Tag: David Howard Thornton

Spoiler-Free Review of “Stream” on Demand: Campy Fun!

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Let’s play ball…”

Stream is a horror film that originally released on August 21st 2024 in limited theaters and is now available to watch on demand as of October 15th 2024. It stars Charles Powell, Danielle Harris, Sydney Malakeh, Daniel Roebuck, Jeffrey Combs, David Howard Thornton, Dee Wallace, and Tony Todd. It runs for approximately two hours.

A weekend away at a hotel turns deadly for a family when they get caught up in a twisted game where the guests are hunted down for sport.

Here is the trailer:

Stream has an all-star cast made up of horror legends, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Fuzz on the Lens Productions

Horror dream team to the max!

Wow, there were so many iconic horror actors in this film. I loved all of the cameos and everyone played their part well (no matter how big or small). LOST’s Daniel Roebuck was a scene stealer and I always love seeing Danielle Harris.

Images courtesy of Fuzz on the Lens Productions

Gory fun!

This film clearly had a lower budget, but I thought it had some outrageous and inventive kills. There was a lot of gore and some of the chase scenes were super fun as well. This film accepted its cheesiness and went full camp, which worked to its advantage. As long as you manage your expectations here, you’ll have a blast.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Fuzz on the Lens Productions

Too long.

This movie was two hours long and I’m not sure it needed to be. The opening took a while to get going and then things dragged out toward the end. The film reached its peak in the middle and delivered here, but it had some pacing issues to work around.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Fuzz on the Lens Productions

I’m in!

Stream is a fun b-horror movie jam-packed with an all-star cast.

Don’t expect anything too extraordinary here, but if you like cheesy gory slashers, you’ll have a good time.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Stream in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Mean One” in Theaters: Campy Christmas Chaos

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“You’re a monster…”

The Mean One released in theaters on December 9th 2022. The holiday horror film (inspired by How the Grinch Stole Christmas) stars David Howard Thornton, Krystle Martin, and Chase Mullins. It runs for approximately 90 minutes.

After witnessing the murder of her mother, Cindy returns to her hometown twenty years later when the monster responsible resurfaces.

Here is the trailer:

The Mean One turns a classic holiday tale into a campy slasher film, which does have a few redeeming qualities. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Sleight of Hand Productions

Fun twist on the story.

With Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey on its way for 2023, it seems like this may have paved the way for more classic tales to turn into mindless slasher films and so we have The Mean One, which is a slasher take on How The Grinch Stole Christmas. 

There have already been a few versions of The Grinch, but this one decided to really destroy all holiday cheer with a monster that will rip you to shreds if you even think about humming “Jingle Bells.”

Even though it was campy and silly, I liked the spin on the story and I’m always up for a campy slasher film.

Images courtesy of Sleight of Hand Productions

Violence galore.

The blood effects were pretty cheesy and poorly done, but there were actually a few decent kill scenes that were entertaining. David Howard Thornton brought his killer charm from The Terrifier and easily embraced this role, giving it as much as he could.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Sleight of Hand Productions

Shaky camera effects and poor quality…

I actually felt dizzy a few times watching this. The camera angles felt odd and really shaky. There was poor lighting and some of the worst transitions into scenes I have ever seen. The gore effects needed some work as well. 

The acting wasn’t really that great either, but the film did channel some campy fun. If you enjoy B-horror movies, you’ll find some things to enjoy. I just wanted this film to put in a little bit more effort in all departments. I also thought this film should have released exclusively on a streaming site like Shudder instead. My theater was practically empty on a Friday night…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Sleight of Hand Productions

I’m 50/50 on this one…

The Mean One has some campy slasher fun with the classic holiday tale, but the poor quality got in the way several times.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Mean One in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rule…they can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

 

Spoiler-Free Review of “Terrifier 2” in Theaters and on Demand: Blood, Guts and Gore Galore

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“It’s just a costume…”

Terrifier 2 released in theaters on October 6th 2022. The horror film stars Lauren LaVera, David Howard Thornton, and Elliott Fullam. It runs for approximately two hours and eighteen minutes.

Picking up right where we left off in the first Terrifier film, Art the Clown is back and ready to have some bloody fun while terrorizing his victims, setting his sights on Sienna and her younger brother.

Here is the trailer:

Terrifier 2 may be the goriest film I have ever watched with even more twisted moments than the first film. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Cinedigm

Art the Clown is back and better than ever…

If you came for gore-filled violence, you’re in the right place. I didn’t think Art the Clown could get any more extreme, but he goes all out in the sequel and doesn’t hold back.

I also appreciated that this film took the time to flesh out its characters more this time around and it expanded the world of Art the Clown, giving the film more intention. I’m not sure I needed too many layers, but it helped me connect to the other characters more.

Images courtesy of Cinedigm

All hail, Sienna!

I recently watched Terrifier for the first time and I was rooting for a particular character to make it and was crushed when we got an alternative Final girl instead. Even though this was a different approach, I felt like we didn’t spend enough time on her to really root for her or care about what happened to her.

In Terrifier 2, we are blessed with the introduction of Sienna, who was the BEST part of this movie for me. I loved the choice of costume and the symbolism behind it. She was fierce and absolutely electric on screen. I LOVED HER!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Cinedigm

Way too long…

I like my horror films to be about 90 minutes. While the film did a good job of holding my attention in a disturbing way, I still don’t think it was necessary to have a runtime well over two hours. There were plenty of scenes that could have been cut out.

Also as a warning, the gore in this film is extreme. I suggest watching it on an empty stomach. If you’re not a fan of gore and violence, steer clear of this movie…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Cinedigm

I’m in!!!

Shocking, disturbing, and bloody entertaining!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Terrifier 2 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rule…they can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!