1) Best Film of 2021

Due to the pandemic, includes wide release, video-on-demand and streaming

• ANTLERS
• CANDYMAN
• THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT
• DON’T LOOK UP
• DUNE
• FREE GUY
• GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE
• GODZILLA VS KONG
• HALLOWEEN KILLS
• LAST NIGHT IN SOHO
• MALIGNANT
• NIGHT HOUSE
• NIGHTMARE ALLEY
• OLD
• A QUIET PLACE, Part Two
• SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME
• ZACH SNYDER’S JUSTICE LEAGUE
•  Or write in another choice:

2) Best TV Presentation

• CHUCKY, Bravo. The deadly doll is back. ‘We’re gonna party like it’s 1999.’
• CREEPSHOW, Shudder. Episodes in the EC vein.  ‘Naperville Ripper Still at Large’
• DOCTOR WHO, BBC America. The Thirteenth Doctor battles enemies old and new. ‘Don’t blink!’
• EVIL, CBS. Mysteries with a supernatural twist. ‘If one word is spoken within the monastery walls, the demon will be out.’
• FEAR STREET,  Netflix. Teenagers battle a town curse in three eras. ‘Would you say he was more Dawn of the Dead, or Night of the Living Dead?’
• SERVANT, Apple TV+. M. Night Shyamalan’s look at a family’s odd nanny.  ‘She’s not the sweet child you think she is.’
• MIDNIGHT MASS, Netflix. A priest shakes a village’s faith. ‘God still has a plan, and death isn’t part of it anymore.’
• THE SQUID GAME, Netflix. Players must choose self-preservation to survive. ‘You have a reason to leave this place, but I don’t.’
• THE WALKING DEAD, AMC. Negan’s former life is tragically revealed. ‘I am starting to think that I am capable of damn near anything.’
• WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, FX. The vampires say farewell to one of their own. ‘How am I gonna eat if I don’t prey on people, dummy?’
• YELLOWJACKETS, Showtime. Teen terror on an island lasts generations. ‘Hiding in the tree, she watches me at night.’
• Or write-in another choice:

3) Best Blu-Ray OF 2021

• THE AMAZING MR. X (1948; Film Detective)
• AN ANGEL FOR SATAN (1966; Severin)
• DEAD AND BURIED (1981; Blue Underground)
• DEAD ZONE (1983; Shout!)
• DOCTOR X (1932 Technicolor; Warners Archive)
• FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER (1958; Film Detective)
• THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957; Criterion)
• ISLE OF THE DEAD (1945; Warners Archive
• KING KONG (1976; Shout!)
• MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN (1960; Arrow)
• MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD (1935; Kino)
• THE POSSESSION OF JOEL DELANEY (1972; Imprint)
• SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM (1933; Kino)
• TOMB OF LIGEIA (1964; Kino)
• THE VAMPIRE LOVERS (1970; Shout)
• Or write in another choice:

4) Best Blu-Ray Collection

• ALL THE HAUNTS BE OURS: A Compendium of Folk Horror (15 discs, Severin). 20-film collection includes numerous rarities, companion material and video extras.
• THE DUNGEON OF ANDY MILLIGAN 1967-1982 (8 discs plus CD, Severin). 14 films, some restored for first time; numerous shorts and special features.
• THE EUROCRYPT OF CHRISTOPHER LEE 1962-1971 (9 discs, Severin) 6 films highlighting Lee’s European horror films; numerous extras.
• HAMMER HORROR: Four Gothic Horrors (Imprint) Countess Dracula, Twins of Evil, Hands of the Ripper, Vampire Circus.
• HAMMER VOLUME SIX: Night Shadows (Indicator). Includes Captain Clegg, Phantom of the Opera, Nightmare, Shadow of the Cat.
• KOLCHAK: THE NIGHSTALKER: The Complete Series (1974-1975; Kino). Twenty episodes remastered, along with 21 commentaries.
• THE MONSTER COLLECTION (Music Box Films). Two special effects documentaries, The Frankenstein Complex, and Phil Tippett: Mad Dreams and Monsters; plus bonus disc.
• NIGHT GALLERY: Season One (Kino) All seven episodes with commentaries.
• SILVER SCREAMS CINEMA (Imprint) Phantom Speaks, Return of Ape Man, She Devil, Unknown Terror, Vampire’s Ghost, Valley of the Zombies
• THE SHERLOCK HOLMES VAULT COLLECTION (1931-37; Film Detective). Fatal Hour, Triumph of Sherlock Holmes, Silver Blaze, Study in Scarlet
• UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS: Icons of Horror Collection in 4K: Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolf Man, Invisible Man offered in 4K.
• Or write in another choice:

5) Best Restoration or Upgrade

• AN ANGEL FOR SATAN (1966; Severin) First official release, including restored audio.
• DARK EYES OF LONDON (1939; Network) Remaster from original elements.
• DEAD & BURIED (1981; Blue Underground). 4K upgrade.
• DEMENTIA 13 (1963; Vestron) Francis Ford Coppola’s director’s cut.
• DOCTOR X (1932; Warner Archives) Technicolor restoration, along with B/W version.
• ELVIRA’S HAUNTED HILLS (2001; Shout!) 4K scan from original negative.
• EYES OF FIRE/CRYING BLUE SKY (1983; Severin) First release along with longer alternate version.
• THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (1928) Restoration of silent by Richard Moses, music by Jay Woelfel; streamed on Silent Film Channel.
• FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN (Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein; 1973; Vinegar Syndrome). Freshly scanned and 4K; colors brighter; 3-D version included.
• THE INVISIBLE MAN APPEARS (1949, Arrow). First U.S. release of Japanese sci-fi.
• THE KINDRED (1987; Synapse) Restored and uncut from original negative.
• KING KONG (1976; Shout!). Includes complete expanded TV version.
• KRAMPUS: The Naughty Cut (2015; Shout) Restored scenes and adult language.
• MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN (1960, Arrow). Italian, American and French cuts included.
• NIGHT GALLERY (1969; Kino) Restored two-hour pilot episode.
• SANTA SANGRE (1990; Severin). 4K restoration of Alejandro Jodorowsky classic.
• SKINNED DEEP (2004; Severin) Reassembled scenes from uncut negatives.
• TIH-MINH (1919; Gaumont) Six-hour crime serial reconstructed and restored.
• Or write in another choice:

6) Best DVD Extras

• THE ATTIC EXPEDITIONS (2001, Severin). Online reunion with cast including Jeffrey Combs, Wendy Robie, Alice Cooper.
• DARK EYES OF LONDON (1939; Network). Kim Newman, Stephen Jones discuss Lugosi’s UK work.
• DOCTOR X (1932; Warner Archives): ‘Monsters and Mystery: The Horror Films of Michael Curtiz,’ directed by Constantine Nasr.
• F.P.1. DOESN’T ANSWER (Kino): Includes U.S. version with Conrad Veidt.
• FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER (1958; Kino) ‘Richard E. Cunha: Filmmaker of the Unknown,’ resurrects unseen film bio Cunha sent to Tom Weaver.
• GRIZZLY (1976; Severin). Nightmare USA author Stephen Thrower documentary on director William Girdler.
• HAMMER HORROR: Four Gothic Horror Films (Imprint): Three visual essays by Kat Ellinger among numerous features.
• INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957; Criterion) ‘Auteur on Campus: Jack Arnold at Universal’ documentary directed by Daniel Griffith.
• THE KINDRED (1987; Synapse). ‘Inhuman Experiments: The Making of The Kindred.’
• THE MEDUSA TOUCH (1978; Imprint). Visual essay by Ian McAnally on ‘Welsh Wizard’ Richard Burton.
• NOSFERATU IN VENICE (1988; Severin) ‘Creation is Violent – Anecdotes From Kinski’s Final Years’ directed by Josh Johnson.
• SHE FREAK (1967; AGFA/Something Weird) Compilation of David Friedman trailers.
• THE VAMPIRE LOVERS (1970; Shout). New commentaries video features.
• Or write in another choice:

 7) Favorite Commentator of 2021 

• Craig Beam (Night Gallery)
• Paul Castiglia (Haunted House episode, Abbott & Costello Show)
• Travis Crawford (Demons 2)
• David DelValle (Trog, Mystery of Edwin Drood)
• Samm Deighan (Switchblade Sisters)
• Kat Ellinger (The Seventh Seal, An Angel for Satan)
• Lee Gambin (Day of the Animals; Possession of Joel Delaney)
•  Gary Gerani (Night Gallery pilot; Dark Intruder)
• Michael Gingold (Dead Zone)
• Troy Guinn, Rod Barnett (Black Candles)
• Steve Haberman (Isle of the Dead, Mad Love)
• Bruce G. Hallenbeck (Capt. Kronos, Vampire Hunter)
• Justin Humphreys (Flight to Mars)
• Troy Howarth (Dead & Buried)
• Tim Lucas (Night Gallery; Mill of the Stone Women)
• Constantine Nasr (The Vampire Lovers; Night Gallery)
• Kim Newman, Stephen Jones (Vampire Circus; Twins of Evil)
• Amanda Reyes (Night Gallery; Phantom of the Mall)
• Kelly Robinson (Ingagi)
• Jonathan Rigby & Kevin Lyons (Hands of the Ripper, Countess Dracula)
• Alan K. Rode (Doctor X)
• David Schecter (various soundtrack commentaries)
• Michael Schlesinger (Secret of the Blue Room)
• Nathaniel Thompson (Dead & Buried)
• Richard Harland Smith (Last Man on Earth; Prophecy)
• Tom Weaver (Incredible Shrinking Man; Frankenstein’s Daughter)
• Emma Westwood (Prophecy)
• Taylor White (Night Gallery)
• Or write in another choice:

8) Best Independent Film of 2021

• THE ADVENT CALENDAR, directed by Patrick Ridgemont. Monstrous menaces intensify, day by day. See trailer here
• BRAIN FREEZE, directed by Julien Knafo. Horror comedy from Canada, fertilizer zombies plague a gated community. See trailer here
• CENSOR, directed by Prano Bailey-Bond. A film censor hunts down the source of a film, with shocking results. See trailer here
• THE CHANGED, directed by Michael Mongillo. Neighborhood finds imposters taking their place. See trailer here
• COME TRUE, directed by Anthony Scott Burns. Sleep study goes deeper than expected. See trailer here
• CRAWLER, directed by Joe Ripple. The late Don Dohler’s last independent film. See trailer here.
• FRIED BARRY, directed by Ryan Kruger. Aliens take control of hard-to-control loser. See trailer here
• HORROR NOIRE, anthology of six tales from black directors. See trailer here
• HOWL FROM BEYOND THE FOG, directed by Daisuke Sato. From Japan, monsters battle land grabbers. See trailer here
• IT KNOWS YOU’RE ALONE, directed by Chris Alexander. An old phone washes up on shore. See trailer here
• JAKOB’S WIFE, directed by Travis Stevens. Starring Barbara Crampton, vampiric happenings in a small town. See trailer here
• KANDISHA, directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury. A changeling demon stalks an abusive boyfriend. See trailer here
• THE LOCKDOWN HAUNTINGS, directed by Howard J. Ford. Tony Todd stars as pandemic has its own special horrors. See trailer here
• THE PHANTOM LAKE KIDS IN THE BEAST WALKS AMONG US, directed by Christopher Mihm. Neighborhood kids fight a hideous creature. See trailer here
• RED SNOW, directed by Sean Nichols Lynch. An injured vampire offers a chance for fame to a frustrated horror writer. See trailer here
• THE SADNESS, directed by Rob Jabbaz. A couple must escape a city filled with sadistic plague victims. See trailer here.
• THE STYLIST, directed by Jill Gevargizian. A lonely hairdresser does more than cut hair. See trailer here
• SAVE YOURSELVES! Directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson. Young couple shelter in the woods amidst an alien invasion. See trailer here
• TITANE, directed by Julia Ducournau. A woman’s head injury could be linked to brutal crimes. See trailer here
• WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, directed by Sean King O’Grady. Family trapped by a tornado finds its own horrors. See trailer here
• Or write in another choice:

 9) Best Short Film

• THE BALLERINA, directed by Aaron Fradkin (8 mins). A dancer is haunted by her reflection. See film here
• BRACKISH, directed by Christa Boarini (8 mins). A menacing spirit from the mangroves in this folktale of the Americas.  See film here
• DAWN OF THE ATOMIC BEAST, directed by William Turner  (11 mins). Send up of 1950s 3-D, bubbles included. See film here
• GOOD HEAD, directed by Matt Servitto (29 mins) Getting fitted for a prop movie head goes horribly wrong. See trailer here
• THE GUEST: A Lockdown Story, directed by Andrea Lombardo (33 mins). A man finds an intruder in his house during Covid-19. See film here
• HUNGRY JOE, directed by Paul Holbrook and Sam Dawe. About a boy who just can’t stop eating. See film here
• KOREATOWN GHOST STORY, directed by Minsun Park, Teddy Tenenbaum (15 mins). Margaret Cho stars in tale of macabre marriage rituals. See film here
• THE MOST HAUNTED HOUSE IN VENICE BEACH, directed by Ansel Faraj (17 mins). A haunting memory of L.A. Venice Beach. See film here
• A NIGHTMARE IN THE SHOWER, directed by Shane and Aylward (19 mins). A disability doesn’t stop battling a radioactive menace. See film here
• THE THREE MEN YOU MEET AT NIGHT, directed by Beck Kitsis (13 mins). A woman walks home and must decide among three different men. See film here
• WHO GOES THERE? Directed by Astrid Thorvaldsen (23 mins). A stranger promises help, but with a price. See trailer here
• Or write in another choice:

10) Best Documentary

• BORIS KARLOFF: The Man Behind the Monster, directed by Thomas Hamilton. Actor’s biography includes numerous interviews, rare audio and vintage footage beyond Frankenstein. See trailer here
• CARL LAEMMLE, directed by James L. Freedman. Exploring the founder of Universal films and his work with Jewish refugees before WW2. See trailer here
• DARK SHADOWS AND BEYOND: The Jonathan Frid Story, directed by Mary O’Leary. Interviews and personal letters trace the story of television’s favorite vampire. See trailer here
• PENNYWISE: The Story of IT, directed by John Campopiano, Chris Griffiths. Examining the original Tim Curry adaptation of the Stephen King novel. See trailer here
• THE SLEEPER MUST AWAKEN: Making Dune, directed by Daniel Griffith. Tracking various attempts and the creation of David Lynch’s 1984 version. Available on Arrow Player
• UNITED STATES OF INSANITY, directed by Tom Putnam, Brenna Sanchez. The story of horror rappers Insane Clown Posse. See trailer here
• WOODLANDS DARK AND DAYS BEWITCHED, directed by Kier-La Janisse. (Severin) More than three hours and 50 interviews exploring the special world of folk horror. See trailer here
• Or write in another choice:

11) Book of the Year (non-fiction)

• ALWAYS THE BRIDE: A Biography of Elsa Lanchester, by Victoria Worsley (BearManor Media, hardcover, 276 pages, $35). Owning a nightclub, marriage to Charles Laughton and, of course, screen immortality.
• BECOMING DRACULA: The Early Years of Bela Lugosi, Vols. 1 and 2, by Gary D. Rhodes and Bill Kaffenberger (BearManor Media, softcover, 447/436 pages, $38/$36) New revelations about Lugosi’s challenging journey to what became his signature role.
• BEHIND THE KAIJU CURTAIN, A Journey Onto Japan’s Biggest Film Sets, by Norman England (Aiwa Books, softcover, 250 pages, $27.99). A look at the Japanese movie industry, including the sets of Godzilla and Gamera.
• THE BODY SNATCHER: Cold-Blooded Murder, Robert Louis Stevenson, and the Making of a Horror Film Classic, by Scott Allen Nollen with Gregory William Mank (BearManor Media, softcover, 252 pages, $25). From Burke and Hare to Karloff/Lugosi.
• BORIS KARLOFF: The Man Remembered, by Gordon B. Shriver (BearManor Media, hardcover, 234 pages, $35) Revised and expanded biography includes numerous interviews with Karloff co-stars.
• THE BUCKEROO BANZAI COLLECTORS’ COMPENDIUM, by DeWayne Todd (Independent, softcover, 162 pages, $30). All about the marketing and promotional items surrounding the 1984 cult classic.
• THE CAREER THAT DRIPPED WITH HORROR, by John Stanley (Independent, softcover, 254 pages, $23.99). Hundreds of photos, interviews (Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Carrie Fisher, others), and remembrances from West Coast’s second Creature Features host.
• CHANEY’S BABY: Lon Jr., The Wolf Man, 1948, and the End of a Dream, by Bill Fleck (Independent, softcover, 226 pages, $9.99). Triumphs, tragedy and report of a suicide attempt.
• CREEPY BITCHES: Essays on Horror from Women in Horror, by Alyse Wax and Rebekah McKendry (BearManor Media, softcover, 204 pages, $25). Actresses, scholars and writers explore the world of the feminine fantastique.
• DAMN DIRTY GEEKS: Talk Among Us (Independent, softcover, 264 pages, $33). Podcast veterans Jack Bennett, Frank Dietz, Rob Maynard, Scott Weitz and Frank Woodward on films that inspired them.
• THE DARK SHADOWS DAYBOOK, by Patrick McCray (Independent, softcover, 252 pages, $12.99). A fresh tour of the key moments in the eternal saga of the Collins Family.
• ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK: The Official Story of the Film, by John Walsh (Titan, hardcover, 160 pages, $47.99) Retrospective of 1981 film includes unseen artwork.
• FROM THE INNER MIND … TO THE OUTER LIMITS: Scripts of Joseph Stefano, Volume 1, edited by Dave Rash (Gauntlet Press, hardcover, 529 pages, $60) Scripts for six teleplays, plus two never produced episodes.
• THE GIALLO CANVAS: Art, Excess and Horror Cinema, by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (McFarland, paperback, 258 pages, $45) How art and artists energize a murderous genre.
• GLAMOUR GHOUL: The Passions and Pain of the Real Vampira, Maila Nurmi, by Sandra Niemi (Feral House, softcover, 400 pages, $21.95). A photo-filled biography by Vampira’s niece.
• THE GREAT WAR and the Golden Age of Hollywood Horror, by R. Bruce Crelin (Midnight Marquee, softcover, 324 pages, $30). How WWI shaped the careers of James Whale, R.C. Sherriff, and J.B. Priestley and early horror cinema.
• HERE THERE BE MONSTERS, by Bryan Senn (BearManor Media, softcover, 476 pages, $47). Interviews and essays from Universal to Hammer and beyond.
• HOSTED HORROR ON TELEVISION: The Films and Faces of Shock Theater, Creature Features and Chiller Theater, by Bruce Markusen (McFarland, softcover, 251 pages, $39.95).Tracing the rise of late night ghoulish comforts.
• LANDIS: The Story of a Real Man on 42nd Street, by Preston Fassel (Encyclopocalyp[se Publications, softcover, 148 pages, $9.99). The life and tragic legacy of the founder of Sleazoid Express.
• SCRIPTS FROM THE CRYPT Vol. 11: Mr. Sardonicus, edited by Tom Weaver (BearManor Media, softcover, 290 pages, $30). Close-up look at the Ray Russell/William Castle classic.
• SMOKE AND MIRRORS: Special Visual Effects B.C. (Before Computers), by Mark D. Wolf (BearManor Media, softcover, 272 pages, $43). A behind-the-scenes look at how movies made you believe before the days of CGI.
• TERENCE FISHER: Master of Gothic Cinema, by Tony Dalton (Fab Press, softcover, 504 pages, $34.95). An authorized biography of the Hammer director who sparked the second wave of classic horror.
• UNHOLY COMMUNION: Alice, Sweet Alice, From Script to Screen, by Troy Howarth (BearManor Media, hardcover, 304 pages, $39.95). The making of Brooke Shields’1976 debut.
• UNIVERSAL ‘40s MONSTERS: A Critical Commentary, by John T. Soister (BearManor Media, hardcover, 798 pages, $52) A huge exploration of the studio’s sometimes overlooked 1940s horrors.
• UNTOLD HORROR, by Dave Alexander (Dark Horse, hardcover, 152 pages, $39.99). Interviews with top directors about horror films that were never made.
• WARPED & FADED: Weird Wednesday and the Birth of the American Genre Film Archive, by Lars Nilsen, edited by Kier-La Janisse (Mondo, softcover, 416 pages. $35). How Austin’s Alamo Drafthouse sparked a two-decade restoration effort of near-forgotten films.:
• WHEN DRACULA MET FRANKENSTEIN: My Years Making Drive-In Movies with Al Adamson, by Sam Sherman (Independent, softcover, 378 pages, $29.95). Tales from the bargain side of filmmaking.
• YOURS CRUELLY, ELVIRA Memories of the Mistress of the Dark, by Cassandra Peterson (Hachette Books, hardcover, 304 pages, $29). Horror host’s personal and newsmaking autobiography.
• Or write in another choice:

12) Best Classic Horror Fiction (Fiction that uses horror icons as jumping off points)

• ATTACK FROM THE ‘80s, edited by Eugene Johnson (Raw Dog Screaming Press, hardcover, 266 pages, $39.95). More than 20 gnarly tales of video monsters and more.
• BELA LUGOSI’S DEAD, by Robert Guffey (Macabre Ink, softcover, 264 pages, $17.99). A search for the lost Lugosi test footage from Frankenstein leads to an impossible choice.
• THE CLASSIFIED DOSSIER: SHERLOCK HOLMES & COUNT DRACULA, by Christian Klaver (Titan Books, hardcover, 432 pages, $19.99) The endless vampire and the Great Detective must join forces to defeat a fierce enemy.
• DRACULA NEVER DIES: The Revenge of Bela Vorlock, by Christopher R. Gauthier (Independent, softcover, 297 pages, $15). Alternate take on the life of a horror star from the 1930s to the 1950s.
• DRACULA OF TRANSYLVANIA, by Ricardo Delgado (Clover Press, hardcover, 560 pages, $45). An expansive retelling of the Bram Stoker classic, with illustrations.
• THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP, by Grady Hendrix (Berkley, hardcover, 352 pages, $26). A secret group of survivors must fight yet again.
• HORSEMAN: A Tale of Sleepy Hollow, by Christina Henry (Berkley, hardcover, 315 pages, $17). Villagers wave off the legend of a headless horseman as a myth. But then …
• THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF FOLK HORROR, edited by Stephen Jones (Skyhorse, softcover, 552 pages, $16.99). Anthology of old and new tales of what lurks in the darkness.
• MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW, by Stephen Graham Jones (Gallery/Saga Press. Hardcover, 416 pages, $26.99). A woman’s reverence for horror films becomes so intense that she hopes a slasher will come to town.
• THE PASSION OF THE MUMMY, by Frank J. Dello Stritto (Cult Movies Press, hardcover, 503 pages, $31). A fictional wrapping of the Mummy’s various incarnations, from Universal’s ancient Egypt to Hammer’s modern times.
• THIS THING OF DARKNESS, by K.V. Turley and Fiorella De Maria (Ignatius, softcover, 260 pages, $16.95). A fanciful interview with Bela Lugosi in 1956 leads a reporter to dark places.
• TURNING THE TIED, edited by Jean Rabe, Robert Greenberger (International Association Media Tie-in Writers, softcover, 453 pages, $19.99). Sherlock, Dracula, Frankenstein all figure in collection of stories by Max Allan Collins, Jonathan Maberry, Stephen D. Sullivan and others.
• Or write in another choice:

13) Best Magazine of 2021

• Bare*Bones
• Cinema Retro (UK)
• Classic Monsters of the Movies (UK)
• The Dark Side (UK)
• Delirium
• Fangoria
• Filmfax
• Freaky Monsters
• G-Fan
• HorrorHound
• Horror Scholar Journal
• Infinity (UK)
• Little Shoppe of Horrors
• Monster Bash
• Retro Fan
• Rue Morgue
• Scary Monsters
• Scream (UK)
• Screem
• Shock Cinema
• We Belong Dead (UK)
• Or write in another choice:

14) Best Article (Please select two; one will win)

• ‘Child of Dark Shadows,’ by Kathryn Leigh Scott, FANGORIA #11. The disappearance and return of her soap opera co-star.
• ‘Christopher Lee’s Euro-Horrors,’ by John Martin, THE DARK SIDE #221. How the actor’s European projects helped define him as a horror icon.
• ‘Dario’s Deep Designer Deaths,’ by Ian Taylor, WE BELONG DEAD #29. Argento’s murders were always in the most elegant settings.
• ‘A Dinosaur in New York,’ by Mike Hankin, INFINITY #36. Harryhausen expert on the making of Beast From 20,000 Fathoms.
• ‘Dracula’s House of Science,’ by Mark C. Glassy, SCARY MONSTERS #122-123. Was curing the monsters medical science or Universal quackery
• ‘The Ferrymen (and Women) of Fright,’ by David Dastmalchian. FANGORIA #11. Why horror hosts matter.
• ‘Filming Nemo,’ by Gregory Kulon, INFINITY #39. A deep dive into the earliest versions of Mysterious Island and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
• ‘Haunted Houses for Dummies,’ by George Humenik, SCARY MONSTERS #123. What makes an effective cinema haunted house.
• ‘Horror Business,’ by Rodrigo Gudino and Andrea Subissati, RUE MORGUE #200. Retracing the history of horror journalism and Canada’s long-running magazine.
• ‘Horror Heads: The Men Who Ran Hammer,’ by Denis Meikle, THE DARK SIDE #216-218. Profile of James Carreras, Anthony Hinds and others.
• ‘In Search of the Elusive Monsters of Denis Gifford,’ by Alan Tromp, WE BELONG DEAD #28. A young man’s quest to see films mentioned in Gifford’s Pictorial History guide.
• ‘I Was a Middle-Aged Werewolf,’ by Paul Davis, FANGORIA #12. Up close with the transformation in An American Werewolf in London.
• ‘Karloff’s Monster or Lee’s Creature,’ by Nige Burton, CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES ANNUAL 2021. Comparing the two classic portrayals of Mary Shelley’s creation.
• ‘Kong ’76 at 45,’ by John Hovey, G-FAN #132. Reassessing the controversial remake.
• ‘Legend of a Blood Countess: The Legacy of Daughters of Darkness,’ by Kat Ellinger, SCREAM #69. How The Vampire Lovers proved not only Dracula can rule the night.
• ‘London After … No, the Remake,’ by Matthew E. Banks, WE BELONG DEAD #30. Re-examining Tod Browning’s Mark of the Vampire.
• ‘Lugosi’s Awful Doctor Orloff,’ by Brian J. Robb, THE DARK SIDE #223. Censors just one of the challenges in the making of The Dark Eyes of London.
• ‘Monsters on Parade,’ by Martin Arlt, MAD SCIENTIST #34. All about Toho’s kaiju celebration, Destroy All Monsters.
• ‘More Than a Normal Person Can Endure,’ by Jon Towlson, THE DARK SIDE #222. The makings and restorations of Doctor X and Mystery of the Wax Museum.
• ‘Of Monsters and Magic,’ by Michael Mezmer, SCARY MONSTERS #121-122. Magicians and charlatans in the horror films.
• ‘The Overlooked Library,’ by Don D’Ammassa, bare*bones #6. Unearthing the Hammer ‘Omnibus’ collections which adapted the studio’s horror classics.
• ‘Reflections of Fear: The Making of The Gorgon,’ by Joshua Kennedy, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #47.
• ‘Michael Ripper: Hammer’s Most Prolific Star,’ by Alex Hopkins, CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES #24. Career-spanning look at Hammer’s versatile actor.
• ‘No Death, Only Change,’ by Frank Dello Stritto, SCARY MONSTERS #121. Reincarnation in film goes far beyond the mummy films.
• ‘Repairing Lon Chaney Jr.’s Legacy,’ by David Rosler, filmsinreview.com A director questions the drunk-on-set reputation of the horror star.
• ‘Sam Katzman’s Cold War Creatures,’ by Stephen Bissette, SCREEM #39, An examination of the  paranoia and memorable images in Katzman’s 1950s sci-fi thrillers.
• ‘Say Her Name,’ Natalie Erika James, FANGORIA #12. How director Nia Dacosta guided Candyman through the pandemic.
• ‘The Secret History of Godzilla vs. Kong,’ by John LeMay, G-FAN #133. The legal and production hurdles faced by the 2021 epic.
• ‘Storm Clouds Over Collinwood,’ by Rod Labbe, THE DARK SIDE #219. A fan’s personal encounters with the Dark Shadows phenomenon.
• ‘Suspiria Retrospective,’ by Aaron AuBuchon, HORRORHOUND #90. Both versions of the giallo classic.
• ‘Twisted Roots of Folk Horror,’ by Andrea Subissati, RUE MORGUE #202. Examining the enduring power of folk legends in Severin’s major box set.
• ‘A Weekend with Barbara: A Tribute to Barbara Shelley,’ by Stephen Laws, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #46. Recalling a 25-year friendship with  late horror queen.
• ‘Who Will Be His Bride Tonight: The Making of Horror of Dracula,’ by Bruce G. Hallenbeck, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #46. Extensive look behind the scenes of one of horror’s most important films (including more than a dozen artist interpretations).
• ‘Willis O’Brien: Triumph, Tragedy, and the Son of Kong, Parts 1-3’ by Greg Kulon, FILMFAX #157-159. Family nightmare that haunted O’Brien and production.
• ‘Woman Without a Soul: The Scandalous Second Life of 1914’s Lola,’ by Kelly Robinson, SCARY MONSTERS #122. One of the first film’s about a life restored.
• Or write in another choice:

15) Best Interview

• Axelle Carolyn (director, The Manor), by Chris Alexander. DELIRIUM #29.
• Elvira (Cassandra Peterson), by Sam Irvin, THE DARK SIDE #222.
• William Friedkin (The Exorcist), by Tony Earnshaw, THE DARK SIDE #223.
• Halloween Kills (cast and crew), by Jessica Dwyer, HORRORHOUND #91
• Brett Halsey (actor), by Paul Amundsen (FILMFAX #159-160)
• Kier-La Janisse (director, Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched), by Jay Kay. HORROR HOUND #91.
• Jared Krichensky (designer of latest MegaGodzilla) by Colin McMahon, G-FAN #132/
• Lynne Lugosi Sparks (Lugosi’s granddaughter), by Don Smeraldi, SCARY MONSTERS #120.
• Ve Neill (makeup artist), by Meredith Borders, FANGORIA #10
• Ron Oliver (director of Prom II and III), by Michael Varrati, FANGORIA #10
• Lara Parker (actress on Dark Shadows), by Rod Labbe, RETROFAN #17.
• Daniel Roebuck (about The Munsters), by William Wright, ruemorgue.com
• Martin Stephens (child in Village of Damned), by Calum Waddell,  DARK SIDE #220.
• Oliver Stone (about his horror influences), by Michael Doyle, RUE MORGUE #200.
• Or write in another choice:

16) Best Column

• Asylum for the Psychotronic, by Ansel Faraj in WE BELONG DEAD
• Emma Dark’s Dark Corner, WE BELONG DEAD
• Deep Focus, by John-Paul Checkett, SCREEM
• Devil’s in the Details, by Stacey Ponder, RUE MORGUE
• Exordium, by Michael Gingold, FANGORIA
• Files from the Black Museum, by Paul Corupe, RUE MORGUE
• Grey Matters, by Richard J. Schellbach, Mondo Cult Online
• It Came from Bowen’s Basement, John Bowen, RUE MORGUE
• Kaiju Korner, by Mike Bogue, SCARY MONSTERS
• The Nasty Files by Iain Todd, SCREAM
• Kim Newman’s Dungeon, THE DARK SIDE
• Overlooked in Hollywood by Laura Wagner, FILMS OF THE GOLDEN AGE
• Ralph’s One & Only Traveling Reviews, by Richard Klemensen, LITTLE SHOPPE OF      HORRORS
• R&D, David J. Schow, BARE*BONES
• Rondo Remembers, by Ron Adams, MONSTER BASH
• Scene Queen, by Barbara Crampton, FANGORIA
• Strange Days by Jason Strangis, SCARY MONSTERS
• Trilogy of Terror by Jim Ivers, SCARY MONSTERS
• They Came from the Krypt, by Jon Kitley, HORRORHOUND
• Or write in another choice: