psychological manipulation Archives

Film Masters Unleashes the Blood Beast and Yvette Vickers!

You’ve got to hand it to Roger Corman: He sure knows how to make low-budget monster movies memorable! With Night of the Blood Beast Special Edition, Film Masters releases a new 4K restoration from original 35mm archival elements in a… Continue Reading →

Don’t Move: A Netflix Must Watch or Flop?

It is widely acknowledged that the quality of Netflix’s original programming can be inconsistent. One significant success was achieved with the release of It’s What’s Inside in early October, despite minimal promotional efforts. In my opinion, it could have been… Continue Reading →

November 8, 2024

Woman of the Hour Examines The Dating Game Killer

Woman of the Hour, the new thriller, is based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, who appeared as a contestant on The Dating Game during his killing spree in 1978. At that time, Alcala had already murdered… Continue Reading →

November 7, 2024

M. Night Lays a Trap for Cinephiles

I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with M. Night Shyamalan’s movies. On one hand, his talent for crafting suspenseful atmospheres with surprising twists keeps me intrigued and coming back, hopeful for another masterpiece like The Sixth Sense or Unbreakable. But… Continue Reading →

November 6, 2024

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

Trauma Terrorizes a Pop-Music Prima Donna in Smile 2

How do you top a sleeper hit featuring the slow-burn psychological terrors of an unseen antagonist, haunting and wrecking the lives of its victims to the point that death is their only escape route? You focus your franchise on a… Continue Reading →

October 17, 2024

The Penguin is the Most Compelling Character on TV Today

The Penguin is one of Batman’s most underrated villains, and it’s honestly a shame that he doesn’t get more recognition. While villains like Joker and Bane grab all the attention, Oswald Cobblepot brings a unique blend of intellect, sophistication and… Continue Reading →

October 15, 2024

Uzumaki Spirals into Animated Horrors

The Spooky Season often takes me to destinations I might not ordinarily visit, and I usually appreciate the journey. Now that October has arrived, it’s time to finally get into the Halloween spirit with something strange. Via its Toonami late-night… Continue Reading →

October 4, 2024

Catch a Killer Debuts at the 55th Nashville Film Festival

Film noir, a genre that emerged in the 1940s, remains a beloved staple of cinematic storytelling, captivating audiences with its moody atmospheres, moral ambiguity and intricate plots. Rooted in post-war disillusionment, films like The Maltese Falcon (1941) established noir’s signature… Continue Reading →

September 23, 2024

A King Like Me Offers a Beacon of Hope at the 55th Nashville Film Festival

Man in ornate costume with crown and scepter.

It’s late summer here in Nashville, Tennessee, and that brings a few things to mind. It’s the final stretch for enjoying a summer getaway. It also means the little one is back in school, taking steps toward greater independence from… Continue Reading →

September 16, 2024

Geek Culture, Zombies... and Other Monsters

Tag psychological manipulation

Woman of the Hour Examines The Dating Game Killer

M. Night Lays a Trap for Cinephiles

The Penguin is the Most Compelling Character on TV Today

Uzumaki Spirals into Animated Horrors

Catch a Killer Debuts at the 55th Nashville Film Festival