JoBlo Horror Originals

Today we're looking back at a movie that was just released last year, writer/director Joe Begos's holiday horror film Christmas Bloody Christmas. It's bound for midnight movie status, and today we tell you why!

Would it be a total buzz kill to find out one day when you decide to open your streaming service and see some of your digital copies gone in an instant? What if you didn't have the chance to pick up a physical copy as a backup when it was put on store shelves at your local retailer months or years prior? Chances are, it's happening much more frequently, and that's a sad, hard pill to swallow. Today, let's talk about a film that has disappeared in the ether when it comes to physical and digital release. Let's discuss George A. Romero's 1978 zombie epic, Dawn of the Dead.

A unique blend of horror, dark comedy, and historical drama, Ravenous is set during the Mexican-American War; the movie explores themes of cannibalism, survival, and the thin line between civilization and savagery. Its seamless shift between intense horror and dark humor sets it apart, challenging genre conventions. Ravenous is a cult classic that captivates with its bold storytelling and haunting exploration of the human psyche.

JoBlo’s own Lance Vlcek shifts his focus over to the works of John Carpenter with the latest episode in his The Best Scene video series. The Carpenter classic Lance is looking at with this one is the 1986 action extravaganza Big Trouble in Little China, a movie that's so good that he couldn't pick just one "best scene". He narrowed it down to three options!

Despite the incredible execution and near-perfect performances of everyone involved in the making of Psycho- Someone, somewhere, thought it would be a good idea to create an almost shot-for-shot remake of the classic 1960 title and bringing it into the modern era, while simultaneously remaining detrimentally faithful to the original film- which was not meant for the modern era.

Movies with $15,000 budgets are usually doomed to failure. Heck, that's more the budget of a 5-minute short film than for a full-length feature. Yet somehow, Oren Peli was able to give audiences an experience that scared the crap out of them. So join us as we go back to the late 2000s and revisit Paranormal Activity.

What if the person you prank called turned out to be a sadistic serial killer with limited patience for practical jokes, and even less patience for unruly young people who waste his time and give him the dreaded...blue balls. That is the premise for 2001’s Joy Ride- a horror thriller about a pair of brothers and their childhood friend who are making their way cross-country when a road trip prank gone wrong results in a relentless weekend of death, car chases, sabotage and even a bit of pink champagne. It’s a movie that plays on the classic teen slasher moodiness while also substituting blood and guts with more subtle haunts like the monotone and rough voice of the killer being the main terrifier in the story.

JoBlo Horror run-downs our favorite Horror Films set at Christmas time!

I've been immersed in TV lately, as you'll soon see in an upcoming adaptation video and my recent watches. The 2023 season of Creepshow is a blast, and the blend of Mike Flannigan's Succession with a Giallo twist in Fall of the House of Usher is a standout for me this year. It brings back memories of the '90s TV horror resurgence, reminiscent of the golden age (though I reserve that title for the '70s). The '90s offered a plethora, from Stephen King adaptations to timeless shows like Tales From The Crypt and The X-Files. TV horror owes a lot to Dan Curtis, and while his 1975 Trilogy of Terror is iconic, its sequel, 21 years later, stands as a true Black Sheep in the realm of TV terror.

Some of the movies we talk about have opinions fueled by nostalgia if they are good or reputation if they are bad. Of course, everything is subjective when speaking about how you feel about a movie. Van Helsing was the culmination of what Stephen Sommers had been working towards. While it did very well at the box office, it is not held in very high regard. Compared to the Tom Cruise Mummy flick and the other attempted reboots like The Wolfman and Dracula Untold, though, it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

At Test of Time, we analyze classic films based on factors like critical acclaim, box office success, and reputation. Our trio—writer Andrew, narrator Niki, and editor Mike—brings a fun perspective to the discussion. We also question the reverse scenario: can a initially deemed bad movie be reevaluated over time? Considering "The Thing," once a flop now praised, and with the release of David Gordon Green's new Exorcist trilogy, we're on the lookout for a new "worst" entry. Today, we scrutinize the long-standing title-holder: Is "Exorcist II: The Heretic" any better now, or does it remain one of the worst horror films ever, testing its endurance over time?

Quentin Tarantino. Robert Rodriguez. Rob Zombie. Edgar Wright. Eli Roth. Back in 2007, these five filmmakers joined forces, all contributing to the same project. A film that brings us sights like deformed, decomposing zombies. Vehicular homicide. Limbs replaced with weaponry. Danny Trejo wiping out bad guys. A holiday slasher. Supernatural beings dripping white goo. And even some Nazi werewolves. It was a fun experiment... and a box office bomb. The film is called GRINDHOUSE – and we think it’s time for it to be REVISITED!

The concept of legacy sequels has become a prominent topic, generating both praise and criticism. The recent Halloween trilogy, for instance, has sparked divergent opinions, with some embracing it while others express disdain. Similarly, the latest Exorcist sequel faced challenges, falling short in both box office success and public reception. However, the trend of such sequels persists. The 2021 release of Candyman stands out as a noteworthy example that garnered positive attention. Despite some dissenting views, the film achieved a decent box office performance, received mostly favorable reviews, and left fans generally satisfied. Notably, Candyman introduced fresh perspectives while paying homage to the original, showcasing that the legacy sequel trend continues to evolve with varying degrees of success.

As we all know, horror films come in many forms and there are many sub-genres within horror that make it both easily accessible and appealing to just about everyone. Whether you’re looking for demon possessions, ghosts, ghouls, haunted houses, or you’ve just got an insatiable appetite for corn syrup- the horror genre has something for you. And as such, the subject of today’s video is the debut feature from Jennifer Kent that plays in the sandbox of the paranormal while highlighting the idea that the REAL fear- is fear itself. This brings us to 2014s The Babadook!

Imagine you’re a teenager out in the middle of nowhere, and you find you have an itch on your face that you just can’t scratch. The more you scratch it, the more it itches. And when you look down at the hand that had done the itching, there are chunks of flesh on it... What do you do next? Well, it really happened to a young Eli Roth when he worked on a horse farm in Iceland when he was 19 years old. Eli survived the ordeal; we also can’t help but be kind of glad it happened to him. After all, we wouldn’t have “Cabin Fever” otherwise. Is that messed up for us? If so, that’s fitting because this is one messed up flick, and so stay away from the shaving kit for just a little while, and lets find out WTF Happened to “Cabin Fever.”

Directed by Ernest Dickerson and produced by Tales from the Crypt, Demon Knight's success lies in its ability to infuse traditional horror elements with a campy, tongue-in-cheek sensibility. The charismatic performances, notably by Billy Zane as the suave and sinister demon, contribute to the movie's unconventional charm.

John Carpenter's 90s movies often don't receive the credit they deserve, overshadowed by his earlier classics. However, this decade showcases Carpenter's versatility and ability to adapt to changing cinematic landscapes. Today, we defend Vampires, Village Of The Dammed, and Body Bags. While not as celebrated, Carpenter's 90s contributions are a testament to his enduring creativity and willingness to evolve, deserving recognition for their underrated impact on horror cinema.

Known for his skillful use of cinematography, innovative storytelling techniques, and mastery of pacing, James Wan has consistently delivered films that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Today, we look back on three of our favorite movies and deconstruct what makes them work.

While Brittany Murphy is often remembered for her roles in Clueless and 8 Mile, there's a different film that stands out to me. So I'm spreading the word about a Murphy-led slasher where the killer flips the usual formula on its head and instead of going after the horny and debaucherous, is targeting virgins. So join us today on Real Slashers, as we take a look at Cherry Falls.

In 2016, Trollhunter director, Andre Ovredal brought us a film, big and bold in its reveal, covering a particular component not told much in horror flicks. A film with a skin-crawling creep factor that hits at a terrifying level, especially with all the lights turned off. We’re talking about The Autopsy of Jane Doe, and it just so happens it might be one of THE BEST HORROR MOVIES YOU NEVER SAW!

Way before Aquaman, The Conjuring, and even Dead Silence, James Wan was just focused on breaking into the industry. And, like many directors, used horror as a way to do so. Along with Leigh Whannell, they were able to craft a story that exploded into its own franchise that continues to this day. So join us today as we deconstruct James Wan's Saw.

John Carpenter’s 1978 classic set that bar higher than any other, turning a feebly budgeted shoe-stringer into a massive box-office colossus, subsequently spawning seven chapters, two retreads, and now a 40-year continuation story. But you know what? Michael Myers has become so synonymous with HALLOWEEN horror flicks, rightly so, that it’s very easy to overlook the countless other horror flicks that happen to take place around Halloween. No need to fret or sweat, though yo, we’ve got you covered.

Today we're going to discuss a movie that I have wanted to discuss since I started on the channel. I can't believe it needs to be defended, but it is truly one of the most divisive movies out there, even now 40 years after its original release. Halloween III isn't for everyone; hell, Joe Bob Briggs, one of my absolute heroes, can't stand it (thank you, Darcy, for holding the torch for it), but you take away the Halloween moniker and just call it Season of the Witch, and it's one of the best and bleakest horror movies of the early '80s.

For a time, there was one film considered to be the worst Horror Movie Of All Time. There was a documentary made to show it's atrociousness, with it steadily becoming a cult favorite. Whatever it is, these elements add up to create an amalgamation of bad that must seen to be believed. So join us today as we see how Awfully Good is Troll 2.

I'm always looking forward to that magical time of year. As I've gotten older things have changed, but the feelings I get have not. What I'm talking about is obviously Halloween. Not even just Halloween, but special Halloween programming. For me, it all started with It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror, and then just got better and better.