Book Update #5 - The Editing Begins

"Misty Autumn Forest Road - HDR" by Nicolas Raymond is licensed under CC BY 2.0

So... it’s been awhile since I’ve talked about my book.

Usually when someone goes dark on their blog or any site they may use to talk about their book and/or writing, it regularly means bad news. The person either gave up entirely or fell behind in some way. Perhaps maybe they still are chasing that dream, but really aren’t making any substantial process.

I can say that is not the case with me at all. Not by a long shot.

In my last update, I wrote about how I had decided to raise the story count for my book (which is a collection of short stories) from ten stories to thirteen. I also stated that I had written the eleventh story for the book. Well, boys and girls, I finished those last two stories. I hit my goal of thirteen and can now say that the writing process of my book is finally complete.

Which brings me to the next thing I have been up to.

Editing.

I completely re-wrote the first story I had finished for my book. If you read what I had before and compared it to what I have now, it’s insane how much my writing has improved. I guess the old saying is true, practice makes perfect.

The truth of why I haven’t been posting on here as much basically comes down to time. I landed a new job at the tail end of last year and have been working hard. The free time I have either goes into writing or just relaxing. However, now that I am more accustom to this new position I am going to try to not be so distant from this blog.

You can always follow me on Twitter and Facebook if you’d like to hear from me more often.

That’s all I have for now. Until next time... keep writing.

Terrortory 2 is Here!

Hey there! I know it’s been awhile since my last post, and that I have been slacking majorly on this blog, but for now just know that I am fine. Nothing crazy happened to me or anything like that. I plan on writing an update post soon.

For now, I want to let you know that my new film, Terrortory 2, is out now for everyone to see.

Oh, and it’s FREE!

If you remember, I stared in the first Terrortory as Smiling Jack (I also played the role of Gotz as well.) You can read all about that here. Well, Smiling Jack is back for Terrortory 2. As you can see on the poster below, I made it front and center as Smiling Jack once again.

Honestly, this is truly amazing to me. As a huge fan of the likes of Jason Voorhess, Michael Myers, and Freddy Krueger (to name a few), it’s crazy to think that I am starring in a movie as a killer, just like them, and featured on the poster. Not once, but twice.

So, if you’re a big horror fan, or just a little bit of a horror fan, please go watch Terrortory 2. It’s free on Amazon Video throughout the month of October to anyone that is a Prime member. When you do watch it, could you please drop us an Amazon review, it would really help us out.

I hope you enjoy the movie as much as me and the rest of the cast and crew enjoyed making it. Who knows, maybe one day we'll see a Smiling Jack spinoff movie?


--
Matt

My Top 10 Horror Films of 2017

Here it is, my awesome list of the top 10 horror films of the year. Where I rank all the horror movies I've watched over the year and attempt to rank them in a list for you to enjoy.

That being said, here is my list...

10. Jigsaw (AKA Saw VIII)

I am a huge fan of the Saw franchise, and ever since the ending of Saw VII (The Final Chapter) I’ve been chomping at the bit for another movie in the series. Well, after seven long years we finally have a sequel with Jigsaw. This entry didn’t really wow me like the others in the series did the first time I viewed them, but it was still fun to watch and to be in that universe again. The ending was a little lacking compared to the previews entries. Here’s hoping to another sequel with perhaps some returning faces.

9. Life

Life may be like the movie Alien in the sense that they are both sci-fi horror that take place in space where people discover some type of new life form, then all hell breaks loose. However, the execution of those plot elements and how everything all plays out is what makes them so different from one another. I really enjoyed Life, and found it to be a creepy, messed up movie. Although I kind of saw the ending coming, I give the filmmakers credit for doing an ending that isn’t typical. (Trying to be as vague as possible here to avoid spoiler territory.)

8. Annabelle: Creation

The thing I find funny about Annabelle: Creation is that it’s a similar situation to the Ouija movies. The first Ouija movie and the first Annabelle I did not like whatsoever. However, the second film, Ouija: Origin of Evil and Annabelle: Creation are awesome horror movies. What’s even more funny is that Origin of Evil and Creation are both prequels. Oh, and they both star Lulu Wilson. I don’t know, I just find that interesting. Annabelle: Creation, as you could guess, explorers the creation of the Annabelle doll and how things came to be. Creation has a much spookier vibe that I felt the first Annabelle was lacking.

7. Get Out

This movie had a lot of hype surrounding it by the time I got to sit down and watch it. However, I ended up just enjoying the movie, instead of loving it like everyone else seemed to be. I must say that I praise it for it’s originality. It does have some clever twists and turns in it that will keep you guessing. I am usually pretty good at guessing what is going to happen in movies, but this is one of those movies you could never guess how things will ultimately play out.

6. The Babysitter

Some might not consider The Babysitter a horror movie because it features comedy, but so did Shaun of the Dead and I consider that a horror movie. Horror isn’t defined by one thing, but a movie where a boy discovers that his babysitter is part of a cult, wants to perform a satanic ritual with human sacrifice in his home, and wants to kill him as well, sounds like a horror movie to me. The Babysitter is completely bat-shit crazy, and hilarious. You will never guess what is going to happen next. The only negative thing that I can say about The Babysitter is that it’s a Netflix original movie and I can’t buy it on blu-ray.

5. Gerald's Game

Gerald’s Game is a weird movie, but I like weird, so that’s a compliment coming from me. Based on a novel by Stephen King, and directed by Mike Flannagan. (who has made some great horror movies like Hush, which made my 2016 list.) With such a simple premise of a woman stuck tied to a bed, Gerald’s Game does a great job at keeping things fresh and thrilling. As with The Babysitter, Gerald’s Game is a Netflix original movie therefore I cannot buy it on blu-ray. Keep up the great work Netflix, but could you please start releasing things on blu-ray. (I’m still waiting on Hush.)

4. The Blackcoat’s Daughter

I’m not usually a fan of slow-burn horror movies, but I guess some surprise me from time to time. The Blackcoat’s Daughter is one of those movies. The premise of the movie is simple, but the films story unravels with such tension and mystery that it keeps you firmly engaged, even if it is moving along slowly. The definition that a great story is key. I found myself drawn into it, wanting to know what the hell was going on, and just how the story was going to wrap up. To me, it didn’t disappoint, a slow-burn done right.

3. The Poughkeepsie Tapes

I know The Poughkeepsie Tapes was technically released in 2007. However, it was only released at a film festival, which meant not everyone could go and see it. The movie was supposed to have a theatrical release in February of 2008, but it was pulled for unknown reasons. Now in 2017, the film has finally been released to the masses, thanks to the heroes over at Scream Factory. I got to see this movie awhile back and absolutely loved it, but since it was never officially released I never added it to any of my top 10 lists. I always told myself that the year it was finally released would be the year it would make the top 10. Since this year is that year, I now consider The Poughkeepsie Tapes a 2017 film for the sake of this list. Anyway, this movie is completely messed up and downright disgusting. The documentary style really adds to the unsettling nature as it feels like what you are watching actually happened. To me, this is possibly one the best found footage movies ever made.

2. The Devil’s Candy

A movie about a crazy serial killer, demonic-esque possession, with heavy metal music as the soundtrack? Where do I sign up? The Devil’s Candy is a great, twisted horror movie. It takes the cliché of a family moving into a new home only to have weird things begin to happen to them and flips it on its head. Without spoiling anything, the way the serial killer was depicted in the film gives the movie some genuinely disturbing scenes. Also, the use of the metal music in the soundtrack adds credence to the film. The songs aren’t just thrown into the movie to be edgy or cool; yeah, it’s cool, but the songs serve a purpose and is almost an extension of the movies characters.

1. IT

I must be honest, when I first heard they were making a movie based on Stephen King’s IT, a remake of the 1990 mini-series, I wasn’t excited in the slightest. Also, when I first saw the official photo of the new Pennywise, it did nothing for me. However, I still went and saw it, because the previews had something about them that I couldn’t explain. They drew me to it and gave me this feeling that it might be good after all. I guess my subconscious was right, because it was. Pennywise looks goofy if you look at him out of the context of the film, which I guess makes sense, because he is a clown after all; but within the movie he is one creepy son of a bitch. He definitely steals every scene he is in, like how the Joker did in The Dark Knight. I really went into this movie with my expectations low and left loving the hell out of it. There were a few great horror movies this year, but none of them really wowed me like IT did when I left the theater.

Honorable Mentions: 47 Meters Down, The Void

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So there it is, my Top 10 Horror Films of 2017. If you haven’t seen or even heard of any of these films, then I suggest you really look into them. If you’re into horror, then you should at least give them a rent.

Disclaimer: I would like to add that although I watch a lot of horror films and I try to see everything, I didn’t get to see every single horror film that was released this year. This is not my job; it’s just a hobby of mine. So if you don't see something great on this list, it’s most likely because I did not get to see it... yet. Also, this list is my opinion and my opinion only. If you do not agree with it, then that is okay. Feel free to post your top 10 in the comments, but please, let's not start a war over this. It is just a list.

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Check out last years list, Top 10 Horror Films of 2016.

Check out the rest of my lists on my page A List of Lists.

My Top 5 Favorite Jasons in Friday the 13th

I know I haven’t posted in awhile, but how could I not post something on a Friday the 13th?

Jason Voorhees has always been my favorite among the killers and slashers throughout the history of horror cinema. As of this writing, there have been seven actors and countless stunt performers to portray the role of Jason Voorhees. Eight if you count A New Beginning, but that was an imposter.

Ever since I ranked the Friday the 13th movies from worst to best (should have been Best to Best), I wanted to make some kind of list about the Jason character. That being said, I thought I’d make a list of my favorite appearances of Jason.

There are eleven possible candidates for this list. Jason from parts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, JGTH, X, X-Uber, FvJ, and the Remake. I am not counting Part 5 as it was Roy Burns. (I know you can say that Jason was technically in the movie as an hallucination, but I am not counting that.)

Here are my top 5 favorites...

5. Jason from Friday the 13th Part 3 (in 3D!) played by Richard Brooker.

R.I.P. Richard Brooker

Jason from Part 3 was such a step up from the Jason in Part 2. He became more cold blooded, and menacing, both in nature and visual presence. Jason in Part 3 displays an almost, “I don’t give shit anymore,” attitude; perhaps as a result of being wounded and embarrassed by Ginny at the end of Part 2.

Of course there are sequences in the film where he runs around, genuinely wanting to catch his next victim, but unlike the Jason featured in Part 2, there are scenes where he looks like he just does not care. Like how he walks away after killing Vera with the harpoon gun, as if nothing even happened. To add to that, Jason lurks around unmasked in this movie for quite a while, as if concealing his face isn’t a concern anymore either. Remember, the Jason in Part 2 ran from the police officer. If a scene like that had happened to the Jason portrayed in Part 3, I bet he would have ran toward any cop in front of him and killed them without hesitation, then would have walked away like it was nothing.

And how could I mention Part 3 Jason without saying that this was the first time he put on the hockey mask? Something which would go on to become an iconic aspect of the character. Like a match made in Heaven, er, Hell.

4. Jason from Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives played by C.J. Graham.

Jason Lives is arguably one of the best sequels in the franchise. This portrayal of Jason Voorhees is the version I remember watching the most of as a child. I have probably watched Jason Lives more than any other movie in the series. Therefore, when I think of Jason, his look in Jason Lives is one of the ones that pops in my head first.

The opening scene of Jason Lives is also one of my favorites. Usually Jason’s face isn’t revealed until near the end of the movie, but in Jason Lives, his bare face is on full display right at the beginning. It’s always a cool treat to see Jason’s face, something the more recent films have seemed to ignore, but I love seeing Jason battling Tommy and Hawes with his rotting, maggot and worm covered mug showing. (Maggothead!)

This opening starts the movie just right. Not only did it bring Jason back from the dead, but it showed the audience that the real Jason was back, and possibly stronger, angrier, and badder than ever before. C.J. Graham captured that intensity perfectly in his performance as Jason. With the addition of a utility belt of sorts on the costume, Jason appeared much more tactical than previous versions.

3. Jason from Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood played by Kane Hodder.

I’m not sure the reasoning why any previous actors in the series didn’t come back to portray Jason more than once, but that all changed when Kane Hodder put on the hockey mask. Kane ended up playing Jason in four films; Parts 7, 8, 9 and X. (He played Jason again in the 2017 Friday the 13th video game, providing the mocap for all the Jason’s in the game.)

Out of all the movies Kane Hodder played Jason, his New Blood Jason is my favorite. Although I really love the look of Jason in all the films in one way or another, the costume and makeup for Jason in The New Blood looks so damn cool. Especially Jason’s face, once it’s revealed. The amount of work, thought, and care that went into the details of that costume is something still mesmerizing to this day. I mean, just look at it. I always smile from ear to ear when Jason stands up out of the water towards the beginning of the film and his spine is showing through the back of his clothes.

Then there is the kills. Jason is a damn killing machine in The New Blood. I mean, he’s a killing machine in every movie, but in this movie he really goes all out. Even using new weaponry in his arsenal. (Like some gas powered tree limb cutter thing?) It’s just a shame that the MPAA forced them to cut back most of the kills to achieve an R rating. I know it’s probably impossible at this point, but I always wished there was a way to restore the cut footage and produce a proper Director’s Cut version of The New Blood. (Maybe one day.)

2. Jason from Friday the 13th (2009) played by Derek Mears.

Say what you want about the 2009 remake/reboot of Friday the 13th, but can we all agree that the portrayal of Jason by Derek Mears is one of the best in the franchise? I know that’s a bold statement, but every Jason fan I’ve talked to has never said one bad thing about Jason in the reboot.

After the Frankenstein-like Jason we saw in Freddy vs. Jason, it was nice to see Jason’s quick ferocious power once again. (Don’t get me wrong, I loved Freddy vs. Jason. I just thought Jason could have been played better.) A lot of people hated the fact that Jason ran in the remake, but as a lifelong fan of the franchise and the character, this did not bother me. (Jason did run, be it brief, in Parts 2 and 3.)

The new hockey mask is beautiful, and the new sackhead version of Jason in the beginning of the movie was pulled off brilliantly. It was actually chilling to see him like that once again. Dare I say, scary? The remake has its flaws, but when it comes to Jason, there are none.

1. Jason from Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter played by Ted White.

Jason Voorhees in The Final Chapter is my favorite Jason of them all, and perhaps the best Jason ever to appear on screen. Ted White, the man behind the mask in the fourth installment of the franchise, took what Richard Brooker started in Part 3 and amped it up tremendously. That, “I don’t give shit anymore,” attitude that I mentioned above seemed to be cranked to eleven.

Jason genuinely seems pissed off throughout the entire movie. Some key scenes that I feel demonstrate this are his kills in the morgue, his chase scene with Trish, and when he grabs Tommy through the window. Then, most of all, the scene where Jason bursts through the door near the end (my favorite shot in the movie). Broken wood pieces fly everywhere as he slams through the door. Then, without missing a beat, he throws a hammer at Trish. Although he misses her, the hammer sticks into the wall just inches from her head.

Jason Voorhees was such a badass in The Final Chapter that even when they attempted to kill the character off for good, hence The Final Chapter subtitle, it didn’t work.

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Well there is my list. I hope you enjoyed it. In conclusion, Jason Voorhees is and always will be my favorite horror movie character. I love each movies portrayal of him in some way or another. The ones on this list are just my favorites. Here is hoping we see Jason again real soon up on that big screen.

Feel free to leave a comment with your favorites Jasons.

P.S. Making these Jason collages for this post was a lot of fun!

Like this list? Then check out my other lists.

Book Update #4 - Thirteen It Is

"The Woods" by ThreeIfByBike is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

In my last update, I toyed with the idea of upping the story count of my book, which is a collection of short stories, from ten stories to thirteen. Well, I decided to go with thirteen. Mainly because it’s my book and I can do whatever I want; but also because, like I said before, thirteen is my favorite number. The Friday the 13th movie series might have played a part in that, but I don’t see anything wrong with it, wink wink.

As of late, my brain has overflowed with ideas. The most I have ever had before in my life. I’ve always had a creative mind, coming up with movie ideas and stories, but lately I feel it has ramped up. Maybe it’s because I have been eating healthier? I don’t know. Whatever it is, knock on wood that my brain keeps it up.

That being said, I would really like to write a few more stories, get them all down on paper (or on my computer), before I head into the editing process of the book.

I know I have been talking and giving updates about this book for what seems like an eternity, but things take time. I could have probably released this book last year, if I had rushed it, but I don’t like to rush things. “It’s done when it’s done,” is a quote that keeps coming to my mind, and is something I keep telling myself.

Since my last update, I’ve completed writing another two stories, which brings my total now to eleven. One of the stories I just completed was actually a story I started writing years ago, but could never really figure it out. An idea hit me recently, (that overflowing I mentioned) and the story seemed to finally have that missing piece I always felt it needed.

This book might be taking time, but this beast will get finished. I created a roadmap of sorts, with key dates as small deadlines that will help me stay on track for that goal.

I have a plan, and my motivation is just a strong as it was when I typed the first word.

Terrortory DVD and Terrortory 2!

If you follow me on Twitter and Facebook (which you should), then you would have seen the news about the DVD release of Terrortory last week.

Isn't she a beauty?

You can purchase Terrortory straight from the source or alternatively through Amazon. If you haven’t had the chance to see Terrortory yet (what are you waiting for?) and are hesitant to pick up the DVD, you can still check it out pretty cheaply on Amazon Video.

Also, Terrortory 2 is happening!

I am set to reprise my role as the crazy pumpkin head killer, Smiling Jack. I held onto the costume after we had wrapped on the first movie, everything minus the head. The director hung on to that. A few months back, I pulled out the costume, which I had kept inside a cardboard box, and hiked back into the woods once more for a photoshoot. This is the result of that shoot...

I am really looking forward to playing this role again. Smiling Jack, although wacky looking with his big pumpkin head, is 100% pure badass. You really shouldn’t go into his area of the Terrortory, but people still do. I have read the script for my part and heard a lot of ideas from director Kevin Kangas about the rest of the movie. I'm not spilling anything, but from what I've heard, it sounds like it's really going to be one hell of a sequel. I can't wait!

I will keep this site posted on future news, obviously.

2017 is Rolling Along

"Long and Icy Road" by Stark is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Wow, it’s February already?

I am still chugging away on my book. I have only one more story to complete before the book will ready for full blown editing mode. Some of the stories I have I think are pretty much ready to go (except for maybe the random typos). However, I want to go back and revisit them, one at a time, and give them all the attention they deserve.

I slowed down on writing my book a bit for the holidays, plus I took some time away and jumped into writing a short screenplay (about 18 pages) from an idea that popped in my head last October. I wrote it mainly for fun, to get it out of my head and down on paper, but I plan on sending it to my filmmaker buddy to see if he likes it.

Who knows what will happen? I know nothing is guaranteed other than him reading it. He might like it, but he might not. Either way, it was pretty exciting working on a screenplay again. I figured if all else fails and nothing were to happen with it, I could submit it to a short screenplay contest or maybe just rewrite it as short story for another book. We will see, as the saying goes.

Like I said, writing a screenplay again, short or not, got me really excited. I finished my first screenplay way back in July of 2014 (damn time flies!). I’ve been hard focused on completing my book, so I haven't worked on anything screenplay related since then. So now I have this itch to write my second feature length screenplay.

They say the second one is easier than the first. I just need to think of something and flesh it out to fill the 90-ish pages. I’m sure my (odd) brain will think of something, but I am anxious to get started. Once I finish the last story for my book, oh it’s on.

(Oh yes, there will be blood.)

In other News...

I recently updated the Contact page. There is now a simple form that you can fill out to send me a message. However, there is still an address listed on the page for anyone that wants to send me an email the old fashioned way.

My Top 10 Horror Films of 2016

Here it is, my awesome list of the top 10 horror films of the year. Where I rank all the horror movies I watched over the year and attempt to rank them in a list for you to enjoy. I thought 2015 was a good year for horror films, but it felt to me that 2016 crushed last year. Here is hoping 2017 will be just as good, perhaps better. (New Friday the 13th coming October 2017! Wooooo!)

I have not included my new film Terrortory. Since I appear in it, I feel it wouldn’t be right to include. (Even though it would be #1, wink wink.) However, you can still watch it for FREE.

That being said, here is my list...

10. Blair Witch (2016)

This movie got a lot of hate this year, and in my opinion the hate was unwarranted. I think Blair Witch didn’t live up to everyone's overblown hype for it. By what the marketing of the film lead everyone to believe, I think a lot of people went into this thinking it was going to be the scariest movie ever made in the history of mankind. I did find the movie creepy towards the end, but obviously I’ve seen much more frightening films. However, I’ve seen countless horror films in my life to know that judging a film on scare factor alone is just ridiculous. That being said, I really enjoyed Blair Witch. Throw all that hype away and just watch the movie, you might enjoy it.

9. Emelie

Do you have kids? Ever pay for a babysitter? Well, if you answered yes, chances are you probably won’t ever want to again after you watch this crazy movie. Emelie is about a replacement babysitter filling in to watch three young children while their parents go out for the night. However, this babysitter is downright crazy, subjecting the kids to activities that are insane and disturbing. I don’t even have children and it got to me. Things take an even darker turn when you find out the truth about Emelie and what her motives actually are. Enjoy, Parents.

8. Southbound

I really love me a good horror anthology film and Southbound did not disappoint. I don’t even know what to say without giving too much away about the movie, but what I will say it that it was good, it was dark, it was weird, and you should see it. What I found unique about this film is that each story cleverly blended right into the next one. For example, at one part a character that we had been following entered a motel room and closed the door behind them. The camera then panned over to the next motel room and a new character emerged from inside to which we began following their story. I just found them all to be really cool and creative, which only added to the this already good movie.

7. Lights Out

If you didn’t already know, Lights Out is based on a short film of the same title by the same director. Search “Lights Out Short Film” on YouTube if you want to check it out. Lights Out is about an entity that can only appear (and attack and kill you) when in complete darkness. It’s a very creative idea as the characters in the film have to think of ways to combat this force using lights. It gives a whole new meaning to being afraid of the dark. (P.S. Why is the short film not on the Blu-ray as a Special Feature?)

6. Quija 2: Origin of Evil

I have to start by saying that the first Quija is not very good. When I heard Mike Flanagan was directing the sequel/prequel, it got me excited. Quija 2 blows the first film out of the water, hands down. It did not disappoint. The story takes place in the 1960s, and the movie even feels like it was shot then as well with the retro opening logos and cigarette burns in the corner like old film reels. You have to appreciate that level of detail. I have to say that the young girl (Lulu Wilson) in the movie did an awesome job. She really pulled off the possessed creepster perfectly. Mike Flanagan is easily becoming one of my new favorite writer/directors.

5. Hangman

Hangman follows a serial killer setting up residence in the attic of a family's home. With hidden cameras he watches them as they sleep and go about their daily lives, strategically toying with them along the way. Hangman was released earlier this year and didn’t have much word of mouth around it. If you didn’t know about it before its release, chances are you probably still haven’t heard much about it; which is sad because I found it to be one the most disturbing and nerve racking found-footage movies I have probably ever seen. For this reason, I love it! If you know me or read any of my lists, then you know I love a good found-footage movie, and this one definitely stands out amongst the subgenre. (I plan to do a top 10 found-footage list one day.)

4. The Shallows

I think it is safe to say that The Shallows is probably the best shark movie since Jaws. This is how shark movies need to be. This movie keeps building the tension all the way to the very end. I prefer practical effects above CGI, but I know when it comes to making something like a shark it’s probably easier to go CG. That being said, whoever worked on the effects of the shark did an amazing job. You’ll forget you are even watching a CG shark halfway through the movie.

3. Hush

This movie kind of snuck up on me. Releasing exclusively to Netflix streaming, Hush follows Maddie, a young writer fighting to stay alive from a stalking masked killer lurking outside her isolated home. The twist? Maddie is deaf. Being a writer myself, I really enjoyed the scenes where the Maddie character was writing or when she was plotting out different scenarios in her head when it came to the killer. I also really enjoyed the scenes where there was no sound, letting us experience things how she was. It made the sequences even more suspenseful knowing there was danger nearby and that Maddie couldn’t hear it. Mike Flanagan has two horror films on my list in the same year? Damn! Also, why has Hush not been released on Blu-ray yet? I really want to own it already.

2. The Conjuring 2

James Wan did it again - scaring the pants off everyone. Although his entry in The Fast and the Furious series was okay, horror movies is where he really shines, in my opinion. The demon nun, Valak, is probably the creepiest thing I have seen all year. Hearing that it was a last minute addition to the film is crazy to fathom. This movie could arguably be the number one horror film of the year, however this is my list and I had to put them in some kind of order.

1. Don't Breathe

I absolutely love Don’t Breathe. Fede Alvarez instantly struck me as a writer/director to keep an eye on when I saw his debut feature of the Evil Dead remake, and with Don’t Breathe he did not disappoint. The simple premise of three people breaking into a house to rob a blind man quickly turns into one hell of a ride with twists and turns layered throughout. There is no other true horror than real life. Similar to movies like You’re Next, The Strangers, and even Hush, the events that transpire during Don’t Breathe’s runtime are even more unsettling knowing that they could very well happen.

Honorable Mentions: Darling, 13 Cameras

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So there it is, my Top 10 Horror Films of 2016. If you haven’t seen or even heard of any of these films, then I suggest you really look into them. If you’re into horror, then you should at least give them a rent.

Disclaimer: I would like to add that although I watch a lot of horror films and I try to see everything, I didn’t get to see every single horror film that was released this year. This is not my job; it’s just a hobby of mine. So if you don't see something great on this list, it’s most likely because I did not get to see it yet. Also, this list is my opinion and my opinion only. If you do not agree with it, then that is okay. Feel free to post your top 10 in the comments, but please, let's not start a war over this. It is just a list.

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Check out last years list, Top 10 Horror Films of 2015.

Check out the rest of my lists on my page A List of Lists.

Welcome to the Terrortory

Starting today and lasting throughout the month, Terrortory, the newest film I appear in, will have its premiere on Amazon Prime Video. See that guy in the poster above with the pumpkin head? Yeah, that's me!

For the entire month of October, Terrortory (trailer below) will be available, for FREE, on Amazon Prime. If you don’t have a Prime you can still watch it for a $2.99 seven day rental in HD.

Terrortory is an '80s inspired anthology horror film. If you don’t know what an anthology film is, shame on you, I’ll explain it real quick. An anthology film is a movie comprised of several short stories spanning the length of a normal movie.

This film marks a lot of firsts for me. This is the first anthology horror film I have acted in. Second, I actually got to play two roles in the film. Something that was made possible because of the fact that it's an anthology film. (And the awesome people involved of course.) Third, the roles I play are of killers. I have played zombies before, where I did kill someone on screen, but never have I portrayed a masked killer. As a die hard Jason Voorhees fan, to have the opportunity to do this was a dream come true. (And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.) Lastly, I am on the damn poster. How cool is that?

Terrortory has been a long time in the making. The scenes I was on set for were shot in September/October of 2014 and the same time again in 2015. I think I first mentioned I was filming scenes for it in this post way back in April of 2015. The world premiere screening was just last Thursday night in Baltimore, Maryland. Movies take time, and independent movies like this are no exception.

A lot of people put a ton of hard work, time, and dedication into bringing Terrortory to it’s completion. I am glad I got to be a part of it all.

I’ll keep you all posted on the inevitable DVD/Bluray release.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook to also stay up to date.

My Top 10 Horror Films of 1980

So one day I woke up and said to myself, “Even though I watched a lot of of horror movies growing up, and watch a lot now, there are so many from the '80s and '90s that I missed.” Then it hit me, why not go back, starting with the year 1980 and watch every horror movie I can find. Not only will I get to see a lot of films I missed, but maybe I’ll find some gems in the process. On top of that, I could make a list of what I think are the best ones.

So I am doing just that. I don’t know how long this is going to take, but it’s shall be fun none to less.

What happened in 1980?

Hottest Selling Christmas Item... Rubik’s Cube

Top Song of the Year... "Call Me" by Blondie

Highest Grossing Film of the Year... The Empire Strikes Back

Disclaimer: This list is my opinion and my opinion only. If you do not agree with it, then that is okay. Feel free to post your top 10 in the comments, but please, let's not start a war over this. It is just a list.

That being said, here is my list...

10. The Children

There were a few movies I felt could go at the number ten spot. I decided on The Children, mainly because out of all the movies that didn't make the top 10, it was the one I enjoyed watching most. The movie is pretty crazy. It’s about a group of kids riding on a school bus that are poisoned with some kind of gas or something, and then go around town killing people by hugging/touching them. The special effects might be dated, sure; but I feel it just adds to the campiness of the film.

9. Don't Go In The House

Don’t Go In The House is one of the many "Don’t" titled horror movies, but DON’T let that deter you. Don’t Go In The House was actually really cool. The film is about a guy who is a pyromaniac (resulting from a not so great childhood) and decides to make a room inside his house fireproof. Afterwards, he lures women to his newly renovated room so he can then burn them alive for his own sick enjoyment.

8. Terror Train

Terror Train is similar to most other '80s slasher flicks: Something awful happened in the past and now people are dying - only this time, people are being picked off on a train. Although the killer was rather predictable, it was a decent entry into the slasher genre. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis of Halloween fame and also stars David Copperfield as The Magician. Yes, a real life magician plays a magician in the movie.

7. City of the Living Dead

One of the more famous films by Italian director Lucio Fulci (R.I.P.), City of the Living Dead is a crazy, gory ride. After the Gates of Hell are opened as the result of a clergyman’s suicide, the dead are now rising from their graves. The film features some pretty awesome '80s makeup effects.

6. The Changeling

To sum it up, The Changeling is a ghost story set mostly inside a haunted mansion, but there is so much more to it than that. Unlike most other ghostly horror movies, this film actually has likable characters. There is also a mystery surrounding the haunting that is interesting to watch unfold as the main character pieces everything together. If you are looking for a great movie from 1980 to watch without all the gore, The Changeling is probably the least goriest film on this list.

5. Maniac

I’ll admit that I saw the 2013 remake of Maniac starring Elijah Wood before seeing the 1980 original. However, I did not enjoy the remake in the slightest. After watching the original in my quest to watch every '80s horror movie, I must say it is hands down the superior film. If you have any fascination with serial killers, like I do, then you’re going to like Maniac. The movie lives up to the name, as killer Frank Zito (played by Joe Spinell, R.I.P.) truly is a Maniac.

4. Alligator

I loved Alligator when I was a kid. I had it recorded on a VHS tape and I think I must have watched it a thousand times. (I’m surprised the tape didn’t break.) There are a lot of horror movies out there that revolve around a killer alligator or crocodile, but in my opinion, Alligator is the best of them all. You won’t see any CGI alligators in this film, just practical special effects and sometimes even the real thing.

3. The Fog

Directed by the legendary John Carpenter, The Fog is probably one of the few films of his that I somehow never saw. Well now I have, and I loved it. The story centers around a glowing fog that rolls into a small town at midnight, bringing with it death and unraveling a mystery about the town that was believed to be just folktales. John Carpenter adds his signature music once again, adding to the atmosphere of the film.

2. Friday the 13th

That’s right, the original that started it all. The iconic machete wielding, hockey mask wearing killer, Jason Voorhees, is not in this film! As Ghostface said in Scream, "...you should know that Jason's mother, Mrs. Voorhees was the original killer. Jason didn't show up until the sequel." Although the film is low budget, like many horror movies are, this one still holds up pretty well compared to other films released later into the '80s. Betsy Palmer (R.I.P.) really steals the show as Pamela Voorhees.

1. The Shining

This is hands down the best horror film of 1980. We can argue all day about which movies represent the top ten from the year, but there is no arguing The Shining is number one. Jack Nicholson stars as Jack Torrance, a writer that accepts a job as Winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. He settles in, along with his wife and son, hoping to finish a new novel. As the time goes by, it seems as though the isolation and the hotel’s dark past takes a toll on Jack. The only thing he manages to accomplish is going completely insane. Directed by Stanley Kubrick (R.I.P.) and loosely based off the novel by Stephen King, The Shining is a wild physiological ride.

Honorable Mention: Macabre

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So there you have it, now on to 1981.

Check out more of My Top 10's.