Category Archives: Retro Reviews

It’s Only A Movie: The Forgotten Original Horror Doc, “Terror In The Aisles”

Image May 2, 2021 Patti PaulterGeist Leave a comment

Terror In The Aisles : Cinema Quad Poster

Many moons ago, I recollect curled up in front of our family Magnavox floor TV model and watching a collection of snippets from horror films with my Dad on a VHS rental. I couldn’t have been more than five or six at the time, however, this film of sorts we were watching stuck with me until today. As from what I can remember from said viewing was that this horror film special turned my curiosity on to a LOT of horror movies of which I may have never heard of prior; or at least not a few years down the line anyway. Movies like, The Thing, Carrie, and what I most visually remember Nighthawks– yeah I said it! And for YEARS, I (and apparently my father as well), couldn’t goddamn remember what the hell it was we watched! It was one of things that drove me crazy for about 25 years until I began blogging and journalism within the horror community and someone could answer the million dollar fuckin’ question. The film was of course, and correct me if wrong but also the FIRST of it’s kind horror complication documentary, TERROR IN THE AISLES.

Not even slightly joking. This shit drove me bat-shit crazy for half my life.

Released on October 26th, 1984, Terror in the Aisles broke the horror rules diving deep into what makes a great horror film in a mock documentary style way narrated by genre giants Donald Pleasance and Nancy Allen with snippets from landmark films. It was truly a one-of-its-own-kind experience as the setting is in a packed movie theater with the two legends seated amongst the crowd; which served as a set-up as certain members of the audience would ask questions here and there and one of the two would look dead straight into the camera and give us those answers.

The “doc” focuses on great moments in the genre history as well as leaning into sub-genres. It’s really a great commentary piece for both horror seasoned vets and newcomers to the community- even if all the horror clips date back to 1984 and prior. The films featured are pretty much the standard go-to’s; Halloween, Alien, The Exorcist and so forth with a few line-drives thrown; again, fuckin’ NIGHTHAWKS. Also, that’s totally ok because it’s a badass movie. As a young kid watching this, I DO remember asking about the films mentioned at the beginning of this article, and yes Nighthawks was number one because Sly was/is a hero of mine and I adored Rocky and Rambo as little kid. So yeah, Sly in a horror movie (kind of?), YES PLEASE.

Also, one of the scenes highlighted where Stallone is dressed in drag in order to trap the terrorist, wasn’t a sell to me but a total bonus.

TERROR IN THE AISLES is a fascinating time capsule from our generation. And certainly a fun revisit from time to time. Even if you think it’s corny or perhaps a cash grab milking the 80s’ horror money train from its’ time, you have to respect it was the FIRST. And set the bar for many of the horror docs and specials we have at pretty much, a forever disposal thanks to multiple streaming services and how huge the film community has gotten over the past 30 years.

The film was forever trapped on VHS for years up until recently SHOUT! Factory finally buckled for a glorious Blu-Ray release. However, if you want to revisit, and umm yeah I think you should, I would highly suggest purchasing the HALLOWEEN II Anniversary Blu-Ray, as TERROR IN THE AISLES is right there in the special features. May as well get a bang for your buck at a lower price am I right?

Sound off here in the comments Nostalgic Nuggets: What horror snippet from the film peaked your interests so that you had to watch that particular horror movie immediately?

Retro Reviews

Review: FLINCH (2021) Rides a Wave of 80s’ Mob and Vice Aesthetics

Image April 2, 2021 Patti PaulterGeist Leave a comment

I don’t write new-release reviews very often. But then again, not so often a modern movie comes along leaving me compelled to spread the love and also embodies everything this website is about- NOSTALGIA. So of course, on the heels of a recent viewing of FLINCH, or “The Girl Who Didn’t Flinch”, most appropriately on a shiny and beautiful VHS cassette available from the official film’s website, how could I resist?

Flinch first released on VOD platforms in January 2021, and has since made a splash in the film community scene harboring quite a following. Written and directed by Cameron Van Hoy (Tragedy Girls), the film stars Daniel Zovatto, Tilda Cobham- Hervey, Tom Segura, Cathy Moriarty, and Buddy Dures in an American Crime-Thriller that reeks of sweet retro vibes of the Vice era of the 80s.

Right up my alley!

The movie’s premise is simple enough to flow along with and not overly-complicated to leave you astray. Flinch follows overly successful hitman Joe Doyle (Zovatto) into his next target and the plot-point for the movie- the hit of a city-councilman. His supposed ninja skills are all but shattered when his stalking is noticed by the political figure’s assistant Mia (Hervey), of whom Doyle has developed some obsessive feelings for- overcomplicating his mission and well, existence by him having to choose by him honoring his hitman career and covering his tracks accordingly, or allowing her to live. Because Mia didn’t flinch at witnessing Joe’s murderous crime, Joe takes this as sign from above and holds her hostage for her own “protection”. Pretty wild however, without spoilers, the film does explain the importance of the “flinching” aspect-given the movie its of course, important title.

The film provides plenty of gore, action, and suspense paving the way for all genres of cinema to enjoy. Character development isn’t overly saturated and leaves you with just enough to be satisfied and not annoyed that it’s cutting into the main plot points. There’s a few sexy moments that hover over into cringe territory, but hey if you’re into that sort of thing, then this is something that won’t even phase you.

However, what I really thought to be stand-out was the beautiful visualizing aspect of Flinch. The movie is just so damn pretty to look at. Paired with a stylish synth soundtrack, Flinch is definitely something that should be on your watchlist in 2021. Or hell, how about now?! Here’s the amazon link to check out!

Retro Reviews

[Review] Shudder’s “Exorcist” Documentary : LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST

Image November 16, 2020 Patti PaulterGeist Leave a comment

Let me start off by stating that I’m fairly certain, I could be the world’s biggest whore for horror film documentaries. To dive into the behind-the -scene encounters involving those who made some of our most cherished genre pictures, is close to Godliness. Also, it totally helps at those Horror Movie Trivia nights. So when I caught wind that Shudder was releasing an documentary exclusively with William Friedkin on The Exorcist, I damn near had a happy anxiety attack as TRUE docs on the film are scarce with the exception of a few under-the-radar specials on networks such as REELZ and A&E.

To put it it mildly, I was pretty excited to see the mastermind Friedkin going pedal to the medal with his infamous visionary experience of Blatty’s novel. And to my delightful surprise, the documentary was A LOT more than a “making of” type deal. So much more…

Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on the Exorcist run time sits in at about 105 minutes of an in-depth exploration of Friedkin’s inspirations that led to his directing-style approach for his notable films; including of course The Exorcist. If one ever wanted to sit and pick the brain of the 85-year-old director, this documentary gives you close to everything you would want to know and more. One would even go so far as saying that if you’re an aspiring film-student, than this is basically some free and sound advice from one of the best- so if you’re in that group, might want to put this in your watch queue.

When touching on The Exorcist, this doc will absolutely give even the BIGGEST Exorcist fan a few new nuggets of knowledge one may have not known about the film unless you just so happen to be in Friedkin’s inner-circle. From where exactly the idea of that infamous, iconic image of Merrin on the street cam from, the casting of the actors, (one of which might just blow your mind) and the journey into finding the perfect instrumentals for the picture, this will give everyone a new appreciation for all the painstaking blood, sweat, and literal tears that went into making the horror masterpiece.

Obviously I want to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible, but one thing I will say that won’t take away any “eureka moments” is the recurring theme throughout the doc that Friedkin is heavily influenced by the arts of the Renaissance Period which truly gives this doc some really beautiful cinematography and visuals that one usually doesn’t see in well, a horror film documentary. This chronicle of The Exorcist is visually speaking, the prettiest looking-thing I’ve ever seen in this type of arena and I have to really give a shout-out for making this aesthetically appeasing to the eyes as well as keeping me intrigued throughout the duration of the program.

With all that being said, LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST premieres on Shudder November 19th, 2020 in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.