The Video Verdict

The found footage subgenre has visited the legend of Bigfoot on several occasions—with mixed results— but this to-the-point 2014 thriller delivers legitimate frights under the helm of The Blair Witch Project’s co-director, Eduardo Sánchez.

The Gillman might not be as memorable as some of Universal Monsters past, but 1954’s Creature from the Black Lagoon remains a staple of quintessential ‘50s sci-fi/horror.

Kathy Bates created a star-making role with her performance as homicidal Annie Wilkes in this superlative adaptation of the King novel. 35 years later—and a Best Actress Oscar— and Misery is still considered a classic of modern psychological horror. 

This week, we celebrate our 50th episode by discussing what each of us considers to be flawless films. We might not always agree, but our genre-mixed roundup has at least one movie in common. Listen to this special episode and find out what classic film gets an A+ verdict from both of us!

Jason Voorhees meets his match in the form of a 12-year-old boy in what was supposedly the last hoorah for the masked madman. Eight sequels later and The Final Chapter is still considered a fan favorite, and for good reason. We go back down the Crystal Lake path and discuss in nerdy detail what makes Part 4 such a classic example of early 80s slasher perfection. 

A group of children win a tour of a mysterious chocolate factory run by a mad genius—and where most of them suffer terrible (but well-deserved) fates. Based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this whimsically dark musical has gone from box office disappointment to cult classic to beloved favorite. This week, we explore the sweetly sinister world of Willy Wonka and wonder…were the kids really THAT bad?

A snowboarding outing spells disaster for a group of friends who run smack into a deranged backwoods killer. Sound familiar? Cold Prey might seem like a run-of-the-mill 80s slasher but this 2006 Norwegian homage levels the playing ground by being genuinely intense—and its snowy landscape gives the movie an extra chilly vibe for the season.

This infamous slasher might seem tame by today’s standards, but back in 1984 it became the topic of parental outrage when it was released over the holiday season. Now considered a cult classic, SNDN has spawned four sequels, a loose remake in 2012, a comic book series, action figures, and a loyal fanbase. Merry Christmas!  

In a nursery rhyme world, two bumbling brothers protect their sister, Bo-Peep, from an evil miser—and a literal army of monsters. This Laurel and Hardy vehicle is perhaps an early example of a cult classic, achieving notoriety as a holiday favorite for TV viewers of a certain age. A musical for children adapted from a 1903 operetta, its lighthearted humor and storybook warmth rest alongside some heavily nightmarish aspects—including horrific creatures called the Bogeymen. Cozy up, kids. It’s storytime.

Turkey. Stuffing. A decapitated head. These are just some of the ingredients that make 1987’s Blood Rage a ridiculously fun splatter epic released in the last part of the glorious slasher boom. Set during the typically cheery Thanksgiving holiday, Blood Rage delivers a full-throttle gore ride wrapped in quirky comedy (“It’s not cranberry sauce!”) and an anxiety-ridden performance by Mary Hartman herself, Louise Lasser.