News

Retro Rewind: That Time Tobe Hooper Made a Nightmare on Elm Street Prequel

Published

7 years ago

June 15, 2017

Written by Patti Pauley

The last three editions of Retro Rewind, I focused, and maybe bore you to death, with all three glorious years of that deliciously cheesy Horror Hall of Fame that was hosted year after year by Robert Englund. So it seems, I can’t seem to shake wanting to discuss the man, the myth, the Springwood Slasher when it comes to these little throwbacks, and this week is no damn exception. Because we’re going to talk about that 45-minute fantastic kick off to the Freddy’s Nightmares Prime Time series that was directed by the father of Leatherface no less; and essentially a proper Nightmare on Elm Street prequel my friends.

Love the series or hate it, the 1988 series pilot for Nightmare spin-off show Freddy’s Nightmares was undoubtedly, the diamond in the rough of the entire run of this show. So yeah, once you see that first episode, it kinda goes all down hill from there. I should know. I own the whole goddamn series. AND YES, I’ve gone through every, single, one of these gems.

patti pauley freddy's nightmares

Grant it, the anthology Tales From the Crypt-like series that Freddy hosted throughout its run is a fun watch for rainy days, don’t expect a complete Nightmare on Elm Street vibe from anything other than the first episode- for those who have never seen these little treasures. Could be why these little slices of The Nightmare on Elm Street franchise money pie only lasted for two seasons.

That first episode entitled “No More Mr. Nice Guy” directed by Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Tobe Hooper and penned by the late Wes Craven, dives into the backstory of Springwood’s Slasher and what had led to his current state of a Nightmare demon, which in retrospective, we never really heard much about up until later’s Freddy’s Dead movie of course. The opening liner from Freddy himself as he introduces the very first tale of Freddy’s Nightmares is really just that, “Don’t be afraid, This time, it isn’t one of your nightmares. This one… was mine.”

In the original Nightmare on Elm Street film, Nancy’s mother breaks from her denial, of what is happening with her daughter and explains the truth behind this man Nancy now knows as Fred Krueger- ole Freddy likes to label his belongings- due to the infamous fedora she yanked off Fred’s head in a REM dream state at the sleep study center. Marge (Nancy’s mother) explains, although not in great detail, just Freddy was: “A filthy child murderer who killed at least 20 kids in the neighborhood… kids we all knew.” Marge then goes on about Krueger’s arrest, a mistrial, and the private justice the parents of Elm Street dished out on the monster of Springwood.

“No Mr. Nice Guy” expands on Marge’s story beginning with a local news anchor doing the whole blah, blah, blah, schpiel. Then, the video is interrupted by a screen of green and red stripes with host Freddy Krueger close behind introducing his story to the masses which begins at the Springwood Municipal Building and the trial of one Fred Krueger.

Of course, the bumbling arresting police officers fuck up with the arresting process and Krueger is set free- typical American justice. Freddy, more pissed off than ever, goes to seek revenge on Lt. Timothy Blocker the cop who almost put an end to Freddy’s fun, by going after the officer’s twin girls. Fun little fact, the cop is played by Ian Patrick Williams of Dolls and Re-Animator notoriety.

Well, while Krueger is plotting his revenge, the parents of Elm Street form a lynch mob and corner him in his boiler room.Conveniently, Lt. Blocker arrives just as a shotgun is pointed at Krueger’s noggin’ and begins to talk peaceful resolution. That is until the good officer’s daughters are being threatened by a smirking Freddy who gives zero fucks about any of the threats being thrown at him by a very angry hoard of baby boomers. All bets are off, and Lt. Blocker is the one who lights the match, launching Krueger’s immortal nightmare legacy.

Personally speaking, I’ve seen this episode in particular more than any other in the series, because quite simply as previously stated, it is the best episode the set of tales has to offer. And funny enough, though the series doesn’t look as visually appealing as maybe it did back in 1988, this one 45 minute spectacle, and the only one actually revolving around Freddy, still holds up by today’s standards as far as storytelling. Speaking of which, I really wish this series would get a Scream Factory release as this show really could use some tender loving as far as a high-resolution Blu-Ray set. Or any set for that matter. Kind of crazy to me NO ONE has jumped at this yet.

Anyway, I’ve managed to locate the entire episode of “No More Mr. Nice Guy” over at Dailymotion, along with a few other Freddy’s Nightmares shows. In the meantime, can we just get this released as a legit DVD/ Blu-Ray set already?

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Editorial

Yay or Nay: What’s Good and Bad in Horror This Week

Published

18 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Welcome to Yay or Nay a weekly mini post about what I think is good and bad news in the horror community written in bite-sized chunks.

Yay:

Mike Flanagan talking about directing the next chapter in the Exorcist trilogy. That might mean he saw the last one and realized there were two left and if he does anything well it’s draw out a story.

Yay:

To the announcement of a new IP-based film Mickey Vs Winnie. It’s fun to read comical hot takes from people who haven’t even seen the movie yet.

Nay:

The new Faces of Death reboot gets an R rating. It’s not really fair — Gen-Z should get an unrated version like past generations so they can question their mortality the same as the rest of us did.

Yay:

Russell Crowe is doing another possession movie. He’s quickly becoming another Nic Cage by saying yes to every script, bringing the magic back to B-movies, and more money into VOD.

Nay:

Putting The Crow back in theaters for its 30th anniversary. Re-releasing classic movies at the cinema to celebrate a milestone is perfectly fine, but doing so when the lead actor in that film was killed on set due to neglect is a cash grab of the worst kind.

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Lists

The Top-Searched Free Horror/Action Movies on Tubi This Week

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The free streaming service Tubi is a great place to scroll when you’re unsure what to watch. They are not sponsored or affiliated with iHorror. Still, we really appreciate their library because it’s so robust and has many obscure horror movies so rare you can’t find them anywhere in the wild except, if you’re lucky, in a moist cardboard box at a yard sale. Other than Tubi, where else are you going to find Nightwish (1990), Spookies (1986), or The Power (1984)?

We take a look at the most searched horror titles on the platform this week, hopefully, to save you some time in your endeavor to find something free to watch on Tubi.

Interestingly at the top of the list is one of the most polarizing sequels ever made, the female-led Ghostbusters reboot from 2016. Perhaps viewers have seen the latest sequel Frozen Empire and are curious about this franchise anomaly. They will be happy to know it’s not as bad as some think and is genuinely funny in spots.

So take a look at the list below and tell us if you are interested in any of them this weekend.

1. Ghostbusters (2016)

Ghostbusters (2016)

An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.

2. Rampage

When a group of animals becomes vicious after a genetic experiment goes awry, a primatologist must find an antidote to avert a global catastrophe.

3. The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren uncover an occult conspiracy as they help a defendant argue that a demon forced him to commit murder.

4. Terrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County, where his next victims, a teenage girl and her brother, await.

5. Don’t Breathe

A group of teens breaks into a blind man’s home, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime but get more than they bargained for once inside.

6. The Conjuring 2

In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren help a single mother of four in a house plagued by sinister spirits.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A dying serial killer uses voodoo to transfer his soul into a Chucky doll which winds up in the hands of a boy who may be the doll’s next victim.

8. Jeepers Creepers 2

When their bus breaks down on a deserted road, a team of high school athletes discovers an opponent they cannot defeat and may not survive.

9. Jeepers Creepers

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old church, a pair of siblings find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force.

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News

Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors.

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie.

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time.

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.