All posts filed under: HORROR & THRILLER MOVIES

A graphic illustrating a media exploration of the Lizzie Borden case.

Exploring the Lizzie Borden Case on Halloween

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When the name Lizzie Borden comes up, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind?

If you’re like many, it evokes images of a 19th-century woman accused of gruesomely murdering her family. But here’s the twist: Lizzie was never convicted. In fact, she was acquitted, leaving a legacy shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

That’s why I was thrilled to invite Ashley Dees, a research and instruction librarian at the University of Mississippi, to speak to my class this Halloween about the infamous Borden case. Dees uses true crime research as a vehicle for enhancing critical thinking skills, which is especially relevant in today’s world where the reliability of information can often come into question.

A graphic featuring thriller and horror movie posters.

Thrills, Chills, and Mind-Bending Twists: A genre-busting guide to must-see movies

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Whether it’s October or July, you can cozy up with a blanket (with the AC on full blast), grab a pumpkin spice something or a tropical drink, and scare yourself silly with a good thriller or horror flick.

Every year, I compile a list of the best spooky and suspenseful films I’ve watched. This time, I’ve spiced things up by grouping them into 10 cleverly creepy categories.

A collection of thriller movie posters.

Brains Over Blood: A thriller fan’s guide to smart scares

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As a Halloween enthusiast, you might assume that I really like horror movies … I don’t.

Plot twist: I’m not.

Blood, guts, and excessive gore? Hard pass. Movies like “Saw” and its many splattery sequels aren’t for me. I’ve also never been particularly scared of monsters, witches or zombies. Why? Because they’re fictional — and often so over-the-top that they feel more like fantasy than fear.

Thrilling thoughts about ‘Black Mirror’ and real ‘American Horror’ stories

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Every now and then, I offer a list of some of the best horror/thriller movies, television shows and documentaries I’ve recently seen. Here they are:

Black Mirror: I originally began watching “Black Mirror” a couple of years ago when the first season came to Netflix. At the time, I was a little embarrassed to share with others some of the content of this British science fiction series set in the near future with a technology/social media theme.

A TV screen with a creepy image on it.

40+ under-the-radar psychological thrillers and scary good movies to watch year-round

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Whether you’re in the mood for a clever mind-bender, an eerie ghost story, or a slow-burning mystery with emotional depth, there’s no shortage of spine-tingling films to explore.

Every year, I curate a personal list of thrillers — foreign, indie, cult classics, and hidden gems — that left a lasting impression. Here’s a roundup of more than 40 compelling movies and series I’ve discovered over the past few years that are perfect for a night of tension, reflection, or sheer entertainment. Some will haunt you. Others will make you think. All are worth the watch.

Longwood mansion in Natchez.

Touring Longwood: A Glimpse Into gothic grandeur and Southern shadows

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There’s something hauntingly interesting about old places — stories frozen in time. That’s exactly the feeling I had standing on the front lawn of Longwood, the grandest and most mysterious of Natchez’s antebellum homes.

You may recognize Longwood even if you’ve never set foot in Mississippi. The exterior was featured in HBO’s “True Blood” as the home of the Vampire King of Mississippi. And it makes perfect sense — Longwood has that Southern Gothic aura. With its octagonal design and eerie stillness, the mansion practically begs for stories to be written — or filmed — within its walls.

The movie poster for "Rites of Spring."

Check your Netflix cue for ‘Rites of Spring,’ a horror film shot in Jackson

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If you’re scrolling through Netflix and stumble across a gritty horror movie called “Rites of Spring,” don’t skip it just yet — especially if you’re from Mississippi. Behind the eerie farmhouse, creepy kidnap plot, and the tagline “Fear Has a Season,” is a film with deep Magnolia State roots.

That’s right — “Rites of Spring” was filmed entirely in the Jackson metro area back in 2010. You’ll catch glimpses of Canton and Jackson locations (some hauntingly beautiful Mississippi farmland), and even a few familiar names if you stick around for the credits.

The poster for the movie "We Need to Talk About Kevin."

Is We Need to Talk About Kevin another prophetic work of fiction?

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I’ve long believed that science fiction writers are prophets — tapping into some strange current of the universe and channeling visions of what’s to come. But maybe it’s not just sci-fi authors. Maybe any writer of fiction, when fully immersed in the act of creation, opens a door to something deeper — something unknowable. Something eerily accurate.

Take “The China Syndrome,” for example.

The movie poster for the movie "Brake."

Take a ‘Brake’ and watch a thriller

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If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for a good heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thriller that keeps you guessing until the final frame. Whether it’s the slow burn of psychological suspense or a full-blown panic-room-style adrenaline rush, there’s something incredibly satisfying about a movie that toys with your nerves in all the right ways.

So once again, I’ve rounded up a few recent thrillers that delivered the chills, the tension, and yes — even the occasional existential crisis. Here’s a quick rundown of the ones that left a lasting impression (and might make you think twice about the weather, your sanity, or a late-night stroll through Paris).

My handmade shirt featuring Kermit the Frog.

Kermit, collectibles, and a little Mississippi magic

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It’s not easy being green — but it’s very easy being a Kermit the Frog fan, especially this week as the new “Muppets” movie hits theaters. With that in mind, I thought it was the perfect time to celebrate the world’s most lovable amphibian by showing off a few of my favorite Kermit finds — and sharing why this little green guy holds such a special place in my heart.

Like many of you, I grew up in the golden age of “The Muppet Show” and “Sesame Street” — the 1970s and ’80s, when television was a little quirkier, a little fuzzier, and a whole lot more musical. Kermit wasn’t just a puppet. He was a philosopher. A dreamer. The gentle soul trying to hold everything together while Gonzo launched himself from cannons and Miss Piggy karate-chopped her way through love and drama.

The movie poster for "A Perfect Host."

Offbeat, Creepy, and Unexpected: 10 underrated thrillers that surprised me

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If you’re in the mood for a psychological curveball, a little cult horror, or a thriller with unexpected twists, here’s a batch of lesser-known films I recently watched that delivered more than I anticipated.

From David Hyde Pierce’s wild turn in “The Perfect Host” to Wes Craven’s eerie asylum flick “The Ward,” this list features B-movie gems, creepy kid staples, and sci-fi experiments that somehow work.

The movie poster for "Black Swan."

The Red Shoes vs. Black Swan: A Haunting look at ballet, obsession, and the price of perfection

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It’s Oscar night, and we’ll soon see if Black Swan wins the award for Best Picture. After reading several Black Swan reviews that referenced The Red Shoes (1948), I decided to watch the vintage film and compare the two that bear striking similarities, including creative visuals.

The Red Shoes stars Moira Shearer as Vicky Page, a beautiful redhead that is selected as the featured dancer in a new ballet called The Red Shoes that is based on a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale about a pair of mystical ballet slippers. Vicky falls in love with and later marries the young composer, Julian Craster (Marius Goring), who has been charged with writing the score for the ballet.

The movie poster for "Otis."

Underrated Horror and Thriller Movies You May Have Missed: 17 hidden gems worth watching

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As a lifelong fan of thrillers and horror films, I’m constantly searching for fresh, unexpected stories that push boundaries and defy clichés.

Over the past year or so, I’ve come across several hidden gems — lesser-known thrillers, psychological mind-benders, and indie horror flicks — that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. If you’re craving something off the beaten path that still delivers chills, suspense, or even a touch of dark humor, this list is for you.

Movies starring Brittany Murphy.

Remembering Brittany Murphy: Underrated performances and the tragic loss of a rising star

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Brittany Murphy was one of those rare talents in Hollywood — versatile, magnetic, and utterly unforgettable. From her quirky comedic timing in “Clueless” to her raw emotional range in darker dramas, she had a screen presence that drew you in, no matter the genre.

And beyond acting, she had another gift: a beautiful singing voice that audiences only got a small taste of, most notably through her voiceover work and musical performances in “Happy Feet.” I always believed Murphy had a long, diverse career ahead of her — possibly even a future on Broadway where she could blend her acting and vocal talents.

The movie poster for "Frozen."

Frozen (2010): The snowbound thriller that will leave you cold with fear

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If you’re hunkered down at home watching sleet fall and waiting for the roads to ice over, there’s no better time to stream a movie that matches the wintery mood. For those craving suspense and survival horror, “Frozen” (2010) is a chilling and underrated gem that’s worth your time.

Written and directed by Adam Green — not to be confused with the Disney animated hit — “Frozen” is a tension-packed thriller that taps into primal fears of isolation, exposure, and helplessness. It’s currently streaming on Netflix and holds a solid three-star rating, which is impressive for a film in the thriller/horror genre. That rating alone piqued my interest, so I gave it a watch — and I wasn’t disappointed.

A scene from "Eden Lake."

Eden Lake: A gripping British horror film that redefines terror and tension

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If you’re a horror and thriller enthusiast like me — always hunting for a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat scare — “Eden Lake” is a must-watch.

When I recently searched “best horror films of 2008 and 2009,” this gritty British thriller kept popping up, hailed by many critics as “one of the best of the decade.” Thanks to a YouTube find, I dove right in — and I wasn’t disappointed.

A story about unidentified and unexplained sightings in Mississippi when the X Files movie came out.

Mississippi UFO sightings reveal strange lights, triangles, and more — what’s really out there?

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When we asked readers about their UFO experiences, many shared anonymous stories, fearing ridicule despite their credibility.

One radio reporter recalled seeing a mysterious light in Gautier that moved rapidly, then hovered motionless before darting away. Another witness, stationed on a German Air Force base in 1973, described a silent, brightly lit triangular craft crossing the sky in minutes — clearly not man-made.

A poster for the movie "Sea Monsters."

Sea Monsters and Childhood Mysteries: National Geographic’s new film dives into prehistoric legends

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“National Geographic’s” new film “Sea Monsters” is making waves — just not in Mississippi. Funded in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the film dives deep into the prehistoric oceans that once covered North America, exploring ancient creatures believed to have inspired legends like the Loch Ness Monster.

Roughly 80 million years ago, areas like Kansas were submerged beneath a vast inland sea, where giant marine reptiles roamed. The movie blends scientific discovery with legend, shedding light on the real-life creatures behind age-old myths. For anyone who grew up fascinated by dinosaurs or sea serpents, this one might stir up some serious nostalgia.

A story about ghost hunters in Mississippi featuring one of them.

Do You Believe in Ghosts? Mississippi’s paranormal groups say they’re real

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Do you believe in ghosts? You’re not alone. Mississippi is home to at least 10 paranormal research groups made up of people who definitely do — and they’re part of a much larger trend.

Across the U.S. and U.K., more than 300 groups are actively investigating unexplained phenomena, often inspired by popular television shows like “Ghost Hunters,” “Medium,” “Ghost Whisperer,” and “Haunting Evidence.”

A hand floats in the ocean, representing the idea of horror.

Stephen King’s ‘Nightmares & Dreamscapes’ vs. ‘Masters of Horror’: Which series delivers the bigger scares?

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If you’re a fan of horror anthologies, you may have come across Stephen King’s “Nightmares and Dreamscapes,” the 2006 TNT miniseries based on King’s short stories. While the show delivers a few compelling moments, it doesn’t quite reach the chilling heights of Showtime’s edgier “Masters of Horror” series.

One of the standout episodes from “Nightmares and Dreamscapes” is “The End of the Whole Mess,” a haunting tale about a genius who creates a serum to end human aggression — only to trigger a global catastrophe. Another worth-watching installment is “Autopsy Room Four,” featuring Richard Thomas (John-Boy from “The Waltons”) in a role that’s a far cry from his wholesome TV past.

An image of a creepy doll.

Creepy dolls, Stephen King, and the artist who brings nightmares to life

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Have you ever locked eyes with a porcelain doll on a shelf and instantly felt a chill crawl up your spine? If so, you’re not alone — and horror icon Stephen King would probably agree with you. Dolls have long been the stuff of nightmares in King’s world, from murderous clowns to animated Army men with a vendetta.

King’s fear of dolls is well-documented across his work. In “Poltergeist,” which he helped write for the screen, a young boy’s fear of a clown doll turns disturbingly real when the toy attacks. In “The X-Files,” King penned an episode centered around a haunted doll, and one of the darkest vignettes in his “Nightmares and Dreamscapes” series features actor William Hurt being hunted by vindictive toys — tiny green Army men that eventually bring about his demise.

An eyeball with a reflection of horror.

Film Review: ‘Don’t Look Now’ should be heeded by viewers

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If I had watched this “psychic thriller” in 1973, (which would have been difficult since I was born in 1974) I probably would have found it eerie and disturbing, but 30 years later, it just doesn’t have much impact.

It’s about a couple, John and Laura Baxter, whose young daughter drowns in a pond at their home. They later go to Venice, where Laura (Julie Christie) meets a psychic who tells her she has seen her daughter and that she is happy. John (Donald Sutherland) also begins to see someone resembling the daughter running around the city, so he follows her, which proves to be a very bad decision.