Michael Curtis
@manlymikecurtis.bsky.social
TTRPG designer, writer, and Director of Product Development, DCC at Goodman Games. Unrepentant weirdo. More at https://shiversandshudders.com/
I should be more frugal with the holidays coming, but I saw this button tonight and had to buy it.
November 12, 2025 at 12:59 AM
I should be more frugal with the holidays coming, but I saw this button tonight and had to buy it.
Vaesen side game successful! Started "A Wicked Secret" last night wherein the Society investigates happenings in a secluded woodcutters' village. When buying souvenirs at the General Store was suggested, only one thing came to mind: local-themed t-shirts! #vaesen
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Vaesen side game successful! Started "A Wicked Secret" last night wherein the Society investigates happenings in a secluded woodcutters' village. When buying souvenirs at the General Store was suggested, only one thing came to mind: local-themed t-shirts! #vaesen
I'm tremendously enjoying Röki, which mashes together Scandinavian folklore, old LucasArts' style "point and click" video games, and feels like an homage to Jim Henson's "Labyrinth." Plus, plenty of girl-empowerment from our protagonist, Tove. Available on Steam if this sounds like your kind of jam.
November 8, 2025 at 2:25 PM
I'm tremendously enjoying Röki, which mashes together Scandinavian folklore, old LucasArts' style "point and click" video games, and feels like an homage to Jim Henson's "Labyrinth." Plus, plenty of girl-empowerment from our protagonist, Tove. Available on Steam if this sounds like your kind of jam.
I've got a full plate of work waiting for me today, but somebody still has to wake up early to feed the tomte in Röki.
November 7, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I've got a full plate of work waiting for me today, but somebody still has to wake up early to feed the tomte in Röki.
King Dragon, by Dick Hart for the book “Russian Folk Tales” (1967), looks pretty stylish. Every dragon needs a cool jacket with epaulettes.
November 6, 2025 at 12:42 AM
King Dragon, by Dick Hart for the book “Russian Folk Tales” (1967), looks pretty stylish. Every dragon needs a cool jacket with epaulettes.
Day 31: 28 Years Later
28 Days Later, 28 years later. Long delayed sequels are always a hard sell with me. 28 Years Later doesn't compare to the original, but doesn't do it disservice either. The last 20 minutes are most effective, but the last 3 almost ruin it.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
28 Days Later, 28 years later. Long delayed sequels are always a hard sell with me. 28 Years Later doesn't compare to the original, but doesn't do it disservice either. The last 20 minutes are most effective, but the last 3 almost ruin it.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
October 31, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Day 31: 28 Years Later
28 Days Later, 28 years later. Long delayed sequels are always a hard sell with me. 28 Years Later doesn't compare to the original, but doesn't do it disservice either. The last 20 minutes are most effective, but the last 3 almost ruin it.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
28 Days Later, 28 years later. Long delayed sequels are always a hard sell with me. 28 Years Later doesn't compare to the original, but doesn't do it disservice either. The last 20 minutes are most effective, but the last 3 almost ruin it.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Day 30: Tumbbad
Greed and forgotten gods don't mix. Indian folk horror that's as far from Bollywood as India is from California. Evocative imagery, fairy tale feel, and a captivating, scary story. One of the best of this year's marathon.
💀💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Greed and forgotten gods don't mix. Indian folk horror that's as far from Bollywood as India is from California. Evocative imagery, fairy tale feel, and a captivating, scary story. One of the best of this year's marathon.
💀💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
October 30, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Day 30: Tumbbad
Greed and forgotten gods don't mix. Indian folk horror that's as far from Bollywood as India is from California. Evocative imagery, fairy tale feel, and a captivating, scary story. One of the best of this year's marathon.
💀💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Greed and forgotten gods don't mix. Indian folk horror that's as far from Bollywood as India is from California. Evocative imagery, fairy tale feel, and a captivating, scary story. One of the best of this year's marathon.
💀💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Happy Spooky Season Eve Eve to all who celebrate.
October 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Happy Spooky Season Eve Eve to all who celebrate.
Day 29: Pyewacket
Teen learns not to call up what you can't put down. Pretty average throughout, as it packs all its menace and terror into the last 20 minutes, elevating it a bit above what I anticipated. Has some atmospheric bits to steal for your next horror RPG.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Teen learns not to call up what you can't put down. Pretty average throughout, as it packs all its menace and terror into the last 20 minutes, elevating it a bit above what I anticipated. Has some atmospheric bits to steal for your next horror RPG.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
October 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Day 29: Pyewacket
Teen learns not to call up what you can't put down. Pretty average throughout, as it packs all its menace and terror into the last 20 minutes, elevating it a bit above what I anticipated. Has some atmospheric bits to steal for your next horror RPG.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Teen learns not to call up what you can't put down. Pretty average throughout, as it packs all its menace and terror into the last 20 minutes, elevating it a bit above what I anticipated. Has some atmospheric bits to steal for your next horror RPG.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Day 28: The Bride (2017)
An angry spirit is tied to an old photograph. I was hoping for historical Slavic horror plot, but that was just the opening. Bog standard from then on out with a repetitive "scary shot" and Russian Judi Dench (in appearance, not talent).
💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
An angry spirit is tied to an old photograph. I was hoping for historical Slavic horror plot, but that was just the opening. Bog standard from then on out with a repetitive "scary shot" and Russian Judi Dench (in appearance, not talent).
💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
October 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Day 28: The Bride (2017)
An angry spirit is tied to an old photograph. I was hoping for historical Slavic horror plot, but that was just the opening. Bog standard from then on out with a repetitive "scary shot" and Russian Judi Dench (in appearance, not talent).
💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
An angry spirit is tied to an old photograph. I was hoping for historical Slavic horror plot, but that was just the opening. Bog standard from then on out with a repetitive "scary shot" and Russian Judi Dench (in appearance, not talent).
💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Meet Magni Ruckus-Maker. His wife left him for a jarl with a bigger ship, his brother-in-law burned down his mead hall, and his longship sank from dry rot. Now, Magni's getting some boys together to go a-viking. Mini by Footsore, backdrop by @handiworkgames.bsky.social, painting by me.
October 27, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Meet Magni Ruckus-Maker. His wife left him for a jarl with a bigger ship, his brother-in-law burned down his mead hall, and his longship sank from dry rot. Now, Magni's getting some boys together to go a-viking. Mini by Footsore, backdrop by @handiworkgames.bsky.social, painting by me.
Day 27: The White Reindeer
A love spell goes awry, leading to murder. Gorgeous black & white Finnish film set among the Sami people. Folk horror done 1950s' style complete with antlers, stone idols, and werereindeer. Dreamlike at times, but never disappointing.
💀💀💀💀 of 5. #31daysofhalloween
A love spell goes awry, leading to murder. Gorgeous black & white Finnish film set among the Sami people. Folk horror done 1950s' style complete with antlers, stone idols, and werereindeer. Dreamlike at times, but never disappointing.
💀💀💀💀 of 5. #31daysofhalloween
October 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Day 27: The White Reindeer
A love spell goes awry, leading to murder. Gorgeous black & white Finnish film set among the Sami people. Folk horror done 1950s' style complete with antlers, stone idols, and werereindeer. Dreamlike at times, but never disappointing.
💀💀💀💀 of 5. #31daysofhalloween
A love spell goes awry, leading to murder. Gorgeous black & white Finnish film set among the Sami people. Folk horror done 1950s' style complete with antlers, stone idols, and werereindeer. Dreamlike at times, but never disappointing.
💀💀💀💀 of 5. #31daysofhalloween
The somewhat bland shields are based on the Sutton Hoo reproduction on display at the British Museum.
October 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The somewhat bland shields are based on the Sutton Hoo reproduction on display at the British Museum.
Frantically finished one project today because the next one arrives in the mail tomorrow.
Hengest(es?) by Medbury and Footsore Miniatures, along with as yet unread background reading.
#medburyminiatures
#footsoreminiatures
#jhbackdrops
#historicalwargaming
Hengest(es?) by Medbury and Footsore Miniatures, along with as yet unread background reading.
#medburyminiatures
#footsoreminiatures
#jhbackdrops
#historicalwargaming
October 26, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Frantically finished one project today because the next one arrives in the mail tomorrow.
Hengest(es?) by Medbury and Footsore Miniatures, along with as yet unread background reading.
#medburyminiatures
#footsoreminiatures
#jhbackdrops
#historicalwargaming
Hengest(es?) by Medbury and Footsore Miniatures, along with as yet unread background reading.
#medburyminiatures
#footsoreminiatures
#jhbackdrops
#historicalwargaming
Day 26: Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell
Frankenstein continues his work in an asylum. 2026 Lee/Cushing/Price trifecta complete! Last entry in the Hammer Frankenstein series ends on a high note, pairing Cushing and David Prowse together for the first time.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Frankenstein continues his work in an asylum. 2026 Lee/Cushing/Price trifecta complete! Last entry in the Hammer Frankenstein series ends on a high note, pairing Cushing and David Prowse together for the first time.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
October 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Day 26: Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell
Frankenstein continues his work in an asylum. 2026 Lee/Cushing/Price trifecta complete! Last entry in the Hammer Frankenstein series ends on a high note, pairing Cushing and David Prowse together for the first time.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Frankenstein continues his work in an asylum. 2026 Lee/Cushing/Price trifecta complete! Last entry in the Hammer Frankenstein series ends on a high note, pairing Cushing and David Prowse together for the first time.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Day 25: Who Fears the Devil (1972)
John the Balladeer fights the supernatural in Appalachia. Many will be surprised I hadn't seen this one before given my familiarity with the source material, but a good print has been had to find. Also, I had reservations about how good a film it could be. (1/2)
John the Balladeer fights the supernatural in Appalachia. Many will be surprised I hadn't seen this one before given my familiarity with the source material, but a good print has been had to find. Also, I had reservations about how good a film it could be. (1/2)
October 26, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Day 25: Who Fears the Devil (1972)
John the Balladeer fights the supernatural in Appalachia. Many will be surprised I hadn't seen this one before given my familiarity with the source material, but a good print has been had to find. Also, I had reservations about how good a film it could be. (1/2)
John the Balladeer fights the supernatural in Appalachia. Many will be surprised I hadn't seen this one before given my familiarity with the source material, but a good print has been had to find. Also, I had reservations about how good a film it could be. (1/2)
Day 24: Viy (2014)
A priest holds vigil over a corpse and an English cartographer arrives in a remote village. An adaptation of Gogol's story, but not a well done as the 1967 version. Still, it has a weird vibe I enjoyed and warrants a future rewatch.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
A priest holds vigil over a corpse and an English cartographer arrives in a remote village. An adaptation of Gogol's story, but not a well done as the 1967 version. Still, it has a weird vibe I enjoyed and warrants a future rewatch.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
October 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Day 24: Viy (2014)
A priest holds vigil over a corpse and an English cartographer arrives in a remote village. An adaptation of Gogol's story, but not a well done as the 1967 version. Still, it has a weird vibe I enjoyed and warrants a future rewatch.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
A priest holds vigil over a corpse and an English cartographer arrives in a remote village. An adaptation of Gogol's story, but not a well done as the 1967 version. Still, it has a weird vibe I enjoyed and warrants a future rewatch.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Day 23: The Bloody Judge
Cruel magistrate hunts witches and treachery in 17th century England. I'm nearly in the home stretch and haven't seen a Chris Lee film yet this year, so here I am. This one is weird, not seeming to know what kind of film it wants to be or even what audience it's for. (1/2)
Cruel magistrate hunts witches and treachery in 17th century England. I'm nearly in the home stretch and haven't seen a Chris Lee film yet this year, so here I am. This one is weird, not seeming to know what kind of film it wants to be or even what audience it's for. (1/2)
October 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Day 23: The Bloody Judge
Cruel magistrate hunts witches and treachery in 17th century England. I'm nearly in the home stretch and haven't seen a Chris Lee film yet this year, so here I am. This one is weird, not seeming to know what kind of film it wants to be or even what audience it's for. (1/2)
Cruel magistrate hunts witches and treachery in 17th century England. I'm nearly in the home stretch and haven't seen a Chris Lee film yet this year, so here I am. This one is weird, not seeming to know what kind of film it wants to be or even what audience it's for. (1/2)
Day 22: The Enchanted
Man returns to his family home to discover strangers living on his land. Not really horror, more like a strange contemporary fairy tale set in the backwoods of Florida. Not a bad film, but not what I expected. Enjoyable nonetheless.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Man returns to his family home to discover strangers living on his land. Not really horror, more like a strange contemporary fairy tale set in the backwoods of Florida. Not a bad film, but not what I expected. Enjoyable nonetheless.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
October 25, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Day 22: The Enchanted
Man returns to his family home to discover strangers living on his land. Not really horror, more like a strange contemporary fairy tale set in the backwoods of Florida. Not a bad film, but not what I expected. Enjoyable nonetheless.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Man returns to his family home to discover strangers living on his land. Not really horror, more like a strange contemporary fairy tale set in the backwoods of Florida. Not a bad film, but not what I expected. Enjoyable nonetheless.
💀💀1/2 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Day 21: The Ghost Galleon
Fashion models board a ghost ship filled with those pesky blind Templar zombies. Third installment in the Spanish "Blind Dead" series, this one isn't quality by any means, but the muddy, pan-and-scan version I watched did it no favors.
💀 out of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Fashion models board a ghost ship filled with those pesky blind Templar zombies. Third installment in the Spanish "Blind Dead" series, this one isn't quality by any means, but the muddy, pan-and-scan version I watched did it no favors.
💀 out of 5 #31daysofhalloween
October 22, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Day 21: The Ghost Galleon
Fashion models board a ghost ship filled with those pesky blind Templar zombies. Third installment in the Spanish "Blind Dead" series, this one isn't quality by any means, but the muddy, pan-and-scan version I watched did it no favors.
💀 out of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Fashion models board a ghost ship filled with those pesky blind Templar zombies. Third installment in the Spanish "Blind Dead" series, this one isn't quality by any means, but the muddy, pan-and-scan version I watched did it no favors.
💀 out of 5 #31daysofhalloween
That time Hellboy visited my college town 7 years before I enrolled.
October 21, 2025 at 6:43 PM
That time Hellboy visited my college town 7 years before I enrolled.
Day 20: To the Fire You Come At Last
Four men carry a coffin along a corpse road to its final resting place. Atmospheric short (45 min.) film shot in black and white and mostly at night. Period folk horror with small cast and budget, yet well done nonetheless.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Four men carry a coffin along a corpse road to its final resting place. Atmospheric short (45 min.) film shot in black and white and mostly at night. Period folk horror with small cast and budget, yet well done nonetheless.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
October 20, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Day 20: To the Fire You Come At Last
Four men carry a coffin along a corpse road to its final resting place. Atmospheric short (45 min.) film shot in black and white and mostly at night. Period folk horror with small cast and budget, yet well done nonetheless.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Four men carry a coffin along a corpse road to its final resting place. Atmospheric short (45 min.) film shot in black and white and mostly at night. Period folk horror with small cast and budget, yet well done nonetheless.
💀💀💀 of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Day 19: The Haunting of Pendle Hill
Woman goes searching for her missing father who vanished while investigating the Pendle Witch Trials. I was hoping for some good folk horror fun, but got wooden acting and dreadful plotting instead. Do not recommend.
💀 of 5. #31daysofhalloween
Woman goes searching for her missing father who vanished while investigating the Pendle Witch Trials. I was hoping for some good folk horror fun, but got wooden acting and dreadful plotting instead. Do not recommend.
💀 of 5. #31daysofhalloween
October 20, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Day 19: The Haunting of Pendle Hill
Woman goes searching for her missing father who vanished while investigating the Pendle Witch Trials. I was hoping for some good folk horror fun, but got wooden acting and dreadful plotting instead. Do not recommend.
💀 of 5. #31daysofhalloween
Woman goes searching for her missing father who vanished while investigating the Pendle Witch Trials. I was hoping for some good folk horror fun, but got wooden acting and dreadful plotting instead. Do not recommend.
💀 of 5. #31daysofhalloween
Day 18: Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
Youtubers explore a notoriously haunted asylum in order to hit their streaming goals. K-horror found footage film that's better than most entries in the genre. Creepy despite the usual "running and screaming" aspects to FF movies.
💀💀1/2 out of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Youtubers explore a notoriously haunted asylum in order to hit their streaming goals. K-horror found footage film that's better than most entries in the genre. Creepy despite the usual "running and screaming" aspects to FF movies.
💀💀1/2 out of 5 #31daysofhalloween
October 19, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Day 18: Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
Youtubers explore a notoriously haunted asylum in order to hit their streaming goals. K-horror found footage film that's better than most entries in the genre. Creepy despite the usual "running and screaming" aspects to FF movies.
💀💀1/2 out of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Youtubers explore a notoriously haunted asylum in order to hit their streaming goals. K-horror found footage film that's better than most entries in the genre. Creepy despite the usual "running and screaming" aspects to FF movies.
💀💀1/2 out of 5 #31daysofhalloween
Day 17: Ouija: Origin of Evil
1960s California family meddles with things they shouldn't thanks to Parker Bros. Normally, I'd skip a movie like this, but I heard good buzz about the sequel film. Turned out to be pretty decent for a PG-13 horror flick.
💀💀1/2 out of 5. #31daysofhalloween
1960s California family meddles with things they shouldn't thanks to Parker Bros. Normally, I'd skip a movie like this, but I heard good buzz about the sequel film. Turned out to be pretty decent for a PG-13 horror flick.
💀💀1/2 out of 5. #31daysofhalloween
October 18, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Day 17: Ouija: Origin of Evil
1960s California family meddles with things they shouldn't thanks to Parker Bros. Normally, I'd skip a movie like this, but I heard good buzz about the sequel film. Turned out to be pretty decent for a PG-13 horror flick.
💀💀1/2 out of 5. #31daysofhalloween
1960s California family meddles with things they shouldn't thanks to Parker Bros. Normally, I'd skip a movie like this, but I heard good buzz about the sequel film. Turned out to be pretty decent for a PG-13 horror flick.
💀💀1/2 out of 5. #31daysofhalloween