Horror and Sci-Fi Stuff
Canadian actor, Raymond Burr, began his career in film noir, often as the villain. Appearing in some fifty films from 1946 to 1957, Burr was already well-established and respected in Hollywood when cast in one of the two roles that would forever define him. From 1957 to 1966, Burr starred in the television series Perry... Continue Reading →
After watching Grizzly II: Revenge, I can confidently say that good things do not always come to those who wait. Filmed in 1983 but not released until almost 40 years later due to financial issues, Grizzly II: Revenge is a bizarre mess. The film was intended to be a sequel to the 1976 film Grizzly,... Continue Reading →
There is a prevalent opinion that slashers besmirch the reputation of the horror genre and are an embarrassment to those involved. Maniacs and Monsters vehemently disagrees. We are slasher movie fans. Black Christmas (1974) and Halloween (1978), the two films credited with kicking off the slasher subgenre, are among our favourite films of any category. ... Continue Reading →
The trope of the mysterious and possibly supernatural curio shoppe is long-standing, going back to the writings of H. G. Wells. These shops will always have what you are looking for, regardless of whether or not you know you are looking for it. Almost everything can be had for a bargain, but nothing is without... Continue Reading →
My favourite horror films fall into one of two categories: dark thrillers that slowly build to an intentional satisfying climax, and cliched, low-budget b-movies that inspire unintentional laughter throughout. In between these two ends of the horror spectrum lies The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, a film that suffers from the most fatal flaw... Continue Reading →
Last year, about this time, Maniacs and Monsters attended Horror-Rama in Toronto, Ontario. A relatively small convention, its main draw for me was several unique celebrity guests, including the iconic Caroline Munro. It is also where I met Canadian horror author, C. M. Forest. At that time, I picked up a copy of his novella,... Continue Reading →
With the start of Major League Baseball this week, I thought it would be another opportunity to delve into the very obscure genre of baseball-horror. A few years back I reviewed the crazy, Japanese gorefest, Deadball. This time, I’m tackling (apologies for mixing sports metaphors) the little known 1989 “thriller”, Night Game starring Roy Scheider.... Continue Reading →
We at Maniacs and Monsters will always rise to defend the oft-maligned B movie. No matter how you interpret the designation, there is no shame inherent in B movies, and we hope to combat the stigma connected to the label. Given the association with low budgets, independence, and minimal recognition, perhaps B movies are a... Continue Reading →
Brains. Most of us have one. But who among us has ever stopped to consider whether our brains are friends or foes? We don’t question the loyalty of our brains, which is a sign they are hiding the answer from us. Brains issue decrees with divine authority that we are powerless to deny. Your brain... Continue Reading →
95 years. That’s how much time must elapse before a published story or film becomes public domain, allowing it to be shared, adapted or corrupted by anyone who chooses to do so. On January 1st, 2022, the beloved childhood character, Winnie The Pooh, celebrated his 95th birthday, opening the door for one of the most... Continue Reading →
Released in 1983, The Devonsville Terror tells the tale of three women murdered 300 years ago after they were suspected of being witches. The film was directed by Uli Lommel, best known for the early 80s slashic The Boogeyman, and was originally intended as a theatrical release but ended up going straight to video. After... Continue Reading →
Man is a morbid and macabre creature. An awareness of our own mortality has quite naturally developed into a fear of, and a fascination with, death and the final resting of our remains. Thus, it is of little surprise that the work of the body snatcher or resurrectionist, as those in the profession prefer to... Continue Reading →
Having seen many film versions of the the classic Frankenstein story over the years, I can safely say that Roger Corman’s 1990 interpretation, Frankenstein Unbound, is the most…ummm…unique. A science fiction film as much as horror, the story begins in the far distant year of 2031, where a scientist named Buchanan (played by John Hurt)... Continue Reading →
In a long and varied career, there may not be a film style that Roger Corman has left untouched. His is a legacy that defies classification but, if you were to try, Corman is probably most closely associated with his Gothic horrors and low-budget B-movie fare from the 50s and 60s. The Gothic horrors were... Continue Reading →
There is an old Hollywood adage attributed to W. C. Fields (although probably not originating from him) that states, “Never work with children or animals.” When at their best, children and animals command the spotlight and steal scenes from the rest of the cast. When at their worst, they are unpredictable creatures that don’t behave... Continue Reading →
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