Category Archives: Posts by Toni Ruberto

Monsters and Matinees: Classic horror movies gain new life on physical media

Classic Horror Movies Gain New Life on Physical Media Just because we love classic horror – especially low-budget B-movies – doesn’t mean we have to watch bad prints of the films that we’re used to seeing online or in a … Continue reading

Posted in Films, Horror, Monsters and Matinees, Posts by Toni Ruberto | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ahead of its time, John Carpenter’s ‘The Thing’ honored by the National Film Registry

John Carpenter’s ‘The Thing’ honored by the National Film Registry At an isolated Antarctic research station, scientists battle a deadly alien with such extraordinary shape-shifting capabilities that the men don’t know if the person next to them is still human. … Continue reading

Posted in Horror, Monsters and Matinees, National Film Registry, Posts by Toni Ruberto | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monsters and Matinees: A Rock Solid Idea Fuels ‘Monolith Monsters’

A rock solid idea fuels ‘Monolith Monsters’ If I created a film trailer for The Monolith Monsters, it would have some of the movie’s astonishing quotes flash across the screen with extra exclamation points. “Her hands are turning to stone!!” … Continue reading

Posted in Horror, Monsters and Matinees, Posts by Toni Ruberto | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monsters and Matinees: Join ‘Auntie Roo’ for holiday cheer – and fear

Join ‘Auntie Roo’ for holiday cheer – and fear Happy Holidays! It’s the most wonderful time of the year when family and friends gather, eat lots of food and exchange gifts that say “I care.” But not everyone is so … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, Horror, Monsters and Matinees, Posts by Toni Ruberto | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Monsters and Matinees: Talking Horror Films and ‘Pre-Code Essentials’ with Co-author Danny Reid

Talking horror films and ‘Pre-Code Essentials’ with co-author Danny Reid Mention a film made any time from 1930 to 1934 to classic movie fans and see how fast someone practically yells “pre-Code!” The term refers to movies made between 1930-34 … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Horror, Interviews, Monsters and Matinees, Posts by Toni Ruberto | Tagged | Leave a comment

Monsters and Matinees: Not just for Halloween – How to watch horror all year

It’s October and that means Monsters and Matinees is standing on her annual soapbox with this important message: horror movies aren’t just for Halloween. Yes, I’m happy every October to see the large selection of horror films offered on small … Continue reading

Posted in Halloween, Horror, Monsters and Matinees, Posts by Toni Ruberto | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monsters and Matinees: Discovering Barbara Stanwyck, Horror Queen

Discovering Barbara Stanwyck, Horror Queen The idea of having Barbara Stanwyck in my Monsters and Matinees column never crossed my mind. For starters, she isn’t known for horror films and, honestly, I didn’t feel worthy. Then I found her 1970 … Continue reading

Posted in Classic TV, Horror, Monsters and Matinees, Posts by Toni Ruberto, TV Roles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Monsters and Matinees: At 50, ‘Trilogy of Terror’ still has that killer smile

“Amelia jerked back, pulling up her legs. A shadowy form was scurrying across the carpet toward the bed. She gaped at it. It isn’t true, she thought. She stiffened at the tugging on her bedspread. It was climbing up to … Continue reading

Posted in Horror, Monsters and Matinees, Posts by Toni Ruberto | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Monsters and Matinees: Sun, Sand and the ‘Horror of Party Beach’

Summer is a time when we’re drawn to oceanfront vacations with sandy beaches, rolling waves and endless sunsets. It’s a sanctuary of fun in the sun. Or is it? For 50 years, Jaws has made us afraid to go in … Continue reading

Posted in Horror, Monsters and Matinees, Posts by Toni Ruberto | Leave a comment

Monsters and Matinees: Spending Quiet Time with ‘The Earth Dies Screaming’

Spending Quiet Time with ‘The Earth Dies Screaming’ In a quaint English village, people are sitting in a parlor by the fire doing what proper Brits do: elegantly smoking and drinking tea. It’s all so genteel inside, yet outside the … Continue reading

Posted in Horror, Monsters and Matinees, Posts by Toni Ruberto | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment