Review

Favorite Things: Best of 2020

We all know 2020 was a completely shit year. That being said, there was still a ton of absolutely fantastic entertainment out there for us to consume. Honestly, there were almost too many amazing horror films because I had a terrible time trying to narrow my list down to just 10 films. So here is my list of the best of 2020, which I will probably change my mind on as soon as I share it. Since I took a break from writing reviews, not all the films on my list will have full reviews to accompany them. Let’s hope 2021 has as much wonderful horror content for us to consume, without all the rest of the bullshit. (only my “best films of 2020” list is in a specific order)

BEST FILMS OF 2020:

10. Underwater

This is a suffocating combination of action and aquatic horror. The sets, the performances, and the creature design are all great. This film only made me fall more in love with Kristen Stewart. Full review here.

9. Impetigore

This one probably surprised me the most in 2020. It’s a brilliant and haunting Indonesian horror film that has a little something for everyone. It is unsettling, creepy, beautiful, and still packs in some gore. Full review here.

8. Relic

A haunting and beautiful film. Does a fantastic job of conveying the burden that is passed down through generations and the guilt associated with that burden. All three women give phenomenal performances. (I did not review this film)

7. Host

By far the most frightening film of the year. The team behind Host did a fantastic job of creating a complete story with a combination of chills and jump-scares. You won’t even realize it’s only 57 minutes long. (I did not review this film)

6. Freaky

This film is the the most fun horror film I watched all year. It’s hilarious, gory, and surprisingly heartfelt. At this point I know I will adore anything Christofer Landon directs and Michael Kennedy proved to be a fantastic screenwriter. (I did not review this film)

5. Spontaneous

I was shocked at how sweet and endearing this film was. The story is wonderful and the two leads are sure to capture your heart. It’s a delightful love story completely saturated in blood. (I did not review this film)

4. The Block Island Sound

While this film is still technically on the film festival circuit, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I saw it at the Fantasia Film Festival. It’s incredibly unnerving and seamlessly blends different horror subgenres together. Full review here.

3. The Invisible Man

What I love about this film is that I enjoy it more with each viewing. Elizabeth Moss is an absolutely powerhouse in everything, and this film was no different. The final shock is my favorite of the year. Full review here.

2. Swallow

If I were to curate a marathon of films that are my worst nightmare, this one would be at the top of the list. It’s disturbing and raw while also being a visual work of art. Everything about it is meticulous and meaningful. (I did not review this film)

1. Possessor (Uncut)

This film completely caught me off guard. I went in relatively blind, and I’m so glad I did. This film is a visual feast and one of the most disturbing body horror films I’ve ever encountered. I also love that the entire film is basically a metaphor for body dysmorphia (especially for transgender individuals), whether that was intentional or not. (I did not review this film)

Honorable Mentions: The Mortuary Collection, Lucky (on Shudder in 2021), Spiral, His House, Scare Me, The Other Lamb, Sputnik, Scare Package, Vampires vs The Bronx, The Wolf of Snow Hollow

Favorite Documentaries: Wolfman’s Got Nards, Scream Queen, Hail to the Deadites, Clapboard Jungle

Favorite Non-Horror Films: Shirley, Dinner in America, Birds of Prey, The Devil All the Time, Lovebirds

BEST SHORT FILMS OF 2020:

Camp Calypso

Maggie May

Basic Witch

Offbeat

Waffle

BEST BOOKS OF 2020:

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole

Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

Video Palace: In Search of the Eyeless Man by Maynard Wills

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (not a new book, but my first time reading it)

BEST SHOWS OF 2020:

What We Do in the Shadows S2

The Haunting of Bly Manor

Lovecraft Country

The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Resurrection

SHOT OUTS OF 2020:

(This is a new section that includes people and organizations that made 2020 a bit more bearable)

Ryan Larson & We Are Horror Magazine

Jamie Alvey & the Devil’s Kettle Drama Club

Matt Monagle & Matt Donato & Certified Forgotten

Kaila Hier & Fantasia Film Festival & Nightstream Film Festival

Chelsea Stardust & her absolutely limitless positivity

And many more amazing horror friends who made me less insane this year.

Wolfman’s Got Nards

One of the first film reviews I did for this website was a throwback review for The Monster Squad. My review was notably biased because it was a film I grew up with. I owned a VHS of The Monster Squad growing up and I don’t remember a time when we didn’t have it in the house. It’s always been a favorite, not just because it features fantastic monsters, but it’s a great gateway-horror adventure flick with a group of kids I could relate to. Now Andre Gower, who starred in the film as Sean, has directed a fantastic documentary all about the film called Wolfman’s Got Nards.

Any fan of The Monster Squad has to see this film. Gower takes viewers on a journey through the film’s history from Fred Dekker and Shane Black coming up with the story all the way to the film’s most recent resurgence. Wolfman’s Got Nards is nicely organized into sections focusing on the different aspects of the film. We get to learn about the conception of the story, production, the release and reception, practical effects, and waves of popularity the film went through. It all flows nicely in a way that is easily digestible for the audience.

Again, I could be biased, but this documentary hit a cord with me and even brought a tear (or 20) to my eye. It first happened when Seth Green (Robot Chicken) described why The Monster Squad resonated so much with him and others as a kid. The second time was when Wolfman’s Got Nards talked about Brent Chalem, who played Horace. This character was very beloved and had arguably the best story arc in The Monster Squad. Unfortunately, Chalem passed away at the age of 22 due to complications from pneumonia. Chalem’s friends and family spoke in the documentary about his life and how he left us far too soon. Even the most hardened horror fan will feel emotional at this point of the documentary.

Many celebrities, fans, and film critics lend their voices to Wolfman’s Got Nards. Each of them discusses not only their love of this film and its cultural impact, but how it impacted their lives personally. It’s amazing to see how pivotal The Monster Squad ended up being for those who worked on the film and those who adored it. It’s clear that the fan base is constantly growing with each generation, and likely won’t stop anytime soon.

Wolfman’s Got Nards perfectly captures the love people have for The Monster Squad while also teaching us all something new. It is one of the most well laid out documentaries I’ve ever seen. Fans will love all the behind the scenes tidbits and feel the collective love of the film. Wolfman’s Got Nards is definitely a must-see documentary for fans of horror, film, and The Monster Squad.

Nightstream Capsule Review: Boys From County Hell

Bringing my Nighstream coverage to a close is the delightfully bloody Boys from County Hell. Written and directed by Chris Baugh (Tin Star, Bad Day for the Cut), this film injects the audience with a hearty dose of gore, laughs, and suspense. We watch as a young man joins his father’s construction company. When they demolish an ancient cairn rumored to hold an ancient Irish vampire, they discover the legend is all too real.

The filmmakers waste no time in educating viewers on the legend of Abhartach in a way that is as informative as it is hilarious. Once the context is established, it’s time for the bloodshed. Boys from County Hell is a standout vampire flick because it establishes new rules. It also finds ways to create truly disturbing means for the vampire to attack and kill his prey. On top of this, the filmmakers moved away from the typical attractive, sexy, sultry vampire look horror fans see all time time in favor of a dark, gnarly, decrepit creature. The practical effects and creature design are stunning and terrifying all at once. There is a bit of CGI that is not quite as well done, but what it is used for would be nearly impossible to achieve with practical effects.

While the entire cast delivers strong performances, Jack Rowan (Born to Kill, Benjamin) is the clear standout as Eugene. He brings a perfect balance of laughs and heart to the character, making him endearing and lovable despite his flaws. The film takes care to always have balance; humor vs gore, terror vs sentimentality, etc. For the most part, the filmmakers strike the perfect balance between all these elements. Boys from County Hell is a devilishly good time delivering equal parts laughs, bloodshed, and heart.

OVERALL RATING: 7.5/10

Nightstream Capsule Review: An Unquiet Grave

The Nightstream Fest films keep coming; this time it’s the supernatural drama, An Unquiet Grave. This film is directed by Terence Krey (Winter Slides), who also co-wrote the film with one of its stars, Christine Nyland (The Garden Left Behind). An Unquiet Grave is the story of a man, one year after his wife died in a car accident, as he seeks the help of his wife’s twin sister to try and bring her back to life. It’s a tale of heartbreak, magic, and morality.

An Unquiet Grave plays out like a much more intimate version of Pet Sematary. The film entirely focuses on two actors, Nyland and Jacob A. Ware (Graves, Boardwalk Empire), who both give strong, emotionally charged performances. At only 72 minutes, the filmmakers stick to the basics of the plot, emphasizing the relationships between characters and the lengths people go to in order to be with their deceased loved ones. The mysticism of the plot is left relatively unexplained, but it is shown in such a simplistic way that the audience can put the pieces together.

At times, An Unquiet Grave might be a bit too bare-bones for some viewers. That being said, it succeeds in conveying the deep emotional turmoil each character experiences. Scattered in that turmoil is eerie suspense, haunting imagery, and even some disturbing practical effects. It all comes together to drive home the point many fail to miss, especially when it comes to the ones they love: be careful what you wish for. An Unquiet Grave pulls back the curtain to take an intimate look at love, loss, and the toll grief takes.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10

Nightstream Capsule Review: Lucky

One of the most unique films at Nightstream is definitely Lucky. The film is directed by Natasha Kermani (Imitation Girl, Shattered) and written by Brea Grant (12 Hour Shift, Best Friends Forever), who also stars in the film. Lucky tells the story of May, an author who finds herself hunted by a masked man who comes back every night to try and kill her. When the police end up being less than helpful, she has to take matters into her own hands to stop the masked killer. Grant is able to tell a familiar story in a very different way, and Kermani does a beautiful job of bringing it all to life.

This smart and thrilling re-imagining of a slasher film conveys the threat women face every day: men. The mask the killer wears makes him largely featureless. This not only makes him look terrifying, but it also allows him to represent all men who prey on women. Whenever May speaks to someone about what she’s facing, she is constantly told how brave she is, how “lucky” she is she survived, and even that this is just the way things are. Throughout the film, it’s never clear if this is a supernatural situation or something more sci-fi related, but it’s not something that feels like it needs to be explained.

Grant’s performance as May is wonderful. She makes the character feel relatable, but at the same time there is a slight coldness to her, which can even be felt in the title of her book, “Go It Alone.” The musical score by Jeremy Zuckerman (Horse Girl, The Legend of Korra) melds beautifully with every scene. The climax executes some distinctive ideas in a visually stunning way that adds to the overall mystery of the film. Lucky is a suspenseful, magnificently told metaphor for the real-life horrors women face on a daily basis.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10

Nightstream Capsule Review: Dinner in America

Another smash hit from Nightstream Fest from writer and director Adam Rehmeier (Jonas, The Bunny Game) is Dinner in America. Readers who have followed my reviews might be surprised to see this film on my website as it’s definitely not a horror film. The fact I saw it and felt compelled to write this review should be an indicator of how much I adored it. Dinner in America follows a punk-rocker who unwittingly seeks the help of a young woman, who is obsessed with his band, for help in hiding from the cops.

The entire film is quirky, raunchy, and delightful. Both of the leads, Kyle Gallner (The Haunting in Connecticut, Jennifer’s Body) as Simon and Emily Skeggs (Mile 22, The Miseducation of Cameron Post) as Patty, deliver phenomenal performances and are a joy to watch. It’s impossible not to fall in love with both of them as they fall in love with an “us against the world” attitude. Some of the language may be off-putting to some viewers as there are racial, homophobic, and other slurs used, but for the most part they are said by characters the audience is meant to hate and this only strengthens that hatred. In the beginning of Dinner in America, Gallner’s character uses some of this language as well, but it becomes clear Simon says it to get a rise out of people and distance himself from others. Once those walls are broken down, his language changes.

Since this is a punk rock film, it’s only natural that it would have appropriate visuals and music. The Midwestern, suburban backdrop where it’s almost impossible to tell if it’s 1990 or 2020 emphasizes the fact that Simon and Patty are outsiders in this place. Everyone else is pristine in clean-cut outfits, track suits, and pastels, but the lovers are dressed in uncoordinated and grittier clothes. Then there is the music. Let’s just say, the music is so great that I immediately went online after watching the film to see if I could buy it anywhere (I couldn’t find it yet, in case you were wondering). Between the performances, the plot, and the music, I couldn’t stop smiling during this fantastic film. Dinner in America is charming, hilarious, and the perfect love story for outcasts everywhere.

OVERALL RATING: 9.5/10

Nightstream Capsule Review: Reunion

Writer and director Jake Mahaffy (Free in Deed, Wellness) brings his latest film, Reunion, to Nightstream audiences. Pregnant Ellie returns to her family home as her mother is getting it ready to sell. From the moment Ellie arrives, old memories haunt her and unravel her relationship with her family.

While the general concept for the plot is an interesting one, it lacks a bit of finesse in the execution. From beginning to end, Reunion maintains the same level of tension, or lack thereof. There is a lot of information provided right away, but there is a general lack of context for that information. Ellie immediately sees the ghosts of her past, yet at no point does this help to build suspense or fear for the audience. Even as the audience begins to put the pieces together and the big “revelations” are made in the climax, it doesn’t really feel that climactic. The filmmakers make an attempt to play with the idea of time, reality, and even magic, but it only further confuses the story.

Despite the film’s flaws, there are positives as well. The performances by both Emma Draper (This Town, Daffodils) and Julia Ormond (Legends of the Fall, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) are quite good, given the somewhat monotone plot they were given. Between the setting of the old house and some of the practical effects, the visuals of the film are also enjoyable. The house itself is a fantastic set piece because, while it is quite large, the clutter from preparing to move makes it feels incredibly claustrophobic and increases the feeling of insanity. Reunion takes a stab at a complex idea, but it unfortunately ends up falling flat.

OVERALL RATING: 5/10

Nightstream Capsule Review: The Queen of Black Magic

Indonesian horror fans will not want to miss The Queen of Black Magic at Nightstream Fest. Many of those fans will no doubt recognize the name of this film’s screenwriter, Joko Anwar (Impetigore, Satan’s Slave). Directed by Kimo Stamboel (Killers, Headshot), the film introduces the audience to three friends reuniting at the orphanage where they grew up to pay their respects to the dying owner. With their families in tow, they start to realize this isn’t the happy reunion they thought it would be.

The Queen of Black Magic is an intense watch. It wastes no time in setting up the tension, which quickly spirals into terror. It seems like there is a new shocking twist at every turn, but not to the point the plot becomes convoluted. The main cast is huge, and they are all wonderful to watch. Some of the standouts are Ario Bayu (Impetigore, Java Heat), Hannah Al Rashid (V/H/S 2, Gundala), and Putri Ayudya (Gundala, Homecoming).

In addition to the strong performances and intricate yet frightening plot, there are also plenty of disturbing scenes. Using both CGI and practical effects, the filmmakers create images that are sure to haunt some viewer’s nightmares. Each scene is beautifully done, even when dripping with blood and gore. The Queen of Black Magic is a terrifying film that will keep you guessing until the bitter, violent end.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

Nightstream Capsule Review: My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To

Nightstream Fest brings audiences an intimate, emotional horror film, My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To. Making his feature-film debut as both writer and director, Jonathan Cuartas tells the story of three siblings. The youngest brother, Thomas, suffers from an illness, and his older brother, Dwight, and sister, Jessie, have taken on the burden of caring for him. The film is a tight, family drama with horrifying elements woven throughout. It gets to the heart of the lengths people are willing go to for family and the ones they love.

From start to finish the tone of My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To is dark and ominous, even in the scenes where the family has a happy moment. The knowledge of Thomas’ illness and what his siblings have to do to keep him alive is a constant weight that even the audience can feel. This feeling is emphasized by the stunning performances by all three leads, Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous, Wristcutters: A Love Story), Ingrid Sophie Schram (Phantom Thread, Electric Slide), and Owen Campbell (Super Dark Times, The Miseducation of Cameron Post).

Not only does the film deliver a slow burn with strong emotional beats, but it also includes plenty of blood and some subtle yet gorgeous practical effects. This is mostly tied to Thomas and his mysterious illness that seems closely tied to vampirism. It’s a very unique take that keeps the film grounded in reality. My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To is a haunting family drama that cuts deep.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

Nightstream Capsule Review: Bloody Hell

Nightstream is bringing the fun with Bloody Hell, written by Robert Benjamin (Welcome to Acapulco) and directed by Alister Grierson (Sanctum, Tiger). This violent ride follows the misadventures of Rex. He recently got out of prison and is looking to abandon his notoriety in his home town, then decides to flee to Finland. Unfortunately, he only traded one hell for another.

Bloody Hell dives right into the action and sets the tone for the strange, uniqueness of the film. As Rex goes from one bad situation to the next, the audience watches him work things out by talking to himself (no, really, we watch as he talks to another Rex). It’s a really fantastic way to punctuate the violence with some very dark humor. Ben O’Toole (Hacksaw Ridge, Detroit) shines as Rex. He is an endearing, complicated hero and O’Toole brings great physicality to the role.

This unique plot is made more interesting with the help fo Rex’s imaginary double and striking imagery. There is everything from neon pops of color to gruesome and gory practical effects. At times the film can lean a bit towards cheesy, but it generally feels in keeping with the tongue-and-cheek tone of the plot. Bloody Hell is sure to make you laugh at the most inappropriate times and keep you entertained from start to finish.

OVERALL RATING: 7.5/10