Backcountry will scare you out of the woods

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 24, 2015 By Steve Newton If you’re thinking about going camping anywhere bears might be, Backcountry is definitely not for you. It’s Stephen Colbert’s worst nightmare come to life, basically. Surrey escapee Missy Peregrym, from TV’s Rookie Blue, and Montreal’s Jeff Roop star as Jenn and Alex, a young couple embarking on a … Continue reading Backcountry will scare you out of the woods

Poltergeist is scary loud, not scary good

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 22, 2015 By Steve Newton The first clue that Poltergeist might suck is the toothy skull presented at the start to signify that it's from Ghost House Pictures. That's the company that gave us such questionable crap as 2004's The Grudge and 2007's The Messengers. Mind you, Ghost House did shape up and deliver 2009's … Continue reading Poltergeist is scary loud, not scary good

Rob Zombie reopens the ’70s drive-in with the twisted House of 1000 Corpses

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT ON APRIL 10, 2003 As a first-time writer-director, shock-rocker Rob Zombie delivered just the type of movie you’d expect from a guy who writes tunes like “Scum of the Earth” and “Demonoid Phenomenon”, then performs them while looking like Charlie Manson’s homeless brother. His film, House of 1000 Corpses—which … Continue reading Rob Zombie reopens the ’70s drive-in with the twisted House of 1000 Corpses

Texas Chainsaw Massacre is much more than just Jessica Biel in a tank top

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 16, 2003 By Steve Newton Let’s face it, Texas Chainsaw Massacre was brilliant. Not the 1974 film itself—although for its time it was quite groundbreaking—but the movie’s title. Has there ever been three words that so powerfully evoked the promise of celluloid carnage? Say it with me, slowly and with feeling: … Continue reading Texas Chainsaw Massacre is much more than just Jessica Biel in a tank top

Horror review: The Mangler

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 6, 1995 By Steve Newton The fear of being mangled by machinery is a powerful one, indeed. Of course, not everyone suffers the daily risk of being sucked into a threshing machine, but the potential for physical harm is always there. Say the electric lawn mower gets clogged … Continue reading Horror review: The Mangler