Trick or Treat, The Marvel Way

 Enjoy some great Halloween art from Dakota Alexander. 

October Horror Challenge - Tales From The Crypt Presents: Demon Knight (1995)

 Synopsis

Pursued by a charismatic demon, a drifter on a divine mission and a group of outcast must survive the night.

Review

This is such an underrated flick. Billy Zane's unnamed demon is one of the most memorable villains of all time. Also, William Sadler's Brayker is just a great world weary protagonist. I've previously discussed the film a few times, most recently here. Do yourself a favor and watch this one soon.

In Your Game

Minor Demon

Armor Class: 14

Hit Dice: 4
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Claw (1d6)

Bonuses: +3 to Melee attacks, +2 to Damage

Special: Regenerates 2 HP a turn unless damage comes from a holy source. Immediately destroyed if damage is done to their eyes.

Alignment: Evil

Morale: 10

Madness: 9 (10)
Terror: 12

HDE: 3

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 27
First Time Views: 16

October Horror Challenge - Scout's Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse (2015)

 

 Synopsis

When there town is taken over by zombies, three scouts and a cocktail waitress must team up to save their town.

Review

This is a fun horror comedy. While there aren't many scares, there is some fun gore at times. There are plenty of laughs. Seriously, the physical comedy cracks me up. In what other zombie movie do you have an elderly toothless zombie trying to eat ass, zombie cats, a character hanging on to zombie dick for dear life, and a zombie singing Hit Me Baby One More Time?

The cast is great. Tye Sheridan, Logan Miller, and Joey Morgan put a lot of heart into their portrayal of the scouts. They're friendship feels believable and it's cool to see them grow and make some important revelations about what's important in life. Sarah Dumont plays a great older sister/unlikely mentor character. Finally David Koechner is great as the zombified Scout Leader Rogers.

Despite the juvenile and crass humor, this is a charming and ultimately wholesome zombie flick. Lovable characters learn life lessons and save the day. What more could you want?

In Your Game

You could run a great one-shot based on this movie using SURVIVE THIS!! Camp Blood and SURVIVE THIS!! Zombies!.

Zombie Stripper

Armor Class: 15

Hit Dice: 3
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Claw (1d4 + infection), Bite (1d4+ infection)
Special: Undead (can Run and dance), toughness +3, appear human, work the pole 
Bonuses: +3 to Melee attacks, +1 to Damage

Alignment: Neutral

Morale: 10

Madness: -
Terror: 12

HDE: 1

Infection: If their bite or claws deal damage, the target must make a Poison Save, or they become infected. If infected, they are at -1 to all attacks & skill rolls, lose 1/2 their Move (rounded up), and lose 1 HP an hour until magically or psychically healed or until they make another another Poison Save attempt. They may try another Poison Save every 3 hours. If they die while infected, they will become a zombie.

Undead: Undead are immune to mind-affecting effects, Poisons, stuns, being sickened, Diseases & Critical Hits.

Work the Pole: These insidious zombies still look mostly human (perception related rolls to identify them as zombies are made with disadvantage). They also retain their flexibility and fluid movement and can be quite distracting. If alone when encountering survivors the zombie will initially start doing an erotic dance. After two rounds of this those witnessing must make a Mental saving throw or toss an item of value to the zombie. This will cause the zombie to be distracted for one round after which it will attack. These zombies can also be distracted for one round by throwing cash, even when pursing prey.

Zombie: They will continue to try to eat the living until they are reduced to 0 HP and their brain is destroyed. If the brain remains intact, they will fight no matter how negative their HP gets. They can be incapacitated by destroying their legs or body.

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 26
First Time Views: 16

October Horror Challenge - Trailer Park Shark (2017)

  

 Synopsis

When their trailer park is flooded a group of rednecks face off with a corrupt businessman and an electrified shark.

Review

I found this one while down in Louisville for the Goatman Festival. It looked awful, but I had to have it. I passed it up my first day down but went back to get it the next. I joked with Josh and Eric that SURIVE THIS!! Trailer Park Shark should be their next game. Honestly if I can make a short scenario out of it, I just might.

This isn't going to be a long review. Trailer Park Shark is your typical cheesy low budget shark flick. It's not great. Hell it's not even close to being good. In general, the acting is amateurish, but charming. I liked the lead, Thomas Ian Nichols, though I've never seen him in anything else. While she's given the spotlight on the case, Tara Reid only appears in the film briefly and is forgettable. There is a nice "wink wink" moment that references Sharknado. The only other actor I recognized was Dennis Haskins, who played Mr. Belding in Saved By The Bell. The shark is looks ridiculous as most CGI sharks do. It does have a nice twist, having been infused with electricity and being able to stun those in the water. 

As far as bad shark movies go, this is actually one of the better ones. You can watch it on Tubi where it's listed as it's boring alternate title Shock Shark. 

In Your Game

Shock Shark (Beast) 

Armor Class: 12

Hit Dice: 30 (7 HD)
Move: 20 (Swim)
Actions: 1 

Attack: Bite (2d6) or Shock (1d4, all creatures within 20', Critical saving throw or be stunned and lose next turn)
Special: Blood Frenzy, Electrified, can leap up to 10 feet out of water

Bonuses: +5 to melee attacks, +5 to melee damage

Alignment: Unaligned

Morale: 10

Madness: -
Terror: 12

HDE: 5

Blood Frenzy: The smell of blood will cause a shark to frenzy, giving it advantage on attack rolls, but giving it a -2 AC penalty. 

Electrified: Any creature that makes a successful melee attack against a shock shark must make a Critical saving throw or be stunned (losing their next turn). 

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 25
First Time Views: 16

October Horror Challenge - Clayface (2026)

 

 Synopsis

Matt Hagen is an up and coming actor from Gotham who's life is destroyed when he sleeps with the wrong woman. When an experimental treatment seems like a miracle cure, Matt's trauma soon proves that it's actually a curse.

Review

I didn't know I need a DC body horror/psychological thriller, but I'm glad James Watkins (with writing from Mike Flanagan and Hosssein Amini) gave us one. The greatest strength of this film are the performances of Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie. I don't know that I've really seen either in anything else, but I'm looking forward to seeing more of their performances.

Tom Rhys Harries plans Matt Hagan. He's a vulnerable, handsome, and charismatic lead. Hagan is a truly likable lead. Yeah, his downfall might have been because of a moment of pride, but he's a good man that didn't deserve what happened to him. The characters trauma and fall are truly heartbreaking. His obsession with getting his life back is understandable. Even as the bodies start piling up, honestly you don't really judge him for what he does. Of course evil leads to more evils, so by the end Hagan has a broken his psyche.

Naomi Ackie's Dr Caitlyn Corr is the other big standout. Her nano-treatment is the catalyst for Hagen's transformation into Clayface. She's a dedicated scientist that created a treatment to change the world for the better. She's persuaded by Matt's tragic story and decides to help him. While comments are made about her bluntness, she's a charming character and her relationship with Matt grows. 

There are some nice nods to the great DC universe in the film. The two that really stuck out to me are in-universe movies. The first is One Bad Day and the second is No Man's Land. Both are iconic Batman stories. Coast City also appears, appearing to be the Hollywood of DC. 

As far as horror goes, in general this doesn't do too many new things. We've seen some twisted transformations in the past and this doesn't really tread new ground. There's some nice ick though. in particular the air place scene is pretty jarring. I know I downplayed the body horror, but this is the most frightening version of Clayface I've seen. The character's flesh is malleable clay right? Not in this movie. It's (nano-cell infused and cloned) flesh. Finally, the director definitely has visuals that homage the French classic Les Yeux Sans Visage.

I thoroughly enjoyed Clayface. I genuinely cared about the characters, the visuals were great, and the movie is a great stand alone tale.

In Your Game

These stats are for Matt as he appears in the film and not later on when he's a hulking villain.

Matt Hagan aka Clayface

Medium Humanoid, Chaotic Neutral

Armor Class 14             Initiative +2 (12)

Hit Points:  75 (10d8+30)

Speed 30 ft.

                    MOD SAVE                                     MOD SAVE  

STR  16        +3     +3                        INT 12          +1    +1

DEX  16       +3      +3                       WIS 12         +1    +1

CON  16       +3      +3                       CHA 18        +4    +7   

Skills Deception +7, Intimidation +7, Performance +7, Perception +4, Stealth +6

Vulnerabilities Lightning

Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage.

Immunities Poison, Poisoned

Senses Passive Perception +4

Language: English

CR 4 (XP 1,100; PB +3)

Traits

Regeneration. Clayface regains 5 Hit Points at the start of each of his turns. If Clayface takes Lightning damage, this trait doesn't function on Clayface's next turn. Clayface dies only he starts his turn with 0 Hit Points and doesn't regenerate. 

Actions

Multiattack. Clayface can make two Slash attacks. 

Slash. Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 10 ft. Hit: 8 (2d4+3) Slashing damage.

Unsettling Visage (Recharge 6). Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 12, each creature in a 15-foot Emanation originating from Clayface that can see him. 

Failure: The target has the Frightened condition and repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.

Bonus Actions

Shape-Shift. Clayface shape-shifts into a Medium or Small Humanoid, or returns to his true form. His game statistics other than his size, are the same in each form. Any equipment he is wearing or carrying is transformed with him.

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 24
First Time Views: 15

Trick r Treat

Check out this fun Halloween piece from Axel Medellin.

October Horror Challenge - Five Nights At Freddy's 2 (2025)

 Synopsis

Dealing with the aftermath of the first film, Abby deals with the loss of her friends and Mike and Vanessa do their best to be normal. 

Review

As a casual FNAF fan, this one did a good job of explaining the character variations. For example, I just assumed Freddy and Toy Freddie were the same character. Personally I find the lore of these flicks fascinating and the Easter eggs and references to the game fun. I understand that not everyone will feel that way though. Like the first, there isn't a lot of blood in this one. Though there are a few deaths, the gore isn't really scene other a bit of blood. This was done to keep the flick PG-13, but honestly just because we don't see things, doesn't make the events less horrific. There's a fun meta aspect to the movie, given the town's obssession with Freddy's.

Once again, Piper Rubio, is fantastic. She is the real star of show. She's a young actress with a lot of talent. Josh Hutcherson's Mike is a great likable lead too. The lore for Elizabeth Lail's Vanessa deepens in this story and honestly, I feel Mike is completely justified in his distrust. Skeet Ulrich joins the cast as Henry, William Afton's partner. Speaking of William Afton, despite being killed at the end of the first film he appears in visions. in the sequel. Considering how sweet and whole he is IRL, Matthew Lillard makes a chilling villain. Speaking of villains, Megan Fox voices Toy Chica. 

Like the first, this isn't for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. Can't wait for the third. 

In Your Game

The Marrionette (Undead) 

Armor Class: 14

Hit Dice: 3
Move: 12, Fly 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Claw (d6) or Possession
Special: Immune to mind-affecting effects, Madness, Poisons, Being Sickened, Diseases, and Critical Hits, Wall Crawling

Bonuses: +3 to hit, +4 to Melee damage

Alignment: Evil

Morale: 10

Madness: NA
Terror: 12

HDE: 4

Possession: Target must make a Magic saving throw or be controlled by the Marionette. While possessing a body the Marionette can only take damage from psychic or holy sources. A body possessed in this way gains the ability to fly and wall crawl.

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 23
First Time Views: 14

October Horror Challenge - Five Nights At Freddy's (2023)

 Synopsis

Struggling to keep custody of his little sister, Mike, takes a night time security job at a defunct pizza restaurant.

Review

Since I've plan on watching the sequel I figure I'd rewatch the first. You can check out my initial review here. Upon second viewing, I still think this is a good FNAF movie. As much as I traditionally hate jump scares in movies, the game is known for them and the movie needs them. 

In Your Game

Animatronic, Possessed Fazbear (Construct)

Armor Class: 10

Hit Dice: 4+3
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Bite (d6)
Special: Immune to mind-affecting effects, Madness, Poisons, Being Sickened, Diseases, and Critical Hits, Toughness +2, electricity stuns for d4 rounds

Bonuses: +2 to hit, +4 to Melee damage, +4 to Dancing,  +5 to Art & Music

Alignment: Neutral 

Morale: 10

Madness: NA
Terror: 11

HDE: 3

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 22
First Time Views: 13

October Horror Challenge - Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

 

 Synopsis

Ernest P. Worrell unwittingly unleashes evil troll on children of his unsuspecting town. With the help of a local hermit (played by Eartha Kitt) and his dog, Rimshot, he most stop the troll and save the kids

Review

This is my favorite Halloween flick. Yes I love it even more than I love Trick'r'Treat and Tales of Halloween. It's just such a good wholesome movie. I loved it as a kid and might love it even more as an adult. You can check out more of my thoughts on the film in this review.

In Your Game

Here are Trantor the Troll stats for SURVIVE THIS!!. If you want them for your Cinematic Unisystem game you'll find those here.

Trantor the Troll (Humanoid)
Armor Class: 14

Hit Dice: 30 HP (6 HD)

Move: 10

Actions: 1
Attack: Punch (d4) or by weapon

Special:  Toughness +4, Fearless, Curse, Regeneration, Voice Mimicry, Spells, A Mother's Love, The Heart of a Child 

Bonuses: +3 to Melee attacks

Alignment: Evil

Morale: 10

Madness: 2 (8)

Terror: 10
HDE: 4

Items: dirty troll clothes

Curse: Trantor can call upon dark powers to lay generational curses.

Dendrology: Trantor can use his action to make nearby trees and greenery grow and twist. He can even use it to grapple.

Regeneration: Trantor regains 1 hit points at the end of every turn even if reduced below 0 HP

Dollification 1/day: Duration: Instant Range: Touch - Child must make a Mental (or Magic in other ST games) saving throw or be transformed into a small wooden doll.

A Mother's Love: All trolls of Trantor's species take 2d6 points of damage when the come in contact with milk. This ignores his toughness.

The Heart of A Child: The only way to permanently defeat Trantor is to give him enough unconditional love (aka the heart of a child). It is possible for truly whole adults of Good alignment to give this.

October Horror Movie Challenge 2026

Viewed: 21
First Time Views: 13