Horrortober is here and that means it’s time to start watching horror movies as much as you can. As usual, the Monster Men are here to help. We’ve got 31 movies for the 31 days of October. We have rolled an amazing watch list using the dice game/book, 31 Days of Terror. This is the official horror movie handbook for all serious fright film fanatics.
Our pal, author Steve Hutchison, continues to set the bar, adding new movies and a couple of new star contributors. That’s right, the year Jack and Hunter have been added to the roster and are included in the book. We are thrilled to be in such esteemed, creepy company. How does the game work? Easy. Just roll the dice and follow the book as it takes you into a dark labyrinth of films. Watch us unveil our list and use it… or better yet, buy a copy of the book and set your own October viewing list. Or if you are just looking for an extensive, curated list of horror movies to help you find something to watch anytime, this is for you.
2020 was a pretty terrible year, for all the reasons you already know about. However, there was a bright spot, and it came from one of the darkest places… the horror genre. 2020 brought us an amazing array of horror movies. There was something for everyone. And let’s not forget all the great books and TV shows, while we’re at it. So, sit back and join the Monster Men as we review the year in horror that was 2020.
Movies discussed include: The Wolf of Snow Hollow, The Invisible Man, The Color Out of Space, The Lodge, Come To Daddy, Anything For Jackson, Possessor, Hunter, Hunter, The Dark And The Wicked, Freaky, 1BR, Hosts, The Owners, His House, Impetigore, VFW, The Hunt, Sea Fever, The Rental, Sputnik and more.
Books include Crossroads by Laurel Hightower, The Plumbers by Terry M. West, Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare, Until Summer Comes Around by Glenn Rolfe, My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix, Meathead 2 by Steve Barnard, The Pale White by Chad Lutzke’s and more.
It’s time for the Monster Men to answer your questions. We asked our viewers to submit their questions and boy, did they step up. We’ve got a great show that covers everything from horror movies to the paranormal.
Some examples include:
Who are your favorite modern horror directors?
What’s the movie you disagree on the most?
Has any horror book ever TRULY scared you to the point you had to set it aside?
What haunted place would you like to visit?
What is the absolute worst movie you have watched?
Thanks for your questions. We hope you enjoy our answers.
It’s time again to take a look back at the year in horror movies and pick the cream of the crop. 2019 came out of the gate slowly and only few flicks seemed worthy of a top ten list, let alone a top thirteen list. Luckily, a lot of good stuff arrived later in the year. There’s plenty to like, so let’s get started.
13: Us
Jordan Peele’s second movie was a huge hit and he has quickly risen to the top of the horror genre. US is a doppelganger movie with strong themes, striking visuals and a great cast. While I had a good time watching this movie, I was not as impressed with it as many others. I thought it kind of fell apart at the end. However, it did have some really creepy moments and a lot of well-placed laughs. I do love its originality and the effect it has had on popular culture. It’s great to see so many mainstream people embracing a horror movie. I look forward to more from Mr. Peele.
12: In Fabric
Yes, it’s the story of a haunted dress… and yes, it actually works. I had a hard time deciding if IN FABRIC would make my list, or if it would end up as an honorable mention. I decided to add it because it has stuck with me more than most of the movies I watched in 2019. It’s a throwback to 60s and 70s Italian horror movies but done with a healthy dose of twisted humor. It’s kind of like Suspiria mixed with a little Shawn of the Dead and Tales from the Crypt and a splash of Hammer horror aesthetics. I had super low expectations for this one and I was pleasantly surprised.
11: Zombieland: Double Tap
ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP is like comfort food; it takes me to my happy place. Ten years after the beloved Zombieland gnawed its way into our hearts, comes the sequel we never expected. I was psyched when I heard they got they entire original cast back. They all are in top form, especially Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg. Newcomer Zoey Deutch practically steals the movie, but that honor goes to Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch. Their “doppelganger” scene is one of funniest things I’ve seen this year. Oh, and one last thing, be sure to stick around until after the credits.
10: Crawl
The ultimate popcorn horror flick of the year. This movie crept up on me like a hungry gator in a dark crawlspace. CRAWL is just a good, old fashioned creature feature. It’s tense, fast paced and extremely entertaining. Fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride.
9: One Cut of the Dead
This is a movie about a zombie movie, but it’s much more than that. ONE CUT OF THE DEAD was a ton of fun. You won’t know what the heck you are watching at first but stick with it. The payoff in the third act is amazing. I had such a good time watching this movie, and it’s astounding what they were able to pull off with such a tiny budget. If you are a horror fan, or a fan of filmmaking, be sure to check it out.
8: Harpoon
HARPOON was not on a lot on people’s radar this year and I am so happy someone suggested it to me. It’s about three friends stranded on a yacht in the middle of the ocean, caught in some kind of nasty, snarky love triangle. Will the elements kill them, or will they kill each other? This is a tight little thriller with a great sense of humor. Good writing and a sharp cast elevate this movie and comedian Brett Gelman’s narration takes it to the next level.
7: Villains
VILLIANS is the story of two small time crooks on the run who break into the wrong home. After they discover a frightening secret in the house they must contend with the crazy and sadistic homeowners. VILLIANS is darkly funny and full of surprises. It was in theaters for a second last summer and I missed it. Luckily, it finally showed up on VOD before the end of the year and immediately made it onto my best-of list. It boasts a killer line-up: Bill Skarsgård, Maika Monroe, Jeffrey Donovan, and Kyra Sedgwick. Each one of these stars crush it.
6: Bliss
In BLISS we meet Dezzy, a struggling artist who’s in a rut and up against deadlines for her paintings. She is introduced to a drug called Bliss and goes on a debaucherous bender in the clubs of LA. Afterwards, she’s invigorated, inspired and oddly enough, finds herself craving human blood. This is a wild, frenetic and grimy movie that features an amazing performance by Dora Madison, who throws everything she’s got into this role. For a low budget movie, they certainly got a lot of bang for their buck. I really enjoyed this one.
5: Midsommar
What a long, strange trip this movie is. Dani and Christian are a couple that should really break-up but won’t for various reasons. Dani invites herself to join Christian and his friends on a trip to a midsummer festival in a remote Swedish village. Things slowly get weirder and scarier as the friendly villagers may be hiding a sinister agenda. MIDSOMMAR is Ari Aster’s follow up to Hereditary and he’s hit another home run.
4: Tigers Are Not Afraid
Wow, what a movie. TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID is a visually stunning film that combines horror and fantasy elements against the backdrop of the Mexican drug wars. It follows a group of homeless, orphaned children on the run from the drug lords and ghosts. The kids in this movie are flat out amazing and the story is heart-wrenching. TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID is a small and beautiful movie with equal amounts of dread and soul.
3: The Nightingale
Just between you and me, this is probably the best movie on this list. THE NIGHTINGALE is not necessarily a pure horror movie, but a lot of horrific things happen in it. It’s set in a British penal colony in Tasmania in 1825. It follows Clare Carroll, a young convict seeking revenge for violence committed upon her and her family by the British soldiers. She enlists the help of Billy, an Aboriginal tracker, whose people are also at odds with the British. The violence is brutal and graphic, but never gratuitous. It always serves the story. This is a dark and haunting movie, but surprisingly uplifting in the end. Director Jennifer Kent (of The Babadook fame) is brilliant, pure and simple. The entire cast is great, with Aisling Franciosi delivering a powerful performance in the lead role.
2: Ready or Not
READY OR NOT is a freaking a blast. A young bride must partake in her new husband’s family tradition of playing a game on their wedding night. She draws a card and gets Hide and Seek. What follows is a deadly, bloody and often hilarious game of cat and mouse, as the bride is hunted by her pretentious and homicidal in-laws. Can she survive until dawn? Can anyone? This was the most fun I had at the movies this year and READY OR NOT was almost my top pick overall. Once again, Samara Weaving shines bright here. Adam Brody is also a standout. Best of all, they really stick the landing. This movie had the best ending of any film this year.
1: Doctor Sleep
A sequel to The Shining? This movie could have pissed off a lot of people, including me. Young Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) may have escaped the Overlook Hotel, but 40 years later, his experience there still haunts him. He meets a girl with a “shine” lot like his. Now Danny must protect her from the evil that pursues her and finally confront the ghosts of his past. Hats off to Mike Flanagan because he pulled off a miracle. The Shining movie is sacred ground to a lot of people and so is the book. Many people love both and many don’t… particularly Stephen King, who is not shy in his disdain for Kubrick’s take on his novel. Somehow, Flanagan delivers an immensely entertaining movie that is satisfying to all parties involved, and even has the blessings of Mr. King himself. Flanagan clearly has a love of the material and it shows in every frame. Poor marketing hurt this movie at the box office, but it is one that should not be missed.
Honorable Mentions: Brightburn Satanic Panic The Perfection Daniel Isn’t Real The Lighthouse
But wait, there’s more!
Be sure check out Hunter Shea’s Top 13 list at his blog and listen to the Final Guys podcast to hear Hunter, Jason and I discuss our picks.
The Monster Men are back and this time we decided to pick a year and go through the list of horror movies released and offer our thoughts, memories, and comments on the ones the jump out at us. Come with us on a trip down the memory lane of horror.
Movies discussed include: Angel Heart The Believers Blood Diner Creepshow 2 Evil Dead II Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II Hellraiser The Hidden Jaws: The Revenge The Lost Boys The Monster Squad Monster in the Closet Munchies Near Dark A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors Flowers in the Attic The Howling 3 Predator Prince of Darkness A Return to Salem’s Lot Slumber Party Massacre 2 The Stepfather
In the final Monster Men of the year we turn our attention to one of the most beloved categories of horror, the slasher! This time we discuss Hunter Shea’s list of must see slasher movies. You’ll find a lot of familiar faces on our list, and a few of them may even have masks on.
The films discussed include; Psycho, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, My Bloody Valentine, The Burning and more. Since these lists a 100% objective, you must have an opinion on the subject. Which of these movies have you seen? What did we leave off the list? Which of these movies have you seen? What did we leave off the list? What are your favorites? Join the conversation! Enjoy the show and for god sakes, don’t go in the woods alone!
On this episode we discuss Hunter Shea’s list of must see monster movies. Another top ten list with a ton great movies and a few that are sure to raise a few eyebrows. Which of these movies have you seen? What did we leave off the list?
The films discussed include; The Thing, The Descent, Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mist, The Funhouse, Them and Alien. We promise you’ll walk away with a few movies you’ll want to watch and you should get a few laughs while you’re here. So enjoy the show and don’t forget to check under your bed tonight.
As we head into 2017, we take a moment to look back at the horror movies of 2016. It was an interesting year with a wide variety of films. In this episode, we each reveal our picks for the top 13 horror movies of the year and then discuss our choices in more detail. We agree on some and disagree wildly on others. The good news is that you will walk away from this show with a lot of good movies to watch.
But these are just our opinions. What were your favorites? What did we miss? What did you think? Let us know in the comments or visit us on Facebook.
Also, check out “Witch” by Jill Benson. A great horror novel that you won’t want to miss.
Spoiler alert: The movies discussed include Don’t Breathe, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, The Neon Demon, The Witch, Lights Out, The Conjuring 2, Baskin, Train to Busan, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Hush, The Wailing, Pet, The Purge: Election Year, 13 Cameras, The Monster, The Invitation and The Boy.
It’s time again to take a look back at the year in horror movies and pick the cream of the crop. 2019 came out of the gate slowly and only few flicks seemed worthy of a top ten list, let alone a top thirteen list. Luckily, a lot of good stuff arrived later in the year. There’s plenty to like, so let’s get started.
Monster Men 