In the last 20 years, Chris McKay has won my heart. He became one of my favorite directors. His humor and mastery over complex narratives make him a standout among filmmakers. Chris McKay directed Robot Chicken, The Lego Movie, and The Tomorrow War. Enter the collaboration of a lifetime: the American gem, Nicholas Cage. My fandom with the actor goes back to me as a little boy, about … Continue reading Renfield (2023) Spoiler-Free Review
There’s no way I could be the herald of The Story Monster and not be a fan of creature features. The Void (2016) is a horror film based on Lovecraftian monsters. Directed by filmmakers Jeremy Gillespie and Steven Kostanski. These guys are not strangers to the sci-fi and horror genre. Gillespie has worked as an art director on The Boys, Locke & Key, IT Chapter … Continue reading The Void (2016) Review
In the late 1990s, I noticed this weird movie on television called The Blob. The scene in the kitchen lives in my head to this day. It scared the hell out of me. Everyone in the house, including myself, spent significant time cleaning dishes. What transpired on that screen changed me and fascinated me. My grandmother told me it might be too scary. Perhaps she … Continue reading The Blob (1958) Review
The Fly (1986) For those interested in dipping their toes into the realm of science fiction horror, the 1986 movie The Fly is the perfect introduction. Another film with the same name came out in 1958, so the 1986 movie The Fly is a remake. Written and directed by David Cronenberg, The Fly is based on the short story by George Langelaan. It’s about a scientific genius, Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), who transforms into a mutant fly. When it comes to body horror, … Continue reading The Fly (1986) Review
The Night Watchmen (2017) is a horror-comedy about a group of immature security guards tasked with fighting an army of vampires. It’s a goofy story with a nice blend of action and bizarre humor. The interaction between the security guards is over-the-top fun. It’s a hilarious, raunchy narrative that parodies traditional vampire tropes. Dialogue is written like a series of extended skits on a late-night television … Continue reading The Night Watchmen (2017) Review
Wyrmwood: Apocalypse delivers hard-hitting action in a merciless dystopian wasteland overrun with zombies. A few distinct characteristics set the zombies apart from their traditional counterparts. The undead release a gas used as fuel and other purposes. There are hybrid zombies with unique abilities, which makes for some interesting fight scenes. Set in Australia, the world is filled with hidden research facilities where scientists are “working on a … Continue reading Wyrmwood: Apocalypse (2021) Review
Terrifier 2 is the most disgusting film to date. The creator, Damien Leone, pushes the boundaries of discomfort and violence in horror. Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) earns his place as the slasher icon of this generation. He is a sadistic serial killer who fixates on random victims, stalking them before murdering them in the most barbaric way possible. Oh no, it gets worse. Art … Continue reading Terrifier 2 (2022) Review
Scanners is a sci-fi thriller released in 1981. It came to the attention of The Story Monster through a YouTube compilation of the scariest scenes from horror movies. A man’s head swelled up like a balloon and exploded in front of a crowd of people, which warranted a Google search for context. After viewing the entire film, it’s safe to say Scanners earned its place … Continue reading Scanners (1981) Review
Easily, one of the most boring films of 2022. Directed by David Bruckner, The Night House is a mystery, thriller which follows a recent widow Beth (Rebecca Hall) as she uncovers dark secrets about her husband. Thriller is the wrong word as little to none is present. Predictable jump scares make it less enjoyable along with the abstract form of storytelling. Surprised this project got the green … Continue reading The Night House (2020) Review
“Something bad is happening upstairs.” Jordan declared as he gawked at the ceiling of his two-bedroom apartment. “Don’t overthink it. You remember what the building manager said, her son is special.” Frankie emphasized, imitating the tender voice of the office manager. “Nah, fuck that, something is leaking. Look, it’s brown. If it was water, the stain would be beige or yellow.” Jordan said, waving his … Continue reading A Growing Boy
