Part homage, part parody, Jerome Sable’s “Stage Fright” (Magnet), contains references to “Camp,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Friday the 13th,” “Carrie,” “Phantom of the Paradise,” “Scream” and countless other pop culture faves in the horror/slasher/fame genres. “Stage Fright” opens with the familiar horror device of a gory death – the brutal murder of Broadway musical diva Kylie (Minnie Driver in a sly nod to her role in the movie version of Phantom of the Opera), then fast-forwards 10 years to the Center Stage Performing Arts Camp run by her former manager/boyfriend Roger (politically conservative rocker Meat Loaf).

Kylie’s grown-up twin children Camilla (Allie McDonald) and Buddy (Douglas Smith) are the kitchen staff at the camp. But Allie has ambitions to be on the stage, and in spite of the rules prohibiting her from doing so, she auditions for the lead in the camp’s Kabuki-ized production of “Haunting of the Opera.” It just so happens that that was the role Kylie was playing at the time of her murder.

As you might have guessed, Camilla is one of two campers, along with Liz (Melanie Leishman), cast as Sophia. Both Camilla and Liz are at the mercy of libidinous director Artie (Brandon Uranowitz), who, of course expects his actresses to put out before he decides who will perform on opening night when Broadway producer Victor (James McGowan) will be in attendance.

There is plenty of behind-the-scenes backstabbing as well as your run-of-the-mill killer-on-the-campground types of stabbings. Plus, there’s a whole gay subplot involving here-and-queer stage manager David (Thomas Alderson) and insistently straight leading man Sam (Ephraim Ellis) that (high) kicks things up a notch.

So here’s what sets “Stage Fright” apart from the movies it parrots. First and foremost, it’s a musical, with songs containing witty lyrics and catchy melodies. Add to that the musical-within-a-musical element, and Stage Fright has more going for it than you might expect. The acting is of the over-the-top horror level, but it is balanced by the humor and respect it has for its subject matter. [Currently available on VOD and scheduled to open in theaters during May.]

Neither cheerleaders nor witches have the best reputations. So you can imagine what kind of messages “All Cheerleaders Die” (RLJ), a movie about high school cheerleaders who become zombies because of a spell cast by a teen witch with lesbian tendencies might be sending.

Head cheerleader Alexis (Felisha Cooper) puts the head back into head cheerleader via her interactions with football stud Terry (Tom Williamson). When she declares cheerleading to be the most dangerous high school sport, she’s not kidding. Lexi breaks her neck and dies in a cheerleading accident.

Now Tracy (Brooke Butler) and Martha (Reannin Johannink), must find a replacement for the squad. It doesn’t take long for them to select Maddy (Caitlin Stasey), whose queer rep – she was in a relationship with Wiccan classmate Leena (Sianoa Smit-McPhee) – is overlooked for her cheering skills. But Leena isn’t just going to stand by and let her gal pal become one of the mean girls.

This is where the movie’s moral – the consequences that come with getting what you wish for — comes into play. Following a particularly excessive night of partying in a cemetery, things get violent and there are suddenly four dead girls. But after a little magic, a full moon and some stone throwing, they rise from the dead to cheer, strike fear and generally turn their suburban town upside down.

Co-written/co-directed by Lucky McKee (May) and Chris Sivertson, “All Cheerleaders Die” is identified as the first part of a series (that’s wishful thinking!) and the cemetery finale (with its Carrie homage) would indicate there’s more to come. [Spoiler alert: Let’s hope they revive Terry and forget to give him a shirt.] [Currently available on VOD and opening in theaters on June 13.]