We're back with our annual list of favorites here on Daily Dead, and keep in mind that we do things a bit differently here, so this isn't a traditional top ten movies list. Instead, we’re sharing our favorite genre experiences of the year, which could be a favorite movie, collectible, event, or person. Check back every day this week to find out what made the cut for the rest of the Daily Dead team.
What We Do in the Shadows: This vampire mockumentary was easily my favorite film of the year and works on multiple levels thanks to a creative team that loves horror as much as they do comedy. Their biggest accomplishment is creating such an incredible cast of characters that you don't even question the fact that they're vampires. Easily rewatchable and enjoyable for both horror and non-horror fans, I can't recommend this enough.
Krampus: It took eight years for Michael Dougherty to release another film, but Krampus proves that Trick 'r Treat wasn't just another fluke. This instant horror classic will traumatize children for years to come, as it pushes the boundaries of PG-13 more than any studio horror movie I've seen to date. At this point, studios should be throwing money at Michael Dougherty and I can't wait to see what's next from him.
Ash vs Evil Dead: When I first heard Sam Raimi mention an Evil Dead TV series at Comic-Con, I thought it would never see the light of day. When they announced that they were going with a 30-minute format, I thought it wouldn't work. When they revealed that Ash would have new sidekicks, I thought they'd never be as interesting as Ash. I'm happy to say that I've been proven wrong on multiple occasions by the Ash vs Evil Dead creative team, who have successfully transformed Ash into a TV hero without sacrificing what fans loved about him. The 30-minute format is snappy and perfect for a show that only pauses to drench the cast in another 100 gallons of blood. Hail to the king!
The Stanley Film Festival: There are film festivals and then there's The Stanley Film Festival, which felt more like going to camp with your friends. This is such a great setting for a horror movie festival, and combined with a killer programming lineup, it's easily the must-stop destination for horror fans every year. What really sets this over the top? The immersive horror game that saw masked cultists burst into guest rooms during the night. Attending a film festival is always fun. Attending a film festival and saving the world from an ancient cult made this an unforgettable experience.
The Walking Dead Comic Book Series: While many Walking Dead fans can't wait for Negan to show up in the TV series, I'm more excited to find out how Rick plans to deal with The Whisperers in the comic book series. Years ahead of the events of the TV show, Robert Kirkman is writing some of the best issues we've seen since the prison arc. If you haven't read the comic book series, you're really missing out.
Count Yorga on Blu-ray: My undying love for the Count Yorga movies is no surprise to regular Daily Dead readers and writers, and they've had to hear me talk about wanting a Count Yorga Blu-ray release for years. With so many AIP titles already out on Blu-ray, I was getting worried that Count Yorga, Vampire and The Return of Count Yorga Blu-rays would never see the light of day. Thankfully, both Twilight Time and Scream Factory stepped up to the plate, bringing Robert Quarry's lesser-known Count Yorga to the high-definition world.
HR Giger Museum: One of my best experiences this year was a family trip to Europe, where we had a chance to stop at the HR Giger Museum and bar. You can read much more about it in my recent Deadly Destinations article, but I can't recommend it enough to those who live in the area or are planning a trip to Europe. The amount of Giger's art on display far surpassed my expectations, and digital photos and prints just aren't able to capture the full detail and color of his original work.
Genre Cinema: This has been an especially strong year for genre films, but what really stood out to me is how much these movies are spread out among the spectrum of sub-genres. From a Eurohorror homage and a slasher with heart, to an uncomfortable invitation, books coming to life, and a relaunch of the world's most popular sci-fi franchise, there was a little something for everyone. Some of my favorites included Ex Machina, We Are Still Here, Crimson Peak, Bone Tomahawk, The Final Girls, Last Shift, The Invitation, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Deathgasm, Goosebumps, and The Visit.
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