The Final Girls (2015) – Todd Strauss-Schulson

The Final Girls is a delightfully meta-horror comedy with an emotional heart thanks to the performances of Taissa Farmiga and Malin Akerman. Farmiga is Max Cartwright, the daughter of Alexandra (Akerman) who has always wanted to be a movie star, but keeps getting recalled for her one big role, in an 80s cult classic slasher…

The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) – Roman Polanski

Originally known as Dance of the Vampire’s Roman Polanski’s horror comedy is the next film in the Vampire section of DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies, written by legendary director John Landis. With the snow covered Alps standing in for Transylvania, and some nicely designed gothic castle sets, Polanski plays with the cliches of the…

Gremlins (1984) – Joe Dante

Practical effects, matte paintings and a dark, playful sense of humour… They just don’t make them like the used to. I was delighted when I returned to the Family section of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book that Joe Dante’s horror comedy Christmas movie (it’s set at Christmas therefore it IS a…

Toronto After Dark 2017: Eat Local(s) – Jason Flemyng

At 7pm tonight at Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto After Dark is hosting the Toronto premiere of Eat Local(s). A fun vampire romp that is sure to please audiences, the cast is stacked with recognisable faces and names, Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Mackenzie Crook (The Office), Eve Myles (Torchwood), Freema Agyeman (Doctor Who), Dexter Fletcher (Band of Brothers)…

My Best Friend’s Exorcism (2016) – Grady Hendrix

Where do I even start with this book? I enjoyed this one so much. We were in the local Chapters, and I was immediately caught by the cover. It’s designed to look like a 1980s horror movie on VHS. And the story embraces everything you loved about the 80s – the shows, the music, the…

Toronto After Dark 2016

It’s that time of year again, when horror, sci-fi, action, cult, and just the bizarre movies come to roost and entertain here in Toronto, with the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. 9 nights of movies that, as long as you have the right audience with you, can’t help but entertain. This year seems to be…

TIFF 2015: Portal to Hell – Vivieno Caldinelli

  TIFF tends to be filled with hidden gems, each one tucked away and made all the more pleasing when you find it. So let Sue and I give you a little nudge in the right direction… Portal To Hell!!! is part of the Short Cuts Programme 4 and is nothing short of pure gold. Running…

Suburban Gothic (2014) – Richard Bates Jr.

  Available now from Anchor Bay is this wonderfully quirky horror comedy. And let me emphasize the quirky, if you’re expecting a typical entry into this genre you are bound to be in for a bit of a shock. Happily, the film’s trailer sells its sense of humor really well. The film is also stocked…