pop culture

Pop culture for horror junkies; all about the famous films, creepypasta tales, trends and tropes that bled from the fringes of fright into the macabre mainstream.

'It: Chapter Two' - The 'Grownups' of Horror Movies
By the sounds of it, It: Chapter 2 has all the makings of a hit movie. With an all-star cast, spearheaded by the unforgettable Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the Clown, and a skilled team of writers, directors, and special effects artists, it was a follow-up poised to be one of the great horror films of the decade. But where it falls apart lies almost entirely in the feelings of warmth and nostalgia from the prior iteration that it woefully fails to recapture.
By Ben Ulansey2 years ago in Horror
'Doctor Sleep': The Flawed and Forgotten Sequel to 'The Shining'
Many may know that Stephen King was no fan of the Stanley Kubrick movie made from his 1977 novel, The Shining. Yet, the creative liberties taken with the film have forever altered the story's legacy. For King, Kubrick's take on the novel simply failed to embody what he'd written. He famously summed up the differences by noting that while the book was warm, the movie was cold.
By Ben Ulansey2 years ago in Horror
The Dark Secrets of the Catholic Church. Content Warning.
Introduction The Catholic Church, an institution that has stood for centuries as a symbol of faith, morality, and guidance for billions of followers, has been marred by a series of dark secrets. Allegations of sexual abuse, corruption, and cover-ups within the Church have shocked the world and shattered the trust of many. In this article, we delve into the disturbing reality behind the closed doors of the Catholic Church, exploring the systemic issues that have plagued the institution.
By Kobra2 years ago in Horror
Why the 'Pet Sematary' Remake Soars Above the Original
Oftentimes, the best song covers are the ones that reinvent the wheel completely. Other times, the most memorable covers are the ones where musicians incorporate the elements that worked best in the original and embellish them by adding in their own stylistic touches. Pet Sematary, based on the Stephen King story, and directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, is the latter. While the 1989 Mary Lambert version of the film still has its merits, the 2019 remake stands as an improvement in nearly every conceivable regard. Though Kölsch and Widmyer aren't names deeply rooted in the horror genre, Pet Sematary makes clear that they're two figures with an admirable flair for the fearsome.
By Ben Ulansey2 years ago in Horror
Echoes of the Overlook: Why ‘The Shining’ Still Endures
They say a film can take a toll on an actor, but perhaps nowhere is that more evident than in the anguished screams of Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Played by Shelley Duvall, her role pushed her to psychological lows that can be viscerally felt by the viewer. Both Jack Nicholson and Danny Lloyd, too, carry the film with their unsettling performances. The entire cast and ambiance of the film impart a palpable weight.
By Ben Ulansey2 years ago in Horror
Unveiling Realistic Horror in Nocturnal Animals (2016)
Who do you envision as characters when reading a book? Based on the novel written by Austin Wright, Nocturnal Animals is a 2016 film. Susan Morrow, a successful art gallery owner, receives a haunting manuscript from her estranged ex-husband. While reading the gripping tale, she is forced to confront the dark truths of her past.
By Marielle Sabbag2 years ago in Horror
The Haunting of the Magic Kingdom
In the heart of Orlando, Florida, the Magic Kingdom stood as a beacon of joy and enchantment. Families flocked to this realm of fairy tales, where animated characters came to life and dreams were made real. But beyond the sparkling veneer of this enchanting kingdom, there existed a hidden, sinister dimension.
By Gonçalo Pizarro2 years ago in Horror
Evil spirits
In the heart of a sleepy, forgotten town, there stood a mansion, decrepit and shrouded in darkness. For decades, the locals whispered tales of the mansion's haunting. It was said to be a place where malevolent spirits and restless souls roamed, where the echoes of the past whispered through its crumbling halls. Most townsfolk avoided the mansion like a plague, but a group of lifelong friends had a different idea.
By sal web2 years ago in Horror
To Wet the Earth With Blood
In ancient times, in the lands ruled by Druid and inhabited by Celt, human beings were burned alive on terrific bonfires, often caged (as the famous bad movie depicts) in "wicker men," tall wicker effigies in which they were imprisoned. The fires were to light the pathway of the Sun, as it fell into the kingdom of the Lord of the Dead. This Lord was SAMHAIN, ("Saveen"), and it was on his most unholy of nights when the "Hell-Gate of Ireland" was opened, and the ancient spirits so malevolent to the ursuper man, ushered forth. These creatures had been driven back, once, at the battle of Mortura, into the sea--the ancient Fomor; but, like Lovecraftian hybrids of man and monster, they would return, "when the stars were in alignment," and they needed propitiation. They, in short, demanded BLOOD.
By Tom Baker2 years ago in Horror
Final Destination - A Movie Review
Even if we cheat Death will know. Escaping from the plane into theaters in 2000, Final Destination is about a group of survivors from a plane explosion. After he experiences a premonition about the explosion, Alex has several visions leading to the deaths of the other survivors.
By Marielle Sabbag2 years ago in Horror
Prom Night (2008) Lacks Thrills of the Original
Prom is the best night of everyone’s life. Arriving at the door in 2008, Prom Night is a remake of the 1980 horror film. Three years after a serial killer murdered her family, Donna attends her prom. To everyone’s dismay, the killer escapes prison and hides in the hotel hosting prom night.
By Marielle Sabbag2 years ago in Horror
The Wolf Man (1941) is a Timeless Classic in Horror Cinema
Beware the woods. Strange creatures wander the woods at night. The Wolf Man howled into theaters in 1941. Larry Talbot returns to his ancestral home in Wales after the death of his brother. He becomes afflicted with a curse that transforms him into a werewolf under the full moon, leading to horrifying events.
By Marielle Sabbag2 years ago in Horror