This prompt reminds me of my longstanding belief that the general plot of EYES WIDE SHUT and DIE HARD is the same: “A man tries to rekindle his failing marriage when things take a messy turn at a Christmas party.”

If there’s a missing link in slasher movie history it’s HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, written by Joseph Stefano (PSYCHO), starring Sally Field, Jessica Walter, Julie Harris. All the genre’s pieces are here, in one place, two years before BLACK CHRISTMAS. Distributors, I beg you: Pick it up, clean it up!

As it's Tilda Swinton's birthday, I'd encourage folks to seek out/revisit her work with the late Derek Jarman. Not only were they Swinton's introduction to audiences, but they were crucial, soaring entries in the queer cinema canon during an era where we go so very few. Stunning and formative.

Oh, to be the person who sings the “La La” scene transitions on GILMORE GIRLS.

✨New Ep✨ @ianxcarlos.bsky.social @eversonpoe.bsky.social @michaelvarrati.bsky.social + Philip Ellis talk Angel s4's 'Apocalypse Nowish' YouTube: youtu.be/vaomFugFaiI Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/63D9... Apple Pod: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

It's the birthday of the late, great French auteur Jean Rollin, whose dreamlike construction fundamentally contributed to the overall language of vampire storytelling. Additionally, the (oft messy) sapphic themes in his work present an interesting, if complicated, chapter in queer horror history.

Halloween Ends. Halloween Begins. Halloween Always.

Just finished recording for Angel s4’s Apocalypse Nowish with @michaelvarrati.bsky.social @eversonpoe.bsky.social + Philip and it was such a good time ☄️😈

Just learning that John Candy was born on October 31st, which technically would make him Halloween Candy...and that brings me joy.

The day before Halloween is Ruth Gordon's birthday? How apt, considering we're right next door to witchiness!

Just in time for Halloween, I had the distinct pleasure of selecting eight of my favorite frights on @shudder.com, and if you know anything about my personal taste in films, things get fun, frightening, and downright weird. Check it out!

June Gloom is extremely proud to be one of the production companies behind @brendohales.bsky.social's feature film directorial debut, SCORCH MARKS! Get ready, a dark, queer storm ia a-comin'!

I put a spell on you! On this week's @midnightmasspod.bsky.social, Peaches and I are celebrating 1993's HOCUS POCUS! We're joined by drag superstars Tina Turner and Nicole Halliwell to talk Sanderson sisters, Salem, parody shows, and more! Happy Halloween! midnightmass.buzzsprout.com/1796691/epis...

There was a time when MONKEY TRUCK would already be in active development for a rushed cable airing and within a month we’d have a trailer featuring a television star of yesteryear looking directly at the camera and saying “…things just got bananas.”

First in Fright: The FANGORIA Compendium is a limited-edition hardcover book and digital archive project preserving Fango’s history, featuring restored imagery, retrospectives and contributions from Carpenter, Barker, Mancini, Savini and more - here's how YOU can get involved.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time the MONSTER MASH was brought to screen as a movie! In 1995, a film with a story line not dissimilar to ROCKY HORROR was released, featuring Bobby "Boris" Pickett himself, as well as the likes of Mink Stole, John Kassir, Adam Shankman, & Jimmie 'JJ' Walker!

Get ready! At midnight, we're releasing our all-new Halloween special, celebrating a movie that will definitely put a spell on you.

Ah yes, Halloween week. Not to be confused with "Halloween weak," which refers to the grift of calling a minimal amount of candy "fun size."

Is Lou Diamond Phillips an oft unsung horror icon? I tend to think so. THE FIRST POWER rocks. BATS is absolutely bananas. Not to mention: ROUTE 666! WOLF LAKE! WEREWOLVES! He played an uncredited demon in DEMON WIND! Heck, if you think calculus is scary, STAND AND DELIVER also counts!

I adored QUEENS OF THE DEAD and was especially struck by the film's willingness to tackle external LGBTQIA+ community issues, especially during a time when the current trend of queer horror is rooted in personal introspection. My thoughts at @fangoria.bsky.social: www.fangoria.com/queens-of-th...

OLD (2021, Dir. Shyamalan)

This is, coincidentally, also the logline for one of the longest running Broadway shows of all time.

It's no secret I love SOV movies. Not only do I dig the DIY, punk ethos, but they often are perfect artifacts of regional filmmaking. Sure, the image quality can be soft...but so are comforting, cozy blankets...and there's nothing better than an afternoon wrapped up in a standard definition quilt.

Sadako crawling out of your tv, turning motion smoothing off, then crawling back in

I should also mention @barbaracrampton.bsky.social, @joshruben.bsky.social, @michaelvarrati.bsky.social and everyone involved for a great Chainsaw Awards! They just keep getting better.

Stuart Gordon's film FROM BEYOND was released #otd - Oct 24, 1986! Featuring @barbaracrampton.bsky.social, Jeffrey Combs & Ken Foree! Watch it & then listen to @horrormoviepodcast.bsky.social's episode on it, where we also interview @michaelvarrati.bsky.social : www.buzzsprout.com/104713/episo...

Since I'm always interested in the latest Halloween-centric cinema, I checked out R.L. STINE'S PUMPKINHEAD (no relation to the 1988 film) and had a great time. I appreciate gateway horror that doesn't hold back...and I think this is going to be a regular seasonal watch for the new generation.

Pitch: A horror movie set in the spirit tunnel on The Jennifer Hudson Show. It would start as per usual: The guest walking through, getting hyped...but then...it just keeps going...and going. There's no end in sight. An endless void where cheering becomes fearing.

Missed the @fangoria.bsky.social Chainsaw Awards on Shudder? The entire show is now streaming on YouTube! SO proud to be part of it & beyond impressed with producer/writer/director Michael Varrati for creating such a killer celebration of horror! @michaelvarrati.bsky.social youtu.be/AD888pY-Ejw?...

Delightful writing/directing from @michaelvarrati.bsky.social on the new @fangoria.bsky.social Chainsaw Awards show! Whatta fun watch!

“Bede Vs. The Living Dead Bonus Episode - Interview With @michaelvarrati.bsky.social [There's A Zombie Outside (2024)]” Apple: bit.ly/48Mr5AZ Spotify: bit.ly/4qiaL17 Links: linktr.ee/bedevsthelivingdead #TheresAZombieOutside #Podcast #Horror #Interview #MichaelVarrati #IndieHorror #ZombieFilm

Hard-boiled UK poster for Roger Corman’s A Bucket of Blood - Released this day in 1959

Someone asked me why I didn't give myself a cameo in this year's Chainsaw Awards. Oh, but I did. In fact, I'm in the show twice...but what's the fun in simply revealing the details?

I love the @fangoria.bsky.social Chainsaw Awards, and I especially love how many current (and future) Oscar Winners had no problem accepting their awards and embracing the horror label, like Ryan Coogler. People can stop saying "Sinners isn't horror" now! www.slashfilm.com/2002640/film...

Bela Lugosi's birthday. Yes, Dracula...but also so much more. His work on the Poverty Row pictures, his willingness to engage in early horror comedy, his time with Ed Wood, etc. He was one of the first genre superstars. Some monsters walk so the creatures of the night that follow can fly.

A Thread of Appreciation: As I sit in the afterglow of tonight's Chainsaw Award festivities, I am filled with an immense gratitude...and am not entirely certain there are words enough to express how much I appreciate the hard work of everyone who came together to make this year's show happen.

@michaelvarrati.bsky.social, great job on this year's @fangoria.bsky.social CHAINSAW AWARDS! The best one yet! @barbaracrampton.bsky.social & @joshruben.bsky.social, you two are AWESOME! Well done!

I can’t believe it’s here!!! @fangoria.bsky.social Chainsaw Awards are happening TONIGHT! Handy how to watch guide linked if ya need it. Show us your ballots with #chainsawawards ! And show me your fits, your themed snacks, and all the celebrations!

Celebrate the best in horror with the 2025 @fangoria.bsky.social Chainsaw Awards tonight at 6:00pm pst on @shudder.com! Hosted by the iconic @barbaracrampton.bsky.social & @joshruben.bsky.social, and Directed by the one and only @michaelvarrati.bsky.social #ChainsawAwards 🔪🔪🔪

Tonight is the night! Get all the details on how to watch horror’s biggest night in this post. Make your predictions in the comments!

I can’t believe they made a Halloween mask of Sean Penn’s character from ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER.

What did you do for a Klondike bar? WHAT DID YOU DO?!

Thrilled to dive into Queer Horror: A Film Guide by @gayofthedead.bsky.social and Tyler Doupé. With contributors including @michaelvarrati.bsky.social and Daniel W. Kelly, this massive tome charts the films that qualify, from the classics to the most underground, including one of my short films.

Hey Los Angeles! Want your Halloween to get even GAYER? I'm joining the hosts of The Black Cat Cinema Series for a post-screening discussion of 2004's HELLBENT! What's more, we'll be joined by director Paul Etheredge! Oct. 29! 7:30PM! Look Cinema in Glendale! glendale.lookcinemas.com/movie/black-...

Do you have any recurring dreams or nightmares? @michaelvarrati.bsky.social & I discuss this and so much more during this week’s episode of “My Favorite Horror Movie,” available on 50shadesoftayyy. 🛌💤 youtu.be/PTALSxjP94U

The general premise of the Mash is that Monsters be dancin’.

I can’t believe the 2025 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards are almost here! So many of you voted this year, tune in this Sunday @ 9pm PT/6pm ET only on @shudder.com A whole lot of talented folks poured themselves into this, we have such sights to show you. 💚

The Fangoria Chainsaw Awards are this weekend and, as far as I know, we're the only award show with a recurring slasher. So, come for the celebration, community, and wins...and stay for the masked baddie who is very aggro about all those things.

This week’s episode of “My Favorite Horror Movie” with the Director of this weekend’s @fangoria.bsky.social Chainsaw Awards, @michaelvarrati.bsky.social, is out now on 50shadesoftayyy! Together we discuss “A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master.” 🎃🕸️ youtu.be/PTALSxjP94U

I keep hearing people talk about resistance band workouts…and it’s like, yes, I’ve danced at a punk rock show.