Sharp Candy

First off, I looked it up. Sharp Candy, admittedly written by Dylan Nix, the director of this apocryphal TV series, is indeed a collection of books along the same vein as E. C. Comics' Creepshow. There are countless Easter eggs to be found from Dylan Nix's other horror anthology, "Baron Von Laugho's Halloween Spook-A-Thon! Special Restored Edition." The Baron himself even makes a few appearances in various episodes. Further still, you'll see familiar creatures and creeps cropping up in various episodes over the shows runtime. Implanting so many easter eggs is actually pretty freakin' awesome if you ask me, because it builds and sustains its own universe across multiple mediums of entertainment.

Spanning two whole seasons, this episodic anthology features 9 episodes of low budget, made-for-TV indie horror. The final product offers a perfunctory nod to, and a middling blend of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" and "Goosebumps." Sporting compelling stories and incredibly rich campiness, it is obvious that a lot of love and dedication went into this project; but, ultimately, subpar acting, paltry scripting, and low-grade practical effects greatly diminish its impact. Still, there's a certain overblown charm that I believe 90's kids, hipsters, and synth-wave fans - the sound design is pretty juicy - alike will find enjoyable.

Sharp Candy is a great little indie horror anthology. It's made by filmmakers who clearly love the horror genre and is sprinkled with Halloween spirit. Episode #3, "Tohell Road" is a spectacle unto itself. It features a powerful return and performance of Laugho the Clown, who feels very much like a horror icon in the making. The themes throughout the series are poignant and smart and it's a must watch for me every Halloween season.