a stranger in a strange land Archives

The Baltimorons Make Holiday Emergencies Memorable

My sister and I are four years apart, so when I was graduating college, she was graduating high school. As a family celebration, we all took a whirlwind trip to Europe. Naturally, we wound up lost in a French subway… Continue Reading →

Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story That Needs More Bite

I have always had a soft spot for stories that take something familiar and twist it just enough to make it feel new again. Give me a reimagined fairy tale, a sideways sequel, a villain-centric prequel and I am all… Continue Reading →

November 19, 2025

Lost Contact: UFOs After Wartime Tells a Tangled Tale

When it comes to the paranormal world, untold truths can often be stranger than fiction. And when UAPs are involved, along with a possible military coverup, you’ve got quite a conspiracy that deserves to be publicized. Small Town Monsters presents… Continue Reading →

October 8, 2025

The Summer of Steel, Shadows and Screams: Best of Summer 2025

Summer 2025 has been a feeding frenzy for my two biggest obsessions: comics and horror. Those are the twin engines that usually drive my choices in pop culture. But the beauty of this summer has been how those passions bled… Continue Reading →

September 9, 2025

The End is Imperfect, But Memorable

Years ago, I had a dream so vivid it felt like reality. In this unsettling scenario, my morning began like any other — except my favorite drink, a crisp white can of Monster Energy Zero, was nowhere to be found…. Continue Reading →

January 17, 2025

Is Hulu’s Hold Your Breath Worth Holding Your Breath For?

The “Samara Weaving Covered in Blood” trope is highly regarded among horror enthusiasts, but another equally celebrated motif is “Sarah Paulson Screaming.” Paulson has built a substantial following within the horror community, primarily due to her performances across nine seasons… Continue Reading →

January 10, 2025

A24’s Heretic: A Wickedly Clever Sermon from Heaven or Hell?

The year 2024 has emerged as a significant period for religious horror. Notable films such as Immaculate and The First Omen exhibit several parallels, particularly in their explorations of a familiar narrative: the impending arrival of the Antichrist. As a… Continue Reading →

November 3, 2024

Dan Aykroyd’s Paranormal Pop-Culture Renaissance

Per Matt If there’s something strange, and it don’t look good… who ya gonna call? Well, it’s usually Dan Aykroyd who answers the bell. You may recognize the Not Ready for Prime Time Player from old-school Saturday Night Live seasons…. Continue Reading →

March 22, 2024

The Boy and the Heron Flies High for Studio Ghibli

Per Matt Despite its worldwide success throughout the years, Studio Ghibli still feels like it’s got an unknown presence stateside. But not to anime fans! Merely mention Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle or Princess Mononoke and you’re likely to get… Continue Reading →

January 2, 2024

Dream Scenario Lets Nicolas Cage be a Remarkable Nobody

Is there any role that Nicolas Cage won’t take? Cage is renowned for his exceptional versatility as an actor, seamlessly transitioning between an impressive array of roles that span across genres and characters. His ability to embody diverse personalities, from… Continue Reading →

December 26, 2023

Geek Culture, Zombies... and Other Monsters

Tag a stranger in a strange land

Lost Contact: UFOs After Wartime Tells a Tangled Tale

Is Hulu’s Hold Your Breath Worth Holding Your Breath For?

Dan Aykroyd’s Paranormal Pop-Culture Renaissance

The Boy and the Heron Flies High for Studio Ghibli