Monthly Archives

May 2015

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Grindhouse: Mad Max Then and Now

Critics have little love for horror, but after such rave reviews for It Follows and The Babadook recently, the genre isn't dead to them. They're looking for films that nudge genre--any genre--forward. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) accomplished this. Mad Max is considered a post-apocalyptic action franchise. I'm not going to reclaim it for horror, but on its genealogical tree, horror is definitely there, that great aunt everyone pretends is dead. Of course, then she would haunt you just to be spiteful, so invite her to your wedding already! Anyway, the original Mad Ma[...]

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The Subtle Storytelling of Bloodborne

I love it when everything I think I know about writing horror gets turned on it's head. One, it helps me to grow as a writer. Secondly, it means I got bloody well scared during the process. Bloodborne, the newest game for the Playstation 4 from From Software, did both these things. Yet, on paper it shouldn't have. First it's gothic horror, which hasn't been scary in years (but it's the last refuge of solid atmosphere) and it's cosmic horror, which is probably the hardest subgenre to pull off. Don't get me wrong, I love them both, but that doesn't change the fact[...]

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Reboot of IT Circles the Drain

I took a deep breathe when I saw this Tweet yesterday: Stephen King @StephenKing · May 25 The remake of IT may be dead--or undead--but we'll always have Tim Curry. He's still floating down in the sewers of Derry. 2,473 retweets 4,280 favorites Reply Retweet2.5K Favorite4.3K Oh my! You all know that It is my favorite Stephen King book, and that Pennywise had me scared to death of clowns (which I saw after I performed as a clown in my high school's production of Barnum). I was ridiculously interested in how a new version would look, even though I don't think[...]

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A List of Frankenlove

Mackenzi Lee, author of the upcoming novel THIS MONSTROUS THING (who will be interviewed here soon!) inspired the new title for these Frankenstein themed posts: Frankenlove! I actually really love this dorky little banner I made, so you better love it, too. Today, we're going to share several fun and different bits of Frankenstein greatness. 1. Frankenstein's monster was on a postage stamp. Twice! In 1997 and 2002. 2. Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller were in a Frankenstein play in 2011. It was broadcast in cinemas around the world, but still no D[...]

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Announcing Our New Midnight Marauder!

The Midnight Marauder (formerly known as Midnight Matron) is a member of the Midnight Society team. He or she is someone that goes above and beyond to contribute to the Midnight Society, to our readers, and embraces the wonders of macabre like no other. Why did we change the name? According to the dictionary, a marauder is one who roves and raids in search of plunder. Suzy G. actually came up with the fantastic new name and I think it fits us perfectly. Each member certainly roves and explores the macabre and the depths of midnight. It's within those inky shado[...]

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Sorry I’m Late to the Grimm Party

I love watching TV and movies. Obviously. But what you don't know is that recently, my family and I decided NOT to pay outrageous fees to have cable. I won't go on a ridiculous rant, but I will say this...Netflix downloads have cost me a TON of money because my internet provider CHARGES ME FOR GOING OVER 250 DURING PEAK TIMES. AND OF COURSE THIS IS 5 PM TO 1 AM. I'm finished. I promise. And for those that are asking why I don't just change internet services. I can't. There is only one, unless I want to go back to the Stone Age of dial up--and that will NEVER ha[...]

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#BatesMotel Wrap-up and Predictions

Sadly, Bates Motel has come to an end for the third season. Norman's hallucinations are increasing, and he's committed another murder as "Norma," bringing us closer in line with the movie canon. Norma has finally admitted that Norman is unstable, and that has increased the conflict between Norma and Norman. Dylan and Emma FINALLY kissed (so sweet!), and Emma's getting new lungs. Caleb is gone again. Romero is in love with Norma and trying not to be. He's sick of the corruption in the town. Major Questions in Season 3 How far should we go to break the law for[...]

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Monsters of Dr. Who… Morbius

It’s the third Friday of the month and I know you’re excited for Dr. Who day! Where I search for horror in a sci-fi show, which isn’t difficult at all. In my last post, we met the Daleks, who run rampant throughout the series, however, today’s monster appeared in one episode. The Brain of Morbius was originally broadcast in 1976, written by Terrance Dicks and Robert Holmes. The Fourth Doctor and his fabulous companion Sarah Jane... land on the rocky planet Karn littered with wrecked spaceships and a headless body of the alien. Of course in true Doc[...]

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Silent Hill 3: Every Bit as Good as 2

The first 4 Silent Hill games are an astounding mix of terror, great characters, heartbreaking feels, searing honesty, and beautifully grotesque atmosphere. One through Three three are utter masterpieces that transcend their medium and should be recognized as art (the originals, not the terrible HD rerelease), while SH 4: The Room is just really, really good. If you only know Silent Hill through the movies, be warned. They resemble the games in the same way I resemble my cat that died a few years ago. If you ask the average SH fan which one is the best[...]

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You Can’t Do a Slasher Movie as a TV Series

OR CAN YOU? Alright kids, if you haven't heard, MTV is putting out Scream, yes as in the Scream movies, as a TV series. All of the promos for this show make me so happy, but this one's my favorite. The best thing about the Scream movies was that they have a sense of humor about them, largely put together by Randy. You remember Randy? source   I really hope the TV series has a Randy. Here are two more trailers, because they're actually funny which makes them worth watching. The series will premiere on June 30th. MURDER. MAYHEM. JOKES. Will you[...]