@certifiedforgot
Certified Forgotten is a writer-owned horror publication focused on the little movies that leave a big impression. We publish essays on the underseen and underappreciated horror films of the 21st Century. www.certifiedforgotten.com/newsletter
"Its debonair performances and potent designs clash wildly with its scattered execution, resulting in a major swing for studio horror that misses in puzzling (if not outright embarrassing) ways." Here's @siddhantadlakha.bsky.social on why THE BRIDE! cannot hold together, despite its many flourishes.
Is it a coincidence that we recorded this episode during Trump's State of the Union? About Nazi evils, and how hollow, spineless cowards are so easily manipulated by power?
Life's funny like that sometimes. Always a pleasure to chat movies with @theneonbanshee.bsky.social.
Didn't think we'd ever cover a Criterion release on the podcast, didja? Welp, welcome back @theneonbanshee.bsky.social as this week's special guest, who brings us her latest sleepover favorite (no joke), Juraj Herz's THE CREMATOR. Oh the places this conversation goes...
"Phillips and company have crafted something destined to be a late-night discovery on a streaming platform like Tubi or Pluto." I'm pretty mixed (derogatory) on DIABOLIC, a movie with a lot of warts that might find its audience thanks to a splashy final act.
"The dreams we repeatedly see play out in SALVATION, of coordinated infiltrations and supernatural fears, are those of the film’s ostensible monsters." Here's @siddhantadlakha.bsky.social on one of the best films from this year's Berlinale.
"Factional prison riots devolve into hilarious chaos, despite Anwar only occasionally taking visual advantage of all the imaginative ideas at play." Here's @siddhantadlakha.bsky.social on GHOST IN THE CELL, the latest feature from Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar.
It's Friday, so here's a little window into my brain.
In this week's podcast, @donatobomb.bsky.social and @monagle.bsky.social explain why COLD STORAGE is such an effective throwback to '90s horror: batshit ideas done with total sincerity.
Each week, you can get The Rewind, our weekly newsletter, delivered right to your inbox. Here's this week's edition for your reading pleasure.
"Things do end up getting fun in a sort of silly, self-aware way somewhere in the final act, but by that point, the film hasn’t purchased nearly enough goodwill to manage this tonal balance." Here's @siddhantadlakha.bsky.social on SACCHARINE, which falls short of RELIC's greatness.
ICYMI
I'm almost always thinking about Pontypool. Read my words here:
PONTYPOOL rips and I will always share writing about how PONTYPOOL rips.
I’ll be honest, I did not care for Pontypool (and i also spent most of the movie thinking the supporting actress was Anna Faris), but this article does a really good job of touching on all of the things the movie does right, and has some real thoughtful analysis on the themes/subtext.
"Words can be weapons, yes, but we can choose to harness their power differently and wield them with much more care and intention." New at the site: here's @xtinemakepeace.bsky.social on PONTYPOOL and the damage words can do.
🎙️ New episode of @certifiedforgot.bsky.social is up, and we've got 30 minutes on why we love GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON'T DIE so much. 🎙️
Now that we've fully migrated over to our new newsletter platform at @certifiedforgot.bsky.social, we can do something we weren't able to do before: share a link to our newsletters each week.
Always a joy to join the Matts, especially something like Death Ship which has a lot more going on than practical effects, haunted boats, and Nazi ghosts. There is deep intentionally to why there is so much suffering in DEATH SHIP that goes beyond many haunted or even horror movies in general.
I'm really glad that my wife's latest hyperfixation (boats/ships) joined forces with her evergreen love of hating Nazis to bring this movie to The Matts™.
Do we need exploitation cinema to remind us of half-forgotten, real-life horrors? That’s the big question in this week’s episode with @harmonycolangelo.bsky.social, who joins the podcast to talk about ghost Nazis and DEATH SHIP.
"Fischbach gambled on himself and won - and audiences won too, as there is now one more piece of truly original sci-fi horror worth adding to the rotation." @monagle.bsky.social just haaaaaaad to see what all the fuss was about with IRON LUNG.
Dropped a podcast somewhere between coming home from #Sundance and immediately moving across LA!
I haven’t even shared all my reviews yet (finally catching up), but if you wanna hear my take on the entire Midnight slate…
In this week's edition of the podcast, @donatobomb.bsky.social gives us a full rundown of the horror films at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
"As Jay falls over, his blood starts pooling in the deep, dermal-ridged track left by Bigfoot. It’s a simple kill, but one that acts as a beautifully bloody overture for what’s to come." New at the site: here's @brendanjesus.bsky.social on NIGHT OF THE DEMON, your new Bigfoot slasher obsession.
"It’s less storytelling and more a Silent Hill theme park ride, one that highlights standout moments from the game for curious audiences." Here's @monagle.bsky.social on why RETURN TO SILENT HILL isn't QUITE as bad as it's been made out to be.
This week on the podcast, @ryanprows.bsky.social talks with @donatobomb.bsky.social and @monagle.bsky.social about NIGHT PATROL, his latest mashup of vampires and cops. He also shares his enduring appreciation for Amat Escalante's LOS BASTARDOS.
Streaming free on Tubi!
X-CROSS is very “It Was Made For Me! This Is My Hole!” **
** hits like an adaptation of a non-existent PS2 survival horror game and is super wlw coded
Certified Misdirected.
I love X-CROSS so so so much. Please watch X-CROSS. You certainly won't have a bad time watching X-CROSS.
"X-CROSS is completely bonkers. It’s girly-pop, over-the-top folk horror that ends with an Aly & AJ needle drop." Reports of her writerly demise were greatly exaggerated: we've got @theworstnun.bsky.social on the site today talking about her favorite retro survival horror wannabe.