Plot:The story’s narrator says he has come into possession of some papers belonging to Mr. Wraxall, a traveler and writer of travel guides. In the early summer of 1863, Mr. Wraxall sets off to explore Sweden. At the time, most Britons considered Scandinavia to be a backwater. Snobs. He spends time conducting research at aContinue reading “Review of “Count Magnus” by M. R. James: Halloween Countdown”
Tag Archives: horror
Review of “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe: Halloween Countdown
Plot:Montresor tells the reader that he had borne the injuries from his friend Fortunato as best he could, but when Fortunato insulted him, he vowed revenge. He kept up the pretense of friendship until he could exact his revenge—and he would do so with impunity. Fortunato’s weak point was his belief in his connoisseurship ofContinue reading “Review of “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Whistling Room” by William Hope Hodgson: Halloween Countdown
Plot: Carnacki recounts his adventures at (fictional) Iastrae Castle, some twenty miles northeast of Galway, Ireland. Mr. Sid K. Tassoc, the new owner, requested his help after finding the castle haunted. He bought the castle, intending to renovate it before marrying and bringing his bride to live there. He’s frustrated because sounds—whistling and sometimes screaming—comeContinue reading “Review of “The Whistling Room” by William Hope Hodgson: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Fog” (1980)
For our Saturday night pizza and bad movie selection, we chose a flick that started with a ghost story around a campfire. Plot: As midnight nears before the centennial of the founding of the northern California seaside town of Antonia Bay, old Mr. Machen (John Houseman) sits with a group of kids around a campfire.Continue reading “Review of “The Fog” (1980)”
Review of “Sssssss” (1973)
This Saturday night pizza and bad movie lived up to its name. I have to be honest and say that I couldn’t finish watching it. The schlock didn’t get to me—though there was plenty of that. Plot: The viewer first sees two men make a deal for an unseen exotic creature to be exhibited inContinue reading “Review of “Sssssss” (1973)”
Review of “The Green Slime” (1968)
We got our fill of schlock with this week’s Saturday night pizza and bad movie night movie, a romp in space depicting a death struggle with an energy-consuming and -emitting alien life form that could wipe out human existence and seem to squeal with enjoyment while doing it. And we had cheese ravioli. Plot: EarthContinue reading “Review of “The Green Slime” (1968)”
Review of “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson and “The Haunting” (1963)
The Haunting (1963) was our Saturday bad movie and pizza night offering. I remember seeing bits and pieces of it years ago on something called broadcast TV. I’ve read that the book it was based on, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, was one of the best horror novels. (Yes, the same ShirleyContinue reading “Review of “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson and “The Haunting” (1963)”
Review of “American Werewolf in London” (1981)
Before I go any further, I have to mention that the film discusses but does not depict suicide. For this pizza and bad movie selection, we opted for a bit of nostalgia. Both the dearly beloved and I saw this when it first came out, lo, these many years ago. Despite the underlying darkness, thisContinue reading “Review of “American Werewolf in London” (1981)”
Review of “Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat” (1989)
Plot:Vampires have been hunting humans for centuries, but times change. Under the leadership of Count Mardulak (David Carridine) a group of vampires has set up shop in a town called Purgatory somewhere in the desert of the American West. They will learn to co-exist with humans, with the help of sunblock, sunglasses, and artificial blood.Continue reading “Review of “Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat” (1989)”
Review of “The Waxwork” by A. M. Burrage: Halloween Countdown
For October 31—Happy Halloween! Plot:Down-on-his-luck Journalist Raymond Hewson has arranged to spend the night at Marriner’s Waxworks Murderers’ Den. Hewson is freelancing, hoping to sell his story to The Morning Echo. The manager of Marriner’s promises him a five-pound note once the story is published. Hewson wasn’t looking forward to the task, but he hadContinue reading “Review of “The Waxwork” by A. M. Burrage: Halloween Countdown”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 