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By: Myriam Akbar Clayface is an upcoming film in the DC Universe, directed by James Watkins. The screenplay is written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, based on the eponymous character from the comics. It’s a stand-alone film serving as an origin story, but it’s still connected to the broader DCU narrative. The plot follows Matt Hagen, an actor whose face is mutilated by gangsters, resulting in an experimental procedure that transforms him into a clay-like monster. Hagen’s Clayface was first introduced in Detective Comics in 1961; however, it's not his origin story that’s being used in the film. Flanagan was inspired by the character’s portrayal in the two-part Batman: The Animated Series episode “Fear of Clay” (1992). A week ago, the trailer for Clayface was released, and not only did it generate widespread enthusiasm, it also received high praise from fans and critics. Commenters applauded its dark tone and disturbing nature; however, some people were shocked by the body ho...

By: Myriam Akbar A week ago, The Mummy was released in theaters and audiences can agree on one thing—that the disgusting and gory scenes effectively made their stomachs turn. Written and directed by Lee Cronin, the film acts as a reimagining of the original Universal monster story. The plot follows a family’s reunion with their previously missing daughter, Katie, after she is mysteriously discovered in a catatonic state. Desperate for answers, her journalist father investigates her disappearance and her nurse mother attempts to heal her at home. While many viewers praised the grotesque nature of The Mummy , some felt it was all the film had to offer. There was a lot of criticism pertaining to the runtime and the lack of decision-making skills demonstrated by the characters. Audiences also compared the film to The Exorcist and Evil Dead Rise , suggesting there was an overall lack of originality. As for myself, I will begin with the positives. The tension built in the opening scene was e...

By: Myriam Akbar Today is the 56th anniversary of the global celebration of our planet, Earth Day. First held in 1970, it has become a day to promote environmental literacy, climate action, conservation, and reduction of pollution etc. Cities organize events such as tree planting, neighborhood clean-ups, and fundraisers. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Our Power, Our Planet.” So, I have compiled a short list of my favorite films and television episodes where we don’t have the power–nature does. Mostly horror and sci-fi, these works explore a range of themes such as: the unpredictability of nature, transformation, humanity’s negative impact on the environment, and the dread of impending disasters.  The Ruins The Ruins is a 2008 horror film written by Scott B. Smith and directed by Carter Smith, based on the novel of the same name. The plot follows two couples who travel to Mexico and meet two other tourists, joining them on a trip to find a Mayan temple. What begins with...

By: Myriam Akbar Meet Megan Loucks from Michigan! She’s known on social media as @wondermeg_ and is a member of the Michigan Movie Critics Guild. She was born and raised there, admitting that she wouldn’t pick anywhere else to live. Loucks has her own website, wonderwatchlist.com and has been on over 100 podcast episodes as a guest speaker. Content creation didn’t come naturally for her, she says that she just wanted a space to talk to people about the things she loves. The inspiration behind having her own corner of the internet came from her love of MySpace. In 2019, she began posting videos on YouTube and Instagram about collectibles, comics, and eventually film. Loucks attributes her love for television and film to her family. Growing up, her parents worked a lot and often did opposite shifts. However, they always made time for movie nights. “I found myself watching movies all the time, anything from True Lies to Hercules . I don’t know if my parents thought it would have that bi...

By: Myriam Akbar Anthony Tiran Todd (commonly known as Tony Todd) was born on December 4, 1954 in Washington D.C., although he grew up in Hartford, Connecticut. He was an alumnus of the Artists Collective, Inc. and also attended the University of Connecticut. He then went on to study theater at the Eugene O’Neill National Actors Theatre Institute, as well as, the Trinity Repertory Company in Rhode Island. Todd’s career reflects his versatility as an actor in Broadway, television, film, and audio narration.   His extensive filmography spans over 40 years, having over 100 roles. He is known mostly for his work in Horror, Sci-fi, and Fantasy. His striking yet distinct voice made for memorable performances, positioning him as a dominating force on screen. Todd’s roles in Night of the Living Dead, Candyman, Wishmaster, and The Final Destination franchise lead him to become an icon in the horror genre.  In 2025, Todd reprised his role in Final Destination: Bloodlines (posthumous rel...

By: Myriam Akbar Juice is a 1992 crime thriller film, directed by Ernest R. Dickerson. It stars Tupac Shakur, Omar Epps, Jermaine Hopkins, and Khalil Kain.  The plot follows four high schoolers living in Harlem and their day-to-day activities, as well as their struggles to survive in their neighborhood. In many ways this film acts as a coming of age or cautionary tale, demonstrating the way one’s environment can influence identity and behavior. My fiancé suggested that I watch it because he views it as a horror film and wanted my opinion. Given that I am constantly emphasizing how expansive and misunderstood the genre is, I instantly accepted the opportunity. I will argue that while crime thriller is a fitting label, viewing Juice through the lens of horror is nuanced and absolutely suitable. It’s no more a hood horror tale than a segment of my favorite horror film, Tales From the Hood.  I’ll start with some basics. This film focuses on the killings committed by a man out for...

By: Myriam Akbar  In 2013, a teen mystery thriller television series premiered on ABC Family. It was created by Adam Milch and had a solid cast, including: Avan Jogia, Denise Richards, Sam Robards, and Maddie Hasson. The plot follows a teen returning to society after being released from juvenile detention for confessing to killing his aunt. The series poses the question: did he really kill her and if he did, why? Can his childhood friends trust him or is he dangerous to be around? After one season and a gripping finale, the series was cancelled due to poor viewership. Despite the dropping in ratings, there were a ton of loyal fans who were crushed by the news that there wouldn’t be a second season. I was one of them and revisit the show from time to time. The finale had a major cliffhanger that essentially left us fans without closure and we bond over our frustration on social media when the topic of cancelled shows comes up.  Fast forward 12 years, I'm scrolling on TikTok...