn!” With that, I give “Blood on Her Name” 2.5 pools of blood.

  HorrO

THE INVISIBLE MAN REVIEW

When Cecilia’s abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

Starring: Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Elisabeth Moss, and Oliver Jackson-Cohen

Directed by: Leigh Whannell

Written by: Leigh Whannell, and H.G. Wells (novel)

  We've all heard about the plans to bring back Universal’s classic monsters in a new Dark Universe. The first attempt failed with “The Mummy,” so it might have seemed logical to jump right to something like Dracula or Frankenstein. Instead, they took another risk, and decided to reimagine “The Invisible Man.” There’s lots that they could do with an invisible man, so did they get this monster story right this time?

  Interestingly enough, this monster story is more about the victim than anything else. From the start, the story follows Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss), as she makes a daring escape from her home and abusive husband Adrian (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). Filled with fear, she seeks refuge with her friend and cop James (Aldis Hodge) and his daughter Sydney (Storm Reid). She’s so sure that Adrian will find her that she can barely even make it to the mailbox before running back inside for safety. Even after hearing about his death weeks later, she still struggles to move on.

  Just when she begins to make some progress, she begins to be haunted by him again. She’s not sure how he’s doing it, but she’s convinced he’s still alive and out to get her. Of course, no one around her believes her, and she becomes more and more paranoid. Adrian’s plan is working to perfection, and Cecilia is taken to breaking point before she takes the fight to him.

  Since the movie takes Cecilia’s point of view, it needs a strong performance from Elisabeth, and it definitely gets one. She plays the victim perfectly from beginning to end. The audience can see the fear and paranoia on her face the entire time. Even in moments of strength, the audience also sees how much courage she needs to conjure up to fight back. She’s so good at it that they don’t even have to waste movie time showing any of the abuse when they were together. The audience only hears what he used to do to her, and then of course sees what he does to her after becoming the invisible man.

  The movie also doesn’t waste a lot of time going over how Adrian becomes the invisible man. There isn’t any scientific method, or testing, as it basically becomes known that he’s great in the field of optics and technology. The audience gets to see an area he works in, and the suit that makes him invisible. It seems to work bypassing the specifics of how, and just getting to the terror.

  So that brings us to the ultimate question…does the invisible man scare the audience? Well that depends on the audience, but there’s definitely something unnerving about knowing someone can be in the room, but no one knows where. There are times when the camera looks in a corner or spot, and Cecilia and the audience are just left to wonder if he’s really there or not. There’s a great scene when someone gets murdered so quickly and surprisingly it’s hard to believe it actually happened. On the other hand, sometimes the fight scenes are a little awkward with how they show someone getting taken out step-by-step instead of a fluid movement. Some of the scariest moments might be when his suit is damaged and it starts flashing. The suit is creepy, and it’s freaky when it suddenly appears for a few seconds.

  One day it might be nice to see an invisible man story where he goes wild killing off a bunch of people. While he does do some damage in this movie, that’s not what this story is about. The movie might be titled “The Invisible Man,” but the focus is definitely on physical and mental abuse, and the effects of it. Elisabeth is fantastic in bringing the panic and paranoia Cecilia feels throughout the movie. Time isn’t spent on how Adrian becomes invisible, but more on how he continues to torture Cecilia to almost the point of no return. While the scares are a matter of opinion, there’s certainly a tense feeling that builds throughout the movie. It's brought on by a combination of Cecilia's fear, Adrian's mystery, and an extremely uneasy movie score. So did they get this monster movie right…you bet they did! Maybe not the classic tale, but definitely one the will keep you on the edge of your seat. With that, I give it 3.5 pools of blood.

  HorrO

WHERE THE SCARY THINGS ARE EPISODE 34

Where The Scary Things Are Episode 34: ZOMBIE WITH A SHOTGUN with HILTON ARIEL RUIZ

Director/Writer/Producer HILTON ARIEL RUIZ joins us to discuss his latest movie: ZOMBIE WITH A SHOTGUN. Muse gives her SINISTER 6 FEMALE DIRECTORS IN HORROR. KILLER KACY talks about 10 creepy surgeries. MONSTERMASH KEN reveals several movies in the Horror Movie Flashback. CHRIS The CREATURE reviews 2010's El Monstro Del Mar. HORRO asks the question: Can 2 people see the same ghost at the same time in the PROMOTEHORROR.COM 666 RUNDOWN. 

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SWEETHEART REVIEW

Jenn has washed ashore on a small tropical island and it doesn’t take her long to realize she’s completely alone. She must spend her days not only surviving the elements, but must also fend off the malevolent force that comes out each night. 

Starring: Kiesey Clemons, Emory Cohen, and Hanna Mangan Lawrence

Directed by: J.D. Dillard

Written by: J.D. Dillard, Alex Theurer, and Alex Hyner

Check out the video below and find out how many pools of blood it received…

CUPID REVIEW

After being horrendously embarrassed by the mean girls at school, Faye, a practicing witch, summons the evil Cupid to take revenge on all those who wronged her.

Starring: Georgina Jane, Michael Owusu, and Abi Casson Thompson

Directed and written by: Scott Jeffrey

Check out the video review below and find out how many pools of blood it received…

LVRS REVIEW

A magical realism/horror film that explores the paradox of why a woman chooses to stay in an abusive relationship.

Starring: Emily Bennett, Cole Simon, Jack Downey, Michael Downey, and Katharin Mraz

Directed and written by: Emily Bennett

  “LVRS” wastes little time in grabbing the audience’s attention, and never lets go. It opens with a woman in bed, and a man standing in front of it. The man looks completely normal except for the mirror that’s in front of his face. While it might shock the audience, it brings a smile to the woman who gets to see herself happy. This romantic moment is quickly interrupted by the ring of a red phone, and a young boy. As the film goes on, both the boy and phone are constant interruptions. 

  The interruptions might not be welcomed for the woman, but are for horror fans. The woman is tortured by the man each time the boy appears, and it will definitely make the audience cringe. She continues to smile into the mirror, as the man appears to make up for the torture with a romantic gesture. But how far will the woman let it go before enough is enough. Can she put an end to this before something really bad happens to her? 

  In a month where horror fans celebrate women in horror, here comes a short film about abusive relationships starring, written and directed by a woman. Make no mistake, Emily Bennett has complete control of “LVRS” both in front of and behind the camera. This short film says a whole lot with so little words. Who needs to speak when they’ve created some terrific imagery leaving a lot for the audience to interpret. What needs no interpretation is how romance is met with horror at each turn until the bitter end. There’s just something about this film that will keep your eyes glued to it, so please turn your attention to it below, and enjoy!

  HorrO

NOSE NOSE NOSE EYES! REVIEW

The terrifying day a ten year old girl witnesses her mother stabbing her father’s eyes to get insurance money.

Directed by: Jiwon Moon

  With the big win for “Parasite” at the Oscars, it looks like a great time to be a Korean film. “Nose Nose Nose Eyes!” is also a Korean film, and looks to be another must see short film on ALTER. According to the director, this is actually based on a true story. Of course this film tilts towards horror, but it’s horrific in real life as well.

  So the film takes the point of view of a little girl, who is stuck in the middle of some deadly family drama. It starts off with a dream that may scare the audience, but definitely scares the girl. She runs to her mother for comfort. Her mother seems normal at first, but there’s nothing normal about what she’s doing. The mother gets a call from the girl’s uncle, and clearly lies to him because she wants to keep the insurance money for herself. The girl questions her mother about it, but is dismissed. Instead of going to her room, the girl sneaks into her parents room, where she comes close to experiencing real horror.

  As the mother goes so does this film. Besides the opening scare everything seems normal until the mother starts acting more and more questionable. It doesn’t really pick up until the audience sees the dad’s condition, and what the mother is about to do to him. The film does a great job in how the mother slowly paces herself  in mentally torturing the dad, and bringing the fear for him to the girl and audience. They create two great shots of the mother in the room before this one ends. Make sure to watch “Nose Nose Nose Eyes” below and be thankful none of your family members torture you for insurance money!

  HorrO

TRAIN TO BUSAN REVIEW

While a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.

Starring: Yoo Gong, Yu-mi Jung, and Dong-seok Ma

Directed by: Sang-ho Yeon

Written by: Joo-Suk Park, and Sang-ho Yeon

Check out the video review below and find out how many pools of blood this movie received…

WHERE THE SCARY THINGS ARE EPISODE 32

Where The Scary Things Are Episode 32: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER with TV FANATIC GIRL AMY KOTO

In this Episode we review The 90's Classic, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. Our guest on the show is TV FANATIC GIRL Amy Koto. Muse talks HORROR COMEDIES in her SINISTER6. Killer Kacy tells us about special Valentines Day Cockroaches in the CREEPY CHRONICLES. MonsterMash brings up a great movie in the HORROR MOVIE FLASHBACK. CREATURE FEATURE OF THE WEEK with Chris the Creature Zisi: CARNIVAL OF BLOOD. HorrO gives us the Promotehorror.com 666 RUNDOWN.

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THE LODGE REVIEW

A soon-to-be stepmom is snowed in with her fiancé’s two children at a remote holiday village. Just as relations begin to thaw between the trio, some strange and frightening events take place.

Starring: Richard Armitage, Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, and Alicia Silverstone

Directed by: Severin Fiala, and Veronika Franz

Written by: Sergio Casci, Severin Fiala, and Veronika Franz

  As horror fans, we’ve seen a lot of horror movies featuring cabins in the woods. It usually sets up for a great blood and guts slasher type movie, but that’s not happening in “The Lodge.” Not only do we get a little bit of a different setting, but we also get a slow burn psychological horror movie. So should horror fans pay a visit to the lodge…lets find out!

   Mia (Lia McHugh) and Aiden (Jaeden Martell) are young kids with parents on the verge of a divorce. Their father, Richard (Richard Armitage) has already moved on to a new woman, Grace (Riley Keough). The movie wastes little time in bringing a shocking event into their lives, while making sure they have the audience’s attention. Immediately the audience will feel for the kids, and the awkward situation their father is about to put them in.

  Richard wants the kids to spend their Christmas with Grace at their lodge while he works. Of course the kids aren’t happy about this, and have little choice but to go to the lodge. However, before they go, they take the time to learn who Grace is, and find something very disturbing about her past. What’s effective here is learning about Grace, but slowly bringing her into the picture. The audience doesn’t get to see her until about twenty minutes into the movie, but the urge to see her sooner is there after finding out what she was a part of.

  Speaking of effectiveness, another thing that works really well is the use of Mia’s doll house, or in this case replica of the lodge. She has it in her room at home, and the camera takes many close ups in it. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if they’re shooting from the real lodge, or the fake one. It adds a creepiness throughout, and definitely a constant feeling that this isn’t going to end well. Mia also has dolls representing the family in this fake lodge, which provide a ton of foreshadowing.

  Going back to this carefully crafted story, things don’t get bad until Richard leaves. Grace struggles to get the kids’ attention, and something seems to be happening to her. She takes pills, and when they disappear so does stuff in the house. The tension builds as she desperately tries to befriend the kids, the conditions outside worsen, and more mysterious things happen inside. It gets to a point where the audience is just waiting for Grace to snap, but do they feel bad for her, or the kids at this point?

  When the mystery is finally revealed, it doesn’t end there. The darkness that builds goes past the point of no return in pure horrific fashion. No this isn’t the typical cabin in the woods type movie. It’s an effective psychological horror movie that builds on its mystery, and tension. It presents a shocking beginning, and even darker ending with no fear. The story is put together well, including the interesting use of the fake lodge. The acting is solid, as they hide the movie’s secrets perfectly, and make the audience feel for all the characters involved at some point. With that I give "The Lodge" 3 pools of blood! 

  HorrO

BRIGHTBURN REVIEW

What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister?

Starring: Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, and Jackson A. Dunn

Directed by: David Yarovesky

Written by: Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn 

Check out the video review below and find out how many pools of blood this movie received…

WHERE THE SCARY THINGS ARE EPISODE 31

Where The Scary Things Are Episode 31: DEPRAVED with Director/Producer LARRY FESSENDEN

Hello Boys and Ghouls...in this episode we speak to Larry Fessenden about his recent movie, Depraved, a modern take from the Frankenstein classic. Muse gives her top Movie Monsters in the Sinister 6. Creature Feature of the Week with Chris the Creature: The Corpse Grinders. HorrO gives us the 666 Promote Horror Rundown.

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Spotify spoti.fi/31nif7U