Entertainment
The best horror movie you’ve never seen
Scott Malia, College of the Holy Cross
It’s scary movie season, a time when many people watch films about zombies, serial killers, werewolves, magic and mysterious monsters who are impossible to kill.
However, as far as I know, there’s only one film that features all of those elements – and you’ve probably never seen it.
Made in 2007, “Trick ‛r Treat” consists of four interconnected horror stories, each about 15 to 20 minutes long, that all take place on a single Halloween night.
While characters from one story sometimes appear in other segments, the unifying force in the film is Sam, a mysterious creature wearing a burlap mask. He takes umbrage whenever a character disrespects a Halloween tradition, whether it’s by scaring away trick-or-treaters or blowing out a jack-o’-lantern before Halloween is over. Each meets a gruesome end.
Horror buffs eventually discovered the film. Today, it’s hailed as a modern classic. https://www.youtube.com/embed/NJ66Htmmq4M?wmode=transparent&start=0 ‘Trick ‛r Treat’ ended up forgoing a theatrical run.
What went wrong?
“Trick ‛r Treat” was produced by a major studio, Warner Bros. It featured A-list stars, such as Brian Cox and Oscar-winner Anna Paquin. It was produced by Bryan Singer, who was known for churning out hits such as “X-Men” and “The Usual Suspects.” And though its director, Mike Dougherty, was making his directorial debut, he had worked as a screenwriter on films such as “X2: X-Men United” and “Superman Returns.”
Despite all of these credentials, the film’s theatrical release was delayed from fall 2007 to 2008. Then a theater run was canceled altogether, with Warner Bros. finally releasing it on video in 2009.
The studio never gave an official reason for pulling the theatrical release; however, some critics have speculated that the box office success of the “Saw” franchise and Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” remake were factors.
Other reports suggest that the film’s anthology format, its mixture of horror and comedy, and a plot featuring murdered children made it too hard a sell.
Given the cost of marketing and promoting “Trick ‛r Treat” to a nationwide audience, perhaps the risk wasn’t worth it for a film with a relatively small US$5 million budget. Dougherty himself said these hang-ups constituted a “perfect storm,” suggesting that no one development sealed the film’s fate.
Bypassing the box office
As recently as a decade ago, films released directly to DVD were viewed as flops or cash grabs. In fact, there’s an entire subgenre called “mockbusters” – low-budget rip-offs of studio films, such as “Transmorphers,” which tried to piggyback the success of the “Transformers” franchise, and “Atlantic Rim,” which attempted to do the same for the 2013 blockbuster “Pacific Rim.”
Then there are direct-to-video sequels meant to capitalize off hits. Disney made a lot of money in the late 1990s and early 2000s producing widely panned, direct-to-video animated features such as “The Return of Jafar” and “Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World.”
But second lives for films that were initially snubbed or ignored are nothing new.
“The Boondock Saints” was briefly screened in a handful of theaters for a single week in 1999 before being dumped into the video market. Only then did viewers find it, and it became a cult favorite that eventually begat a sequel.
The stigma of direct-to-video release has diminished over the past decade thanks to the rise of streaming, in which content made directly for home viewing can receive critical acclaim and attract subscribers.
Actor Nicolas Cage has made a cottage industry of this format. While some have attributed his massive output in the past decade to his financial difficulties, Cage’s films “Joe” (2013), “Mandy” (2018) and “Pig” (2021) have all received critical acclaim, despite sometimes only running in a handful of theaters for a week before their release into streaming markets and video on demand.
It’s this sort of tradition that led to the rediscovery of “Trick ‛r Treat.”
Hipster horror
The appeal of “Trick ‛r Treat” is rooted in its subversion of horror tropes.
For example, women and children, who’ve historically served as victims in the genre, have a lot more agency in Dougherty’s Halloween tale. In fact, the mysterious Sam was played by Quinn Lord, who was only 8 years old when the film was shot. In the film, the character’s origin, age and gender remain undefined since Sam is masked or covered in prosthetics for the entire film, blurring the line between human and monster.
In addition, the film’s complex structure, which some speculated might have hurt its chances for commercial success, helped fuel the film’s critical praise. Dougherty called it “‘Pulp Fiction’ meets ‘Halloween,’” a nod to the interlocking structure of Quentin Tarantino’s breakout film and the setting of John Carpenter’s horror staple, which also unfolds over one Halloween night.
It has become somewhat of a cliché to say that esteemed art, initially overlooked, was “ahead of its time.”
Still, it would be fair to say that “Trick ‘r Treat” arrived on the cusp of what has been called a “horror renaissance” in the past 15 years. Directors like Jordan Peele, Ari Aster, Robert Eggers and Mike Flanagan have found critical and commercial success by branding themselves as horror auteurs.
In addition, Peele and directors like Nia Dacosta, who helmed 2021’s “Candyman,” have opened up a brand of horror that deals with social issues and identity. Dougherty’s film also anticipated a trend of horror films with a darkly humorous streak, including Peele’s “Get Out” and David Gordon Green’s reimagined “Halloween” sequels.
Despite the film’s rocky beginnings, “Trick ‛r Treat” received a belated theatrical release in 2022, which has spurred talk of a potential sequel.
Dougherty even acknowledges that the film may owe its current popularity to its botched release. While some mainstream films disappear quickly, “Trick ‛r Treat” – currently streaming on Max – reappears every Halloween. Just like Sam.
Scott Malia, Associate Professor of Theatre, College of the Holy Cross
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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documentaries
Invisible Warriors Brings 600,000 Untold Stories to the Screen for Black History Month
The documentary “Invisible Warriors” highlights the contributions of African American women during World War II, showcasing their roles on the home front while battling racism and sexism. Set for release on February 3, 2026, it emphasizes their significance in history and aims to correct the narrative surrounding their efforts and impact.
Black History Month is often a time for big names and headline moments—but some of the most powerful chapters in American history were written by people whose stories never made it into the spotlight. This February, a new documentary aims to change that.
Vision Films has announced the North American transactional VOD release of Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II, arriving February 3, 2026 across major streaming and cable platforms in the U.S. and Canada. The film is directed, written, and executive produced by Gregory S. Cooke, with executive producers Ethel “Becky” Cooke and Basil Spalding Jones, and associate producer Joyce Licorish.
At the center of the documentary: the 600,000 African American women who served on the home front—many as “Rosie the Riveters”—while fighting a second battle against racism and sexism at home.
A WWII story we rarely hear—told by the women who lived it
Invisible Warriors is built around first-person accounts and rare archival footage, giving audiences a direct line to the voices of women who stepped into factories, shipyards, and government offices at a time when opportunity was heavily gated by both race and gender.
These were not symbolic roles. These women helped power the war effort, kept industries moving, and proved—daily, publicly, and under pressure—that they belonged in spaces America had never intended to share with them.
The documentary frames their contributions as more than wartime necessity. It positions them as trailblazers whose work helped reshape what was possible for generations of Black women in industry, civil service, and beyond—opening doors that had been locked for decades.
Why this release hits differently in 2026
Vision Films Managing Director/CEO Lise Romanoff calls the documentary “an important” tribute that keeps alive the legacy of women who joined the war effort “despite racial, gender and societal obstacles,” adding that it celebrates heroines who paved the way for working women—and for those still fighting for racial and gender equality today.
Cooke, an educator and historian, puts it even more plainly—and personally. He describes these women as “arguably… the most significant group of Black women in the 20th Century,” noting that his own mother was also a Rosie. In his view, their story isn’t optional history—it’s foundational.
A film with a classroom mission baked in
This isn’t just a documentary release—it’s part of a larger educational push. Cooke’s nonprofit, The Basil and Becky Educational Foundation (BBEEF), has developed companion Social Studies and STEAM curricula tied to the film, targeting grades 8–12. The goal: move African American experiences from the margins to “the main pages” of history, and make that history relevant to students now.
That educational angle feels especially aligned with the film’s purpose: not simply to honor the past, but to make sure it’s taught accurately, widely, and with the context it deserves.
International recognition—and a long list of supporters
The film was originally co-sponsored by the Dutch government, which sought to honor African American women for their role in the WWII liberation of the Netherlands. Additional support came from organizations and foundations including Drexel Alumni, Better Angels/Lavine Fellowship, Gift of Life Donor Program, Always Best Care Senior Services, Darryl & Leslye Fraser Foundation, and CARIE: Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly.
That range of backing signals something important: this story resonates far beyond a single community or a single country. It’s a missing piece of WWII history—period.
Where to watch (and where to start)
Pre-orders are already live on:
- iTunes/Apple TV: https://bit.ly/4pJ6fXN
- Fandango at Home: https://bit.ly/4qUj0zU
For updates and more info, visit: https://invisiblewarriorsfilm.com
About BBEEF: https://bbeef.org
About Vision Films: https://www.visionfilms.net
The takeaway
Invisible Warriors isn’t positioned as a niche WWII documentary—it’s positioned as a correction. A long-overdue recognition of women who helped win a global war while being denied full equality at home, and who still showed up anyway.
If Black History Month is about remembering, this film is about restoring.
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EBONY Media Debuts EBONY Voices With Short Film “Standing in the Ashes,” Marking One Year Since the Altadena Fires
EBONY Media Group has launched EBONY Voices, a multimedia series highlighting human-interest stories. Its first release, “Standing in the Ashes: One Year After the Altadena Fires,” features three families affected by the 2024 Eaton wildfire, showcasing their journey of loss and resilience in their historically Black community.
LOS ANGELES — EBONY Media Group has launched EBONY Voices, a new multimedia series focused on human-interest stories aimed at connecting and uplifting communities. The debut release is a short film, “Standing in the Ashes: One Year After the Altadena Fires,” marking one year since the Eaton wildfire devastated parts of Los Angeles County in January 2024.
Film details
“Standing in the Ashes” is directed by Lyric Perez and produced by EBONY Media Owner and CEO Eden Bridgeman Sklenar and EVP of Editorial Content Cori Murray.
The film follows three long-time Altadena families as they navigate loss, rebuilding, and whether to remain in a historically Black community disproportionately impacted by the disaster:
- Staci and Thomas Andrews
- Ronda Carson and her mother, Barbara Carson
- Antoinette “Toni” Bailey-Raines, a community leader recognized as a 2025 EBONY Power 100 Community Crusader
Bailey-Raines co-hosts Altadena Talks, a grassroots radio show and podcast launched in response to the fires.
What EBONY is saying
“Standing in the Ashes reflects what EBONY Voices was created to do—center humanity, honor legacy, and ensure our communities are not reduced to statistics in moments of crisis,” Bridgeman Sklenar said in the release. “These families remind us that rebuilding is not just about homes, but about protecting history, culture, and the right to remain rooted where generations before them built a future.”
Impact of the Eaton wildfire
According to the release, the Eaton wildfire:
- Claimed 19 lives
- Destroyed or damaged 9,418 homes and buildings
The release also cites a UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies data study indicating disproportionate impacts in Altadena:
- At least 60% of affected homes were Black households
- 61% of Black households were within the fire perimeter (vs. 50% of non-Black households)
- Nearly half of Black households experienced destruction or major damage
- A majority of Black homeowners in the area are over age 65
Where to watch
“Standing in the Ashes: One Year After the Altadena Fires” is available now as part of EBONY Voices:
About EBONY
For 80 years, EBONY has chronicled the Black American experience and has expanded into a multimedia brand spanning EBONY, EBONY Studios, and JET, with a stated mission to Move Black Forward.
Sources: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ebony-media-debuts-ebony-voices-with-short-film-standing-in-the-ashes-marking-one-year-since-altadena-fires-302656624.html , https://www.ebony.com/ebony-voices-remembering-altadena/
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Entertainment
Vision Films Sets Jan. 13 TVOD Release for Joan Collins Whodunnit A Murder Between Friends
Vision Films will release Joan Collins-led whodunnit A Murder Between Friends on transactional VOD Jan. 13, 2026, across major U.S./Canada platforms.
The company announced a North American transactional VOD release for A Murder Between Friends on Jan. 13, 2026, via a deal with Scott J. Jones and Artist View Entertainment. The “murder-com” feature stars — and is produced by — Dame Joan Collins (Dynasty), with Mark Rozzano writing and producing and Jacob Young and Trent Garrett co-directing.
The film was shot on location at Úsobí Castle in the Czech Republic and leans into classic country-estate mystery energy: six friends on vacation, one of them murdered, and everyone suddenly a suspect.
Synopsis (official): When six friends vacation at the country estate of a legendary true-crime TV star (Collins), the last thing they expect is to find one of their own murdered. Everyone is a suspect as they try to determine who among them would have the means, motive, and opportunity. As tensions grow, they enlist the aid of their celebrity sleuth hostess to uncover the truth before the killer can strike again.
The cast includes Nadia Bjorlin, Jacob Young, Trent Garrett, Toby-Alexander Smith, Simon Cotton, India Thain, Hana Vagnerová, Jim Borstelmann, and internet personality Espen Hatleskog (IG’s @pilotviking).
Vision Films CEO Lise Romanoff called it a twist-heavy mystery that keeps flipping expectations, with Collins bringing “authenticity and humor for a suspense-filled ride.”
Trailer: https://youtu.be/eUdW9Jt_rxw
Where to watch: A Murder Between Friends will be available on most major streaming and cable platforms across the U.S. and Canada on Jan. 13, 2026. Pre-orders are live on iTunes/Apple TV (US, CA) and Vudu/Fandango at Home (US).
Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks. Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks. Join us at STM Entertainment and let your entertainment journey begin! https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/
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