Chiller Theatre April 2025

This past weekend of April 25-27 was the latest edition of the April edition of Chiller Theatre. My friends and I went on that Saturday the 24th, and we had a truly epic time! The weather was kinda crappy with rain, including at least one down pour, but none of that ruined what was one of the greatest times of the year!

The first celeb that I went up was George Milhalka, the director of the awesome Canadian slasher My Bloody Valentine. He was really nice in person, talking to my friend Freddie and I for a bit. We learned that he is a fellow, big Vincent Price fan!

Up next for me was the lovely Suki Goodwin of the underrated and atmospheric Hell Night. Starring Linda Blair this 80's favorite is a good time to be had. Goodwin was a total babe in that movie, and she was definitely one of the people I was most pumped to meet. I am happy to say that she was awesome to meet! She is very sweet and still gorgeous.

Speaking of people that I was dying to meet the next two celebs, I didn't get a pic with. But, I got their autograph. First up was legendary heavy metal guitarist George Lynch. The former lead guitarist of Dokken and various other bands, including Lynch Mob, his horror connection comes through the classic title track "Dream Warriors", from A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3: Dream Warriors. And, let me tell you he was THE most awesome guest of the weekend! He was funny, friendly, and cool as fucking hell! He joked with me and told me some wild and awesome tales, including that classic tale of Dokken snorting coke off of the Freddy glove on the set of the classic video for the aforementioned "Dream Warriors"! Seriously, Lynch fucking rocks!

I did the same with another celeb I was dying to meet. He was the one, that excited me the most the minute they announced him: Muse Watson. He's best known for playing Ben Willis the Fisherman of I Know What You Did Last Summer. He was nice in person, and seemed to be taken back by all the love that his classic slasher character has.

And, speaking my autographs here are all that I got at this show:
Hell Night: Suki Goodwin
Queens of Scream/ I Know What You Did Last Summer: Muse Watson
Nightmare on Elm Street Collection/ A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3: Dream Warriors: George Lynch
My Bloody Valentine: George Milhalka

There were some really cool statues and props in the some of the rooms in Chiller, like these:

Not only did this dragon flap his wings, but he "breathed fire", too (actually his mouth lit up).

The Exorcist Regan head above is one of only two remaining heads actually from the classic movie! These props come courtesy of The Witch's Dungeon. My friend's and I seriously need to go to this museum dedicated to classic horror and sci-fi!

As the show itself was winding down, we went out to dinner. Of course, we came back for the party! And, man did we have a blast! This was the most fun that I have had,  since honestly I don't even remember! Also, since we were able to stay and chill for a long time, we could actually drink. And, in my case, I was happy drunk! Yay!

While, at the party, I ran into this awesome Daenerys from Game of Thrones cosplay by Jade Green. She was really cool and sweet, and I told her that she's gotta get pic with that aforementioned (and pictured!) dragon statue. She said that she would. I wonder if and hope she did.

Two of the actresses from Pitch Perfect were signing at Chiller. And, that night they were chilling at the party/ bar with their own friend. The other actress, Alexis Knapp, left early that night. But, Hana Mae Lee and their friend hung longer. My friend Alan and I got a pic with Lee. She and her friend were really awesome and down to earth. Lee also commented that she liked my look and told me to check out her goth band, Grave Condition. 

A little after that, it was soon time to go home after one hell of a night and awesome time!

Here is the swag that I got at Chiller:
From director Pete Jacelone's booth: Psycho Sisters (1998)

From Vinegar Syndrome's booth: Severance and Spoonful of Sugar
Got a copy of the latest issue of Screem magazine, which got me a free copy of Dick Tracy: RKO Pictures Collection:

This was another epic Chiller, and I already wish it was October for the next edition! Who among you went this weekend? What were your favorite memories? Let me know in the comments section below!

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Fréwaka (Review)

Writer/ Director: Aislinn Clarke
Cast: Clare Moonelly, Bríd Ní Neachtain, Aleksandra Bystrzhitskaya, Clare Barrett
Year: 2024
Min: 103

Shortly after the suicide of her estranged mother, Shoo (Clare Monnelly), a young in-home care worker, is assigned to care for an elderly shut-in named Peig (Brid Ni Neachtain). This old lady lives in a secluded town in the Irish countryside. She is also hard to care for, being untrusting of Shoo and generally paranoid. On top of her off fears, there is her weird beliefs. But, as they spend more time together, they grow closer. Eventually, Shoo, who is dealing with her own trauma, begins to think that maybe Peig's fears of those she wishes to keep from coming in the house, might, in fact, be very real.

Fréwaka is a supernatural/ folk horror film and the second feature from writer/ director Aislinn (The Devil's Doorway) Clarke. From the beginning prologue and the suicide that follows it, the movie sets up a very uneasy feeling. The fact that the flick is shot mostly in the Gaelic language adds to this foreboding feeling. 

While, the pacing is slow the apprehensiveness of it helps to carry the movie throughout its running time. This is compounded by a continuous undercurrent of malevolence. The excellent sound design further adds to this helping the flick to get even more under your skin. I also really like the movie's use of religious imagery which make them come off as especially spine-chilling. Another key factor is its very somber tone tone.  Combine this all with it's use of past trauma and abuse, and  the flick manages to stay with you. 

I do have to say that there is over reliance on typical tropes. For example, the phone reception sucks. You have other circumstances (covered up mirrors, creepy villagers, etc.) that you expect in a movie like this. This makes it sometimes feel as if it over relies on these motifs. However, for the most part these things don't really deter from film. They are incorporated into the plot, and their use, however typical they maybe, are well done. They help to add to the compelling and involving mystery. 

The acting is very strong, especially from the two leads. Clare Monnelly is very likable and believable as Shoo. Brid Ni Neachtain is also great Peig. Her character is complex and feels very real (within the context of this story, anyways). And, as we get to know her, she too is very likable. I also really appreciated the way their relationship develops as the story moves along. It is credible and becomes filled with heart and pathos as we get closer to the climax. The scene between them in Peig's bedroom is an especially good example of this. As, it is a touching and heartbreaking study in PTSD. 

 
Another factor helping the flick is that Clarke really does a good directing job. This is especially true of certain scenes that are really nicely shot. She also does a strong job with the movie's climax. As it is one that odd and yet intense and compelling. This, in turn, leads to the nightmarish and bone chilling ending. 

Fréwaka is a well done supernatural, folk-horror film. It may use a lot of overdone tropes, but the compellingly mysterious plot overturns this. The acting, especially from our two leads, is great. While, certainly a slow burn, it builds up nicely, ending on a chilling note. The movie, itself, remains unsettling and haunting from beginning to that just mentioned ending. It starts streaming on Shudder on April 25, 2025, as part of their "Halfway to Halloween" programming. Be sure to check it out then.

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Horror Crush: Alison Lohman

A recent revisit to one of my favorite flicks has made it very clear that is time to add another lovely and talented lady to this site's Horror Crushes. And, that stunner is the amazing Alison Lohman!
 

Alison Marion Lohman was born on September 18, 1978 in Palm Springs, California. She began acting in theater at age nine in 1988. She would go to work on TV and movies starting in 1998. I first knew about her thanks to seeing pics and clips of her in White Oleander (2002). Now, I never seen that movie nor is it horror, but her looking all goth was breathtaking and immediately caught my attention. Shit she even made Watch Mojo's 20 Hottest Goth Girls, deservedly so I might add! Anyways, we love goth girls here and know most horror fans do, too, so here some pics of her as her character in that movie Astrid Magnusson.

In 2009, she appeared in her first horror movie: Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell. One of my favorite movies, it is the reason for her induction. In it she plays Christine Brown a loan agent looking to move forward in her career. An assistant branch manager position is opened, and she is one of the two nominees for it. She see her chance to prove herself capable of making hard choices when she turns down the loan extension for a sickly, old gypsy lady. Who would have been this old lady's third extension. The woman puts a curse on Christine after she feels humiliated by her. So that, in three days a demon called the Lamia will take Christine to hell. She must try and find a way to escape the curse or destroy the demon, before it is too late for her.

Raimi's demonic horror flick is exhilarating, energetic, stylish (of course!), and absolutely wild. It is, in my humble opinion, his finest flick since Darkman. Yes, that means that I think that it's better than his Spider-Man movies. The film is alternately funny and scary. And, while the movie was released as a PG-13 flick, it doesn't hurt it. Though, the unrated cut on DVD and Blu-Ray with the extra gore added back in is even more awesome (OK I don't like a certain scene involving a kitty, but other than that awesome!!). The goat possessed by the demon rules. and the ending is unforgettable, It is a finale that never loses its power. In fact, this film holds up really well in repeated viewings and is one of the best horror movies of the 2000s. 

Lohman is amazing in the film. She makes Christine feel like a very real character. She might have done this one thing in her job (which we are not sure we would or could do, I sure as hell am glad that I don't have to), but, she is a sweet and good hearted person, overall. We feel awful for all the horror that she is going through. We want her to to be happy with her finance (well played by Justin Long), which makes the horror work so well. And, she manages to handle the more humorous aspects of the film excellently, too. Lohman is, to put it bluntly, fucking awesome! She is also absolutely gorgeous! She took my breath away, when I saw her in this. She is truly one of the most naturally beautiful women, and as Christine, easily wins your heart.

 

She would appear in one more movie that year, Gamer, and soon after retire from acting deciding to focus on being a mom to her three kids. She would then  decide to teach online acting classes. And, would go on to do a few more movies later on. Among those is her only other horror movie, The Vatican Tapes (2016). I never seen this one, but if you have let me know your thoughts on it. And, of course, let me know about her role in it.

On August 19, 2017, I met her at Monster-Mania. This makes her second inductee, the other being Daphne Zuniga, from that specific Monster-Mania to be a Horror Crush here. Anyways, Lohman was so sweet and talkative in person, as well as being such a stunning and natural beauty. Meeting her was truly fucking awesome!

Rewatching Drag Me to Hell is always a great experience. Even if it part me feels sad that she no longer acts, much. Anyways, we will always have her incredible role of Christine in Raimi's modern classic. And, for that alone, I am honored to induct Alison Lohman into Horror Crushes! 

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Horror Crush: Jessica Belkin

Today, we have a new induction into Horror Crushes: the gorgeous Jessica Belkin! She hasn't been in much and is newer to the acting biz, than some other inductees. But, she made such an impression with me in her latest horror movie, that this felt like the right decision,

Jessica Belkin was born on May 16, 2002. She is from Los Angles, California and is an actress, signer, and song writer. She has been acting since she was a kid. 

As a matter of fact, her first foray into horror was as a kid. You see in 2015, she appeared on the TV show American Horror Story: Hotel. Now, that season is the point where I tried to keep watching but just gave up the show, as a whole. I couldn't stand it and had honestly stopped giving a shit about it a long time before that season. So, I honestly don't remember if I even made it far enough to see her role in it. Anywho, she played the vampire child of Lady Gaga (who I do remember looking good in it). Any of you guys remember this role of hers? A year later she would have another (though I'm guessing smaller) child role, this time in a children's scary movie called Ghost Goggles. She is uncredited in the film though.

In 2017, she lent her voice, to the character of Kat Thomas, for the horror video game Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul. Now I never played this game, in fact, I don't think I even knew that Paranormal Activity had its own game! Anyways, if you guys played this let me know how it is? And, let me know how her voice acting was. 

 

Then in 2021, she appeared in the horror movie Death Link, where she played a character named Tabitha. Again, I never heard of much less seen this one, but maybe one of you guys have. If so let me know in the comments section your thoughts on it and her role.

2023 saw her in the lead role of home invasion or more precisely diner invasion movie Last Straw. It's that movie and role, where I finally saw her, and she immediately caught my attention. And, it's thanks to it that she got this induction.

In it, she play Nancy Osborn a young waitress, who works at her dad's diner. She just found out this morning that she is knocked up. She has decided to not keep it. But, today she is pulling a double shift, including working the late night shift. The thing is a bunch of masked psychos and hoodlums are terrorizing her (she is by her lonesome self) in increasingly violent manners. She will have to fight for her very life in this place that is far from civilization.

I actually only saw this earlier this year, in January, to be precise. It kind of sucks that no has been talking about this awesome movie. It is an absolute and increasingly nail-biting crowd pleaser. Director Alan Neal Scott does a great job of keeping the proceedings intense, suspenseful, and violent. Plus, the main villain is a total asshole, piece of shit that is easy to hate.

As our final girl Nancy, Belkin is great! She gives a strong performance as a character that is tough, smart, and as easy to cheer for (making her the perfect polar opposite of our aforementioned antagonist). She is, of course, absolutely gorgeous. Her stunning eyes being one of her most beautiful features. You add this all up and it is easy to see how she immediately became a favorite of mine. Here is hoping she returns to horror soon. Also, here is hoping you check out Last Straw, if you haven't done so already. It's streaming on Shudder, which is where I saw it. 

Belkin is a great actress with a very bright future ahead. She already gave an amazing performance in the very solid and incredibly suspenseful Last Straw. One that has already catapulted her to one of my favorites. This on top of being naturally gorgeous and stunning. It is with great honor that Jessica Belkin is the latest to join our Horror Crushes section! 

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The Fiery Goddess that Is Annie Body

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