My Top 10 Horror Movies Of 2018

It’s a chilly January evening as I finish my year-end list of exceptional horror movies. Picking 10 standout films seemed more difficult this year than last. Does that mean extraordinary horror was hard to find or was horror in general operating at such a high level that it was difficult to choose just 10 for this list? Honestly, I don’t know, and I don’t care. Horror and genre filmmaking is on a rampage with audiences and critics alike finding box-office gems within the traditional confines the of horror label.

This list is in no particular order because it’s difficult to accurately compare the timely #MeToo themes of Revenge with the comedic joyfulness of Tragedy Girls. I do have my favorite, but you’ll have to ask.

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Everything Wrong With Michigan’s Law Enforcement Anti-Pot Talking Points

On Nov. 6, Michigan voters will head to the ballot box to decide the fate of Prop 1 – legalizing the use of recreational marijuana. We’re more than a month away from the election, and opponents to the proposal are coming out in full force.

This week, Michigan Law Enforcement agencies coordinated press conferences across the state to roll out trite talking points (below), that border on propaganda, about negatives of legalizing marijuana.

Except for the majority of the talking points are either taken out of the context of the study or come for studies that contain conclusions that contradict the talking point altogether.

Below are just a few of the inconsistencies with the presented talking points along with links to the cited studies and articles so you can judge for yourself.

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My Top 10 Horror Movies Of 2017

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Horror is on a massive roll. The last several years have produced some phenomenal indie horror gems mainstream audiences are either just now discovering or have shunned altogether because “indie” still has negative connotations. But boy, was 2017 different. It’s a year where both mainstream and independent horror got its acceptance as a genre that’s more than blood and guts—even if they are a genre mainstay.

For as great as mainstream or theatrical horror was in 2017, independent gems outshined a majority of those big-budget productions. Horror in 2017 proved the genre can be something more, and with GET OUT and THE SHAPE OF WATER getting Oscar recognition while still falling in the genre—well, that’s just icing on the cake.

Now that 2017 is over, here are my top 10 horror movies of last year. Go and watch these. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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This will happen again, and again, and again

Image by Robert Freiberger via Flickr

Monday, Oct. 2, 2017

What happened in Las Vegas was not tragic. It was expected, and expected violence can never really be that tragic. Yes, to those affected, the shooting is beyond tragedy—beyond the comprehension of human emotions. To America, though, Las Vegas is just another relapse of its habitual affliction.

What is tragic is allowing the expected to happen. Yes, the killer may have still been able to reach the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay and open fire on concertgoers, regardless of any new gun laws and regulations, or mental health services being provided, but doing something is better than doing nothing. Trying is better than failing.

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Plight of the modern-day politician

Screenshot from Lenconnect.com

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Politics is a nasty game of abdication. It’s most prevalent at the national level where Political Parties and career hired hands representatives vie for prime TV real estate to peddle lies to a deprived American audience hungry for any sloppy sustenance.

It’s been almost 43 years since Political Decency died with Nixon’s presidency when he was chased out of the White House by a bipartisan band of American heroes. Since, however, politics has become a game of winning. Serving the people has taken a back seat to who had the biggest inauguration and overt acts of voter suppression disguised as an investigation into baseless claims of rampant voter fraud.

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Adrian admin recommends no vote on marijuana with vague claims of opposition

Image by Another Believer via Wikimedia

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Ahead of a potential vote Monday to change Adrian’s ordinance regarding the expansion of certain types of medical marijuana facilities, Shane Horn, the city’s administrator, is recommending city commissioners do not approve any new licensing opportunities.

In January, when the issue was brought before the commission, Horn said he didn’t think such much new revenue could be added from these types of facilities. His concerns then were about the cost of public safety, zoning and planning. However, part of the new state rules allows the city to charge up to $5,000 annually for a license to defray administrative and enforcements costs. This should assuage those earlier concerns.

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Anthony J. Alaniz

Award-winning reporter in southeast Michigan

Category: Opinion