Despite a cult-like devotion to an image of safe and family friendly fun, it turns out not everything is always magical in the mouse’s kingdom.

From failing floats to alligator attacks to knife fights, Disney’s theme parks have had their share of sad, strange and surreal deaths over the past decades that add a dark shadow to an otherwise picture perfect park going experience.

Read on for a list of 13 notable Deaths At Disney from both California’s Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Florida.

Deaths At Disney: Alligator Attack! (2016)

With some very strong Florida energy for Walt Disney World, one of the most gruesome Disney Deaths occurred on June 14, 2016 when a 2-year-old boy from Nebraska was bitten and dragged into the water by an alligator at 9:15pm on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Horrifyingly, his parents tried to save him and the boy was pulled into the water in front of their eyes. His body then surfaced the following afternoon, in the vicinity of where he went missing.

Since the incident, Disney has added warning signs and rope-barriers to waterways around the entire resort and, for a short time, references to alligators were removed from a number of attractions, including The Jungle Cruise.

However, these actions did little to help Disney shake accusations of a  cover-up, with local press alleging Disney removed nearly 100 alligators from the park in the year leading up to the incident.

Deaths At Disney: Knife Attack!  (1981)

On March 7, 1981 18-year-old Mel Yorba was fatally stabbed with a knife during a fight with a 28-year-old man after the victim supposedly attempted to pinch the man’s girlfriend in Tomorrowland.

His family sued the park for $60 million and while the family did not receive the full amount (They got $600k in the end) the jury found the park negligent for not summoning outside medical help during the assault.

Disney, forever obsessed with their image even in the face OF AN ACTUAL MURDER, sent the victim to the Hospital not in an ambulance, but a Disneyland van with a park nurse.

Deaths At Disney: The Gang Murders Someone (1987)

The second homicide in the park’s history, on March 7 1987, a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot in the Disneyland parking lot after keeping it real went wrong as revellers left the park after closing.

The incident began as an early-morning shouting match between apparent rival gang members before escalating into a brawl that devolved into a shooting match in the parking lot around 1am.

About two hours after the brawl, Long Beach police and California Highway Patrol officers arrested no less than 13 Samoan youths as they drove north on the San Diego Freeway in Long Beach in a van and a Cadillac, Long Beach Police Lt. Rod Mickelson said at the time.

Keleti Naea, the shooter, contended that he thought the gun, which belonged to the victim, was a toy when he picked it off the ground and fired at Tai, but that wasn’t enough to escape being convicted of 2nd degree murder for his role in the shooting.

Deaths At Disney: America Sings (1974)

A classic among Deaths at Disney, this incident befell poor Deborah Gail Stone, a fresh faced, bubbly 18-year old employee who had just graduated from Santa Ana High School, and was, as the immortal Joe Bob Briggs would say “mashed to bits” after slipping between a revolving wall and a stationary platform inside the eternally creepy America Sings attraction.

On  July 8, 1974 she standing was in the wrong place during a ride intermission and, as the revolving platforms revolved, she was ground to a pulp between the wheels of the  attraction.. Investigators say it was unclear whether this was the result of inadequate training or an “operator error”, as the ride was brand new, having only opened about a week earlier.

In classic Disney fashion, America Sings was closed for a mere two days while crews installed simple warning lights and breakaway walls to prevent further incidents of mashing to bits.

Deaths At Disney:  The Matterhorn Decapitation (1984)

One of the grisliest Deaths at Disney was 1984’s Matterhorn incident, when 48-year-old Dolly Young from California was killed after she was thrown from a  bobsled car and was then struck by the next oncoming bobsled, crushing her and separating her head from it’s shoulders between the cars wheels and the steel track.

A later investigation had found that her seat belt was not buckled, and it remained unclear if she deliberately unfastened her belt, the seat belt had malfunctioned, or another passenger had unfastened it. Dun dun dunnn!

Deaths At Disney: Mono-doh! (1966)

Photo by Heather Maguire on Unsplash

The first of many, many Deaths at Disney’s California location was on June 8, 1966, when 19 year old Thomas Cleveland was killed while attempting to sneak into the park by climbing onto the monorail track.

Ignoring the shouted warnings of a security officer he was struck by the train and dragged nearly 50 feet down the track.

A Quote from author David Koenig’s 1994 book Mouse Tales: A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland attributed to the the security guard there at the time stated that he had to “hose the kid off the underside”.

Deaths At Disney: Killer Coral Cafe Menu (1982)

In one of the more bizarre Deaths at Disney (and the 6th death in  the history of Orlando’s park in a mere 11 years), a 2-year-old local girl from Florida died on April 6, 1982 in Walt Disney World after being crushed, by of all things … a falling menu board.

Reports says she was standing in line with her family outside the kitschy tiki-themed Coral Isle Coffee Shop (now re-branded as the Kona Cafe) when she and her 12-year-old sister were playing with a rope tied to a large menu board.

In a Rube Goldberg worth series of unfortunate events (and a great advertisement for birth control), the unattended girls pulled on the rope, freeing the sign from it’s fasteners, and the board fell on top of the toddler, crushing her.

Deaths At Disney: Oh no, Not The Bees! (1992)

In a Death worthy of Nicolas Cage himself,  an off-duty cast member fell to his death from the ledge outside the Top of The World restaurant on On November 12, 1992.

And while falls and suicides are surprisingly common Deaths at Disney, this one is a little more weird.

The strange accident began as Brian Hribek, 24, a host at the Disney hotel’s Top Of The World, was showing his roommate the view from an observation deck on the 15th floor of the hotel.

As he sat on the 4 ft high security barrier in broad daylight, a swarm of “giant wasps” began attacking him without warning. As he tried desperately to swat them away, he fell over the edge and the wasps had claimed their victory.

The victim slammed into a 4th floor landing deck of the monorail, killing him instantly and with much splattering.

Reporters on the scene were told by employees ” We noticed the wasps…They were huge, all over the place…Then a little while later, someone came in screaming, ‘Call 911!’ ”

Disney officials said they do not know where the wasps came from. A reporter who walked on the deck two hours after the accident found dozens still swarming…looking for more victims…

Deaths At Disney: Mini Golf Car Fire (2018)

A recent and still unsolved entry in our Deaths at Disney, August 18, 2018 saw a person found dead inside of a burning car near Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course at the park, shocking local residents.

Brian Christ, 49, was found dead in a burning vehicle at 4:11 a.m, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. but it was not the result of an automobile accident.

Deputies have not released details about how Christ died, but said that no foul play is suspected and detectives were not looking for any suspects. Disney remained tight lipped about the incident, and has not commented to this day about just what happened. Suspish.

Deaths At Disney: A Dream Come True Parade Crushing (2004)

Imagine dying in a mascot costume? How humiliating right? Well imagine no longer.

A tragic entry in our Deaths at Disney, Javier Cruz, 38, a father of two and an eight-year Disney veteran, was playing Pluto in the daily afternoon parade like he had countless times before.

Preparing backstage, he was shockingly killed after being run over by the Beauty and the Beast float in the “Share a Dream Come True Parade”. We’re guessing that was not his dream come true.

“We think very few guests saw it, if any,” said park spokesman Bill Warren at the time.

On the day of his death, he was dressed in character near the end of the parade line and was ready to pass through a gate into public view near Splash Mountain when the float struck him.

In a scene that’s tragic, but honestly pretty hilarious to imagine, Cruz tripped and before he had time to escape the oncoming float, was crushed to death by the giant golden princess float that loomed over him.

Floats and characters that left the backstage area before the accident continued down the parade route toward Main Street, U.S.A., Warren said, but floats and characters behind Cruz did not.

Deaths At Disney: Shotgun To The Head (1992)

While we’re not counting the spate of suicides among our “Top Deaths At Disney”, this one is just too salacious to leave out.

On September 12, 1992, 37-year-old Allan Farris entered Epcot at Orlando’s Walt Disney World after closing, yelling and demanding to see his ex-girlfriend who worked at the park.

Ferris then confronted a guard at the park who approached him, and after again demanding to see his former girlfriend, two other guards then confronted Ferris.

In a big Florida move, Farris produced a 12-gauge shotgun – with its stock cut off – from a nylon bag and went into full psycho-mode, firing three blasts at the first guard, who was miraculously unharmed.

The two other guards also ran, but after Ferris fired one shot, both stopped and were held hostage for 10 minutes in a restroom near Kodak’s Journey Into Imagination pavilion.

Given the serious nature of the event, Police deputies immediately surrounded the area, and Ferris released his hostages. He then emerged, walking around the pavilion with the gun clenched to his chest.

“Shoot me. Shoot me. You’re going to have to kill me,” Ferris yelled.

After exchanging words with deputies, he put the gun to his head and fired, evaporating his head into a cloud of red mist.

As expected, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Investigators attributed his actions to a recent breakup with his long-time girlfriend.

In a quote worthy of a true crime podcast, a friend said  “He was a big man . . . but he got pushed to the limit. Something just happened to set him off.”

Deaths At Disney: Killer Coaster (2003)

Howdy folks! We’re heading to the old-west for one of the most calamitous Deaths at Disney in Frontierland history , yee-haw!

On September 5, 2003, a 22-year-old man died after suffering severe blunt-force trauma and extensive internal bleeding in a derailment of the Big croller coaster that also injured ten other riders.

The derailment was the result of a mechanical failure that had occurred because of omissions during a maintenance procedure. Fasteners on the left side guide wheel on the floating axle of the locomotive were not tightened and secured in accordance with specifications.

As the train entered a tunnel, the axle came loose and jammed against a brake section, causing the locomotive to become airborne and hit the ceiling of the tunnel. The locomotive then slammed down on top of the first passenger car, crushing the victim.

Deaths At Disney: Gondola Death Drop  (1999)

One of the sadder Deaths at Disney saw 65-year-old part-time custodian Raymond Barlow killed as he was cleaning the Fantasyland Skyway station platform on February 14, 1999, when the ride was turned on by staff likely unaware he was there.

He was in the path of the ride vehicles and after beging struck by the oncoming and adorable Gondola, he grabbed a passing seat in an attempt to save himself.

Sadly, He lost his grip, fell 40 feet (12 m), and landed in a flower bed near the Dumbo ride, where he expired from his injuries.

The Skyway ride, which was already ancient and in poor repair, had been scheduled to be closed before the accident occurred, was permanently closed in November, 1999.

As a result of the accident, OSHA fined Walt Disney World a whopping US$4,500 for violating federal safety codes in that work area.

Heading Photo by Brian McGowan on Unsplash

Adaptogens & Nootropics are all the rage. Read on to learn the benefits, differences and ways to try these brain building alternative medicines. 

The world of Adaptogens & Nootropics

Biohacking and wellness continue to become more prominent industries as humans learn more about our neurological and biological systems and how they interact with natural alternative medicines and ingredients.

We all know the importance of mindfulness and “brain training” – but did you know that nutrition can have just as impactful an effect on your brain function?

That’s where Adaptogens and Nootropics come in.

Whether you’re a skeptic or believer, there’s no denying the rise in popularity for adaptogens, and wellness drinks. From Kombucha to Ashwagandha to weirder things like “magical moon” and “golden dandelion” lattes and teas, it can be a bit daunting and confusing to know where to start.

We’ve done a deeper dive into WTF adaptogens and nootropics are – and which are some of the best adaptogenic and nootropic drinks to experiment with.

Are they worth the hype?

100%.

Here’s why:

What are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are ancient plants, herbs and or roots that support brain function and help the body’s ability to handle mental and physical stress.

These are different from Nootropics in the sense that Adaptogens benefits are widespread throughout the body, instead of focusing on a particular area or concern.

Examples:

Lion’s Mane Mushroom – An edible and medicinal mushroom known for its ability to boost mood, energy levels and reduce anxiety. Found in capsule or sometimes liquid extract form.

Check out Rainbo Mushroom 11:11 and add this multi-vitamin complex to pretty much any drink you’d normally drink. We personally love adding it to our morning smoothie or latte.

Maca – A root vegetable, related to the criminally underrated radish. Boosts mood and regulares stress hormones. Normally found in powder format making it easy to add to any drink you’d like.

Goji – Also known as the wolf-berry, native to China, the Goji berry is packed full of nutrients and has been used in herbal teas, juices, wines and medicines. Early studies found they promote better sleep, weight loss, immunity boost and a feeling of well-being and calmness.

What are Nootropics?

Nootropics or “brain boosters”, are substances that improve cognitive function, in particular relating to creativity, memory, focus and reduce inflammation in the brain.

Examples:

L-Theanine – A naturally occurring amino acid found in tea, but can also be taken as a supplement. Several studies show that taking 200mg of L-Theanine has a calming effect, without causing drowsiness. Taking even 50mg – the amount found in roughly two cups of brewed tea – has been found to increase alpha-waves in the brain, which are linked the creativity.

Ginkgo Biloba – Ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair, is a tree native to China that has been grown for thousands of years for a variety of uses.

Because it’s the only surviving member of an ancient order of plants, it’s sometimes referred to as a living fossil.

While its leaves and seeds are often used in traditional Chinese medicine, modern research primarily focuses on ginkgo extract, which is made from the leaves.

Ginkgo supplements are associated with several health claims and uses, most of which focus on brain function and blood circulation.

Creatine – Produced naturally and found in amino acids – Creatine is the number one supplement used for improving performance in gym. Studies show it increases muscle mass, strength and exercise performance. Additionally it protects against neurological disease.

5 Adaptogenic / Nootropic Drinks To Try

1. Blue Medicinal Mushroom Latte

One of our favourite brands Rainbo shared this beautiful immunity boosting adaptogenic latte recipe packed full of 11 powerful and potent medicinal mushrooms.

Ingredients

1 tbsp butterfly pea flower tea
2 slices of fresh ginger
½ cup of boiling water
¾ cup milk of your choice, I prefer oat or hemp for the best foam
1 dropper of Rainbo 11:11 tincutre
Rainbo Forest Juice, to taste

Directions

Steep butterfly pea tea with ginger and boiling water for 1-2 minutes until dark indigo.

Strain the tea and add to your favourite mug.

Top the tea with foamed milk, Rainbo tincture and Forest Juice to taste. Combine all ingredients together, gently and enjoy

Source: https://rainbo.com/blogs/recipes/blue-mushroom-latte

2. Magic Moon Latte

Food stylist and writer Sophia Macken shared this adaptogenic herbal latte to help ease PMS symptoms. Full of hormone balancing ingredients anyone can benefit from, and can just be consumed as a healthy alternative to overly sweet and expensive flavoured lattes. Here’s the recipe from her website Wholehearted Eats:

MOON-TIME LATTE

Influenced by this recipe from the Great Kosmic Kitchen.
Serves 1.

1 Mug Almond Milk (about 12 oz)
1 Rounded tsp. Dandy Blend (or favourite instant dandelion or chicory coffee substitute)***
1/2 tsp. Ashwagandha Powder
1/2 tsp. Tahini
1/2 tsp. Maca
1/8 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Cocoa Powder
1/2 tsp. Coconut Oil
1/2 tsp. Coconut Sugar (optional)

Begin by measuring the amount of milk you need by pouring the milk into your intended drinking cup.

I used a standard mug, which was about 12 oz. In a small pot heat up the milk and other ingredients until nice and warm.

You’ll probably want to give it a bit of a stir to make sure the ingredients don’t stick to the bottom.

Once it gets all nice and warm, pop it in a mixture in a high speed blender and whip on high for a minute or until frothy.

Serve and enjoy!

*** If you don’t have access to herbal coffee, a strong decaffeinated coffee will also work.

3. The Ultimate Tonic

The Ultimate Tonic is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory packed tincture containing mushrooms, turmeric, cinnamon, and sweet dates with cashew milk.

Medicinal mushrooms are packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds and active constituents that have been shown to have immune boosting properties among other health benefits.

This tincture uses the power of adaptogens found specifically in medicinal mushrooms. Here’s the recipe from Nutrition Stripped:

THE ULTIMATE TONIC RECIPE

SERVES 1
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups homemade nut milk
1 tablespoon chia seed
1 tablespoon ground flax seed
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
1 tablespoon local honey
1-2 medjool dates, pitted
2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon of each organic powdered cordyceps, reishi, shiitake, chaga, maitake, and king oyster OR use 1 tablespoon of a mushroom mix
Pinch of sea salt

Directions:
Simply combine all ingredients into a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Adjust sweetness by adding additional dates
Serve chilled over ice or serve warm by pouring into a small saucepan and gently heating until warm to touch.

4. Daydream Sparkling Water

This sparkling water contains no sugar, no caffeine, and a mix of powerful adaptogens and hemp extracts that work with the body’s immune system. Making it a go-to for anyone looking to increase focus, reduce stress & fatigue. Some adaptogens found in Daydream include:

Hemp Extracts (Balance & Clarity)
Schisandra (Stress Reduction)
Moringa (Anti-inflammatory & Anti-oxidation)
Ginseng (Focus & Energy)

Canada’s first sparkling water infused with hemp extracts and adaptogens come in a variety of delicious flavours, like: Blackberry Chai, Cucumber Lime and Peach Ginger. This water is a hot item so order yours online before they sell out (again) or check your local stockists to grab a can or sample pack!

5. Anti-Stress Ashwagandha Shot

If you find yourself constantly reaching for that second or third caffeine dose half way through the day, we highly recommend this quick and easy shot as an alternative to a quick pick-me-up.

It’s a powerful adaptogenic drink that uses the all-natural superpowers of: honey, apple cider vinegar, and Ashwagandha.

This shot is a fantastic source of antioxidants and helps your immune system less susceptible to harmful effects of stress.

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp ashwagandha powder
1/4 cup water (optional)

Instructions:

Heat all the ingredients in a small saucepan then pour in a shot glass.
You can drink the mixture as it is or dilute it in 1/4 cup of water.
If you are a bit weirded out by things like “moon lattes” we also included more digestible and accessible ways to experiment with this new growing trend of nootropic and adaptogenic drinks, elixirs and tonics.

Interested in adaptogens, nootropics, plant medicine and alternative ways to bio-hack? Stay tuned to Strange Comforts for new content every Monday.

Featured image credit: Photo by Lisa Hobbs on Unsplash

To most, cinema is a form of escapism from an increasingly complicated society. Teleporting an audience to another realm to make them laugh, cry or think about the complexities of humanity is a hard feat in 2020. While most people enjoy Hollywood blockbusters like “The Avengers”, cinema’s darker side is generally forgotten or given a shallow reputation. Film is a multi-faceted creature, full of strange and deep crevices filled with things you probably never imagined could even be possible, and it’s in this spirit we explore the most disturbing movies of all time.

Horror films are easily the foremost escapist genre in art history. Tackling themes and characters that most humans would try and constantly avoid or don’t even imagine to be real. The most impactful and shocking films combine hyperbolic facets of real life with the impossible.

If a movie stays with you long after the initial viewing then it’s done its job. Despite critics quickly dismissing the darker side of film, there are lots of people who love a wholly different type of escape. Which generally includes: realistic scenes of violence, absurdism, torture and a general disregard for human life.

The Most Disturbing Movies on this list all come with a forewarning with potential to scar your mind for years to come and prove that a movie can still be considered artistic or poignant, even if it’s on the extreme side. If you’re curious to find out what lies beneath the surface of the conventional and one-dimensional movies we see advertised everywhere, you’re on the right list.

• MARTYRS
• KILL LIST
• BEGOTTEN
• SEUL CONTRE TOUS
• UN CHIEN ANDALOU
• TIDELAND
• MEN BEHIND THE SUN
• THREADS

THE MOST DISTURBING MOVIES: #5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=054OIVlmjUM

Note: This Article Has Been Updated From Its Original Format (April 2020)

The story of “Onibaba” was inspired by the Shin Buddhist parable of yome-odoshi-no men (嫁おどしの面) (bride-scaring mask) or niku-zuki-no-men (肉付きの面) (mask with flesh attached), in which a mother used a mask to scare her daughter from going to the temple. She was punished by the mask sticking to her face, and when she begged to be allowed to remove it, she was able to take it off, but it took the flesh off her face with it.

Every frame of “Onibaba” could be a painting, stunning its viewers with sheer beauty. The shadows inside the huts are atmospheric and abstract. The thick reeds of the susuki grass appear as waves in the ocean at night. This story of a controlling woman’s fate and also the effects of war, weave together perfectly with emphasis on the imagery of faces based on the effects of nuclear bombing. An odd mix of drama, pulp, exploitation and tension makes for one of the most well-rounded films in all genre history.

As someone who had lived through the Second World War, Shindo had first-hand experience of the horrors of marital conflict, not just for those on the front line, but also for those left home alone. Even if “Onibaba” tells the story of a haunting that is entirely faked, the horrors that it contains are real and compelling enough, depicting a war- ravaged landscape, where the basic need to survive has overridden all morality, and ordinary people unblinkingly enact the most depraved of misdeeds.

Shindo wanted to film “Onibaba” in a field of susuki grass. He sent out assistant directors to find suitable locations. Once a location was found near a river bank, prefabricated buildings were set up to live in. Filming started in June 1964 and continued for three months. On set, there was a rule that if somebody left they would not get any pay, to keep the crew motivated to continue. Shindo included dramatized scenes of the dissatisfaction on set as part of the 2000 film By Player.

Although a horror movie, there is no denying its political / anti-war message. Beautifully shot in black-and-white with a membrable soundtrack by Hiraku Hayashi, consisting of sax, drums, tubas and ritualistic voices, “Onibaba” is a stark portrayal of lust, jealousy, raw hunger and the failures of capitalism. “Onibaba” was saved for one of the last films on our list for a reason, it’s one of the more haunting and important ones ever covered and a MUST SEE for any horror or film fanatic. You can see it in glorious HD on The Criterion Channel, or grab the Blu-Ray, and make sure you watch the hypnotic trailer below!

Jamie (Jim Sturgess) is a painfully shy young man who walks the streets of East London hiding his face. He is still a virgin at 25 because a lifetime of bullying have left him unable to make friends or attract women. Unfortunately, Jaime’s been cursed twice: once by a huge heart-shaped birthmark covering one side of his face and twice by recently losing his father. He works as a photographer with his older brother and cares for his ailing mother in their run down apartment, which is “Heartless“‘s way of saying he’s really got nothing to lose. One day while developing photos, he notices a disturbing face looking at him from the window of a house. Investigating, he follows a suspicious man to a group of hooded vandals around a fire, who emit eerie shrieks, and Jamie is shocked to see they have demonic lizard-like face masks with huge pin-like teeth. Over time Jamie becomes aware of a series of horrific murders by fire that have been occurring in the neighbourhood. A witness to one of the murders tells a TV reporter that they weren’t wearing masks; the demonic faces were real.

Jamie and his mother are walking in the neighbourhood when they are attacked by the demonic gang. His mother is immolated while Jamie watches helplessly, and he is savagely beaten and left for dead. While unconscious in hospital he glimpses a man in a dream who says he’s waiting for Jamie. Later, he receives a phone call from a man with the same voice, and is guided to the apartment of Papa B (Game Of Throne’s Joseph Mawle) and his assistant Belle (Nikita Mistry)…who looks just like the little girl from the TV report. Papa B offers a Faustian bargain: Jamie must fulfil Papa B’s desire for chaos with some occasional acts of …creative vandalism… in return for “everything he’s ever wanted”. Jaime accepts and quickly learns to be careful what you wish for.

Writer and director Philip Ridley is much like Richard Stanley (Hardware, Colour Out Of Space) in that he has only made a shockingly small number of films over almost thirty years despite clearly being a unique filmmaker, having only 3 directorial and one screenwriting credit (the classic gangster film ‘The Krays’) to his name. There is a broken, haunting beauty about “Heartless” that similar films of the time failed to capture, stemming from the director growing up in and around the areas the film were shot. Awash in a constant, depressing gray or oil-stained ochre, the film’s supernatural elements remain mostly in the shadows. The quick glimpses of shrieking demonic faces under hoods never lose their ability to shock through overuse, and the effects of arson and splashes of gore are even more striking against the film’s muted industrial palette. And while it’s obvious to us that our man Papa B is the devil, the film relies mainly on Joseph Mawle’s supremely menacing presence and creaking delivery to make us see his true nature. Sure, some of what comes in “Heartless” is telegraphed, but that’s part of the fun, as the film moves us to each plot point in unexpected ways with a heaping helping of gritty atmosphere.

It’s not a masterpiece, but “Heartless” is near perfectly paced throughout it’s runtime … save for a slightly slow start and a pre-final act falter with the sudden introduction of a villain who looks like a reject from Mortal Kombat, and even manages to be even a bit romantic in it’s depiction of Jaime finding confidence as a reborn version of himself…until of course he has to start murdering his neighbours. With strong performances throughout and a genuinely unique setting for a Horror film, “Heartless” deserves a watch by genre fans looking for something they may have missed. Check the trailer below, you can watch this one on Amazon Prime.

THE THING IN THE WOODS (Directed by: Alejandro Brugues) A postmodern slasher thriller involving a killer who actually turns out to be the hero.

MIRARE (Directed by: Joe Dante) A woman with third degree burns on her face seeks plastic surgery at a sinister clinic.

MASHIT (Directed by: Ryûhei Kitamura) Catholic schoolgirls become possessed by a sex crazed demon.

THIS WAY TO EGRESS (Directed by: David Slade) A woman waiting for a doctor’s appointment experiences disturbing shifts in reality.

DEAD (Directed by: Mick Garris) An adolescent piano prodigy dies, is revived, and is under attack from supernatural forces.

This gore packed horror anthology ties together stories from around the horror world (Spiders, Ghosts, Demons and other creepy creatures make appearances) and multiple sub genres (we touch on Slasher, Exorcisms and more). Although scattered, Nightmare Cinema is more fun and amusing than anything, which is a compliment. Mickey Rourke’s shirtless, classic, Hollywood crypt keeper performance is enough to check out the world of Nightmare Cinema. 

Starting off strong with Alejandro Brugues‘ “The Thing in the Woods” with barely any preamble and TONS of blood. The rest of the stories in Nightmare Cinema are not as effective, though all of them are chilling in their own right. The stand out from the film for me was “This Way to Egress” from the director of “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” and “Hard Candy”, David Slade, which centres on Helen (Elizabeth Reaser), who begins experiencing profound hallucinations and is convinced it’s a sign of diminishing mental illness. Helen attempts to see her doctor but, along the way the world around her dissolves into a filthy dystopian hell-scape populated by monsters. The beauty of this segment (and anthology series in general), is that this format gives concepts that could never work in a feature length format a proper stage, coming off sharp, lean and easy to digest.

Nightmare Cinema takes the horror genre and unexpectedly turned it on its head, for a fast-paced, gory way to get your blood pumping. Now streaming on Amazon Prime, this one’s a fun way to spend one of your 31 Days Of Horror!