Cody Kennedy and Tim Rutherford have crafted a vibrant tribute to the VHS era with THE LAST VIDEO STORE, reviving the iconic ambiance of the 1980s and 1990s video rental boom. This film blends humor, horror, and satire to create a narrative that's as nostalgic as it is bizarre, making it a welcome homage to the era. Centering around enchanted VHS tapes and a cast of quirky characters, the film cleverly celebrates the period's B-movie classics, adding a layer of fun and complexity to the viewing experience.

JUGGERNAUT, directed by Richard Lester and written by Richard Alan Simmons and Alan Plater, stands out with its unique approach. Departing from the explosive norms of 1970s disaster movies, this film sidesteps the expected dramatic catastrophes to focus more intimately on psychological tension and human emotions under duress.

MEN OF WAR, released in 1994, plunges into the heart of conflict through the lens of action and redemption, with Dolph Lundgren at the forefront as Nick Gunar. This film breaks away from the traditional action blueprint, exploring deeper and darker themes, and it is a surprising and welcome change led by Perry Lang's direction. Instead of the usual gun-blazing spectacle, Lundgren portrays a protagonist grappling with the consequences of his actions, making this not just another action flick but a thought-provoking narrative about the human spirit and ethical dilemmas.

In the gritty underbelly of New York City, Abel Ferrara’s THE ADDICTION threads a story of moral and existential queries into the core of its narrative. This 1995 film rethinks the traditional vampire myth, transforming it into a vehicle for a deeper examination of human nature. Kathleen Conklin, a role embodied by Lili Taylor, finds her academic pursuits derailed by a transformation that thrusts her into a shadowy world where philosophical theories on morality become urgent and personal battles. This is not the traditional vampire flick and won’t be for everyone, but you'll likely love it if this is for you!

Venturing into THE BLOCK ISLAND SOUND introduces us to a hybrid of horror and science fiction that is as deep and mysterious as the ocean. Directors Kevin and Matthew McManus guide us through these turbulent waters with a story that captivates and unnerves, enveloping viewers in a narrative as dense as the fog that shrouds the island setting. As the plot develops, the tension rises like the tide, culminating in an unexpected climax, leaving viewers adrift in a sea of thought-provoking ambiguity.

From the first scene, MY LAST WORDS pulls the audience in with a unique storyline that intertwines a writer's struggle against his looming mortality with a burgeoning romance that challenges his grasp on reality. In this feature, Adam Kiss directs and stars, embodying a character whose secluded retreat becomes a profound existential exploration. Here, he encounters a woman who inspires his final work, an encounter that steers the plot into a meditation on the blurring lines between reality and fantasy.

In the halls of classic film noir, BLACK TUESDAY appears as a riveting exploration of the desperate measures that men resort to at the brink of doom. Directed by Hugo Fregonese with a screenplay by Sydney Boehm that’s as sharp as it is shrewd, the film drags its audience into the grimy underbelly of prison, where the lines between right and wrong are smudged under the weight of survival. At the heart of this journey is Edward G. Robinson, whose portrayal of Vincent Canelli, a hardened criminal scrabbling at the fringes of freedom, is both riveting and harrowing.

Dwain Esper's 1934 creation, MANIAC, steers clear of the typical storytelling path, veering instead into the turbulent waters of early exploitation cinema. Marketed as an educational study of mental illness, the film blends jarring visuals and hyperbolic acting that break from conventional plot lines, lending it a distinctive allure that still resonates with audiences today.

In an unexpectedly delightful journey back to my childhood, we get to experience mutants championing ecological preservation taking center stage in TOXIC CRUSADERS. This animated series daringly converts the infamous ‘Toxic Avenger’ saga into a family-friendly cartoon. Masterminded by Lloyd Kaufman and Troma Entertainment, known for its unorthodox and bold content, the series shatters typical storytelling, earning its spot as a standout in children’s programming with its witty humor, distinctive character ensemble, and offbeat take on environmental activism. (this is serious; there is something undeniably charming about the series!)

From the moment the screen flickers to life, HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER drags us into its gritty world, where the line between human nature and monstrous violence is not just blurred but obliterated. This film is a stark departure from the typical gloss of mainstream horror, immersing us in a narrative so raw it could leave you questioning the very fabric of morality.

When the facade of a seemingly ideal life crumbles, THE BIG DOG emerges as a darkly comedic story that dissects the duplicity in our modern existences. Written and directed with a sharp eye by Dane McCusker, this movie delves deep into the day of Richard Morgan, brought to life by Julian Garner, as he navigates the fallout of his hidden life as a financial submissive. Combining biting humor with gripping narrative tension, this film pulls the audience into a riveting psychological exploration, making every moment count.

Nestled in the eerie quiet of the small mountain village of Roquenoir comes a chilling tale about ancient evils and the resurgence of The Soul Eater. Directors Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo veer from traditional horror stories into a suspenseful concoction of crime and mystery. The shift is refreshing, proving their filmmaking prowess isn’t confined to splatters of blood and screams in the dark.

Don Bluth’s departure from Disney was not just a career move; it marked the birth of a new era in animation, evidenced by his groundbreaking project, THE SECRET OF NIMH. This film turned the animation world on its head by introducing mature themes and complex characters, diverging drastically from the shiny, simplified narratives that dominated the genre. With a storyline that embraced the shadows more than the sparkles, THE SECRET OF NIMH challenged viewers to find beauty and depth in the darkness of its animated world.

In the heart of Chicago, Tom Witzky, played by Kevin Bacon, finds his ordinary life as a lineman turned upside down following a hypnosis session at a family party in STIR OF ECHOES. With his wife Maggie (Kathryn Erbe) and son Jake (Zachary David Cope) by his side, Tom's initial doubts about anything beyond the norm are shattered when he uncovers dormant psychic abilities. This awakening thrusts him into the center of a chilling mystery wrapped around their seemingly tranquil neighborhood.

When isolation turns to fear, the vast, eerie reaches of the Adirondack Mountains provide the perfect setting for a chilling story. COME HOME, directed by Nicole Pursell and Caitlin Zoz, reimagines the classic cabin-in-the-woods horror with a fresh view, injecting modern dread into an age-old genre. While the film boasts a compelling visual journey and a suspense-laden ambiance, it occasionally needs to work on weaving these elements into a coherent whole.

Step into a world that’s hard to explain with a unique debut from directors Michal Vojtech and Ariel De La Garzal, MEOW! revives the lost art of silent film by exploring Prague’s shadowy alleys and historic vistas. The film presents an absorbing narrative featuring Anna Maria, a restroom attendant portrayed by Paige Janey. Anna is drawn into a curious and eerie adventure pursuing her missing cat. This search sets her on a collision course with an array of peculiar characters, with Raphael Ruiz delivering a performance that blends comedic relief with a touch of the sinister.

In the short film SPECTRUM by British director Rick Stanton, audiences are treated to a stirring exploration of life on the autism spectrum, depicted in striking black and white that lends a classic feel to a thoroughly modern subject (at least one that is viewed through a contemporary lens.) The film centers on Steve, played by the director’s brother, Steven Stanton, whose performance brings a heartfelt authenticity to the role. Alongside him, Hasan Dixon and the Wunmi Mosaku contribute to a dynamic ensemble that showcases the depth of neurodivergent talent.