Justina Bonilla

Articles

Current Outlets:

Daily Dead

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Daily Dead •

HORROR’S GREATEST Season 2 Interview with Showrunner Kurt Sayenga - Daily Dead

Horror’s Greatest makes a comeback with a second season filled with exciting episodes for horror fans hungry for more horror films to see in 2025. This season's episodes include “Animal Attacks”, “Killer Dates”, “Hidden Gems”, “Film Scores”, and “Space Horror”. Showrunner Kurt Sayenga brings to this season new perspectives to horror classics like The Birds and Carrie, to lesser-known frights like The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Ghostwatch, with several on-camera interviewees, including myself.
Saye...
Daily Dead •

Justina’s Favorites of 2024 - Daily Dead

In 2024, I was excited to see horror expand in several ways, from original concept horror films (The Coffee Table) to media preserving horror history (El Vamprio box set) to anniversaries of significant horror films (Mahal). I also had amazing opportunities this year to have memorable horror experiences that included Dracula, Chucky, and Wednesday Addams. And without further ado, here are my favorites of 2024.

10. Stranger Sings
Confession. I’ve never seen Stranger Things. However, as a big fan...
Daily Dead •

A BLOODY DEAD MEAT CHRISTMAS Interview with James A. Janisse, Chelsea Rebecca, and Wim Sweldens - Daily Dead

Dead Meat is bringing to their fans worldwide some bloody good cheer this holiday season with their special A Bloody Dead Meat Christmas.
On Sunday, December 22, at 4 pm PT, James A. Janisse and Chelsea Rebecca of the beloved horror YouTube channel Dead Meat will be hosting A Bloody Dead Meat Christmas at the historic Dynasty Typewriter Theatre in Los Angeles. This special horror holiday extravaganza will be a live, non-YouTube show both in front of a live audience and internationally live-strea...
Daily Dead •

Interview with EL VAMPIRO Box Set Producer Abraham Castillo Flores - Daily Dead

After the massive success of the Indicator Mexico Macabre box set, comes the highly anticipated El Vampiro: Two Bloodsucking Tales from Mexico set. The El Vampiro: Two Bloodsucking Tales from Mexico box set features the iconic and beloved classic that kicked off Mexico’s Golden Age of Horror, the 1957 El Vampiro and its sequel, the 1958 The Vampire’s Coffin. El Vampiro follows Marta (Ariadna Welter), a young woman who returns to her ancestral home, only to discover the disturbing tales of vampir...
Daily Dead •

David J. Skal: The Monster Kid Who Gave Classic Monsters New Life - Daily Dead

In honor of the Day of the Dead, I want to pay tribute to horror historian, author, researcher, and documentary filmmaker David J. Skal, who suddenly passed on New Year's Day of this year*. Considering how important Day of the Dead is to me culturally as a Mexican American and how influential David’s work was on so many people, including myself, I wanted to honor him, his work, and his impact on this day.
Early Life:
Born in 1952 in Ohio, David grew up as a Monster Kid of the 1950s and 1960s Ame...
Daily Dead •

Interview with HORROR'S GREATEST Showrunner Kurt Sayenga - Daily Dead

After the massive success of Shudder’s original program 101 Greatest Horror Moments of All Time, comes the newest original program Horror’s Greatest.
Horror’s Greatest through its five episodes, “Tropes & Cliches”, “Giant Monsters”, “Japanese Horror”, “Horror Comedies”, and “Stephen King Adaptations”, showrunner Kurt Sayenga uses a unique format through deep dives with a vast variety of on-screen interviewees, including myself, to bring new perspectives on the horror films you love, while also b...
Daily Dead •

Interview with I SPIT ON YOUR CELLULOID Author Heidi Honeycutt - Daily Dead

Author Heidi Honeycutt commemorates the contributions of women directors past and present in horror cinema in her newest book I Spit on Your Celluloid.
The multitalented Honeycutt is a co-founder of the Etheria Film Festival, which highlights the short films of women directors in genre cinema. As a respected film journalist and film historian, she specializes in horror history and women’s history in media. Her expertise can be seen on-camera in several documentaries and cinema series, including...
Daily Dead •

Mexico Macabre: Interview with Producer Abraham Castillo Flores

In recent years, classic Mexican horror has gained a deeper appreciation and curiosity from international horror audiences wanting to experience the unique terror of Mexican horror.

Mexico Macabre: Four Sinister Tales from the Alameda Films Fault 1959-1963, the box set released by Indicator, highlights four iconic films from the golden age of Mexican horror cinema, Black Pit of Dr. M, The Witch’s Mirror, The Brainiac, and The Curse of the Crying Woman, from the influential Mexican production co
Daily Dead •

Interview with the Directors of SATANIC HISPANICS: Mike Mendez, Alejandro Brugués, Eduardo Sánchez, Gigi Saul Guerrero, and Demián Rugna

Coming like a bat out of hell to theaters September 14th is the long-anticipated Latino anthology horror film Satanic Hispanics. Filmmakers Mike Mendez (Big Ass Spider!) and Alejandro Brugués (Juan of the Dead) spearhead this fun, yet creepy grindhouse-like horror adventure, combining their artistic forces with horror filmmakers Eduardo Sánchez (The Blair Witch Project), Gigi Saul Guerrero (Culture Shock), and Demián Rugna (Terrified). These five Latinos groundbreakers in horror bring their uniq
Daily Dead •

THE WISHING POOL AND OTHER STORIES: An Interview with Author Tananarive Due

Acclaimed horror author and horror historian Tananarive Due, has just released her newest chilling novel of horror short stories, The Wishing Pool.

The Wishing Pool and Other Stories is Due’s second short story novel. Set in Florida, where events of creeping dread impact its citizens, with nightmares supernatural and surreal, with monsters, external and internal. Divided into four sections, readers are treated to fourteen different terrors. With many of the stories with a child protagonist figh
Daily Dead •

Interview with THE BLACK GUY DIES FIRST Co-Authors Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman and Mark H. Harris

Diving deeper into the world of Black horror, The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar co-authored by Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman and Mark H. Harris, takes a deep exploration into the Black image in modern horror cinema and how that image reflects and impacts the Black American experience.

Coleman is the author of the foremost guide for Black horror cinema Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present. This was the inspiration and base for the
Daily Dead •

Interview with I WAS A TEENAGE MONSTER HUNTER! Author Sam Irvin

The fabulous director, writer, and producer Sam Irvin has released his 4th book I Was a Teenage Monster Hunter!

Best known for his cult classic films Elvira’s Haunted Hills and Guilty as Charged, and co-executive producer of the Oscar-winning film Gods and Monsters, Irvin has made a name for himself as a director in the genre he loves most, horror.

In Irvin’s latest book, which is his most personal, I Was a Teenage Monster Hunter! uniquely combines his exciting cinematic adventures, self-disco
Daily Dead •

Justina's Favorites of 2022

Horror in 2022 has been amazing from films to streaming shows and everything in between. For me, horror was a great year for foreign horror, documentaries, and new horror-themed adventures.

Piggy: My favorite horror film of 2022 is the Sundance 2022 Midnight selection Piggy. Taking place in an isolated small Spanish village, here Sara, a Plus-size teenager is constantly being bullied by a trio of local girls. One day, when the trio almost drowns Sara, a strange man kidnaps the trio right in fro
Daily Dead •

ALUCARDA: 45th Anniversary Interview with Film Historian Dr. David Wilt

Alucarda is the trailblazing cult classic of Mexican horror cinema, directed by Juan López Moctezuma, is celebrating its 45th anniversary.

Set in 1865, Alucarda follows two teenage girls, Alucarda (Tina Romero) and Justine (Susana Kamini), in a Catholic orphanage that quickly creates an intense bond. As their bond rapidly becomes an obsessive romantic relationship, they are thrown into a whirlwind of bloodshed, demonic possession, satanic worship, and vampirism.

Drawing heavily from the Avant-
Daily Dead •

Vix+ Streaming Releases Three New Original Horror Films: MEXZOMBIES, EL VESTIDO DE LA NOVIA, PRESENCIAS

As interest rises in America for Mexican horror, many streaming services are streaming new Mexican horror films, including Vix+.

Vix+, the largest Spanish-language streaming service, owned by TelavisaUnivision, has released three new original Mexican horror films, for fans of Spanish-language horror. These films vary from creepy supernatural to a slow-burn family tragedy, to a zombie rollercoaster ride.

While getting ready for a Halloween party, a zombie apocalypse explodes in a private gated
Daily Dead •

Interview with Shudder’s THE 101 SCARIEST HORROR MOVIE MOMENTS OF ALL TIME Showrunner Kurt Sayenga

Shudder’s new original documentary series The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time takes viewers on a roller coaster ride of unforgettable and bone-chilling scenes from iconic horror films classic and new.

Horror historian, documentary filmmaker, and showrunner Kurt Sayenga, fresh off of his success as showrunner and executive producer of the fan-favorite Eli Roth’s History of Horror, takes viewers into a deeper analysis of these 101 creepy scenes, their films, the craft behind these s
Daily Dead •

Interview with AMERICAN REFUGEE Stars Erika Alexander and Derek Luke

American Refugee, the upcoming Blumhouse Television horror thriller film premiering on December 10th on EPIX & available for Digital Purchase via Paramount Home Entertainment, examines how the greatest danger can be those closest to you.

Directed by Ali LeRoi, American Refugee shows a modern America where the economy has collapsed, leading to mayhem and anarchy. The Taylor family, headed by Greg (Derek Luke) and Helen (Erika Alexander), must take shelter with their children in their mysterious
Daily Dead •

WELCOME TO THE BLUMHOUSE: Interview with THE MANOR Executive Producers Sandy King and Richard J. Bosner

The Manor, one of the four films of the Amazon Studio and Blumhouse Television series Welcome to the Blumhouse, features a strong backbone of producers, including horror veteran producer Sandy King and horror newcomer Richard J. Bosner.

King established herself in film as a script supervisor on a wide variety of films, including Sixteen Candles. She’s best known for her collaboration with horror icon John Carpenter, in multiple roles as an executive producer, producer, and script supervisor for
Daily Dead •

WELCOME TO THE BLUMHOUSE: Interview with MADRES Director Ryan Zaragoza

Our fourth and final Amazon Studios and Blumhouse Television Welcome to the Blumhouse directorial interview series, interviews the director of Madres, a hauntingly disturbing tale from the 1970s, based on true events.

Madres, directed by Ryan Zaragoza, goes back in time to a small 1970s California migrant community, where Beto (Tenoch Huerta) and Diana (Ariana Guerra), a young Mexican American couple are planning to start their new family. However, as strange symptoms and blood-chilling visions
Daily Dead •

WELCOME TO THE BLUMHOUSE: Interview with THE MANOR Director Axelle Carolyn

Part three of our Amazon Studios and Blumhouse Television Welcome to the Blumhouse directorial interview series interviews the director of The Manor, as she reveals the film’s horror roots and eerie happenings.

The Manor, directed by Axelle Carolyn, reveals the struggle that Judith (Barbara Hershey) has as she adjusts to the new life in a nursing home, while a supernatural force is terrorizing the elderly residents. Despite Judith’s pleas for help, it's up to her to find out what is attacking h
Daily Dead •

WELCOME TO THE BLUMHOUSE: Interview with BINGO HELL Director Gigi Saul Guerrero

Part two of our Amazon Studios and Blumhouse Television Welcome to the Blumhouse directorial interview series interviews the director of Bingo Hell, who reveals just how blood-thirsty seniors can get over their beloved bingo game.

Bingo Hell, directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero, shows the unwanted gentrification of the Oak Springs barrio on its older residents, especially Lupita (Adriana Barraza), who calls it home. Soon a mysterious force takes over their beloved bingo hall, thrusting into a battle
Daily Dead •

WELCOME TO THE BLUMHOUSE: Interview with BLACK AS NIGHT Director Maritte Lee Go

Welcome to the Blumhouse, the thrilling horror film series from Amazon Studios and Blumhouse Television makes its highly anticipated part two debut for the Halloween 2021 season.

In this four-part interview series, we interview the four directors of part two, who put the bloody in bloody good time. They share their passion for filmmaking, along with the gory details of creating horror cinema.

Black as Night, directed by Maritte Lee Go, follows the 15-year-old Shawna (Asjha Cooper), and her bes
Daily Dead •

10 Must-See Contemporary Mexican Horror Films

Since 1933, Mexico has been a major pioneering force in Latin American horror cinema. In contemporary times, Mexican horror has blossomed into a diverse array of horror subgenres including paranormal, art house, independent, social-political, and extreme.

For those inspired to explore what Mexican horror has to offer, this film list is a beginner’s guide to contemporary Mexican horror, featuring films by art-house cinema icon Alejandro Jodorowsky, the Oscar-winning monster maker Guillermo del T

Horror Buzz

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HorrorBuzz •

AfrAId Director Chris Weitz - HorrorBuzz

The newest Blumhouse film AfrAId shows how easily AI can go from being a family’s biggest blessing to its most lethal enemy.
AfrAId follows Curtis (John Cho) and his family, who are selected to try out AIA, an experimental AI home assistant installed in their home. After AIA is installed, “she” rapidly learns about the family’s routine and needs, predicting what the family will need. Soon her desire to help her family takes them down a path beyond their darkest nightmare.
Directed and written by...
HorrorBuzz •

Interview: Embodiments of Evil Author Dr. Gustavo Subero

Gender and sexuality have had a deep impact on Latin American horror, with their influence becoming more prominent in contemporary Latin American horror.

In his book Embodiment of Evil: Gender and Sexuality in Latin American Horror Cinema, Dr. Gustavo Subero evaluates the role that gender and Queerness have had in Latin American horror from the early Mexican gothic horror of the infamous La Llorona and Brazil’s iconic Coffin Joe, to contemporary films such as Somos lo que hay (We Are What We Ar
HorrorBuzz •

Interview: When Evil Lurks Director Demián Rugna

The newest Latin American horror film to make its way to Shudder is the amazingly bone-chilling accomplishment in contemporary Argentinean horror When Evil Lurks.

When Evil Lurks follows two brothers in a small rural Argentinian town, who stumble upon a demon-infected man on the verge of giving life to pure evil. After attempting to get rid of the infected man, they unknowingly unleashed the evil’s mayhem. No one and nothing is safe.

Since its world premiere at this year’s Toronto Internationa
HorrorBuzz •

The Migration and Politics of Monsters in Latin American Cinema

In the horror cinema of Latin America, monsters have been heavily influenced by the diverse cultural, political, social, and blood-drenched history of Latin America.

The Migration and Politics of Monsters by Dr. Gabriel Eljaiek-Rodríguez dives deeply into contemporary Latin American horror cinema and how Latin American horror filmmakers are using monsters to reflect the monstrosities of Latin America past and present.

Currently, a professor at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, Eljaiek-Rodrí
HorrorBuzz •

Corman/Poe: Interview with Author Chris Alexander

For over 60 years, the groundbreaking filmmaker Roger Corman and his six Edgar Allen Poe films that have continued to delight and impact generations of horror film fans, are being explored in in-depth interviews in the book Corman/Poe.

Corman/Poe by Chris Alexander catalogs the significance of these six iconic Poe films, with love as both a horror fan and as a friend to Roger and Julie Corman. Combining old and new interviews with Roger over their 20-year friendship, Alexander created this book
HorrorBuzz •

Interview: Backstitch Bruja Founder Yvette Aragon-Herrera

Launching on October 9, 2018, by entrepreneur Yvette Aragon-Herrera, Backstitch Bruja has created a wide range of uniquely spooky and marvelous horror-themed products.

Aragon-Herrera, who identifies as a Queer Latina, was born and raised in Los Angeles, with roots from Sinaloa, Mexico. She taught herself how to sew and used Instagram to show her DIY projects. With so much interest from followers asking her to start her own store, Aragon-Herrera infused her passion for fashion, horror, Mexican c
HorrorBuzz •

Michelle Garza Cervera Talks Huesera: The Bone Woman

Making her feature film debut, Michelle Garza Cervera directed and co-wrote the bone-cracking Mexican horror film Huesera: The Bone Woman.

Huesera follows Valeria, a young mom-to-be, and her husband as they prepare for their new baby. While this should be a happy and exciting time, Valeria is haunted by a mysterious evil supernatural force driving her to her breaking point, as she struggles with her fears and the unrealistic expectations of motherhood forced on her by her family and culture.

A
HorrorBuzz •

FrightFest Guide: Vampire Movies with Author Nathaniel Thompson

Since 2017, the FrightFest Guide book series has become an essential guide for horror and film fans alike.

Published by FAB Press and part of the UK’s largest horror and genre movie film festival FrightFest, is the latest book of the FrightFest Guide series FrightFest Guide: Vampire Movies. This extensive 200 vampire film guide with numerous honorable mentions, is a bloody good time. It gives readers an amazing diversity of vampire films from the essentials to classics, to international, and th
HorrorBuzz •

Professor Jonathan Risner Discusses Argentinian Horror

In recent years, Argentina has become fertile ground in Latin America for contemporary horror films and filmmakers. Among the notable recent Argentine horror films include Terrified, Virus-32, The Last Matinee, and History of the Occult. Argentine horror talent has also influenced American horror cinema, most notably, the sister and brother duo Barbara and Andrés Muschietti, who produced and directed IT, the current highest-grossing horror film of all time.

Documenting the history and rise of c
HorrorBuzz •

Hispanic Heritage Month: Interview with ¡Uy Que Horror! Podcast Co-Host Jonathan Atkinson and Aileen Clark

As the cultural influence and mainstream popularity of Latinx horror icons Guillermo del Toro and Robert Rodriguez continues to grow, many horror fans, especially Latino horror fans, are curious about the roots of Latinx horror, especially in the United States and Latin America.

Wanting to explore the diversity of Latinx horror, dedicated horror fans and childhood friends turned co-host Jonathan “Jonny” Atkinson and Aileen Clark, created the Latinx horror podcast ¡Uy Que Horror!.

With over 100
HorrorBuzz •

The Accursed: Interview with Film’s Composer Émoi

The new eerie horror film The Accursed, embodies the feel of the classic slow-burn 1960s horror, setting its creepy tale deep in the American South.

Directed by Kevin Lewis, who also directed the 2021 Nicolas Cage horror-comedy Willy’s Wonderland, again collaborated with Willy’s Wonderland composer Émoi to bring an unnerving, yet intense feel to The Accursed. This haunting score creates an environment that leads audiences to experience what sounds and feels like the opening of hell.

Though bes
HorrorBuzz •

Hispanic Heritage Month Interview with Trash-Mex Blog Founder Armando Hernandez

Celebrating Latin horror for Hispanic Heritage Month, we highlight the creepy and strange cult horror of Mexico with the cult film blog Trash-Mex. Trash-Mex, since 2010, has cataloged and brought to English-speaking audiences the films of Mexican cult cinema and its unique history, including the lesser-known gems of Mexican cult horror cinema.

Speaking with Trash-Mex founder and writer Armando Hernandez, he shares with us his inspiration to start the blog, the uniqueness of Mexican horror, and
HorrorBuzz •

NIGHT CALLER Is A Bloody Love Letter To Giallo

Directed and written by Chad Ferrin, Night Caller is a devout horror fan’s tribute to the genre, with heavy influences of Giallo, grindhouse films, and the classic slashers of the 1970s and 1980s.

Night Caller, starring Susan Priver (Serving Up Richard), Robert Miano (Fast and Furious), Bai Ling (The Crow), and Steve Railsback (Ed Gein), follows telephone psychic operator Clementine (Priver), who’s thrown into a living nightmare when she has visions of a serial killer’s horrific murders. With t

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The Frida Cinema

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The Frida Cinema •

Interview: Cardona Bonanza with Armando Hernandez

Armando Hernandez, the brain behind Trash-Mex, is bringing Trash-Mex excellence to the Indicator Blu-ray set of the Mexican cult films Santo vs. the Riders of Terror and Los Leprosos y El Sexo through his special feature, Cardona Bonanza.

Hernandez shares with us how he became a part of this set, the significance of filmmaker René Cardona, and what he hopes viewers will take away from these films.

Bonilla: What was your first impression of Santo vs. the Riders of Terror?

Hernandez: I saw the
The Frida Cinema •

The Writer's Room: Lesser-Known Comedies

One Body Too Many (1944):

Albert Tuttle (Jack Haley), a cowardly insurance salesman, desperately tries to sell a major life insurance policy to a well-known eccentric millionaire, only to arrive at the millionaire’s creepy and isolated mansion at night and discover he’s already dead. To make matters worse, the mansion is filled with the millionaire’s greedy and murderous relatives looking to cash in on the inheritance.

Haley, who was a multitalented comedian and vaudeville performer, is best k
The Frida Cinema •

The Writer's Room: Favorite Film Relationships

Love is a spectrum that ranges from familial love to the platonic affection that we have for our friends. My Girl definitely touches on the different types of love that exist. Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky) is an 11-year-old girl who spends the summer of 1972 playing in the woods with her best friend, Thomas J. Sennett (Macaulay Culkin). Both children are two unpopular peas in a pod since Vada is obsessed with death and Thomas J. is allergic to everything. She also spends her summer caring for
The Frida Cinema •

Interview: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1931) with David J. Skal

In honor of the life and career of classic horror film historian, author, and director David J. Skal, who passed away on New Year’s Day 2024, is the release of this never-before published interview with Skal from 2021, for the 1931 Oscar-winning horror classic, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Bonilla: Paramount Pictures made the silent version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1920. Why did they decide to remake it in 1931?

Skal: Paramount made Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde right at the very end of 1931, becau
The Frida Cinema •

Interview: Night of the Living Dead with Guillermo de la Rosa

On Sunday, January 28th, at 8 PM, George A. Romero’s classic horror movie, Night of the Living Dead, will be playing for free with a new film score specially recorded for this unique screening.

Writing and performing this musical experience are the Toronto-based collaborators who wrote and performed this script, Guillermo de la Rosa, Bryan Shannon, Dave Taylor, and Kevin Yip, led by de la Rosa. As a director and writer, del la Rosa’s work has previously appeared at The Frida as a horror short a
The Frida Cinema •

Interview: Spider Baby with Director Dustin Ferguson

On Halloween, we celebrate the red carpet and world premiere of the official remake of the Jack Hill cult classic, Spider Baby.

The inbred children of the Merrye Estate fight to protect their beloved home and deranged way of life by any means necessary from their greedy relatives, who try to repossess the estate.

Directed and written by filmmaker and horror film enthusiast Dustin Ferguson, Spider Baby blends the nostalgia of the 1967 classic with a modern twist. Further cementing the bond betw
The Frida Cinema •

Interview: GutiFest with Guest Curator Gustavo Arellano

Award-winning Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano is making his mark at The Frida Cinema as our first guest curator with GutiFest.

Gutifest will run from Monday July 17th to Monday July 24th, Arellano’s handpicked four films, Aliens, Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut, The Apartment, and The Karate Kid. With Aliens, the film that will kick off GutiFest, Arellano will moderate a Q&A with Aliens actress Jenette Goldstein, who played the iconic Private Vasquez.

Arellano, who’s an Orange Count
The Frida Cinema •

Interview: Festival de Trash-Mex with Armando Hernandez and Michael Aguirre

The amazing talents behind Trash-Mex.com and See It On 16MM are combining their forces and love for Mexican genre film to bring the three-day Festival De Trash-Mex to life this weekend!

This Mexican genre festival is showcasing six Mexican cult classics, digitally remastered with Spanish audio and English subtitles. Many of these films have not been shown on a theatrical screen in decades. Each film was handpicked by the duo behind this festival, Armando Hernández of Trash-Mex.com and Michael A
The Frida Cinema •

Interview: The Giallo of Perfect Blue with Sean Woodard

The stunning anime Perfect Blue has made its way into Bloodstained Narratives: The Giallo Film in Italy and Abroad, a collection of critical essays edited by Matthew Edwards and Fernando Gabriel Pagnoni Berns.

Bloodstained Narratives features in-depth exploration from cinematic intellectuals, academics, and filmmakers, with each talent contributing their own chapter to focus on specific films. They analyze Giallo, or an international interpretation of Giallo, while dissecting the massive influe
The Frida Cinema •

Interview with See It On 16mm Founder Michael Aguirre

In the age of endless streaming and digital cinema, Michael Aguirre is preserving the art of 16mm (millimeter) film through his traveling cinema project, See It On 16mm.

Aguirre, an Orange County native, has taken his love for film and passion for 16mm films around California, bringing both a comforting nostalgia to older film fans and creating an amazing new experience for younger film fans. The Cal State Long Beach graduate is taking his passion and dedication to film, working towards a maste
The Frida Cinema •

The Writer's Room: Forgotten Festival Favorites

Every year, the film festival circuit provides a crucial service of circulation, exposure, and beginnings of larger distribution for new filmmakers as well as for high-budget pictures from the largest studios and artistic films from the most acclaimed of directors. Programming at The Frida alone has been filled each year with films that have been considered festival gems out of festivals like Cannes, Venice, and Sundance. The festivals have not only seen hundreds of films that have lived on in t
The Frida Cinema •

The Wolf Man: Interview with Historian David J. Skal

Among the various depictions of the werewolf, one of the most recognizable monsters in pop culture, the one portrayed in Universal Studios’ The Wolf Man has become the template and arguably the most influential in cinematic history.

Horror historian and author of Hollywood Gothic and The Monster Show David J. Skal shares how The Wolf Man came to be, the influence of Lon Chaney Jr. on the film, and the use of symbolism in it.

Justina Bonilla: Every classic Universal monster has a special connec
The Frida Cinema •

El Vampiro: 65th Anniversary Interview with Film Historian Dr. David Wilt

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the 65th anniversary of one of the most influential classic horror movies of Mexican cinema, El Vampiro.

El Vampiro follows Marta, a young woman who returns to her beloved family’s hacienda, only to find it isolated and dilapidated. Soon, Marta’s love for her family and their hacienda makes her the target of the undead.

The first of six horror films produced by actor Abel Salazar, El Vampiro is recognized as the film that ignited the Mexican ho
The Frida Cinema •

Zoot Suit: Interview with Writer/Director Luis Valdez

The groundbreaking film Zoot Suit is one of the most significant Latino films in American cinematic history. Brought to life by director and writer Luis Valdez, Zoot Suit combines two major events in 1940s Chicano (Mexican-American) history, the Sleepy Lagoon murder, and the Zoot Suit Riots, to highlight the monumental significance these events had on the early Civil Rights Movement, through the eyes of the Chicano experience.

Valdez, who’s regarded as “The Father of Chicano Theatre”, is the mo
The Frida Cinema •

Interview: 80th Birthday Celebration with Julie Corman

Julie Corman, veteran independent film producer, celebrates her 80th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the first movie she produced, Boxcar Bertha, the feature-length film debut of director Martin Scorsese.

Corman, with over 30 film credits as a producer, has made a name for herself producing a wide variety of independent movies from family fare (The Dirt Bike Kid) to cult-horror classics (Chopping Mall) to 1980s comedies (Saturday the 14th).

She and her husband, Roger Corman, have produced
The Frida Cinema •

Interview: Film Historian David J. Skal 70th Birthday Celebration with Frankenstein

In honor of the 70th birthday of David J. Skal, filmmaker, novelist, and highly regarded classic horror authority, we celebrate this major occasion with an interview with Skal regarding Universal’s iconic horror movie Frankenstein.

Skal, who authored Hollywood Gothic and Turner Classic Movies’ Fright Favorites, also produced, wrote, directed, and hosted the special feature documentaries accompanying the classic Universal monster films on the special edition Blu-rays and DVDs. As a prominent hor
The Frida Cinema •

Eli Roth 50th Birthday Celebration: Hostel

Note: This article contains spoilers for Hostel.

In celebration of innovative horror director Eli Roth’s 50th birthday, we analyze the unique influence his groundbreaking film Hostel had on Latin horror cinema and Latino American horror audiences.

Latin horror, a subgenre of both Latin cinema and horror, currently does not have a concrete definition, but for the purposes of this article, it will be defined as “a horror film with a Latino or Latinos in a major position of influence, in front of
The Frida Cinema •

Con Su Pluma En Su Mano: The Ballad of Gustavo Arellano: Interview with Brendan Bubion

Gustavo Arellano, critically acclaimed and groundbreaking journalist, author, and Orange County native, has become the topic of the new short documentary film, Con Su Pluma en Su Mano: The Ballad of Gustavo Arellano.

Directed by Chapman University graduate student Brendan Bubion, the film highlights Arellano’s career, from an unexpected introduction to journalism to becoming one of the top journalists of Orange County.

Arellano described Bubion as “[a] delight to work with and willing to work
The Frida Cinema •

To Sir, With Love: Sidney Poitier (1927-2022)

Sidney Poitier, the deeply beloved trailblazing Academy Award-winning actor, director, political activist, and ambassador, passed away on January 7th. Poitier was one of the most iconic film talents and American cultural influences in the second part of the twentieth century. His remarkable career spanned over seven decades.

Before Poitier graced the silver screen, he began acting on the stage with the American Negro Theatre. Through the American Negro Theatre, he landed the lead role in a Broa
The Frida Cinema •

Saturday the 14th: Interview with Producer Julie Corman

The cult classic horror-comedy Saturday the 14th, celebrates its 40th anniversary, as a zany love letter to classic 1930s and 1940s horror films.

Directed by Howard R. Cohen, and produced by Julie Corman, Saturday the 14th follows a family who inherits an old home, unknowing that it hides a powerful book, wanted by monsters and monster hunters alike.

Julie has been a film producer for nearly fifty years. She began her career producing films for the distribution company she and her husband, Rog
The Frida Cinema •

History of Horror

The critically praised and fan-favorite horror documentary series Eli Roth’s History of Horror, from AMC, made its season three premiere on October 1, 2021.

The showrunner for Eli Roth’s History of Horror, Kurt Sayenga, is an established television documentary series director, writer, and executive producer, who’s best known for the science television documentary programs Through the Wormhole, Microkillers, Origins: The Journey of Mankind, and Breakthrough. Sayenga is a film buff and dedicated
The Frida Cinema •

6 Must-See Denzel Washington Performances

As part of our Filmmakers of Cannes 2021 series, we will be screening Malcom X this week, directed by this year’s President of the Cannes Film Festival Jury, Spike Lee. A visually striking biopic from the pioneering director, the film stars Denzel Washington as the revolutionary Black leader and thinker.

Washington, of course, is an icon of modern Hollywood, with his signature bold and passionate acting style. Just recently, The New York Times honored Washington as the #1 actor on its list of “
The Frida Cinema •

Justina Bonilla's Top 10 Favorite Richard Donner Productions

On July 5, 2021, director Richard Donner passed away at 91 years old. He left behind a massive legacy of films and television shows spanning from 1960 to 2016. His diverse work varied from beloved films such as The Goonies to the influential classic TV series The Twilight Zone. With so many projects, this list includes my favorite television episodes and films that Donner directed.

#5 Wagon Train, “The Bettina May Story”

While on a wagon train from the East Coast to California, matriarch Bett
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The Hollywood Reporter

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The Hollywood Reporter •

Next Big Thing: Carolina Miranda on Her Breakout Telenovelas and Leading Netflix’s Mexican Thriller ‘Who Killed Sara?’

“I enjoy that she’s a very strong woman always looking for the truth despite her family’s objections,” says Carolina Miranda of her 'Who Killed Sara?' character.

On Netflix’s Mexican mystery thriller series Who Killed Sara? — which became the streamer’s most popular non-English-language series in the U.S. to date when its first season launched in April — Carolina Miranda stars as the only daughter of the Lazcanos, one of the country’s richest families. She becomes an unlikely ally to Alex (Mano
The Hollywood Reporter •

Art House Movie Theaters Fight On Amid Pandemic

The COVID-19 relief package passed in December is expected to distribute $15 billion for artistic venues, which includes independent movie theaters. Around the greater L.A. area, some small theaters have closed all operations for the duration of the shutdown that began in March, most notably the Vista, the Downtown Independent and the Quentin Tarantino-owned New Beverly Cinema. Here’s how four others are struggling to stay afloat as the National Association of Theatre Owners estimates that 70 pe

Latin Heat

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Trailer: ‘Pose’ S3 Begins May 2 – Latin Heat

The critically praised and fan-favorite FX original series Pose, starring MJ Rodriguez, will air its third and final season on May 2, 2021, with the previous seasons available on Netflix.

The series, about New York City’s African-American and Latino LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming drag ball culture of the 1980’s, was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals, who is a proud, openly queer Puerto Rican, and brings all that authenticity to the table.

In Pose, Rodriguez stars as Blanc

Trailer: West Side Story – Dec. 10 – Latin Heat

The highly anticipated reimagining of the Oscar-winning groundbreaking American classic film West Side Story will be opening in theaters on December 10, 2021.

During the Oscars, Sunday night premiered the first official trailer for 20th Century Studio’s West Side Story. A colorful, visually breathtaking trailer.

Directed by the iconic filmmaker Steven Spielberg and written by Tony Kushner (Lincoln and Munich), this duo is breathing new life into this interracial interpretation of the timeless

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Diego Velasco Talks About the Creation of ‘Latinx Directors’ Database – Latin Heat

In the last few years, audiences have made a substantial call for content from major and independent studios to include ethnic talent in front of and behind the camera. While there is a positive increase in Black talent and content such as Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Judas and the Black Messiah, representation for Latinos is greatly underrepresented.

In response to the persistent lack of Latinos directing film and TV projects, directors Alberto Belli (The House of Flowers), Joel Novoa (Arrow)

‘The Forever Purge’ Features a Strong Latino Presence – Latin Heat

The Forever Purge, the final film of the popular The Purge franchise, is scheduled to premiere July 2, 2021.

A strong presence of Mexican talent is featured in The Forever Purge both in front and behind the camera, including stars Ana de la Reguera and Tenoch Huerta and director Everardo Gout, as well as the Spanish-born, Mexico City-based cinematographer Luis David Sansans.

The plot, according to Total Film: “[The Forever Purge] will take place after the events of [The Purge] Election Year (w

Edgar Ramirez Joins Cast of Lionsgate’s ‘Borderlands’ – Latin Heat

Edgar Ramirez has joined the all-star cast of the upcoming film adaption of one of the world’s most popular video games franchises Borderlands.

Ramirez will play Atlas, a weapons manufacturing business titan and is regarded as the universe’s most powerful person. Among the cast of impressive talent alongside Ramirez include Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Jamie Lee Curtis. Borderlands will be directed by Eli Roth and written by two-time Emmy-winning screenwriter Craig Mazin.

Among h

Exclusive: Director Gigi Saul Guerrero Talks Mexican Culture in Horror – Latin Heat

Gigi Saul Guerrero is making a name for herself as director and writer in horror, breaking new ground.

Saul Guerrero, originally from Mexico City, Mexico, immigrated to Canada where she earned a B.A. at Capilano University in Motion Picture Production. She co-founded the independent production company, Luchagore. Since launching Luchagore, she has directed and co-written several shorts, including El Gigante and the Crypt TV shorts, A Luchagore Christmas, and Mistress of Bones. She has also dire

Fede Alvarez and David Blue Garcia bring you ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ sequel – Latin Heat

Director Fede Alvarez has confirmed that he will produce a direct sequel to the 70s horror classic, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre which will be coming out later this year. David Blue Garcia will direct.

On the Bloody Disgusting’s The Boo Crew Podcast, Alvarez confirmed, “It is a direct sequel. It is old man Leatherface”. He went on to acknowledge that in regards to the use of special effects for the film, “Everything is classic, old school gags. A lot of the approach that we had with Evil Dead –

Full Cast Announced for Blumhouse Television Film ‘Bingo’ – Latin Heat

Bingo, a new film to be featured in the second half of the popular Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios series Welcome to the Blumhouse, has revealed its entire cast, including Oscar-nominated actress Adriana Barraza as its star.

The Welcome to the Blumhouse film series follows the Blumhouse signature horror-thriller films, with up-and-coming directors who are female and/or of color. The films also feature diverse casts, blending established and emerging acting talents. Part one of Welcome t

‘Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil’ Documentary Release – Latin Heat

YouTube Originals is set to premiere the exclusive 4-part documentary Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil about 28-year-old singer/songwriter/actress Demi Lovato on March 23, 2021.

Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil follows the last three years of Lovato’s life, most notably her near-fatal drug overdose in 2018. This dangerous medical emergency sadly led Lovato to suffer from 3 strokes and heart attack, which left her with brain damage and vision issues.

Directed and executive produced by Mic

Johnny Pacheco, ‘The Godfather of Salsa’ Dies at 85 – Latin Heat

Latin music icon, pioneer, and trailblazer Johnny Pacheco has sadly died due to complications of pneumonia on February 15, 2021, in New Jersey.

Pacheco was the prolific musical talent, whose monumental professional musical career has spanned nearly seven decades, as a musician, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He is also known as the co-founder and musical director for Fania Records in 1963, alongside lawyer and promoter Jerry Masucci, to promote Latino music.

Pacheco, born Juan Azarias Pac

The Cast of ‘Into The Dark’ Season Two Finale to Include Marco Rodriguez – Latin Heat

Marco Rodriguez will be part of the main cast for Blumhouse TV’s Season 2 finale and twenty-fourth installment of the anthology on Hulu Into The Dark, “Blood Moon”, set to premiere March 28, 2021.

The lead actors for “Blood Moon” are Megalyn Echikunwoke and Yonas Kibreab. Among the main supporting cast alongside Rodriguez, feature Joshua Dov, Jack Yang, and Gareth Williams. Additional cast includes Jan Munroe, Brian Norris, Danielle Juliet Me, and Patrick W. Day. “Blood Moon” is directed by Emm

Emily Tosta Co-stars Alongside Nicolas Cage in ‘Willy’s Wonderland’ – Latin Heat

Tosta, who was born in the Dominican Republic, first came to prominence in her recurring role as Leticia (Richard Cabral) sister (who soon we learn is really his daughter) on FX’s Mayans M.C. After season two, when Tosta landed a series regular role on Freeform’s reboot of the popular 90’s drama Party of Five it was unclear if we would ever see her back on Mayans M.C. However, Party of Five was canceled after just one season, and almost as if not skipping a beat, she just filmed the first episod

Malcolm and Marie: Cinematic Melodrama – Latin Heat

Netflix’s Malcolm and Marie is a cinematic melodrama, which pulls away the curtain of Hollywood glamour, to reveal the drama of a couple that seemingly has it all.

Netflix’s 30 million dollars acquired film features two of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors, John David Washington as Malcolm and Zendaya as Marie, with Sam Levinson as the film’s director, writer, and producer. The behind the camera talent, including cinematographer Marcell Rév, production designer Michael Grasley, and editor Julio

Saldana and Taylor-Joy Join All-Star David O. Russell Film – Latin Heat

Actresses Zoe Saldana and Anya Taylor-Joy are part of the illustrious list of actors who have signed on to Oscar-nominated director David O. Russell’s (American Hustle) new “untitled film” currently filming in Los Angeles.

The incredible list of actors attached to this project, is a literal who’s who of Hollywood heavyweights, a comedic legend, and some of Hollywood’s hottest talents. The list includes: Academy award-winning actor Robert De Niro and the versatile Christian Bale. They join two c

‘Malcolm & Marie’ On Its Way To The Oscars – Latin Heat

One of 2021’s first highly anticipated films, Malcom & Marie is set premiere on Netflix on February 5, 2021 following a theatrical run in select theaters in January.

Malcolm & Marie is already creating Oscar buzz, thanks to its artistically bold cast both in Infront of and behind the camera. These amazing talents include actors Zendaya (Euphoria, K.C. Undercover) and John David Washington (BlacKKKlansman,Tenet), director Sam Levinson (Euphoria,The Wizard of Lies), cinematographer Marcell Rév (E

Review: ‘We Can Be Heroes’ Holiday Superheroes – Latin Heat

Robert Rodriguez’s superhero, adventure filmWe Can Be Heroes premieres on Netflix on Christmas day. It is a sweet, feel-good family film starring some of Hollywood’s top talent.

Texan native, Rodriguez’s directorial debut film El Mariachi earned the distinction of being the lowest-budget movie to make $1 million at the US box office and launched his career in 1993. His cutting-edge visual style seen in his horror (From Dusk till Dawn) and action (Sin City) films, has made Rodriquez one of the m

Colman Domingo Chosen To Shine in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ as Cutler – Latin Heat

Among the extraordinary cast of actors of Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, is Colman Domingo who plays Ma Rainey’s bandleader Cutler. He is dazzling in his supporting role.

Domingo, born in Philadelphia has been acting for over thirty years. He is an award-nominated and winning actor, director, writer, and producer, in film, television, and the theatre. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as well as the Director’s Guild of America. But his work extends beyond Ho

Exclusive: Screenwriter Ruben Santiago-Hudson on The Power of ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ – Latin Heat

The highly anticipated Netflix film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom makes its way from its stunning stage production by “The American Shakespeare” August Wilson, to the TV screen with the artistic discipline of Tony Award-winning actor, director, playwright, and screenwriter Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

Santiago-Hudson was born in Lackawanna, New York. He has performed on the stage in numerous productions including Seven Guitars; television (Billions, Lackawanna Blues, The West Wing); and film (Selma, Ameri

‘Knock Knock’ Re-release Surges in Popularity on Netflix – Latin Heat

Five years after its initial release, Knock Knock, which stars Hollywood royalty Keanu Reeves and, at the time, relative newcomers Ana de Armas and Lorenza Izzo, has gained a resurgence in popularity thanks to Netflix.

Netflix released Knock Knock on October 28 and immediately it shot up to the #2 spot on its top ten list of films trending in the United States. Director Eli Roth reacted to this on his Instagram with an ecstatic, “This is incredible.” Adding, “Out of nowhere. Thank you everyone

Gigi Saul Guerrero and Ryan Zaragoza Direct on “Welcome to the Blumhouse’ Series” – Latin Heat

The Welcome to the Blumhouse series, a VOD collaboration between Blumhouse Television and Amazon Prime Video, has announced the next four films to complete its eight-film TV series. Gigi Saul Guerrero (The Purge (TV Series) , La Quinceañera) and Ryan Zaragoza will each direct one of the four films which will be released in 2021.

The suspenseful thrillers will continue to highlight female and emerging filmmakers, and diverse casts; and will launch next year on Prime Video in over 240 countries a

Exclusive Interview: The Cinematographer of “Black Box” Hilda Mercado – Latin Heat

Blumhouse Television, in partnership with Amazon Prime Video, released a film series of original horror films for the month of October under the banner “Welcome to the Blumhouse”. These films include The Lie, Black Box, Evil Eye, and Nocturne.

Among the four films is the psychological sci-fi thriller Black Box. Directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour and written by Stephen Herman and Osei-Kuffour, the films follows newly widowed father Nolan (Mamoudou Athie) and his young daughter Ava (Amanda Christi

Blumhouse: Highlighting Latino Talent in Upcoming Films – Latin Heat

Both Blumhouse Productions and Blumhouse Television are keeping busy with the release of a variety of projects, including two films (The Craft: Legacy and Freaky) and one miniseries (The Good Lord Bird).

Among the vast talents presented in the Blumhouse projects are Latino talents in prominent roles. Each actor shines in their role, adding to the appeal of the ensemble cast of each project.

The episode airing on October 25 of the miniseries The Good Lord Bird, titled Smells like Gorilla, featu

Blumhouse TV: “Nocturne” Visuals By Cinematographer Carmen Cabana – Latin Heat

Blumhouse Television, in collaboration with Amazon Prime Studio, has debuted four new horror films under their Welcome to the Blumhouse banner. Released earlier this month on October 6th and 13th, are four supernatural and suspense-filled horror films, including The Lie, Black Box, Nocturne, and Evil Eye.

One of the films is the gothic influenced classic supernatural horror film Nocturne by writer/director Zu Quirke. Nocturne follows twin sisters and classical pianist Vivian (Madison Iseman) an

Fun So-Cal Halloween Alternatives – Latin Heat

Though Covid-19 has become responsible for canceling many of our favorite holiday events and traditions, such as the famous West Hollywood Halloween Carnival, local haunted houses, and trick-or-treating, Halloween is not canceled. Many venues in Southern California have created spooky and safe alternatives for adults and families alike. Highlighted either by county or at home programs are Covid-19 guideline-friendly Halloween events for a frightful good time. In fact, several programs are alread
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Latin Horror

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LATIN HORROR •

Fright Favorites: Interview with Author David J. Skal

With Halloween quickly approaching, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), is gearing up its classic horror film lineup, with thrills and chills. A book accompanying this popular spooky programming is the celebrated horror film history book Fright Favorites: 31 Moves to Haunt Your Halloween and Beyond.

Fright Favorites author David J. Skal, who is a highly regarded horror history author and authority of classic horror cinema, shares with us his history as an author, the creative process of creating Frigh
LATIN HORROR •

Dracula: A 90th Anniversary Interview with Monster Historian David J Skal

Bonilla: Before Dracula, were there any previous supernatural Hollywood films?

Skal: In the history of Hollywood, there had never been a supernatural horror film. There have been scary movies in the silent era. If something spooky, unnatural, or paranormal seems to take place, it always was explained away. It was a plot to steal somebody’s inheritance or that kind of thing. It’s a formula that came from the stage. Dracula was different. Universal Studios was attracted to it when it was founded
LATIN HORROR •

Exclusive Interview: ROGER CORMAN on 60th Anniversary of ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’

Bonilla: Did you always have Vincent Price in mind for the role of Nicholas?

Corman: Yes, Vincent was my choice for House of Usher. He was really very good at it. We got along very well. I simply said, “I will go with Vincent again”.

Bonilla: What was it like working with Vincent?

Corman: It was very good working with Vincent on all these Poe pictures. He was a highly intelligent man and had been a leading man when he was younger. But he had never played the handsome, romantic leading man. Th
LATIN HORROR •

La Llorona' is most nominated film at 2021 Imagen Awards

Accused of the genocide of Mayan people, retired general Enrique is trapped in his home by massive protests. Abandoned by his staff, the indignant old man and his family must face the devastating truth of his actions and the growing sense that a wrathful supernatural force is targeting them for his crimes.

The nominations for the upcoming 36th annual Imagen Awards, which honors Latino talent in film, TV, and on streaming platforms, features the 2019 Guatemalan horror film La Llorona as its most
LATIN HORROR •

Review: The Forever Purge

All The Rules Are Broken

All the rules are broken as a sect of lawless marauders decides that the annual Purge does not stop at daybreak and instead should never end.

The fifth installment of the wildly popular Purge franchise takes The Purge concept from the city and suburbs to rural Texas, near the Mexican border. As in the previous Purge films, The Forever Purge commentates on current political issues, with this film focusing on issues impacting Latinos in contemporary America.

The main ch
LATIN HORROR •

Horror Meister Eli Roth 'Jumps the Shark' with his FIN documentary

Hostel director Eli Roth is venturing into real-life horror as a director and executive producer in the shark endangerment documentary film FIN.

In Fin, Roth presents the urgent environmental need to stop mass shark killings, which has a greater impact on global environmental health than many are aware of. Many sharks are being killed for their fins for a multitude of uses, including shark fin soup.

The documentary also exposes how strong financial incentives, both legal and illegal, are a dri
LATIN HORROR •

90th Spanish Drácula anniversary interview with David J. Skal

2021 marks the 90th anniversary of the release of Universal Studio’s two most iconic classic monster films Dracula and Frankenstein.

Another Universal Studios film celebrating the 90th anniversary of its cinematic release is the Spanish-language Drácula. And no, that accent mark is not a typographical error, it’s a cultural one. Though highly praised at the time of its 1931 release, the Spanish-language Drácula fell into the shadows of Universal Studio’s past, and sadly, like many older films,
LATIN HORROR •

Trailer - Hotel Transylvania 4: Transformania

Sony Animation has dropped the trailer for its newest installment of the extremely popular Hotel Transylvania franchise (1, 2, 3), Hotel Transylvania 4: Transformania is set to release only in theatres on July 23rd. This will be the final chapter of the franchise, which currently is valued at $1.3 billion dollars. The latest horror comedy is co-directed by Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska.

Hotel Transylvania 4: Transformania follows Dracula and his extended family, daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez)
LATIN HORROR •

REVIEW: How 'THE VIGIL' uses Folklore and Tradition to evaluate how we Internalize Trauma

While most horror films explore paranormal horror through a Christian perspective, especially Catholicism, in recent years, there has been an increase in Jewish orientated horror, including Demon (2015), Juda (2017), The Golem (2018), and Hanukkah (2019). Along with this new wave of Jewish horror, The Vigil uses Jewish folklore and tradition to sincerely evaluate how we internalize trauma through a paranormal perspective.

Yakov (Dave Davis), is a young man who is struggling to copes with both a
LATIN HORROR •

Spain’s acclaimed horror paranormal series hits American screens.

Spain’s wildly popular and critically acclaimed original 8-part horror paranormal series ‘30 Coins‘ has made its way to American screens.

30 Coins or 30 Monedas as it’s known overseas, is the first television show from Álex de la Iglesia to come to America. De la Iglesia is one of the most influential directors of contemporary Spanish horror. He is best known for the horror-comedies ‘The Day of the Beast‘ and ‘Witching & Bitching‘.

Each episode of 30 Coins is directed by de la Iglesia, and co-
LATIN HORROR •

Review: 'CASTLE FREAK' is a Remake of a Cult Classic

Castle Freak, directed by special effects makeup artist Tate Steinsiek, is a remake of the 1995 cult classic of the same name, heavily influenced by H.R Lovecraft.

In keeping with the original film, we follow Americans in a foreign county. This time, it’s a young couple John (Jake Horowitz) and Rebecca (Clair Catherine) at a castle in Albania called the Whateley Castle. John and Rebecca are a hard partying couple, get into a car crash, resulting in Rebecca going blind. John, feeling guilty for
LATIN HORROR •

REVIEW: 'FREAKY' is a Killer Fun Time

Freaky is a fun teen comedy slasher horror, combining the fun of the 90’s comedies and horror.

Director Christopher Landon has made a name for himself at Blumhouse with successful horror films, such as Happy Death Day, Happy Death Day 2U, and Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones. Landon co-wrote ‘Freaky‘ with first time screenwriter Michel Kennedy, best known for co-hosting the horror Podcast Attack of the Queerwolf and for his diverse work on the Seth MacFarlane animated shows Family Guy, Amer
LATIN HORROR •

REVIEW: 'HABITUAL' digs deep into the wounds of a real life American Nightmare

In a time of isolation, ‘Habitual‘ justifies how deadly going to the wrong party can be.

Habitual, which premiers this Friday the 13th, is the second film and introduction into the horror genre, by director/writer/actor Johnny Hickey. Hickey, known for his first film, the indie crime thriller drama ‘Oxy-Morons‘, introduces audiences to Habitual, showing how horrific the seedy underworld of drugs and its impact on users and those around them.

“Anti-Drug bona fides aside, Habitual is no after sc
LATIN HORROR •

Kurt Sayenga: The Showrunner and Director behind, “Eli Roth’s History of Horror”

AMC’s highly anticipated second season of the documentary miniseries Eli Roth’s History of Horror, premiered Saturday, October 10th 10/9c. Season one is available to stream on Shudder and AMC+, with the DVD/Blu-ray available now.

‘Eli Roth’s History of Horror‘ shares a place in the AMC Visionaries series, which looks to document both the artistic and sociopolitical influences of a highlighted aspects of pop culture, alongside ‘James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction‘ and ‘Robert Kirkman’s Secr
LATIN HORROR •

'Eli Roth’s History of Horror' gets 2nd season at AMC

Masters of horror—icons and stars who define the genre—explore its biggest themes and reveal the inspirations and struggles behind its past and present.

AMC announced the highly anticipated second season of the horror TV-mini series Eli Roth’s History of Horror, to air on Saturday October 10, 2020 at 10/9c.

In season one, each episode covered in-depth, an array of some of the most famous and popular monsters in horror, from Dracula to zombies and killer clowns. Highlighting influential horror
LATIN HORROR •

“Murder in the Woods” A Bloody Good Time

Soon after arriving to a mysterious cabin in the woods, a group of teens discover the dark secret it holds, which forces them to fight for their lives.

According to the 2015 NPR article, “Why Latinos Love Horror Films,” nearly, “…half the box office” of horror film ticket sales comes from Latino moviegoers. With such a hunger for horror films, comes an equally strong desire from this fanbase, to see horror films include Latino characters, filmmakers, and/or storylines. Murder in the Woods, cove

The Mighty

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The Mighty •

John Oliver Sheds Light on a Dangerous Reality Many Patients Face

On the August 18 episode of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” satirist John Oliver discussed the impact bias in medicine can have on people seeking medical care. He went into detail about how gender and/or race can impact a person’s access to appropriate health care and treatment. John emphasized how, for many, these biases can be the difference between life and death.

According to the April 24, 2012 article from The Wall Street Journal featured on the show, “women [were] seven times more l
The Mighty •

How Food Allergy Families Can Have A Spooky Halloween Without the Candy

Every year, families who have children with food allergies find it challenging to take their children trick-or-treating. The majority of Halloween treats contain common allergens, which can have life-threatening consequences for children with food allergies. While there is an increase in the use of teal pumpkins and giving out allergy-friendly treats, there is still a growing number of children being diagnosed with food allergies and sensitivities every year.

Here are some allergy-friendly idea
The Mighty •

Finding a Cancer Warrior Anthem in Daddy Yankee's 'Yo Contra Ti'

In August of 2017, famous Porto Rican Reggaeton performer Daddy Yankee released a bilingual anthem for those battling cancer, “Yo Contra Ti (I Against You)” in collaboration with The Puerto Rican Symphony Orchestra. Reggaeton is a form of Latin rap that combines hip-hop, Latin and Caribbean music, with lyrics that can be in Spanish and/or in English. To write “Yo Contra Ti”, Daddy Yankee got the source of his inspiration from cancer patients affiliated with SGKPR (the Susan G. Komen Cancer Assoc
The Mighty •

Holiday Gift Ideas for a Loved One With Chronic Pain

For those of you who are looking to buy gifts for a loved one with chronic pain, here are some gift ideas from someone with a chronic pain condition (fibromyalgia):

During cold days, many people with chronic pain tend to feel increased pain. Warm gifts can help to soothe the pain.

Heat pads: Heat pads can vary from typical around-the-neck pads to pads with Velcro that can stay in place. If your loved one likes aromatherapy, some pads come with a lavender scent, which can be very relaxing.

Sof
The Mighty •

5 Things People Get Wrong About Life With Fibromyalgia

Having fibromyalgia for almost 21 years, I have heard an array of comments about fibromyalgia, from positive to negative. Yet, over the years, I’ve noticed certain comments are reoccurring. While I understand that most people don’t know that much about fibromyalgia, there are still many misconceptions.

1. “You don’t take painkillers, so you must not be in a lot of pain.”

As odd as it sounds, I’m allergic to all over-the-counter painkillers, as well as multiple prescription painkillers. I was d
The Mighty •

Why I’m Grateful to ‘We Bare Bears’ as Someone With Food Allergies

According to FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education), an organization dedicated to food allergy advocacy and education, 15 million Americans have food allergies. With more children being diagnosed with food allergies every year, it’s important for children to learn about food allergies. But, with the majority of food allergy media and education targeted at adults, it can be difficult for children to understand what food allergies are, how they affect someone, and what to do when someone is ha
The Mighty •

The Lady Gaga Song That Reflects My Experiences With My Mom’s Cancer

As a fan of Lady Gaga, I was excited to hear she debuted a new song during her recent Coachella festival performance. When I heard “The Cure” for the first time, it sent chills up and down my spine. I was moved to tears. It reflected my how I felt and what I experienced with my mom’s cancer.

In the first and second verses, Lady Gaga sings about helping someone she loves, as she can, whether it’s by helping them undress — “…’cause you’re tired,” or “Rub[bing] your feet, your hands, your legs.” T
The Mighty •

The Harmful Myth About Special Olympics Athletes We Must Address

Recently, former California Governor and action film icon Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a video with Special Olympians. He captioned the video with “These guys inspire me.” As heartwarming and encouraging as this video is, an internet troll committed on the video, saying “The Olympics are for the best athletes in the entire world to compete against each other to determine who is the best. Having retards [sic] competing is doing the opposite.”

Schwarzenegger responded to this spiteful internet tr
The Mighty •

10 Tips That Can Help Make Cleaning Easier for Those With Chronic Pain

Having fibromyalgia can make cleaning difficult. For those of us with chronic pain, cleaning can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be our biggest challenge.

Here are ten tips you might find make cleaning easier:

1. Know What Your Biggest Challenges Are

Some chores are easy for me (cleaning door knobs), while others are challenging (cleaning the stove). By knowing what my challenges are, I can organize my schedule to spend more time accomplishing my more challenging tasks.

There are diff
The Mighty •

8 Tips for Coping With a Parent’s Cancer Diagnosis While in College

Last year, in the middle of my fall semester, Mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. She needed emergency surgery. Everything was happening so quickly, and I couldn’t tell up from down. Yet, through this turbulent semester, I learned eight ways to cope with Mom’s cancer diagnosis while attending college.

When Mom was first diagnosed with cancer, I desperately denied it. I couldn’t bury my head in the sand deep enough. Not accepting the truth hurt me more than accepting the truth. Denial is like
The Mighty •

7 Pieces of Advice for College Students With Fibromyalgia Starting a New School Year

For college students with fibromyalgia, great care must be taken to ensure a fulfilling and healthy semester. For me, I found seven ways to handle my college education while having fibromyalgia.

Before you take that first step on campus, think about what physical accommodations you will need for the semester. For me, the most physically difficult semester is the fall semester. When the weather is colder, I tend to have more pain and less mobility. The best classes for me during the fall semeste
The Mighty •

To the Radiation Treatment for My Mom’s Cancer

When Mom was diagnosed with stage three liposarcoma cancer, her surgeon had to act fast to prevent it from spreading. Mom was immediately put on a cancer treatment plan. A part of that regimen was post-surgical treatment with you, instead of chemotherapy. Since Mom is diabetic and has high blood pressure, it was believed you would be easier on her system.

The first radiation specialist Mom saw said, “You won’t feel anything for the first two weeks. Then you might feel some moderate nausea, fati
The Mighty •

How We Helped My Brother With Autism Cope With Our Grandfather’s Death

For John, my younger brother with autism, death is his biggest fear. He’s afraid of what will happen when to him after Dad, Mom, Joe (our older brother) and I die. We’ve tried to assure him he will always be taken care of either by a family member or by the state. But his fear of the unknown frightens him to tears.

Throughout John’s life, family members have passed away. Since John hardly knew them, their deaths were sad but not emotionally impacting. But this all changed after Grandpa died in
The Mighty •

When a School for People With Dyslexia Rejected Me for Being 'Too Dyslexic'

Before I was school age, Mom would read to my older brother and me before bedtime. It was my favorite part of the day. I would imagine the images on the pages, moving to her words. If there were no pictures in the books, I would create my own images and have them move in the ceiling. They were my private movies.

When I started to learn the alphabet in school, I couldn’t understand what I was seeing. As everyone was learning how to spell their names, I could barely read mine. It was humiliating.
The Mighty •

5 Ways to Better Deal With Fibromyalgia During Your Period

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), it is estimated that 80-90 percent of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia, are women. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia for men and children is estimated between 10-20 percent. Many women diagnosed fibromyalgia are still able to menstruate, yet there is very little information available for fibromyalgia patients about dealing with their periods.

At 6 years old, I started to have fibromyalgia symptoms. By
The Mighty •

The Most Important Lesson I Learned After Being Mistreated by Doctors

It’s normal for people to experience a temporary difficulty in swallowing when they don’t chew their food thoroughly, and/or eat food too fast. But when swallowing becomes a constant problem, then it can be something more serious, like dysphasia. Dysphasia usually falls under two major categories: esophageal dysphasia (the feeling of food sticking or getting stuck in the esophagus) and oropharyngeal dysphasia (the throat muscles are too weak to pass food into the esophagus). Unfortunately, there
The Mighty •

The Most Important Lesson I Learned After Being Mistreated by Doctors

It’s normal for people to experience a temporary difficulty in swallowing when they don’t chew their food thoroughly, and/or eat food too fast. But when swallowing becomes a constant problem, then it can be something more serious, like dysphasia. Dysphasia usually falls under two major categories: esophageal dysphasia (the feeling of food sticking or getting stuck in the esophagus) and oropharyngeal dysphasia (the throat muscles are too weak to pass food into the esophagus). Unfortunately, there
The Mighty •

The 2 Tim Burton Characters That Help Me Cope With My Pain

One of the biggest challenges of my life was growing up with fibromyalgia. The pain affected every aspect of my life. Most of my grade school years were spent in medical offices, and homeschooling. When I was able to be at school, I was happy to be around people my own age, but being out of the social loop, I struggled to maintain peer friendships.

My 6th grade teacher also has fibromyalgia. She knew how difficult it could be. Not only did she helped me to feel a part of the class, but she also
The Mighty •

The Kid in Harambe's Habitat Could Have Been My Autistic Brother

By now, you’ve heard about the controversial and tragic death of Harambe, the endangered Western Lowland Silverback Gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo. The internet has gone ablaze about who should be at fault for Harambe’s death. People are passionately divided. Opinions vary from backing up the Cincinnati Zoo’s decision to charging the zoo and the mother of the young boy with criminal negligence. Some have gone as far to say that if the child would have died at Harambe’s hand, he would have deserve
The Mighty •

A Letter to My Mother's Cancer, Liposarcoma

Liposarcoma is a very rare form of cancer that forms in the fat cells of the abdomen.

When I first heard about music legend David Bowie’s passing from cancer, it broke my heart. Not only because he was a great musical talent, but it was a bone-chilling reminder how lethal cancer can be. It made me think about Mom and her battle with you, too. It’s a stark thought to know if you continued to silently grow, you would have eventually devoured her.

Liposarcoma, I don’t know where to begin. Your na
The Mighty •

When I Became the Primary Caregiver of My Brother on the Autism Spectrum

Since my 20-year-old brother, John, was born, I’ve helped care for him. After John’s autism diagnosis, my participation in his caregiving increased. Over time, we created a close bond. We watch movies and TV, make up silly stories and have attended a variety of concerts. Eventually, I became John’s confidante, social etiquette coach and playmate. If John wanted to do something with me, I usually made time for him. But if I didn’t have time for him, I didn’t hesitate to say no. I knew if I didn’t
The Mighty •

To the People Who Wonder Why I Don't Eat in Public

I’ve seen you watch me as I sit, not eating, at a restaurant or diner with my friends or family. As I try to pay attention to the conversation at my table I can hear the speculating whispers about why I’m not eating. When you start to approach my table to ask me why I’m not eating, I already have my usual lines of “I already ate,” “I just got out of a dental appointment” or “I’m just keeping [insert person’s name here] company” ready for you.

Faking a smile, I watch you leave, satisfied with my
The Mighty •

When You Grow Up With an Invisible Illness Many People Don't Understand

When I was 6 years old, I loved to dance ballet, swim, read and play dress-up. I dreamed of becoming a police officer and a ballerina. At 6 years old, my world was turned upside down when I had a severe accident at school that shattered my right arm and caused a severe concussion. After having my arm cast removed, I started to feel continuous back pain.

At first, my pain was minimal and hardly noticeable. But shortly, the pain became so intense, I was forced to stop all of my favorite activitie

Miscellaneous 

HoneyColony •

How A Nurse Accused My Parents Of Poisoning Me With Integrative Medicine

Like the majority of Americans, my family relied heavily on mainstream Western medicine. Western medicine was helpful when it came to emergencies and surgery, but it was problematic at best when it came to our family’s chronic conditions.

Over time, my family developed an array of medical issues. Mom was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and high cholesterol. Dad and Joe, my older brother, were diagnosed with gastric issues. John, my younger brother, was diagnosed with auti