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Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Crimes by Moonlight: Mysteries from the Dark Side in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I should have written the review as soon as I finished the book. All I remember now is that this anthology tended to be much, much darker than most of the ones I read! I'd classify this volume as horror rather than dark fantasy, and paranormal romance fans should probably just skip it altogether even if they do see familiar authors' names. I should have skipped it, and I wasn't reading for any romance. I'm still shivering!
Kevin Phillipson (9943 KP) rated The Mortuary Collection (2019) in Movies
Aug 10, 2021
Clancy brown (1 more)
Catitlin custer
Watched on shudder rather entertaining anthology with enough twists and turns especially the forth tale which had a twist even I didn't see coming. Anyway clancy brown gives a creepy performance as the mortician and boy does he look creepy also stand out is catitlin custer as his guest who's come for job but has a tale of her own to tell. Overall rather good horror movie definitely one to watch again
Awix (3310 KP) rated Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965) in Movies
Feb 24, 2018
Genre-defining British anthology horror film. Five men have their fortunes told on a train; guess what, it doesn't look good for any of them. For instance: Christopher Lee is pursued by a severed hand, Roy Castle unwisely plagiarises voodoo music, Fluff Freeman has to contend with a malevolent vine. Frame story has (in theory) a twist ending; but it's the same one they use in nearly all of these films.
The quality of these anthology horror films is always a bit variable, because the different stories themselves inevitably are; this is a pretty good one because even when the stories are ridiculous and arguably incoherent, they are still told with a sense of humour and don't hang around too long. Extraordinary cast, obviously; the rubber hand chasing Christopher Lee would go on to appear in more films than Fluff Freeman, probably because it was a better actor. When this film is good, it's very good; even when it's not so good, it's still a lot of fun. Much imitated, not least by Amicus themselves, but seldom equalled.
The quality of these anthology horror films is always a bit variable, because the different stories themselves inevitably are; this is a pretty good one because even when the stories are ridiculous and arguably incoherent, they are still told with a sense of humour and don't hang around too long. Extraordinary cast, obviously; the rubber hand chasing Christopher Lee would go on to appear in more films than Fluff Freeman, probably because it was a better actor. When this film is good, it's very good; even when it's not so good, it's still a lot of fun. Much imitated, not least by Amicus themselves, but seldom equalled.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Blumhouse Book of Nightmares: The Haunted City in Books
Mar 15, 2018
An anthology of horror stories commissioned by producer Jason Blum ("Paranormal Activity", "Insidious", "Sinister", "The Purge"), and written by many of the people who made those films with him, sounds like a pretty genius idea. Unfortunately, it turns out to be more than a little less so in actuality. Don't get me wrong, most of the stories here are pretty decent at the very least, and many contain interesting ideas, but there is one all-important thing missing across the board: fear. While there is no shortage of creepy imagery, upsetting situations and gore, at no point did any of these actually scare me. Some of the stories were so lacking in any sense of suspense that it was hard not to wonder if they were actually even horror. All in all it's not a bad read, but it's hard not to come out of this at least somewhat disappointed.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Uncanny (1977) in Movies
Mar 7, 2020 (Updated Mar 7, 2020)
So-so horror anthology would almost certainly be totally unwatchable without the presence of fine actors like Peter Cushing, Ray Milland and Donald Pleasence doing their damnedest to lift some rather dubious material. The frame story concerns a conspiracy by cats to secretly run the world, but the different segments are all about vengeance-by-cat: various people get their comeuppances at the paws of our whiskered friends.
First story (maid murders her employer over an amended will) is okay but nothing special; second one (orphan with witchy tendencies finds her cat is not welcome in her new home) is let down by iffy special effects and iffier child acting; third (rum goings-on in 30s Hollywood) is the best, being a rather tongue-in-cheek look at the horror film industry (the suspiciously-named company 'Hemorrhage Films' is involved). None of them are honestly what you'd call great, though, and there is perhaps too much reliance on actors standing around while stage-hands throw stuffed cats at them. A bit more graphic and nasty than you tend to find in films from this genre, but only relatively speaking. Passes the time decently enough if low-budget horror portmanteaus from the 70s are your thing.
First story (maid murders her employer over an amended will) is okay but nothing special; second one (orphan with witchy tendencies finds her cat is not welcome in her new home) is let down by iffy special effects and iffier child acting; third (rum goings-on in 30s Hollywood) is the best, being a rather tongue-in-cheek look at the horror film industry (the suspiciously-named company 'Hemorrhage Films' is involved). None of them are honestly what you'd call great, though, and there is perhaps too much reliance on actors standing around while stage-hands throw stuffed cats at them. A bit more graphic and nasty than you tend to find in films from this genre, but only relatively speaking. Passes the time decently enough if low-budget horror portmanteaus from the 70s are your thing.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Colour Out of Space in Books
Nov 9, 2020
186 of 200
Kindle
The colour out of space
By H.P Lovecraft
H. P. Lovecraft's vision of the perfect horror story was one that transcended the merely creepy and inspired a feeling of bottomless fear - a cosmic terror in which all of creation is at stake. This collection includes some of the genre's most notable achievements, including Algernon Blackwood's "The Willows," Henry James's "The Jolly Corner," and Arthur Machen's "The White People." Inspired by Lovecraft's pioneering survey of the field of horror fiction, Supernatural Horror in Literature, this anthology also contains the title story, one of Lovecraft's best. First published in 1927, "The Colour Out of Space" follows the dissolution of a farming family after a giant meteor hits their land, poisons their crops, and drives them insane. Edmund Wilson praised the story for foreshadowing atomic fallout. Color and black-and-white illustrations are included.
The colour out of space is a retelling of events from a witness that experienced a meteor occurrence. I’m still quite new to reading Lovecraft and I think I’m this has to be my favourite so far! Apparently they made a film so that’s on my watch list too! I just love how descriptive these tales are how you kind of get lost in his telling!
Kindle
The colour out of space
By H.P Lovecraft
H. P. Lovecraft's vision of the perfect horror story was one that transcended the merely creepy and inspired a feeling of bottomless fear - a cosmic terror in which all of creation is at stake. This collection includes some of the genre's most notable achievements, including Algernon Blackwood's "The Willows," Henry James's "The Jolly Corner," and Arthur Machen's "The White People." Inspired by Lovecraft's pioneering survey of the field of horror fiction, Supernatural Horror in Literature, this anthology also contains the title story, one of Lovecraft's best. First published in 1927, "The Colour Out of Space" follows the dissolution of a farming family after a giant meteor hits their land, poisons their crops, and drives them insane. Edmund Wilson praised the story for foreshadowing atomic fallout. Color and black-and-white illustrations are included.
The colour out of space is a retelling of events from a witness that experienced a meteor occurrence. I’m still quite new to reading Lovecraft and I think I’m this has to be my favourite so far! Apparently they made a film so that’s on my watch list too! I just love how descriptive these tales are how you kind of get lost in his telling!
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated The Mortuary Collection (2019) in Movies
Oct 16, 2020
The Mortuary Collection is the latest in a long line of Creepshow style horror anthology films, a particular sub genre that can be hard to pull off, but director Ryan Spindell rises to the challenge pretty damn well.
The short stories presented here escalate in tone and subject as the film progresses, starting off relatively fun, but getting increasingly darker and in depth. This is something that the characters comment on between the segments, showing a nice sense of self awareness, but not going over the top with it.
Some of the later stories are hard to watch at times, and are quite emotional in places, especially the one that features actress Sarah Hay as a woman in a vegetative state. It's a genuinely sad story, topped off with some fantastic creature design. An interesting mix to say the least.
The stories are all good in their own right, but are tied together with a clever twist and a satisfying conclusion.
The main character is Montgomery Dark played by a brilliant Clancy Brown. He has a proper Phantasm/Tall Man/Angus Scrimm vibe to him (definitely no accident) and is suitably creepy as this movie's story teller.
The film is pretty damn visceral, and employs both practical effects, and decent digital effects to achieve what it does. It's all looks disgustingly awesome. It also has a great music score by Mondo Boys to compliment all the creepiness.
I was pleasantly surprised by The Mortuary Collection. It's a good time, a competent anthology film, and well worth a watch for horror fans.
The short stories presented here escalate in tone and subject as the film progresses, starting off relatively fun, but getting increasingly darker and in depth. This is something that the characters comment on between the segments, showing a nice sense of self awareness, but not going over the top with it.
Some of the later stories are hard to watch at times, and are quite emotional in places, especially the one that features actress Sarah Hay as a woman in a vegetative state. It's a genuinely sad story, topped off with some fantastic creature design. An interesting mix to say the least.
The stories are all good in their own right, but are tied together with a clever twist and a satisfying conclusion.
The main character is Montgomery Dark played by a brilliant Clancy Brown. He has a proper Phantasm/Tall Man/Angus Scrimm vibe to him (definitely no accident) and is suitably creepy as this movie's story teller.
The film is pretty damn visceral, and employs both practical effects, and decent digital effects to achieve what it does. It's all looks disgustingly awesome. It also has a great music score by Mondo Boys to compliment all the creepiness.
I was pleasantly surprised by The Mortuary Collection. It's a good time, a competent anthology film, and well worth a watch for horror fans.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2065 KP) rated Death of a Halloween Party Monster in Books
Aug 26, 2023
Cold Costumed Corpse
This story features Lee Hollis’s series star Hayley Powell, who is hosting a Halloween party at her new restaurant. However, the night ends in horror when the body of the high school music teacher is found in the freezer. Is one of Hayley’s friends a killer?
I don’t read this series, just the novellas when they are part of an anthology I want to read, but I found myself feeling right at home partying with these characters from the beginning of this story. I did figure out one aspect of the story early on, but there were several more, including the identity of the killer, that I hadn’t pieced together until Hayley did. It’s a twist on a locked room mystery, which is always fun. The ending was great and kept me turning the pages. There are also some recipes to enjoy while you read or at a party you are hosting this Halloween.
NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.
NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.
I don’t read this series, just the novellas when they are part of an anthology I want to read, but I found myself feeling right at home partying with these characters from the beginning of this story. I did figure out one aspect of the story early on, but there were several more, including the identity of the killer, that I hadn’t pieced together until Hayley did. It’s a twist on a locked room mystery, which is always fun. The ending was great and kept me turning the pages. There are also some recipes to enjoy while you read or at a party you are hosting this Halloween.
NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.
NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.
Dean (6921 KP) rated Trick 'r Treat (2007) in Movies
Oct 31, 2017
Great anthology stories that overlap (3 more)
Great characters
Good make-up effects
Good cast
A new Halloween classic
A great collection of Halloween tales that overlap each other on one Halloween night in a small town. It has some great moments in the 4 main stories, mixing up an urban ghost story, scary creatures, slasher and just the plain weird. It has a good cast including Brian Cox looking a little John Carpenter like and Anna Paquin of True Blood. The film also reminds the viewers of the reasons behind some of the traditions. A bit short at 80mins but very enjoyable, one of the best horror anthologies around! This could become a cult film taking into account it didn't get a cinema release....who knows why!? Plenty of extras on the DVD as well.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Ghost Stories (2018) in Movies
Mar 18, 2019
Loving and very scary update of the classic British anthology horror film. A skeptical parapsychologist is challenged to investigate three cases of the supernatural and prove there was nothing unearthly involved: a security guard, a teenager, and a wealthy businessman all recount their tales of dark forces - but is there something else going on?
Possibly a bit mannered and old fashioned for today's younger generation (mutter, grumble, etc), but a film made with enormous care and attention to detail, with terrific performances from the cast (okay, it's a bit white-male-centric; get your blazing torches out if you really must). The kind of film where, once you've seen the ending, you reflect on the rest of it and recognise all the subtle ways in which the film was tipping you off all along. And, as mentioned, a properly frightening experience when watched in a darkened cinema, but in a good way.
Possibly a bit mannered and old fashioned for today's younger generation (mutter, grumble, etc), but a film made with enormous care and attention to detail, with terrific performances from the cast (okay, it's a bit white-male-centric; get your blazing torches out if you really must). The kind of film where, once you've seen the ending, you reflect on the rest of it and recognise all the subtle ways in which the film was tipping you off all along. And, as mentioned, a properly frightening experience when watched in a darkened cinema, but in a good way.
