Brian Fanelli

2 weeks ago | brightlightsfilm.com | Brian Fanelli

Instead of a shape-shifting alien that overtakes its human hosts, capitalism is represented in Romero’s film by the military and to a lesser extent, the zombies. Zombies have long been associated with capitalism. They literally consume and devour, to the point that by the beginning of Day of the Dead, they’ve reduced the world to military rule and few survivors.

Nov 7, 2024 | signalhorizon.com | Horror Homeroom |Brian Fanelli

Horror fans know Nick Frost best for his iconic performance as Ed, Shaun’s (Simon Pegg) slacker best friend in Shaun of the Dead. Frost went on to star in several other films, many of them comedies, including Hot Fuzz, where he again acted alongside Pegg. Frost’s career has also included lots of voice work in cartoons. As diverse as Frost’s career has been since that unforgettable role in Shaun of the Dead, it’s great to see him return to the horror genre in the British film Black Cab.

Nov 6, 2024 | 1428elm.com | Brian Fanelli

Love Bomb has the right kind of sultry music in its opening that reminds me of a late 1980s or early 1990s erotic thriller. I mean that only in a good way. Initially, the film focuses on an unsettling love triangle but then takes all kinds of unexpected twists and turns, making for an engaging, if slightly uneven, watch. Directed by David Guglielmo, with a script by Kathy Charles, Love Bomb contains three main leads, which morphs into a bizarre game of predator and prey.

Nov 1, 2024 | 1428elm.com | Brian Fanelli

With the massive success of the Terrifier movies, it's a great time to pay attention to indie slashers. He Never Left, directed by James Morris, makes great use of its location and establishes the lore of the Pale Face Killer, who terrorizes a small town. Morris and company crafted a lean and entertaining 90 minutes that slasher fans should enjoy. The opening sequence shows the Pale Face Killer (William McAllister) brutally killing a female victim in the late 90s.

Oct 21, 2024 | 1428elm.com | Brian Fanelli

Writer/director Mark Cousins' My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock should be a must-watch for film students. I can see this screening for introductory film studies classes. It's an intriguing, nearly two-hour-long documentary/video essay about the maestro's work and his various techniques, such as lighting and camera angles, to underscore themes or reinforce a point. Though this documentary is fascinating, I'm unsure it has broad appeal beyond film students and Hitchcock fans.