HCF Reviews
Jigsaw (2017)
JIGSAW (2017) Directed by the Spierig Brothers The original Saw, and its many sequels, were a huge part of my horror education. For seven of my formative years, the franchise became synonymous with Halloween on […]
Articles by david.s.smith
Features
Saw 1-7: Ranking the original series
The games are about to begin again. After a seven year hiatus, the most successful horror franchise of all time (as per the Guiness Book of World Records) returns to the big screen for Halloween. […]
Comedy
The Lost Boys: 30th Anniversary
THE LOST BOYS Directed by Joel Schumacher 1987 was a damn good year for horror. Ash fought the Evil Dead for a second time, Freddy took on the Dream Warriors, Arnie was hunted by a […]
Interviews
HCF Exclusive Interview: Don Mancini, Fiona Dourif and Jennifer Tilly on Cult of Chucky
The only surviving 80s icon is back: it’s Chucky. For anyone not in the know, Chucky is a Good Guy doll enjoyed by kids everything. But beneath his plastic exterior is the evil soul of […]
HCF Reviews
The Snowman (2017)
THE SNOWMAN Directed by Tomas Alfredson Dead women beneath a blanket of white, plus cloak and dagger intrigue – it can only be Nordic Noire. Although this Scandinavian subgenre has graced our TV screens for […]
Comedy
This Is Your Death (2017)
THIS IS YOUR DEATH (2017) Directed by Giancarlo Esposito Horror and reality TV share a common ground. Each is often viewed with snobbery, and the worst of both see makers compete to push the envelope […]
HCF Reviews
Gerald’s Game (2017)
GERALD’S GAME Directed by Mike Flanagan Sometimes you hear about a project and at first you’re not too fussed. Then you see who the director is, and it clicks: a perfect marriage between material and […]
Crime
The Limehouse Golem (2016)
THE LIMEHOUSE GOLEM (2016) Directed by Juan Carlos Medina Limehouse, for those beyond the M25, is a part of East London not far from where the Ripper used to disembowel his victims. During his heyday, […]
Features
Fright Fest (2017): Best to worst
Well it’s been another great Fright Fest – you can follow my diary here, here, here, here and here. But here’s the bottom line, the lowdown, for anyone that can’t be arsed scrolling through about […]
Interviews
HCF exclusive interview with Todd Tucker on The Terror of Hallow’s Eve
If you know your special effects, Todd Tucker needs no introduction. A legend in the field, Tucker has worked with some of the biggest names including Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola and Mel Gibson. Now […]
Interviews
HCF: Exclusive interview with Benjamin Barfoot and Danny Morgan on Double Date
One of the unexpected treats of Fright Fest was new brit/ horror combo Double Date. Telling the duel stories of desperate virgin Jim, wanting to pop his cherry before he turns 30, and two women […]
Features
Fright Fest (2017) day 5: Tragedy on Halloween, Christmas and beyond
I never can say goodbye – another year and another Fright Fest comes to an end. So far the line-up’s been solid, with a lot of brilliant movies, showing horror is still alive and well. […]
Crime
The Vault (2017)
THE VAULT (2017) Directed by Dan Bush Banks are awful places aren’t they? Soul sucking, teeth grinding, head thumping pits of despair, where you wait a long time for the joys of doing paperwork and […]
Features
Fright Fest (2017) day 4: Mayhem on my double date with a villainess
In the morning morning, I was sad to see another Horror great go – this time the legendary Tobe Hooper. As per Wes Craven, he died over a Fright Fest weekend, while people celebrated his […]
Features
Fright Fest (2017) day 3: Ruined by Hatchets, scissors and cults
Day three and the fest fatigue kicks in. On little sleep I’ve now seen piles of bodies, from many killers, and the films have started to blur a little. However, it’s very much the epitome […]
Features
Fright Fest (2017) day 2: Chainsaws, arcades and estate agents
On the second morning of a Fright Fest, the thought of another four days seems intimidating. Yet by the end, knowing there’s just another three seems upsetting. This year the Friday has some of the […]
Features
Fright Fest (2017) day 1: Death notes and killer dolls
Sing it with me – it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Yes it’s bank holiday weekend in August, which can only mean one thing for UK horror fans: The Horror Channel’s Fright Fest. […]
Features
Arrow Films release the New Battles Without Honour and Humanity trilogy on Bluray and DVD
The Battles Without Honour and Humanity series is probably one of the most successful franchises you’ve never heard of, spanning 11 entries including an obligatory remake. But they’re big in Japan. Starting in the early […]