Here's some spooky stuff I've watched in the last 10 days.
The Nun II - The first half is a bit slow after a great opening, but I thought this was a goddamn blast once they get to the school and the action picks up. It is a bit long and maybe a bit light on appearance by the actual Valak character, but I had a lot of fun overall.
What Happens Next Will Scare You - This is from Chris LaMartina who made WNUF. It's an anthology about a clickbait video site called Click Clique trying to put together a "13 Scariest Videos" list. Not as good as WNUF, but still quite fun. Plus there's an awesome VCR monster that really steals the show.
Dark Intruder - This was a pilot with Leslie Nielsen from 1965 about a Sherlock/Kolchak kind of character. It didn't get picked up so it was just released as 56 minute long movie.
Bugged! - A movie distributed by Troma about a group of exterminators who accidentally use a chemical that causes the bugs to become intelligent and grow to 20 times their original size. This was more of a comedy, and while it's not super funny it's still a charmingly fun movie with some pretty good effects for the budget - including a melting guy and a big ass cricket firing a gun at a guy.
Elevator Game - This new Shudder original was not so good, sadly. One of those movies about a group of alleged friends that all seem to hate each other and fight the whole time. A few creepy bits here and there, but also a tremendous amount of footage of people pushing elevator buttons and watching the doors open. It's like the equivalent of watching the David Pumpkins sketch like 4 times in a row. That level of elevator door opening scenes, if that makes any sense.
8989 Redstone - This was a random Tubi Watch about a home renovation show trying to renovate a very haunted house. It stars Eric Allan Kramer from the Disney show Good Luck Charlie and he seems to be having a blast screaming offensive things at everyone in the cast. This was actually pretty fun until it totally shits the bed in the last couple minutes with a twist that doesn't really make any sense.
Cobweb - This didn't play within 45 minutes of me during the 6 days it was in the theater so I just had a chance to see it yesterday. Really cool movie that kind of reminded me of a less over the top depressing version of Antlers. Not all that similar I guess, but it's got a weird misunderstood kid, a concerned teacher and a very old and creepy house. Close enough for me.
Anyway, I thought it was a spooky good time and Lizzy Caplan is great here, she's super creepy and off putting in this and I hope she does more horror stuff in the future. I know she was on that Castle Rock show. I'm not a big show or series kind of guy, but I may have to check that out.
I think I said "fun" in every entry above. I need a thesaurus.
Flesh and Fantasy - A 1940's Universal anthology movie of 3 supernatural tales regarding fate and dreams. Only the middle one had what we'd still consider to be a "horror" plot, but all 3 had at least some brief scares. Easily my favorite of the 3 Vinegar Syndrome Labs releases I've purchased, great looking scan too.
SEPTEMBER - The Warm-Up (Blue = blu-ray, * = first time viewing)
THE LIST SO FAR:
[Show spoiler] RELIC* (2020) 1/2 This is currently rated 92% on Rotten Tomatoes - but I didn't get it. The acting is good, the atmosphere of dread is excellent, and the film is artfully made ...but it left me scratching my head. I think that it's an allegory about Alzheimers. A middle-age woman and her adult daughter go to check on the woman's elderly mother. There are signs she has dementia. But after that set up, all bets are off. The house is slowly being consumed by a growing black mold (which no one mentions) and the whole building is changing size and layout. The incresingly bizarre events can't actually be happening, so what do they mean? Some kind of arty statement about the 3 stages of a woman's life and the horror of dementia? You got me. THE INNOCENTS (1961) 1/2 This is an all-time classic. Extremely well shot, with tons of atmosphere ...but it's not for the hack-and-slash crowd. It's definitely a slow burn film, and it's very ambiguous. In fact, it's never clear whether the events of the film are real, or the imaginings of the governess. But if you prize mood over action and don't mind not having a clear-cut story, this is one of the greats! NEEDFUL THINGS (1993) Theatrical: Extended TV Version*: Fun film! While this isn't one of the best Stephen King adaptations, it's a good one, and it's far better than it's reputation. We watched both the theatrical version, and (for the first time ever) the TV cut. The TV version is the winner hands down. It's probably a little too long, but the restored sub-plots and character development take it up several notches. Even in 4:3 with censored language, this is the version to watch. Good performances (especially from Max Von Sydow) and a fleshed-out story line move it up several spaces on the list of good King adaptations. SALEM'S LOT (1979) 1/2 If you saw this as a child, you've probably never forgotten the vampire, or the floating kid scratching at the window. Unfortunately, there's not much else here. The first half is mostly filler, with characters that add nothing to the plot, who get introduced and then dropped from the story. The second half is fun with lots of cheesy vampire moments, but it's all very disjointed with really poor continuity. Basically, this is a mediocre film with some very memorable images. However, if you're a fan, the blu-ray is a must-own - the picture quality is outstanding! GHOST STORY (1981) 1/2 Despite not being popular with the critics, this one holds up for me! A great cast of old-time actors, and a wonderful performance by Alice Krieg make this a real Halloween treat. Eeerie, old-school, slow-burn horror built around a classic ghost story. A favorite! SILVER BULLET (1985) Fun 80s cheese. Movies like this are kind of (silver) bullet-proof: you know that they're not very good, but it doesn't matter since they're so fun to watch. Lots of hokey scenes, old-school pre-CGI werewolf action, and decent performances from Corey Haim and Gary Busey, before he went insane. Lock the doors and pass the popcorn! THE WOLFMAN (Unrated cut) (2010) 1/2 I admit it: the climactic werewolf battle is ridiculous, and the movie would be better without it.
Now that we have that out of the way, there is still much to like in this film. It has a great gothic look, some good dialogue and a number of very effective scenes. It relies too much on action (and a lot of the CGI is looking quite dated) but when it's good, it's very good. And it's miles better than other Universal attempts to revive their monster franchise (I'm looking at you, Tom Cruise.) The extended, "unrated" cut is an improvement over the theatrical version, with more backstory, nice character bits, and better pacing. No classic, but well-worth watching ..."when the autumn moon is bright." ROBOT MONSTER in 3D (1953) This is, of course, a terrible movie by any standard. But it's also really, really fun to watch. We had friends over, and the laughter never stopped. For enjoyment alone, this probably deserves 5 skulls ...but, I cannot. (But I must!)
Amazingly, this 70 year old, $16,500 production looks wonderful on the new blu-ray from Bayview. The 3D is quite good, and the print is sharp and clear with a good range of tones. Hats off to the 3D Film Archive for their restoration and excellent extras. May their Calcinator Death Ray shine on forever. A BUCKET OF BLOOD (1959) Since Olive Films died, I've been trying to grab a few of their Signature Series releases before they get too expensive. This one is a delight! The movie is never going to look great, but this is the best it has ever looked on disc, and the extras are wonderful. Hadn't seen the film in several years. I had forgotten how good Dick Miller is in the lead role, how sympathetic his character is, and how dark the film gets for a comedy. By the end, it's pretty black. Hard to imagine that this was cranked out in less than a week - it's very well written, genuinely funny, and even rather poignant in parts. Long live Roger Corman! LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Streaming) (1960) After A Bucket Of Blood, we watched Roger Corman's other cheapo excursion into horror/comedy: the two-day wonder, Little Shop Of Horrors. Somehow, it doesn't work as well. It has the same writer, a very original concept, and good characters ...but it feels more padded, with too many unrelated comedy bits (the dentist, the cops, the hypochondriac mother) that pull the attention away from the main story. And some of that comedy falls pretty flat. However, when it works, it works very well, and it's such a great idea that it's still worth seeing. GHOST STORIES (2018) 1/2 I first saw and reviewed this film in this very thread in 2018. My thoughts today are exactly the same:
"I can't stop thinking about this movie! Too many jump scares perhaps, but there is a lot more here than shock. This film demands to be watched closely with no distractions, and the closer you watch, the more you'll get out of it. Plus, it's a lot of fun! I hate it when people say "You didn't get it" if you don't like a certain movie. However, in this case, if all you see is what's in plain sight ... you didn't get it. Or at least you missed the best part." CARRIE (2013) For most of the film, this holds-up to the 1976 classic. Yes, Chloe Grace Moretz is too cute for the role, but she plays it well. And Julianne Moore is exceptional. Though Piper Laurie was excellent in the original, she was kind of "movie crazy," as opposed to Moore who comes off real-life mentally ill. Also, the addition of social media was a logical and cruel method of tormenting Carrie. The movie slips in comparison to its predecessor, though, at the climax. It's way over-done, and what had been a very convincingly real tale becomes just a movie. Still, if we had to have a remake, there is much to admire in this one. If its not as good as the original, its far better that many retreads. Well worth seeing. THE VICTIM (1972) Fun to see Elizabeth Montgomery in this film, made immediatly after Bewitched. After a good set up, it gets repetitive with lots of scenes of Liz wandering around in the rain looking for her sister. The story is quite prepictable, but the climax is exciting. Over-all, its tame, but fun. NIGHT TERROR (1976) Valerie Haper (yep, Rhoda herself) stars in this film, which owes a lot to Duel. A woman alone at night is the only witness to a murder on the highway ...and the chase is on! The early "family" scenes are cringe-worthy, with Valerie as a clueless housewife, but once it goes on the road, it's becomes a real nail-biter. The mute killer (who "speaks" using a mechanical larynx) is great! His best bit: He pays a waitress who talks too much, by cramming the money in his mouth ...and spitting it at her!
A HAUNTING IN VENICE* (Theatrical) (2023) "Who-dun-its" are simply not my genre. I much prefer suspense to puzzles where someone solves a crime and then explains it all to the viewer. However, this does have wonderful atmosphere, a great old-school Halloween vibe, and a good character arc for Perot. I couldn't possibly follow all the twists and turn - and stopped trying after a while - but it was an enjoyable ride getting there, and probably my favorite of the 3 films in the series. (It would get 3.5 from me, but my wife says 4!) EYE OF THE CAT1/2 (1969) Really obscure, really dated ...and really fun! Written by the screenwriter of Psycho, it's a "kill the elderly invalid for her money" story, with a twist: One conspirator is terrified of cats ...and her house is full of them. Campy, but at least 2 scenes - a runaway wheelchair on a hilly street, and a massive cat attack - are genuinely frightening. The very last scene falls strangely flat, otherwise this forgotten 60s thriller would get 4 groovy, psychedelic skulls.
Last edited by charlieray1; 09-18-2023 at 05:54 AM.
This movie was on Showtime pretty regularly during my childhood in the late 80's. I remember being very fond of it. This went along the lines of Mannequin, Sorority Babes at the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, and Just One of the Guys that I always caught on tv more than once. You could say they were childhood favs(being 7 or 8 and catching boobies was awesome).
How does My Demon Lover stack up to a 42 year old mindset? Well... It's not particularly well made. It's tone is scattershot, the characterization is messy and preposterous, and there's not much of a narrative. Things are just happenstance or for special fx showcasing. It's not a good movie by any stretch... Yet, I was entertained.
Despite a shoddy start for Valentine and Little, their chemistry really began to blossom when the movie allowed itself to calm the hell down and let these characters be people. Kaz is manic but it's his curse that makes him obnoxiously so. At first I was like "We're supposed to like this creeper"?
Eventually we look beyond the beast and see the beauty of his heart, and Little's naivety is revealed to just be a kind soul.
Their relationship and performances really hold the film together... granted by a thread. I can appreciate good ole bonkers goofball cinema, but My Demon Lover barely survives the scrutiny of my childhood memories. This one I can watch again on a less demanding, more relaxing day to pass the time with an 80's time capsule.
9/17 - The Battery (2023)*
The Pied Piper (1986)*
Batman: The Long Halloween (2021)*
Elevator Game (2023)* IMG_2078.jpg
(* notes first time viewing)
And the list so far -
[Show spoiler]9/1 - The Hole in the Ground (2019)*
9/2 - As Above, So Below (2014)*
9/3 - Se7en (1995)
9/4 - The Devil’s Advocate (1997)
9/6 - The Gate (1987)*
9/7 - Martyrs (2008)
9/8 - Titane (2021)*
From Dusk till Dawn (1996)
9/10 - Eden Lake (2008)*
From Hell (2001)
9/12 - Red Dragon (2002)
9/13 - The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
9/14 - Hannibal (2001)
9/15 - Idle Hands (1999)*
Eat, Brains, Love (2019)*
The Descent (2005)
9/17 - The Battery (2023)*
The Pied Piper (1986)*
Batman: The Long Halloween (2021)*
Elevator Game (2023)*
Every Halloween time (aka September on), I watch on YouTube the Bravo "100 Scariest Movie Moments of All-Time." I LOOOOVE it so much. I am currently watching Eli Roth's History of Horror on Shudder, and am really digging that as well. Do any of you have any suggestions for other horror specials like those? I watched Shudder's "101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments" last year and own the first "In Search of Darkness," but haven't sat down and watched it yet.
What did you think of this? I'm a long time fan of Shock Waves Podcast. I want to check it out because of Rebekah McKendry's involvement, but I notice she hasn't even tweeted about it or mentioned it on her social media which seems odd.
What did you think of this? I'm a long time fan of Shock Waves Podcast. I want to check it out because of Rebekah McKendry's involvement, but I notice she hasn't even tweeted about it or mentioned it on her social media which seems odd.
Yea I enjoyed it well enough, has a solid pace and some good tension. I myself am not familiar with Shock Waves Podcast and I think the source material could be made into a better story without the podcast narrative but they do well with it. I’ve for years been familiar with the Elisa Lam story (not that this movie has anything specifically to do with her), her death at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles and the urban legend of the elevator game that came with it. Like Bloody Mary I see the elevator game as something I probably would have played in my youth and is still intriguing now so that’s where my perspective came from in wanting to watch this.
Every Halloween time (aka September on), I watch on YouTube the Bravo "100 Scariest Movie Moments of All-Time." I LOOOOVE it so much. I am currently watching Eli Roth's History of Horror on Shudder, and am really digging that as well. Do any of you have any suggestions for other horror specials like those? I watched Shudder's "101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments" last year and own the first "In Search of Darkness," but haven't sat down and watched it yet.
Every Halloween time (aka September on), I watch on YouTube the Bravo "100 Scariest Movie Moments of All-Time." I LOOOOVE it so much. I am currently watching Eli Roth's History of Horror on Shudder, and am really digging that as well. Do any of you have any suggestions for other horror specials like those? I watched Shudder's "101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments" last year and own the first "In Search of Darkness," but haven't sat down and watched it yet.
In Search of Darkness is really fun. Lots of great guests. Then there's Part 2 and 3 as awell.
I'd strongly recommend Crystal Lake Memories and Never Sleep Again if you're a fan of Jason and Freddy. About as comprehensive as you're gonna get.
Dark Night of the Scarecrow - Got the Bluray over the weekend due to the recommendations in this thread. First time watching it, very nice looking scan. Watching Joe Bob's commentary on it via The Last Drive-In on Shudder now!
Was trying to hold off until October 1st but couldn’t fight the urge any longer so the first one of the 2023 Spooky season is Wolfen from the 4 disc set.
Love the early 80’s vibe and NYC before it got cleaned up 🤣🤣🤣
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