A group of friends get more than they bargain for when they go to an "extreme" haunted house.
Review
This is a very solid modern horror flick. You root for some characters, while you can't wait for others to bite it. The performances are solid. In particular there are some excellent shots of silent shock and grieving that are so well done. The deaths are brutal and the haunted house itself is pretty interesting. Not sure how I felt about the twist and motivation of the villains, but it was at least interesting. Also, the ending is perfect.
In Your Game
Haunt Worker Armor Class: 13 Hit Dice: 4 HD Move: 12 Actions: 2 Attack: By weapon Bonuses: +2 to melee attacks, +2 to melee damage, +3 to Athletics: Basic, +4 to Stealth
For Day 31 "All Hallows Eve" I watched Dark Harvest, mainly because I remember always digging the cover the novel its based on.
Plot
In a small Midwestern town in 1963, a teens confront a local legend that raises every October 31st.
Review
This is a dark fantasy Halloween tale that's heavily influence by Shirley Jackson's The Lottery. Casey Likes and E'mryi Crutchfield are fantastic as the leads, Richie and Kelly. The film has an excellent style and some excellent effects, even if it wasn't too scary. I liked the design of Sawtooth Jack, though I wish he would have had an actual Jack-o-lantern head. His design is reminiscent of Pumpkin Head, which is a good one, but I think a fiery gourd would have been more interesting.
Honestly even though I know the twist and ending, I think I want to read the book. I've read some excellent reviews.
Your Game
Sawtooth Jack (Aberration)
Armor Class: 14
Hit Dice: 27 (6 HD) Move: 15 Actions: 2
Attack: Unarmed (1d8) or By Weapon Special: Limb Tear, Breath Fire
Bonuses: +4 to melee attacks, +4 to melee damage
Alignment: Neutral
Madness: N/A
Terror: 15
HDE: 3
On a natural attack roll of 20 Sawtooth Jack rips a limb off and does X3 regular damage. Once per day Sawtooh Jack may breath fire, forcing creatures with 15 feet to make a Magic Saving Throw or take 3d6 fire damage.
For Day 30 I decided to do an alternate prompt. "Best Gratuitous Nudity"
Plot
Spring break turns into a total slaughter when ancient flesh-eating fish are let loose at a lakeside resort.
Review
This movie is schlock, but it's funny and has a lot of gratuitous nudity. The movie has a phenomenal cast. My two favorite members are Richard Dreyfus (which is a nice Jaws call back) and Jerry O'Connell. O'Connell plays an absolute sleezeball and has one of the funniest moments of the flick. He get's his too, in a hilarious way. If you're cool with low brow humor, this is a fun ride full of blood and boobs.
Your Game
These are updates of some stats for SURVIVE THIS!! I did years ago. This one honestly could be used in any of those games, but I think it'd be extra appropriate with Bloody Appalachia and Camp Blood.
Piranha, Prehistoric (Animal)
Armor Class: 12
Hit Dice: 10 (3 HD) Move: 5/15 (Swim) Actions: 1
Attack: Bite (1d6) Special: Blood Frenzy, can leap up to 10 feet out of water
Bonuses: +1 to melee attacks, +2 to melee damage
Alignment: Evil
Morale: 10
Madness: 0 (6) Terror: 9
HDE: 1
The smell of blood will cause a piranha to frenzy, giving it advantage on attack rolls, but giving it a -2 AC penalty.
In a flooded dystopian London, a burnt-out cop, Stone, obsessively hunts down the thing that killed his partner years ago.
Review
Rutger Hauer plays the lead in this one. He's nuts and as always, just cool. Neil Duncan plays a detective assigned to keep an eye on him. He starts out nerdy but ends up just as crazy as Stone. Kim Cattrall plays Stone's love interest and the film also features a few British actors I typically see in supporting roles.
I read that this one was a sci-fi/action/horror flick. It feels way more sci-fi action. Honestly it's just a weird flick and kind of slow. Hauer and Duncan are entertaining and the flooded London setting is cool, but otherwise I feel this one is just kind meh. Really not too much to say about the film. Its fine for what it is, but unless a friend wanted to watch it while we were hanging out, there are many other flicks I'd rather watch.
Your Game
The creature in Split Second might be supernatural or it might just be some kind of mutant.
The Killer (Outsider)
Armor Class: 14 Hit Dice: 34 (8 HD) Move: 12 Actions: 1 or 3 (claw/claw/bite) Attack: Claw (1d8), Bite (1d6) Special: Toughness +4, Psychic link to any creature it bites
Bonuses: +5 to melee attacks, +4 to melee damage, +5 to Athletics: Basic, +6 to Stealth
Day 24's prompt is "Slasher" so I decided to talk about a flick that I don't see talked about. Lelsie Vernon is a fantastic slasher and I'm sad we never got a sequel.
Plot
A young journalist and her crew follow around a would be serial killer who wants to become the next big slasher.
Review
The world of Behind the Mask is one in which slashers are real. Freddy, Jason, Michael Myers, and Chucky are all mentioned. The film also breaks down all the tropes of slasher flicks. This is primarily done via Lelsie himself, played by Nathan Baesel. It's really fascinating honestly. Angela Goethals plays Taylor, the film maker and really does a great job of framing the film.
This one has some nice horror cameos. Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th series), Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street series), and Zelda Rubinstein (Poltergeist) all have small roles. Alos a pre-Walking Dead Scott Wilson plays Leslie's mentor, the retired slasher Eugene (who is implied to be Billy from Black Friday).
The choice of credits song is inspired.
I don't want to go into it too much, but there is a fantastic shift at one point in the film and I think its brilliant. If you're a fan of the genre and haven't seen this movie, you really need to change that asap.
Your Game
I've decided to stat out Leslie Vernon as a pc, because why not? I'm using the serial killer class from We Die Young(even though the films more modern setting would work better for What Shadows Hide). Since he survives the film, I assumed he gained a couple of levels.
"Howl At The Moon" was today's prompt. Instead of watching a movie that was just a werewolf movie, I thought I'd watch one of my favorite Halloween movies, which has a werewolf story. Plus I need to have at least one Ohio movie in the mix.
Plot
Sinister things are out on Halloween in a small Ohio town. If you wish to survive, you'd do best to keep the ancient traditions.
Review
If you haven't watched this anthology, do so asap. It's a series of interwoven stories told in a non-linear fashion. There are some great faux comic covers and panels which is a nice nod to movies like Creepshow. I love how the stories connect and if you watch closely you'll see the characters cross paths. I also appreciate that no one is off limits. this one isn't afraid to kill kids. As I spoke in my Terrifier 3 post, that's normally a deal breaker, but I didn't mind the way it's done here. It didn't feel gratuitous. Plus this movie gave us Sam. He's my favorite Halloween character and I love that there's tons of Sam merch, even if there is only one movie featuring him. Now that I've got my overall thoughts out, I'll break this down by story.
Opening
Couple, Henry and Emma, return home from a night of drunken fun. Emma blows out a jack-o-lantern and this is where we're presented with our first rule of Halloween. I have to say of all the characters killed in this one (obviously outside of the bus children) I feel like Emma got the worst out of it. Other than not liking Halloween, she really didn't do anything deserving up the punishment she got. Yes she broke a rule, but what she got in return was excessive.
Principal
Principal Steven Wilkins (played by Dylan Baker) poisons a student from his school. While disposing of the body he's interrupted by his curmudgeon neighbor and son. Baker is fun in this one, as well as being quite sinister at times. I think of the stories, this was the most suspenseful for me (at least the last scene).
Halloween School Bus Massacre
A group of teens get a neurodivergent savant to do a ritual at the site of the local urban legend, the "Halloween School Bus Massacre." However, this is all a trick. This one is creepy because we see the massacre. I love Rhonda, the neurodivergent girl. Honestly, next to Sam, she's my favorite in the movie. Overall this is my favorite segment. The set up and setting is memorable and eerie.
Surprise Party
More spoilers in talking about the segment, but this is our werewolf story. This one stars Anna Paquin as a virginal young woman celebrating with her sister and her friends. On the way to the celebration she's stalked by a vampire. There are tons of werewolf references in this one and once you know what's happening, they're charming. Also, the vampire is a previously introduced character and its cool to see him go from predator to prey.
Sam
Principal Wilkins grumpy neighbor, Mr. Kreeg (played by Brian Cox). He's visited and terrorized by Sam. This is the most action packed segment which ends with a revelation about who Kreeg is that ties the stories up nicely. While we don't get any concrete details about who or what he is, we see that Sam seems to be immortal. Cox is fantastic in this one and is the kind of jerk you love to hate and see get his.
Conclusion
The closing segment gives us one more glimpse of the surviving characters and wraps the film back around to the beginning. The film ends perfectly with the line "trick or treat."
Your Game
Here are some spells and stats I've previously post on here.
Decided to check out an 80's slasher I hadn't scene for Day 21's "Summer Camp" prompt.
Plot
Max, a counselor for a camp of gifted counselors, recites a story about a local serial killer. When one of the teens decides to test the legend he summons the killer, Madman Marz.
There are a few things I like about this movie. The idea that Madman Marz is summoned is different. There's a decapitation that's fun. The bus scene is cool, even if it's also kind of silly. Those bits aside, this is just a movie about crazy guy with an axe. I'd only recommend this one if you're a slasher completionist.
Your Game
Madman Marz was human at one point but has become something more. Not really undead, he can be killed, however while in his woods he can be summoned back to the material plane by saying his name in a voice louder than a whisper. This is why I made him an outsider.
Bonuses: +4 to melee attacks, +4 to melee damage, +5 to Athletics: Basic, +5 to Stealth, +5 to Intimidation
Alignment: Evil
Morale: 10
Madness: 7 (12) Terror: 13
HDE: 3
If he is in dim light or darkness, Madman Marz can teleport to another place of dim light or darkness he can see. If Marz is killed his spirit returns to his home, waiting to be summoned again when his name is said aloud.
Day 9's prompt was "Slow Burn." I was going to watch Ravenous, but let my copy to a friend and have decided to go with one of my alternate prompts, "Blaxploitation."
Plot
Dr. Garrett Williams is a priest and archeologist that accidentally unleashes a trickster deity (or demon associated with him) that possesses his daughter in law, Abby. He works with his son and Abby's brother to free the pious woman's soul.
Review
I watched this flick because it stars William Marshall and had read some interesting things about it.
This film has a lot in common with The Exorcist, so much so that that Warner Bros won a lawsuit and got the movie pulled from distribution. Because of this print copies of the movie are extremely rare and not great quality. I watched it on YouTube, though it appears to also be on Plex (though the quality there doesn't seem great either). It has a lot of trappings of typical Blaxploitation flicks, including a fantastic soundtrack. The film trades the trappings of Catholicism with the orisha Eshu, trickster West African deity (who's depicted as a demon that loves sex and killing). The movie isn't nearly as creepy as The Exorcist. Honestly it comes across as silly at times. It's still an entertaining flick though and William Marshall is fantastic!
I thought I'd end by mentioning this one takes place and was filmed in Louisville, Kentucky. I think this is neat because that's also the setting of Return of the Living Dead and the home of a few game companies, most notably Bloat Games.
Your Game
Here are stats for Eshu written with What Shadows Hide in mind.
Eshu (Outsider) Armor Class:15
Hit Dice: 8+4Move: 12 Actions: 2 Attack: Unarmed (d8) Special: Weakness: Light magic, can see ghosts, possession
Bonuses: Toughness +3, +8 to hit, +4 to Melee damage,
I already talked about the original Terrifier earlier in the month, so I figured Terrifier 2 would be the perfect "All Hallows Eve" movie.
Plot
The Miles County Killer returns and his connection to Sienna Shaw and her brother Jonathan will tear their family and community apart... literally.
Review
It's the end of the month and I'm getting lazy. If you want to read an extended review of the film, check out this one I did last year. I rewatched the flick earlier this evening. While I didn't have the initial shock I did with the first viewing, I still had several wtf reactions during it. If you can stomach the chaos, its a gory and disgusting good time.
The poster for Terrifier 3 has been linked and it's not going to be a Halloween flick... it's going to be a Christmas one!
In Your Game
These stats are repeated from the ones I posted earlier in the month (though I did add the Evil Reborn trait).
Art the Clown (Outsider) Armor Class: 12 Hit Dice: 36 (6 HD) Move: 12 Actions: 2 Attack: By Weapon Special: Fearless, Master of Pain, Regeneration (2 HP a round), Total Sadist, Toughness +2, Evil Reborn (will always come back)
Bonuses: +4 to Attack rolls, +2 to damage, +5 to Stealth
Alignment: Evil
Morale: 8
Madness: N/A Terror: 15
HDE: 4
Master of Pain: Art can choose to make a devastatingly painful attack. If the attack hits it only deals 1 hit point of damage. However, the victim suffers Disadvantage on all skill checks and physical attacks for 1d4 rounds.
Total Sadist: Once Art begins to brutalize a target, he has a problem stopping until they are utterly tormented and dying. He must
Instead of doing "Remake is Better than the Original," which would have been Fright Night. Instead I went with the alternate "Video Game Movie" because I really wanted to watch FNAF.
Plot
A man haunted by his brother's kidnapping and struggling to take care of his younger sister, must take a job as a nightwatchmen at a rundown family entertainment center.
Review
This movie has been shredded by most critics, but had an amazing box office opening and is great a lot of praise from fans of the series. The game's creator, Scott Cawthon wrote the story, screenplay, and served as a producer with Jason Blum. I have to say, that I'm a fan of Five Nights At Freddy's. I'm not an obsessive one, but I do enjoy the franchise and appreciate the deep lore it has. I thought the film was engaging and had great atmosphere. While I would have been fine with more gore, I understand the emphasis on implied horror rather than visual horror to cater to the younger fanbase. I do think a few extra jump scares would have been nice though, considering that's what the game is known for.
The animatronics looked great. They really do like like they walked right out of the game. I'm a fan of Josh Hutcherson and I think he plays a great, regular guy trying to do his best. Piper Rubio was fantastic as his little sister, Abby. Matthew Lillard was phenomenal too. There are some Youtube personality cameos that are a nice touch too. The story deviated enough from the established story to be its own thing, but still included all the important beats and hallmarks of FNAF. I know there isn't a lot of competition, but I'd say this is one of the best video game flicks of all time.
Finally this one is for any FNAF fan reading this. I believe the voice spelling out "Come Find Me" at the very end of the credits is Puppet (who I bet is Garrett in this continuity).
In Your Game
For the spirits of the murdered children, use the stats for Ghost, Spirit of Pain, when they aren't possessing the animatronics (though they are neutral, not evil).
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
Because the movie I'm watching tomorrow is so heavy, I wanted something life to "Sci-Fi Horror" so I went with Killer Klowns From Outer Space.
Plot
Mike, a teen, and his friends witness a shooting star crash outside of their small town. They investigate and find that it's actually a space ship inhabited by horrifying alien Klowns. They do their best to warn the authorities and save their town.
Review
Confession time... this movie is one of the reasons I was afraid of horror movies until I was in my early 20's. I saw the dinosaur shadow puppet scene on HBO as a kid and it scarred me. However, today I think this movie is a well-crafted loving send up of retro-sci-fi horror covered in Klown makeup. The movie is genuinely creepy, despite also being goofy as Hell. The costume and set designs are fantastic. There are thrills, chills, and laughs to be had if you check this one out.
The Klowns are still around. Spirit Halloween creates merchandise based on the property(product page). There is a new asymmetrical horror game coming out (watch here), a short film (watch here) was released a few years ago, and the creators would love to do a series (read more here).
In Your Game
I've posted several stat blocks based ok the Killer Klowns. I've decided to update them and reshare below.
Killer Klown From Outer Space (Alien Outsider)
Armor Class: 12 Hit Dice: 3 Move: 12 Actions: 1 Attack: Popcorn Gun (d4, 50' range) or Capture Device (Target makes Critical save or is bound) Special: Weak Spot: Nose (ignore all other damage)
Bonuses: +2 to Hit
Alignment: Anarchist
Morale: 10
Madness: NA Terror: 12 (once true nature is revealed)
HDE: 2
Any popcorn from a popcorn gun not destroyed will turn into a PopKorn Klown
They were definitely not referred to as Klussy in the movie, that's a moniker I gave them.
Female Killer Klown From Outer Space aka Klussy (Alien Outsider)
Armor Class: 12 Hit Dice: 3 Move: 12 Actions: 1 Attack: Unarmed (1-2) Special: Can inflate bosoms, attackers must make a DC 10 Wisdom check to be able to attack, Weak Spot: Nose (ignore all other damage)
Bonuses: +5 to seduction rolls
Alignment: Anarchist
Morale: 8
Madness: NA Terror: -
HDE: 1
Jojo the Clownzilla (Alien Outsider)
Armor Class: 10
Hit Dice: 10 Move: 16 Actions: 2 Attack: Slam (2d6) Special: Great Strength (capable of breaking walls, flipping cars, and other unbelievable feats ofstrength),Weak Spot: Nose (ignore all other damage)
It really was a toss-up for my "Favorite Horror Director." There are so many horror directors I love. Wes Craven and Stuart Gordon was in the running for favorite, but ultimately it came down to Guillermo del Toro and John Carpenter. As you can tell from the blog's title, Carpenter ultimately won out.
Plot
Jack Crow is an orphan that was raised by the Catholic church to hunt vampires. When his team is ambushed and killed by a master vampire, he and his partner team up with a young priest and sex worker that's slowly turning to a vampire to take out the master and get his revenge.
Review
Just going to start this one out by saying I love this flick, despite thinking James Woods is an absolute tool. I 100% cannot stand the dude. All that aside, this is one of my top 5 favorite vampire flicks. Jack Crow, played by Woods, is a pretty badass vampire hunter. I like the supporting cast. Tim Guinee is great as Father Adam. Daniel Baldwin is good as Jack's right hand man Montoya. Thomas Ian Griffith's Valek is classic master vampire and has a great screen presence.
This one has some great dark humor. There's also some fantastic gore. The scene where Crow's team gets slaughtered is fantastic. Like Carpenter's best flicks, he does the music. It's got a very western sound, and ultimately the flick is kind of a western, disguised as a vampire flick.
In Your Game
I decided to stat out the movie (and its sequel's) McGuffin for What Shadows Hide and We Die Young. I've included the lore from the movie, but added a bit to it to make it fit into those games (because Valek would definitely not be the first vampire in the setting).
This ancient relic was forged in a small French town of the same name. It was used in the brutal reverse exorcism of heretical priest Jan Valek. The process turned him into a vampire, rumored by the Church to be the first, though records show this is definitely not true.
If a priest performs a reverse exorcism, a vampire can be granted the ability to walk in the sun. This ritual involves the blood of a crusader being fed to the exorcised participant. The priest must complete the exorcism by the first light of dawn to completes the ritual.
"Found Footage" flicks aren't everyone's cup of tea. I get it, and in general, I'm not always the biggest fan. However, when done right they can be fantastic.
Plot
Shawn is an internet personality that became infamous and lost followers when a prank went bad. To regain follows and keep his last sponsor, he agrees to stay in a supposedly haunted house overnight. He intestinally misplaces his keys and car's spark plug so that he can't escape.
Review
This flick finds an interesting way to justify it's found footage nature. It's a live stream. Folks streaking can also comment and send videos, which allows for brief distracts and changes of settings. The protagonist, Shawn, walks a fine line well. He's like so many annoying af YouTube personalities which means you want to punch him. At the same time, you root for him and kind of feel sorry for him. In a lot of ways he reminds me of Evil Dead's Ash. He's a douche, but he's a douche you root for. Honestly, I feel like this movie wouldn't be out of place in the Evil Dead universe. There is a grossness to the horror that also feels very Evil Dead-esque.
If you want some laughs and legit gross horror, check this one out on Shudder.
In Your Game
I thought about statting Shawn out as a pc, but I thought it would be more useful for folks to have an Content Creator stat block for npcs. These could be useful in What Shadows Hide and Bloody Appalachia games.
Content Creator, Human (Humanoid)
Armor Class: 12 Hit Dice: 1 Move: 12 Actions: 1 Attack: Punch (1-2) or by weapon Special: Toughness +1, +1 to all saves
Bonuses: +3 to Electronics, +2 to Knowledge: Pop Culture, +3 to Performance, +3 to Persuasion
Alignment: Any
Morale: 10
Madness: 0 (8) Terror: -
HDE: 1/2 point
Items: Cell phone, tablet, camera, headset, laptop, camera rig
I cam up with "Best Soundtrack" with this movie in mind. I'll readily admit that I'm a nu-metal loving Elder Millennial and I still rock out to this soundtrack on a regular basis.
Plot
The vampire Lestat awakens in the modern era and reinvents himself as a rockstar. This draws the attention of the vampire world making many angry at his revelation of their secrets. It also draws the attention of the evil vampire queen, Akasha, who seeks to make him her new king.
Review
I remember this being a controversial one in the horror circles I ran with back in the day. A lot of folks didn't like the changes made from Anne Rice's original novel. I never read it so I had no dog in that fight. Other folks didn't like that Stuart Townsend was Lestat and not Tom Cruise. I like the nu-metal take on Lestat and couldn't see Tom Cruise playing the role. Stuart Townsend is a sexy man and I thought he did a good job as Lestat. I'd kill to hear him call me a clever librarian. This version was also relatable, unlike the Interview With A Vampire version. Because of the plot, music is an important part of the story. Lestat's vocals are performed by Jonathan Davis of Korn (who plays a ticket scalper in the movie). I loved Korn back in the day (though it's hard to listen to them now because JD has some crazy Qanon level conspiracies). However, because of a contractual obligation he couldn't perform the soundtrack. This actually made the soundtrack even better because the Vampire Lestat's songs were performed by other frontmen of the time including David Draiman (Disturbed), Jay Gordon (Orgy), Marilyn Manson, Wayne Static (Static X), and Chester Benington (Linkin Park).
The true standout of the film is Aaliyah as Akasha. She is seductive and powerful. She steals every scene she is in and plays the perfect vampire queen.
This is one that no matter the hate it gets, will always have a special place in my heart.
In Your Game
The librarians of the Talamasca would fit right into the world of What Shadows Hide and We Die Young.
The Order of the Talamasca
The secret society known as the Order of the Talasmasca research and keep tabs on the supernatural. There work is similar to supernatural anthropology. They have been known to aid C.A.R.E. and other benevolent supernatural organizations in time of great need, but they traditionally have an observe but don't engage directive. Most members are Academics, though the occasional Arcane Thief, Archeologist, or Medium can be found among the numbers.
For "Howl at the Moon" I wanted to go for a werewolf movie I love, but never see anyone talk about. Project Metalbeast was a direct to video werewolf project. I remember watching it on the Sy-Fy channel and loving it. The film is in English, but I couldn't find an English trailer so here's the German(?) one.
Plot
In the 70's a team of soldiers capture a werewolf. Government scientists try to use it to create super soldiers with indestructible skin. 20 years later the now metal skinned werewolf gets loose.
Review
As you can probably tell, this isn't a good movie. However, it's a fun one. The only recognizable names in the movie are Barry Bostwick and Kane Hodder. Bostwick plays the utterly even Colonel Miller. He's not just a "doing what I need to do for the best interest of my country" evil military guy, he's comically evil. Kane Hodder plays the titular Metal Beast, which considering the films budget and such, doesn't look bad. The effects aren't great, but work for a B movie. The plot is dumb, but makes sense in that comic book/kid mentality. The film has surprisingly good pacing.
While this one hasn't had a DVD or Blu-Ray release in the stats, you can watch if for free on Tubi or Vudu.
In Your Game
The Metalbeast is a great antagonist for an agent of C.A.R.E. It would also be a formidable foe for another werecreature.
Metalbeast (Humanoid - Werewolf) Armor Class: 18 Hit Dice: 80 (7 HD) Move: 18 Actions: 2 Attack: Bite (d8) or Claws (d6). Bite has a chance to spread the curse. The target must attempt a Critical or Magical save at midnight for the next three days. If they fall all , they become a werewolf Special: Were-beast, The Death Hunt, Fearless, Dark Vision 60', Seize the Moment +3, Run at X5 Move, Toughness +8
Bonuses: +10 to melee attacks, +5 to melee damage, +10 to Athletics: Basic, +5 to Initiative, +10 to Jump and Climb, +10 to Listen
I've seen quite a few "Summer Camp" slashers, but until tonight I'd never watched 1981's The Burning. If you want to play your own summer camp horror game, you still have a bit of time to back Bloat Games Camp Blood Kickstarter.
Plot
Several campers play a prank of caretaker, Cropsy, and it goes horribly wrong. He is left badly burned and disfigured. A few years later he heads to another camp to get his revenge.
Review
I'd heard of this one, but never took the time to watch it. The movie came out the same years as Friday the 13th Part 2 and received negative comparisons. I can see why some folks would feel that way, but I feel it still has merit on its own. It doesn't hold back from the gore or the aftermath of said killings. I kind of dig the screen fading to red after the deaths. The villainous Cropsy is based on the Cropsey urban legend. While you don't see him often in the film, he looks thoroughly creepy. The acting and characterization is fine. It's not great, but its your standard slasher stuff. It was kind of odd to see Jason Alexander and Fisher Stevens play older campers. I kept seeing George Costanza and The Plague (yes that's a Hackers reference).
This one is definitely worth checking out if you are in a throwback slasher mood.
I love the Subspecies franchise. I think they are some of the best flicks Full Moon Features have made. The series main vampire, Radu, definitely fits the "Monstrous Bloodsucker" mold. Earlier this year a prequel film, Subspecies V: Blood Rise was released. I haven't seen it yet so I thought this was an opportune time to check it out.
Plot
The son of a vampire lord and a demon witch, Radu was taken as a baby and raised by mystic monks. While on a mission for the church he finds out the true nature of his heritage and discovers he has a half brother.
Review
Not every series needs a prequel, but I honestly wanted to know more of Radu's history so this was a welcome one. It was directed by series creator Ted Nicolaou and Radu is played by the same actor as the other films, Anders Hove. Denice Duff, who played Michelle in previous films, returns as Helena, mother of Radu's half-brother. Kevin Spirtas, who played Mel in the 2nd and 3rd films, plays Radu's father Prince Vladislas. The film shows Radu's fall from grace and how he became the vampire we know and love (or love to hate). The production values for this outing are vastly improved over the previous films, though there are still a few dodgy effects. If you are a fan of the Subspecies films, definitely check this prequel out. It has its predecessors' melodrama and Hove is still wonderful as the villainous Radu.
In Your Game
The Bloodstone
The Bloodstone is a holy relic said to be filled with the blood of the saints. It allows a vampire to feed without drinking from a human. The blood tastes exquisite and causes a vampire to temporarily enter a euphoric state. A vampire drinking from the Bloodstone may choose to gain Advantage on skill check they make that night. They cannot use this feature more than once in a 24 hour time period.
The Bloodstone is also a status symbol and sought out by many powerful vampires.
First Time View: 5
Total Watched (Including Non-Challenge Horror Movies): 25
I've already watched one of the greatest pieces of "Folk Horror" this year when I rewatched The Wicker Man. Kill List has been on my to watch list for a while. I recently discovered it was on Tubi and I've seen it described as neo-folk horror.
Plot
Ex-soldier turned contract killer, Jay, his been left mentally and physically broken after a disastrous job. He's broke, which leads to trouble with his marriage. His friend Gal gets him to take on a new job. This job causes the pair to become involved in a strange cult.
Review
This film was surprising. The first part of the film plays out like a crime thriller. It's a slow burn that builds tension until the horror becomes truly visceral. Early on it's hard to watch. It's uncomfortable to see a failing relationship that involves screaming and violence, especially when there is a child involved. Once the movie shifts from thriller to horror, the mood really changes. Honestly this movie and the cult left me with more questions than answers. It's an emotional gut bunch of a film and is well crafted. I could see all of that turning some folks off, but at the same time I can also see why this is on several best of modern horror lists.
In Your Game:
For the first time this challenge I am at a loss for game stats to create. That being said you can definitely steal elements of this plot to use for a What Shadows Hide game. Actually the plot would make an interesting campaign idea. The characters are hired killers that find themselves caught up in the mechanizations of a cult.
First Time View: 4
Total Watched (Including Non-Challenge Horror Movies): 24
"Clowns" are something that a lot of people don't like. I get that. I used to be unnerved by them. There's something about a person that always smiles that is unnatural. As I've gotten older my views have definitely changed. I've been corrupted by one too many sexy Pennywise cosplayers... and don't get me started on the live action One Piece version of Buggy the Clown. This entry is not about sexy clowns though. It's about one of the creepiest clowns in cinema, Art the Clown.
Plot
A sadistic clown stalks victims through a rundown apartment building on Halloween night.
Review
I heard something this past weekend that made me love this franchise even more. While working the Bloat Games booth at the Goatman Festival I complimented a gent on his Art tattoo. He told me that when he met Terrifier writer and director, Damien Leone, that he was told Art the Clown is essentially a horror version of Mr. Bean. I'd never thought about it, but it makes so much sense...
I've talked about this one several times. It's a violent, nasty throwback horror slasher. Art is utterly disturbing (even more so when you think about the fact he's supposed to be a diabolical version of Mr. Bean). This movie is mean and no one gets out unscathed. The weird thing is, compared to the events of Terrifier 2, this one is actually very tame.
In Your Game:
After watching both Terrifier movies I'm still not sure if art is a demon, spirit, or something else. For the purpose of these stats we're going the demon route.
Art the Clown (Outsider) Armor Class: 12 Hit Dice: 36 (6 HD) Move: 12 Actions: 2 Attack: By Weapon Special: Fearless, Master of Pain, Regeneration (2 HP a round), Total Sadist, Toughness +2
Bonuses: +4 to Attack rolls, +2 to damage, +5 to Stealth
Alignment: Evil
Morale: 8
Madness: N/A Terror: 15
HDE: 4
Master of Pain: Art can choose to make a devastatingly painful attack. If the attack hits it only deals 1 hit point of damage. However, the victim suffers Disadvantage on all skill checks and physical attacks for 1d4 rounds.
Total Sadist: Once Art begins to brutalize a target, he has a problem stopping until they are utterly tormented and dying. He must
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First Time View: 3
Total Watched (Including Non-Challenge Horror Movies): 23
