UNKNOWN WORLD *** USA 1951 Dir: Terry O. Morse. 74 mins The naivety of Science fiction films of the fifties does not fail to bring about a feeling similar to having a visit from an old friend. Nowadays some friends even if they know each other lose the ability to talk face to face, staring and suddenly realizing that they may have grown apart. Unknown World (1951) is another example of the well-intentioned hokum, the silly dialogue delivered with conviction and the special effects all spell a good ‘turn off the brain’ moment. In this case warnings and stock footage…
Author: Terry Sherwood
Terry Sherwood
Terry Sherwood Born in Ottawa Ontario, Canada; Terry is a "Monster kid ', film fan and popular culture person. Once worked in television as a commercial writer/ Director. Writer of the SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET site covering aspects of the Horror Genre from Books, Comics, to Film old and new. He has previously written for WE BELONG DEAD and MONSTERMANIA magazines, The Spooky Isle UK website, Horror hound and Turner Classic Movies. Published Book of own writings titled SCREEN AND SCREEN AGAIN: ESSAYS ON THE HORROR FILM on amazon world wide plus contributed to other genre books. Chaired numerous convention panel discussions on Horror and Comics Terry is member of The Horror Writers Association and Dracula Society in U.K.
THE LODGE **** UK / USA 2019 Dirs: Veronika Franz & Severin Fiala. 108 mins The family unit has been moved around, changed, and perverted into violence by natural or supernatural means in genre films since the film was in kinescopes. The evil stepfather and in this case, the stepmother who inherits a family get an intelligence boost in the wintery dark thriller The Lodge (2019). Hammer Films and Film Nation combine for the rather bleak story reminiscent of The Lighthouse (2019) which could be a companion. Bleakness but in a good brooding way like good ghost stories should be.…
EASTER BLOODY EASTER *** USA 2024 Dir: Diane Foster. 104 mins ‘The beast rises within as you shuffle towards the counter. Your tortured orbs seek those happy, glistening nodules of chocolate pleasure you know you put them wrapped up in foil paper. You can’t resist the hunger, ripping open the wrapping, handful of fun is pushed down your throat. You have found relief in a moment’s respite until the awful unholy drive grips you again in the afternoon sun.’ Not an ‘Easter Egg’ moment from Diane Foster’s Easter Bloody Easter (2024) film but a moment of confection addiction that some…
THE TERROR **** USA 1963 Dir: Roger Corman. 81 mins Was Roger Corman a Genuis or an Exploiter of talent and people? That depends on what side of the fence you sit on regarding his body of work and his influence on filmmaking that many are not aware of. The Terror (1963) is but one example of Roger Corman’s work, bordering on style such as the Poe Cycle films mostly with Vincent Price or a hack that did anything for a buck. Today we praise independent filmmakers thinking that they put the middle finger up at Hollywood and the lifestyle…
SPINE TINGLER! THE WILLIAM CASTLE STORY **** USA 2007 Dir: Jeffery Schwarz. 82 mins Everyone has fun at a William Castle film experience. I remember being scared as a very young version of me staring at the photo from The Tingler (1959) in Monster World magazine of the hand rising from the bathtub. So why would a documentary on the man behind the gimmicks be a rollicking trip? Well in fact it is with moments of pathos included. Castle was orphaned at a young age, so he had to grow up and make his way in the world, which he…