Introducing Anya Stanley, Matt Donato, Brennan Klein, and the Real Queen of Horror
Jonathan Barkan
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As we enter 2018 tomorrow, we recognize that we need to expand, diversify, and open our site to offer a platform for exciting, intelligent, and varied voices that push and challenge the horror genre. You’ve heard my voice on the internet for nearly a decade, so many of you know what I have to say by now. But there are other people who have insights, theories, and perspectives that you possibly haven’t seen, voices that we believe are powerful and different. That’s why we are incredibly excited to announce that we have brought four people onto Dread Central’s team, each of whom will be bringing a monthly column to the site!
Coming at you will be Anya Staley, whom you may know from sites such as Birth.Movies.Death., Diabolique, and Blumhouse; Matt Donato, who has already been posting some stellar movie reviews here; Zena, the Real Queen of Horror; and Brennan Klein, also from Blumhouse!
I’m going to take a step back and let each one write a bit about themselves as well as their respective columns.
Zena Dixon (aka Real Queen of Horror) – Zena’s Period Blood
“Zena’s Period Blood” focuses on under-appreciated and hidden horror films.
It can be difficult finding horror films of quality, so allow me to welcome you to your salvation from frustration. “Zena’s Period Blood” is here to guide you to the horror films that will make you say, “This is a good horror. Point blank PERIOD.”
In addition to contributing to Dread Central, Zena Dixon has been writing about all things creepy and horrific for over six years at RealQueenofHorror.com. She has always loved horror films and will soon be directing her own feature-length horror.
Anya Stanley – Gender Bashing
Anya Stanley’s column, “Gender Bashing,” takes a gendered approach to modern horror. From the toxic beauty standards in Starry Eyes to feminine trauma in possession films, “Gender Bashing” visits entries in horror with a focus on the male-female spectrum and how contemporary society is reflected in the looking-glass of genre.
Anya Stanley is a California-based writer, columnist, and staunch Halloween 6 apologist. Her horror film analyses have appeared on Birth.Movies.Death, Blumhouse, Daily Grindhouse, and wherever they’ll let her talk about scary movies. See more of her work on anyawrites.com, and follow her shenanigans on Twitter @BookishPlinko.
Brennan Klein – Brennan Went to Film School
“Brennan Went to Film School” is a column that proves that horror has just as much to say about the world as your average Oscar nominee. Probably more, if we’re being honest. Brennan Klein will be applying the snottiest, most ridiculous theories he learned in film school to the newest horror films of the month to see just how important horror is to the world of art and culture, no matter how silly that may seem on the surface. He has a lot of thoughts about The Birds, for one thing. Maybe ask him about that sometime.
Brennan Klein is a writer and podcaster who talks horror movies every chance he gets. And when you’re talking to him about something else, he’s probably thinking about horror movies. On his blog, Popcorn Culture, he is running through reviews of every slasher film of the 1980’s, and on his podcast, Scream 101, he and a non-horror nerd co-host tackle horror reviews with a new sub-genre every month!
Matt Donato – Drinking With the Dread
Do you love reading Dread Central but wish the party would never end? Matt Donato’s new “Drinking With the Dread” series will cure (or cause) what ails ya! Each month Matt will shine a spotlight on one notable party-horror movie best watched with friends, zero judgment, and a whole ton o’ booze. You might feel like a zombie in the morning, only because you raved to the grave the night before.
In addition to approaching B-Movies and midnight favorites from a perspective of group enjoyment, “Drinking With the Dread” will also be your new favorite horror drinking game. After reading through Matt’s whiskey-soaked analysis, you’ll find a list of drinking game rules to try at home! Carefully curated and irresponsibly tested by Matt to ensure a buzzworthy night of horror gratification. Go ahead, pour a (few) pint(s)! Matt’s a trained professional; a martyr in the name of entertaining others.
Matt is an NYC-based internet scribe who spends his post-work hours geeking over cinema instead of sleeping like a normal human. He seems like a pretty cool guy, but don’t feed him after midnight just to be safe (alcohol is allowed/encouraged). Follow his antics on Twitter/Letterboxd/Instagram at @donatobomb, and check out his work across SlashFilm, We Got This Covered, and of course Dread Central (among other places). Cheers to the beers, boos, and bloody good horror!
Who’s as excited for these columns as I am? Let’s welcome these writers to Dread Central and get ready for one hell of an exciting 2018!
Categorized:News
