So late last night I heard the sad news that film director and horror master Wes Craven passed away. Let me just say that to the horror community this is a great loss; to us he was like an all-star sports player, making some of the greatest “plays ever,’’ such as a little movie known as Nightmare on Elm Street. He also recently launched a Scream T.V. show based on his movie of the same name—which, for those who don’t know, started the self-aware horror genre.

So if you enjoy Cabin in the Woods or The Evil Dead, you should give a big thanks to Wes. If you enjoy the slasher film genre, you should also give some thanks to Wes. To be completely honest, if you enjoy any horror movie made in the last 20 years, thank or blame Wes for them. So maybe this weekend you should put on Nightmare on Elm Street (It is on Netflix so most of you have no excuse.), make some popcorn, and enjoy some great scares in his honor.

Thanks for all the great nightmares, Wes. Sincerely, the horror community.