alilynnbry

There is something profoundly fascinating about watching a master mythmaker finish a canvas twenty years in the making. For those of us living and writing here in Pennsylvania, M. Night Shyamalan is a local visionary. Knowing that these intricate, atmospheric worlds are filmed right in our backyard adds an undeniable layer of tangible magic to the viewing experience. The familiar, grounded weight of Pennsylvania landscapes makes the extraordinary events of his thrillers feel like they could...

It is always a surreal confession for a dedicated horror fan to admit when a modern staple has slipped through the cracks. Scott Derrickson’s The Black Phone (2021) was a blind spot I finally corrected and frankly, I am stunned it took me this long to pick up the receiver. Initially drawn to the film by the buzz surrounding Mason Thames’ breakout performance, I expected a solid, atmospheric genre piece. Instead, I found a deeply harrowing, masterfully paced exercise in suspense that had me...

As horror fans, we are naturally drawn to the misunderstood, the grotesque, and the monsters lurking in the shadows. But every now and then, a film comes along that wears the skin of a creature feature while beating with a deeply human heart. For me, that movie is Edward Scissorhands. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “This isn’t a horror movie!” And technically, you’re right. It’s a dark gothic fable, a pastel-colored satire, and a tragic romance all rolled into one. Yet, it has always held...