Spooky Spotlight: Hell Fest (2018) So being that we’re just over halfway to Halloween some of you may want to start indulging your spooky side, if that’s the case do I have the perfect film for you, it’s got everything you need to get you in that edge of your seat scared mood that we all love so much, especially if you are a slasher junkie like me, allow me to welcome you to Hell Fest (spoilers ahead). Imagine this, you and a group of friends all get tickets to a horror themed amusement park, complete with a seemingly endless number of haunted houses and mazes to explore and get your scream on! Now think about what it would be like, all the fun, the food, the crowds, the actors, you, and your friends having the best night of your life, until it all goes wrong. Unknown to you a masked killer has blended their way into the park, and is out for blood, and they have chosen your group as their target. That’s the premise of Hell Fest, an energetic slasher with heavy theming that truly makes this move shine and keeps you enthralled and clinging to the edge of your seat. We follow Natalie and her friend group who have gotten themselves VIP passes to the titular Hell Fest a popular haunt attraction and park, which seeks to make patrons skin crawl and drag them through hell and back out the other side. The film opens in a similar park to the main setting, although this one seems to be at a county fair style location, where we see the first kill of the film and are introduced gruesomely to our villain, the typical silent masked man with a proclivity for bloodshed, violence, and silence. Back to the present day we find out that the first killing is nothing but old news and hearsay, and we meet Natalie (Amy Forsyth) a scholarship student who is spending some time reuniting with old friends, and acquaintances like Taylor (Bex Taylor-Klaus) who she doesn’t seem too fond of, as she is sure to tell her friend Brooke (Reign Edwards) but those feelings blow over as there are more pressing matters at hand group member Gavin (Roby Attal) who Natalie has a fondness for has gotten the group VIP passes to the ever popular and sold out Hell Fest. Jumping forward a little into2 the main set piece our protagonist and her friends arrive at Hell Fest, where the darkest night of their lives is about to begin, even if they don’t know it yet. Soon the group is enjoying themselves, taking in the festivities, and indulging a little in alcohol and generally having a good time, soon however things get a little too real, as the killer, called (The Other) kills a victim in front of Natalie who believes it to be part of the act for Hell Fest. After that, we see Natalie and crew move on, where things seem smooth for a while, until they aren’t and everyone realizes they are being harassed by the killer whom they still think is just an overzealous employee, even after he steals some photos belonging to Natalie and Gavin, who have grown attached and have a shared love for each other. Eventually the group makes their way to the Deadlands, a portion of the park where the scares get cranked up to eleven and the employees are allowed to touch the guests, however Gavin stays behind, to win a toy for Natalie to surprise her with later. Soon Gavin finds his prize in an off grounds area away from public view, where he comes face to face with the killer, and a giant hammer, as we see his head get crushed, and explode in an awesome display of gore that genuinely made say “No Way” it’s great to see a slasher film indulge itself and the audience with some over the top deaths to which this film isn’t lacking. I’ll know take some time to point out some things I really enjoyed and found out upon doing some research. First the voice of the attractions seemed so familiar as I was watching the film, and once the credits rolled it hit me like a brick, Tony Todd, that’s right the Candyman himself, makes the movie feel threatening and atmospheric off voice alone, and it’s a nice easter egg for horror buffs upon first viewing. Secondly, I found myself falling in love with the mask of the killer, it was unique while also being somewhat subtle, and it’s everywhere in this movie, and of course I loved it, it was designed by none other than Tony Gardner, the creator of Screams Iconic Ghostface. Overall, while the film doesn’t break a ton of new ground, it seems to be built more like a modern love letter to classic slashers, with theming and mood in spades. Don’t come in expecting an Oscar worthy masterpiece, and instead relax and let the movie do its thing and I doubt any horror fan will find it hard to watch. I give Hell Fest a solid 8 out of 10 and will for sure be a return viewer when Halloween rolls around. Lionel Seaward Lionel Seaward is an avid Writer and Horror fan with a unique perspective, born with Cerebral Palsy he has an interesting worldview and wants to create memorable content while also potentially helping others through their struggles using a creative flair. Lionel is a Journalism and Radio Grad and currently resides near Calgary Alberta Canada.
Final Destination Bloodlines
What I’m hoping to see from the upcoming Final Destination: Bloodlines film. That’s right you probably knew already but if you hadn’t heard we’re going to be getting a new Final Destination franchise member, with the upcoming release of Final Destination: Bloodlines which is set to make its debut sometime in 2025. Firstly, some of if not all the relevant cast has been confirmed with Tony Todd set to reprise and resurrect his role of William Bludworth the macabre Funeral Director who was a hit with critics after the first film, but felt a little flat and lifeless in FD2 according to some, hopefully Todd brings a masterful and memory making performance in Bloodlines that will leave the audience and critics wanting more. Secondly the rumor mill has been hard at work when it comes to talks on the films plot and other elements as it seems the script is in somewhat of a limbo state with it reportedly being on it’s third iteration so far, could this mean the team behind the film is taking extra care to make the film stand out to audiences? Next, we’ve heard that the film may not be formatted as a sequel as the filmmakers have given this film its own subtitle, as opposed to it being simply Final Destination 6, it is reported that series creator Jeffrey Reddick may want the film to stand on it’s own which is understandable as some audiences may be intimidated by a sixth franchise installment if they haven’t kept up with the previous films or it’s been a while since their last viewing or even if this is their first adventure, remember FD5 came out in 2011. Of course, I expect the film to up the ante a bit when it comes to not only the edge-of-your-seat thrills but also the impact of the deaths, whether they be gory or even just progress the story well, rumor has it we maybe be making the film a family affair as the title suggests and seeing a few generations of a single-family take whatever hand death deals them, things could get interesting for sure. I feel like the franchise may have something unique up its sleeve for the next time in the spotlight which will also coincide with the 25th anniversary of the franchise’s inception, so don’t expect them to pull any punches and instead try to leave audiences pleased, if not a little queasy as well. Truthfully just like the film’s depiction of death we never will really know what’s coming until it shows up to take center stage, I, for one, am hopeful that Bloodlines will be a unique, inventive, and entertaining return to form for the franchise and a treat for the passionate diehard and even the new fans to sink their teeth into, I just hope the film doesn’t try to bite off more than it can chew in the end. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and keep your eyes locked on The Crypt for updates and insight on all upcoming horror releases! Lionel Seaward Lionel Seaward is an avid Writer and Horror fan with a unique perspective, born with Cerebral Palsy he has an interesting worldview and wants to create memorable content while also potentially helping others through their struggles using a creative flair. Lionel is a Journalism and Radio Grad and currently resides near Calgary Alberta Canada.
Spooky Spotlight: Popcorn (1991)
Imagine if you will, a newly opened college film program, one that is struggling to make its mark on the campus where it is held. Then the students come up with a seemingly brilliant idea, a horror themed night of entertainment featuring a smattering of screenings of classic in universe horror hits and featuring their original release gimmicks to boot! That’s what kicks off the main plot of the early 90’s slasher comedy Popcorn in which we follow Maggie (Jill Schoelen) who is a student of the program struggling with recurring nightmares that she can’t make heads or tails of as she believes they are related to her current work, a screenplay that she seems very passionate about, to the point she carries around a tape recorder for those moments where inspiration strike. As the students get the screening ready, we move away from the college classroom and over to an old soon to be demolished theatre, where most of the film takes place. We then spend some time introducing some new characters including Dr. Mnesyne (Ray Walston) who runs a shop related to horror films and films in general and supplies the students with the tools to make their screenings a hit, he is a very interesting and eccentric side character that I personally wish was given a few more minutes of screen time. This film does its best to make us acquainted with each of the characters as we settle in, however it doesn’t make things feel overly drawn out or boring, in fact we get our first kill of the film withing the opening fifteen minutes or so and it doesn’t disappoint, but don’t you worry there’s plenty more where that came from, as it should be in any good, if a little campy, slasher film. Popcorn does well in a few areas in my opinion but that can also show with a lack of care in others throughout the runtime, as there are a fair few blunder in the film, from some continuity shenanigans with cowboy boots to the killers eyes seemingly swapping colors between shots, there are a few things eagle eyed viewers and seasoned film buffs will take notice of, but none are film killers in my opinion. Popcorn was filmed entirely in Kingston Jamaica but is seemingly meant to be set in idyllic California, judging from a sign which can be seen at the University near the opening of the film. The films main set piece, the movie theatre is full of charm and character and has a little backstory going into the film, it was once a theatre for stage performances, but was converted to a large single screen auditorium theatre once movies became the more common medium but is soon to be demolished. The plot is swung into action when the students find a film reel marked “do not open” and, just like in every horror film before and after opening it anyway, and screen it in the theatre which causes Maggie to realize that the film is identical to some parts of her recurring nightmares after which she passes out. We then cut to a new scene when Maggie wakes up, and the class is told about a former cult leader whose followers would make experimental films and take drugs as part of their beliefs, the cult leader Lanyard Gates created the film they just viewed and killed his family live on stage in the climax by setting the theatre on fire, presumably killing himself in the process. I’ll now take the time to dive a little into Lanyard Gates, whom we first hear presumably talking to Maggie’s mother over the phone after which she brings a gun to the theatre to hunt down Lanyard and is the first death of the film after she is grabbed by a bunch of hands and pulled off screen. Back to the students who are now taking tickets for the screening, and everyone is settling in until someone comes up to the ticket booth and asks for a ticket to “Possessor” the name of the discovered film by Lanyard Gates, Maggie of course freaks out and is terrified at the fact that Lanyard is now in the theatre with them, and chaos begins to ensue. The second death of the film is an awesome kill on the class instructor during the first screening when he is impaled by the giant mosquito animatronic given to them by Dr. Mnsyne, it always makes me smile when films put good effort into making the kills look good. Jumping ahead throughout the chaos and past some shenanigans and kills, we reach the climax of the film. (Spoilers ahead) the killer is revealed to be Toby, the very one who had the idea to put the screening event on, we then learn that Toby’s mom was part of Lanyard’s film cult and was in the front row leaving him horribly disfigured from the ensuing fire to which he blames the only living member of the Gates family, Maggie, whose real name is revealed to be Sara and is the Daughter of Gates and Her mother who was actually killed during the original Possessor incident. It turns out the woman who has been raising her is actually her Aunt, who is now a hostage and has to watch as Toby tries to kill Maggie in front of the audience who believe it all to be one cruel joke and part of the show, I won’t go any further into detail as to avoid spoiling how the film actually ends but I will say Toby, is actually a decent character who made me feel for him for a time, and the effects work on his face is insane. Be sure to check out Popcorn on Shudder today and give this forgotten B movie blowout a watch. I give it 6 out of 10. Lionel Seaward Lionel Seaward is an avid Writer and Horror fan with a unique
