Book Review: Terrifying Texts

Terrifying Texts: Essays on Books of Good and Evil in Horror Cinema
Published McFarland, 2018. 268 pages.
Edited by Cynthia J. Miller & A. Bowdoin Van Riper

When I came across this title, I was immediately intrigued by it because, strangely enough, I didn’t know of anybody else who had tackled this subject matter before. In fact, the more I read through it, I was amazed at that fact because there are more movies that deal with this subject that I had thought. It’s one of those that as you’re reading and they mention another movie, you immediately think “Oh yeah… I forgot about that one!” Needless today, I really enjoyed this one!

As a book person myself, this had me right from the opening Introduction, where it reads, “Books are revered – and feared – for their ability to affect the minds and hearts of humankind. We collect them, pore over them, commit their passages to memory, censor them, and even attempt to banish them from our midst, lest they lead us to ruin.” Any book lover is going to be nodding their head while reading that, knowing and agreeing with exactly what the authors are saying… or writing, technically.

Women in Horror at the Music Box

Saint Maud, the debut film from writer/director Rose Glass will be opening at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre on April 3rd. We don’t much about it but it described as “a chilling and boldly original vision of faith, madness, and salvation in a fallen world.”

But they are having a Sneak Peak Preview on Wednesday, March 25th, at 7pm, featuring a post-film Q&A with the director Rose Glass. Unfortunately, this is for MBT Members only, but you can always sign up for a membership!

But in honor of the women working in the horror industry, the Music Box is having a Women in Horror Series. I’m not sure if there will be more features, but right now they have 2 other titles listed. On March 20th & 21st, they will be screening The Babadook, from writer/director Jennifer Kent. Then on March 27th and 28th, they will be screening Raw, from writer/director Julia Ducournau.

While I haven’t seen Saint Maud yet, I would highly recommend seeing The Babadook and Raw if you haven’t. Or even better, have a chance to see them in the theater! For more information about their Women in Horror Series, just click HERE. You can see the trailer for Saint Maude below.