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By: Myriam Akbar Faces of Death is a 1978 mockumentary horror film known for its graphic depictions of death. It’s written and directed by John Alan Schwartz, who also worked on some of the sequels. The film combines real footage with fabricated scenes, resulting in it being banned in several countries. It received negative reviews from critics but was a box-office hit. Despite the gruesome nature of the content, the film gained a cult following. It was falsely marketed as being banned in 46 countries, adding to its controversial reputation.  In April, a sort of reimagining of the Faces of Death was released, directed by Daniel Goldhaber. Prior to its announcement, I had never heard of the original. I avoid films that are rumored to be excessively graphic or disturbing, so it only took one google search for me to decide I have zero interest in watching it. However, I was willing to give this new film a chance because the premise is impressively clever. The plot follows Margot, a c...

By: Myriam Akbar Slanted is a 2025 multi-genre film that comes from the mind of Amy Wang, who wrote and directed it. It blends body horror, comedy, sci-fi, and coming-of-age drama. The plot follows Joan, a Chinese-American teen who yearns to be prom queen. However, there’s a problem: the school’s previous winners don’t look like her. In an effort to secure the crown, she undergoes racial transformation surgery. The film’s reception was generally positive, receiving 5.8/10 on IMDb and 68% on Rotten Tomatoes. It explores themes of racism, identity, self-hatred, and assimilation. It’s an intentional, committed, and impactful film. It’s also shocking, humorous, and emotionally charged. There are passionate acting performances and a deliberate pace that kept me interested from start to finish. Its conceptual familiarity and tentative ending were my only negative criticisms, making this a largely successful project from Wang. It feels like a mashup of Mean Girls (2004) , Get Out (2017) , an...

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...