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8 Great Entries in Horror Movie Anthologies!

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TRICK R TREAT

Anthology films have been on the rise over the last couple of years, which two or three coming out every year. With the release of last week’s Holidays, I thought I’d look at some of the better entries in the various anthologies released over the years.* While making this list, I realize that I haven’t seen as many anthologies as I thought, so that’s on me as a horror fan. Clearly I’ve got some homework to do!

*Yes, I included entries from the first two V/H/S films in this list. As many of you may know, Bloody Disgusting produced these films, but that was before I came aboard the site, so I figure it’s not that unethical. Plus, I legitimately do like the entries I mention.

The Raft – Creepshow 2

“The Raft” is arguably the greatest segment in Creepshow 2. In the short, which was adapted by a short story from Stephen King’s collection Skeleton Crew, a black tar-like substance surrounds a couple of kids on a raft a few feet away from the shore. It turns out this goo has a mind of its own and likes to eat flesh. This is basically my worst nightmare.

The Prologue & The Epilogue – Twilight Zone: The Movie

I know I’m going to get a lot of crap from all of you, but this segment legitimately terrified me as a child. Looking back, it does seem a little goofy, but it perfectly sets the stage for the four stories that are to come after it. It may not be the best segment in the film, but it’s simple and absolutely horrifying. To think that it stars Dan Aykroyd and Albert Brooks, of all people.

Second Honeymoon – V/H/S

I will probably get even more crap from all of you for this one, but I maintain that Ti West’s segment is the best in the first V/H/S film. Many people dig David Bruckner’s “Amateur Night,” but I just can’t get past the awful lead characters in that one. “Second Honeymoon” is trademark Ti West: slow burn with a bonkers final act. West detractors won’t enjoy this one, but if you’re a fan of his films you’ll probably dig it.

Horror Anthologies

Fourth Story – A Christmas Horror Story

What a surprise this one was, huh? In truth, all of the segments in A Christmas Horror Story are pretty great. From the changeling to the family banding together to fight Krampus, the only weak link in the film is the one involving a bunch of teens breaking into their high school. The most fun segment comes with a much-needed twist on the zombie sub-genre, in which Santa’s elves have all become infected with a zombie virus and begin to take over the North Pole It’s even more fun than it sounds!

Dumplings – Three…Extremes

If you’ve never thought sound effects could be scary, then watch Fruit Chan’s Dumplings. The sound of chewing permeates the film and it’s simply grotesque, especially when you realize what is inside the dumplings that the characters are eating (they’re so crunchy!). While you could just watch Three…Extremes, I would recommend seeking out the extended version of Dumplings (the only major difference lies in the ending), as it is arguably the better film.

Safe Haven – V/H/S/2

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t think Gareth Evans’ (The Raid) “Safe Haven” is the best installment in V/H/S/2? There probably are, but since I’m the one writing this post, I’m just going to say it’s the best one. The longest short in the V/H/S series, “Safe Haven” follows a news crew who infiltrate an Indonesian cult in the hopes of exposing their mysterious activities. The sure got a little more than they bargained for, didn’t they?

Meet Sam – Trick ‘r  Treat

This is one that I’ve been seeing quite a bit of hate for in the comments recently (specifically on this post) and I will never understand why. Michael Dougherty’s Trick ‘r Treat is the epitome of a Halloween movie (for any film not called Halloween). There isn’t a weak segment in the bunch, but the pièce de résistance comes in the form of Mr. Kreeg (Brian Cox) facing off against Sam (Quinn Lord) in the film’s final act. It’s a total blast!

The Woman of the Snow – Kwaidan

I took an Asian Horror Film class in college, and while my professor was a royal bitch, I must confess that she did help to expand my horizons when it came to Asian horror cinema (I also saw Dumplings for the first time in this class). Had it not been for her, I never would have seen Kwaidan, a truly mesmerizing film. The film’s title translates to “ghost stories,” and the film is thus a collection of them. The film’s second segment is “The Woman of the Snow,” which features a woodcutter who crosses paths with a Yuki-onna, a Japanese spirit. It’s not that scary, but it is heartbreaking. The Yuki-onna is pretty creepy though.

Horror Anthologies

Admittedly, I’m not an expert when it comes to horror anthologies. I just haven’t seen them all. Let me know some of your favorites in the comments below or Tweet me a recommendation!

A journalist for Bloody Disgusting since 2015, Trace writes film reviews and editorials, as well as co-hosts Bloody Disgusting's Horror Queers podcast, which looks at horror films through a queer lens. He has since become dedicated to amplifying queer voices in the horror community, while also injecting his own personal flair into film discourse. Trace lives in Austin, TX with his husband and their two dogs. Find him on Twitter @TracedThurman

Editorials

‘Leprechaun Returns’ – The Charm of the Franchise’s Legacy Sequel

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leprechaun returns

The erratic Leprechaun franchise is not known for sticking with a single concept for too long. The namesake (originally played by Warwick Davis) has gone to L.A., Las Vegas, space, and the ‘hood (not once but twice). And after an eleven-year holiday since the Davis era ended, the character received a drastic makeover in a now-unmentionable reboot. The critical failure of said film would have implied it was time to pack away the green top hat and shillelagh, and say goodbye to the nefarious imp. Instead, the Leprechaun series tried its luck again.

The general consensus for the Leprechaun films was never positive, and the darker yet blander Leprechaun: Origins certainly did not sway opinions. Just because the 2014 installment took itself seriously did not mean viewers would. After all, creator Mark Jones conceived a gruesome horror-comedy back in the early nineties, and that format is what was expected of any future ventures. So as horror legacy sequels (“legacyquels”) became more common in the 2010s, Leprechaun Returns followed suit while also going back to what made the ‘93 film work. This eighth entry echoed Halloween (2018) by ignoring all the previous sequels as well as being a direct continuation of the original. Even ardent fans can surely understand the decision to wipe the slate clean, so to speak.

Leprechaun Returns “continued the [franchise’s] trend of not being consistent by deciding to be consistent.” The retconning of Steven Kostanski and Suzanne Keilly’s film was met with little to no pushback from the fandom, who had already become accustomed to seeing something new and different with every chapter. Only now the “new and different” was familiar. With the severe route of Origins a mere speck in the rearview mirror, director Kotanski implemented a “back to basics” approach that garnered better reception than Zach Lipovsky’s own undertaking. The one-two punch of preposterous humor and grisly horror was in full force again.

LEPRECHAUN

Pictured: Linden Porco as The Leprechaun in Leprechaun Returns.

With Warwick Davis sitting this film out — his own choice — there was the foremost challenge of finding his replacement. Returns found Davis’ successor in Linden Porco, who admirably filled those blood-stained, buckled shoes. And what would a legacy sequel be without a returning character? Jennifer Aniston obviously did not reprise her final girl role of Tory Redding. So, the film did the next best thing and fetched another of Lubdan’s past victims: Ozzie, the likable oaf played by Mark Holton. Returns also created an extension of Tory’s character by giving her a teenage daughter, Lila (Taylor Spreitler).

It has been twenty-five years since the events of the ‘93 film. The incident is unknown to all but its survivors. Interested in her late mother’s history there in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, Lila transferred to the local university and pledged a sorority — really the only one on campus — whose few members now reside in Tory Redding’s old home. The farmhouse-turned-sorority-house is still a work in progress; Lila’s fellow Alpha Epsilon sisters were in the midst of renovating the place when a ghost of the past found its way into the present.

The Psycho Goreman and The Void director’s penchant for visceral special effects is noted early on as the Leprechaun tears not only into the modern age, but also through poor Ozzie’s abdomen. The portal from 1993 to 2018 is soaked with blood and guts as the Leprechaun forces his way into the story. Davis’ iconic depiction of the wee antagonist is missed, however, Linden Porco is not simply keeping the seat warm in case his predecessor ever resumes the part. His enthusiastic performance is accentuated by a rotten-looking mug that adds to his innate menace.

LEPRECHAUN RETURNS sequel

Pictured: Taylor Spreitler, Pepi Sonuga, and Sai Bennett as Lila, Katie and Rose in Leprechaun Returns.

The obligatory fodder is mostly young this time around. Apart from one luckless postman and Ozzie — the premature passing of the latter character removed the chance of caring about anyone in the film — the Leprechaun’s potential prey are all college aged. Lila is this story’s token trauma kid with caregiver baggage; her mother thought “monsters were always trying to get her.” Lila’s habit of mentioning Tory’s mental health problem does not make a good first impression with the resident mean girl and apparent alcoholic of the sorority, Meredith (Emily Reid). Then there are the nicer but no less cursorily written of the Alpha Epsilon gals: eco-conscious and ex-obsessive Katie (Pepi Sonuga), and uptight overachiever Rose (Sai Bennett). Rounding out the main cast are a pair of destined-to-die bros (Oliver Llewellyn Jenkins, Ben McGregor). Lila and her peers range from disposable to plain irritating, so rooting for any one of them is next to impossible. Even so, their overstated personalities make their inevitable fates more satisfying.

Where Returns excels is its death sequences. Unlike Jones’ film, this one is not afraid of killing off members of the main cast. Lila, admittedly, wears too much plot armor, yet with her mother’s spirit looming over her and the whole story — comedian Heather McDonald put her bang-on Aniston impersonation to good use as well as provided a surprisingly emotional moment in the film — her immunity can be overlooked. Still, the other characters’ brutal demises make up for Lila’s imperviousness. The Leprechaun’s killer set-pieces also happen to demonstrate the time period, seeing as he uses solar panels and a drone in several supporting characters’ executions. A premortem selfie and the antagonist’s snarky mention of global warming additionally add to this film’s particular timestamp.

Critics were quick to say Leprechaun Returns did not break new ground. Sure, there is no one jetting off to space, or the wacky notion of Lubdan becoming a record producer. This reset, however, is still quite charming and entertaining despite its lack of risk-taking. And with yet another reboot in the works, who knows where the most wicked Leprechaun ever to exist will end up next.


Horror contemplates in great detail how young people handle inordinate situations and all of life’s unexpected challenges. While the genre forces characters of every age to face their fears, it is especially interested in how youths might fare in life-or-death scenarios.

The column Young Blood is dedicated to horror stories for and about teenagers, as well as other young folks on the brink of terror.

Leprechaun Returns movie

Pictured: Linden Porco as The Leprechaun in Leprechaun Returns.

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