B Movies Blog

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January 2026

January 2 – We Bury The Dead (Theaters)

January 6 – Will Trent (ABC, Next day Hulu)

January 8 – The Traitors (Peacock)

January 8 – His & Hers (Netflix)

January 9 – People We Meet On Vacation (Netflix)

January 9 – Sleepwalker (Theaters)

January 9 – Primate (Theaters)

January 16 – Night Patrol (Theaters)

January 16 – 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (Theaters)

January 21 – The Beauty (FX, Next day Hulu)

January 21 – Queer Eye (Netflix)

January 22 – Finding Her Edge (Netflix)

January 23 – Return to Silent Hill (Theaters)

January 28 – School Spirits (Paramount+)

January 28 – Shrinking (Apple TV+)

January 30 – Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die (Theaters)

January 30 – Iron Lung (Theaters)

January 30 – Send Help (Theaters)

February 2026

February 6 – The Strangers: Chapter 3 (Theaters)

February 6 – Dracula (Theaters)

February 6 – Pillion (Theaters)

February 6 – Whistle (Theaters)

February 8 – The ‘Burbs (Peacock)

February 13 – “Wuthering Heights” (Theaters)

February 13 – GOAT (Theaters)

February 13 – Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (Theaters)

February 18 – 56 Days (Prime)

February 20 – This is Not a Test (Theaters)

February 25 – Scrubs (ABC, next day Hulu)

February 27 – Scream 7 (Theaters)

March 2026

March 5 – Ted (Peacock)

March 6 – The Bride (Theaters)

March 6 – Peaky Blinders: The Eternal Man (Theaters, Netflix on March 20)

March 11 – Scarpetta (Prime)

March 18 – Imperfect Women (Apple TV+)

March 20 – Project Hail Mary (Theaters)

March 27 – Ready or Not: Here I Come (Theaters)

March 27 – Fantasy Life (Theaters)

March 27 – They Will Kill You (Theaters)

April 2026

April 3 – The Drama (Theaters)

April 8 – The Boys (Prime)

April 10 – Malcolm in the Middle (Hulu)

April 15 – Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV+)

April 17 – The Mummy (Theaters)

April 17 – Normal (Theaters)

May 2026

May 1 – The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Theaters)

May 1 – Hokum (Theaters)

May 15 – Obsession (Theaters)

May 22 – I Love Boosters (Theaters)

June 2026

June 12 – Scary Movie 6 (Theaters)

June 19 – Toy Story 5 (Theaters)

July 2026

July 12 – Disclosure Day (Theaters)

July 17 – The Odyssey (Theaters)

August 2026

August 21 – Insidious: The Bleeding World (Theaters)

August 28 – The Dog Star (Theaters)

August 28 – Coyote vs. ACME (Theaters)

September 2026

September 11 – Sense and Sensibility (Theaters)

September 18 – Practical Magic 2 (Theaters)

September 18 – Play House (Theaters)

September 18 – Resident Evil (Theaters)

October 2026

October 1 – Terrifier 4 (Theaters)

October 2 – Digger (Theaters)

October 9 – Other Mommy (Theaters)

October 16 – Street Fighter (Theaters)

October 23 – Remain (Theaters)

November 2026

November 20 – The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (Theaters)

December 2026

December 18 – Avengers: Doomsday (Theaters)

December 18 – Dune: Part Three (Theaters)

December 25 – Werewulf (Theaters)

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the ol’ B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Jamie Travis’s For a Good Time, Call… into the VCR. 

I’ve been a big fan of this movie for a long time, and I maintain that it’s under-appreciated… with one big flaw. I want to give a disclaimer because Justin Long plays the GBF and is actually straight. I obviously don’t condone it. Moving on. 

There’s something truly endearing about For a Good Time, Call… Yes, there are dirty jokes, but at its core, this movie is about the bond of friendship. One of our leads, Lauren, even learns her worth and embraces who she is vs who she thought she should be. 

Pictured: The exact pose from every single enemy to bestie movie. 

If you’ve never seen this movie, 1) shame on you and 2) let me give you a quick rundown. After Lauren (Lauren Miller Rogen) is dumped by her awful boyfriend, she finds herself with no other option than to move in with Katie (Ari Graynor) after their mutual best friend, Jesse (Justin Long) pushes them together. Lauren and Katie’s relationship has been strained after an unfortunate incident back in college, so we have all the makings for a good ol’ fashioned foes to friends storyline. 

What makes For a Good Time, Call… unique? Well, you see, Katie is a sex phone worker, and Lauren soon joins the business herself. However, at least in my opinion, the industry isn’t portrayed as a joke, and it helps both Katie and Lauren come (I’ll be mature here) into their own. 

For a Good Time, Call… reminds us of the power of our friendships. And, it’s important to remember that your soulmate can be your friend; it doesn’t have to be romantic. This movie also reminds us to not settle for less than we deserve, and it’s okay to leave those who don’t understand you behind. 

How I pictured every single female friendship in my 20s going as a child.

I personally think For a Good Time, Call… pairs well with Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (one of my personal faves). It’s a fun time, and it’s one of those movies you can turn to for a pick me up. Grab your bestie and settle in for a good time. The first few minutes are free. 

For A Good Time, Call… is now streaming on Starz. 

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Anthony DiBlasi’s Malum into the ol’ VCR. 

For those who don’t know, Malum is a remake of Anthony DiBlasi’s movie, Last Shift. And, I’m not going to bury the lede: I wasn’t a huge fan of Malum, and that means it’s time for my world famous disclaimer before we get started: 

The great thing about movies is that we can discuss and debate them. Just because I think a movie is great doesn’t make it a good movie, and just because I think a movie is awful doesn’t make it a bad movie. Also, making a movie is extremely difficult and incredibly badass, and I don’t want to detract from the process. I also applaud the crew for making this movie on such a small budget. Seriously, it’s incredible. 

With the disclaimer out of the way, let’s get started. 

Malum’s biggest problem lies within its plot. The ambiguous charm of Last Shift is lost, as we’re given way too much background information. Unlike its predecessor, Malum fully dives into the background of the Loren family and the cult. This plethora of information leads to a predictable twist in how the two families are interwoven. 

Whenever a movie opens in a cemetery, you know it’s bad news for everyone.

In Last Shift, we’re given enough information to pique our interest and suspend our disbelief. In Malum, we’re given so much information, I was basically rolling my eyes in the movie theater. Sometimes, less is better, and this is the case here. It would be like remaking The Autopsy of Jane Doe and telling us exactly why the body was cursed and giving us an in-depth account of the curse. It spoils the fun. 

Another issue I take with the film is the faulty premise. In Malum, Officer Loren requests the last graveyard shift at the station to find out what happened to her father. However, in Last Shift, she’s given this watch with a purpose — waste management is coming. I think having Officer Loren ask for the shift is a bit too convenient. I can see the angle of her being “called” to take this shift, but it doesn’t quite work. 

My last big grievance comes with the reworking of Officer Price. In Last Shift, Officer Price helps Officer Loren before she discovers he was actually killed during the Paymon family raid. In Malum, Officer Price’s character is taken from a guy who would adopt another dog from the shelter because it made eye contact to the kind of guy who would say, “I’m a feminist” then take a long swig of his IPA and follow it up with a “but..” and something incredibly sexist. Officer Price was a friendly face in a sea of darkness, and it makes the reveal in Last Shift all the more effective. 

When I see this screenshot, all I can think about is how I accidentally dropped popcorn in my socks during this scene.

Like with most movies, there are things I did like in Malum. I loved how the color scheme mimicked that of It Follows. It’s dark and urban, and I think it sets the tone well. I also really appreciated the special and practical effects. The demons looked like Cenobites and Deadites by the way of GWAR, and I mean that in the best way. The peeps who have been in GWAR over the years are extremely talented. 

I also really want to highlight Natalie Victoria’s character, Marigold the sex worker. She vaguely looks like Catherine O’Hara, and she attended the Mia Goth School of Crying and Monologuing Directly Into Camera. She’s over the top, but it’s highly enjoyable, almost like a much more reserved version of Desiree Gould in Sleepaway Camp. She also has one of the best lines in the entire movie, “I’d bet my tits and a pack of cigarettes.” 

Chaney Morrow as John Malum is also great, and he reminds me of Crispin Glover lite. This iteration is more refined than his predecessor, but Malum embodies the 70s cult leader we’re familiar with. There’s something intriguing about him, whereas Joshua Mikel’s John Michael Paymon and co in Last Shift read more Rob Zombie. Both actors are brilliant, but John Malum is a bit more frightening, as his evil isn’t as visible. 

The only thing scarier than being stalked by a cult in an abandoned building is having to answer a phone call.

Lastly, Jessica Sula absolutely nails it as Officer Jessica Loren. She’s been in both Scream: The TV Series and Panic, but I’d love to see her in as the lead in more horror content. I think, if she wants it, she has a place as an up-and-coming Scream Queen in her future. 

With such good and strong source material, it’s hard not to compare Malum to Last Shift. As I mentioned in my disclaimer, I do sincerely believe everyone who worked on this movie deserves kudos. But, in the immortal words of Neve Campbell in Scream 4, “Don’t fuck with the original.”

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping some of my favorite self-aware teen movies into the ol’ VCR. 

If you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of the teen movie genre. I grew up with all the greats in the early to mid-aughts, so it just comes with the territory. However, one of my favorite subgenres of teen movies is the self-aware teen movie, with the referential subgenre not close behind. The ones where our lead character knows they’re in a teen movie and reference all of the cliches present in teen movies of the past. 

There are so many good contenders, but today, I really want to focus on three of my favorites: Easy A, Do Revenge, and Prom Pact. 

Easy A

I think Easy A is one of the best examples of the self-aware teen movies out there. Olive knows she’s in a teen movie, and even wants her own musical number for no reason a la Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Olive is the cool one with all the movie references, but still knows at her core that this is also a teen movie. That’s why Easy A works so well; the comedy lands because the movie never takes itself seriously. All of the references work because the characters are aware of their surroundings. Plus, Amanda Bynes’ character reminds me of several people from my hometown, so it humbles me. 

Easy A is now streaming on Netflix. 

Prom Pact 

First and foremost, Prom Pact has no business being as good as it is. Seriously. Don’t let some of the Disney rom coms of the past deter you because this movie rules. Prom Pact is similar to Easy A in that it primarily focuses on 80s tropes, under the guise of prom being 80s-themed. To me, it watches like Pretty In Pink if Duckie didn’t have feelings for Andie; Ben even pulls out a very-Duckie inspired look for prom. Prom Pact is essentially an evolved 80s movie where the “jock” is much more complex and the “geek” isn’t just a bundle of tropes, and I’m here for it. 

Prom Pact is now streaming on Disney+. 

Do Revenge 

I go back and forth on whether Do Revenge belongs in the self-aware teen movie or the referential teen movie. Don’t get me wrong. The references are ABUNDANT and include everything from 10 Things I Hate About You to Scream. It’s become a new favorite, for sure. But, I think for the sake of this piece, we’re going to place it in the self-aware camp. Here’s why: Drea and Eleanor both seem to understand how truly insane their environment is. Additionally, Revenge Mommy Sarah Michelle Gellar also seems to know her place in the teen movie atmosphere, and her ending monologue proves it. Do Revenge has elements you’ve seen before, but it combines everything to make it better. 

Do Revenge is now streaming on Netflix. 

Honorable Mention 

I really struggled on whether or not to devote an entire section to Mean Girls, but I ultimately decided against it. Mean Girls is a brilliant comedy and satire, but I don’t know how I feel about classifying it as a self-aware teen movie. But I do think there are moments of self-awareness, so it deserves an honorable mention. It also gives me an excuse to drop this delightful crossover meme. 

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Naomi Alderman, Sarah Quintrell, and Raelle Tucker’s series, The Power, into the ol’ VCR. 

Well friends, I have a short one for you today, but I really want to highlight this series. The Power (based on Naomi Alderman’s book of the same name) focuses on teenage girls around the globe, as they develop a new, electrified organ. This new organ, dubbed the skein, grants the ability to shoot electricity outside of the body, and the strength of the abilities varies depending on the person. 

Yeah, it’s rad. 

In an alternate universe, Roxy would be a character in Skins. 

The cast is absolutely incredible. The storyline is told through several different perspectives, making for a beautiful and well-rounded plot. It also uses light science fiction to navigate many of the issues we’re currently facing in society. Plus, Toni Collette’s in it. Need I say more?

I haven’t read the book yet, but it’s definitely on my list now. 

You might not be able to get GO! (feat. Karen O) by Santigold out of your head for days, but in my opinion, this series is absolutely worth it. 

The Power is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Brea Grant’s Torn Hearts into the ol’ VCR. 

Boy howdy, if one of your guilty pleasures was Monarch like me, do I have a movie for you. Torn Hearts is centered around a female country duo trying to break into the big time and enlist the help of a disturbed diva. Think Norma Desmond but with more rhinestones and whiskey. Without being incredibly obvious, our two wannabe stars realize they’re in for much more than a collaboration.

First and foremost, why the hell haven’t we been putting Katey Sagal in horror content? Ryan Murphy, make it happen. Better yet, add Pamela Anderson into the fold as well. 

Secondly, the music in Torn Hearts SLAPS. I’m a big fan of 20th century country, and this movie delivers. Although it’s set in the present, the overall vibe screams 80s country. 

Thirdly, the names are incredible. Harper and Hope Dutch go by The Dutchess Sisters. I can tell you that I’d listen to them by name alone. Also, Torn Hearts is comprised of Jordan Wilder and Leigh Blackhouse. Those names SCREAM opening for Leann Rimes at the Houston Rodeo in the 90s. 

Lastly, the clothes. MY GOD. The fringe, the pleather, the rhinestones. The outfits on all the creepy mannequins throughout the house, including the ones in the basement shrine. It’s called fashion, sweaty. Look it up. 
Whether it was Brea Grant’s intention or not, Torn Hearts almost watches like Country Strong by way of Karyn Kusama. I’m a huge Brea Grant fan, so if you’ve enjoyed her other movies, you’ll enjoy Torn Hearts. Hell, if you haven’t enjoyed her other movies (idk how), I still think you’ll  enjoy Torn Hearts. I’ll even forgive Abby Quinn for starring in Knock at the Cabin.

Torn Hearts is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Battington’s Harmony & Horror series into the ol’ VCR. 

Okay friends, I have a brutal one for you today. I mean it, this one is a real doozy. However, it’s so masterfully done that I have to talk about it. I’m going to include some CW/TWs below, but there’s no way I can fully encompass all of the warnings needed for this series, so please don’t watch any of the videos if you’re the least bit apprehensive. 

CW/TW: child ab*s*, animal ab*s*, flashing lights, loud noises/sudden loud noises, jump scares, disturbing subject matter involving children, and gore. Viewer discretion is HEAVILY advised for this one. 

I was/am a big fan of Battington’s FNAF tapes, but I’m a little late to the ball game on his Harmony & Horror series. However, Loey Lane recently started the series in one of their streams, and I had to finish it. 

And friends, I had to take a break. As in, the girl who has fallen asleep watching the likes of The Exorcist (I love The Exorcist, but I sincerely put it on as background noise to fall asleep one night) had to TAKE a break in the middle of this series and come back to it later. That’s how effective this series is. 

A candid photo of me sleeping.

Harmony & Horror tells the story of Martin Greywhinder and his hellish quest to create the perfect toy…at any cost. If you’re a horror veteran, and you read my CW/TWs, you can already see where this is going. Buckle up. 

Martin Greywhinder, along with his brother Arthur, run a toy company called M&A Harmony Toys that seems to have innocent roots? She said, apprehensively. Somewhere along the way, Martin made some sort of bet with, checks notes, THE DEVIL, wherein Martin vowed he could create the perfect toy (eat your heart out, The Charlie Daniels Band). Here’s where it starts to get dicey. 

If I used dating apps, I’d probably swipe right on this person.

As his obsession consumes him, Martin’s family becomes a nuisance, down to the family dog and first victim, Banzo. Banzo is initially obedient to Martin, but the pooch ultimately betrays his maker. More on this later. 

Throughout the tapes, we come to learn that Martin has…. 

SPOILER ALERT. 

The next few lines will reveal the entire storyline of the series, so use this handy link to skip down past the spoilers. 

Last warning. 

…trapped all three of his children into toys, including his infant daughter. Martin orders Banzo to kill baby Ava. We, as the audience, are given the option to kill or not kill, but it’s revealed in season two that canonically, Banzo chooses not to kill Ava, leading to his own demise. I cried in THE_PERFECT_PET when Banzo (seemingly?) dies. I kid you not. Let’s get back to our other characters. 

He looks like a deranged Doodle Bear, and I honestly love him.

Martin’s other two children, Thomas and Macy, are trapped in Henry the Puppet Doll and Sofia the Singing Marionette. It’s absolutely horrific, and I’m not 100% sure on how the mechanics work. Tbh, I don’t really want to think about it. But, at least for now, Thomas and Macy seem to remain trapped. Unfortunately, Ava was spared by Banzo but trapped by Martin in a baby marionette that wears a mask to hide its face, which casually looks like several baby doll faces stitched together. 

It’s giving Sid from Toy Story in the worst way. 

Okay, but why were Sid’s brows on point though?

Now, if you’re thinking the story couldn’t possibly get any worse, there’s more. 

Martin also trapped his brother, Arthur, in a giant, ice cream mascot costume making him the Ice Cream Man. Believe me, I know how stupid that sounds, but this thing is HORRIFYING. Arthur’s entrapment also leads me to one of my favorite videos in the entire series so far, Go0dbye_My_L0ved_0ne5, wherein Arthur momentarily regains control of his body and records his final* thoughts. 

*We’ll come back to this. 

We’re initially led to believe he’s regaining control from Arthur, but it seems the devil has come to collect on his and Martin’s deal by using Arthur to kill Martin (it’s like Cain and Abel, but at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzaria). We’re not certain of Martin’s fate, as we only see Arthur rush towards him, so I don’t quite think we’ve seen the last of Martin Greywhinder. 

School picture day, but your soul is trapped inside a wooden doll.

Martin also manages to kill his and Arthur’s intern, his wife, Gloria, and several other children along the way. We find out a bit more about Martin’s other victims in Are_Y0u_HappY?. I’m not 100% sure if the special we see is the same special that is later mentioned in _Rebirth_, but Detective Stewart, the officer investigating Martin, mentions a “hacked broadcast” in this video that we can assume caused the deaths mentioned. 

We aren’t sure if the other children are also trapped in toys, but intern Amy Willson is presumed to be trapped in a Henry the Puppet Doll like Thomas. Amy met a particularly gruesome end, and if you didn’t think Martin was an unhinged psychopath before, you will when you discover how Amy was murdered. 

Gloria’s fate is particularly depressing. She was spared from being trapped in a toy, but after being murdered by Martin, she tries to save him throughout the entire series. You’ll notice a grotesque ghostie with an elongated face lurking in the background of several videos (it reminds me of The Nun from The Mandela Catalogue). In Ple4se_C0me_B4ck_T0_M3, it’s revealed this unwanted visitor is Gloria’s spirit, and she tearfully pleads with Martin to end his rampage. Sadly, Martin destroys the tape, either killing or permanently trapping Gloria in the tape and/or television.

Rory Culkin, is that you?

So yeah. This is all just season one. 

At the time of this writing, season two stands at three hefty videos: 

• H4PPY_N3W_FRIEND5!
• THE_PERFECT_PET 
• THE_MIRACLE_CHILD 

While there’s more Harmony & Horror to come, Battington has left us with some wild revelations to stew on. First and foremost, Arthur is ALIVE (see? I told you to put a pin in this). I’ll say things are a bit sus for me though because Arthur claims his face was mutilated in the Ice Cream Man costume, so he wears a plastic mask in public. Additionally, Arthur seemed to have brown eyes, but during his speech in THE_MIRACLE_CHILD, there’s a closeup of “Arthur’s” face wherein he has brown eyes while stating during his speech that he looks in the mirror but doesn’t recognize his own face. But, we also saw Arthur charging Martin, so there’s a possibility this isn’t Arthur but rather Martin. Only time, and Battington, will tell on this one. 

Secondly, Macy is still trapped in Sofia, and it’s clear she’s out for revenge (a Taylor Swift and Sofia collab would be iconic). She’s spotted on security footage entering a storage unit, and God only knows what lies inside. 

Thirdly, Amy may or may not still be alive inside of a Henry doll. I’m not totally sure if she was the Henry doll killed early on in season one, but we do get confirmation of her vessel through a handwritten note. 

Last, but certainly not least, we find out that Thomas is actually Arthur’s biological child, not Martin’s. It seems this news might have contributed to Martin’s full breakdown, as it results in Martin killing Gloria and the children. The tea is piping hot this season, y’all. 🍵

Do you have games on your phone?

I, for one, can’t wait to see where the story of Harmony & Horror goes next. I have so many questions regarding Martin’s deal with the devil, the children, and who’s survived the fallout. My only suggestion is to cut all the jump scares, my dude! I know it’s your trademark, but your narrative is strong enough to survive without them. 

Other than that, I think this series is really strong; we’re not spoon fed information, but you’re still able to follow along. I think we’re in for one hell of a story, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. I’d also love to give a shoutout to whoever runs the Harmony & Horror Wiki because you’re doing a bang up job. 

All that’s left is to turn off the lights, grab some popcorn, and hit play. And hope Martin Greywhinder doesn’t want to play with you next. 

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Aaron Martin’s series, Slasher, into the ol’ VCR. 

I watched Slasher on a whim and immediately binged the first two seasons. I waited eagerly for season three to hit Netflix, which I also devoured. Then, thanks be to the horror gods for swooping in and taking it to Shudder. The fourth season is truly *chef’s kiss*. 

Slasher is a horror anthology series; it’s essentially the Canadian version of American Horror Story, but better (I love you, Ryan Murphy, and I’ve watched every season, but you have some things to answer for. Here’s looking at you, Freak Show). Each season introduces a different serial killer, and like R Murph, many of the same cast members are recycled throughout the series. I’ll also give the Slasher crew major kudos because even when the script goes off the rails, you’ll remain glued to the screen. 

The other delightful part of Slasher is that SEVERAL cast members from Degrassi: The Next Generation pop up throughout, including Mr. Oleander (Chrisopher Jacot), Jane Vaughn (Paula Brancati), Alli (Melinda Shankar), and a cameo from THE QUEEN HERSELF, Paige Michalchuk (Lauren Collins). 

Never forget the slasher that started it all, Degrassi of the Dead (I know this is only the first part, but all four parts are available on the same channel I linked). I digress. 

Slasher is incredibly over the top and extremely gory, so those with weak stomachs, beware. I’d definitely give season four the honor of the most intense season thus far, but the first three seasons aren’t too terribly far behind. If you cast David Cronenberg as the patriarch of an unhinged, murderous family, you have to take it up to 11. I don’t make the rules. 

Slasher pairs well with Wreck and Scream: The TV Series (or Degrassi, if you’re feeling kooky). Our neighbors to the north really know how to make an anthology series. You could even say they’re willing to do…whatever it takes. 🥴

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping some documentaries I’ve been watching into the ol’ VCR. 

As I mentioned in my limited series piece, I don’t take pleasure in tragedies. I also don’t condone the actions of many individuals in these documentaries. I a) love to learn and b) think documentaries often give voice to topics that need them. I wrote an entire disclaimer over in my limited series piece you can read that goes more in depth about my thoughts and feelings. 

Also, I know there are so many wonderful documentaries available to stream and/or purchase; these are just a few of the ones I enjoy. I personally have so many documentaries on my list to watch, so this piece is meant to be a springboard.

Finally, like with my limited series piece, there’s no way I can properly CW/TW all of these documentaries. I recommend Googling the content/the warnings and only watching what you’re comfortable with. 

• White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie and Fitch (Netflix) 
• Abducted in Plain Site (Netflix) 
• Miss Americana (Netflix) 
• Girl in the Picture (Netflix) 
• Our Father (Netflix) 
• Why Did You Kill Me? (Netflix) 
• I Am Vanessa Guillen (Netflix) 
• American Murder: The Family Next Door (Netflix) 
• The Martha Mitchell Effect (Netflix) 
• Pamela, a love story (Netflix) 
• Call Me Miss Cleo (HBO Max)
• Money Shot: The Pornhub Story (Netflix) 

This piece is a little bit of a short one, but I feel like I said so much in my limited series piece, and I don’t want to get back on my soapbox (I’m uncoordinated, and I feel like I’d trip with the step up 🥁). Just watch these documentaries with the intention of learning. Are some of these people absolutely terrible? You bet. But remember to be respectful of the survivors and/or victims as well as their grieving families and loved ones. 

I’ll leave you all with some words of wisdom I was given early in life.  

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping some of my favorite horror reality shows of yesteryear into the ol’ VCR. 

This one is going to hit you right in the nostalgia. For those who don’t remember, or for the youths who somehow stumbled upon this, we went through a bizarrely wonderful time from the late 90s to the early aughts where we collectively decided to shift the focus of reality TV to the horror genre. And I’m so glad we did. 

Today, we’re talking Fear (I dare you to get Godsmack’s “Voodoo” out of your head now), Scaredy Camp, Scare Tactics (the original with Shannen Doherty, thank you), and Scariest Places on Earth. 

These little gems might not have stuck with anyone but me over the years, but I think of them fondly (she said, realizing she sounds like she’s sitting in a rocking chair thinking of an old lover). 

Me, realizing it’s been 20+ years since most of these shows were on the air.

Fear 

Fear walked so that Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej could run. Part reality competition, part ghost investigation, Fear placed six strangers in haunted locations. The main objective was to complete assignments, or “dares,” given via a computer (that was the size of my microwave and narrated by what sounds like an 80s sitcom dad) for the chance to win $3,000 each (with the second objective being to hopefully scare the shit out of these poor people). 

The challenges mostly consisted of spending 15+ minutes alone in dark and creepy af spaces with only a camera and walkie talkie; other challenges were batshit crazy and had them recreating alleged scenes or rituals to tease the spirits. Think Halloween: Resurrection sans Busta Rhymes. 

Unfortunately, Fear only lasted two seasons, and we only have 16 episodes to remember it by. The good news is, you can find all 16 episodes on YouTube for free in decent quality (remember, this was 2000-2002, and they didn’t have a camera crew with them). If you’re missing early 2000s reality TV, I promise Fear will hit the spot. 

Scaredy Camp 

Sitting at a whopping 10 episodes and 2 seasons, Scaredy Camp is forever stuck in my memory. Truth be told, Scaredy Camp is essentially Fear mixed with GUTS. Children (actual children, I’m serious) were taken to a haunted summer camp to investigate the “real” legend and casually help a spirit move on. I say “real” because I feel like it’s “real” convenient that they found two haunted summer camps, and I believe in ghosts. 

There’s something charming about Scaredy Camp. First and foremost, the children on this show do confessionals/team huddles, and they’re absolutely precious. Also, these children are far more athletic than I will ever be. If you’re looking for a way to simultaneously quench your thirst for Are You Afraid of the Dark? and reality TV but with children, Scaredy Camp awaits for free on YouTube. 

Scare Tactics 

Scare Tactics proves my theory that scaring the shit out of people for entertainment was en vogue in the early 2000s, right alongside low rise jeans and pageboy hats. Now, I know there have been other iterations of Scare Tactics, but I’m a purist, so I’m specifically referring to the episodes hosted by Shannen Doherty. 

Scare Tactics is like Punk’d but if Ashton Kutcher used cryptids, paranormal activity, aliens, and, in some cases, murder, to scare the absolute piss out of unsuspecting people. Not only were Shannen Doherty’s outfits INCREDIBLE, but I give their practical effect team major props. If you aren’t sure exactly what I’m talking about, I promise there’s a clip buried deep down in your brain of people being scared in an RV. 

Like its predecessors, episodes of Scare Tactics can be found for free on YouTube. For optimal viewing, I recommend ordering a pizza and/or your favorite takeout and popping it on after a rough workday. 

Scariest Places on Earth 

Last but certainly not least, we have Scariest Places on Earth. For those who aren’t well-versed, Linda Blair hosted, Zelda Rubinstein narrated, AND The Warrens (RIP) tagged along on numerous investigations. Similar to the other shows we’ve covered in this list, Scariest Places on Earth found families and friends investigating some of the most legitimately haunted places in the world. There are places on here I wouldn’t enter. Like THAT haunted. 

I also personally think that this show is the scariest entry on our list. CC: THE FREAKIN’ WARRENS WERE ON THIS SHOW. Yet, I know for certain that KP and I watched every single episode in all three seasons. 

Honorable Mention 

I’m not going to give Paranormal State the same treatment as the others on this list because it came later (2007), but I definitely want to give it a mention. I was OBSESSED with it in high school, and I used to record the episodes on weekends and watch them on Sundays with KP (we had a tradition of binging horror content on Sundays that you can read about over at Hyperreal). I know Ryan Buell has a sordid history, so please know this show is just a source of nostalgia for me, and I, in no way, condone any of his actions. 

A Bonus Paragraph! 

Okay, so, I was going to end this piece after the Honorable Mention section, but I feel weird leaving it on that note (y’know, the whole apology for what I found when Googling Ryan Buell), so y’all are getting a bonus paragraph. Reality horror shows are oh-so near and dear to my heart. They definitely influenced my love of horror, and I appreciate KP also appreciating horror. I know how fortunate I am to have had THE most supportive mother imaginable. This piece, along with everything I write, is for her. In her eulogy, I said, “For KP. For Always,” and that feels like the right way to end this bad boy. 

For KP. For Always.

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weberm’s Daisy Jones & The Six into the ol’ VCR. 

Josie and the Pussycats. Stillwater. Bitch Cat. Boy howdy, do I love a good fake band. 

The first time Daisy Jones & The Six hit my radar was when I got my sister the book for her birthday. I was immediately taken by the premise, and I’d only heard good things about Taylor Jenkins Reid. Also, my sister had mentioned wanting this book right around her birthday and has never been subtle about her wish lists (I love you so much, but you know it’s true). 

Admittedly, I didn’t buy myself a copy of Daisy Jones & The Six until the series was halfway through its run, and it’s still sitting on my bookshelf, unopened. However, I’ve watched the entirety of the series, and I loved it. 

If you haven’t joined in on the pop culture phenom by now, here’s a little primer: Daisy Jones is a Stevie Knicks-esque spirit who joins The Six, a band in need of starpower. She and lead singer Billy Dunne find a sense of kinship in each other, which starts the beautiful and messy catalyst that will lead to the band’s undoing. The story fluctuates between a talking heads-style documentary and flashbacks, and the soundtrack is bitchin’, as it not only includes 60s and 70s hits, but all of the songs from Aurora, the band’s fictional album. 

The story within Daisy Jones & The Six is a familiar one, but it never gets boring. There will be twists and turns you see coming from a mile away, but the journey and the destination are equally worth your time. Riley Keough yet again reminds us of her acting chops, and I’ll watch any piece of media that puts her front and center. I also want to applaud Suki Waterhouse, along with all of the other strong female characters in the series. 

As much as I love the likes of Almost Famous and This is Spinal Tap, fake band media tends to be male-focused (one of the biggest exceptions being Josie and the Pussycats). Yet, Daisy Jones & The Six gives us a variety of imperfect, bold, and fully-formed female leads, including Camila Morrone’s Camila Dunne and Nabiyah Be’s Simone Jackson. I don’t mean to undercut all of the male leads, as they’re also immensely talented, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the female leads. 

The only flaw of Daisy Jones & The Six is in its ending. I confirmed the ending of the series is a bit different than the ending of the novel, and I can’t wait to see if things are handled a bit better. Without full spoilers, just know the show takes a page from the HIMYM playbook. If you know me at all, you know that series finale still irks me to this very day. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. 

Daisy Jones & The Six pairs best with The Last Waltz, Almost Famous, and The Get Down. If you enjoy a good fake band with a rich backstory like I do, you’ll really enjoy the show. But, if you decide to join a band and begin a years-long entanglement with another lead singer, don’t blame me. 

All episodes of Daisy Jones & The Six are now streaming on Amazon Prime.