Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

Ben McBride

@monsterpopcorn.com

130 followers 160 following 140 posts

Co-host of the Dead Ringers podcast. Horror enthusiast and all-around movie nerd. Letterboxd: @monsterpopcorn

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 17h

It is disturbing (in a good way) and Sally Hawkins is really terrific in her role. Go in blind if you can. BRING HER BACK is available on 4K/Blu-ray disc and streaming on HBO Max.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 17h

[31 DAYS OF HORROR] DAY 9 - BRING HER BACK. I went into this knowing nothing about it other than it was from the filmmakers of TALK TO ME. As a result, I was very engrossed & surprised by this really f$cked up tale of grief. It had me squirming in my seat a number of times & consistently on edge.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 1d

There are Deadites, lots of bodily fluids, the Necronomicon, and not to mention usage of a chainsaw and boomstick. Plus, this film may have one of the coolest title card treatments of the series. EVIL DEAD RISE is available on 4K/Blu-ray disc and streaming on Hulu.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 1d

[31 DAYS OF HORROR] DAY 8 - EVIL DEAD RISE. Director Lee Cronin stated that they used over 1,700 gallons of fake blood on this film, which makes sense for how goopy this movie is! RISE is more of a spiritual successor to Sam Raimi’s originals but it makes good use of the EVIL DEAD series trademarks.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 2d

The absurdity may throw some people off but I found it to be clever and right up my alley. THE MONKEY is available on 4K/Blu-ray disc and streaming on Hulu.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 2d

[31 DAYS OF HORROR] DAY 7 - THE MONKEY. Osgood Perkins’ take on a Steven King short story is pretty entertaining and feels tonally different than his previous films. It’s got a wicked sense of humor and grisly effects as it tells an absurd tale of family drama and chaotic supernatural violence.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 3d

Yeah the emotional core of the movie got me. And aesthetically I find it pleasing to watch.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 3d

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE is available on 4K/Blu-ray disc and streaming on Paramount+.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 3d

It’s undeniably human and something I could wholeheartedly relate to as pizza is one of my most cherished foods. Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn turn in wonderful performances that anchor an ending that is simultaneously somber, hopeful, and beautiful.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 3d

Writer/director Michael Sarnoski, whose feature debut was PIG (another film I love), was a great choice to bring humanity into the quiet parts of this film. I love that the impetus of this story is that of a dying woman trying to get some pizza from a place she grew up with.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 3d

[31 DAYS OF HORROR] DAY 6 - A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE. This might be my favorite of the A QUIET PLACE series. The change to a NYC setting is a welcome one & the characters are worthy of investing in. Not to mention an adorable cat that might be one of the most well-mannered cats I’ve seen on screen.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 3d

What the heck Bluesky?! Haha. Well hopefully you’ll see them more!

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 4d

And while the CGI effects may not stand up to today’s standards exactly, they are incorporated into the film in cool and creative ways that the age of them doesn’t hinder the enjoyment of the movie much. THE FRIGHTENERS is available on Blu-ray and streaming on Peacock and Tubi.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 4d

My favorite performance though goes to Jeffrey Combs, who plays an unhinged FBI agent that is delightfully socially awkward and weird. The VFX in the film stands out for Jackson’s use of a mix of both practical and CGI.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 4d

[31 DAYS OF HORROR] DAY 5 - THE FRIGHTENERS. In 1996, just before LORD OF THE RINGS, Peter Jackson directed this supernatural horror comedy starring Michael J. Fox. The film is an entertaining ride with some familiar faces like John Astin, Dee Wallace, Jake Busey, Chi McBride and R. Lee Ermey.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 5d

While I don’t watch this one a lot, every time I do I can’t help but just vibe with it. Maybe it’s early 2000s nostalgia, I don’t know. I just.. I like it! Ok?! QUEEN OF THE DAMNED is available on Blu-ray and streaming on Tubi.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 5d

Stuart Townsend hams it up as Lestat. Korn’s Jonathan Davis providing the music and vocals of Lestat (high school me is happy about this). Aaliyah walking into every room with sexy ancient goddess bravado.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 5d

[31 DAYS OF HORROR] DAY 4 - QUEEN OF THE DAMNED. This movie is kind of like if an Anne Rice novel had a baby with DRACULA 2000. It’s kind of dumb and I’m honestly 100% here for it.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 6d

GOOD BOY is now in theaters.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 6d

While the movie can feel a bit draggy in parts, Indy is a captivating lead and there are some genuine scares and creepy imagery. It is a slow burn that builds to an intense crescendo. Stay until after the credits to see some behind-the-scenes insights into how they made the movie with Indy.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 6d

[31 DAYS OF HORROR] DAY 3 - GOOD BOY. This horror movie from a dog’s perspective took 4 years to make in order to accommodate the fact that Indy was just a dog unaware he was making a movie. The result is impressive, as is the dedication of the filmmakers (Indy’s owners) in pulling off such a feat.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 7d

This third entry struggles to live up to the levels of the original but I think it’s well worth a watch. POLTERGEIST III is available on Blu-ray and currently streaming on MGM+ and Tubi.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 7d

And I absolutely adore the commitment by the filmmaking team to pull off the trick mirror shots in camera with the actors and their doubles. It adds such a sense of fun and they do a pretty damn good job with the execution.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 7d

[31 DAYS OF HORROR] DAY 2 - POLTERGEIST III. While this entry in the POLTERGEIST series is more maligned than celebrated, I actually think this is a good time. Sure it’s missing the Freeling family & the script could use work, but it’s a fun 80s supernatural flick with really cool practical effects.

Ben McBride @monsterpopcorn.com · 8d

And because of this movie, if I should ever own an axe, its name will be Otis! FRAILTY is available on 4K/blu-ray and currently streaming on Tubi/Pluto TV.