Second Scream

by Adrian Roe

To many, the 1990s is considered a relatively low profile era for the horror genre. Slasher films had become almost extinct, and CGI played a large part in turning away many gorehounds from their staple diet of blood and guts. Times were tough for the humble horror fan, endlessly searching for that next cult classic at the local video store. There are two sides to every story however, and this controversial decade also produced many genre pieces that are still revered to this day. Within this book the horror films of the 1990s are analyzed and documented fairly. Second Scream is supported with exclusive interviews from Heather Langenkamp, Katt Shea, John Penney, Julie Carmen and many more. A useful reference piece for the genre fan who wishes to rediscover those lost gems, from the decade that horror forgot.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2016

Reviews

[Frank Janisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

My obsession with horror started in the 90s, and three of my favorites were Candyman, New Nightmare and In the Mouth of Madness. This book provided more options for my viewing pleasure, but less interviews than the first book. I learned the 90s offered slim horror options, but the good ones inspired the next 20 years.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I covered Adrian Roe’s book First Scream to the Last which I greatly enjoyed. It took us through what is possibly horror cinema’s greatest decade, the 1980s. Now Adrian is back with his follow up Second Scream, which covers the 90s. The 90s are an era that saw a downturn in horror popularity, with a reputation for a similar downturn in inventiveness and quality. It’s an era that receives much less critical attention than the 1980s, so I thought this book was a great idea. The author presents to us the films that stood out from the 90s to show that there were some diamonds in the rough in what he calls, the decade that horror forgot.

For the structure of the book, each chapter covers a different year of the decade, and within each year there are a number of films presented. Obviously some years were more fruitful than others. Brief interviews regarding particular films are interspersed and include Wes Craven (The People Under the Stairs) Heather Lagenkamp (New Nightmare), and Nicholas Vince (Nightbreed). The book includes some stills from some of the movies discussed as well as some original artwork.

Throughout the book there are some absolute classics and some of my favorite films, such as The Exorcist III, Candyman, and Scream; and also those I just have a huge soft spot for like Freddy’s Dead, Funnyman, Return of the Living Dead 3, and Ticks. In fact, as I read the book I realized there were lots of 90s films that I have a soft spot for. There are plenty of films listed that I would disagree with the author on, such as the Puppet Master and Leprechaun series, but, of course, each to their own!

This is a great reference book for 90s horror. 80s horror is so often grouped together as an entity, but there is not that same grouping for the 90s. Rather it’s more a collection of individual films. This book has provided some great nostalgia, and given me pause for thought about reevaluating the era. Thanks to the book, I have a list of films that I’ve never seen from the period and will have to catch up on. Recommended!

[John Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! Informative and fun and well researched!!

I love the breakdown of these cool 90's horrors, and the statistics involved. I hope one of my 2000 era movies is in the next one!