In writer Nick Masercola's recent blog where he takes great horror directors to task for their less than stellar output in recent years, there's no question Wes Craven gets beat up a bit harder than the rest, which on a couple of levels seems a bit unfair. Aside from the very abrasive opening line, saying Craven was never great is, to me at least, a falsehood. So I've decided to hop into Craven's filmography and take a look at one of his movies each of the seven weeks leading up to the release of MY SOUL TO TAKE on October 8. But, I need your help! Read on for more...

F**k Wes Craven. Yeah, I said it—it’s time that genre fans get off their knees and stop weeping for the “great director” he once was. Newsflash: he was never great. Hell, in a career expanding for over three decades, he’s only created two notable hits: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and SCREAM. Granted, both changed the face of horror as we know it (and I’m about as huge a Freddy fanboy as can be), but in between these two giants? Zilch (otherwise known as DEADLY FRIEND).

A recent back-to-back (and, I’m told, one-time-only) theatrical screening of [REC] and [REC] 2 was a real treat. I had loved [REC] and missed an opportunity to see the sequel earlier in the year. I wasn’t disappointed. [REC] 2 was even more compelling, carrying the fright over from the first film along with the very interesting blend of religious images and a portrait of the human community in crisis, and thus reinforced something that’s been at the spiritual core of so much of the really good recent horror cinema.

FANGORIA #296 just exploded on newsstands and mailboxes everywhere, and that September issue boasts my first Fango cover story in seven years—a set-visit article on the upcoming RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE. In my 25 years as a masthead fixture, I’ve only penned three other cover stories: Fango #51’s HOUSE (January 1986), #58’s THE FLY (September 1986) and #227’s KILL BILL VOL. 1 (October 2003). (If I’m missing any, let me know and I’ll send you a gift.)

Last week, while trolling on Entertainment Weekly’s website, I happened upon an article about the most overrated films of all time. As I toggled through the list, I found myself agreeing with most of them. Yup, GONE WITH THE WIND was an OK movie, but had long been overbilled as the greatest epic known to man. And certainly, LOVE STORY may have caused some young 1970s ladies to shed tears and panties, but over time it has proven to be schmaltzy and trite, leaving the once guaranteed score material as an overhyped piece of cinematic foreplay. However, I was a pretty surprised to see a particular horror film on the list…THE EXORCIST.

My all-too-brief stint at the Fantasia film festival came and went in a blink. I barely had a chance to nod at my fellow Fangorians (both Mike Gingold and Tony Timpone were milling about) in attendance, never had a drink with any of my pals and only saw a handful of flicks.

But my God, there were some wicked treats in the mix…

After watching this rather dismal E3, I’ve come to terms with something I’ve been denying for several years: survival horror—my favorite genre in all of gaming—is on its deathbed, and despite all of my false hope, I realize the time has come to write the eulogy.