Dr. Terror is a fine first effort for the (Anthology) House that Subotsky Built. Still leans heavily into Poe trappings like AIP overseas— the first segment, “Werewolf,” involves an inherited house, revenge, a body in the walls, and the name Valdemar. Commercially relevant as it was at the time, “Werewolf” doesn’t have the teeth that later Amicus anthologies would have.

Segment two, “Creeping Vine,” is a killer plant plot that plays in the Day of the Triffids sandbox, utilizing the…

When doing true crime docs, it’s always good to present the viewer with a general grasp of the culture and climate surrounding the crime. It’s what makes the awful police response to the Yorkshire Ripper murders understandable (not forgivable, but understandable in a cause-and-effect sense); Netflix’s The Ripper works well to highlight the victims and to highlight the fact that the killer could have been caught far sooner had it not been for an explicit bias among both law enforcement…

While performing, Spencer Tracy used to occasionally hit his marks by incorporating them into his mannerisms. He’d shove his hands into his pockets, shuffle towards the target, and take a beat or two to regard the spot on the floor upon his arrival before continuing with his delivery. The mark itself wasn’t visible in the frame so onscreen, the whole event appeared unique and profound. But behind it was a simple, practical ruse. 

In & Of Itself operates a similar sleight…