The Daily Beasts
For theme projects (like #Kaijuly, #Mocktoberfest, and #SeasonsBeatings—for example),
a new film/show is profiled every day by a different writer.
The Pumpkin King: CHRISTINE (1983)
A tale of a broken boy and a broken car fixing each other into horrible monsters.
The Pumpkin King: PET SEMATARY (2019)
Some critical changes to the source material and 1989 adaptation infuse the cautionary tale with greater horror.
THE PUMPKIN KING: THINNER (1996)
How the film’s examination of justice, corruption, and morals make it worth a revisit.
The Pumpkin King: NEEDFUL THINGS (1993)
The power of nostalgia compels bad behavior in this prescient Stephen King adaptation.
The Pumpkin King: GERALD’S GAME (2017)
Looking at the secret final girl at the heart of Mike Flanagan's intense horror film.
The Pumpkin King: DOCTOR SLEEP (2019)
Mike Flanagan’s adaptation is a profound meditation on the power of death and legacy.
The Pumpkin King: MISERY (1990)
MISERY’s antagonist does horrible things, but perhaps we relate to her more than we care to admit.
The Pumpkin King: APT PUPIL (1998)
A look at the monsters living among us and the gruesome bonds they can form with each other.
Fourths Of July: SCARY MOVIE 4 (2006)
A beautiful mess of a barrage of jokes—some of the horror spoof still works, some doesn’t, but it’s all fascinating.
Fourths Of July: THE FIRST PURGE (2018)
The socially conscious horror franchise gets an origin story in this engaging installment.
Fourths Of July: SAW IV (2007)
The fourth entry in the horror franchise reveals the true boogeyman behind Jigsaw’s mask.
Fourths Of July: LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART IN PERIL (1972)
The fourth entry furthers the series’ greatness with its own splash of the bizarre.
Fourths Of July: LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD (2007)
John McClane takes on Cyberterrorism in this odd sequel to the action classic.
Fourths Of July: VEGAS VACATION (1997)
Even when the Griswolds lose at gambling, nothing is truly lost as long as they retained their life lessons.
Fourths Of July: RAMBO (2008)
The titular action hero returns to his violent anti-war roots, albeit with far more brutality than ever before.
Fourths Of July: CRITTERS 4 (1992)
There’s a surprising amount of wit and entertainment in the DTV sequel.
Fourths Of July: THE BAD NEWS BEARS GO TO JAPAN (1978)
The underdog team of baseball ne’er-do-wells goes international in this disappointing sequel.
Fourths Of July: INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL (2008)
Is the fourth big screen Indiana Jones adventure…actually a good movie?
Fourths Of July: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL (2011)
At the IMF’s darkest hour, a team starts to solidify and unifying narrative begins for the franchise.