Saturday Sequel Presents A Quiet Place part 2

By Paul Anthony

Earlier in the week, I got a chance to review the first film in this series after some time of wanting to watch it, so it is only natural that we talk about the sequel for this edition of Saturday Sequel. Now like many films in the early part of 2021, they were postpone since early 2020. Even now it is hard to talk about a film’s success because most studios have their own streaming services and so forth. This film was released in theaters and then 45 days later on Paramount plus. Now the film’s budget had grown a lot compared to the first one. The total budget for this film was 61 million compared to 21 million. In a pandemic box office the film still managed to be a successful film by grossing 296 million dollars. yes it was down from the first film but because of the situation, we won’t compare the numbers. The Main cast pretty much returns including Krasinski in a cameo role. The film did add a new main cast member in Cillian Murphy. Now most critics praised this film and even giving it higher remarks then the first film which is honestly rare these days but let’s check out the plot.

The film stars at day 1 where we see the Abbott family enjoying their oldest son’s baseball game, Lee arrives late though he was picking up some fruit and caught a glimpses of a news report of attack but blows it off. At the game the fans notices an explosion in the sky and soon after begins flee the ballpark and right after they do, the creatures start to attack everyone that makes a noise. Then we skip to the present and the family is on the move since their house was destroyed at the end of the first film. during their travels they break into a old abandoned steel foundry. But Marcus steps into a bear trap which he has no other choice but to scream in pain and at that point a man saves them and is to be revealed as the family’s old friend Emmett, who tells them they need to leave soon because they can’t stay here with him. Evelyn pleads with him. At the same time Regan starts to realize the song that plays on the radio is a clue and determines to find help and armed with the knowledge on how to defeat them she sneaks away and soon after Emmett goes after her to save her but in the process she explains the clues and at first Emmett seems like he is still shady and leaves Regan with no weapons or anything only to come back to their hideout and reveals he found a boat. The two travel to the dock and are basically attack by feral humans. As a last ditch effort to survive Emmett makes noise to attract the creatures. during this battle we learn as well as the characters that these creatures can’t swim and travel to this island where they see people living as if nothing ever happened. There they are told that the coast guard put out signals to tell people that and now Emmett tells Regan that she was right about him that he is nothing like Lee but She is just like her father. However the creatures manage to travel by boat and begin to attack the people but at a radio tower Regan manages to turn her hearing aid and once again kills the creatures and sends out a warning and plays the sound of her hearing aid and the film ends with the idea that the humans will get ready to fight.

I have to say that this is no doubt a great follow up and I really mean that. This film decided to built on the first and had a good story to go along with it. Everyone played a good role in this film and that was great to see. The mystery and the emotion continued to be there with the right combination of both. Them adding Cillian Murphy was a plus for sure and still manage to add Krasinski was a good touch and once again only giving the creatures a small amount of screen time was a great touch. In the end I am giving this film an A+ and label this as a must watch film. I am truly looking forward to the third film!!

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A Quiet Place Review

By Paul Anthony

It is no secret that here at SmashWriting, we love to review movies and there are plenty of movies to review so there is always a backlog of movies and for me this A Quiet Place has been on my to watch list some time. I seen what the critics were saying and they all seem to be praising this film. The film starred real life married couple John Krasinski and wife Emily Blunt. The film wasn’t just a hit with the critics but fans alike. The film was made from a 22 million dollar budget but was able to make 350.3 million in its theater run making it a true hit. Now the concept of the film plus having a deaf character made it interesting because Krasinski didn’t want to cast a non-deaf actress to play his on screen daughter who was deaf, so they cast Millicent Dimmonds, which in my eyes was pretty cool to see. Now if you haven’t seen this film then please note that this review will contain spoilers!

The film starts with them showing that this film is taking place on day 89, here we meet the Abbott family, Wife Evelyn, Husband Lee, daughter Regan, oldest son Marcus and youngest son Beau. We learn that 89 days ago, aliens from outer space. These creatures who are blind but have hypersensitive hearing which forces the human race to live in silence, but add insult injury these creature’s skin is some type of armor that makes them immune to bullets and explosives leaving the human race defenseless. One day as the family is on the move the young son who was playing with his shuttle toy the sound is activated and before lee could save him the creature kills the young sound. We then skip ahead to a year later, the family is still struggling to survive but Evelyn is pregnant and almost to her due date, Regan who gave her brother that toy has been guilting herself over her brother’s death and feels that her father no longer loves her because of it. One day Lee takes Marcus’s on a hunting trip to learn how to take care of the family, Lee as it turns out is an engineer which he has been using his skills to learn how to fight these creatures and to restore his daughter’s hearing. Lee reveals the creatures travels in three’s and as long as there is background noise such as waterfall, and at that point Marcus tells Lee how Regan been feeling. Back at Home Evelyn goes into labor and on her way to the basement she steps on a nail and screams which alerts the creatures. at some point the family gets separated and it becomes Lee’s mission to save his kids which causes him life but not before he tells Regan that he loves her and always has. The kids return home to Evelyn and see their new baby brother. But fight is on and Regan realizes from before that her radio frequency from her hearing aid annoys the creatures and exposes a weak spot which they are able to kill it. Evelyn looks on the camera and see the other two on their way and now know their weakness the film ends with the mother-daughter team no longer afraid and prepared to fight as the film ends

Wow so where do I start? Let me say this , the film being nearly all silent was something new and refreshing and not seeing the creatures until the end really kept the suspense. The acting was on point, each death you felt it as well. You didn’t know too much about the family but you grew to love them. The one negative I had with this film was the way to defeat them made sense the whole but no one thought about it? Once the human race learned that these creatures could hear anything, making such a loud high pitch sound would have made sense once they knew. Besides that point the film was a good film in the end, I am giving this film an A for a rating and looking forward to watching the sequel.

Summerslam 2021 Predictions

By: Justin Hopkins

The wrestling will be good. See, I knew I’d find the positive. The one thing that has been saving the WWE is that the wrestlers are incredible in between the ropes. Able to carry the lackluster booking that is surrounding this card. Only thing that will get me to tune in Friday is that at least the matches will be enjoyable and that is the sad part. Some of these matches are going to be big but they are capable of so much better stories and ideas to sink your teeth into, and some of them are just a few tweaks away. Lets put on the tin foil hat and I’ll try to predict and explain what I mean.

Eva Marie vs Alexa Bliss

Like this for example. If they dropped the doll and hypnotizing stuff. Let Alexa keep doing what she is in the Playground, but a brutal force in the ring. To the point where she goes almost to far in the way she goes in the ring. Doesn’t even try to pin or submit her opponents. Just keeps attacking till they are out cold and you got something to build on. No, we got it tied around a doll. Don’t even know if Eva will fight and it’ll be Doudrop and way more stupid stuff, and I normally like when the horror aspects blend, but this isn’t working. Going to go with Bliss for the win in the hope we can get Bliss to move on to something else.

Winner – Alexa Bliss

Drew McIntyre vs Jinder Mahal

Out of all of the history they could have told. This started over a text message and turned into fighting over a sword. A sword that Drew can’t use anyways. Please don’t have him use the sword. They had to learn something from the eyeball thing. Going to go with Drew to win and feud will probably continue.

Winner – Drew McIntyre

Edge vs Seth Rollins

This feud has been alright. They are playing off when Seth attacked Edge during retirement. Comparing their careers has been interesting. As much as I would like to pick Edge. If they are going to start tilting Seth toward Roman. He needs to pick up some wins.

Winner – Seth Rollins

U.S Championship Match Damien Priest vs Sheamus (Champion)

Sheamus has been having a great year. His matches against Humberto got real repetitive real fast, but he had some of the years best. His promos the last few weeks though have been rough. I am glad to see them using Priest more, please get him away from Miz and Morrison, especially since I am picking him to walkout as the new U.S Champion. Him being the champ this time is no excuse for more matches.

Winner and New United States Champion – Damien Priest

Raw Tag Team Championship Match – RK-Bro vs AJ Styles and Omos (Champions)

This has been probably the best built match on the card. About fifty percent great and fifty percent cringe, but that is my take on Riddle in general. AJ and Omos have been great antagonist to them and the fact that they kind of brought them on themselves. All they had to do was not interrupt them and just let Orton walkaway. Only thing I would have done was hold off on the hug and let it happen after they win the belts.

Winners and new Raw Tag Team Champions – RK-Bro

Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match – The Mysterios vs The Usos (Champion)

What am I suppose to say about this match. We have seen it. Seen the single matches and this will just be here. Should have at least made it a multi team match. Add the Street Profits and Alpha Academy so we can get something else.

Winner and still Smackdown Tag Team Champions – The Usos

RAW Women’s Championship match – Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley vs Nikki Cross (Champion)

They did this story backward. Nikki (No I will not call her ASH, the name gets worse the more you think about it) could have worked it to where she doesn’t back down. She pushes her opponents, who are not Charlotte or Rhea, to the absolute brink time and time again losing by the littlest reasons, but she believes she can. So much so, she announces she will use her Money in the Bank contract to make it a Triple Threat at Summerslam and finally win. Making the journey to full Superhero. No, they put the belt on her right after Money in the bank. had the champion say, I almost won, and a series of wins and losses, to make it so none of these three can possibly look good in the process and why is this a triple threat with Charlotte and Rhea! You have Shayna Baszler right there. One of your best heels on the roster, who could beat Nikki down repeatedly and build sympathy for her. While letting Shayna rehab her character back to being a killer. As far as the Triple Threat goes… I don’t know…Rhea. Sure why not.

Winner and new Raw Women’s Champion – Rhea Ripley

Smackdown Women’s Championship – Sasha Banks vs Bianca Belair (Champion)

This will be a great match between two who smashed it at Mania. If given the time, they can easily be match of the night again and I think the results will be the same with Bianca retaining.

Winner and still Smackdown Women’s Champion – Bianca Belair

WWE Championship Match – Goldberg vs Bobby Lashley (Champion)

I am kind of scared because of how much his kid has been on. We might see a Goldberg victory here, but I am going to cross my fingers and hope for the best.

Winner and still WWE Champion – Bobby Lashley

Universal Championship Match – John Cena vs Roman Reigns (Champion)

I was okay with this. I knew it would happen. The promos went just about how I expected them to go, but they lost me with one thing. By teasing Finn Balor. I would so much rather have Balor and Roman. Seems so much more exciting then this. Yeah, it was a tease for later, but could have had Balor at least interrupt the 30 minute promo last week. To keep the pressure on Roman and his anger over the situation. With that ramble out of the way. I don’t see a title change happening here. Cena is here to help build Roman that much more and that comes with him losing.

Winner and still Universal Champion – Roman Reigns

Yeah, this was more irritable then normal. Like I said, the wrestling will be good. Just wish they put more into their stories and builds. As always, I hope you enjoyed and….

Thank You For Reading!

Candyman Farewell to the Flesh Review

By: Justin Hopkins

**SPOILER WARNING**

And the march goes on. One more day closer to The Candyman’s big return. We went through the first one last night so lets keep the train moving to the 1995 sequel, Farewell to the Flesh. Taking the titular character from Chicago and dropping him into New Orleans, while digging deeper into the lore at the same time. Lets jump in and see how the shift paid off for them.

**SYNOPSIS**

The movie starts with Professor Purcell going through the story of The Candyman, giving him a name, Daniel Tobitaille, during an event at a book store promoting his book on the Candyman. Bringing up the events in the first movie, claiming Helen Lyle was to blame for the murders. As she had taken such an intense obsession with the topic and turned herself into the Candyman. After being pushed a bit by the crowd. Uses the shine on his book to say Candyman five time. Which was to set up a joke of being attacked by an associate. All the while, a nervous guy watches from the back. Later confronting Purcell when he is walking down the street. Recognizing Ethan when he gave his name, and apologizing for his Dad dying, only Ethan yelled at him. Claiming his Dad came to him for help and Candyman was real and Purcell would be next. Shaken up by it, he goes to the bar. When Ethan attacks him and is thrown out. Yelling that he is next. The Professor goes to clean himself off, when the Candyman shows himself and kills the Professor. After the title card, we see Mardi Gras in effect and three more days till the start of lent. Hear the Radio DJ, King Fish talking as we meet Annie, as she is driving through. On her way to work. While King Fish is warning people not to say his name in front of the mirror. We meet up with her at her job as a school teacher. Student working on art projects. One of the kids, drawing a picture of the Candyman. When someone comes in and tell her their has been a problem with her brother, Ethan. Which she rushes to deal with. Stopping at her Mother’s house, who is drinking and upset about Ethan and the fact she has cancer. Together, along with Annie’s Husband, Paul. She tries to get him to talk or get a lawyer, but Ethan isn’t listen. Content with just confessing and taking the fall. When she pushes him, he throws an ashtray through the window, and he gets carried away. While she says she won’t give up on him. Trying to talk to the lady cop, but she won’t hear it either. Believing it to be a slam dunk case, on not only Purcell, but a string of other, including their Father. Later that night, she gets inspired by some old photos, to take a trip to the old family house. To try and finding anything that might be able to help her Brother. Finding a small group pf homeless and see the ruins of the old slave house out back. When she goes upstairs, she finds multiple graffiti pictures of Daniel and his death, till reached the final image of Birth of Candyman. Standing in front of a pile of skulls. From their, she goes back to work, in time to break up a fight between a picture, Matthew drew of Candyman being chased. Telling her that if you said his name five times in the mirror, he will come for her. In an attempt to prove that it is made up. She does just that. Having a laugh when nothing happened but Matthew is still upset. That night, she can’t sleep and Paul comes to get her off the balcony. Making her dessert, while she is in the bathroom, and Candyman appears. Telling her soon they will take a journey together, before disappearing. Rushing out of the bathroom, when she hears a clatter. Candyman having Paul. Annie, watching helplessly as he kills Paul with the hook. She tries to run, but he appears before her and she blacks out and that is where I will leave it for now.

**Review**

Lets start this off with how we did the first and that is talking about the myth. which has changed from the first, and as far as this movie goes, I did like it. I know a lot of people may disagree with that point of view, but for me. Kind of plays with the idea of hoe an Urban Legend works. How the point of it is there, but elements of it change based on location. The premise, being that he was alive and killed after falling for a white woman, and he could be summoned by saying his name five time. While some of the details changing and adding to it. Such as the location of his death changing and his soul being tied to a mirror. Which was what was allowing him to get around. They gave him a name, Daniel and that even calling him Candyman, was a horrible thing to say. An insult one of the kids in the lynch mob called him and the mob mocked him with the term. As far as this movie goes, I do like the direction they went in with the story.

This one definitely upped the gore factor. Racking up the body count and carnage candy in spectacular fashion. Getting the first kill in the opening sequence and settling just long enough to tell the story before ratcheting right back up. The death of Paul was both grotesque and hard hitting, since Paul was a likeable guy and they made his death a rather slow one painful one. While the blood splattering Annie’s face was a nice touch. They utilized the the hook in some fun ways. From slow and painful to fast, and the death by bees scene was particularly brutal as it would be. All of which gets a big thumbs up from me.

Once again, they handled the racial and social aspects of the movie very well. Not just with the cruelty and unjust scene of what happened to Daniel, but with the Reverend having to live with the idea that the cops would not help him find Mathew when he went missing. As well with the family aspect as well. Isabelle growing up never knowing about Daniel, but even Annie’s Mom refusing to admit that Daniel was related because she would be ashamed by the association. Leaving off on a bit of hope, with Annie including Daniel’s picture in the family Photobook.

I loved the fact that this story was set around Mardi Gras. Seeing the city celebrate and party, oblivious to the terror that is unfolding to Annie. Allowing not just her to slip through the crowd but Candyman as well. The symbolism of it all coming to a close, on the final day, and seeing her and Matthew leave it all behind at the start of Ash Wednesday.

Tony Todd was once again fantastic in the roll of Candyman as well as Daniel. Bringing out so much pain and agony and sorrow during his final moments alive. Making you hate everyone involved. Wonderfully bringing back the terror and frightening calmness in the Candyman when he talks. To the sickening joy he gets in killing. He had a great grasp on the character and the second time around he came back better. Playing off him was the wonderful Kelly Rowan, who did excellent as Annie. Who built up a really likeable character in Annie. Feeling the fear and desperation that continued to build up within her, but the sympathy she had for him was there as well. Knew she had to stop him, but did feel bad for Daniel. And we got to mention Timothy Carhart, for loveable Paul. Complete opposite of Trevor, and saved dessert.

This movie did have a bit of minor negatives. I feel like they could have done more with Detective Ray and Pam. Especially after Pam learned the truth. A little closer look at the Slave house before the finale. At least let Annie go to the front of it. A bigger negative would have been how little we got to know Matthew. Would like to know more about his story and how he got involved with Candyman.

With all of that said, Farewell to the Flesh was a much better sequel than what people give credit for. I enjoyed the direction they took the myth into. Building up on it and learning more his story. Diving into the family descendants. Loved the ramp up on carnage candy, New characters and return of a horror icon. All coming together for a great entry in the series. Final Grade – A –

As always, I hope you enjoyed and….

Thank You For Reading!

Candyman Review

By: Justin Hopkins

**SPOILER WARNING**

Welcome to this months Classic 13 review… three days late. I know, I am sorry. Between getting ready for this past weekend and attending Rampage. Didn’t have enough time to get this one done, but didn’t want to pass this one up. Since we are less then 2 weeks away from Candyman’s return to the theaters. No better time to go back to the 1992 classic that started it all. A movie that I have only actually seen one time going into this when I was a kid. A lot of it going over my head and no really sticking with me. Now, older and somewhat capable of understanding things. It was time to give it another go. So, lets jump in and discuss.

**SYNOPSIS**

The movie kicks off with a title sequence, ending with a swarm of bees and Candyman talking, ” They say I have shed some blood, but what’s blood for if not for shedding. With my hook for a hand, I will split you from groin to gullet.” After a shot of bees overtaking the city, we jump to Helen, a grad student, listening to story of The Candyman. A babysitter who had a guy name Billy show up. Taking him upstairs and to the bathroom. Telling him the story and he said the name 4 times. When she sends him downstairs she says it a 5th and he came for her. Killing her and the baby. Billy managing to escape but went crazy. Hair turning white. She knows the story because her roommates’ boyfriend knows him. Meanwhile, fellow Grad Student Bernadette hearing a different story. Heading back to the university, a little annoyed by the way one of the students is looking at the professor, her husband, Trevor. She pushes on, because she is more upset that he is teaching the Urban Legend portion while her and Bernadette are working on their thesis. See her typing on a computer later, when one of the cleaning ladies overhears the recording. Knowing someone, another cleaning lady who knows about the Candyman. Telling her the story of Ruthie Jean, a woman who lived at Cabrini Green housing. Heard what sounded like someone banging through her wall. She tried numerous times to call the police, but they ignored her till it was to late. Finding her dead when they finally arrived. Believing it to be the Candyman who did it. Helen found numerous articles and the Ruthie Jean murder. Making a connection between Cabrini Green and her apartment tower. Showing Bernadette how the apartments are connected through the bathroom mirror. Where she said Candyman five time, Bernadette only doing it four, but nothing happens. The next day, they head to Cabrini Green, much to Bernadette’s chagrin. The gang catching sight of them immediately. Not messing with them, because they thought they were cops, but shouted a warning up the stairs. Making their way to Ruthie Jean’s. Where she climbed through the hole to the abandoned apartment. Taking pictures. Finding a massive mural of The Candyman on the wall. Along with an offering of candy before it. Coming back when she runs out of film, one of the neighbors, Ann-Marie, comes to check what is going on. After a little reluctance, not wanting them to bash those who lived here. That not all of them are bad. She tells then a bit more about when Ruthie died. How she heard her screams and tried to call the police, but no one came. Believing it to be done, by Candyman. Over dinner with a group of professors, we learn more about Candyman. 1890, he was the son of a slave who struck it rich. Allowing his Father to send him to the best schools. Where he became an artist. Sleeping with a woman he was hired to paint a portrait of. Father hiring a group to punish him. Chasing him down to where Cabrini Green would be built. Sawing his hand off with a rusty blade. Smashing honeycombs over his body and dying by bee stings. Burning his body to ash and scattered across the grounds. When she goes back, tricks a kid, Jake into taking her to where he claims the Candyman can be found. Taking her to the restroom outside. Telling her about a kid the Candyman killed. Was told that was where he is. While she is inside, a group of guys come in. One brandishing a hook. Calling himself the Candyman, brandishing a hook and hits her in the head. Leaving her out cold and bleeding. Jake calling for help. The police catch the man, because unlike before they do come and sweep the building. The man was the leader of the Overlord Gang, and with her testimony could be put away. Jake is upset about her breaking their promise. Afraid of the Candyman, which she assures him is only a myth. When she is well enough to finally go back to school. Making her way through the parking garage, when a man calls out to her. Seeing flashes of Cabrini, as he lulls her into a hypnotic state. Telling her that he was obliged to come because of her spreading doubt of his existence. Be his victim, as she sees a swarm of bees as she blacked out. Coming to on the floor. Covered in blood. Hearing a woman screaming. Finding herself in Ann- Marie’s Apartment. Head of the dog on the floor. Helen picks up a knife, going to see what is happening. Baby Anthony is gone, and Ann Marie attacks her. Police bursting in as Helen is defending herself and she is arrested and that is where I will mercifully leave it for now.

**Review**

I enjoyed what they were going for with the Candyman and the myth surrounding him. Way he feed on the fears and thrived by being the boogeyman of Cabrini Green. Way he had to go about targeting Helen when she threatened to debunk his myth with his “Congregation.” Way he masterfully tore down here life. Leaving her with no other choice but to come to him. Then the switch happened, by him reneging and she fought back. Dying as she saved the baby. Making her the new Myth of Cabrini Green. Which was a risky move , especially with great of a character they had made, in Candyman, but one that they paid off for them.

I like the fact they didn’t just make him another hack n’ slash serial killer. Candyman being more suave and sophisticated. The way he talked and his movement. Story based in sadness and racial inequalities. That his only crime was falling for a white woman. Then preying and feeding off the black community who can never get any help. His crimes being ignored and just written up as gangs. While people Ann-Marie and Jake are caught in the middle.

The prosthetics were wonderful. From the small stuff like Helen’s swollen eye after she was attacked in the restroom. The aftermath of Bernadette and Trevor and the hook for a hand was excellent. The burns on Helen were morbid in the right way. For a movie that didn’t show a lot of the actual killing. Went all in on the aftermath and a great job with it. And a massive round of applause to Virginia Madsen and Tony Todd for working with swarms of bees. Couldn’t even imagine the amount of tension they were under pulling that off.

It almost goes without saying that the actors and actresses were phenomenal. Tony Todd created a villain of the ages in Candyman. Bringing the look, style, and derangement to stay with you long after you leave. Virginia Madsen was the perfect woman to bring in for the part of Helen. Nailing Helen’s descent . Making you feel so much sympathy for her as not only Candyman tore apart her life, but her Husband was cheating and moved in his girlfriend after she was committed and Virginia and Tony had excellent chemistry. Then you had Xander Berkeley, who played Trevor. A guy you just knew was cheating on Helen and became more unlikeable as you went and seeing him get his comeuppance was the cherry on the top, and it was because of how good Xander pulled it off.

Most of my nitpicks I had going from my first watch was cleared up on this one. So, guess we will go into final thoughts. Candyman is a really enjoyable film that had a lot going on for it. Good carnage candy, tragic tale, social breakdowns. An excellent final girl and Iconic killer in Candyman. With the sequel right around the corner, now is the best time to leap back to where it all started with this 1992 classic. Final Grade – A

As always, I hope you enjoyed and….

Thank You For Reading!

Horrified Board Game Discussion

By: Justin Hopkins

So, I had a lot of fun talking about Vampire Masquerade: Rivals last month. So, much so that decided to do it again. This time with Prospero Hall’s Horrified. Pitting you or a group of players against some of Universal’s Classic Monsters in the form of Dracula, The Wolfman, The Mummy, Creature of the Black Lagoon, Invisible Man, Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein. Seeing them on the cover was more than enough to sell me on adding the game to my collection. With a bunch of play throughs done, lets jump in and discuss.

The Game

The goal is pretty simple. You sit down by yourself or with others, and decide first, which monster, or combination of monsters you want to terrorize the village this fine evening, and set the board accordingly. The Monster with the highest Frenzy Marker. Then you pick you character, each with various abilities to help you move, pick up items and some can teleport to certain spaces. Along with a perk card. Place 12 random item tokens across the map and the game begins. A player starts their moves picking up necessary items and try to complete tasks that will allow you to defeat the monsters you have chosen. You need to break 3 coffins for Dracula, deliver evidence of the Invisible Man, find a cure for Wolfman, solve a puzzle for The Mummy, get the boat to the lair for the creature, and teach the Frankenstein’s to be human. After a player has taken a turn, it’s the Monster turn in the form of drawing a Monster Card. Which will tell you what to do, which monsters are moved, and some will place villagers on the board. All needing to go to a different location. If a player can get them there, they are awarded a Perk Card. If a monster is to land on the spot. They roll a number of dice dictated on the monster card to see if they are attacked or not. The good guys win, by meeting the achievements and defeating the monsters. While the monsters win because the terror meter has filled, from successful attacks on the players, killing villagers and Frankenstein and the Bride encountering one another before they are humanized. The monsters also win, if you have taken to long and run out of Monster Cards to flip over.

Discussion

The game’s biggest positives is it’s replayability. Trying to defeat different combinations of monsters and adding more to the mix the more you play. Not even when you play with other people, but when you play by yourself. Trying to think about what you are going to do multiple steps ahead to deal with the number games. Had multiple games come down to the last monster card and have squeaked out the win and suffered brutal losses that get me to readjust and think about what I did wrong while setting up for another game.

It has a real sense of lulling you into a sense of safety and security. Believe your team has everything in the bag and going you way. Before you know it though, the terror meter is getting dangerously close to filling and running out of monster cards. Regretting not detouring to grab a villager or playing a perk card and the victory you thought was certain is now slipping from your grasp.

They put a lot of time and love into making everything that comes in the box. The board coming with places you’d find in the various monsters world. Each character feeling special and unique in the challenges they present to beat them. While the miniatures feel a bit fragile, especially The Mummy, they do look gorgeous and absolutely loved being able to paint them. Which, was a first and I have a long way to go to get good at.

I don’t have any real negatives, but I do have a want. Cause this game does have the potential to be more. They can really make some fun expansion packs for it, and kind of surprised that they haven’t. Seen some people’s suggestions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Headless Horseman Elvira and such. Would love to see an 80’s horror slashers. Would be so much fun having a game, where you have Frankenstein and his Bride, The Headless Horsemen, and Freddy Krueger on the board at the same time. I love the seven we get, but I feel like this can just be scratching the surface and could get more from it.

With all that said though. It is not a complex game that you can play and have a good times with friends or family or even alone. Which is something I love the most. Since even when I can’t get people to play. I can still bust this out and enjoy myself and adore the fact that they did use the classic monsters and rekindle my appreciation I have for them and would gladly suggest picking this up and adding it to your collection.

As always, I hope you enjoyed and….

Thank You For Reading!