A hybrid of documentary and fiction, this silent film explores the history of witchcraft, demonology and satanism. It shows representations of evil in a variety of ancient and medieval artworks, offers vignettes illustrating a number of superstitious practices and presents a narrative about the persecution of a woman accused of witchcraft. The film ends by suggesting that the modern science of psychology offers important insight into the beliefs and practices of the past.
Author Archives: Felix Vasquez
Prom Night (2008)
Nelson McCormick’s “Prom Night” is not even technically a remake, at all. In fact most of the film doesn’t even take place during prom night. After drudging through an endless array of teen melodrama that was obviously only a lead up to the killing, director Nelson McCormack’s thriller seems to actively work at not being scary. Perhaps it’s to keep from offending the young audience to which this PG-13 snooze fest was touted to, but “Prom Night 2008” lacks any of the inherent terror the original film possessed, however minimal it is.
You Have to See This! Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987)
When I was a kid, “Hello Mary Lou” was one of my all time favorite horror movies. It was a sequel to a film I didn’t see until many years later, and it was always presented in edited, cut for time versions on Channel 11 WPIX in New York, but I sure as hell loved it. It was just a wacky, occasionally creepy movie that was so much crazier than I originally thought it was. The only theme that “Prom Night II” has in common with the original slasher movie is the overtone of revenge from days past. That is about as far as it goes, as “Prom Night II” takes a massive departure from the original premise involving an axe murderer out for revenge stalking high schoolers leading in to a disco centric prom with Jamie Lee Curtis front and center.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
Vince Gilligan’s “Breaking Bad” ended beautifully with Walter White embracing death finally, and Jesse Pinkman tasting freedom after being chained up and dehumanized for such a long time. I was happy with the ending Vince Gilligan gave us. What I loved about “El Camino” is that it doesn’t try to be spectacular, nor does it open the door for a new series. It’s merely the epilogue of the “Breaking Bad” saga where Jesse Pinkman has to fight one last time for his freedom.
Botched (2007)
“In and out, what could go wrong?” has been the famous last words of every man in existence, and it’s basically the last words of our hapless hostages and their inept captors in “Botched.” While the premise is creaky with much of the narrative reminiscent of “From Dusk Til Dawn,” Kit Parker’s “Botched” is a horror comedy up there in lunacy with fare like “Severance” and “The Cottage.” While “Botched” begins clumsily with a poorly edited rushed sequence of events extrapolating Ritchie’s predicament, it’s a movie you’ll want to stick with. Once the blood begins to pour, the raucous comedy and gruesome horror ensure a worthy experience deserving of an audience.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
Tim Burton hasn’t been delivering on quality as he once was, so it’s become a rare occasion that he’s able to deliver on something genuinely entertaining. “Miss Peregrime’s” is one of the darkest Burton films ever directed, and while it’s touted toward children, it definitely skirts the edges quite often. That’s mainly due to the creepy villains that make a point of eating children’s eyes, amounting to some of the most horrific material in an otherwise darkly fantastic drama.
The Haunted Pumpkin of Sleepy Hollow (2003)
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one of my all time favorite folklore tales. It’s a creepy, weird, and unusual tale about a man who loses all the way through the end to supernatural forces. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” has gotten its massive share of adaptations ever since releasing, and it’s managed to appeal to many generations that can appreciate a good mystery