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vespurr's review
3.0
This collection was a lot more hit or miss than "Found". I was on a bit of a roll with anthologies for a hot minute, especially this Found Footage/late 90s nostalgia type story feel. I finished "Found" and thought it was really excellent, so I moved right into Lost Films and just struggled a little more with this one. It wasn't bad by any means, but some stories were clearly more superior to others and as a whole collection it felt lacking. Overall this anthology didn't really hold my attention as well as I would have liked.
liznannigans's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
jdcorley's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
An above average anthology: a few real gems, including the long novella at that end, a few bombs (we shall pass by in decorous silence), and a few interesting twists on the "cursed film" concept. Even the rather staid idea of "the extra who died while filming" is given a phantasmagorical revision. Well worth a look.
michaellouisdixon's review
5.0
I loved this anthology! This is a perfect example of the great work coming out from Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing. Stellar fiction, all the time!
I’ve selected the ones that I liked the most:
LATHER OF FLIES by Brian Evenson. A great story to kick off this anthology. It really establishes the setting. With my appetite whetted, I'm ready to sink my teeth into this book.
THE CHURCH IN THE MOUNTAINS by Gemma Files. This was a rather long story but so worth it. I love Gemma's work. I want to see her work made into films. This story takes the premise of Lost Films and masters it. Bravo! Gemma Files is an amazing talent. I highly recommend reading her novel: EXPERIMENTAL FILM. It’s a novel length work that fits the premise of this anthology. Great stuff!
IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA ON 8TRACK by Bob Pastorella. This story is fantastic. Dude is an amazing writer! I actually first heard this when he read it at KillerCon Austin. I highly recommend reading his novel: MOJO RISING. Also from Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing.
A FESTIVAL OF FIENDS by Brian Asman. Another great addition to this book's theme. Brian delivers a story that would make a great episode of a Creepshow/Black Mirror hybrid. It was even extra special when I first heard this story during a live reading at KillerCon Austin. Things got intense with Max Booth III playing Brian's hype-man.
THIS COSMIC ATROCITY by Andrew Novak. OMFG! That was one F-ing scary story!
ELEPHANTS THAT AREN'T by Betty Rocksteady. This story sucked me in with its totally identifiable main character. I could relate to her experience. And then... Sh*t gets Weird.
ARCHIBALD LEECH, THE MANY-STORIED MAN by John C. Foster. When scientists break reality and things are starting to go insane, you send in someone who's just crazy enough to fix it.
DON'T TURN AROUND by Thomas Joyce. A fun short story that plays with the second person POV and the Reality TV/Found Footage trope.
THINGS SHE LEFT IN THE WOODS by Jessica McHugh. A very creepy tale.
STAG by Kristi DeMeester. All I can say is just, WOW! Kristi’s work never ceases to amaze me. If you haven’t read her novel BENEATH, you should.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS by Izzy Lee. A compelling Horror tale told in a similar style as Memento. Oh my god, that ending! Or, I mean, beginning! Good stuff.
THE FABULOUS AND TORMENTED LIFE OF A SERIAL EXTRA by Chad Stroup. A rare case of second person POV that manages to be captivating and compelling. Nicely done Weird Horror.
THE FANTASTIC FLYING ERASER HEADS by David James Keaton. A rather long story, probably considered a novelette. I can see why this came at the very end of the anthology. It's long and it sums up the theme's premise magnificently. It involves mindf**kery. I don't want to say any more than that. Read it!
I’ve selected the ones that I liked the most:
LATHER OF FLIES by Brian Evenson. A great story to kick off this anthology. It really establishes the setting. With my appetite whetted, I'm ready to sink my teeth into this book.
THE CHURCH IN THE MOUNTAINS by Gemma Files. This was a rather long story but so worth it. I love Gemma's work. I want to see her work made into films. This story takes the premise of Lost Films and masters it. Bravo! Gemma Files is an amazing talent. I highly recommend reading her novel: EXPERIMENTAL FILM. It’s a novel length work that fits the premise of this anthology. Great stuff!
IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA ON 8TRACK by Bob Pastorella. This story is fantastic. Dude is an amazing writer! I actually first heard this when he read it at KillerCon Austin. I highly recommend reading his novel: MOJO RISING. Also from Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing.
A FESTIVAL OF FIENDS by Brian Asman. Another great addition to this book's theme. Brian delivers a story that would make a great episode of a Creepshow/Black Mirror hybrid. It was even extra special when I first heard this story during a live reading at KillerCon Austin. Things got intense with Max Booth III playing Brian's hype-man.
THIS COSMIC ATROCITY by Andrew Novak. OMFG! That was one F-ing scary story!
ELEPHANTS THAT AREN'T by Betty Rocksteady. This story sucked me in with its totally identifiable main character. I could relate to her experience. And then... Sh*t gets Weird.
ARCHIBALD LEECH, THE MANY-STORIED MAN by John C. Foster. When scientists break reality and things are starting to go insane, you send in someone who's just crazy enough to fix it.
DON'T TURN AROUND by Thomas Joyce. A fun short story that plays with the second person POV and the Reality TV/Found Footage trope.
THINGS SHE LEFT IN THE WOODS by Jessica McHugh. A very creepy tale.
STAG by Kristi DeMeester. All I can say is just, WOW! Kristi’s work never ceases to amaze me. If you haven’t read her novel BENEATH, you should.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS by Izzy Lee. A compelling Horror tale told in a similar style as Memento. Oh my god, that ending! Or, I mean, beginning! Good stuff.
THE FABULOUS AND TORMENTED LIFE OF A SERIAL EXTRA by Chad Stroup. A rare case of second person POV that manages to be captivating and compelling. Nicely done Weird Horror.
THE FANTASTIC FLYING ERASER HEADS by David James Keaton. A rather long story, probably considered a novelette. I can see why this came at the very end of the anthology. It's long and it sums up the theme's premise magnificently. It involves mindf**kery. I don't want to say any more than that. Read it!
ashley__reads's review
4.0
Amazing collection of stories. My favorites being The Church in the Mountains, A Festival of Fiends, I Hate All That is Mine, This Cosmic Atrocity, The Fourth Wall, Don’t Turn Around, Things She Left in the Woods, but that last one… The Fantastic Flying Eraser Heads was the diamond in this book of gems. Really fed my Mandela Effect love SO much.
judetheunbeliever's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
jwdonley's review
5.0
This is a solid horror anthology. Each story deals with the film theme of the collection in its own original way. There isn't a bad story in the bunch.
Highlights for me were:
* In-a-godda-da-vida On 8Track - by Bob Pastorella
* A Festival of Fiends - by Brian Asman
* This Cosmic Atrocity - by Andrew Novak
* Teeth and Teeth and Teeth - by Ashlee Scheuerman
* The Fourth Wall - by Kev Harrison
* Things She Left in the Woods - by Jessica McHugh
* Stag - by Kristi DeMeester
* The Fantastic Flying Eraser Heads - by David James Keaton
Things She Left in the Woods was my very favorite of the entire collection. I did not see that ending coming!
There is something for every horror reader in here, so be sure to give it a try.
Highlights for me were:
* In-a-godda-da-vida On 8Track - by Bob Pastorella
* A Festival of Fiends - by Brian Asman
* This Cosmic Atrocity - by Andrew Novak
* Teeth and Teeth and Teeth - by Ashlee Scheuerman
* The Fourth Wall - by Kev Harrison
* Things She Left in the Woods - by Jessica McHugh
* Stag - by Kristi DeMeester
* The Fantastic Flying Eraser Heads - by David James Keaton
Things She Left in the Woods was my very favorite of the entire collection. I did not see that ending coming!
There is something for every horror reader in here, so be sure to give it a try.
wpsmith17's review
4.0
A very solid anthology hosting a lot of talented writers. My favorites included The Church in the Mountains, A Festival of Fiends, Elephants that Aren't, The Thing in the Side Room, Archibald Leech, the Many-Storied Man, Stag, and The Fabulous Life of a Serial Extra. Good stuff in here!
tankiestein's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
3.5
There were few stories in here that were an absolute vibe. Stag was immaculate, I still think about it.
Great sampling dish of different horror authors to check out.
Great sampling dish of different horror authors to check out.