Franchise Syndrome Archives - Zombies in My Blog

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 Turns Up the Terror and the Lore

I sometimes wonder if the universe is trying to humble me. Maybe I have gotten too comfortable sleeping through the night without worrying about animatronic animals attempting to rearrange my spinal column. Maybe life has gotten too peaceful, too quiet,… Continue Reading →

Derry Welcomes IT’s Comparison to Stephen King’s Hometown

These days, it’s become incredibly difficult to separate the wheat (pop-culture gold) from the chaff (its divisive creator) because they’re eternally connected. Say what you will about his many hit-or-miss adaptations, Stephen King probably feels bulletproof, cranking out book after… Continue Reading →

November 4, 2025

Watching Superman as a Buddy Film

After watching Superman recently, my first thought was: Mr. Terrific > Supes. And that Krypto was the true hero of the film. But after I got those hot takes out of my system, I was thinking this wasn’t your average… Continue Reading →

September 29, 2025

Marvel Zombies Finally Rise Up!

Marvel Zombies definitely have a voracious appetite. Established at the end of 2005, the killer hunger of this undead menace has raged through more than 30 releases through almost 20 years via Marvel Comics. And now, just in time for… Continue Reading →

September 24, 2025

Virtual Blood, Real Hype: My First Fantastic Fest

For years I’ve read about Fantastic Fest like it was a secret clubhouse where horror, sci-fi, fantasy and general cinematic mayhem gathered under one Austin roof. This year, for the festival’s 20th anniversary, I finally get to step inside… sort… Continue Reading →

September 13, 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

Worst Movies of the Summer 2025

Summer. The season some of us eagerly anticipate all the outdoor fun: barbecues, pool parties and frolicking in the sun. But when you can’t beat the heat (and I mean HEAT, here in Tennessee), what’s a good way to find… Continue Reading →

September 6, 2025

Fantastic Fest ’25 is Already Heralded with Wondrous Tidings

Hear ye, hear ye! 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the legendary Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, hosted annually by the Alamo Drafthouse. It has become a cornerstone for genre film enthusiasts worldwide. Cinephiles and celebrities enjoy eight days filled… Continue Reading →

August 27, 2025

Something’s Bugging Me About Alien: Earth

Nothing good seems to ever happen for Weyland-Yutani deep-space research vessels searching for specimens… sound familiar? It should. It was the basis of Ridley Scott’s blockbuster feature film from 1979, as it is for this streaming series of 2025. Well,… Continue Reading →

August 15, 2025

2025 Mid-Year Misses: TV Edition

This isn’t your typical “must-watch” TV list. We’re already halfway through 2025, and it’s been a wild ride of new seasons and small-screen premieres across all kinds of shows. With so much happening on televisions everywhere, I figured it’d be… Continue Reading →

July 16, 2025

Geek Culture, Zombies... and Other Monsters

Tag Franchise Syndrome

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 Turns Up the Terror and the Lore

Derry Welcomes IT’s Comparison to Stephen King’s Hometown

Virtual Blood, Real Hype: My First Fantastic Fest

Worst Movies of the Summer 2025