The general rule of sequels is that they become less exciting and original as they continue. Each successive film copies from its predecessor and often ends up a pale copy. Wes Craven’s Scream series is no exception as parts two and three were both far lesser films than the original. Still, they each had bits that worked. Needless to say, when plans for a fourth film were announced a decade after Scream 3 very few people were excited at the prospect. And then Scream 4 ended up being the best Scream since the original. My full review is here, but the bottom line is that the movie is “funny, fresh, and wonderfully bloody, and it finds that delicate balance between horror and comedy that the last entry missed entirely.” Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson (who also wrote the original) have pulled off something special here with the help of a fantastically entertaining cast. (Second best ensemble of the year behind Horrible Bosses!) The lead trio returns, but they’re joined by several recognizable faces who help add personality, comedic timing, and sex appeal (thank you Hayden Panettiere). It’s a lot of fun, and fans of the series who passed on it in theaters should definitely give it a watch on DVD or Blu-ray. Speaking of DVD… Scream 4 hits shelves on Tuesday, October 4th, and we’re giving one away to a lucky winner! Keep reading for your chance to win.

Dewey Riley (David Arquette) is a pretty shitty cop. The killers always get away, people are always dying around him, he breaks as many rules as he enforces, and he’s not nearly as smart as he thinks he is… but he’s also fun, playful, and pretty damn entertaining. Dewey is the Scream franchise. (Well, all but Scream 3, which was like Dewey after a car accident had smashed his brains into ignorant and unfunny jelly that was then devoured by Ehren Kruger and shat out upon a blank page.) It’s been eleven years since we saw Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and friends triumph over her half-brother’s murder spree in Hollywood (decade old spoiler!), and she’s a new woman. Sid has blossomed from eternal victim into best-selling author and is on a book tour celebrating her memoir about making lemonade out of blood spattered lemons. Her last stop brings her home to Woodsboro where it all began, and if the two recently gutted teens are any indication, where it’s about to begin again. Sid’s not exactly the most popular woman in town anymore since being with her is “like being on Top Chef with Jeffrey Dahmer.” That combined with the past films’ body counts has left her with only two friends (and returning characters). Dewey and Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) are happily married now, but while he patrols the streets she struggles to find inspiration to write again. Hurray for murder!

Welcome back to Junkfood Cinema: where the tricks and the treats are indistinguishable. This is the internet’s spookiest of bad movie columns dedicated to digging up the corpses of long-dead schlock. I’m tempted to do a Vincent Price laugh, but that doesn’t come through in text too well. Every week I slash a bad movie down to size and then, through a seance of praise, invite its spirit into my own heart. The result is truly terrifying. I will then pair the film with a supernaturally tasty junkfood item to haunt your waistline as the movie haunts your brain! So, as it turns out, horror sequels win the month of October here at JFC. And being that we are just two days removed from my favorite holiday, I thought it best to wrap up the year’s creepiest month with another film in the Halloween franchise. Today’s film is Halloween H20.

As shooting begins in Michigan this week, the production known as Scream 4 is getting more supporting cast to go along with previously tagged slasher victims Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin and Nico Tortorella. This time around it’s a few more recognizable faces for the Wes Craven directed fourquel, including Adam Brody, Marley Shelton and Erik Knudsen.

Spotted at the American Film Market: a new poster from Scream 4. Spotted in the FSR newsroom: audible boredom from the Rejects’ staff.

At least, he’s not closed to the idea. But should they even be making more Scream movies?