April 2021 Review: The Best Movies I Saw Last Month

Originally published May 5, 2021

I apologize for the late submission of last month’s conquests in horror. My laptop died right as the month ended so I had to scramble to fix that issue. Unfortunately for me, that meant getting a new computer. Thankfully, the last month in horror had some pretty great movies to enjoy so I look forward to spending more time on the positive aspects of April while writing this list. This is the first month of the year that I watched more good films than bad ones, so I will take that as a win!

I was able to see 33 movies and here are my picks for the best and worst of the bunch. I hope you enjoy!

BEST #3) Blood Creek (2009); Director: Joel Schumacher; United States/ United Kingdom/Romania

Years after his veteran brother disappeared into the night on a fishing trip, a paramedic is reunited with his long-lost sibling and forced into a dangerous mission. Without much knowledge of what happened, he learns that his brother was kidnapped and tortured by a cruel family and is now seeking vengeance on them while saving the man that took his place. Soon after arriving at a seemingly innocuous ranch, the brothers overtake the homestead. Unfortunately for them, and not long after they arrive, the evil force behind the twisted operations awakens, testing their grit and brotherly love. A criminally underseen and under-talked about Nazisploitation gem, Blood Creek is a wild ride full of action, horror, and suspense that titillates with top-notch supernatural mayhem. Framing a rather simple setup with clever writing and a unique approach to both slashers and demon films, Blood Creek subverts expectations by offering surprising amount of depth. Henry Cavill and Dominic Purcell give great performances and showcase solid chemistry as brothers struggling to connect after years apart and fighting an impossible evil. Blood Creek is also just a very intense and, at times, scary film with great imagery and memorable set pieces. It’s not setting the world on fire, but Blood Creek is well worth the venture into a Satanic Nazi time capsule.

Overall Score? 8/10

BEST #2) The Queen of Black Magic (2019); Director: Kimo Stamboel; Indonesia

A family makes the trek into the country to visit the patriarch’s caretaker who has fallen severely ill. Growing up in an orphanage was difficult, but he, along with his best friends, managed to get out of it and make quality lives for themselves and their families. Upon returning, the group finds themselves relaxing into old ways and falling for old tricks that terrorized them as children. Eventually, strange things begin to happen as the crew and their families explore the home, reunite with old friends, and meet some of the new kids. The moment they realize something sinister is manipulating their surroundings it is too late to leave and the group must fight back against an old enemy, the Queen of Black Magic. The Queen of Black Magic is another excellent addition to the growing crop of Indonesian horror films that have been dominating the international market over the past few years. This film has incredibly violent and intense scenes, masterful suspense, and a unique approach to horror. The characters, while plentiful, are still given enough attention to stand out beyond thin stereotypes and are largely likable even when making poor decisions. And, honestly, at the end of the day it’s simply an effective and scary film! When everything else is solid or good, this just elevates it further. You’ll curse your own name if you wait too long to check out The Queen of Black Magic.

Overall Score? 8/10

BEST #1) Kill, Baby… Kill! (1966); Director: Mario Bava; Italy

A coroner is sent to assist an investigator in examining the death of a young woman in a mysterious village. The duo become quick allies against a village that wants nothing to do with their presence or professions. They do not trust police officers or doctors and would prefer if they just left everyone alone. All the while, a young woman crosses their paths as she seeks to understand the circumstances of her birth family. All of this culminates together in a giant gothic mystery as the group figures out if the village is simply caught in a rut of bad luck or is actually the victim of a powerful curse. This Mario Bava classic is an excellent example of the staying power of a good story and strong filmmaking. The strong use of colors and images, innovative camerawork, and a lively soundtrack make Kill, Baby… Kill! a memorable and engaging experience in classic horror cinema. It’s always a pleasure for me to find joy in older films that set the stage for some of my favorite new releases. We owe much to Bava and this absolute gem of a haunter and regardless, it is still an exceptionally heart-pounding film in its own right. Patient viewers and horror cinephiles alike will rejoice in this classic’s whimsy, dread, and fright-filled story that is sure to leave an impression on the open-minded.

Overall Score? 8/10