Mindfire Entertainment

While horror comedies are relatively common, true science-fiction and comedy blends are much rarer.  Perhaps that’s because they’re so much more difficult to do right, requiring the audience to both buy the film’s context and have time to get the jokes.  With the upcoming sci-fi film Paul (featuring the actors from horror comedy Shaun of the Dead) set to be released next year, we take a look back at what’s come before.

5.  Spaceballs: Young Frankenstein director Mel Brooks also took a shot at sci-fi, particularly Star Wars, and while it’s not up to the same level of quality, watching Rick Moranis as a weaselly Darth Vader pastiche is always delightful.  The film also takes potshots of the postmodern variety, often referencing its own role as a movie for more laughs. Read More »

British comedians Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have carved out a distinctive spot for themselves in the realm of cinema.  The savvy duo has become known for clever genre films which lovingly spoof conventions while still delivering the thrills that audiences love.  In 2004’s Shaun of the Dead, the duo channeled zombie films such as those by George A. Romero and combined them with romantic comedy.  In 2007, the duo took on buddy cop/action films with Hot Fuzz.  Now, the team is set to do the same to the world of sci-fi cinema with the upcoming film Paul.

Written by Pegg and Frost and directed by Greg Mottola (Adventureland, Superbad), the film follows two sci-fi aficionados who take a road trip across America to historic UFO sites.  At the infamous Area 51, though, they pick up an expected companion: the alien Paul (Seth Rogen), who stows away on their RV.  This turn of events puts the duo in conflict with insidious government agents as Paul attempts to return to his ship, which he’s been separated from for over half a century. Read More »

The straight-to-video horror movie market is saturated with nameless actors who could have gone nowhere.  The same fate could have awaited the group of college friends behind the 1981 horror film, The Evil Dead.  However, as genre fans know, the exact opposite was the case.  Star Bruce Campbell, along with director Sam Raimi, started a career that would lead to many more collaborations, much more  acclaim, and more fake blood than anyone could have imagined.

Bruce Campbell was born in 1958 in Royal Oak, Michigan, and met Raimi in a drama course in high school.  They released the original Evil Dead independently in 1981, and while Stephen King was a fan, the rest of the world failed to take note.  Luckily, the boys didn’t give up, and went on to remake the film as Evil Dead 2 in 1987.  Here, Campbell embraced his love of comedy and satire, and turned the straight-forward horror of the original into something no one could have expected. Read More »

Whatever it is about stuck-up teenagers meeting their demise in horror films that hooks viewers, the new film Tucker & Dale vs Evil seems to have captured it and turned it up to 11.  The under-promoted film currently holds a very respectable 8.7/10 on IMDB—even more when you consider that it’s only the first full-length film from writer/director Eli Craig.  Morgan Jurgenson assists on the writing duties.

The two title stars both have previous experience in genre titles.  Tyler Labine, who plays Dale, has appeared in shows like The X-Files, Dark Angel, and Reaper.  Alan Tudyk (Tucker) has drawn accolades for his role in sci-fi series Firefly and Dollhouse.  Although he hadn’t attempted any horror work before, he appears to have enjoyed it, having recently signed on for the upcoming zombie-action movie First Platoon. Read More »

While some horror films unintentionally become comedies due to poor execution, this list honors the films which manage to walk the line between gasps and guffaws.  Put these on at your next scary movie night and you’re sure to get the vote of approval.

10.  Arachnaphobia: When you’re making a horror film, it might be cheating to pick a subject that 50% of women and 10% of men suffer from.  However, when it’s as well-produced as Arachnaphobia, you won’t get any complaints from us.

9.  Dead End: The debut film of French writer/directors Jean-Baptiste Andrea and Fabrice Canepa create one of the most horrifying scenarios ever: a family road trip that doesn’t end.  Throw in an invincible car bent on destruction and you have a winner.

8.  Tremors: When a film spawns a franchise like 1990’s Tremors, it can sometimes be overshadowed by the quality (or lack thereof) of its sequels.  Luckily, the original still holds up, mostly due to its actors, including a hilarious performance by Michael Gross as trigger-happy Burt Gummer. Read More »